CH 85.1

Chapter 85.1 – Spike Castle Siege

The spearhead of the volunteer army and the knights and soldiers under Ortholet’s banner, a total of 1000 heads, fled to “Oracle’s Great Cave” at the foot of Moke Mountains as planned.

The imperial army finally crossed the mountain road and attacked Viscount Oracle’s territory.

When I returned to the castle in the City of Spike, preparations for the retreat were already ongoing.

「Sensei, are we going to retreat?」

「Of course we will retreat.」

It’s true that the City of Spike has been rebuilt to a certain extent. The walls have been repaired but only one turret has been installed.

Even so, an army of 70000 can easily surround and besiege this city.

Supposed we were going for a siege battle, the first thing I thought of was to supply food and ammunition via the sky.

The empire has the flying dragon knights so aerial transport routes would be blocked and they won’t be able to withstand an aerial attack.

Even if that’s not the case, the empire also has siege weapons. Even if they could get into a simple siege battle, it would end once a part of the wall was brought down by a storm of stone projectiles.

The old-fashioned city lord of the City of Spike couldn’t accept that logic.

「If I give up the city to the enemy, I will lose the spirit of our family. I will stay here even if I’m alone.」

「Ortholet….I understand how you feel but there’s no point in staying here and dying when the people have already retreated.」

Gray hair, full plate armor, and imposing physique, it was no one else but the lord of Spike.

Ortholet Oracle Spinner won’t move in the castle. He’s standing like a statue in the castle with arms crossed.

Even Viscount Ortholet himself knows that it is impossible to protect the city.

Therefore, we had the people of the territory evacuate first. This stubborn knight will not bend even against rationality.

「Hey Ortholet, if you no longer live, I’ll be in trouble.」

「Hero-sama, this is the spirit of chivalry of our family de gozaru. Please, please understand!」

Ah, what should I do with this?

I don’t want Ortholet to die, sensei?

「Viscount Ortholet will remain alone in this city.」

「Eehhhh!!!!」

Sensei, have you gone mad?

「I’m not saying he’s going to die. I’m sure the viscount can’t stand the thought of surrendering the city without giving the enemy a single shot.」

「So be it.」

Lyle-sensei told the plan and the viscount agreed while laughing.

「Then, I hope the viscount can help me with the plan. We will leave the viscount and an experienced gunner here. Just the two of you. After you’re done, make sure to retreat as soon as possible.」

「Ortholet, are you willing to do it?」

「Hero-sama, if there is anything I can do to help you defeat the enemy, please give me the order.」

「You don’t have to kneel every time. Just promise me you’ll retreat once you’re done with your task. I will not allow you to die.」

I wonder what sensei’s plan was.

I don’t think there’s anything that can be done with just 2 fighters left in the city.

---Scene Change---

We withdrew from the City of Spike so we can only hear some hearsay about what’s happening there.

In front of the imperial army surrounding the city, Viscount Ortholet declared in a high-pitched voice from the top of the closed outer wall.

「Dogs of the empire, as long as this Ortholet is here, this city will not fall!」

At the same time, the viscount gently pulled a string, and crossbow arrows shot out at the imperial troops.

「You are outnumbered, Viscount Ortholet. Surrender your city obediently!」

This time, someone from the imperial army shouted but he’s not the overall commander since it is Crown Prince Freed who leads this army.

A commander of the army in front, Volkas Domos Dylan, stood in front and ordered Ortholet to surrender.

Ortholet’s response was pulling another string, in short, another rain of crossbow arrows.

This made the imperial army think that they were being held in a siege by a small force.

It’s normal for them to think that way since the outer wall of the city is closed and they can’t see that only Viscount Ortholet was there.

On the other hand, Crown Prince Freed, who was in the main camp, ordered an advance mage of the army to start the siege even without waiting for the arrival of the trebuchet carried by the forces at the rear.

Lyle-sensei’s objective was to draw out the advance mages to the front line where they could be easily targeted. I mean, how much does he hate advance mages?

The imperial army became impatient and attacked like Lyle-sensei had predicted.

Among the advance mages of the empire who were defeated one after another, “Scorching Iron” Doryuken Gund survived until now.

The giant, armed with full plate armor despite being a mage, Doryuken is wearing a gray cloak.

He thrusts his arms out wide toward the city walls that protect the city.

He is casting an advance earth magic but it was not rock drop.

「Guahahahaha! The king of the sky, the king of dawn! I summon with my name Doryuken, throw stardust, iron meteor!」

Along with Doryuken’s loud chant, though inferior to the highest-level magic meteor strike, a deadly attack was released.

A huge scorching meteorite with tremendous attack power was casted.