Chapter 66
No man’s land.
A term used during war to describe the area between the front trenches of opposing forces.
In the world I came from, the concept of trench warfare was relatively modern, probably developed around the time of World War I.
However, in this era, where dragons cover the sky and demons crawl out of the ground, it’s unfortunately clear that this concept was established much earlier here than in my previous world.
A world where military tactics have advanced far more than human rights or labor laws.
To make matters worse, this is a medieval fantasy world that’s even more pathetic than usual.
“Detected three mutated creatures approximately two meters ahead in the front!”
“Hey, mages, what are you doing? Shoot already!”
“There appears to be an Orc-like shadow! It might belong to our allies, so hold your fire…”
“Clearly an illusion! It has two heads, for crying out loud! Just fire your magic already!”
Yeah.
This place is absolutely pathetic.
The soldiers’ near-panicked cries fill the battlefield. Soldiers report their individual statuses and the constantly changing battle situation to their officers, and the officers shout commands at the top of their lungs to the soldiers.
“Honey, I need honey! At least something sweet…”
Occasionally, absurd comments can be heard, but most soldiers remain at their posts, trudging through muddy water and carrying out their duties silently.
“Enemy Marauder spotted ahead!”
“Shit, take cover!”
Whoosh!
A warm, moist breeze brushes past my cheek. A red orb flies from the fog and lands just in front of the trench where the soldiers are hiding.
The orb collides with the ground and explodes violently, leaving a huge crater. Poisonous muddy water sprays everywhere, and the fog thickens. Thankfully, most of the soldiers in the trench remain unharmed.
While modern trench warfare developed due to the advent of firearms, it seems that in this medieval fantasy world, it was accelerated by mages who can freely release fire and lightning from their hands, and skilled archers who can accurately hit targets from over 1,000 meters away.
“Damn…”
The trenches are dug, and mages trade blinding spells. Snipers fire arrows at enemies who dare to leap out of the trenches.
What about medieval warfare, huh?
The honorable duel of armored knights seems to be a thing of the past, leaving only this crude and horrific reality.
Alter and Rex appear accustomed to this kind of battlefield. They gaze silently at the distant, tragic scene of trench warfare, gripping their weapons firmly without saying a word.
Lir seems to hesitate a little. Of course, considering this is her first real experience of war, her reaction is understandable.
“…Doesn’t Lord Bin seem scared at all?”
Lir watches me as I follow the officer’s guidance and walk steadily toward the frontline and mutters, clearly impressed.
“I am scared.”
Do people here even realize what war is like? This is the first time I’m stepping foot into such a grotesque place. People are constantly getting hurt and screaming; how could I not be scared?
“You seem unusually calm for someone seeing a battlefield for the first time, General.”
Rex seems to echo Lir’s thoughts, agreeing with her statement.
“It’s not that surprising when you consider where I come from.”
I reply, remembering I’m an orphan with a passive skill called “[Calm].” Of course, I feel fear and discomfort, but not to the extent where it paralyzes me from doing my job.
“True, since you entered dungeons of such high difficulty that artifacts were found in them when you were just a kid, it’s understandable.”
Lir interprets and nods as if everything makes perfect sense.
…Whatever, think whatever you want. I don’t have the energy or the need to correct you.
“The General sent one command through Arthur!”
As we walked into the trench that stretches long and deep from the rear to the frontline, the officer leading us finally shouted loudly. In this noisy environment filled with magic and screams, raising one’s voice is inevitable.
“Arthur said to make an impression on the Marauders! Let them know that ‘Bin is here, and Bin is a very dangerous being!'”
“Exactly, how do we do that?”
BOOM!
A large explosion reverberates around us, and muddy water drips from above. While Lir sticks close behind me, hat pulled low, Rex carefully maneuvers his massive body within the trench.
“Excuse me?!”
Was my voice drowned by the cannon fire? The officer shouts back at me.
“Exactly! What do we need to do to achieve this?”
I shout back, enunciating each word clearly because my frail voice can’t handle much more yelling.
“Ah… As far as I know, ‘summon the spirit,’ that’s what he said!”
The officer hesitates briefly before shouting. It’s clear he doesn’t really understand what “summon the spirit” means.
…Summon the spirit?
“Anyway, he said you’d understand if I just said that…!”
“…”
Arthur’s plan is actually quite effective.
If the young mage who disappeared just a couple of months ago suddenly appears and can command spirits at will, how do you think the Marauders would react?
They’d be so shaken that they’d probably beg for mercy and flee.
Upon witnessing me commanding a spirit, the Marauders will undoubtedly conclude that they must kill me at all costs.
Arthur decided to use me as bait, and so exaggerating my importance in this way is both the most efficient and logical approach.
“…Excuse me?!”
However, there’s one problem…
“Summon the spirit!”
“…What? I can’t hear you well!”
I don’t want to summon Daljin.
I don’t want to even look at his face or hear his voice.
Daljin is just not likable. To be precise, the spirit is not likable.
