Rulers of the Forest
森の支配者
With my preparation ended and after continuing my training both defensively and offensively the 15 days ultimatum passed. The battle of the fate of the Island Forest starts. It was roughly 5:30 (according to Grim-chan’s internal clock) in the morning the sunlight was slightly visible from the east.
“Good morning Grim-chan.” I greeted Grim-chan, the battle was upon us and I was caught in the middle of it. For now, I have decided to place Grim-chan in inside me, I was not fighting any of the leaders of the demi-humans but, in the slightest chance that I die during this battle, I wanted Grim-chan to be in a safe place. She might became lonely again in the so called BARRIER OF HOLY PRECINT OF DARKNESS while waiting another summoned human like me to come and take her.
I waited for the expedition force and thought that I could have done other thing in those 15 days to power-up my allies. However, I could not do anything for the other races since they could not use weapons and armors like the LIZARDMEN. I had however gifted the leaders with slightly good METAL FORGED TRIAL SERIES:
To Wiezer, a METAL FORGED TRIAL GREAT SWORD as his primary weapon and a pair of WOODEN TRIAL TEKKOUs as arm guards as well as a secondary weapon should the primary weapon break or get blown away;
For Armorica, here armor is excellent enough so there was no need to give her anything for defense, I however added some metals spikes on her tail so she can use them to slice through her opponent.
Ashilica’s scales also had a good defense on them, they were not to the level with Armorica’s but it should be enough and so did not bother with any armor. I wanted to cover the gaps in her shell since they seem to be good targets but learned that those gaps secrete paralysis liquid when someone grabs her and so stopped plugging them, instead attached her tail with blades to increase its whips.
Kizuari, this guy was the most stubborn, I tried to hand over some metal claws and wooden paddings for him but he refused, he clearly detests me. Thankfully, Wiezer forcibly donned them on him and was left with no choice but to wear them.
This was a bit late but, when Ashilica and Kizuari fought 15 days prior, Wiezer gestured their genders in the most obscene way. While in combat Wiezer then pointed his upper left hands at Ashilica and placed his lower hands together and formed an elongated circle. After, he then pointed his upper right hands to Kizuari, used all of his hands’ index fingers and shook them up and down.
It took me a while to understand what he was doing, but then I remembered Amorica…
“You idiot!” I could not help but blush at the sight of him laughing at me… Did he think that I would awaken to some strange fetish or something? That is the reason why I named the ARMORED QUEEN BASILISK, Ashilica. I already knew that Kizuari was male since I did fight him once I at least observed that he was male.
This was the order of the arrival to the designated place, the base of the mountain in the western region:
I was first, by sailing Grimoire Atelier on the river;
Kizuari was second he was glaring at me as if he wanted to eat me on the spot, thankfully
Wiezer arrived and pacified him;
Ashilica was third she could somehow jump since her scales where not too heavy; and last was
Armorica whose speed was slowest since her armor was too heavy.
When the leaders got to the rendezvous spot, I could also feel that the subordinates arrived at the rivers in both the northwestern region and southwestern region. A few more minutes and the battle will begin.
*****
Since the expedition force had finally arrived at the rendezvous, Wiezer raised his arms silently… or was he giving a speech. According to how I understood it in his paintings (which could be said his strategy for this battle), He and Armorica will battle against the ORC leader while Kizuari and Ashilica will battle the GOBLIN leader.
I have to wonder, just who is Wiezer. He was too smart for someone who has stayed in the forest. His strategy was quite sound too. Both parties had speed, defense and power evenly distributed.
Well, no use thinking about something like this, I should leave this question after the battle.
After a minute or two, Wiezer must have finished his speech (I was crying internally, the greatest speech in the world and I could not even listen to it much less understand it), he then lowered his hands forwards briskly. As if taking it as a signal (how did all of them see his hand gesture) the expedition force crossed the river move towards the western region and proceeded to slaughter the GOBLIN and ORC hordes.
