Published: January 13, 2026
【Arte】
"Miss! This is bad! A large army is heading this way!"
"R-Right! The Wyverns are all gone, right!?"
"That was the last of them! The enemy is coming to strike us first!"
"It's obviously disadvantageous to fight knights head-on, isn’t it?"
Listening to the adventurers’ reports and voices, I placed my hand on my chest, trying to calm my pounding heart.
When I looked up, my entire field of vision was filled with the soldiers of the Yelinetta Army advancing rapidly. The deafening shouts and the thunderous sound of their charge reached my ears.
"We will intercept the Yelinetta Army! The ballistas and mechanical bows will be the main focus of our attack. Everyone else, raise your shields and focus entirely on defense!"
"Yes sir!"
As I gave the order, a deep voice responded.
Everyone followed my words and acted accordingly. I was truly grateful.
"Lady Arte, shall I use magic to slow them down?"
Pluriel asked for confirmation. I nodded and looked at the approaching enemy forces.
"Can you freeze the ground beneath their feet? If we can immobilize them even for just a moment..."
"The range is limited, but just in front of us, it’s possible. Still, if they charge in those numbers, we’ll be crushed in no time."
"Please. Even a slight delay would help…!"
I bowed my head and pleaded, and Pluriel nodded with a troubled expression.
"Just like Lord Van, the impression of the nobility has been changing lately," she muttered softly, then turned back to Ort and the others.
"Everyone, focus on holding them back. No matter what, if they get close, we lose."
"Our arrows can reach them, but so can theirs! There's a limit to how much we can slow them down!"
"...If only we had brought the Espada..."
"Don’t be ridiculous."
The adventurers, perhaps out of anxiety, were fussing as they prepared.
After all, this isn’t like Lord Van. We lack battle knowledge, and we can’t even stop our trembling legs.
Then, at least, I have to do everything I can.
"Ort! Please take command!"
"Y-Yeah, sure, but what’s your plan?"
"I’m going to the frontline!"
"Huh!?"
I looked away from Ort’s astonished face and glanced up at the carriage in the center. A man from Lord Van’s mechanical bow unit was sitting in the driver’s seat.
"I’ll need a puppet!"
"Understood! Which one would you like?"
The man smiled and opened the carriage’s side panel before turning to me.
Inside were Mithril puppets, but they consumed mana excessively. There’s no way they could fight for long.
Beside them were Woodblock Dolls clad in iron and Mithril armor, which could operate for much longer. Control might be rough, but if I tried hard, I could probably operate two simultaneously.
"I’ll control two puppets! Pick the longest weapons possible!"
"Two? Our longest weapons are longswords..."
"Thank you!"
I quickly expressed my gratitude to the surprised man, then started to use magic.
The two puppets started moving, slightly more awkwardly than usual but managing to grip their swords and stand. They climbed down from the carriage.
"Please take care of things."
When I spoke to the puppets, they held their swords upright like knights and bowed.
The man returned to the driver’s seat, staring at this scene in disbelief.
Embarrassing. He just saw me talking to the puppets I control. I felt my face flush red.
"I’m off!"
Hurriedly turning on my heels, I ran forward with the puppets.
We quickly reached the front line and stood where the battlefield was clearly visible.
"Miss Arte!"
Ort immediately ran to my side. His gaze quickly shifted to the puppets standing behind me.
"I see, these two are going to the frontline!"
"Yes!"
I responded and moved the puppets. Raising their swords, they split left and right and disappeared into the enemy ranks.
"Scatter the enemy! The pair of Silver Knights (Aventador)!"
The infantry advanced with large shields raised, assuming the enemy to be a group of magicians, their tension evident.
Infantry clashing was terrifying, but being attacked by advanced magic from a distance was even more so. Infantry, archers, and cavalry all had to stay alert, and if lucky, they might survive.