The Tribal Wars

At sunset, Heisen returned to Captain Lorenzo.

"Well done. You were the one who assassinated Commander Kohanawan, correct?"

"I didn't want to kill someone without getting something from it, but it was necessary to win. I had no choice," Heisen answered calmly.

Losing personnel, especially under heavy archer fire, was extremely painful given their already overwhelmingly small numbers. Kohanawan was the first person they needed to eliminate.

"But how did you manage to sneak in?"

"Flags and uniforms primarily distinguish friends from foes on the battlefield. Moreover, archers must concentrate their aim on a single point. I exploited that."

"But even though Commander Kohanawan was a non-magic user, he was an exceptional soldier."

"Our morale was high, so they had no choice but to fire arrows frantically to regain their position. The rest was just about keeping my nerve and staying calm."

"It's extraordinary to be able to accomplish that while surrounded by enemies, including the calculated approach," Captain Lorenzo said with a wry smile.

"However, they will launch a full-scale attack tomorrow. General Gizar will also move."

"So we face him then?"

"No. I won't go tomorrow."

"Why not?"

The fortress didn’t have the strength to confront General Gizar’s fierce attack. Heisen knew this well. But Heisen calmly explained his reasoning.

"It's just a diversion. The general's movement alone will not open the gate. I need to thwart the main strategy."

"But then, who will face General Gizar?"

"Major Shimanto, Lieutenant Makazalu, and Captain Buize. The three of them will have to somehow hold him off."

"What if that doesn't work?"

The defeat of all the commanders would devastate the morale at the gate. Although Gizar’s army didn’t have special forces to open the gate, they might climb over the walls and enter. If the soldiers fled, it wouldn’t be impossible.

"Captain Lorenzo, I need you to deploy Kakuzu when the situation demands it."

"You think he can beat General Gizar?"

"No. He won't win."

"Then is it a futile death?"

"It'll be fine. He won't win, but he also won't lose. Moreover, Kakuzu will be facing the entire army."

"The entire army?"

"It's difficult to explain with words. You'll see it on the battlefield."

With that, Heisen left the scene.

He rode his horse to check on each unit’s situation. The damage was about 20% less than anticipated, which was a pleasant surprise.

"Captain Buize."

"Yes!"

"Gather the severely injured, who might barely be able to fight tomorrow, into one place."

"Are you going to heal them with magic?"

"We're short on soldiers. We need to mobilize as many as we can to the front lines."

"But that would deplete your magic power, Ensign Heisen."

"No problem. I’ll save enough for tomorrow and the day after."

"But aren't you exhausted, Ensign Heisen? I heard from Yang that you hardly slept because you were drafting the strategy last night."

"Of course. I'm an officer. I have the duty and responsibility to work harder than non-commissioned officers."

"...."

"Hmm? What is it?"

"I've never heard such words in my life."

"It's lamentable. It's only natural, given that I receive a higher salary."

"But aren't promotions given for acknowledging one's accomplishments?"

"Then a reward is enough. I believe that military promotion is for those deemed capable of commanding more people."

"Sometimes, there are officers who mistake commanding for just giving orders and boasting. Such people lack ability or effort. In such cases, it's best to expose their disgrace to their superiors."

"You say terrifying things casually, as usual."

"It's advice for you. I won't always be here."

"..."

Captain Buize's expression briefly twisted, but Heisen didn’t mind. He wasn’t particularly interested in what his subordinates thought of him.

"We digressed. In short, I disdain such insignificant officers. They won't be followed. Without followers, one can't command. Therefore, I fulfill my responsibilities as your officer."

"Ensign Heisen, I admire you."

"You don't have to. Just do your job as a subordinate. And ensure your subordinates do theirs. That way, the army will naturally become stronger."

"Yes. But I do admire you. It's challenging to find such principles in reality. I respect you for practicing them without hesitation, Ensign Heisen."

"...Suit yourself."

"Yes! I will suit myself."

Captain Buize said it energetically, then left.

