Synopsis and Starting Chapter Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 38.5
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Chapter 51
Chapter 52
Chapter 53
Chapter 54
Chapter 55
Chapter 56
Chapter 57
Chapter 57.5
Chapter 58
Chapter 59
Chapter 60
Chapter 61
Chapter 62
Chapter 63
Chapter 64
Chapter 65
Chapter 66
Chapter 67
Chapter 68
Chapter 69
Chapter 70
Chapter 71
Chapter 72
Chapter 73
Chapter 74
Chapter 75
Chapter 76
Chapter 77
Chapter 78
Chapter 79
Chapter 80
Chapter 81
Chapter 82
Chapter 83
Chapter 84
Chapter 85
Chapter 86
Chapter 87
Chapter 87.5
Chapter 88
Chapter 89
Chapter 90
Chapter 91
Chapter 92
Chapter 93
Chapter 94
Chapter 95
Chapter 96
Chapter 97
Chapter 98
Chapter 99
Chapter 100
Chapter 101
Chapter 102
Chapter 103
Chapter 104
Chapter 105
Chapter 106
Chapter 107
Chapter 108
Chapter 108.5
Chapter 109
Chapter 110
Chapter 111
Chapter 112
Chapter 113
Chapter 114
Chapter 115
Chapter 116
Chapter 117
Chapter 118
Chapter 119
Chapter 120
Chapter 121
Chapter 122
Chapter 123
Chapter 124
Chapter 125
Chapter 126
Chapter 127
Chapter 128
Chapter 129
Chapter 130
Chapter 131
Chapter 132
Chapter 133
Chapter 134
Chapter 135
Chapter 136
Chapter 137
Chapter 138
Chapter 139
Chapter 139.5
Chapter 140
Chapter 141
Chapter 142
Chapter 143
Chapter 144
Chapter 145
Chapter 146
Chapter 147
Chapter 148
Chapter 149
Chapter 150
Chapter 151
Chapter 152
Chapter 153
Chapter 154
Chapter 155
Chapter 156
Chapter 157
Chapter 158
Chapter 159
Chapter 160
Chapter 161
Chapter 162
Chapter 163
Chapter 163.5
Chapter 164
Chapter 165
Chapter 166
Chapter 167
Chapter 168
Chapter 169
Chapter 170
Chapter 171
Chapter 172
Chapter 173
Chapter 174
Chapter 175
Chapter 176
Chapter 177
Chapter 178
Chapter 179
Chapter 180
Chapter 181
Chapter 182
Chapter 183
Chapter 184
Chapter 185
Chapter 186
Chapter 187
Chapter 188
Chapter 189
Chapter 190
Chapter 191
Chapter 192
Chapter 193
Chapter 194
Chapter 195
Chapter 196
Chapter 197
Chapter 198
Chapter 199
Chapter 200
Chapter 201
Chapter 202
Chapter 203
Chapter 204
Chapter 205
Chapter 206
Chapter 207
Chapter 208
Chapter 209
Chapter 210
Chapter 211
Chapter 212
Chapter 213
Chapter 214
Chapter 215
Chapter 215.5
Chapter 216
Chapter 217
Chapter 218
Chapter 219
Chapter 220
Chapter 221
Chapter 222
Chapter 223
Chapter 224
Chapter 225
Chapter 226
Chapter 227
Chapter 228
Chapter 229
Chapter 230
Chapter 231
Chapter 232
Chapter 233
Chapter 234
Chapter 235
Chapter 236
Chapter 237
Chapter 238
Chapter 239
Chapter 240
Chapter 241
Chapter 242
Chapter 243
Chapter 244
Chapter 245
Chapter 246
Chapter 247
Chapter 248
Chapter 249
Chapter 250
Chapter 251
Chapter 252
Chapter 253
Chapter 254
Chapter 255
Chapter 256
Chapter 256.5
Chapter 257
Chapter 258
Chapter 259
Chapter 260
Chapter 261
Chapter 262
Chapter 263
Chapter 264
Chapter 265
Chapter 266
Chapter 267
Chapter 268
Chapter 269
Chapter 270
Chapter 271
Chapter 272
Chapter 273
Chapter 274
Chapter 275
Chapter 276
Chapter 277
Chapter 278
Chapter 279
Chapter 280
Chapter 281
Chapter 282
Chapter 283
Chapter 284
Chapter 285
Chapter 286
Chapter 287
Chapter 288
Chapter 289
Chapter 290
Chapter 291
Chapter 292
Chapter 293
Chapter 294
Chapter 295
Chapter 296
Chapter 297
Chapter 298
Chapter 299
Chapter 300
Chapter 301
Chapter 302
Chapter 303
Chapter 304
Chapter 305
Chapter 306
Chapter 307
Chapter 308
Chapter 309
Chapter 310
Chapter 311
Chapter 312
