Chapter 47: The Sling is Mightier than the Sword

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Translator: Soafp

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The next day.

As promised, I managed to manufacture ten small ballistae and ten catapults.

“A-Amazing… You actually made them!? Ask-san, you're seriously insane!!”

“Lidiel-san, your character is breaking.”

“But still!! You wouldn't expect someone to make this many in just one night!!”

Well, there were professionally made ballistae and catapults right nearby to use as reference.

So it wasn't that difficult to build them.

That said, there was of course a reason why I was able to finish something I'd never made before at such a high quality.

And that reason was—

“It's thanks to you, Lidiel-san.”

“Huh?”

“The dwarf uncle who builds siege weapons at Hange Fortress heard about how you talked back to a high-ranking official and said, ‘To think there's still a hero like that these days!!' He was really moved.”

“I-Is that so? Th-That's kind of embarrassing…”

Lidiel scratched her cheek and smiled awkwardly.

“That dwarf uncle then embezz— ahem. He made some allowances with the metals normally used for weapons and armor. Since parts that should've been made of wood but needed durability were made of metal instead, the power and range are way higher.”

“Wait a second!? Weren't you about to say embezzlement just now!?”

“I wasn't.”

“…Is that dwarf gentleman going to get scolded later?”

“He said he knows the risks, so it should be fine.”

Because Lidiel boldly challenged Cannon Fodder Dog, people who were moved by her words willingly stepped in to help her.

Having charisma and dissatisfaction with the current system… when you think about it calmly, that's kind of dangerous.

But let's not worry about the details.

“Also, while making the ballistae and catapults, I made these too.”

“What are these?”

“Sling weapons. You place a stone in the cloth and swing it.”

“Slinging stones… Can that really defeat monsters?”

“Lidiel-san, you don't understand.”

You shouldn't underestimate slings.

“Slings are the first ranged weapon humanity ever created. There's no way they're weak.”

“What's with that mysterious obsession with slings?”

“I'm not obsessed.”

Slings are stronger than swords.

There are plenty of stones lying around, so unlike bows or crossbows, you don't need to worry about running out of ammo.

And if you add a stick, you can turn it into a staff sling and dramatically increase the range.

Depending on the stone's shape, most living creatures will break bones or have flesh torn if a heavy object hits them at tremendous speed.

Monsters are living beings too, so they should take damage.

“But you're right… Compared to swords that might snap after swinging a few times, this is way more like a real weapon. Let's have the advance unit train until tomorrow's sortie!!”

For the rest of the day, the advance unit practiced slinging stones nonstop.

Honestly, I thought that practicing slings for just one day wouldn't lead to much improvement.

I want to dropkick my past self in the face for thinking that.

The advance unit's morale was terrifyingly high.

Perhaps inspired by Lidiel's charisma, they mastered slinging techniques at an astonishing speed.

As a result, many of them could hit their targets with only minor deviation.

Those people taught others, learned from each other, and before long, the advance unit turned into a group of slinging experts.

Frankly, it was impressive.

“Th-This… we might actually make it, right!?”

“Y-Yeah… I'm starting to feel like we can do this.”

“I guess I had talent for slings…”

The same people who were drinking themselves into oblivion just yesterday now had fierce light in their eyes as they praised each other.

Then, the next day.

“Well then, I'm heading out!!”

“I'm exhausted, so I'll rest at Hange Fortress.”

“What!? You've already done more than enough. Just sleep and wait for my good news!! Advance unit, we're moving out!!”

“Good luck.”

After seeing off the enthusiastic advance unit,

I put on a jet-black coat and a skull mask, carrying a great scythe and silver chains, and let out a loud laugh.

“Fuhahahaha!! Then I, the great No-Name, shall go ahead as well!!”

I left Hange Fortress after the advance unit.

Running at full speed toward Kaime Fortress, I managed to get ahead of them.

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On the plains not far from Kaime Fortress, I regrouped with Lidiel's advance unit.

Since we both stood out, meeting up was easy.

“You must be the healing mage No-Name that Ask-kun mentioned?”

“Fuhahahaha!! Correct!! I am the nameless No-Name!! Oh, and no cheap jokes like ‘you have a name but you're nameless,' got it!!”

“I'm Lidiel. I've heard about you from Ask-kun, but… is it really true that you're on par with that No-Face?”

“I don't know who No-Face is, but within this empire, there is no healer who rivals me! Fuhahahaha!!”

At my bombastic laughter, Lidiel gave me a slightly suspicious look.

What's with that look?

But she soon shook her head.

“If Ask-kun introduced you, doubting you would be rude.”

After that, we advanced further north.

We built a position about two or three kilometers from Kaime Fortress.

Lidiel wasted no time issuing orders.

“We'll proceed according to plan!! All units, advance!!”

“““Y-Yes!!”””

The advance unit marched forward with tense expressions.

Within just a few hours, Kaime Fortress entered the firing range of the small ballistae and catapults.

Lidiel narrowed her eyes and observed the fortress.

After a small sigh, her expression hardened.

“…As expected, the inside of the fortress is crawling with monsters.”

Even with clear visibility, seeing that from such a distance is impressive.

As I was quietly admiring that, Lidiel raised her crossbow and shouted.

“We're engaging!! Prepare to attack!!”

“““Prepare to attack!!”””

“I'll take the first shot!! Sacred Power Release — Holy Rain!!”

She aimed her crossbow, now glowing with intense light, and fired it into the sky.

Sacred power release…

Belchika once fired blades of light at a robot. It's probably something similar.

The next moment, light shot straight from Lidiel's crossbow to above Kaime Fortress.

At a certain height, the light stopped and formed into a sphere.

Then, it burst.

“Oho!! A rain of light arrows!! There's no escape from that!!”

“Yes. Those arrows pierce even indoors. Hiding is pointless.”

“…This might be a bit late to ask, but what if there are survivors?”

“Why are you asking now!? …It's fine. My Holy Rain only destroys monsters. Even if it hits hostages… it'll just sting a little.”

So there is damage.

“All units, monsters are coming out of Kaime Fortress!! Prepare to intercept!!”

“““Yes!!”””

Some aimed the small ballistae at the main gate, while others fired rocks nonstop from the catapults.

The battle had begun.

If possible, I hope my healing magic won't be needed.