Me, you’d think that I would be part of the leader subjugation force but unfortunately or fortunately just like the low leveled subordinates my role is simple to lower the numbers of the hordes and stop them from joining the battle against the leaders.
Armorica and Wiezer’s subordinates will handle the ORCS subordinates who were stationed slightly to the northern part of the western region and Kizuari and Ashilica’s subordinates will handle the GOBLIN subordinates who had their lairs near the southern part of the western region.
******
Now, this is a bit troubling, although the GOBLIN and the ORC hordes have been outsmarted they still had the huge numerical advantage and to make matter worst the rain had stopped two days ago, now enemy horde can use the fires strategy again to try and burn down the forest.
If you thought that the whole force of the forest was going to join the subjugation, then you would be wrong after all only a few races joined the battle:
Armorica’s subordinates consisted only with 257 mobile LIZARDMEN and 102 slow-but-packed-with-great-defense ARMADOGUs, which total 359.
For Wiezer, only 163 GORGILAZ joined his entourage.
Kizuari’s GREYWOLVEs numbered 95 and some mish mashed group composed of 35 WERECATs, 18 FOREST WOLVES and 16 TIGERFANG that totaled 69, totaling to his forces to 165.
Well for Ashilica, she only had 52 BASILISKs, at first I wonder if she is unpopular, but I was probably off, I would later learn that BASILISKs have low birthrate, just like the ARMADOGU.
*****
The fate of the island-forest can be said to be a battle at two fronts, and while this so called Battle of Two Fronts could mean, the separate battle of the ORC and GOBLINs it could also mean the Subjugation battle of the horde and the defensive battle against the burning of the forest.
As much as we would like to contain the battles in the western territory, the GOBLINs’ numbered more than a thousand (Just how were they propagating?). Even the ORCS had slightly lower in number compared to the GOBLINS but still had quadruple the amount of our forces.
So to stop them from completely destroying the forest (which is a loss for us even if we defeat the hordes) the ANTARES and other insects defeats the demi-humans who enter the southern side, they also had backups from some beasts from the eastern region.
As for the north the CRABS and other shelled monsters makes a defensive wall, they also receive reinforcement from a detached monsters from the eastern areas.
And thus the battle of two fronts continued.
*****
Hours and hours of battle, eventually the all-out war reached its peak. I was moving here and there so that I could help out any of my allies in trouble.
Just ways off the northwestern shores Wiezer and Armorica was battling an ORC it had crown adorned a top its head, he must be the leader of the ORC horde and he must be the ORC KING. Although Wiezer was quite the tactician, the ORC KING was not to be outdone easily. He had chosen a battle field that was quite disadvantages for Wiezer who had lost the trees for his greater mobility, this is especially true to the heavy Armorica moving on the soft sandy beach, her footing must be quite bad.
Although I would like to say I want to help them, there was nothing I could do without adding any hindrances for the two, so instead, I helped the other GORGILAZ eliminate any ORCS who would try to join the fray.
Just ways of from the shores where Wiezer and Armorica were fighting, I could make out the image of Kizuari and Ashilica battling the GOBLIN leader donning a crown on his head –I presume he must be the GOBLIN KING. In this battle it had become a bit dangerous, since some gigantic and bulked GOBLINs had joined the fray and put Kizuari and Ashilica’s at bay while the king casts powerful fire spells towards them.
I felt that these two needed help more than the ones fighting in the shore. I mean, Wiezer and Armorica still have the two to one advantage against the ORC king. Compared to that, Kizuari and Ashilica were fighting a seven to 2 battle.
When I arrived for a closer inspection, I had seen some of Ashilica and Kizuari’s subordinates trying to help them but, were deferred by the countless GOBLIN hordes. In order to help the two leader allies, I needed to remove the giant GOBLINs from interfering them.
