The Villain Who Robbed the Heroines

“Huuu……”

As he forced himself to chew on the soggy bread and swallowed it down his throat, the knight massaged his tired eyes and nibbled on tobacco.

Then, the magician near him kindly lit it up using his magical power.

“Thank you.”

“It’s fine. It is nothing compared to your help carrying us until here.”

“I don’t know if I should like this more than that or not.”

Smoking, which could reveal their location to the enemy who was tracking them, was a foolish thing to do.

However, when it was raining like right now, there was no need to worry about it. Therefore, every single member of the detached unit was enjoying the hazy feeling they had for the first time in a long while thanks to the tobacco in their mouths.

“I prefer being able to smoke a cigarette rather than having an uncomfortable place to sleep.”

“Definitely…… By the way, if the rain continues, the water level of the Rubelta River will only rise more.”

“Since the Count has returned safely, now all that’s left is for us to do our job.”

While smoking cigarettes to relieve the stress that had accumulated, the group's complexion quickly deteriorated when they heard a word that made them return to the harsh reality.

No matter how high their morale became thanks to Ferzen’s encouragement the moment they departed, it was not something which could be maintained for a long time.

If he was there with them, then things might have been better. But since he wasn't, their morale naturally plummeted.

Even though they were already in the enemy territory and were moving because they had a goal, there was no confidence in their minds that they would be able to wrap this operation up successfully.

"This much rest should be enough. Let’s go.”

"Okay."

Even though nothing happened right away,

The sight of them moving toward the Rubelta River while groaning in pain, looked like a straggler of a defeated army.

* * * * *

“It’s ridiculous to call it a river.”

72 hours.

The detached unit was left astonished when they finally saw the Rubelta River in the distance exactly three days later.

The current Rubelta River which had its water level risen and muddy made it seemed as if a storm had been raging around the area.

“At this rate, we won’t even run into the enemy’s supply unit on the way.”

The shortest route for the Elmark Empire supply unit to arrive at the front line was to travel straight across the Rubelta River with the help of an elemental wizard.

However, if the water level as well as the flow of the river was this violent, there was a high possibility that they would be returning.

Therefore, their only opponent would be the enemy who tracked them.

“Our objective should not be far. Where is it on the map?”

“Even though the map is not perfectly accurate… Location-wise, it should be around here.”

"Is that so?"

Sensing that there really wasn't much distance left for them to travel, the detached unit took a quick breather and then increased their walking speed.

After arriving at their objective, the detached unit had a rough last meal and a short rest.

They then placed the object that was connected to the main army through the monster that resided on the First Floor of The Underworld, The Peephole, in a spot where the scenery of the Rubelta River could be seen and gathered around it.

Seconds later, the image of Prince Raymond was reflected on the object. Seeing it, the member of the detached unit quickly took a saluting stance.

Since The Peephole could only send pictures and not sound, the only thing that could be exchanged was sign language. However, the silence that lingered around them was more solemn and somber than ever.

“His Highness The Prince said nothing complicated. He’s just calling each of us by our names and wishing us good luck.”

The detached unit members smiled faintly as they listened to the wizard who was interpreting Prince Raymond's sign language.

“……I feel better because he didn’t tell us to not worry about our family.”

"That’s right. If it’s the Prince we know, his words will come from the heart and not just sophistry.”

Unless the solemn speech that they heard before they had departed from the capital was a lie, the Ernes Empire would provide enormous compensation to their family if they died.

No, if it was the Imperial Family that they trusted and watched over, they were certain that would happen.

However, repeating that same statement here would only mean that he was thinking that their failure had higher odds than their success.

Therefore, the detached unit felt grateful to Prince Raymond for simply wishing them good luck.

After all, that meant that at least Prince Raymond, the commander-in-chief, believed in their success.

"Ah……”

Even though it seemed like their final reporting would soon be finished, Prince Raymond grabbed the object and began to walk out of his barracks.

Then, they could see the sight of all the units that survived on the front line, which was too many to be contained in the small object...…

Saluting at them.

