Chapter 8

"Did anyone survive?"

As the sun set, the Saria and Riguria battalions, who had played a significant role, entered one of the barracks within the fortress to spend the night.

The smoke from the cooking fires rose into the sky. In one corner of the wall, the enemy prisoners, stripped of their weapons, were gathered in one place.

In the past, they were often sold as slaves to earn foreign currency, but now, if they worked for a set number of years as laborers or serfs within the Haiselk Empire, they would be released.

Some slave traders and a few soldiers opposed this, but since the land was to be annexed and the number of surrenders had increased, reducing the damage, this practice was becoming mainstream.

Nohl, who had been injured but was taken care of by Worm, was still alive. He had taken down one enemy in the chaotic battle and had successfully endured the baptism of fire. Barito, who had been taken care of by Jose, was also safe, though his rooster comb had wilted.

In front of Worm, the new recruits were boasting to each other about their battle achievements and spoils.

"Look, Worm-senpai!! It's a gold coin!? Hehe, I can't believe it, a gold coin!"

"You, that's the coin the soldier you cut down had, isn't it? That's cheating."

Nohl held a single gold coin, which, for the impoverished, could sustain a person for a year. It was a fortune for rural people. Worm was inwardly repulsed by Nohl's distorted face.

Jose quickly searched the dead soldiers, found a barrel of ale in the barracks, and secured enough alcohol and beds for the squad. Worm praised Jose for his excellent skills.

In addition to the victory ale, the battalion commander had promised a reward, and the plump squad leader Kozuru was in high spirits throughout. Despite the injuries, the atmosphere was bright because there were no deaths in the squad during such a fierce battle.

Two full moons seemed to bless the victory, but they also reminded Worm that this world was a different one. In a corner of the room, Willard quietly sipped his drink.

"Willard, that fireball was amazing. You saved us."

Worm, in high spirits, raised a cup to thank Willard, who modestly raised his cup in response.

"Ah... Are you interested, Worm?"

It was rare for Willard to initiate a conversation. Worm eagerly replied.

"Of course. Magic is something to aspire to."

There probably isn't a boy who doesn't like magic.

"Is that so?"

Willard averted his gaze and retreated into his own world again.

Returning to his bed, Worm continued to drink. The pressure on his bladder was intense due to the excessive drinking.

Reflecting that he might have been a bit too celebratory, Worm sought a secluded spot to relieve himself, away from the noise.

Finally, at a quiet corner, Worm was about to relieve himself when a small scream echoed.

Even though he was drinking, this was still enemy territory. He still had his longsword at his waist.

Entering a room, he found a woman being held down and stripped by soldiers from the Saria battalion.

"What are you doing?"

When Worm asked with a hint of anger, the soldiers answered without remorse.

"Can't you see? We're about to do it."

"Do you want to join? If you wait until the end, it's fine."

Rape of female soldiers was common, but this woman clearly looked like a civilian, likely a family member of a soldier stationed in the fortress. While such things were common in war, Worm couldn't tolerate it.

"The garrison surrendered under conditions, so looting and raping civilians were not allowed. It's a violation of military law. If you're caught, you'll be whipped."

Even the three fools would draw the line at military regulations.

"You a saint or a knight, huh?"

"Don't underestimate me. I've killed many on the front lines."

The two soldiers approached Worm. The moonlight revealed well-built bodies, likely good soldiers in battle.

"...So what if you've killed a few people?"

In his previous life, Worm might have been intimidated, but after countless battles, this was nothing. The battle on the wall was far more dangerous.

His flat tone made the soldiers pause. They seemed to recognize the numerous scars on Worm's body, evidence of his battles.

"...Damn, I'm losing my appetite. I'll go get another drink."

The confrontation continued, and the leader gave in. Seeing the soldiers leave, Worm turned to the woman.

To the civilians, he was just another rat in the same hole. Worm had no intention of getting overly involved.

"Go home and lock your doors tightly. If someone tries to break in or take you, scream as loud as you can. Got it... Understand?"

"Yes, yes."

The woman, hastily putting on her clothes, nodded and ran away. This was futile. Such things happened everywhere, Worm thought.

What could change? He had killed many, but he hadn't lost his integrity.

Back in the room, the squad members were singing. It was a common tale of a commoner rising to become a virtuous hero. Compared to Worm, it was laughable.

Though his appearance hadn't changed, he could see his eyes clouding over from the killing and the violence.

It was a violent and insane era, but the drunk soldiers were enjoying life as if the day's battles were a lie. Perhaps they needed the noise to stay sane.

Worm had adapted, switching his mindset and joining in.

