In a World of Reversed Chastity, I Strive to Become an Honorable Male Knight, but Lustful Women Keep Targeting My Body - 326

Chapter 326: The Widow Elf and the Final Battle

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I, Vanka Orisis, was overjoyed. The situation was proceeding exactly according to plan. One after another, elven soldiers leapt out from their burrows and charged at our formation, and a fierce battle was beginning. It was said that on open ground the ant soldiers were stronger than the elves, but the enemy was holding their own splendidly with superior numbers and the skillful fighting style unique to veteran troops. Our advance had been completely halted. The front lines had stagnated, and it would eventually turn into a futile war of attrition.

“After you failed to assassinate the ants’ chancellor, I wondered what would happen, but it seems it will work out somehow.”

While watching the scene from the rear ranks, I spoke to the elf standing beside me. She was dressed in filthy work clothes with a cloth mask covering her face, a truly shabby and suspicious appearance. However, this woman was actually the leader of my subordinates, the spy corps. And she herself was one of the most skilled operatives among all elves. …Though she had failed in her most recent mission, the assassination of the ant chancellor Zera. If not for Dalaiya’s scheme, it should have succeeded… Honestly, that woman was unnecessarily quick-witted.

“Hahaha… I truly am sorry. Once this is over, I will cut my belly and atone, so please forgive me.”

The spy leader scratched her head with an awkward smile. Though she spoke jokingly, her eyes were serious.

“I was joking. …In any case, the ants’ leadership is already in my grasp. Whether Zera lives or dies is of little consequence.”

In truth, the assassination of Chancellor Zera had not been a particularly important mission. Even if it failed, it was no real problem. A slight adjustment to the plan would suffice. It had been about fifty years since I began secretly dealing with the ants. Of course, back then I had no intention of annihilating the elves, and my goal had been to rebuild peaceful relations… Well, in the end, I succeeded in making elves and ants engage in a joint operation, so in a sense, my goal at the time had been achieved. How amusing.

“The current queen is fairly capable and wise, but those around her are completely rotten. Feed the executives a mix of lies and rumors, and making them misjudge things is easy.”

Even if they called themselves remnants of the kingdom, the ants were nothing more than a criminal organization. Give them a few sweet words and some benefits, and they would easily fall to our side. By now, more than half of their leadership was in my hands. Well, of course, I no longer had even the bait to give such people… but since both I and the elves would soon be finished, it did not matter how many empty promises I made. The sight of the ants dancing wildly in pursuit of potatoes and men that did not even exist was both pitiful and absurd. 

You are no different from us elves. I am sorry, but you will perish with us.

“Well, they are probably starting to realize they have been deceived by now. Still, even if they notice at this point, it is too late.”

Saying that, the spy leader let out a low, sinister chuckle. …This woman had worked in public security before Elfenia’s collapse. Naturally, she had crossed swords many times with the ants who dealt in drugs and weapons in the underworld. She must have her own thoughts about them… though from the ants’ perspective, it must be troublesome to have matters from generations ago brought up now.

“Even if they try to switch sides now, it is already too late. Hahaha, how pathetic.”

Watching the front lines, I laughed. The situation had already descended into what could be called a chaotic melee. The ant soldiers were probably doing all they could just to fight the enemies in front of them. There was nothing they could do anymore.

“Now all that remains is for Lord Blondin to fire that heavenly conflagration… but perhaps he cannot decide so easily?”

Narrowing my eyes, I muttered quietly. Their ship floating on the Elfen River remained silent as ever. There was no sign of the devastating attack I had seen the other day. Well, it was understandable. Lord Blondin seemed like a genuinely kind-hearted man. He would not want to use a tactic that would sweep away allies along with the enemy.

“That weapon might be unusable for some reason… If that is the case, we will have to wait until reinforcements from the north arrive before the battle is decided.”

The spy leader replied in a similarly hushed voice. Naturally, I had not revealed my true objective to those around me. Only a handful of “comrades,” including the spy leader, knew.

