Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 162: The Mercenary’s Perspective
Thirty-five people had been assembled for the attack on behalf of the Marchioness of Van Dyne.
They weren’t all members of the Assassins’ Guild. The force included mercenaries like me, adventurers, drifters, and anyone else who could be gathered in a hurry.
The original plan had been to attack the inn tomorrow night and kill everyone there, including any witnesses. However, the target had suddenly moved to another location, and we had been told that only three guards remained. Our leaders decided to seize the opportunity and attack under cover of darkness.
The new location was an isolated house surrounded by open ground. There would be no neighbors to witness what happened.
The target was a noble girl in her mid-teens. It was filthy work, but the payment was good. Once I took part, though, the employer would have a crime they could use to control me forever.
A light shone from a house in the distance.
That had to be the place.
I was waiting for the order to spread out and surround it when something tore through the night air.
“Aagh!”
“Gah!”
“Damn it!”
The man beside me collapsed, followed by several behind him. In the darkness, I could just make out an arrow buried in the shoulder of the last man in the line.
One arrow had passed through three men and seriously wounded a fourth.
Before I could fully understand what had happened, another arrow struck several more attackers.
“Those shots are too powerful and accurate! Spread out, or we’ll remain perfect targets!” I shouted.
Another group fell before the others reacted.
“Get behind the shield bearers!”
There was no natural cover on the open ground. Those of us carrying shields had no choice but to move forward and block the arrows for everyone else.
I raised my shield and advanced.
The light in the distant house suddenly vanished, leaving us in complete darkness. A moment later, a white glow appeared farther ahead.
“[Illumination]? Aim for the light and attack!”
The commander became furious that I had issued an order without his permission.
“Don’t give commands without my say-so! I’m in charge—”
He was shouting from behind another man’s shield when a glowing arrow streaked toward us. It pierced the shield, passed through the soldier holding it, and buried itself in the commander’s chest.
“A [Light Arrow]! Their archer is being reinforced by magic—watch out!”
The sight of an arrow punching through both shield and man broke the nerve of the drifters. Several screamed and fled.
The five Assassins’ Guild members didn’t hesitate. They identified the archer as the greatest threat, split to either side, and rushed toward the house.
I ran after them, but they were far faster than I was.
The assassin in front suddenly struck an invisible wall. Lightning raced across his body, leaving him paralyzed and smoking.
A barrier trap?
The others kept moving. Such traps usually disappeared after being activated.
A second assassin touched another invisible wall and was engulfed in flames.
Two traps!
The remaining assassins stopped. An arrow immediately struck one of them down. The last two raised shortbows and returned fire, trying to suppress the enemy archer.
I caught up and stepped through the place where the barriers had been triggered.
Nothing happened.
“There were only two traps!” I called to those behind me.
At that instant, two arrows roared past my face and struck the remaining assassins.
I raised my shield and charged the archer.
Then I finally saw the terrifying enemy waiting in the darkness.
A child?
The surprise stopped me for a fraction of a second. The child released another arrow.
The last thing I saw was its point rushing toward me.
****
Tauro continued firing into the mixed force of assassins, mercenaries, adventurers, and hired thugs.
He had deliberately used [Light Arrow] to make himself visible and draw the attackers away from the house. Once they committed to him, the two Royal Guard knights left Aeris’s side and joined the battle.
“Your archery is incredible! Leave anyone who gets close to us. Keep shooting!”
The knights slipped between the incoming arrows and cut down the enemies approaching Tauro.
At first, the defense went well. The five Assassins’ Guild members were defeated, but the remaining attackers still held a tremendous numerical advantage. As the fighting closed around him, Tauro put away his bow and drew Shortsword Tauro.
Even with the two Royal Guard knights beside him, they were gradually forced back.
“The target is inside the house!” someone shouted.
Then horses neighed and hooves thundered across the open ground.
A mounted Royal Guard unit swept onto the property, led by Count Connoen.
The attackers immediately understood that the situation had become hopeless. Before they could escape, the cavalry encircled them. Those still alive threw down their weapons and surrendered.