“Sergeant Baz.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Gather the severely injured soldiers who are on the borderline of being able to fight tomorrow in one place.”
“…Are you planning to heal them with magic?”
“We’re short on manpower. We need to mobilize as many soldiers to the front line as possible.”
“But then, won’t it deplete Lieutenant Hazen’s magic power?”
“It’s not a problem. I’ll save enough for tomorrow and the day after.”
“…But, isn’t Lieutenant Hazen also exhausted? I heard from Yan that he hardly slept at all yesterday due to planning the strategy.”
“Of course. As a superior officer, I have a greater obligation and responsibility to exert my full efforts than the junior officers.”
“……?”
“Hmm? What’s wrong?”
“I’ve never heard such words from anyone I’ve known.”
“Really, how lamentable. Since you’re paid more, it should be obvious, shouldn’t it?”
“But, shouldn’t promotion be based on recognized achievements?”
“Then, just give me a commendation. In my view, a soldier’s promotion is when they are recognized as capable of commanding a greater number of people.”
“……?”
“There are some superiors who mistakenly think that simply issuing orders and being arrogant is commanding. But that’s either due to a lack of ability or insufficient effort. In such cases, it’s best to expose their disgraceful behavior to their own superiors.”
“Ah, as always, you say such frightening things so casually.”
“It’s just advice for you. I won’t be here forever, you know.”
” …… “
The expression on Sergeant Baz’s face momentarily twisted, but Hazen didn’t care. He’s not particularly interested in how his subordinates view him.
“But I digress. The point is, I despise such worthless superiors. People won’t follow them. And if they don’t follow, you can’t command. That’s why I, as your superior, do what is naturally expected of me.”
“Lieutenant Hazen, I admire you.”
“You don’t have to admire me. Just do what you’re supposed to do as a subordinate. And at the same time, you should make your subordinates do what they’re supposed to do. That’s how the military will naturally become stronger.”
“Yes, but I do admire you. In reality, it’s not easy to have such a mindset. I respect Lieutenant Hazen for putting it into practice so unhesitatingly.”
“…Do as you please.”
“Yes! I will do as I please!”
With those energetic words, Sergeant Baz left.
On the second day, in the morning, news arrived that General Gizal’s army was marching towards the West Gate. Meanwhile, the cavalry was advancing towards the Central Gate.
The Empire had deployed Captain Shimanto, Major Makazaru, and Major Buvize to the West Gate as per the plan.
“Lorenzo and Leifa, please go and provide support as well.”
“But, will that be alright?”
At the Central Gate where Hazen’s group was, the cavalry led by Commander Nidel was rampaging, driving out the Imperial soldiers in front of the gate. In the rear, the infantry led by Commander Noyudata was meditating while gathering magical power.
“…They’re clearly stronger than expected.”
The Commanders were the equivalent of Captains in the Imperial army, but Nidel’s cavalry commander was obviously a higher rank. He seemed to have at least the abilities of a Major.
“However, it’s not a problem. More importantly, Leifa, I need you to take care of the West Gate.”
“Got it! Leave it to me.”
Lei-Fa firmly slapped her ample chest and ran off with Captain Lorenzo. Watching them, Hazen gazed at the cavalry unit launching a fierce attack from the top of the fortress.
“Well, let’s do this.”
Hazen muttered and leaped. In his hands, he held a magic staff [Floating Feather]. This staff could reduce his own weight to zero, allowing him to float in the direction he jumped.
And then,
He swung another magic staff towards the cavalry unit.
“Guh…”
Instantly, the horses’ legs in the enemy unit collapsed. The cavalrymen lost their balance, burying their faces in the manes.
“Tch. Shoot the arrows!”
Nidel, the cavalry commander, switched his weapon to a bow and fired arrows at Hazen,
but they fell short. Every time Hazen swung his magic staff, the arrows dropped to the ground.
“Now, charge!”
As if in response, the 8th platoon led by Sergeant Baz began their assault. The infantry proceeded to systematically eliminate the disorganized cavalry unit. In response, the 2nd battalion also launched a successive attack.
Meanwhile, Hazen descended in front of Nidel, the cavalry commander.
