Chapter 11 Reinforcements
"Alvin, take thirty volunteers and reinforce the south gate. Jill, gather thirty volunteers and come with me to the north gate to fill in that whole."
The man barking the orders alongside Hera was the retreated commander of the north gate. He brought news to Hera's ears of the young merchant from earlier distracting the three orcs. The man was extremely thankful and concerned, Hera was sure that the commander felt indebted to the young merchant. If their paths crossed again, though, it may not be the joyous reunion everybody hoped for.
Hera herself was organizing a very large contingent of volunteers to go directly to the west gate. She had yet heard news of the danger the palisade wall was in on the stretch between the west and south gate.
It would be difficult to arm the entirety of the volunteers, and so they resolved to focus on a force of three hundred for the moment. That force would definitely shake the balance of the battle. However, what they needed above all else were the adventurers.
Very few of the volunteers were fighters, many had never held a weapon in their lives and an even smaller proportion had never imagined they'd have to use one like this in the future.
From a practical point, these volunteers were nothing more but more bodies to through in the meat grinder.
Of course, it had nearly been a full hour since they left Lenus manor, and as such Hera was expecting at least Creen to join the fray in this crucial time window when the defences were ready to collapse and monsters were poised to flood into the town.
If the defences were to collapse, no amount of volunteers would be able to stop the carnage that would unfold on the streets of Delpine. It would be even more likely that their spirits would shatter and a devastating shattered retreat would follow.
For Hera, that would be a fatal thing indeed. She would be standing on the front lines. She was very well aware of the effect her presence had on those around her.
She certainly wouldn't promise a fight without casualties, but she could promise at the very least to uphold the pride of the town. Her appeal not long ago had ignited this pride in their way of life and town, and surely if victory would follow, it would be forever remembered in the local history of Delpine as an epic.
Hera had mixed feelings on being scribed into history in such a manner. Whilst she certainly was here to encourage and provide victory for the humans, anybody could have filled her role. All it took was one innocent maiden to question their motives.
A mob gathered before Hera, each with a steely expression before their leader. Hera, having observed history as a goddess through the lens of her Arcanum for a very long time had a fairly accurate idea of how to lead with heart.
Placing her closed his on her heart, she looked up at the soldiers, her eyes lit with a determined fire. "Let's drive them out of Delpine and back to the shadows of the forest!"
Her words, whilst far from a shout were said with commanding that even the winds seemed to carry them. The mob of hundreds of armed militia nodded and marched behind her as Hera turned to face the west gate.
.1
Ivan's heart rushed with adrenaline. Sluggishly and exhausted, he ran around the block once more. The orcs had begun acting more intelligently, splitting up and forming a net in the small series of streets he'd confined himself to.
Although Ivan was terrified, he could say that his plan was going smoothly. The orcs seemed wholeheartedly devoted to their pursuit of one small merchant.
Even though the orcs were large and at first their movement manor appeared sluggish, they were fast, capable of speedy short sprints. Their strikes heavy and sudden like thunder would crack the ground next to him if he didn't keep his wits about him as he turned corners.
Drenched in sweat, Ivan barely had time to take a breather as he turned the corner of the block and less than ten meders away from him a pair of evil red eyes gleamed menacingly over him.
The club the orc wielded must have weighed at least thirty kilos but it swung it like a paperweight.
Throwing himself to the left, Ivan narrowly managed to dodge the downward swing by crashing against the opposite wall of the narrow street.
He could feel the change in wind pressure as the club nearly flattened him against the floor. And yet pain ripped through his shoulder which he was sure he'd cracked by throwing his entire weight against the opposite wall.
Recognising his retreat through the narrow alleyway had been cut off by the wall of meat that was an orc, Ivan made the conscious decision to head back and around up to the north gate. He was trying his very hardest to keep the orcs away from Hera and the towners of Delpine.
Come army or not, only an adventurer could take on an orc one on one. In the open, a less disciplined force would have the advantage, but Ivan could tell in these narrow streets and roads, the orcs had a definite advantage over him.
