(EP-255.1) Caged #10

255 – Caged Bird #10

The supreme laws of Angmar permit the formation of mercenary organizations and private armies for individual nobles.

Naturally, the number of mercenary bands and knight orders couldn’t be counted.

Thanks to this, many warriors brave the world to accumulate merits, hoping to be hired for a high price by some organization or master.

Among these numerous armed groups, the most famous was the Angmar palace guard.

And those called the Spartan Mercenaries, and the Golden Army of Borgia.

In particular, the Borgia’s Golden Army was renowned for its excellent welfare, long history, and impressive achievements, giving its members a great sense of pride.

━Archers-.

Kirik, kiririk.

At the command of a man who appeared to be the leader, the sound of bowstrings being drawn could be heard. The target of the Golden Army’s arrows was the rider on a black horse charging straight towards them.

“So they’re the heroes of Borgia. They still have the keen scent of the battlefield.”

Opal, the rider on the black horse, was seen climbing onto the horse. It looked more like he was surfing than riding, with both feet on the horse’s back…

How could he run like that? Truly befitting an elf who once ruled the plains!

━Fire-!

Piririk-.

Numerous arrows cut through the darkness and wind. At the same time, the sound of Opal drawing his sword and deflecting the incoming arrows could be heard.

However, what resonated most loudly in my sensitive fairy ears was not the sharp clang of metal, but the scream. The dying cries of life as arrows pierced its body.

━Puhihing…!

Pababat-.

Finally, the black horse was hit by an arrow and tumbled to the ground, and Opal, who had been riding it, flung into the air. From the beginning, the archers had aimed for the horse, not the rider.

━First line, forward!

At the commander’s booming command, the front line, holding shields and spears, formed a solid defensive wall that shone brightly even in the darkness. It glimmered with a golden hue.

A solid wall of iron.

No matter how strong Opal was, breaking through it in one go would be impossible.

“Theo-kun, it seems we’re not too late! Although the situation is getting worse than I anticipated!”

As Stella said, the mess had indeed escalated beyond our expectations. Deploying the forces of the Lioness family was supposed to be the last resort.

However, it was far better for Opal to be stopped and subdued by the Golden Army here than cause any chaos in the city.

“We’re going too!”

I directed the birds to gradually lower our altitude.

When we finally landed on our feet, Opal seemed to notice pursuers and charged at the formation.

“Get out of my way, brats!!!!”

His roar was more like that of a wild beast than a man.

As if to prove that the legend of him breaking through the army of beasts was no lie, he launched a single-point breakthrough against the Golden Army without the slightest hesitation.

Tukaaang-!

━Geuaak!

When Opal collided with the shields, soldiers flew in all directions as if they had been hit by a truck. I was momentarily stunned by the surreal scene, but the experienced commander quickly shouted.

━Seal the breach! Surround him!

At his command, the well-trained soldiers quickly formed a cage-like circle, trapping Opal within.

However, the brave Opal picked up the swords and spears lying on the ground and began targeting the soldiers’ necks.

Dodging between the blades with improbable fluidity and splitting helmets, his movements resembled a dance.

Blood sprayed under the moonlight.

“Those without resolve, scram─!”

With his relentless slaughter, showing no signs of fatigue or weakness, even the Golden Army soldiers were naturally terrified.

━Is that bastard really mortal? I’ve never heard of such an elf!

━What the hell is he!? Who is this guy!?

━Mon-monster…!

Just as the soldiers were taking a step back and loosening the encirclement.

“You fools. Retreating with a red flag? You might as well die fighting!”

I heard a familiar voice. The soldiers’ morale visibly returned one by one at that growl.

It was Elga, the commander clad in red armor.

“Even if you die, your families will be taken care of by the Lioness family for life! Don’t bring the shame of retreat upon your families by fleeing!”

At Elga’s shout, the soldiers gripped their shields and spears, their eyes under the helmets flashing as they charged at Opal.

━Uraaaaa-!

The fierce attack of the golden soldiers, who were prepared for annihilation and death rather than simple encirclement and capture, seemed to have taken even Opal by surprise.

“This is good tension. Indeed, you’re Vald’s granddaughter. For someone of this era, you’re quite capable. You’re at least a novice as a commander.”

“What are you talking about, crazy elf? Bluffing won’t help you. Aren’t you actually at your limit? Your breathing is off, and your shoulders and legs are shaking.”

“…….”

Now that I saw it, it was just as Elga had said.

Surveying the battlefield calmly, I quickly grasped that Opal’s body was gradually reaching its limit.

This meant that the efforts by Mirna, Narmi, and Stella in the secret research facility were not in vain.

“For a hero to cower in fear of death. If it were me, I’d be too ashamed to show my face.”

At Elga’s provocative taunt, Opal stopped.

“─I fear death?”

* * *

He was called a genius from birth.

No matter what he learned, he soon surpassed his teachers. By the time he reached 20, he no longer needed a teacher.

A versatile jewel shining in various colors.

He lived a life befitting his name.

But even for him, the long battlefield was harsh.

Endless carnage. The relentless advance of the shadow army, which feared not even death, broke the will of countless saints, nobles, and heroes, leaving them thoroughly ravaged.

━Th-the black army! The black army has appeared!

It was the moment when Opal, who had soared through the skies all his life as a genius, felt the presence of a wall.

Yet he did not give up.

─Opal! Hurry and open the door while I hold them off!

─Vald! Vald Lioness!

Whenever he thought of the fortress he had finally broken through after defeating countless enemies, and the ferocious being who had reigned on that throne, Opal, even in his half-dead state, felt a shiver run down his spine.

━I am Solomon. The height of sorcery. The end of all ages. Terminator of worlds.

Without the companions who fought alongside him, he would never have reached that point.

But now…

He didn’t even have any companions.

The fate of short-lived species─.

Edited by: faker