READ THE ORIGINAL TRANSLATION AT GADGETIZEDPANDA.COM
“Wielding two magic staves, how skillful.”
“It’s nothing special to me.”
“One is a magic staff that allows you to fly, and the other is a staff that controls the wind, is that it?”
“No, it’s a magic staff that nullifies my own weight, and another that applies gravity to a specific area.”
Gravity. The affected area was about 30 meters square, with a threefold increase in power. Due to the 10th-grade quality of the orb, this was the limit.
However, the feat of collapsing the horses’ legs and causing them to fall was within his capabilities.
“… Gravity?”
“It exists on this earth… never mind. It’s meaningless knowledge for those about to die.”
“… Are you Hazen Heim?”
“Yes. If you surrender to the Empire after your defeat, I’ll spare you.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Why should someone of my level have to surrender?”
“… Then, if I overwhelm you far beyond, is there a possibility?”
“No. I’m sworn to the Duchy of Diode.”
“That’s a pity. Excellent mages are valuable. Then, I’ll take your head.”
Hazen stared at Nidel with piercing eyes.
“… I have one question.”
“Hmm? Go ahead.”
“Did you kill Konahawan, the commander of the Archer Corps?”
“Yes. That excellent archer corps was a hindrance, so I had them killed to disrupt the battle formation.”
” …… One more thing.”
“Hmm? “
“… I have one more reason to kill you. He was my close friend.”
“I see. Understood.”
Casually, Hazen answered and took a stance.
“… Huh?”
In the next moment, Nidel couldn’t help but ask a question.
“W-What is that?”
Behind Hazen, eight magic staves were floating in the air.
“I see, they must be rare on the continent. Mages who can control multiple magic staves.”
As Hazen threw the gravity staff, another magic staff fell into his hand.
“Tch…”
Nidel raised his magic staff.
However, Hazen had already leaped high into the air. Using the jumping power of the [Floating Feather], it was an easy feat.
And then,
Hazen threw a sharp, spear-like magic staff. It flew at high speed, impaling and annihilating the surrounding cavalrymen. The sheer power left Nidel stunned.
“My bad. I used it to restrain the surrounding area.”
“… Cavalry, don’t interfere! And retrieve that magic staff immediately.”
“Don’t worry. The Crimson Lotus is a magic staff specialized in a single powerful strike. It can only be used once a day, so I won’t go retrieve it.”
“… Are you saying you’ll fight me without that magic staff?”
“It’s a real battle, so I’ll try various things.”
Hazen grinned defiantly.
Behind him, eight types of magic staves appeared. This was the result of using the [Illusory Transparency] magic staff, which could make things invisible, and the [Psychokinesis] magic staff, which could freely manipulate materials.
Meanwhile, Nidel also wielded his magic staff. Suddenly, swords, spears, and other weapons floated up from the fallen soldiers’ sides and attacked the airborne Hazen.
“A higher-level version of psychokinesis. Impressive.”
As he said that, a new magic staff landed in Hazen’s hand. Wielding a fan-shaped one, he instantly moved from that spot and landed on the ground. Hazen called this magic staff [Wind Roar].
“To be able to fly freely… You’re a monster.”
“If I could do that, it wouldn’t be difficult. It’s the result of ingenuity and improvement.”
Hazen answered honestly. The ability to fly was something he had particularly desired. However, he couldn’t achieve it. The quality of the orb was poor, and he couldn’t create enough buoyancy to lift himself.
So, Hazen came up with the idea of nullifying his own weight and using the jumping power or the wind generated by the [Wind Roar] to move around.
And so.
Upon landing on the ground, Hazen swung his [Wind Roar] again, and a large number of swords and spears were blown away all at once.
“This is also a possible use. Convenient, isn’t it?”
“…! Then!”
As the Nidel Squadron Commander cried out, a large boulder floated in the air and came rushing towards Hazen.
“I see. Indeed, that cannot be dealt with by the [Wind Roar].”
Hazen placed another magic wand in his other palm. It was sickle-shaped and as large as a spear. Swinging it towards the boulder, it split it in half.
“What…?”
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