Techniques of a Thousand Demons Ways – Bull Two Handed Hunter: Gyuuki
Dashing my dual wielded METAL FORGED TRIAL Gladius, like a bulls horn, I aimed at the necks at one of the giant GOBLINs with 3 pair of slashes.
‘Be careful captain, these GOBLINS are tough opponents and their attention is now towards you!’
Kizuari and Ashilica must have worn them out, for me to be able to defeat that guy in those strikes earlier. I wanted to use an AOE skill back then, but I decided against it since I did not want to get in my allies ways. Although I had defeated it in one hit, I could no longer do it again with the other five as I have lost the element of surprise and since their attention is now with mine all the more reason I could not match the feat I did earlier.
But,
Now I should able to make it so that the battle against the GOBLIN king with Kizuari and Ashilica back to a 2 against 1 in our advantage.
Focusing my mind to my inner strength I tried to provoke the surrounding monsters using my will.
‘Captain, be careful and good luck out there! The GOBLIN CHAMPIONs and the surrounding GOBLINS’ attention are now directed towards you!’
“That is good enough, thanks Grim-chan.” I had succeeded and as soon as I released those words, I took a large step backwards away from the leaders’ battle stage and lured the GOBLIN Champion away from them.
My provocation was too potent though, I have garnered the ire not only the GOBLIN CHAMPIONS but also the surrounding GOBLINS horde. Thankfully I had wonderful allies (Who by the way must have panicked and forgot use their own provocation skills to aid their leaders).
They eventually followed suit and used their own provocation skills to trim the GOBLIN hordes which had followed me, they also leaded them away from the leaders’ battle stage.
Finally, the horde that was chasing me was trimmed down greatly with only five remaining. But that was when my luck started to look grim, ‘couldn’t they also remove at least 4 of these guys off my tail?’ I cursed under my breath as I looked at 5 remaining GOBLINS who had remained – GOBLIN CHAMPIONS.
When the gap was large enough I decided to take on these guys but, they had easily parred my attacks. My KENKI was able to slice their normal clubs which were only few meters think, but then they started picking-up pretty nasty-solid-thick trunks and used it as replacement weapons.
If I try to out run them, which I am currently able to do, they would just go back to the leaders’ battlefield and that would be deterrent to the original plan and so I made sure to detain them here. I had kept using provoke on them and somehow pinned them here. But, I also need to get back to the others. These 5 may not be the only ones trying to interfere with the 2 vs 1 advantage.
“I needed to find a way to defeat these guys.” So I needed to devise a certain tactic against them. Earlier I was able to INSTA-kill one of them because they had their attention somewhere else and this should work if I use it again. A sneak attack, I just hope it would go according to how I plan it.
Then,
They say that you learn fast when your life is placed on the line, and my life is currently in the line if I say so myself after all should I mess up I will die; if I do not make my move, they will move-on, ignore me and go back to the main battle ground. With those life threatening and life changing situation I got them, the perfect skills to do the job I need to accomplish.
Concentrating and focusing my KI to my foot and my shoes I was able to gain something that would be of good help in obtaining that victory. I noticed this while using KENKI and JUNKI, while the two boost offensive and defensive powers of my weapons and armors. KI also increased the performance of the tools.
In KENKI, not only does it give more sharpness it also help me to grip it hard so that while attacking the sword will not rebound against me. For JUNKI, it does not just harden my armor but also make sure that it fixed to my body and reduce that uncomfortable feeling of wearing armors.
I was thinking that this would also be the same for my shoes, I then focused my KI on the soles of my feet and then to my shoes, while it increase offensive battle, it also gained something that I can use to get to that surprise attack that I need.
Right, I am able to make my step light, silent and sneaky. And by reducing my presence in the field I am able to get away from their field of vision and detection.
‘Captain, you are a ninja that sweeps their targets from the night’
Grim-chan she is enjoying my growth this time and seems to have remembered some words from my memories again. Ninja --right, sneaking and silent step to attain my goal to kill them unaware was the ninja’s way of getting the job done.
