Chapter 196. Responsibility and Hope (1)

The responsibility for defeat.

At Shepherd’s bombshell of a statement, which was utterly incomprehensible, a chilling silence fell over the room.

There were even freelancers who seemed to need time to properly understand the meaning of his words.

The words spoken by the highest-ranking official of the Victoria military were that difficult to readily accept.

Among them, the first to react was Sirocco, who had been sitting with her arms crossed next to Enoch.

“What—?”

The beast-kin girl shot up from her seat, her ruby-like eyes shining brightly, and strode past Enoch.

Passing the freelancers with her arms crossed, she perked up her ears and glared straight at Shepherd.

“…You, what do you mean by that?”

Alicia, who was standing behind, also widened her eyes and looked back and forth between Enoch and Shepherd.

In an instant, the room was filled with a sharp tension, and a hint of vigilance appeared in the eyes of everyone around.

The last of the beast-kin, a 10th-rank who was called an unparalleled genius and at the same time born into a natural warrior race.

And the colonel of the Victoria army, who had also reached the 10th-rank, faced each other coldly.

“Direct Lineage Member. You did not keep your promise.”

However, even though he was outwardly staring at the approaching Sirocco, Shepherd continued to speak to Enoch.

“Explain first.”

At Enoch's demand, made with a nonchalant expression, he tilted his head without hesitation.

“You coordinated the operation with me last time. It was decided that your squad would move in this operation only after receiving a signal from the Victoria infantry.”

Everyone in the room focused on the conversation between Shepherd and Enoch, not even daring to breathe.

Shepherd looked down at Enoch, who was sitting, and arrogantly slammed his cane on the floor.

“But because you violated the plan and moved on your own accord so suddenly, the Victoria infantry was unable to avoid annihilation.”

Immediately, as if it was a ridiculous statement, Sirocco glared at him, her tail standing on end.

“You’re talking nonsense.”

“…….”

“Even I, a beast-kin, can tell this for sure. We moved after all you Victoria or whatever kids had lost.”

Sirocco shouted in a voice that was chillingly cold.

“So in that situation, it doesn't make sense to stick to that plan or whatever, does it?”

In that moment, reacting to her presence, the uniformed Victoria dragoons stepped forward in front of Shepherd.

With the sharp sound of the lances’ large-caliber bolts being pulled back, the jet-black lances were aimed at Sirocco in unison.

Of course, this time the lances were loaded not with blanks, but with live rounds. In an instant, the atmosphere in the room froze.

“Let’s be clear about one thing.”

In that tense situation, Shepherd slowly spoke, stroking his chin.

“At that time, the Victoria infantry was not annihilated.”

At the sudden words, the freelancers' expressions contorted, and a few shot up from their seats.

Among them, the leader of one interim asked in a hesitant tone, as if crushed by the tension.

“W-wait a minute. Did you say colonel? What do you mean by that?”

“It is true that our Victoria infantry was pushed back with numerous casualties in the beginning. However, it was merely that we had temporarily moved the surviving troops to the side to preserve our remaining combat power.”

Shepherd slowly gestured to Aslin, who was waiting at his side.

Aslin, who was acting as his adjutant, silently took out a tablet.

As she gestured towards the air, a huge 3D model that seemed to fill the barracks appeared, along with the figures of the soldiers at that time.

All sorts of data, including audio files from during the operation, were lined up.

“The last order given to the Victoria infantry was to wait until the enemy attacked the outsourcing district, and when the subordinate magical beasts moved away from the leader to attack, to aim for and strike the leader.”

Looking at the clear evidence, Shepherd added.

“That was the last operation transmitted before the communication was suddenly cut off after receiving the report on the leader's existence.”

Shepherd said, glancing once at the surrounding freelancers.

Enoch watched him without a word.

Indeed, the Monarch-class that had retreated with a pained scream at the end of the last battle.

No matter how tilted the battle situation was, it was proof that the leader itself had been hit.

“It’s true.”

Just then, Damastes, who was beside him with his arms crossed, spoke.

“When we succeeded in dealing a slight blow to the leader at the end, I personally delivered the blow. It seemed that I was the only one who could break through its guard magical beasts.”

He shrugged his shoulders with a savage chuckle.

“And at that time, I also received help from the hiding Victoria infantry. It’s not a lie.”

—Of course, right after that, most of the surviving infantrymen also died thanks to the beam that thing was spewing out.

he added, resting his magic gear, a double-bladed axe, on the floor with a twisted smile as if he was enjoying himself.