All the ordinary soldiers,

The nobles who belonged to the leadership.

And even Ferzen, the pillar of the Empire.

Soon after, even Prince Raymond, the commander-in-chief,

Raised his hand and gave them a salute after placing the object.

The scene that they saw must be Prince Raymond's final consideration towards them.

There was no way the nobles who had sent them would have prepared such a scene.

It was obvious that Prince Raymond wanted to tell their story to as many people as possible.

After all, if the operation fails like this, they would just be the subject of gossip among a few nobles and be quietly buried.

……Just like that, the final report came to an end.

The detached unit members turned their backs and grabbed their weapons after that, before looking at the faces of their comrades which could be their last time doing so.

"Haha……”

Really, they all had ugly appearances that were not attractive enough to be called anything new.

There was no doubt that their colleagues as well as themselves were not suited to be protagonists.

Even though an important operation was awaiting them.

The story they would tell would undoubtedly be ordinary, boring, and uninteresting.

However, medicine that was good for the body always tasted bitter.

A story told by supporting characters like themselves that would make anyone who read it turn the pages in an instant...…

Would become a hot pulse that will make history flow.

* * * * *

The leaders as well as Ferzen, who had entered the barracks and were watching the start of the operation, carefully curled their fists.

Since they had been tracked by the enemy until now, it would not be difficult to do the first step of the operation.

The problem was what came next.

The elemental wizards who interfered with the earth and penetrated the ground must spread an ice barrier to surround themselves in a circle before going down to the bottom of the Rubelta River, building a dam that was at least 15 meters high, and destroying it.

Unless they were an Auror Knight like Empress Gremory who had the impurities on her arms and legs removed and had magic flowing through them,

It would be impossible for them to ignore the violent torrent and thrust themselves into it.

In particular, unlike ‘transforming’ nature, ‘interfering’ would prevent other magicians from neutralizing it while it was being modified.

Therefore, the moment the dam was built, there would be a fight over whether to block it or break through it.

If carried out successfully, the overwhelming current would reach the Eliatta Gorge in approximately 40 minutes.

……The time that could determine whether it would be a success or a failure was half a day at most.

Will the war last for a long time?

Or will it come down to the final fight where all efforts would be made?

“They must be quite nervous. I’m worried.”

“It’s not like they have little practical experience. They won’t be nervous and make mistakes.”

“I’m not talking about that but about the elemental wizards who went down to the bottom of the Rubelta River. In addition to the pressure, the bottom of the river where they can't see anything will make them feel claustrophobic, and if they breathe too much unnecessarily, they would end up depriving others of air. After all, It is impossible to transform magical power into air.”

"I see. Since they went down using an ice barrier which makes the air inside limited, they can harm themselves by doing that.”

Although it was a negative opinion, it was not wrong.

Still, the advantage of this method was that it would make the warlocks and knights outside to guard them and fight.

“It has begun!”

Eventually, a huge wall rose beyond the connected objects after a calm silence. They could finally see that a huge dam was being built to forcibly imprison the Rubelta River.

Since the current was quite rough, the water that entered the dam quickly began to raise the water level inside the dam. However, more time was needed for the amount of water to reach a point where it would reach the Eliatta Gorge and cut the enemy’s escape route once the dam was broken.

In short, the key point was starting now.

* * * * *

“W-what……”

The dam that was built by Ernes Empire’s detached unit was ginormous to the point that it cast a large shadow to cover the area surprising the Elmark Imperial Army that was on stand-by.

The source of the magic power was below the surface of the Rubelta River where the turbulent current flowed.

“W-waiting for order!”

Even if it was a three-year-old child that was standing in their place, it would not be difficult for them to guess what the Ernes Empire was aiming for by building that dam.

Therefore, some elemental wizards immediately tried to interfere with the dam. Unfortunately for them, further intervention was impossible since the land had already been interfered with.

