第１６０掘：魔剣の姫と傭兵団？ (Part2)
The moment I landed, I was effortlessly sent flying by a goblin’s blade. I had reflexively used my magic sword as a shield, but to be pushed back like that—what in the world was that goblin?
"Whoa. To be able to react... just like the Boss said, you're like a warrior race, aren't ya?"
The goblin looked at me, muttering as if offering praise. Wait, a goblin that can speak? Monsters that understand human speech only exist in legends. Every one of them is a complete monstrosity, like a dragon or a minotaur. Yet, the creature before me was just a goblin.
"Well now, you seem surprised. But I’ve got a job to do. If you aren't going to attack, I won't do anything either."
With that, the goblin darted forward.
"Princess!! Are you alright!?"
Jessica finally caught up to me.
"!! Wait, don't come here! Fall back!!"
That’s right—the assault unit Jessica had brought along was also approaching. It was so surreal that my mind hadn't been able to process it. That goblin was leading other goblins, charging straight toward Jessica and her troops. In other words...
"Gyaaaaaaah!!"
A spray of crimson filled the air.
"Man. Everyone except that woman is just small fry."
The goblin’s job was to eliminate the enemy.
"Alright, let’s get this over with as planned!!"
"Yeah!"
With a lazy reply, the scattered goblins began cutting down my subordinates who had surrounded them.
"You! Are you the commander?! Prepare yourself!!"
Before I could run over, Jessica had already locked eyes with the goblin who had struck me down, pointing her sword at him. This was bad. That one was in a different league. Jessica was no match for him.
"Haaaaaah!!"
I poured my magic into my sword, unleashing its power. It was a long-range attack, a blade made of wind—the very technique that earned me the title of the Wind Princess Knight. I had definitely caught the goblin off guard from behind, but...
"Whoops, you're gonna have to come up with better tricks than that. Besides, this lady smells just like me."
He had effortlessly sliced through my wind blade with a dagger, nullifying it completely. To make matters worse, Jessica was struck down in a single exchange.
"Guh..."
"Yeah, it’s impressive you didn't pass out. Here’s a reward for that. I am a commander, sure, but I’m not the 'Boss.' I’d hate a job like that."
I didn't understand. Was there a chain of command even higher than that goblin? No, more importantly, the assault unit was on the verge of annihilation. I had to find a way to retreat...
My body was nearly unscathed. I just needed to avoid that commander goblin and break through elsewhere. We still had the numerical advantage. It wasn't a battle anymore, but I could at least manage to escape. Thinking this, I moved away from the commander goblin to save the soldiers being attacked by the others.
"Forgive me, Jessica!!"
To fight that commander goblin now to save Jessica would be the height of folly. First, I would scatter the weaker goblins, then regroup and crush them.
"Ah, yeah. The world doesn't work that easily, you know?"
The commander goblin didn't chase me as I withdrew; he simply threw those words at me.
"Get out of my way!!"
I had no time to question his words. I had to save as many of my subordinates as possible, even if only by a second!!
*Clang!!*
A high-pitched sound rang out. My magic sword had been stopped by a mere goblin. Not the commander, but a regular one.
"Oh? This is Delta 04. Engaging a slightly strong lady. Need backup on the perimeter."
I was stunned. To them, I was just "slightly strong"? This... this was bad. I finally understood what the commander goblin had meant. It wasn't going to be easy. I, the strongest in this army, was locked in a stalemate with an enemy foot soldier. The implications of this fact were...
"Retreat!! Retreat!! Save as many as you can!!"
There wasn't a shred of hope for victory. The enemy had scattered for the sole purpose of drawing our troops in. After all, a single goblin was equal to or stronger than me.
"Ah, sorry about that. It’s already over."
"Eh?"
As I desperately traded blows with a common soldier, the commander goblin called out to me. Over? What did he mean?
Noticing my strength waver, the goblin I was fighting stepped back. I let my arms hang limp, still clutching my magic sword, and looked around.
It was a sea of blood. All that lay on the ground were humans wearing armor I recognized. There wasn't a single goblin corpse to be seen. A blood-soaked piece of armor moved slightly.
"Are you alive? Stay with me!! I’ll carry you back to the main camp and get you treated!!"
I hoisted the subordinate onto my back, and as I finally turned my eyes toward the main camp, I realized.
"...Ah, aah."
The main camp’s flag was broken, and smoke was rising from the base.
"Waaaaaaaahhhhhh!!"
I had been completely defeated.
Total defeat!!