Wars in the ‘Reca Chronicles’ world are fundamentally different from those in real history.
This is due to the existence of high-level warriors and mages with superhuman abilities.
If they’ve undergone training in firearms or are used as sacrifices for large-scale ritual spells, that’s one thing, but simple low-level ragtag groups are not only useless as proper forces but also hard to use even as meat shields.
Naturally, the cutoff line for troops that can function as forces is very high, and conscripts are rarely used in battles between nations.
For this reason, large-scale combats involving thousands or tens of thousands of people clashing directly hardly ever occur.
The ‘knight battle,’ where representatives from each force face off to determine victory or defeat, was born from such a context.
The church encouraged it because it has the advantage of extremely reducing loss of life.
Of course, there have been countless cases where parties refused to accept the results and immediately engaged in all-out war, so now it’s degenerated into a mere ritual.
But tradition is tradition, even if rotten.
Winning here is very important for boosting morale or seizing the initiative.
“The knight battle is in three days.”
“They say the Caracol side tried to pull the schedule forward as much as possible, so they’re wary of the reinforcements from the Stroke Principality.”
“It’s not unreasonable for them to think that, since Great-Uncle, the core of the principality, is participating.”
“How many fighters have been decided to participate?”
“Six. That is, it’s set as 6 vs. 6.”
“As expected beforehand.”
The regular clan members of the 16 clans cooperating with us number from 20-30 at the least to 50-60 at the most.
Combined, the headcount exceeds about 500, but those above level 30 are few and far between. That’s natural, as that level is equivalent to a small nation’s knight captain or court mage.
On the other hand, the Caracol side has over 13 above level 30 even excluding Citrio.
Among them, four are quasi-Twelve-level powerhouses above level 40.
In terms of power, we’re quite outmatched.
But I’ve prepared countermeasures for that.
“Excuse me, young master. The vanguard of 20 from the southern Quentaltin Clan has arrived! The commander is a minotaur warrior named Ravalbea Trilk!”
Upon hearing Linia’s words, I went out to greet the reinforcements from Quentaltin.
Thud! Thud!
Loud footsteps seemed to shake the ground. Soon, a minotaur warrior towering at 2.5 meters approached us.
None other than Ravalbea, Kubri’s close friend whom we rescued from under the lake.
<Ravalbea Trilk>
[Level:46/46]
[HP:13][STR:19][AGI:14]
[MP:15][MEN:06][SEN:09]
[DIV:05]
[Traits:Dragon General(S+), Herculean Strength(A) and 3 others]
[Skills:Trilk Tribe Crushing Art · Extreme(S), Quentaltin Weapon Art · Extreme(A), Quentaltin Modified Heart Method · Extreme(B+), Taramu Blood Current Control Heart Method(B) and 5 others]
[Description: Age 44, Minotaur. Sub-master of the Quentaltin Subhuman Mercenary Clan. Close friend of Continent’s Twelve Hero Kubri, renowned as an outstanding warrior in the southern continent.]
His level, which was [44/46] in the past, has filled up to 46. It’s unlikely his skills advanced greatly in such a short time, so I presume he regained his original level through rehabilitation.
Soon, fluent human language flowed from the ferocious bull-headed figure.
“I heard from Kubri. You rescued me from that black mage?”
“I just lent a hand. Master Rolango did all the important parts.”
“You’re saying the same as Kubri. He too deferred the credit to you, Aiden.”
I shrugged and shook hands with him.
“As per the contract, I’ve come to aid you. Also, in about a week, a rear guard of 100 will arrive. I’ve brought most of the elites, though.”
“That’s reassuring.”
After the Quentaltin reinforcements joined, through a meeting, the lineup for the duel was decided.
Aiden Stroke [42/64]
Ravalbea Trilk [46/46]
Arent Lindal [43/44]
Antimos Wi Lycos [34/37]
Dilan Pozo [32/34]
And finally… Epio [29/81]
The above five.
Antimos Wi Lycos is a wolf beastkin warrior, a fighter from the Iekas Clan, the first I recruited into the alliance.
And Dilan Pozo is the master of the Puig Clan and an excellent war mage.
