Published: August 25, 2025
Leading the surprise attack were Angelica and Brother Cornelius, both enhanced by physical enhancement.
Angelica and Brother Cornelius conserved their mana by not summoning their mounts, instead using the mounts of other knights as stepping stones, leaping up like skipping stones.
With the extended blade of the Demonic Sword Steinluk in hand, Angelica made a large leap, drawing a parabolic arc as she attacked the knight apprentices of Dunkelfelger who were carrying the demonic beast. Her target was only Schneefeld.
“Uwaah!?”
“What is this!?”
The startled voices of the enemy, who apparently did not expect an ambush from a lone attacker like Angelica, began to be heard.
The Demonic Sword Steinluk cut through the web of light, causing Schneefeld to nearly fall out of the net.
“Falling!”
“Support her!”
Angelica dealt some damage, and while falling, summoned her mount and changed direction sharply. Unlike before, she could summon her mount easily without fully falling.
Then she moved onto Dunkelfelger and let herself fall again, cutting with Steinluk.
“Yaaah!”
As Dunkelfelger was surprised by Angelica, Brother Cornelius immediately charged in, followed by knight apprentices on mounts who attacked one after another.
The surprise attack was a success.
“Confirm enemy positions!”
I said this while watching the situation in the sky, and Leonore replied immediately.
“They’re in disarray. A few guarding the formation mounted their mounts to provide support.”
“Judith, keep observing the enemy lines. Leonore, prepare your bow!”
“Yes!”
To signal our retreat to Ehrenfest and to hold back and intimidate the pursuing enemy, we would shoot arrows. Leonore transformed her stave into a bow, nocked a mana arrow, and kept her eyes on the battle above.
“When you think it’s time to retreat, Leonore, shoot an arrow.”
“I’ll try.”
Leaving Judith to observe the enemy, I looked up.
Dunkelfelger lacked mobility because they were carrying the demonic beast and had fewer people available to attack since they had to protect it. Ehrenfest, however, had the blessing of the god of valor Angrief. By all accounts, Ehrenfest held the advantage.
“…Ehrenfest is strong!?”
Probably thinking they were inferior and would easily handle us, the knight apprentices of Dunkelfelger who were responding to the ambush cried out in astonishment.
…Indeed, indeed.
Seeing Ehrenfest attacking fiercely and Dunkelfelger overwhelmed and taking damage from the ambush, I was satisfied that the plan was working.
But Ehrenfest’s advantage was very slight.
“Don’t panic! Take defensive positions! Protect the treasure first!”
With a shout from likely a senior student in command, Dunkelfelger quickly regrouped. Some defended with shields, others reset the net to carry Schneefeld, and some turned to counterattack... Each seemed to know their role, and the chaos soon disappeared.
“Half, protect Schneefeld and retreat swiftly! Half, counterattack while regrouping!”
Clear replies rang out, and Dunkelfelger moved toward their base in coordinated fashion.
…No wonder they win the territory competition every year.
The ambush was half a success. We startled Dunkelfelger, disrupted their formation, and inflicted some damage. However, the well-coordinated enemy recovered instantly with a single command.
I sighed in admiration at Dunkelfelger’s coordination, but also couldn’t hide my disappointment. At the same time as Dunkelfelger’s impressive teamwork, Ehrenfest’s coordination, visible to me, was shockingly poor.
…The gap is too big.
Though individual abilities were improved by the blessing, Ehrenfest showed no real coordination. They quickly failed to damage the strongly defended Dunkelfelger.
Only Angelica and Brother Cornelius, enhanced by physical enhancement, were fighting valiantly; nothing else noteworthy.
Even with many advantages, Ehrenfest lacked the teamwork to utilize them well.
“Lady Rosemine, no enemies are approaching us, but as the treasure nears their base, reinforcements are heading out one after another!”