Kays Translations
Just another Isekai Lover~
Chapter 348: The Border Fortress
After the unexpected bounty of their march—the nourishment of giant buffalo steaks—the advance unit resumed their progress northward toward the fortress.
The surplus meat was frozen solid with magic and packed into wagons with the rest of the supplies.
The portion that could not fit was smoked for preservation and distributed to the soldiers, each man adding it to his own rations.
After several days of travel, they arrived at a fortress on the border.
To the north of the fortress flowed a river, and beyond that stretched a vast, dense forest.
“That forest is the home of the foreigners. In this country, it is often called ‘The Demons’ Nest,’” explained Dibble, pointing toward their destination.
“There are many tribes among the foreigners. The Oni, the Winged, the Lizardmen, and the Insect-kin are the most aggressive. They have invaded the Kingdom of Iwood countless times in the past.”
“I know it’s a bit late to ask, but… what exactly are they after when they attack?”
“Their primary aim is plunder. They raid villages and towns to seize food and valuables. They sometimes abduct young women and children as well.”
“So, like bandits. Different race or not, lawless brutes behave the same way.”
Rest grimaced with displeasure.
The thought of women and children being kidnapped—of what might be done to them—made his blood boil.
“Not all foreigners are hostile, however. The Forest Folk and the Centaur Folk are said to be gentle and avoid conflict with us.”
“Forest folk and centaur folk…”
Elves and centaurs, perhaps.
Come to think of it, despite living in a fantasy world, Rest had rarely encountered non-human races until now.
If they were not enemies to be fought, he might have actually looked forward to meeting them.
(If it weren’t kill-or-be-killed, I’d want to talk to them…)
“Do we ever launch attacks into their territory?”
“There have been a few attempts at counter-invasions in the past, but they all ended in failure. Fighting on the enemy’s home ground is no easy task.”
“Well, they’d have the terrain advantage. Makes sense.”
Indeed, in the forest, numerical superiority meant little.
With enemies hidden among the trees, engaging in guerrilla warfare, one could only rack up needless casualties.
“I heard the fortress was under attack, but… it doesn’t look like it right now, does it?”
There were no enemies around the fortress.
Nor did the foreigner-occupied forest across the river show any sign of disturbance… or so it seemed.
“Ooooooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh!”
“!”
From the forest came a rumbling roar.
Moments later, numerous figures burst out from between the trees.
They were tall, red-skinned humanoids, nearly two meters in height.
Horns jutted from their heads—the Oni, one of the foreign tribes.
“Loose your weapons!”
“Ooooooooooooooohhhhhh!”
The Oni hurled their axes and spears toward the fortress.
The distance from the forest to the fortress, across the river, was nearly two hundred meters—far beyond the normal reach of thrown weapons.
And yet the hurled weapons covered that distance in an instant, slamming against the fortress with lethal force.
“What throwing distance… what power…!”
Rest caught his breath.
In his previous world, the javelin throw world record was about ninety-eight meters.
Here, weapons flew twice that distance without losing momentum.
“Defend! Cast magic!”
From atop the walls, defenders shouted.
Fire and wind spells shot out, intercepting the incoming weapons mid-air.
“More are coming! All hands, prepare to intercept!”
But the next assault was already underway.
From the clouds above, figures came diving down.
Wielding spears, they were winged humanoids—the Winged Tribe.
Over a hundred descended from the sky, striking at the fortress defenders.
“Strike down the birds! Keep alert—there are more coming from below!”
“Gyaoooooooooooohhhhhh!”
Indeed, more enemies surged forth.
Creeping out of the river were ominous shapes rushing toward the fortress.
Humanoid, yet covered in blue-green scales, with long tails trailing behind them—monstrous in form compared to the Oni or Winged. These must be the Lizardmen.
“Cross the river!”
“Forward! Follow meeeee!”
The Oni who had been throwing weapons leapt into the river, charging straight for the fortress.
So it was war, after all.
The silence from earlier had been a lie—the battle had truly begun.
“This is…!”
“Our allies are under attack! We fight as well!”
It was Valeya Catreya, commander of the advance unit, who issued the order.
“Swordsmen and warriors, to the front—block the enemy’s advance! Mages, support from the rear with spells!”
“Yes, sir!”
The advance unit responded swiftly.
Soldiers armed with spears, swords, and large shields spread out in formation, bracing for the enemy.
Rest and his group took up position in the rear, shielded by the frontline troops.
“Humans! More of them over there!”
“Kill them! Kill them aaaaaaall!”
Some of the Oni crossing the river spotted the advance unit and veered toward them.
Thus, the battle began the very moment they arrived.
Their bodies, weary from the march, were given no time to rest—before them now was war with the foreign tribes.