Arent hardened his expression and asked me, “No matter how outstanding Epio’s talent is, he’s still a child. Is it really okay to send him into the knight battle? Personally, I think Lady Chesa would be better…”
“He’ll be helpful enough.”
Chesa’s <Void> is a means that can send even much higher-tier powerhouses to their graves.
However, she’s still unskilled in self-enhancement magic or self-defense arts, so she’s not very suited for this kind of close-quarters combat.
“Then, let’s practice coordination in advance for the knight battle in two days.”
The day of the knight battle.
“I wanted to fight alongside Epio too.”
“What are you saying when you haven’t even learned much attack magic? If that guy comes back injured from fighting, just heal him appropriately.”
I tousled Clara’s silver hair, her lips pursed in dissatisfaction.
“Ahh, Aiden! What are you doing! I just spent an hour styling this hair!”
“…It’s wartime, what are you doing leisurely styling your hair?”
“Hmph! Maintaining one’s appearance in any situation is a lady’s basic etiquette.”
“Then leisurely style your hair one more time. I’ll win the duel and return before you’re done.”
Now that I said it, it sounds like ‘I’ll return before that cup cools.’ Recalling a story no one in this world would know, I chuckled and soon joined the other five.
“You’ll take the vanguard as our representative.”
Arent, one of the knight battle participants, handed me the flag.
“Hmm… Wouldn’t it be more appropriate for Arent, the master of Blispiel, to be the representative?”
“It’s already known to everyone here, and even to the enemies, that you and Sir Ebel are the center of this alliance. No point in trying to hide it.”
Soon, Arent grinned.
“As you know, I became the clan master of Blispiel entirely by accident. Meaning I’m not cut out to lead anyone. Being able to pass the hat to someone else and focus solely on fighting like old times—there’s no greater joy.”
“………”
Arguing further about this would be annoying anyway. I accepted the flag symbolizing the alliance without further words.
“Let’s go.”
The five responded to my words.
When we went to the midpoint where both camps faced off, the priests sent from the Holy Nation and the fighters put forward by the Caracol side were already waiting for us.
Looking at the character sheets, the levels of the opposing six were 45, 42, 39, 38, 38, 37 in descending order. The upper ranks are stronger on our side, but the average level is quite behind. Unlike us, they’re all from the same clan, so their coordination should be good too.
“It’s been a while, Aiden Stroke. I didn’t expect you to come out personally. Unexpected.”
Someone sneered at me.
Looking closely, it was a familiar face.
Rexar, the Caracol executive who had come with Chloeria to intimidate the Blispiel Clan in the past.
“I thought you’d hide behind Ebel Stroke’s back throughout the civil war, but it seems you don’t value your life.”
“………”
Not worth responding to.
Ignoring him, I looked at the priests dispatched from the Church of Utility and the Church of Struggle and said, “Let’s abbreviate the rituals and start the duel quickly. I have no intention of chatting amiably with enemies I’ll soon be fighting bloodily against.”
The priest nodded.
“Under the authority of the Church of Utility and in accordance with the ancient tradition born from the Church of Struggle, we will now begin the knight battle between the Blispiel alliance side and the Caracol Clan side. Then, fairly and squarely, 3, 2, 1…”
Commence.
Immediately after, warriors from both sides swiftly assumed combat stances. The two mages quickly retreated to the rear and prepared high-level spells.
“Interestingly, the role compositions on both sides are exactly similar. A strange coincidence. Epio, you protect Dilan.”
“Got it, Aiden.”
“The remaining four, let’s handle one-on-one.”
“Haha! Easy to understand, good!”
Ravalbea laughed heartily. His extraordinarily loud voice, which would stand out anywhere, echoed resoundingly in the open surroundings.
“Then, the mage and warrior pair over there should be handled by Epio and Lord Dilan, but is that really okay?”
Arent, still worried about Epio.
Suddenly hardening his expression, he stepped back.
Clang!
The shield Arent extended deflected something that suddenly flew in. It was a throwing knife hurled by an enemy assassin.
<Domingo Galan>
[Level:38/39]
[Description: Age 41, Human. An elite from a famous underworld guild in the Wiblet Empire, currently an executive in the Caracol Clan. Highly skilled in stealth and throwing arts.]
This guy’s doing.