True as it may be, he'd held out quite a long time, long enough for him to doubt whether being a merchant was for him. He was sure that maybe in some life before this one, he might have been a legendary adventurer.
Given the situation, however, he'd lost the strength needed for even this light humoured thinking after about ten minutes running from these monsters.
It had almost been a full hour and even so, there was no sign of help arriving. A part of Ivan said that his fate had already been determined. And yet, the rest of him reminded himself of who he was.
After all, merchants didn't deal with fate. Somebody who had been surrounded by the products of people's hard work should know more than anyone else that destiny and fate were abstracts used as excuses for people's own failures and to justify the success of others.
Ivan was truly not fated to die. He knew this, as he ran, planting one foot in front of the other whilst clutching his hurt shoulder. Although the chance of him dying was high, he thought as he felt the tremors of the nearby orcs' footsteps speeding up after him, if he worked hard he'd be able to avoid death just like avoiding falling into a one-sided scheme set up against him as a merchant.
After all, he was sure of it, every worker and craftsman in a bind who earned their end didn't earn it by doing nothing. They had at least moved once, contributing to the nature of the end result of their situation.
He might be a little too prideful in this way of thinking to give into a death at the hands of orcs. Life is taken step by step after all. Just make it to the next corner without being killed. Rinse and repeat.
Even as he thought this, though, he was all too aware that the tremors behind him were too strong for him to make to the next corner. Without even turning around, even he didn't need to know how close he was to death.
Emotion filled his heart as the world seemed to slow. He couldn't tell whether it was about time his life flashed before him or whether he himself had simply come to an unconscious stop.
A certain sorrow filled his heart, bitterness that he couldn't even see the deal he'd made with a certain pragmatic adventurer through.
.3
"PHIL!"
Doing my best I force myself up onto my feet. In front of me, the werebear for the first time stumbles forward. Blood drips from his forehead covering his right eye in red. The blow from the orc had come in hard and forceful.
With a grunt, Phil buckles beneath the weight of the orcs club. His breathing was heavy and pained.
I grip my daggers hard. In my state, however, my grip had considerably weakened.
Dizzy, every part of me aches. Already isolated from the gate, the monsters surrounding us were toying with us.
However, not once had I taken a blow. Not once had a single attack gotten past my stoic defender. Even in his bloodied and broken state, he performs his job diligently.
"Stay back…" Through his heavy breathing, he manages to growl the words. "This one's mine!"
Even as he says that, as he tenses the muscles in his arms to push back the club of the ogre leaning on his blade above him, he can only barely shift it by inches away from him.
I shake my head. This is going all wrong. Surrounded by monsters, and I'm sure behind me the gate is being attacked again, this is all wrong.
Powerless, I'm completely powerless. My cait sith could only take down a few of them. I need to be stronger, bigger, better, but I'm just level 2. Just like last time, I have stew in the misery that I can't even stop the disaster happening around me.
Though my knees buckle under my weight, I unsteadily force myself up onto my feet and prepare to do something, anything. I need to something after all.
I still have a potion, if I can just get it to Phil, then…
My mind sharpens, even though there are monsters between him and me, even though I'm knocking on death's door, I force myself into a mindset in which the completion of this one objective will be worth any loss.
I won't let another adventurer vanish in front of me, I don't want to see this familia fall apart. He's a member of the same familia, even if he's an annoying brutish were-bear, I have a responsibility to him as his friend.
Always, always, I've felt like I was the useless addition to this team. Everybody seems to have their place. Hera is our goddess, Norah is a child but she bravely helps out, Phil is the stout defender, and Creen is our ace in the whole that we always rely on.
And yet, what am I? I can't even look after baggage, I get into arguments over how to take down a tent, even my own goddess looks down on me, children hate me, and I invite trouble by rushing in first without thinking things through. I'm so useless.
I might as well have gotten us into this mess.
I don't get most people around me, I end up in more arguments than not. Some days I wonder whether it would be easier for this familia, which I love, if I wasn't around.