“There is no need to panic. Even if interference is impossible, it won't be difficult to take it down. First, attack the bottom of the dam. Since there’s a difference in water pressure between the inside and the outside, if enough cracks are created, the enemy’s scheme will be useless.”

“How about dividing the troops and making some of them move further upstream? We can build a temporary dam to reduce the water level to prevent more water from filling the enemy’s dam.”

"No. The reason only a handful of people were sent to this tracking team is that the higher-ups were worried about the incoming supply unit. But since it rained again, the supply unit must have looked for an alternate route. So the leadership would have organized additional reinforcements and sent them up. Remember, don’t be too hasty, the enemy is isolated and time is on our side."

Even so, they were still anxious about targeting only the lower part of the dam.

In the first place, it was difficult to kill the enemy elemental wizards who were at the bottom of the river.

Therefore, after much thought, Baron Zelen, the commander of the tracking team, came up with a good strategy.

“Make an ice on the top of the dam and let it fall.”

“Ice?”

“Furthermore, the warlocks should summon the largest monster possible and drop it into the dam.”

Although there was also a way of attacking using a catapult, it was a one-dimensional method that not only made it easy for the enemy to defend but was also not very effective compared to the cost.

“If we assume the worst, limiting the amount of water filling the dam would not be a bad measure. But, if we send a monster to the bottom of the river, the enemy warlock will have no choice but to respond by also summoning a monster in the same way. Then, due to the increased volume, the amount of water in the dam will overflow. In that case, even if the dam collapses, the aftermath will not be able to reach the camp.”

Even though they thought that his mindset was too cowardly, overall, this method was designed to avoid taking as much risk as possible. in short, to minimize anxiety. So those who followed him calmly accepted it without offering any further opinions.

“Then let’s go!”

"Understood!"

* * * * *

The Elmark Empire’s troop that was moving under Baron Zelen's detailed and meticulous orders, advanced into an open area.

The fact that no traces of the enemy were found during their tracking process was evidence that they were moving in small numbers.

However, since they had seen no one from their group except for the presence of the enemy's elemental wizards who were deep beneath the water, there was a high possibility that the enemy was prepared to give them a surprise attack.

After all, they were moving straight towards the dam they were supposed to attack.

On top of that, It was a small area, so it's not like they were going to have a hard time hitting the target, so there's nothing to lose by sticking to the basics.

Crack-!!

“……!”

But the moment he thought that Baron Zelen's body trembled at the loud noise he heard clearly in his ears.

And when he turned his head to look at the dam in front of him, the crack near the center began to expand at a rapid pace...…

Rumble-!!

Then it suddenly collapsed.

The collapse of the dam was something that Baron Zelen had not anticipated, so he was unable to give instructions on how to deal with it. However, when it came to life-threatening matters, any human would do their absolute best, so the elemental wizards quickly spread their magic power and interfered with the ground they were stepping on, causing it to soar upward.

"What the……!”

No, to be exact, they were trying to make it soar upward.

They were quite perplexed as their magic power did not seep into the ground as if someone had already used their magic power to interfere with it.

Rumble-!!

Eventually, the dam collapsed and the muddy water of the Rubelta River burst out and hit the barrier erected by the troops of the Elmark Empire.

The water flowed with ferocious force, splitting to the left and right.

Because it had not been long since they had started to fill the dam, the amount of water which was stored in the dam was not much, but it was still enough to cause chaos in the surrounding area for a short time.

“It’s a surprise attack!”

Taking advantage of that opportunity, the troops of the Ernes Empire Army that were outside the water launched a surprise attack on the isolated Elmark Empire troops.

Since it was an operation that started from a disadvantageous situation in the first place, it would be impossible to reduce the gap without showing an anomaly that would catch the enemy off guard.

Since it was also the Ernes Empire’s troops that caused the collapse after building the dam themselves,

In order to make their original objective a success, an enormous amount of magical energy was used to repair the collapsed areas and make the dam wall thicker. If this level of risk was not taken, they would not even dare to predict the success of the operation.

***

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