Chapter 313
Chapter 314
Chapter 314.5
Chapter 315
Chapter 316
Chapter 317
Chapter 318
Chapter 319
Chapter 320
Chapter 321
Chapter 322
Chapter 323
Chapter 324
Chapter 325
Chapter 326
Chapter 327
Chapter 328
Chapter 329
Chapter 330
Chapter 331
Chapter 332
Chapter 333
Chapter 334
Chapter 335
Chapter 336
Chapter 337
Chapter 338
Chapter 339
Chapter 340
Chapter 341
Chapter 342
Chapter 343
Chapter 344
Chapter 345
Chapter 346
Chapter 347
Chapter 348
Chapter 349
Chapter 350
Chapter 351
Chapter 352
Chapter 353
Chapter 354
Chapter 355
Chapter 356
Chapter 357
Chapter 358
Chapter 359
Chapter 360
Chapter 361
Chapter 362
Chapter 363
Chapter 364
Chapter 365
Chapter 366
Chapter 367
Chapter 368
Chapter 369
Chapter 370
Chapter 371
Chapter 372
Chapter 373
Chapter 374
Chapter 375
Chapter 376
Chapter 377
Chapter 378
Chapter 379
Chapter 380
Chapter 381
Chapter 382
Chapter 383
Chapter 384
Chapter 385
Chapter 386
Chapter 387
Chapter 388
Chapter 389
Chapter 390
Chapter 391
Chapter 392
Chapter 393
Chapter 394
Chapter 395
Chapter 396
Chapter 397
Chapter 398
Chapter 399
Chapter 400
Chapter 401
Chapter 402
Chapter 403
Chapter 404
Chapter 405
Chapter 406
Chapter 407
Chapter 408
Chapter 409
Chapter 410
Chapter 411
Chapter 412
Chapter 413
Chapter 414
Chapter 415
Chapter 416
Chapter 417
Chapter 418
Chapter 419
Chapter 420
Chapter 421
Chapter 422
Chapter 423
Chapter 424
Chapter 425
Chapter 426
Chapter 427
Chapter 428
Chapter 429
Chapter 430 Part1
Chapter 430 Part2
Chapter 431
Chapter 432
Chapter 433
Chapter 434
Chapter 435
Chapter 436
Chapter 437
Chapter 438
Chapter 439
Chapter 440
Chapter 441
Chapter 442
Chapter 443
Chapter 444
Chapter 445
Chapter 446
Chapter 447
Chapter 448
Chapter 449
Chapter 450
Chapter 451
Chapter 452
Chapter 453
Chapter 454
Chapter 455
Chapter 456
Chapter 457
Chapter 458
Chapter 459
Chapter 460
Chapter 461
Chapter 462
Chapter 463
Chapter 464
Chapter 465
Chapter 466
Chapter 467
Chapter 468
Chapter 469
Chapter 470
Chapter 471
Chapter 472
Chapter 473
Chapter 474
Chapter 475
Chapter 476
Chapter 477
Chapter 478
Chapter 479
Chapter 480: Alteria Decisive Battle: Defeat The Famed General
Chapter 481
Chapter 482: Loveless Embrace
Chapter 483: Distressed Queen
Chapter 484: Those Who Are Squeezed Dry
Chapter 485: A Short Break
Chapter 486: The Banquet Continues
Chapter 487: Celestina’S Tears
Chapter 488: Unreasonable Demand
Chapter 489: Golden Sortie
Chapter 490: Unconditional Love And Respec
Chapter 491: Unclean Passage
Chapter 492
Chapter 493
Chapter 494
Chapter 495
Chapter 496
Chapter 497
Chapter 498
Chapter 499
Chapter 500
Chapter 501
Chapter 502
Chapter 503
Chapter 504: Mortal Combat In The Rain
Chapter 505: Nine Fortresses
Chapter 506: Grand Assembly
Chapter 507: Find The Hell
Chapter 508
Chapter 509
Chapter 510
Chapter 511
Chapter 512
Chapter 513
Chapter 514
Chapter 515: The Place Where It Ends
Chapter 516: My Name Is Wilhelmina
Chapter 517: I Am A Thinking 〇
Chapter 518: Unconventional Means
Chapter 519: An Elf Development Plan
Chapter 520: Fair Trade And Zwei Mothers
Chapter 521: Postwar Road
Chapter 522: Boring Domestic Affairs
Chapter 523: Three Individuals, Three Desires
Chapter 524: Wild Evening Party
Chapter 525: False Debauchery
Chapter 526: Slapstick Side Story 1 Pipi
Chapter 526-2: Slapstick Side Story 2 Pirate
Chapter 526-3: Slapstick Side Story 3 What About The Dual Crater?
