I Reincarnated as the Mob Flame User Destined to Die in the Early Stages of the Game, but When I Cleared the Event Before the Protagonist, the Heroines Followed Me

Chapter 34 – Claire Is Captured [Claire’s and Kugutsu’s POVs]

[Claire’s POV]

I had come to scout the castle with three other scouts.

At the moment, capturing the floodgate will be the key to our strategy.

I know that enemies are guarding the floodgate, but I want to gather as much information as possible.

I went around the floodgate.

“The floodgate is higher than expected.”

I answered the scout’s comment.

“Yeah, this area is on the border of a mountainous region. Abundant water flows from the mountains in the north, but by managing that water, we can supply a large amount of water to the plains. This area is also a vital granary for the Mild Kingdom.”

Although this area has the weakness of the floodgate, it’s still necessary to store water.

If we release the water, the vulnerability due to water pressure disappears, but doing so would cause water shortages in much of the granary area.

And this castle is also an important base to protect the territory from the northern Empire. 　

If we leave this place in enemy hands, it could be used as a foothold for imperial invasion, meaning we’d lose this rich land as well.

“I sense something! Someone is approaching!!”

“It’s Hero Dust! And there are a lot of monsters and imperial soldiers behind him! Let’s retreat!”

“It’s impossible, we’re almost surrounded.”

“Still, we have no choice but to retreat.”

Dust is approaching us with tremendous force, pushing the enemy onto us and running away.

That speed is abnormal.

Dust might have some special skill.

Grrrrrrrrrrrr!

I killed a Black Wolf with my two-handed sword.

But every time I attack with my sword, my legs stop moving to flee.

“Everyone, run away!”

“No, I won’t let Claire get caught!”

“Get the information to Gett! Hurry!”

“Understood. We’ll be back soon.”

I acted as bait and swung my sword over and over again.

Because the enemy targeted me, everyone else was able to escape.

Good…

Everyone except me will be saved.

I swung my sword over and over again and defeated the monsters.

But the imperial soldiers, for some reason, only urged on the monsters and didn’t attack themselves.

I kept swinging my sword many times, to the point that my hands turned numb and I couldn’t move my body.

Still, I continued to swing my sword.

I no longer remember how many monsters I defeated.

From behind, a Black Wolf bit into my leg.

I raised my sword and stabbed the monster.

I defeated the Black Wolf, but my leg wouldn’t move properly.

This is it, I’m going to die here.

“If I’m going to die, I’ll die fighting as a knight!”

[Kugutsu’s POV]

I blended in with the soldiers and observed Claire.

The real Claire is even more beautiful.

I like her even more now that I’ve seen her in real life.

I can understand it by watching her movements. Like a mirror of chivalry, she shielded the scouts and now, as a knight, she’s ready to face death.

Kukukuku, she thinks she can die like a knight, but that won’t happen.

She’ll become my slave!

I stepped forward at the moment when Claire was exhausted and Black Wolf bit her leg.

“Kukuku, I’m one of the Six Imperial Generals, Kugutsu the Strategist.”

“Six Imperial Generals, huh… I guess this is the end for me, but I won’t die without a fight!”

“Kukukukukkukukukuku!!!!!”

Claire’s face stiffened when I laughed.

Yes, that face is the best.

Claire thinks she’s going to die!

Claire is still trying to cling on to her chivalry!

I can’t help but look forward to making such a Claire my slave.

I approached Claire with a smile on my face.

[Claire’s POV]

When I woke up, I was restrained with chains.

I fought, I lost, and then I blacked out.

“Kukuku, are you awake?”

“Where are we?”

“We’re inside the castle. Isn’t it great? You were able to enter the castle you wanted to infiltrate.”

“Even if you torture me, you won’t get any information. Just kill me now.”

“HAHAHAHA!!!! Do you think I’m interested in torturing you for information? The country must have precautions against leaks, right? I’m not interested in that! Claire, look at your dantian!” (T/N: It’s the point below the navel.)

“T-this…!! A slave crest!”

“That’s right. I’m skilled in crest magic! If I control the source of your magical power, your dantian, you won’t be able to defy me! You’ll become my puppet!”

“A-are you planning to take over my body?”

“It’s just as I said. I have no such low intention like stealing your body! I want to enjoy it at its root. Claire, I’ll enjoy watching you suffer!!”

“I-it will take some time for the crest to take effect! Before that happens, this castle will fall!”

“Hmm? What are you going to do? That kind Hero has informed us of the location of the hidden staircase and the vulnerability of the floodgate! Kukuku! Did that Hero seriously think he could take down the castle by himself? How foolish of him. Still, I have to be grateful. Because of that stupid Hero’s attack, we were able to learn about the weak points of this castle and come up with countermeasures. I’m Kugutsu the Strategist. Once I know my enemy’s moves, countering them is easy!!”

That’s certainly true.

The plan was to defeat Kugutsu swiftly by launching a surprise attack on the castle’s floodgate and using the hidden staircase while he was off guard.

Normally, it takes three times as many troops to attack a castle, but Kugutsu’s army equals our number, which would put us at an overwhelming disadvantage in attacking the castle.

However, now we can’t use the surprise attack or the water assault.

The failure of the Hero’s surprise attack and water assault likely means that countermeasures have been fully implemented.

No major strategies came up at the meeting besides those.

Only minor plans were proposed.

When I glared at Kugutsu, he laughed happily and said,

“Kukuku, the Hero saved me. That stupid Hero is my savior!! Hahaha!! Gyahahahaha!!!”

~ ~ ~

T/N: Dem… First Dust, now this Kugutsu, so many annoying characters, dem… I wonder how The Black Knight and Galdwin will turn out…