With my reporting finished, I immediately marshaled my unit and prepared to leave the castle.
Citizens lined the streets, waving their hands as they saw us off.
"It’s… a little embarrassing, isn't it?" Ren of the Poison Moth murmured.
"Gahaha! Feels damn good, doesn’t it?!" Galilea of the Thread Spider boomed with a happy laugh. "To think scoundrels like us would get sent off with applause! I’m glad I followed Master Lloyd!"
Everyone else seemed a bit bashful too. It wasn't often they had the chance to be showered with this much public adoration.
We had just cleared the main thoroughfare when a massive roar of cheers erupted from behind us. I looked back to see the Shneider Squad following in our wake.
"Whoa. As expected of Prince Shneider’s army. Their popularity is on a whole different level."
"Yeah," Ren agreed. "That cheer is ten times louder than ours."
Even though we were quite far ahead, the roar of the crowd seeing off the Shneider Squad reached our ears with incredible volume.
"It is regrettable, but given our current reputation, this disparity is only natural," Sylpha noted, her eyes burning with a sharp light. "However, if we demonstrate sufficient results, I have no doubt that the welcome we receive upon our return will surpass even that. And with Master Lloyd leading us, such a feat is entirely possible. We shall also do our utmost, meager as our strength may be."
Sylpha was clearly fired up, but I really wished she wouldn’t set the bar quite so high.
As we marched, Shneider—who was riding at the head of his unit—urged his horse to a faster pace and pulled up alongside me. As his gaze swept over our ranks, my subordinates froze up like frogs being glared at by a snake.
"Hello, Brother Shneider. Are you heading out now as well?"
"…Yes. I want to arrive early and survey the battlefield for myself."
"I understand. Good luck to you."
"To you as well, Lloyd. …I have high expectations for you."
After our brief exchange, Shneider led his small squad and galloped away. He was incredibly fast.
"So that’s the rumored Prince Shneider… what incredible presence," Galilea muttered. "I couldn't move a muscle just from a single look…"
"Ah, how wonderful, Master Lloyd," Sylpha added. "To speak as an equal with Prince Shneider, and to have him place his expectations upon you… it is truly just as I expected of you."
Galilea and Sylpha were muttering more things to that effect, but the cheers were so loud I couldn't catch the rest. At any rate, our course was set for the mountain stronghold of the bandits.
After traveling north for half a day, the dark silhouettes of mountains appeared against the backdrop of the sunset. Multiple peaks were linked together like a series of gargantuan man-made towers.
"Master Lloyd, those are the Buene Mountains, home to the bandit gang led by the Night King."
Lights were beginning to flicker along the mountainside in significant numbers. It was a massive operation—a true bandit lair.
"I spotted several men who appeared to be sentries heading toward the mountain along the way," Sylpha observed, her expression wary. "Bandits who maintain such a sophisticated network of lookouts are highly organized. Given the terrain advantage, an average army would likely be driven back in disgrace."
"We’ll have to be extremely careful… won't we?" Ren gulped.
I stepped out in front of the group and turned back to face them. "Alright, then let’s begin our attack now."
"Whaaaat?!"
A chorus of shocked voices rose in response. I wondered what the problem was.
"That’s reckless even for you, Master Lloyd! The soldiers are exhausted from the march!"
"Furthermore, it’s nearly dark. While I believe you could suppress them alone, Master Lloyd…"
"Then it wouldn't serve as training, would it?" I countered.
I had taught them the basics of how to operate the Magic Soldiers, but training and actual combat were two different things. It would be a hassle to have to cover for them constantly in a real fight, so they needed to get some field experience now. As for their physical condition, that wasn't an issue.
"Saria-neesan, Isha, I need you to use Holy Magic to restore everyone."
"Understood. Just wait a moment, Lloyd."
"I'll get ready right away, Lloyd-kun. Aah, aah…"
The two of them stepped forward, Saria di Saloom preparing her instrument while Isha Hannibark warmed up her voice. Healing via Holy Magic provides a surge of vitality to a weary body. This should recover them enough to fight properly.
"You’re doing it too, Lloyd," Saria said, catching me as I tried to step away.
"Eh?! Me too?"
"Of course. You’re the commander, aren’t you?"
"I don't see how that follows…"
"Ahaha, don't worry, I’ll support you," Isha added with a smile.
Dealing with these two always threw me off my rhythm. I sighed and nodded. "…Fine. I don't know if I'll be any good, though."
"I’ll match your lead, so just start whenever you're ready," Saria said.
"I'm prepared as well."
"Then—"
I took a deep breath and let it out. My voice, Isha’s voice, and Saria’s music began to resonate through the air.
"Wow… what a beautiful song…"
"I can feel the fatigue just melting away!"
This was the Holy Magic, Living Sacred Song. It was a form of Ritual Magic that used music as a medium to heal the exhaustion of those who heard it. The soldiers listened with entranced expressions. I had deployed an Acoustic Barrier in advance, ensuring our song reached every corner of the army.
"What a magnificent performance! As expected of Master Lloyd! I, Sylpha, cannot stem the tears of my own emotion!"
Sylpha was particularly moved, tears streaming down her cheeks. After we had played for a while, we brought the performance to a close.
"…Phew. So? Is everyone feeling refreshed?"
"OOOOOOOOOH!"
Their previously haggard faces were gone, replaced by a thunderous, energetic roar. Good. With this, we could begin the mountain siege.
"Boss! It's trouble! The army is attacking!"
A gruff voice shattered the quiet of a room that smelled of wine and women. At the center of the room was a crudely made table, and behind it sat a man with long black hair slicked back with animal fat, a heavy fur mantle draped over his shoulders.
The man looked up from the women flanking him and stared at the subordinate who had brought the news.
"An army? The Saloom lot should have their hands full with the Stampede."
"H-How do you know that, boss?!"
"I’ve got spies planted throughout the castle. There’s no mistake… no, is that exactly why they're here? I doubt it, but…"
As the man rested his chin on his hand and sank into thought, his subordinate continued frantically. "But there’s no doubt they’re here! They’re already starting to climb the mountain!"
"Hoh."
The man grunted, sounding somewhat impressed. He stood up and walked to the window. When his subordinate opened it, the man could see lights shining brightly on the slopes, cutting through the encroaching night.
"It looks like they’re using magic to light their path as they attack! What should we do?!"
"Don't panic. This mountain is a fortress; it won’t fall easily. …Very well. I'll make them regret ever laying a hand on the mountain of Night King Bills."
Bills left the room, a sharp smirk playing across his lips.