“Spirit!”
At that moment, Lir, who had been sticking close behind me, shouts loudly into my ear on behalf of the officer.
“…”
“Summon the spirit, General!”
Rex, with his massive voice characteristic of Orcs, also repeats the request. His voice is louder than most bombs, making it impossible not to hear.
“…Ugh, I really don’t want to…”
“Ah! Summon the spirit then.”
I feign understanding after a brief pause and awkwardly smile in response.
“Do you understand what to do?”
“…It’s simple.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
I respond to the officer’s question and continue walking deeper into the trench.
As we approach the front lines, the cries of pain grow sharper, and the smell of blood grows stronger.
We occasionally see soldiers leaning against the walls of the trench, their bodies covered in mud and wounds from the battle.
“…This should be far enough to catch their attention!”
We stopped a short distance away from the frontline where spells are flying through the air.
“Be careful! If any blind magic hits General Bin and leaves a scratch… Arthur will kill me!”
“I can’t tell if you’re worrying for me or for yourself…”
“Excuse me?!”
“No, never mind! Just give me some space, please!”
I take a deep breath, close my eyes, and focus all my senses on my right hand.
Small black particles begin to emerge from my skin and gather in my palm until they coalesce into the shape of a long staff.
‘Aaah, it’s been a while, hasn’t it? A day or two? I was just about to consider contacting you first.’
As I grip the staff, an annoying voice echoes in my mind.
‘So, what’s this about? Or are you here just for conversation? Want to talk about love? I love love stories! What’s up with you and Lir? Not working out? Don’t get too down, elves prefer their own kind anyway because of the lifespan difference. It’s all very sad… But if you’re looking for a new partner… How about a dwarf? They’re cute, fiery, have great personalities, they’re sweet, and…’
What is this bastard babbling about as soon as we connect?
I sigh deeply and furrow my brow as I look down at the staff in my hand.
“…Please, just shut up. My head hurts.”
‘You’ve been gone for two days; isn’t it a little unfair to not chat a little after all that time?’
“…Seriously, everything about you is just unlikable. Can’t you see the situation?”
As if responding to my sharp tone, the staff releases a bolt of warm lightning that fills the trench before rising above it.
The gathered lightning takes the form of a magnificent deer. Its huge antlers spread outward like the branches of an ancient tree, and its hooves are carved with delicate curves.
“Unlikable?”
This cursed deer turns its white-lit head toward me and asks.
“….”
I don’t bother answering.
Of course you’re unlikable, you idiot.
“…”
Lir sighs quietly behind me. Even she, who once treated Daljin as a deity, seems increasingly uncomfortable being around him now that she understands what he is.
“Wow…!”
On the other hand, Alter exclaims loudly upon seeing Daljin’s form. To a life-long electric magic user like him, Daljin’s presence is apparently both mysterious and beautiful.
“Hmph.”
The Orc warriors and soldiers in the trench seem clueless about what they are witnessing. They can only gape at the majestic white deer.
“My task is simple: draw their attention. Make it visible from at least 2000 meters out.”
“What an unusual strategy, volunteering to become a target on the battlefield. Have all the mortal tactics burned in the fire?”
Daljin sneers and mocks me with a nasty laugh.
“Well, it’s not my concern. It should be amusing though, to watch how you survive countless bombings.”
Without even consulting me about the circumstances, the transcendent being immediately starts gathering electricity between his huge antlers.
To him, the flow of war or the purpose of this plan are not significant. If it seems interesting, it’s enough to act.
“…Wait, lightning is too boring.”
Just as I see a bright white lump of energy forming between Daljin’s antlers, he dismissively dissipates it into the air with a meaningful remark.
It seems he has an idea, but I only feel unease watching his smile…
“Uh?”
Uh?
Uh… what?!
“Lord Bin?”
I can feel my silvery white hair standing on end like thunderstruck strands. Sparks are flying from my robe, and my body slowly ascends into the sky as if drawn by a massive magnet.
Lir and everyone warns me not to lean out of the trench, but it’s out of my control. My body refuses to obey me as it floats high into the sky.
I want to come down. Grab me, you guys! Why are you all just standing there and watching?
“Isn’t it amusing to have a mortal sit on a spirit’s back?”
“…What?”
What is this guy thinking?
“Curious how many spells will fly toward us if we soar into the sky, aren’t you? Huh?”
“I’m not curious. You’re crazy.”
This is nonsense. Let me down!
“One last draw of attention, appropriate for a ruler of spirits, don’t you think?”
Apparently, this transcendent being isn’t fond of the nickname the dwarves use to refer to me.
You should’ve mentioned that earlier. I could’ve cleared the misunderstanding with them and asked them not to call me that…
Daljin pulls me closer to his body and leaps high into the sky. Within moments, Lir and Alter, even Rex with his colossal frame, shrink to the size of beans below.
The sudden altitude change almost makes me pass out.
…A big lightning bolt would’ve been enough.