"I…" I take a slow step forward.
But…
Phil raises his head, his eyes widening with panic as monster's likely inch closer to me with weapons raised. "W-what are you doing?! This isn't a game, get back!"
Tears in my eyes I force my body forward. "I want for once in my miserable life to help!"
If you want to be something, come join me in Hera familia and drag yourself off the streets. Don't waste your time stealing or giving such envious and hateful stares, move.
I charge my way past a kobold, practically throwing my body. My mind races with, fresh tears run down my cheeks, but if I can at least do this one thing, I will be happy.
Taking the potion out of my pouch, I throw it up above Phil. His eyes follow the item with such panic and fear as though it were a baby falling from the sky.
I can almost see that look in his eyes. He knows full well the danger I've put myself in. It's almost a certainty with my back turned and monsters surrounding me that…
Don't do it. I can practically hear that one tangible thought of his.
I force a quiet smile. I don't want it to end like this, but I'd rather that I'd go than him. Bringing misfortune on others feels like my speciality. Annoying, whiny, I am barely a likable person compared to Phil.
As Creen says, there's no point stewing in my misery, I won't solve anything if I sit this one out, it'll probably haunt me if somebody else saves him for me or I watch him die. It has to be me, I have to do something here and now.
I move my hand, deftly shooting my dagger after the vial of red liquid. As the dagger leaves my hand all strength drains from my body.
Above Phil's head the potion shatters as the point of the dagger collides with the side of the glass container. The healing liquid falls down coating him in the healing he desperately needs to fight on, as I fall and slump down behind him.
Grappling against the orc, Phil can't even hope to turn in time to protect me from the numerous kobolds surging forth.
For the first time in a long time, I feel such a fulfilment and satisfaction. This is definitely how it feels to be an adventurer. I've been yearning for moments like this, where I can finally show how useful I am…
How ironic is that I'm reminded of the life of adventuring that I lost at the end of my life.
[Suspenseful break in paragraph which I have to do like this otherwise fanfic won't let me do it my way]
"TRIPLE CONNECT!"
[another suspenseful break, go take a breath and have a chocolate spread toast sandwich or something]
Off to the side, a bright light soars above the north gate, a shining sword in the hands of a fiery-eyed red haired girl. Either side of her figures dressed similarly in leather tunics, their expressions filled with steely determination to pick up the fight.
Below them the gates open, at the head of a mob stands a brilliant and young Hera, leading an army rushing to her aid.
My eyes met hers for but a moment and Hera seemed to hesitate for just a moment before throwing her hand forward.
"Charge! Save this town! Save my adventurers!"
.4
KABOOM!
Heat ripped through the air behind Ivan. He couldn't process for a moment what had happened. The tremor was so large in comparison, followed by such a crack, that there was no possibility that it was the orc.
Feeling the force of the blast, Ivan soon found himself tossed forward onto the ground. The blast from whatever it was would surely leave a nasty burn on his back. It's incinerating heat could still be felt in the aftereffect of the attack.
"W-we did it… we got one!" A roar of triumph sounds through the air. Help had finally arrived.
"Don't stop there! Two more to go, get the bombs ready!" A familiar voice in which Ivan thought he'd never get the chance to hear again barked out orders.
Ivan could not express into words how grateful he felt for this turn of events.
.5
The south guard could hardly believe their eyes as the welcome sight of a contingent of at least thirty militia rushed to their aid.
"Sir, a message from the Valkyrie in command!" The toothy grinning militia looked about twenty, in this dire circumstance he had a comedic smile on his face as he reported to his elder. "You and your garrison are forthwith relieved from your post, enjoy your holiday!"
With a foolish grin, the young man with a spear in hand rushed up the gate. Similarly, volunteers of all ages replaced the exhausted barricading the gate and fighting on the wall.
The south guard soldier could hardly believe his luck. At the confident and determined look of his kith and kin who had decided to come to his aid instead of run, he felt truly relieved to the point a manly tear of happiness was ready to fall from his eye.