Chapter 526-4: Slapstick Side Story 4 Strange Ecology
Chapter 526-5: Slapstick Side Story 5 Pregnant Party
Chapter 526-6: Slapstick Side Story 6 Merchants
Chapter 526-7: Slapstick Side Story 7 Non-Humans
Chapter 527: Should Overturn The Board
Chapter 528: Should Overturn The Board Ii
Chapter 529: A Landmine Larger Than You Can Imagine
Chapter 530: Think Of One’S Sister
Chapter 531: Worthless Trouble
Chapter 532: Disarm The Second Landmine
Chapter 533: The Two Who Me
Chapter 534: I Love My Sister
Chapter 535: A Resourceful General’S Misconduc
Chapter 536: Justice Power
Chapter 537: A Competent Worker
Chapter 538
Chapter 539
Chapter 540
Chapter 541
Chapter 542
Chapter 543
Chapter 544
Chapter 545
Chapter 546
Chapter 547
Chapter 548
Chapter 549
Chapter 550
Chapter 551
Chapter 552
Chapter 553
Chapter 554
Chapter 555
Chapter 555.2
Chapter 556
Chapter 557
Chapter 558
Chapter 559
Chapter 560.1
Chapter 560.2
Chapter 560.3
Chapter 561
Chapter 562
Chapter 563
Chapter 564
Chapter 565.1
Chapter 565.2
Chapter 565.3
Chapter 565.4
Chapter 566.1
Chapter 566.2
Chapter 566.3
Chapter 566.4
Chapter 566.5
Chapter 567
Chapter 568.1
Chapter 568.2
Chapter 569
Chapter 569.2
Chapter 569.3
Chapter 569.4
Chapter 569.5
Chapter 569.6
Chapter 570.1
Chapter 570.2
Chapter 570.3
Chapter 570.4
Chapter 570.5
Chapter 570.6
Chapter 570.7
Chapter 570.8
Chapter 570.9
Chapter 571
Chapter 572
Chapter 573
Chapter 574
Chapter 575
Chapter 576
Chapter 576.2
Chapter 577
Chapter 578
Chapter 579
Chapter 580
Chapter Ss1: Special Chapter: Pumpkin Festival
Chapter Ss2: Special Commemorative Story 2
Chapter Ss3
Chapter Ss1: Special : Pumpkin Festival
Categories Genre: Action, Adult, Adventure, All, Fantasy, Harem, Ongoing, Seinen Status: Ongoing Alternative names: Road of the Kingdom, Road to Kingdom, 王国へ続く道, ______
Total Chapters in book: 624
Estimated words: 3278060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 16390(@200wpm)___ 13112(@250wpm)___ 10927(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 3278060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 16390(@200wpm)___ 13112(@250wpm)___ 10927(@300wpm)
______
LIST OF LAST 10 CHAPTERS:
Page No. 624 Page No. 623 Page No. 622 Page No. 621 Page No. 620 Page No. 619 Page No. 618 Page No. 617 Page No. 616 Page No. 615 Page No. 614 Chapter 491: Unclean Passage
Chapter 491: Unclean Passage
Malt Capital – Biado.
The third attack commenced.
The commander――or more accurately speaking, the chief of a village somewhere――gives orders to the group.
「Her Majesty Celestina is watching! We’re going to recapture Biado in splendid fashion and receive words of praise! Those who contribute greatly may even get headpats!」
「「「Uoooooh!!」」」
The accompanying soldiers――or more accurately speaking, villagers wielding farm tools and wooden mallets――respond to the village chief’s call and rush towards Biado while letting out an energetic war cry.