“I don't care what happens to this 19th outsourcing district, that freelancer-like attitude of caring more about defeating the magical beasts is impressive. Are you even an officer, Colonel?”

“You’d do well to watch your mouth, freelancer.”

Shepherd glanced at him and drew a line in the air with the cane in his hand.

“If you’re a dog from the outsourcing district, you should be well-versed in the world of the law of the jungle.”

A huge amount of mana surged from below the barracks, and in an instant, the mana materialized into sharp bars of light.

They shot up like thorns, pierced through his body, and pinned Damastes in place as if to display him.

“……!”

Seeing that, Alicia covered her mouth with her hands, her eyes wide.

“Kuhhhhhh!”

Meanwhile, Damastes, whose entire body was pierced, laughed as if to show off, blood dripping from his mouth.

“A-as expected, it seems you have to be completely insane to overcome the 10th-rank wall. Without any warning….”

“I’m merely being rational.”

Shepherd added, looking at him with contempt.

“The operation that is taking place here is also a way to prove my command ability as an officer.”

He turned his back on Damastes.

“If you’re a skilled mage, I’ve stabbed you in a way that won’t be fatal to your activities. Know your place.”

Everyone around held their breath.

A Victoria officer who had reached the 10th-rank, a realm of enlightenment that most mages never reach in their lifetime.

They knew he was also proficient as a combat mage, but to this extent?

“I will show you the proper posture.”

In front of everyone, Shepherd ostentatiously slammed his cane on the floor once.

Kurururururu!!

In an instant, the tips of the light bars opened up, pinning Damastes’s body.

Then, with a loud roar, they were sucked into the ground, bending the pierced freelancer’s legs at a strange angle and forcing him to kneel.

Damastes, unable to withstand the pain that felt like it was tearing apart all the blood vessels and nerves in his body, dropped his axe and let out a low groan.

“Back to the main point.”

However, Shepherd ignored his convulsions and turned his back to the data projected behind him.

“Because the Direct Lineage Member Enoch moved his squad in violation of the agreed-upon operation, my subordinates who were following my orders were also unable to properly carry out their orders in the unexpected situation.”

“…….”

“I also heard that among the freelancers, you suddenly disappeared somewhere just as the enemy was advancing.”

A chill ran through the eyes of the other freelancers who realized what he was trying to say.

From the side, Alicia quickly stood up and shouted as if to defend Enoch.

“Colonel, with all due respect, that was to strike a detached unit that had fallen behind while bypassing the main force!”

“Excuses are not needed, Second Lieutenant. Although the entire battlefield’s communication was cut off, a violation of the operation is a violation. You must take responsibility for it.”

He nonchalantly fiddled with his cane and added.

“Surely, a direct lineage of Elsyde like yourself would not be unaware of the great responsibility that comes with disobeying orders.”

“…….”

“Since reputation is important to a direct lineage, this will surely be a concern for you as well.”

However, ignoring his leisurely demeanor, Sirocco’s eyes glowed crimson as she lifted her head.

“Hmph, I really don’t like you.”

She said in an even colder tone, glaring at Shepherd from right in front of him.

“You smelled bad from the first time I saw you.”

Sirocco, with a demure look in her eyes, pointed her index finger to the sky and declared.

“……I’ll just blow you all away, you hear?”

“Your provocation is quite interesting. But you’re merely arrogant beyond your station.”

Shepherd, who had laughed lowly, came forward, lifting the cane he had been resting in front of his crimson uniform.

As his uniform fluttered, his powerful mana was gathered, emitting an intimidating light.

In that moment, most of the other freelancers who were sitting in their seats unconsciously swallowed dryly at the sight.

“I hope you make a wise choice.”

In sync with Shepherd’s words, the huge bombardment lances that had been aimed at Sirocco were withdrawn one by one and raised to the sky.

The elites of Victoria, who understood that there was no longer a need to be on guard, parted to the sides.

Shepherd, who had walked past the dozens of dragoons who had lined up in an orderly fashion, smiled, his eyes shining brightly.

“No matter how young a genius you are, you’re merely a bud of a beast-kin. You wouldn't have any proper knowledge of combat.”

Shepherd added coldly, staring at Sirocco.

“Surely, you’re not under the illusion that because we’re both 10th-rank, our strength is the same, are you?”

“You’re full of confidence, aren’t you.”

Sirocco slowly lifted one of her legs towards him with a belligerent look in her eyes.

Just then, Enoch opened his mouth in a low voice.

“Sirocco, sit.”

At those words, Sirocco showed her small fangs and glanced back.

Then, with a worried look in her eyes, she shouted in a small voice towards Enoch.