Quickly he grabbed the arm of the young one. "What about the wall? Monsters are just about to-"
The twenty-year-old cut him across with the wave of his hand. "Don't worry, and adventurer said he'd clear the walls as long as we kept the gate. This guy looked scary, let's just leave it to him, kay?"
The south guard soldier could only look on with silence of disbelief, both at the attitude of the militiaman and his words. This effectively meant there wasn't much left for him to do.
Feeling the strength he'd borrowed from thin air leave him, the south guard soldier simply collapsed on the spot, feeling his job here was done.
.6
Off in the distance, my ears pick up the faint roars of combat hitting their climax. Ordinarily, I would be feeling incredibly pleasant, however looking down at my shaking hand, I can see that I am incredibly tired and at my limit.
It could be said I have stuck to my philosophy of doing a job right and seeing it to the end, however, even from where I'm standing on the issue all I can say is I'm so exasperated by everything I've seen. It's hard to tell if I really have done the job right or just outperformed myself.
Thankfully, the murderous whispers have yet to manifest themselves again, but no longer does the extra excelcia swirling ragefully in my body block out the pain from itself.
My cloak swirls in the wind which must have recently picked up, parting the thick clouds above the town. The first few rays of sunshine down on the plains in front of me.
The monsters are indeed numerous. Spaced out and yet they all eye the town. My estimates are completely thrown off. The plains west of Delpine are dotted with the creatures.
Resting, one hand on the chimney of an inn, I spot my objective. A patch of palisade wall threatens to collapse. Behind it I wager is a monster with enough force to take out an ill-prepared battalion.
But that isn't the heart of my focus. My eyes are drawn to the forest line. For whatever reason, I feel somethings there. The trees shake, sometimes adding an extra ogre or a score of kobolds to the sieging force, however, what I'm looking for never shows itself.
After dealing with the Lenus familia, I expected the energy tearing through my fast weakening body to subside at least a little. I was aware of the presence of numerous monsters beforehand, my blood had after all been boiling since I came and went into the forest. And even now, the sheer number of monsters keeps me from resting.
Either that or I have my suspicions that in the end, I may never have truly forgiven the Lenus familia. That may be so.
This is ultimately getting tiresome for me. I may not be old, but I by sure believe I have shaved a couple of years off of my life through this experience. Well, if that's even possible.
The events of today have certainly taken me down a roller-coaster. Perhaps I should recap what exactly has happened to me.
I arrived at Delpine, with the expectations that nothing would be here and we'd move on to the next location to chase the ghost of Zeus. Oh, boy was I wrong because it turned out there was a monster problem. After getting into some drama with my goddess I go out to try and deal with the monster problem. But no, of course, somebody had already tried to fix the monster problem and only made it worse, so I was then in a position where the monster problem was out of control but not only that I also found a stone monument which tried to suck the actual life out of me into a magic stone. Oh good, the plot doth thicken as it turns out the Lenus familia wanted to get rid of moi in order to make a move to kidnap my familia and sell them into slavery, it didn't turn out too well for them in the end but unfortunately we couldn't let the criminals go so I went vigilante on them, and all the while monsters were casually bashing on the outer wall of the palisade.
That is a dumbed down version of my day, it neglects to mention the many gruesome battles and particular details of me being beaten within half an inch of death because I underestimated the strength of those in front of me.
Well, you live and you learn.
Rubbing the corners of my eyes, my tears are out of frustration and mental exhaustion because even after everything, IT STILL ISN'T OVER.
I'm SO tired, I went back to the inn to fetch my backpack a while ago and would have fallen asleep on the first bed I saw if it weren't for the fact Norah was sitting on it.
Having endured torture, the thirteen-year-old girl not only is filled with melancholy at my absent, but she was casually swinging her legs back and forth as they hung over the side of the bed like the day was just a boring one she wished she could blank out.
Naturally, I did a U-turn on the spot. I felt somewhat terrified to face her so I decided I'd go on without my backpack.
I'm surrounded by nut jobs!