「There they go.」
Christoph mutters.
「Third wave attack, archers step forward.」
「Third row volley. Loose at a one second interval!」
「Crossbows aim at your respective targets.」
Precise shooting from above the city walls greet the surging volunteer soldiers.
「「「Uwaaaaaaah!!」」」
The villagers immediately turn 180 degrees and run back to where they came.
「And here they come.」
Christoph mutters again.
I told them from the start not to go, but they kept insisting on wanting to show off their good sides to Celestina so I let them.
As predicted, they were only spirited until they were actually shot at.
It wasn’t a matter of military training or formation.
The volley did not defeat the commander or cause the collapse of the ranks.
The soldiers ran away just because arrows stabbed into their shields or fell nearby or another reason of their own creation, leading to the overall collapse.
「It’s a problem that existed before the fight. South Yuguria made the right choice not recruiting these guys.」
Fortunately, because the first attack scattered them, the actual damage done was pretty insignificant.
It’s also a good thing that the enemy can’t leave the city right now, since even if the others were elite troops, they would have been wiped out in a highly contested situation.
Cheers erupt from the Malt citizens who ran back in tears.
It’s probably because Celestina rushed over with bandages.
Those who appeared uninjured also dropped to the ground, receiving treatment on their backs with a solemn expression as if they fought hard and fruitlessly exhausted themselves. In reality, they just wanted to impress Celestina.
Meanwhile, Sekrit is taking a nap because she didn’t want to watch an attack she already knew the result of.
I wonder if it’s the presence of the Malt people that, despite the gruesome nature of a battlefield, a certain relaxed atmosphere is in the air.
「With that said, this is no time to be laughing foolishly.」
As it turned out, our plan was progressing extremely well.
The enemy fell for the Vandolea volunteer army diversion and most of their forces garrisoned in Biado had been lured out.
We took advantage of that to approach Biado practically in a straight line, and we are currently already deployed outside the city walls.
Cities and villages along the way that saw Celestina met up with us or agreed to cooperate fully without hesitation.
A total of 5000 true volunteer soldiers joined with our core of 400 disguised volunteer soldiers, and each village worked together to seal off key roads with wood or rubble, broke the waterways, and chopped down bridges, making it almost impossible for South Yuguria to act.
Consequently, the approximately 1000 soldiers stationed in Biado are completely isolated and faced with no hopes of reinforcements, however……
「They can be really stubborn.」
Christoph reacted to my monologue, so I had to restate those words in falsetto to which he averted his eyes.
If we think about how we attracted four fifths of the entire garrison army with the diversion, the plan is a big success.
Not to mention, as an army of about 5000 and taking into account the enemy’s walls, we should be at a major disadvantage.
「This is harsh.」
This joke of an attack was a disaster.
The first one also acted as scouting.
The second was a real attempt with the core elites in the front, but they were easily repelled.
Now, the main force has been caught in a diversion, barely any troops are left in the city, the Malt rebel army appears in that gap, and the likelihood of reinforcements is slim to none.
With all those conditions lined up, normally the enemy would abandon the city and run or surrender.
However, they are calmly putting up resistance and giving us quite a hard time since we don’t have siege weapons.
「They’re persisting so unnecessarily.」
Christoph looked over at me when he said that so I had to agree in falsetto, which prompted him to take a half step away from me.
Presently, time is not on our side.
Although the roads are blocked, as long as the Malt citizens are useless, the return of a few hundred troops from remote areas is enough to reverse the situation.
More importantly, they wouldn’t be able to avoid public execution like Celestina was hoping for. Execution may not be possible for us now, but it’ll probably be done all at once to set an example once a stalemate occurs.
I think she was Mary from the clothing store.
From what she told me, she belongs to me so I can’t let her be killed meaninglessly.
「We need a breakthrough?」
I stare at the walls where the enemy soldiers are standing guard.
Based on what I have seen of the people’s attitude towards Celestina, once Celestina passes the walls and the people of Biado see her face, the battle will be settled.
If everyone revolts together, a mere thousand soldiers won’t be able to maintain control.
「Oh wait, I recall a few hundred was able to suppress ten thousand……」
Nevertheless, we can successfully storm in if things become chaotic enough.