“If you distrust Epio that much, quickly defeat your opponent and go support him, Master Lindal.”
“Tch!”
Clicking his tongue, Arent charged forward.
Excluding him, the other two were already fiercely engaged.
“Kuoooo!!”
Boom! Crash!
Ravalbea swung his axe wildly with a roar. His opponent couldn’t properly cope with the tremendous power and was helplessly taking hits.
On the other hand, the wolf beastkin Antimos was on the defensive, barely holding on. If not supported, he seemed about to fall any moment.
After surveying the battle situation, I shifted my gaze to Rexar in front of me.
“So you’re my opponent.”
“That’s right. This time, I’ll repay the humiliation that lady suffered.”
That’s what I should be saying.
Unlike last time, when it ended with a slap of money, the circumstances are completely different now. I intended to completely shatter these guys who had spouted nonsense to Chesa this time.
I gripped the Burn Sword and Ure with both hands.
And began the harmony breathing.
‘Explosive Qi’ and ‘Serene Qi,’ the two opposing energies rotated at terrifying speed through my body’s meridians.
Clang! Clang clang!
Fast and unpredictable sword strikes.
Rexar desperately blocked the attacks from the boy who, when they first met, clearly didn’t even reach his toes.
Soon.
“Keuk!”
Having deflected the first technique of the Resonance Shatter Art, ‘Vileshaker,’ he felt as if his body’s meridians were shaking.
Epio was watching Aiden, who had seized the advantage, from afar.
“…He’s become unrecognizably strong again.”
“Do you have the leisure to look away, kid?”
Clang!
Plebelziam’s red blade deflected a heavy projectile. It was a throwing knife from the enemy. In front of Epio were the assassin Domingo and a mage chanting spells.
Dilan in the rear said, “Epio, hold out for just 30 seconds! I’ll cast a defensive spell to buy time until someone else can support!”
He requested to stall for time. Underlying that was the calculation that Epio couldn’t win one-on-one.
Epio himself knew this.
He wasn’t particularly deep in thought, but his mind spun faster than anyone’s in combat matters.
But because it was a difficult goal.
His fighting spirit burned even more.
“The enemy mage is chanting too. If I take down the dagger-throwing guy first, it’ll be much easier.”
[…Hey, Epio? You’re not thinking something unnecessary, right?]
“Let’s go, Pleb!”
[Hey!!!]
Epio’s form, operating ‘Rampage Qi,’ dashed forward in an instant.
Assassins are slippery like eels, possessing excellent agility and skills, but their durability is pitiful.
The opposite of Epio, with high [HP].
In other words, the closer, the more advantageous…!
“Hmph!”
But contrary to expectations, Domingo didn’t flee. Rather, he sneered and closed in on Epio.
An unexpected situation, but Epio didn’t hesitate and unleashed strong swordsmanship. Domingo drew a thin, short dagger from his bosom and countered.
Clang! Clang!
Domingo was far more agile than Epio. Proving this, soon countless scratches appeared on Epio’s body.
However, minor wounds healed through regeneration.
By ignoring the opponent’s attacks and closing in, then landing the Silas school’s secret ‘Boom Strike’…
At that moment.
Epio’s body stopped.
“Urk…?!”
The dagger Domingo swung was coated generously with paralyzing poison that could fell even an elephant. Even with regenerative ability, recovery takes considerable time.
“And that gap is fatal.”
Stab!
Domingo’s dagger pierced Epio’s heart.
The Infinite Regeneration(S) trait heals any severe injury naturally, but if instantly killed by stabbing the heart or head, it’s useless.
“Next is your turn, mage.”
“E-Epio! Damn!”
Dilan bit his lip in frustration.
Inwardly, he resented the sub-master of Blispiel who had sent such a kid to die.
But it was all within Aiden’s expectations.
Incarnation(S)
A trait that even Epio himself didn’t know about until now, only grasped by Aiden, who was a reader.
Among all S-grade skills and traits in ‘Reca Chronicles,’ a power boasting functions and efficiency that undoubtedly rank among the top handful.
It finally showed its true worth.
Twitch.
The body, clearly a corpse, began to move little by little.
Soon.
Life’s light dwelled in Epio’s eyes once more.