◆

The road stretching into the forest seemed to go on forever. The Haiselk Empire's supply battalion marched without rest.

Magic bags had revolutionized logistics, allowing for rapid transport of supplies to the front lines, thanks to the combination of magic bags and relay teams of fully armed cavalry.

However, the supply battalion was still necessary. Magic bags, though rare, were used to transport goods to accumulation points, and the rest had to be carried by wagons or human labor. Hode, one of the supply soldiers, was pulling a cart among the packhorses.

Though often mocked as a failed soldier or a beast of burden by those on the front lines, Hode had pride as a supply soldier and had served for seven years.

Once, Hode had spoken to the military god of the Haiselk Empire, Commander Gerald Berger. It was a rainy night when Hode had been pulling a cart and transporting supplies all night.

After checking the cargo and unloading the supplies, Hode was unexpectedly tapped on the shoulder. Thinking it was a guard with a complaint, he turned around to find Commander Berger.

Hode froze, forgetting to salute, but Commander Berger took his hand and said with a serious look:

"Thank you for your hard work. The supply battalion is crucial to our army. We can fight because of soldiers like you. You are the pride of the nation."

Since then, Hode has considered this the best job, even if not recognized by many, because the military god had acknowledged him. That was enough.

"You look tired."

Hode spoke to a new recruit who had recently joined the battalion. The man had lost an eye in battle, making it difficult to judge distances, and had been reassigned to the supply battalion.

"Of course, pulling such heavy loads."

The one-eyed soldier exhaled without a hint of sarcasm.

"Let me take some of your load. My cart is too light, and I'm getting lazy."

The one-eyed soldier laughed, thinking it was a joke, but Hode stopped his cart and started transferring some of the load.

"Hey, are you serious?"

"I'm a seven-year specialist in the supply battalion. I've carried siege towers, battering rams, and delivered supplies to Liberato, old Canoma Myard, and Haiselk. This is nothing."

Hode pounded his chest, and the one-eyed soldier laughed.

"What, that's impressive... Thanks. Next time, I'll buy you a drink. Honestly, I thought I was just a troublemaker sent to the supply battalion because I was old and blind in one eye, but I was wrong. This is a tough job, tougher than being a regular soldier."

The two continued to pull their carts without further conversation.

The column approached a hill, and the speed naturally slowed. As Hode looked ahead to gauge the road, a wind blew through the trees.

The head of a guard in front of Hode flew into the air. Arrows and magic rained down on the column.

"Enemy attack!! They're coming!!"

One of the soldiers shouted, and Felius soldiers, along with adventurers, charged from both sides. An adventurer with a large shield smashed a soldier's head with a shield bash.

A friend who joined the melee was hit in the throat by an arrow from the side and fell to the ground. Merchants and civilians, hired temporarily, were also attacked without distinction.

Hode hid behind his cart and drew his short sword. Hode was not without combat experience. He had fought minor monsters and foolish bandits before.

"Ugh, aahh!!"

A Felius soldier charged with a scream. Hode instinctively stabbed his short sword into the ground and threw the cart at the soldier.

The Felius soldier couldn't avoid the cart and was crushed. Hode escaped but made a fatal mistake. He was judged to be a dangerous threat due to his size and strength.

A blue-haired adventurer glided toward Hode. Before Hode could retrieve his short sword, a longsword was at his throat. He opened his eyes, certain of his death.

Before the moment of death arrived, a high-pitched sound of metal and a familiar voice interrupted.

"Run, Hode!! Tell the others."

Swords clashed at a speed Hode couldn't follow. Hode didn't want to abandon his comrades and run.

"But!!"

"Go, quickly!!"

The swords clashed again, and the one-eyed soldier's body was stained red. Hode looked around; the guards were being killed one by one, and the merchants and supply soldiers who tried to escape were also being killed.

"I will. I will deliver this information. In the name of the supply battalion!!"

Hode kicked off the ground without looking back. A spear from a Felius soldier pierced his shoulder, and a sword grazed his cheek.

The last obstacle was a young female adventurer.

"Move, move!!"

Her movements slowed from the deafening shout. Hode didn't feel the pain of the short sword in his arm. Using his size and strength, he tackled her, causing her to roll on the ground.

"Leitia!!"

The adventurer called out, as if checking on her companion.

"If she's so important, put her in a box!! Defeated soldiers and adventurers are nothing. If you can keep up with my speed, try it. The legs that have supported Haiselk are not cheap!!"

The one-eyed soldier's final scream reached Hode's ears. Arrows continued to rain down, and tears streamed down his face, but Hode didn't stop running.