We just need to get into the city by any means necessary.
Having said that, it won’t be easy when we have no time for preliminary arrangements.
It’s not like we can tie Celestina to a kite and wave her around.
「Secret path……a secret passage……a hidden tunnel……」
「Um……if I may interrupt-」
The one who spoke up in a reserved voice was Monica.
「There is a secret path.」
Monica tugs my hand and walks toward a wet swamp area that many people likely haven’t gone near.
「There are two secret paths to Biado. The first is located past the barley field and is relatively new, but it probably can’t be used.」
「Why not?」
「Successive kings have said the road is too narrow and leaks from rain so they repeatedly and proudly renovated it, and even constructed a splendid building on the city-side exit, so we’ll be spotted right away. Everyone, including the citizens, know about the place, meaning the enemy will surely be waiting for us if we take it.」
That’s not much of a secret.
「The other one existed since the time Biado was built, and is one unknown to the public, as well as royalty or high ranking nobles. The reason I know about it is because the previous king specifically passed the information down to me in case anything happened to Her Majesty Celestina.」
This is the real secret passage.
Monica searches around restlessly for something that resembles the entrance when she reaches the bog, but struggles due to all the rampant vegetation.
This might be her first time actually checking the outside of the city in person.
「By the way, where does this swamp exit? We have to coordinate with those on the outside so they can lead the enemy away to ensure we aren’t discovered.」
「You don’t have to worry about that. The exit will be in the centre of Biado, directly inside the palace.」
I go silent for a second.
Simultaneously, Monica finds the entrance.
Its diameter is about 1 m and there is a dull-colored perforated lid covering the hole, which matches with the mud surrounding it, perfectly camouflaging it.
Monica attempts to pull open the heavy-looking lid, but it doesn’t budge because of the rust.
「It’s a bit late now, but I wish you mentioned it earlier if such a passage existed. We could have finished this battle in one try if we attacked through――」
I comment as I assist Monica with the lid.
In that moment, my complaint tapered off into nothing.
「This is……」
A foul smell immediately hit my nose as soon as the lid opened and the mud slid off.
No, that isn’t mud.
「I heard it was a path purely to allow somebody to escape with no regard to the level of comfort. Of course, I had never actually gone inside. I believe no one has used it in over a hundred years. From what I’ve read in books, it’s a……well……sewage drain.」
I look up to the sky and ponder my choices.
However, this seems to be the only option.
「Alright, let’s go.」
「「「「……」」」」
Me and the soldiers with elevated morale stand before the passage.
Nobody pointed out my tone. No one could afford to with the scene in front of their eyes.
「Hey get going. The heart of the enemy base is beyond this point, in other words, this is a hole to victory.」
The number of accompanying soldiers was limited to five.
We obviously don’t want the enemy to detect our movements and bringing a large group into an environment where it’s clearly impossible to move is the height of foolishness.
Sekrit and Brynhildr planned to tag along, but when they saw where I’d be going, Sekrit blatantly lied that she wasn’t feeling well, and Brynhildr disappeared with a pale face before I knew it.
「You say it’s a hole to victory, but it’s just a sewer. Furthermore, it’s not an old one…… it’s still in use.」
I kick the grumbling Christoph in the back and have him lead the charge.
「Captain, I will always stay by your side!!」
The pretty-eyed Guigue was next to follow. I think he’s gone a little crazy.
「Seriously……? Uueeh.」
「The special bonus……doesn’t seem worth it.」
「This smelly, dirty feeling, I don’t hate it.」
The other three soldiers also enter with a sigh.
After confirming I had my nose plug in place, I turned around.
There, the fully ready Monica and Celestina were waiting.
「We’ve prepared ourselves, it’s better if you two stop. This isn’t a place where girls should go.」
「The interior contains a multitude of branches and also varies in height. Do you think you can reach the exit without someone who has seen the map like me?」
That would be impossible. If Monica doesn’t come, we’ll get lost in the cesspool.
Celestina, on the other hand, is the one who shouldn’t come.
She should accompany the outside squad and run in only after we sneak into the palace and create a disturbance――
「I’m going too.」
Celestina pulls a hood snugly on her head.
「I’m. Going.」
Celestina follows the soldiers into the sewer after repeating herself.
「……fine.」
I guess there’s no arguing about it.
