194: Different places, different ways of thinking, you know.

Even from the keep, you can’t get a clear picture of the enemy’s full form.

It’s because the outermost walls of Mizuho are cleared into open plains, but as you move further out, trees gradually increase, turning into thickets, then forests.

Just seeing the sheer number of monsters packed into the visible plains is staggering. But beyond that—how many more lie hidden deep in the woods? Impossible to guess.

Still, they’re just monsters. No coordination. Just charging blindly into our defenses.

Thanks to the over-the-top fortifications, far beyond what you’d expect from a minor city, the enemy keeps slamming into our sturdy walls—only to be whittled down by arrows and spells.

But there was one troublesome group.

Like they’d planned it, a horde of Giga-Ogres and another of massive Hydras.

Of all the places, the last one I’d want to see a giant monster charging straight at us—can’t be worse than this.

I figured we’d just hunker down and hold the walls, but before I could even think it through, the drawbridge lowered and the main gate swung open.

“That’s Father’s troops.”

“What? Hanbee’s supposed to be defending the castle, isn’t he!?”

Alphard hadn’t been briefed on Mizuho’s troop placements. He was stunned—Wilhelm’s heir wasn’t guarding the fortress, but leading from the front.

“The civilians haven’t finished evacuating yet. Of course Father’s out there.”

“I get that. But does that mean we just charge out like this!?”

He’s shouting, but truth is, Alphard had already considered a surprise assault by elite forces to hold the gate. Just not with one of the three generals under his direct command charging in headfirst. That’s a whole different story.

The effect’ll be strong, no doubt. But the damage’ll be anything but ordinary.

We’re all dead if we mess up!?

But if we don’t crush that big monster here, the main gate’ll be breached before the civilians can evacuate.

Nobuna answers calmly.

That’s true… but…

Look.

Samurai clad in war armor rode forth on bipedal birds, forming a flawless formation as they took flight.

Hanbee’s leading the way!? Even if you’re reckless, that’s going too far!

The spearhead’s a mark of honor, that’s all.

Alphard was speechless, staring at Nobuna, who spoke with pride instead of worry. And then he understood—her sense of battle was completely different from his own.

The charge was undeniably elite. First, a cavalry lunge with spears. And always in pairs, hitting as one.

Three of the Mizuhō warriors clashed with a massive hydra—suddenly, they were all cut down.

Three to five riders per Giganto-Ogre. Probably aiming for five, but the battlefield’s fluid—still, at least three always stick close, flanking the enemy without fail.

"Impeccable coordination."

"Natural, really."

"Especially how Hanbee’s leading—like he’s watching from the sky."

Hanbee’s own strength is terrifying. He cuts straight through the large beasts massed before the main gate like a blade through butter.

Alphard grits his teeth, admitting Hanbee’s strength surpasses his own. But even so, Raidock still outshines him. And yet—Hanbee keeps dodging attacks, keeps landing his own.

"Experience gap? Just how many monsters has Hanbee fought, anyway?"

"My father, back when he was young, wouldn’t listen to Grandfather at all. Spent every day leading his squad on monster hunts."

"Hard to imagine that calm, collected Hanbee ever did anything like that."

"Most of Wilhelm’s men are like that—rough around the edges, mostly. …Except Kanetsugu."

Nobuna sighed, muttering her brother’s name, but Alphard ignored it. The battle mattered more right now.

There was another reason Hanbee’s unit was so strong. Their forces were swarming with spirit familiars—summoned demons that twisted enemy movements, pinned them down, led them astray.

"Those spirits… no, those spirit familiars—aren’t they being controlled by Kanetsugu, the one leading the Onmyō unit on the city wall?"

Ahead of Alphard’s pointing finger stood the Onmyō unit—mages unique to this land, unlike samurai—and at their head was Kanetsugu, Nobuna’s younger brother.

“Father’s plan. Honestly, keeping family safe in the back? That’s embarrassing.”

“W-well. Positioning the magi troops behind the lines makes tactical sense.”

“I’d be running through the battlefield myself.”

“That’s….”

Nobuna’s armor was a hybrid of samurai and Onmyō style. She was a master of both swordplay and Onmyō techniques. Alphard didn’t know Kanetsugu’s true strength, but he could tell from the outfit he was a pureblood mage. Sending someone like that straight into enemy lines? That was ridiculous—tactically and emotionally.

I think Hanbee’s judgment is sound. Above all, Kanetsugu’s use of spirit summons is excellent. He’s positioning them with such precision to minimize friendly casualties, and moving them just right to keep the units mobile—really clever.

Is it really just because the spirit summons aren’t strong enough?

No, that’s not it, Nobuna. Suppose that Onmyō unit had summoned powerful spirit summons and launched a coordinated attack all at once—what then?

We’d take down a lot of enemies.

Yeah. But wouldn’t a big spell usually be a wide-area attack?

That’s right.

We’d have to launch our spells or magic from a distance, away from our own troops, or we’d end up hitting our allies. That means we’d lose the spirit guardians directly supporting our forces. And if it’s a big move, the charge-up time would be longer. But the spirit we’ve summoned now seems to be one that’s nimble—cleverly supporting our troops.

Nobuna, who hadn’t taken her eyes off the battlefield, blinked once at Alphard, then turned her gaze back to the main gate.

“Huh. So Kanetsugu was thinking something after all.”

Alphard thought, maybe Nobuna’s opinion of her brother had shifted just a little. She’d seemed to have judged him too harshly before.

◆

Several hours later, all the large monsters capable of breaching the main gate or city walls in short order had been wiped out.

That should buy us a good stretch of time. But the enemy’s total number’s still unknown. Can’t afford to let our guard down. Still, for now, it’ll just be simple defense.

When the heroes return to the city, the evacuated citizens erupt in cheers like thunder. But only half the heroes have come back.

“Nobuna-sama, I’m going to check things out!”

“I’m coming too.”

Nobuna orders her subordinates to keep watch from above, then takes off after Alphard. When they reach the city gate, the plaza is lined with countless insect-like corpses, and spirit familiars are carrying bodies in one after another.

“...!”

Alphard frowns at the sight of hundreds of corpses.

Everywhere, citizens who look like family members are weeping over their dead.

A mother runs toward Hanbee.

"Lord Hanbee! My son... did he die a proper death? Please tell me!"

Hanbee dismounted from the two-legged bird, examined the corpse, then placed a hand on the mother’s shoulder and offered a small smile.

"Madam. Taro Maru died with honor. A true glory of the Mizoho Shrine Nation. A loyal, fearless man. Be proud of your son’s name."

"Is that so... Did my foolish son serve well... Thank you... Thank you so much!"

"Indeed. Isn’t it better to see him off with a smile?"

As Hanbee spoke, the mother forced a smile through her tears. Alphard couldn’t tell if it was a strained grin or genuine— but in that moment, he understood the true strength of the Mizoho Shrine Nation.

A small nation surrounded by monsters, yet still strong— that was the power of this view on life and death.

Nobuna stepped toward one of the corpses, her expression flickering with sorrow for just a moment—then snapping back into her usual bright smile. She shouted.

“Everyone! You did great! Be proud!”

The citizens and soldiers raised their arms, roaring in unison.

“Protect Mizoho! Protect the living god!”

“““Uooooooohhhhhhhhh!”””

Alphard was certain—within the Mizoho Shrine Nation, they would survive this national crisis.