I waited when they have lost their interest on me, and that is when I strike, I imagine killing them silently and one by one. Here and now I was using the newly acquired skill to create an assassination skill. I could not be allowed to fail… I focused and heightened my sense.
Techniques of a Thousand Demons’ Ways – Dance of Darkness: NACHT
Increasing my movements by a half-step skill leaped from the shadow, and used a pair of METAL FORGED TRIAL NINJATOU and did two simultaneous sharps slices in the neck to one of the GOBLIN CHAMPIONS. And after an image after effect of a dark night one GOBLIN CHAMPION was dead to the ground.
‘Captain that was dark and cold, please don’t turn to the dark side okay.’
‘Dark side’ I could feel she was glaring a concerned stare at me.
“I won’t cross that line.” I could only answer flatly to Grim-chan’s teasing flat tone. And now to hunt some more GOBLIN CHAMPION.
I did the tactics multiple times. However, although I killed the first one in one attack it did not do for the others, it must mean that some of them were easy to INSTA-kill some just don’t. Thankfully the GOBLIN CHAMPIONs did not try to leave the area, and it seems I unconsciously induced fear in them after killing the first in one attack.
Now only 2 were remaining, but I was also in my end. Although I could feel that the skills I am using was not taking any of my MANA, they seem to chip my stamina, and now every time I use the skill I could feel some life being taken from me. I could not very well experiment here, although I was prepared to die, I was not going to be foolhardy and just die in vain and excessively use it to my death.
Instead of fighting using skills, I just needed to fight them mano-a-mano, well I was using swords and they are using those solid-thick trunks though. The battle with these 2 was the hardest I feel that I was already spent. I could no longer activate any skills since they are now bane. Then I slipped, damn I have become sluggish after all. Looks like I will die today.
“Grim-chan I pray that you get a more deserving Captain!” then everything turned black.
****
I felt a few pats… no, more like something hitting my head just enough force to not break it.
“Uhggg!” As soon as I opened my eyes I saw a hairy hand chopped my head.
“What are you doing…? Wiezer?” when I looked around I saw Wiezer, Armorica, Ashilica and Kizuari, now that I was fully conscious, I could hear different noises, they are somehow in sync, long howls, meowing, and some other indistinct sounds, ‘Did we win?’
“Did we win?” I had to voice my question. Wiezer however didn’t answer me instead grabbed my hand and pulled me up. There I saw it the allied forces doing their own victory cries.
The GOBLIN KING lying on the ground headless and the ORC KING smashed beyond recognition. There were still GOBLINS and ORCS who were alive but seeing as their kings have been killed, they were either fleeing or resigned to their fates and stood motionless on the spot.
Beside me two GOBLIN CHAMPIONs were lying, one had a trunk sprouting in its chest the other had its head bitten off. Looks like Wiezer and Kizuari made it in time for my rescue.
“You have my thanks.” I bowed at the two, Wiezer just nod, Kizuari on the other hand scowled off. ‘Tsundere?’
“Now what will happen to the remaining GOBLINS and ORCS?” to that question Wiezer, Kizuari, Armorica and Ashilica took a deep breath and made a strong Howl.
‘Captain, please don’t leave me…’
I was indeed in awe the howl that should render me panic or confused somehow made me feel stronger instead was this effect of our alliance. On the other hand the running GOBLINS and ORCS probably took intimidation, fear and panic as the after effect of those magnificent howl.
But the one I was most concern of that drowned even the loudest howl was Grim-chan’s words. I think I made her cry. ‘I’m sorry, I’m so unreliable, I will try to live to ensure you will never feel lonely again, I promise you Grimoire Atelier.’ I took this promise to heart and I pray that Grimoire-chan would hear it and forgive me for being so unreliable.
I needed to be stronger for her.