“Hmm… and those reinforcements also have that weapon?”

“Yes. According to one of my operatives, they were struggling to carry a large tube-like weapon… so it should be fine.”

“I see. Understood.”

To prepare multiple weapons like that terrifying device… Lord Blondin was truly a frightening man. Were such weapons commonplace in foreign lands?

“In other words, we cannot move the front until the reinforcements arrive. Well, given the current situation, it feels like we can leave it as it is…”

In terms of strength, the sides were nearly evenly matched. It was almost impossible for the battle to be decided quickly. …That said, there was still the possibility that Lord Blondin was holding back some hidden trump card. We could not afford to be careless.

“Shall we use that soon? Hey, you. Bring the ‘Praying Mantis.’”

Just as I was about to issue an order to a nearby attendant elf, I heard a faint whistling sound. A moment later, a light tremor shook the ground behind us, followed by the delayed roar of an explosion.

“Oh? This is… the other weapon from that ship, not the ‘heavenly conflagration’?”

“The rapid-fire cannon, I believe. But that was supposed to be broken… Did they repair it? I have heard no such report.”

“Hmm… Well, it does not matter.”

That large crossbow-like weapon, while not as powerful as the “heavenly conflagration,” was still quite formidable. If it had returned to the battlefield, all the better. I hoped it would blow away as many elves as possible.

“In any case, stirring up the battlefield comes first. Hey, bring the ‘Praying Mantis’ at once.”

“Y-Yes, Ma’am!”

The messenger elf ran off toward the rear. I returned my gaze to the front. The orderly ranks of the ant soldiers had begun to crumble before I knew it. To break that solid formation so easily… the enemy was putting up quite a fight. A smile naturally formed on my lips.

Even as I thought this, the attacks from what seemed to be the rapid-fire cannon continued. Their aim seemed poor, as none struck our formation, but relentless bombardment rained down everywhere. …I wished they would aim a bit better. What were they doing?

“Thank you for waiting!”

After a short while of growing irritation, the messenger elf returned. When I turned, there stood a grotesque creature. Its lower body was that of a mantis, and its upper body that of a human woman. However, its size was anything but normal. Even its upper body alone was far larger than an ant-humanoid. With the enormous mantis body attached beneath, it was practically a monster.

That monster was bound tightly in iron chains and placed atop a palanquin. Eight elves carried it, all with flushed red faces. The mantis was simply too heavy.

“T-The Praying Mantis!”

“It has been a while since I last saw one… I heard they were extinct, but there were survivors?”

In contrast to the carriers, the surrounding elf soldiers all turned pale at once. Many recoiled in fear. Well, that was only natural. This creature was the natural enemy of elves… no, not just elves. It was the natural enemy of all humans living on this peninsula. Its true identity was a mantis-type insectoid. Due to its overwhelming combat ability and its willingness to eat humans, it was known as an apex predator. Even the fearless elves feared it. No matter how brave one was, no one wanted to be chewed up from head to toe…

“Take it to the very center of the battlefield and release it. …Ah, but do not remove the muzzle. Once a mantis is full, it becomes docile. We have starved it for days for this very moment. It must rampage as wildly as possible…”

Whether elf or ant-humanoid, all were merely prey to a mantis insectoid. Driven by hunger and murderous instinct, it would surely attempt to devour every living thing around it. Of course, the sturdy muzzle ensured its hunger would never be satisfied… I truly was despicable. It was no wonder he had come to hate me. This outcome was nothing but my just deserts.

…Ah, I hated this. I truly did. But at the very least, I had to fulfill his final wish. That was the last task left to me. I was deeply sorry, but this mantis girl would have to become the foundation for achieving my long-cherished goal.

As a born predator, no sword, spear, or arrow could harm a mantis insectoid. To kill it, one would need to use the “heavenly conflagration.” With this move, Lord Blondin would finally be forced to make his decision. This battle, and my life, would finally come to an end. I was already thoroughly exhausted…

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