I can’t say no when she has that look in her eyes.
「Defiling such a cute king will likely have the opposite effect and provoke animosity though.」
Before the girl who has made up her mind could stick her foot into the filthy water, I pick her up.
Sorry Monica, you’re going to have to get dirty like the rest of us.
The stench and sensation of the sludge reaching up to my thighs is unbearable beyond imagination.
Moreover, everytime an area is illuminated with a torch, there always seems to be some insect or rat skittering away.
Out of concern for us, who naturally became silent in the worst imaginable environment, the flustered Celestina tried talking to the soldiers from my shoulders.
「You are handsome. Once you arrive at the city, surely you’ll be popular.」
「If Your Majesty says so, I’ll have more confidence in myself. Ehe……I may look like this, but I’m actually two-timing.」
「Ah, you’re a bad boy! You’ll get a spanking later!」
Her cute way of speech triggers some chuckles.
「You have an average face, but you look like an honest man. Is my insight correct?」
「Hahaha, you’re right. This idiot got tricked by a woman last year. This year he was deceived by a swindler. And finally he gets taken for a ride by a shiny boss and ends up going in the sewer for bonus money!」
Laughter fills the air for several seconds.
「And you……」
We progress through the sewers in a surprisingly cheerful mood, brightened by the sunshine smile that won’t dim even in the darkest of environments.
「You seem really strong with all those bulging muscles! You must be a warrior who has made quite a name for himself.」
「Y-you think so? Ehehe, that must be true then. Maybe it’s time I come up with a nickname for myself――」
As I was about to point out Celestina’s incorrect examination, I felt a chill on my neck and swung my sword directly behind me.
I hear a sharp shriek and then something bump into the wall before falling into the sewage water.
One of the soldiers and Guigue shine their torches in the direction of the noise and draw their swords, moving to defend Monica and Celestina one short pause later, and then Christoph draws his sword after another pause.
With his sword still at the ready, one of the soldiers picked up the thing I slashed.
That thing which was squealing while bleeding was……
「A rat……?」
Everyone heaved a collective sigh of relief and some even grumbled.
「Haaa, that scared me.」
「Geez, don’t freak out over a rat. It’s not something a big name should cry about.」
However, I don’t laugh if off or calm down.
「Don’t lower your guard. It’s not a normal rat.」
「Huh? But……」
The rat in the soldier’s hand with blood dripping from its mouth is a normal rat.
That’s why I feel it’s impossible. I sensed the strike from behind and ‘cut its head off’.
「Geh! This thing has two heads――!?」
Something reacts to the soldier’s yell and glows in the darkness.
Yes, it was a swarm of rats.
I entrust Celestina to Monica and assume a defensive stance with my sword.
「Damn, they’re the size of dogs!」
「They have two heads……wait, there are some with three heads!」
「Don’t treat them like rats! They’re more like monsters!」
I swing my sword at the incoming multi-headed rat.
I slice one that leaps at me in half, punch another and stomp on one that tries to bite my leg.
The soldiers, except for Christoph, are all capable enough to not be done in by rats that are just a little bigger than normal.
The creatures are taken out one by one by spear, sword and crossbow, but……
「It’s dark and our footing is bad! Not to mention it’s narrow here and there’s no space to move left or right!」
「They don’t die immediately after their heads are cut off. Gouge deep into their bodies!」
「If you get bitten by these dirty rats, your wounds will get infected and you won’t survive! The only way is to defeat them without getting hurt!」
Under the assumption of having to trek through the sludge, the soldiers were armed with their usual weapons, but the armor they were wearing was of the light leather kind.
The possibility of the thin layer being penetrated by the fangs of dog-sized rats is high.
Furthermore, unlike humanoid enemies like other people and goblins, rats can crawl on the walls and ceiling of cramped spaces.
It’s imperative to pay attention to overhead attacks in addition to attacks from the side or the front. Inevitably, blind spots also widen.
「……this isn’t the time for me to worry about maintain my disguise.」
I grab Christoph’s sword and switch to dual-wielding.
「Eh, won’t that make me unarmed……?」
I step in front of the soldiers and lower my stance.
The multi-headed rats concentrate their attacks on me.
「Just because you rats grew an additional head or two――」
I wait until the last second for the rats to get as close as possible and swing my swords right and left, mowing them down.