Information came in that General Gizar was advancing on the western gate. Meanwhile, a cavalry unit was heading towards the central gate.

According to the plan, the Empire sent Major Shimanto, Captain Makazalu, and Buize to the western gate.

"Captain Lorenzo, Kakuzu, please join the reinforcements."

"But will it be alright?"

Commander Nider's cavalry was wreaking havoc at the central gate, where Heisen commanded, decimating the imperial soldiers in front of the gate. In the rear, Commander Noyudata's magic unit was meditating and gathering magic power.

"They are indeed stronger than anticipated."

At the commander level, they are equivalent to captains in the Empire, but Commander Nider was clearly a cut above. He appeared to have at least a major's skills.

"But there's no problem. I'll leave the central gate to you."

"...Understood."

Captain Lorenzo and Kakuzu ran off. Heisen watched the cavalry launch a fierce attack from atop the fortress walls as they left.

"Now, let's get to it."

Heisen muttered, then leapt into the air. In one hand, he held the magic staff, "Ukihane." This staff allowed him to make his body weight zero, enabling him to float in the direction he kicked off.

Then he wielded another magic staff towards the cavalry unit.

"Ugh..."

Suddenly, the horses' legs buckled, causing the soldiers on them to lose balance and bury their faces in the horses' manes.

"Fire arrows!"

Nider’s cavalry switched their weapons to bows and shot arrows at Heisen, but none of them reached him.

Every time Heisen swung his staff, the arrows fell to the ground.

"Now, charge!"

Sergeant Baz's 8th platoon launched an attack as if responding to Heisen. The infantry began to eliminate the disoriented cavalry one by one. Following their lead, the 2nd battalion also launched a special attack.

Meanwhile, Heisen landed right in front of Commander Nider.

"Handling two magic staves at once. Quite skilled."

"For me, it’s natural, so I don't think much of it."

"One staff to fly in the air, and the other to control the wind?"

"No. One makes my body weightless; the other grants gravity within a specific range."

The magic staff "Chiochi" could affect an area of about 30 square meters, tripling the gravity within that range. The 10th-rank gem limited its power to this extent. However, it was sufficient to unseat riders by destabilizing the horses' legs.

"...Gravity?"

"It's just something that exists on this planet. Let's not bother." It's pointless knowledge for someone who will soon die."

"Are you Heisen Heim?"

"Yes. If you surrender to the Empire after losing, I'll save your life."

"Don't be ridiculous. Why should I surrender to someone of your caliber?"

"Then, if I overwhelmingly surpass you, would you consider it?"

"No. I have sworn loyalty to the Duchy of Dior."

"That's unfortunate. Talented magic users are valuable. If that's the case, I'll take your head." Heisen stared piercingly at Commander Nider.

"...I have a question."

"Hmm? Go ahead."

"Were you the one who killed Commander Kohanawan?"

"Yes. His archery unit was a nuisance. I killed him to disrupt their ranks."

"One more thing."

"Hmm?"

"I now have another reason to kill you. He was my best friend."

"I see. Understood." Heisen answered indifferently and took a stance.

"..."

In the next moment, Commander Nider involuntarily asked, "W-what is that?" Behind Heisen, eight magic staves floated in the air.

"As expected, it's rare on this continent for a mage to possess the ability to manipulate multiple staves." Heisen threw "Chiochi" aside, and another staff settled into his hand.

"Dammit..." Commander Nider raised his staff. But at that moment, Heisen had already leapt diagonally backward, high into the air, utilizing the effect of "Ukihane."

Then Heisen threw a spear-like magic staff with a sharp tip. It flew at high speed and pierced the ground, obliterating the surrounding cavalry unit. The sheer power left Commander Nider stunned.

"Sorry. I used it to control the environment."

"Cavalry, don’t engage! Retrieve that staff immediately."

"Don't worry. 'Crimson Lotus' is a magic staff specialized for single-use attacks. You can only use it once a day. I won't retrieve it just for this battle."

