Volume 23 Chapter 4 The Enemy’S True Identity： Part Ii
Dodging the advancing main force, Al's group also caught up with another mounted group to the south and managed to take them down in almost the same fashion as last time.
No one suffered any major injuries──definitely a resounding victory.
"Just as I thought, there were 2 leaders here too. The rest were 2 from Shining Shield, 2 from Black Knife Gang, and 4 from the Seven Snakes. I had a tough time capturing the leaders without killing them..."
As he spoke, Reginald jammed his knife into the chest area of the supposed female leader and twisted it in hard for the final blow.
"Huh?"
Al couldn't help but let out a shout.
He thought they were just tying them up before, but was he wrong?
He asked Reginald, and he shook his head.
"Mercenaries and the Seven Snakes are just hired hands, so I don't kill them, but these guys are probably different. It's a long shot, but check this out."
Reginald showed the seam of the just-killed woman's clothes.
The clothes were tied together with string.
Come to think of it, the spy from Marquis Prentis' household left behind clothes in Border City Lester that also lacked buttons, tied together with strings, just like the one the woman was wearing.
So, the two commanding this mounted unit were likely spies of Marquis Prentis.
It seems that both of them had just died during the battle earlier.
"I did say I'd help if they talked, but they didn't say a word. I'd like to interrogate them, but we don't have the time, so it can't be helped."
Al nodded in agreement.
Just like before, they left the horses to scatter and only tied up the survivors before moving on.
"What's next?"
"We need to do something before daybreak, got any advice?"
Desmond asked Al while they hurriedly moved, aware that Al had no experience commanding a battle.
Of course, he was looking for advice as a magician.
"Magicians in the Tempest Kingdom can sense Magic Tools or magic from 50 meters away. It's the same as our alert Magic Tools. Also, watch out for the 'Floating Eye' spell──the invisible eye that's probably still searching for us. Either Lady Leda or I will shoot it down as soon as we spot it, but taking it out will definitely give us away. Regular spells have a range of about 30 meters, but once, when I was escorting a diplomatic envoy, I saw an attack on Prince Theodore from nearly 70 meters away."
Desmond frowned as he listened to Al's explanation.
"So it's two of them. Ideally, I'd like to set an ambush..."
"It's not necessarily just 2 magicians."
Al corrected him.
They had info about 2 carriages, so probably 2 magicians──but they might be traveling with apprentices who can cast spells.
"They're out of sight from here now. Al, catch your breath. Can you show us the view from above again? Also, mark the enemy positions."
"Understood."
Desmond stopped and spoke.
Reginald took a small sip from his canteen beside him.
Al pressed his cheek and both hands to the ground, feeling the vibrations again.
About 5 hundred meters northwest, he outlined the overhead landscape with stones on the ground.
"This is where we are, that's where they are, and they're moving in this direction."
Desmond studied the spots intently and pointed to a small rise along the road.
"If they keep moving this way, our best chance to fight from an advantage is right around here. What do you think?"
"They have more than twice our numbers. Normally, they'd surround us and shoot arrows, but with magicians involved..."
Reginald answered while twisting his neck thoughtfully.
Al watched and realized they were aiming to hold the high ground.
Makes sense──if you're using bows, being up high means your arrows fly way further.
"The enemy magicians can use group attack magic, but they should be on guard with me and Lady Leda here. They can't just focus on their spells; they'll have to watch out for arrows too. I doubt the magicians will stick out on their own. They're probably moving in slowly, using their shielders for cover while they brighten the area to their advantage. Their numbers might try to scatter us for a chaotic fight, making it harder for them to use group magic."
"I see."
Desmond and the others nodded, taking in Al's analysis based on past experiences.
"So, I'm thinking of flying through the sky and flanking them."
"What?"
Desmond, Reginald, and Leda all gave Al a surprised look.
"Hey, are you serious? You'll be a prime target if you do that! They're dying to take you out, you know?"
Both men nodded in agreement, but Al just chuckled and shook his head.
"This time, we've got to take them down or Guildmaster Levy and Mr. Eric's lives will be in danger... right? That's why I'm pulling out a trick I've been keeping up my sleeve – extending the range of my spells."
He'd always been careful not to let this method be known, but now wasn't the time for such precautions.
Everyone nodded at Al's words.
* * *
As Desmond and the others confirmed their positions as planned, a 'Floating Eye' came flying in – likely the enemy magicians scouting ahead.
Al quickly cast 'Dispel Magic' to eliminate the eye, but it was probably already noticed.
"They're here..."
Al informed Desmond and the others, who nodded silently and signaled to the rest, taking cover behind trees.
It was more like they were turning into shields against arrows and magic attacks than actually hiding.
He'll cast 'Shield' on everyone, just in case.
But still, casting it on everyone one by one might be overkill and give him a headache, so just enough to handle one or 2 attacks each.
Of course, he has enough spell power for one solid cast (with mastery level 9, that's like 9 attacks worth).
Now that Quick Shield has reached mastery level 6, he plans to use it, so even if they fire some long-range attack spell, he can block up to 15 hits in total.
"Alright, I'm moving out. And, uh, if this doesn't work out, sorry in advance."
Suddenly feeling shaky, Al scratched his head.
This was his plan──but if it fails, everyone's in danger.
"What are you even saying? We gotta fight to survive. We're only this far because of you. Hold your head high."
"Yeah, stand tall."
Desmond and Reginald said that with bright smiles.
"Exactly. I'm grateful too. Let's push through and do whatever it takes to save Mr. Eric."
Leda nodded in agreement.
There's no choice──they have to see this through.
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