Blood splatters as three rats get cut into pieces and their limbs fall into the filthy water.
「They’re coming from above!!」
「I know.」
I include up and down in my list of sword trajectories.
Several rats turn into chopped meat and scatter around me.
If I let my swords hit the stone directly, they’ll break, so I keep my swings barely within the limits of the ceiling and the walls.
Countless sparks light up the vicinity temporarily.
「Incredible……it’s like his sword is creating a barrier. Not a single one has passed through.」
「This ridiculous strength……I knew it, it has to be him.」
I interrupt the soldiers with a shout.
「No time for chatter, look down at my feet! I can’t defend there.」
Right, the problem comes from those that slip into the sludge and attack from below.
It’s not possible to slash through the water and stomping on each one will cause me to lose balance.
「Got it!!」
The soldiers stop paying attention to their overhead and flank positions and fixate on my legs instead.
The moment something starts to rise from the sludge, the soldiers stick their swords or spears in that spot.
After that, we just have to endure until all of them die or they give up.
About 30 or 40 kills pile up and things felt like they would end soon until-
「Sorya! Crap, it has four heads. It’s not dying, it slipped past!!」
A rat with a spear still stabbed in one of its head runs under my legs.
Its destination is where Celestina and Monica are, but if I were to turn around and save them, all the rats in front of me will be free.
「Leave it to me!!」
That is when the empty-handed Christoph pounces at the rat.
As expected, even the monster rat did not have the strength to push the weight of the muscular Christoph, and both of them sank into the sludge.
「Well done, Christoph!」
「I’ve also grown too! Wait a minute, this thing is strong, ah don’t, uwaaaah!!」
However, that is where Christoph’s contributions end as the rat leans forward and tries to bite him.
「Yaaa!」
At that moment, Monica, who held her knife ready at the hip, rammed the blade into the vitals of the creature, dealing a fatal blow and killing the multi-headed rat on the spot.
Coincidentally, that is also when the other rats in front of me decided they’ve had enough, ending the attack.
「Are you alright?」
Celestina wipes the face of the sludge-covered Christoph with a high quality handkerchief.
「Wait, it’s dirty……now your handkerchief is ruined.」
But Celestina wraps her hands around the dirty Christoph’s face and she smiles.
「Thank you.」
「……of course, my king.」
I grab Christoph by the back of the collar and pull him up.
‘My king’, my ass. What a simpleton.
In any case, everyone seems to be uninjured and just dirty.
「Hey, is it going to be like this from this point on?」
We’re prepared to get messy, but for monsters to appear……and not the standard goblins or zombies at that, is a little unexpected.
「It’s a place that hasn’t been used in a hundred years after all.」
It is said that monsters spawn more easily in stagnant places.
For this area that is dark, unclean and sealed for a hundred years, it might be considered the perfect breeding ground.
「I’m sure there are more of them.」
I sigh and face forward.
「At the very least, we’re going in correct direction, right?」
「………………yes.」
Come on. I’m really counting on you here.
Fortunately, we didn’t encounter a swarm of rats later and were able to progress relatively smoothly in spite of occasionally taking the wrong path.
「Dear brother……I want you to lower me. I want to walk on my own two feet.」
「I can’t. If you walk in such a place, you’ll become muddy.」
I am already calf-deep in sludge.
Taking into account Celestina’s small stature, she’ll surely be submerged up to the waist.
「But everyone is doing their best, I can’t be the only one……」
I make a sterner face than usual.
Honestly, wanting to share the joys and sorrows with the soldiers is merely Celestina’s desire, and there is nothing to be gained by the soldiers.
What everyone wishes for is her smile that beams down like the sun, not a girl who sweats beside them.
「Your Majesty, please store that feeling of wanting to be with your citizens and soldiers within your heart, and never forget it.」
Celestina nods at Monica’s words and returns to my shoulders.
「Shh-!」
All of a sudden, a person’s face appears from around the corner in front of us.
I scowled more so than I did with the rats.
「We got found out……?」
This just became tough. If a guard was stationed, that means our infiltration was anticipated.
Even if we defeat this enemy, there will be more waiting for us at the exit. Breaking through will be difficult.
However, the enemy doesn’t let out an alarmed shout or run off, he seems to be staying still with his head swaying from side to side.
「Something feels off. What is going on here?」
It happened when a soldier threw his torch at the enemy.