I'm not better, though. Oh no sir or madam, having spent almost an entire hour trying to bash the Lenus familia into shape and I think they still didn't get the true answer to my test. And yet, not even I knew the answer to be fair. The whole thing was so tackily thought out I might as well not even have bothered trying to stop them from going with Hera.
The battle with the Lenus familia to this moment makes me want to hurl. Let me explain it.
I was moments away from crushing Eve, their last bastion of resistance. Naturally, I was all 'wow, look at how powerful I am' and 'using all this power definitely won't strain my body and have repercussion in the imminent future where I talk to Lenus after this fight', but yes, back to the story. A starry-eyed spearman rushed forward and took my blow squarely. It was at this moment I was certainly thinking I'd killed this unexpected fighter.
Rushing in with such determination, to block a bow which could kill him, this guy had admirable stupidity.
It was then that I saw my opportunity to end this pointless charade. Let's be honest, I will never be able to forgive them for what they did to Norah, no matter how much pain they inflict, and even now in my heart where my chest tightens, I feel resentment beyond human measure towards them at that very moment.
But… I'd beaten them up for a whole hour. This is the moment where I could end this thing in a positive light. So, putting on airs of a sage I simply said that they passed the test. It had… a profound effect on their self-esteem.
It also had a similar effect on my stress. I never had an answer in the first place, but that spearman was heroic in such a stereotypical fashion I just had to take advantage of it to end a painful commitment I hadn't been able to back out of until that point.
Their reaction was so embarrassing; the scene was like something out of a poorly structured play. And yet, in their glowing eyes, I saw a relight flame of hope. It was like at that very moment through this embarrassing hollow act they'd found the will to be what they dreamed of being. Of course, it might as well be spur of the moment, after all, there's no telling that feeling will stick and inevitably if the environment isn't changed, they might slip back into shady business.
Trying my hardest not to let my mask crack, I sent the 'adventurers' out into the town to help the siege. In retrospect, even though it felt hollow to me, even though it might have been a poorly thought test, I might have hit my ideal outcome without even realising.
Standing in the hall, I reminded them in their pitiful state they should probably stock up on potions and rest up a bit first. Naturally, they listened to their sagely advisor, albeit reluctantly as they were all eager to go out there and be the heroic image of adventurers I'd put in their head.
My biggest surprise was the utterance of gratitude from a flustered Eve. By the look on her face, you'd think I had told her the words she'd been waiting for her entire life. In a way, they were much like Norah and her eagerness to become adventurers.
It's ambiguous for me whether I have or haven't done the job right. The pragmatic side tells me I've wasted a lot of valuable time and maybe lives which these adventurers could have saved.
Look, I'm not a born-to-be hero from those tacky fairy tales. I always wanted to be a merchant. This has recently become my literal definition of hell several times in a single day.
But maybe Eve and her adventurers had joined the Lenus familia at a young age, too impatient to stand the travel to Orario, they wanted to help their hometown. It might well have been they never grew up, stagnating as they were always unable to feel like they were adventurers. It might very well have been that this crime business had been going on for long before they were born. I didn't ask Lenus how long this slavery ring had been going on, instead, I asked the exhausted god a few other questions.
A part of me believes this is still unresolved. This slavery ring that is. It turned out to be much larger and secretive than I imagined. Gods, goddesses, private collectors and authorities alike, would all pay a high price for a strong adventurer.
Lenus it seems is not the only god in the business of kidnapping and selling to slavery.
The Soma's wine wasn't a drug to keep anyone under control, but a painkiller in the excruciatingly painful ceremony. I made sure to get that knowledge from Lenus. The excruciating pain of the ritual was enough to block out the euphoric like effects of Soma's wine.
And then comes the business of the obelisk. This is where Lenus, after having his childish gratitude for me 'saving' his familia cut off by harsh questions one after another, he truly fell silent.
Lenus had not long ago told me when he first wanted me to go into the forest, that his divine instinct told him something was off. We butted head over it a few times, but no matter how many times I tried to refute it, the simple fact was that Lenus had no idea about the obelisk. His face went dark and I knew that this was supposed to stay a secret.