“But……!”

“Let’s hear him out first.”

Enoch said in a low voice, looking at the Victoria army colonel who was the only one exuding a presence in this place.

“There must be a reason for coming out like this.”

“I like that we can get to the point quickly with you.”

Shepherd snapped his fingers in the air.

“We have reported to the Victoria high command and have named the Monarch-class experimental magical beast leader that has appeared with the codename ‘Anarchilon’.”

Anarchilon.

At the word that clearly named the enemy’s identity, Enoch narrowed his eyes.

In front of everyone, Shepherd turned his back and continued to speak in a dry tone.

“That thing is, in name and reality, the leader that commands the magical beast horde, so killing it is the surest way to victory, but there is something that must be done before that.”

In sync with his words, the video projected from the tablet that Aslin was operating once again filled the room.

As a clear blue light scattered, another huge 3D model was deployed in the space of the barracks.

“This is?”

“The surviving infantry testified. Outside the outsourcing district. To be precise, inside the forest from which the magical beasts came, there is a being that is jamming the communications and deploying a camouflage magic in the forest.”

Although the exact silhouette was not revealed, it was data with the estimated size and a memo attached.

Looking at it, Enoch slowly nodded his head.

“You’re saying there’s another magical beast that uses magic?”

“You must have seen it too, Direct Lineage Member. Unlike the individual that directly ‘moves’ the enemies, the evidence that there is another leader-class that makes ‘tactical’ judgments and plans operations is overwhelming.”

A chill ran down my spine at Shepherd’s calm words. His words certainly made sense.

Not the leader, but a separate individual that makes plans.

From the beginning, it was an enemy that had cut off the supply and retreat routes in the first attack, something unimaginable for a magical beast.

Not only that, but when they were approaching the freelancer corps this time, didn't they use debris such as trees and rocks as cover to hide the light leaking from their bodies?

Shepherd slowly walked and added.

“Perhaps, it is an individual that directly commands the enemy forces more directly than Anarchilon, who was on the battlefield himself. In other words, I believe it is an enemy that is closer to a practical ‘commander’.”

A three-dimensional silhouette created based on the testimonies of the infantry who had entered the forest.

Looking at the unknown enemy that had not yet revealed its identity, Shepherd slowly continued.

“And we have decided to name the magical beast that is hiding behind and disrupting communications with the codename ‘Indiviltal’.”

“I think that’s enough explanation.”

Enoch asked, looking at him.

“What's the point?”

“This.”

Shepherd took out two objects with complex decorations from his pocket.

Finally, Enoch realized that they were the most important pieces in chess, the king and queen.

“If we kill the Monarch-class Anarchilon right now, that would be a victory, but even if we try to strike the king, the queen will surely block the way. In this game, eliminating the queen is an absolute prerequisite.”

At those words, Enoch tilted his head.

In chess, the king is, without a doubt, the key to the outcome of the game.

However, the queen that protects it boasts an infinite range in all directions, and that piece alone is a ruler of the battlefield that blocks the moves of countless enemies.

It meant that it was a being that showed off a formidable power over the entire battlefield.

Shepherd slowly continued.

“As you know, the current situation is a defensive battle. And it’s a hellish war of attrition where we have to hold out until we’ve sufficiently annihilated the enemy. But there’s no chance of victory if we only continue to defend.”

He gestured once to Aslin, who was operating the terminal’s video.

In that moment, the model was greatly enlarged, and a rough map of the forest outside the 19th outsourcing district was deployed.

“And currently, the magical beast legion has set up a base somewhere in this forest spread out in this borderland and is resting and recharging.”

“And the two leader-class individuals you mentioned were so important?”

“Unfortunately, that’s unknown. There’s still the visual-disrupting magic that Indiviltal is deploying in the forest.”

In the end, it was the worst-case scenario where they couldn't obtain information through reconnaissance with drones or scouting.

Shepherd, who had stopped talking there, glanced back with a dignified attitude.

“However, at least one thing is certain.”

“…….”

“If we defeat Indiviltal, which is acting as the practical strategist and planning schemes from behind, the entire enemy command structure will be shaken.”

A silence fell in the room.

The freelancers were silent at his orderly logic, which contained not a single flaw.

Shepherd looked around at the audience, paused for a moment, and then looked at Enoch with a brazen expression.

“Therefore, I……”

He said, resting his cane on the floor, and added with a smile that revealed his true colors.

“As the commander of the Victoria army, I hold you responsible for this defeat and demand that you, along with a part of your squad, defeat Indiviltal alone.”