"You mean to fight me without it?"

"This is a rare battle. I’ll test various things." Heisen smiled defiantly.

Behind him, eight types of magic staves appeared. This was the result of using the magic staves "Gento," which can make things invisible, and "Nendo," which can move objects freely. On the other hand, Commander Nider also wielded his magic staff. Swords and spears began to float beside the fallen soldiers, attempting to attack the airborne Heisen.

"A higher-level telekinesis is impressive."

As he said this, a new magic staff settled into Heisen's hand. He swung the fan-shaped staff and instantly moved to the ground. Heisen called this magic staff "Kazahanari."

"To fly freely like that, he is a monster."

"If it were that easy, it wouldn't be so troublesome. It's a result of ingenuity and refinement." Heisen answered truthfully. He desired the ability to fly at a higher level. However, he couldn't achieve it. The orb's quality wasn't good enough to generate enough buoyancy for him to lift himself.

Both Commander Nider's and Heisen's telekinesis could manipulate the buoyancy of solid objects, but it only applied to solid matter. Therefore, they couldn't move something that was constantly flowing, like a living being.

Instead, Heisen thought about using his own zero gravity to enhance his jumping ability or harnessing Kazahanari's wind to propel himself forward. He then landed on the ground and swung Kazahanari again, blowing away a multitude of swords and spears.

"This is another possible usage. Handy, isn't it?"

"...Then!" Commander Nider yelled, and a large boulder flew into the air, attacking Heisen.

"I see. Certainly, Kazahanari can't handle that."

Heisen placed another magic staff in his other hand. Shaped like a scythe, it was as large as a spear. When he swung it at the boulder, it split in half.

"What...?!"

"This is a magic staff that specializes in cutting materials. I call it 'Kuzan.' It can slice through steel like pudding, so it's quite useful."

"Ugh..."

"Now, if you have no other moves, shall we call it checkmate?"

"Commander Noyudata, I can't handle this alone! Let's fight together!"

Numerous ice rings struck Commander Nider just as he was ready to shout. The explosion blew away his right arm and leg.

"Guwaaaaaaaah!"

"It's not advisable to look away on the battlefield. It's like asking to be targeted."

By this time, Heisen had already taken hold of another magic staff. He had taken the "Ice Ring" from the Cumon tribe's Kosaku, whom he had fought recently. It was the only staff Heisen possessed with a 7th rank orb. By modifying it, he succeeded in creating not just one ring, but many.

"It's a simple construction, but its effect is great. This is particularly effective when you aim to destroy an entire division."

"...Commander Noyudata." Commander Nider watched as the ice rings tore apart the infantry division. Commander Noyudata's head also lay on the ground; his figure was pitiful.

"That's unfortunate. I was anticipating your counterattack, but in this scenario, I won't be able to gauge the strength of his staff. I guess I'll analyze it later."

"...Damn. I never imagined a monster like you existed."

Death was now certain. Yet, even with half his body lost, Commander Nider remained dignified.

"I don't think such a grand name is necessary for this level."

"However, you can't defeat General Gizar."

"...Oh. Is he that strong?"

"He is. The strongest I have ever seen."

"That's something to look forward to."

"I'll be waiting in hell."

"Yes." Heisen nodded and decapitated Commander Nider. The sight of this overwhelming scene caused the 2nd battalion to erupt in cheers. Conversely, Commander Nider's cavalry unit now consisted solely of corpses.

However, the black-haired youth did not relent in his attack. Soon, he turned to the 2nd battalion and raised his hand.

"Now, let's wipe them out!" he shouted. Then he swung the Ice Ring several more times, dealing devastating blows to the enemy forces.

"Huff... huff..."

"Second Ensign Heisen, are you alright?"

"Yes, though I'm quite exhausted." He had indeed overused the magic staves. Particularly, the ice ring, which produced over a hundred ice rings, was extremely taxing due to his unfamiliarity with it.

"But... we can win now."

"No, not yet. It depends on the western gate," Heisen replied.