In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 294

Chapter 294: The Kukkoro Male Knight and the Night Battle

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The power of the incendiary agent made by the elves was tremendous. The night forest, once wrapped in a curtain of darkness, was swallowed in an instant by a sea of fire, and vivid flames danced wildly. Irritating smoke and a harsh stench filled the surroundings, turning the place into a truly dreadful scene.

“Is, is this really okay…?”

Watching the elf soldiers fleeing in panic while screaming, I muttered to myself. Lady Orphan’s claim that the “Legitimate” soldiers were not afraid of fire and that only enemy troops panic seemed to be at least somewhat true. It was only the Vanka faction soldiers who were clearly in a state of terror. The “Legitimate” ones, on the other hand, looked almost cheerful, even having the leisure to press the fleeing enemies in pursuit.

Given how calm they were in such a horrific situation, it could only mean they had grown completely used to being caught up in fire tactics. Just how often had the “Legitimate” army deployed flamethrower troops? No wonder they could not escape famine if they kept burning their own fields like that!

“At this rate, won’t the fire spread to the village as well?”

“No problem.”

Lady Orphan, who had calmly regrouped with the main force while leading her subordinates, answered with an extremely good-humored expression. She was smiling so brightly it was almost shocking. She must have been holding a considerable amount of resentment toward the “New” faction. Well… During the three-way talks, the Vanka elders had said quite terrible things to her…

“You already had the men and children taken to the evacuation town, right? Even if this place burns to ashes, only the self-proclaimed army bastards will be troubled.”

“……”

“……”

Both Lady Dalaiya and I held our heads at the same time. Honestly, what refreshing barbarism. She was the type of person you would never want as either an enemy or an ally. Fortunately, she at least had the consideration to lower her voice so that the “New” faction soldiers would not hear her. If they had heard it, the alliance might have collapsed on the spot.

…But still, honestly, it might be better if Runga City burned to the ground. If we try to maintain the city, we will have to divert forces for its defense. On the other hand, if we abandon it, the supplies stored in the city will fall into the hands of the Vanka faction. Either way, it would be an unpleasant outcome for us Liseben. However, if the supplies were burned along with the city, all those concerns would be completely eliminated. Fortunately, the evacuation of civilians was already almost complete…

“She really was a kind child back then… now she’s been completely tainted… sigh…”

Lady Dalaiya muttered sadly. As the former educator of Lady Orphan, she probably had mixed feelings about this. She really did look a bit pitiful.

“…Well, for now, let’s drive them back. This is not the time to be discussing things.”

I cleared my throat and looked toward the enemy soldiers. The Vanka faction troops, who had been in disarray, were elves who excelled at warfare. If we left them alone, they would quickly regain control and launch a counterattack. We needed to inflict as much damage as possible before that happened.

“Overwhelm the enemy with gunfire! All units, ready yourselves!”

The Liseben soldiers, who had been staring blankly at the burning battlefield, hurriedly raised their rifles. The elf soldiers also drew their bows with expressions of genuine delight. The “Legitimate” troops, as well as the “New” faction soldiers under Dalaiya, all looked disturbingly energetic. Even though a massive fire had broken out on the outskirts of their city, did they not feel any sense of crisis at all?

Well, they were elves. A race of fearless warriors in both good and bad ways. Thinking too deeply about it would only wear me out. Specifically, it would give me stomach ulcers. It was best not to think about it.

“Open fire! Fire!”

Gunshots and the sound of bowstrings rang out simultaneously within the burning forest. Several enemy soldiers fell, struck by lead bullets and arrows. The results were modest compared to the number of shots fired, but that was to be expected in a forest. Even with everything burning fiercely here and there, there were still plenty of places to take cover.

“Gwahahaha! How pitiful, you self-proclaimed army bastards! We’ll make you feel the same misery as being scattered like insects!”

“Wonder where the enemy commanders are… I’d like to offer their heads to the Young Lord.”

Saying such dangerous things, the allied elves joyfully continued firing volleys at the enemy. They were completely different from the Liseben soldiers, who were desperately loading their rifles with grim expressions. These guys were really terrifying.

“So you’ve allied with the rebels! You disgraceful elves!”

“Did all of you get deceived by that damn pervert!? You foolish old women obsessed with men, unforgivable!”

However, both sides were elves. Despite the confusion, they returned fire with magic and arrows. Moreover, they even launched charges while weaving through the gaps in the barrage. Unlike dragonewt and beastfolk, where magic was the exclusive domain of mages, almost all elves possessed magical aptitude. Because of that, they could simultaneously charge with swords while casting spells. What a remarkably versatile but troublesome ability. The exchange of fire became extremely intense.

“Guh!”

“Two wounded! Medic! Medic!”

At this point, we could no longer maintain one-sided dominance through shooting alone. More of our allies began to fall, and the enemy managed to close in. A group of elf soldiers armed with wooden swords rushed toward our formation at tremendous speed while blowing on oversized conch shell whistles.

…That definitely looked like a conch horn, didn’t it? Why were people of Elfenia, a country that was practically inland, carrying conch shells? I truly could not understand…

“Don’t let those idiots near the young master!”

“And don’t let those short-lived bastards lay a finger on him either! If we die after them, it’s a disgrace to elves! Protect him with your lives!”

The Liseben soldiers desperately formed a spear wall with their bayonet rifles, but before the spear tips could reach the enemy, allied elf soldiers stepped in front of them. The dull sound of wooden swords clashing struck my eardrums.

“Now! Break them through!”

It was good that they were helping us, but if people were pulled into close combat defense, our rate of fire would drop. Of course, the enemy did not miss this opening. Elf soldiers who had been shooting bows also switched to wooden swords and joined the charge.

“Riflemen! Archers! Don’t let the enemy close in! Maintain suppression fire!”

I quickly ordered the defense, but it did not go well. After all, we were in a forest. Enemy soldiers used the trees effectively to close in, and before long they had reached our formation. At that point, we had no choice but to fight back with swords and bayonets. It had turned back into chaotic close-quarters combat.

“…Tch.”

My face almost twisted involuntarily, but I somehow held it back. As expected, trying to rely purely on ranged combat in a forest was unrealistic. No matter how many times we reformed the line, the result would be the same. I steeled myself and drew my saber.

“Do not break formation! Push them back!”

To avoid friendly fire in this situation, we had no choice but to form a tight scrimmage and avoid separating from allies. Even dragonewt and beastfolk might manage better, but with elf soldiers, identifying friend from foe was truly difficult. If we strayed even slightly from formation, we risked being swarmed by our own side.

On top of that, the surroundings were still burning fiercely. The smoke and stench made it hard to breathe, and the unnatural heat was roasting my armor into a sauna inside. I was completely drenched in sweat. My throat was bone-dry, and I wanted nothing more than to drink water until I drowned in it. But there was absolutely no time for that.

What an absurdly harsh battlefield. Damn it.

“…This is getting interesting, isn’t it…!”

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