The enemy’s face stretched up toward the ceiling.
「His neck will stretch――no, wait!」
There was no neck.
What’s there instead is a black glossy body and numerous legs growing out from there……
「It’s a gigantic centipede!!」
「A human-faced centipede!? Uggh, this is definitely going to show up in my dreams!」
The mouth part of the human-faced part splits open with a peculiar noise and fangs protrude.
「Celestina, close your eyes.」
Although its strength level is unknown, the shock level of its appearance is top class.
It isn’t something a little girl should see.
However, a courageous voice responds from atop my shoulders.
「I’m looking! I’m not going to avert my eyes! You’ll allow me to do that much, won’t you!?」
Fumu, she’s saying that while her legs are trembling, impressive.
「You guys, clean this up quickly. Don’t let Her Majesty look at this unsightly creature any longer.」
「「「Yeaah!!」」」
Everyone is in agreement.
Using the power of teamwork and the opening created when the centipede tried to prey on Christoph when he was tangled up, we were able to finish off the centipede without anyone getting wounded.
Afterwards, we also encountered and defeated a fly monster, a giant worm, and something like an evolution form of a gross insect.
Either way, they were all disgusting creatures, so when skeletons finally showed up, everyone smiled and broke them apart happily.
Through all the fighting, Celestina did not look away despite the enemies being a bunch of repulsive creatures and she continued watching from Monica’s shoulders――although she did turn around with Monica when the larger version of the familiar guest of the kitchen appeared, but that much can be forgiven.
「If we go up this slope, we’ll diverge from the sewers and enter the royal palace――hiih.」
Monica, who was leading the way and felt relieved after leaving the sewage, shrieked and stopped in place.
I follow where her gaze ends.
It’s a mass of some kind, yes that’s the best way to describe it.
A shiver runs down my spine.
「Step back, you two――go three times as far as before. If you think it’s too far, that should be about right.」
We already left the sewers so our feet are no longer in the sludge.
Nevertheless, the foul stench is several times stronger than before.
There was a sticky slurp sound and then the masses spread on the ground slowly began to gather into a pile.
It has no eyes, no nose, and no mouth. In the first place, I couldn’t even tell where its face or torso is and from where to where is considered its ‘body’
「Guh……」
「Ueeh……」
Being exposed so long to the smell of sewage should have numbed our noses, but the putrid smell is enough to make our noses fall off.
「What……is that?」
「Hell if I know. All I can tell is that it’s extremely dirty, stinky……and bad.」
The pieces distributed all over the floor have collected into a single mass.
An object that looks like a huge warm jelly with all the filth of the world jammed into it glides toward me.
It’s clear I am its aim.
「I don’t want to be near it or touch it, much less fight it……」
Sadly, our destination is behind this thing.
And this thing’s blobby body is reaching the ceiling and the walls so slipping past is not an option.
「We’ll have to defeat it.」
I hold my sword with two hands.
Alarm bells are ringing loudly in my head, but there is unfortunately no other way.
Protagonist: Aegir Hardlett. 25 years old. Autumn.
Status: Goldonia Kingdom Margrave. Great Feudal Lord of Eastern Area. Mountain Legend.
Friend of the Dwarves. Friend of the King of Aless. Dragon Slayer Hero.
Elf Mediator. Sex King of White City. Mad Demon God
Condition (Hero of Salvation, Golden Lager – Dirty)
Travel Companions:
Sekrit (feigned illness), Brynhildr (withdrawn), Christoph (Malt’s loyal retainer), Guigue (pretty?)
Celestina (queen), Monica (attendant), Busco (temporary commander)
Eastern Region
Friendly Troops: Malt Volunteer Army (fake): 380 ⇒ 350
Malt Volunteer Army (real): 5000 ⇒ 4980
Vandolea Military Volunteers: 4850 ⇒ 4750 (war of attrition)
Enemy Troops: Biado Garrison: 1000 ⇒ 995
Field Army: 4000 ⇒ 3900
Assets: -68 000 gold
Sexual Partners: 799
Children who have been born: 70 + 567
Current Location: Biado sewer system
Total Chapters in book: 624
Estimated words: 3278060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 16390(@200wpm)___ 13112(@250wpm)___ 10927(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 3278060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 16390(@200wpm)___ 13112(@250wpm)___ 10927(@300wpm)
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