Chapter 12: The Strongest Onmyoji Meets the Enemy

A few days later, we arrived at the location where the rebellion was said to be taking place.

Now, I stand near the outskirts of a town, gazing at the plain spread out before me.

A town with no noteworthy features, possessing only low city walls that can’t even be called fortifications.

The reason I’m in such a place is because a faction of the rebel army is heading here.

“They number around three thousand.”

Holy Knight Ren said standing beside me with a composed smile.

I snorted in response.

“Well, that’s about what I expected.”

Relying on information from those under Fiona’s command, I decided to confront one of their units.

Due to logistical reasons, the rebel forces cannot sustain their military strength without continuously invading other towns and villages.

Therefore, I chose a seemingly easy method of targeting sequentially the units divided for invasion.

Moreover, the goal is not to repel but to incapacitate and restrain them all.

While it’s possible to delay and waste time until the Imperial Army arrives by suppressing their strength, it’s uncertain when the reinforcements will actually come.

Rather than waiting for that, it’s better to resolve the situation as quickly as possible. If we’re going to wield power, it’s better to do it in an unconventional way, which would lower the credibility of rumors. That was the decision.

“…Perhaps spread a nasty disease rumor among the rebel forces.”

Considering what needs to be done from now on, it seemed like a brilliant idea. I’ll propose it to Fiona when I return.

While thinking about such matters, I gaze into the distance.

Already, the appearance of the military force is within sight.

They are still far away, but there are quite a number of them.

No matter how valiant a hero may be, the pressure is such that they would be easily overwhelmed. Three thousand is quite a number.

I also use the vision of the flying paper figure to observe the state of the military force.

Rough, but they have formed some semblance of a formation. The equipment is poor, and not a single person is wearing armor. The marching speed is considerably fast. It’s worrisome whether their stamina will hold up with such a pace.

I place a hand on my mouth, deep in thought.

“The equipment is as expected, but… there’s more order than I thought.”

Is there really a leader?

Not only that, the fact that they can operate the rebel forces in such a way, dividing them into multiple groups, indicates that there are multiple commanders with knowledge of military tactics. However, considering the reckless marching speed without thinking ahead, are they really professionals?

“Hmm, it’s spectacular. So many foolish humans. Gives me goosebumps.”

Beside me, the Holy Knight Ren says with a composed smile.

“So, what’s your plan? Foolish humans. Even someone like me would hesitate to face that many opponents, so I’ll be ready to run if needed.”

“I already told you.”

I reply with a smirk.

“We’re capturing all of them.”

“The deployment of the mannequins was already complete.

Although I allowed Amiyu and the others to enter the city, I have no intention of letting even a slight leak occur.

Due to the unusually fast marching speed, the rebel forces were already approaching to the point where the faces of the front-line soldiers could be discerned.

I form a seal with one hand.

There’s no warning. Even if they surrender, it’s either execution or slavery for the rebel forces. No one will likely respond to a surrender request.

So, I decide on the first move.

Using the mannequins, I cast a barrier that significantly encircles the rebel forces. It’s not a dispel, but rather something to prevent the effects of the spell from leaking outside.

I chant the mantra in a low voice.

“――――ओम् अग्नि भूमि स्वाहा”

《Aspect of fire and earth――――Technique of Greek Smoke》

Inside the barrier that enclosed the army, a dense white smoke began to fill the space.

In an instant, the white smoke enveloped the rebel forces, shrouding their figures.

I exhale, releasing the seal.

“It’s over now. All that’s left is to capture the weakened ones.”

The white smoke that swallowed the rebel forces.

It is commonly known as the poisonous gas called “Spartan Smoke.

The poisonous gas created by burning sulfur causes intense pain in the eyes and throat when inhaled. It is said to have been used by one of the city-states in ancient Greece during sieges.

If the concentration is high, it can lead to death, but when inhaled moderately, it can suppress the enemy’s resistance and incapacitate them.

While it doesn’t render them completely immobile, it’s sufficient.

Even if resistance is halted temporarily, there are plenty of ways to strip away their freedom.

I mutter, keeping an eye on the density of the white smoke filling the barrier.

“Just a little more… It wouldn’t be good if we let them inhale it for too long. If the commanding officer dies from it, it’ll be troublesome.”

“Foolish humans use strange magic. Is the smoke filling that square barrier just smoke?”

“It’s not just ordinary smoke.”

“You do quite terrible things. Do foolish humans lack human hearts? With that, there’s no honor on the battlefield.”

“From the moment I step onto the battlefield, no one gets any of that.”

“You’re quite confident. But… are you sure it’s okay?”

Ren asks, maintaining his composed smile.

“I haven’t heard any screams or moans since a while ago.”

“Wha…!?”

I quickly turned around, startled.

There was no change in the barrier and white smoke, and the army remained quiet.

However, it was too quiet. The “Technique of Greek Smoke” affects the eyes and throat. It’s clearly strange that there are no voices.

With suspicion rising, I mutter.

“Could it be that they’re all dead…? No, it shouldn’t be that concentrated…”

At least instant death is not possible.

So, what is happening?

While remaining cautious, I release the barrier. I need to assess the situation first.

Before the poisonous gas scatters in the wind, the army emerges from the white smoke.

“What…!?”

I involuntarily let out a voice of astonishment.

There was no change in the army. They seemed to have resumed their march that had been momentarily interrupted.

However, it was impossible. Exposed to a poisonous gas that affects the eyes and throat, yet nothing seems to be wrong…

“W-what…?”

At that moment, I realized.

Something was off with the rebel forces.

The soldiers lacked vitality. Their eyes were vacant, their steps unsure. Some walked while looking upwards, and others, perhaps severely injured, had one side of their bodies soaked in blood.

“…!”

Recalling the scene through the familiar’s vision, I grit my teeth.

These people didn’t become strange because of my spell.

――――They were like this from the beginning.

“Ahaha…”

Releasing a deflated chuckle, Ren stepped forward.

From the unusually thick sheath hanging at his waist, he silently drew a short sword.

“How amusing.”

It was a sword made of ore.

The blade was not metallic; it seemed to be cut from some kind of mineral. Judging by its vibrant color, it was likely a magic stone… and a considerably rare and advanced one at that.

Minerals are hard but brittle, making them unsuitable for use as a sword. Presumably, if it were to repeatedly clash with an enemy’s sword, it would shatter.

Ren raised it overhead and swung it—unleashing countless magical blades toward the approaching enemies.

There was still a considerable distance from the rebel forces. The short sword’s blade shouldn’t have reached them.

But it did.

Countless magical blades were released from the sword.

“What…?”

The front-line soldiers were burned by flames, sliced by wind, pierced by ice, struck by gravel, and fell.

As if a massive blade had swept through them, a portion of the army was cut down.

Ren raised the short sword again.

Seeing that, I involuntarily exclaimed.

“Stop! They’re…”

“Foolish, unsightly, utterly hopeless humans.”

With a grand gesture, Ren swung the short sword.

Once again, magic of various attributes was unleashed, becoming blades that shaved off the rebel forces along the extension of the sword.

“Indeed, it seems they didn’t anticipate this situation.”

The Holy Knight’s smile had, unnoticed, turned into something malicious.

“The rebel forces—everyone is already dead.”

Previous chapter | TOC | Next chapter