The few conclusions we came to, were all ambiguous at best. So I now have two unresolved thorns in my side, the obelisk, and the slave trading ring. I doubt I'll be able to sleep in good conscious in the future.
It's good to know at least that it's been somewhat dealt with.
Still resting against the chimney of the building, I realise I should probably make my move whilst the wall is still intact.
Flexing my neck, I glare down menacingly from the roof. Bending my legs, I prepare to sprint along the tops of the buildings. Aided by the mysterious power in my blood, I close the distance between me and the palisade in no time.
Deftly landing in a crouched position atop the dented wall, the first monster I spot is just shy of the height of the wall. An orc, or more to the point, most likely this areas variant of the orc.
Its skin is somewhat more ashen, its eyes are hollow and it stands at least half the size an orc taller than the standard for its dungeon kin. It's club already raised, the slow thinking beast barely has a moment to react.
Whipping up my crossbow, I hesitate to pull the trigger. The enchanted bolt is ready to tear a hole into anything I want.
I probably need to tie this up quickly, after all, I did promise to the militia reinforcements I'd do this after all. Of course, when I came across the woefully unequipped soldiers heading to the north gate, I pulled them aside and told themselves to help themselves to the wagon and the two belts of bombs my familia members must have carelessly left on the third floor.
I do think my familia has a few screws loose. Then again, I have just given a wagon full of really expensive explosives and ammunition to the town militia, which would be a really nice thing if I had actually paid for it yet.
Behind the orc stands about fourteen kobolds. An orc and fourteen kobolds sound like a small group in comparison to the force at the west gate, however, it could likely annihilate the south gate garrison and prove fatal to Hera's contingent at the west gate, ASSUMING they go after the garrisons.
In that case, it's probably best for me to sure up all the important gaps or liabilities in the defences. After I deal with this quickly this I'm visiting the south gate.
My mind's thoughts set in stone, I ignore the stress on my body and begin channelling my magic into the enchanted crossbow bolt.
The runes along the shaft light up furiously, more so than I've ever seen. The bright light looks like a star has been loaded into my crossbow. Even I find the light slightly blinding.
"FELL LEOPARD!"
With a roar, a bright circle in front of my circles appears, several runes turning layers. I pull the trigger, the bolt let's rip and flies straight, striking through the circle and transforming into the vivid form of a leopard composed of raging blue flames.
My eyes widen at the sheer power of the strike, but also the strong feeling of nausea that hit's me right after. Whilst the exelcia has made my magic stronger, it hasn't given me large reserves of mana and so instantly I feel drained.
It seems I have yet to master the magic management for this level of strength.
The orc's body is enveloped and split in a flurry of ash and ember. The fell leopard soars right through, digging it's claws and teeth, eroding the flesh with its brilliantly bright blue elven flames. It strikes the centre of the kobolds before exploding and spewing forth heat in all directions in a circular area. Enveloping everything, however only harming my enemies, the monsters.
I narrow my eyes at the sight. My vision becomes faded and my mind is overcome with dizziness at the sudden and draining loss of mana. I've not fully recovered from the night before when the obelisk drained me almost completely, and now of all times, I feel like I'm running on empty.
I must be careful, I'm not one to go on until I trigger an ignus fatuus, but now that I'm unfamiliar with my capabilities, it might be unavoidable if I act rashly. I wager I have one swift strike magic left.
I'll clear the south gate by hand, and then go to the west gate to rid us of this malevolent force for good.
My life may actually depend on how fast this situation is resolved. The monsters are making my blood go haywire. At this rate, I'm going to incapacitated before long. Two hours at most if I don't push myself.
This pain is actually becoming unbearable.
I straighten myself atop the wooden palisade. Just as I do so I feel my instincts scream at me that I'm being watched. I can feel an intense gaze from the forest line, as though it were burrowing its way into my centre.
Without more than a single concerned stare, I decide it would be best to get this situation resolved before whatever is hiding in the forest line decides to make an appearance.