34
風をきってひたすら馬を走らす。荒野を駆け抜け横断する。大量の馬の蹄の音だけが響き渡る、まさしく猛進。
先頭こそ私だが、実質率いているのは空を行くクリスティーナだ。既に龍化した体に鎧をまとっている。見とれそうなほど神々しい姿で先陣を切って空を進み、風の魔法で私たちに強烈な追い風を吹かせてくれていた。おかげであり得ないほどの速さでオリヴィエの陣に到達しそうだ。初陣を前にしているせいか寒さもさほど感じなくなってきた。
この突撃で魔力は出し惜しみしない。速さと攻撃力勝負、先手必勝で一気にいく。派手なら派手なほど、うるさければうるさいほど、目立てば目立つほどいい。
相手の陣の様子が見え始めて速度を緩めた。私たちのと全く同じ岩の塔。あの中に目標とする旗がある。その前には騎馬。500はいる大軍だ。塔のてっぺんからこちらを見下ろす冷たい美貌の女性が誰かはすぐにわかった。
「御機嫌よう。やはりあなたですね、レイ・ロウ様」
「どうも、レベッカ嬢。やはりと仰るがこちらも予想通りですよ」
第三学年、五高が一人、人呼んで『鉄壁のレイ・ロウ』。美しい立ち姿に眼鏡がよく似合う才女だ。真逆のタイプに思えるオリヴィエとは幼馴染で大の親友というのは有名な話だった。
『鉄壁』の由来は彼女の幻獣である小さなハリネズミ。可愛い見た目に反して能力は強力である。自身を中心に半径2.3m程の結界を張ることができるのだ。ハリネズミらしく大量の棘付きだ。旗を守るのにはうってつけだろう。
オリヴィエの大親友たるレイがオリヴィエの軍に割り振られた時点で予想はつく――――十中八九、忠臣だ。
今の状況は500強対400で数ではこちらが劣勢。しかし予想通りだ。自軍に向けて声をかけた。
「予定通り一気に行きます、短期決戦です――全員、進めッ!」
私の声とともに、クリスティーナの闘気が鳴き声となり地鳴りとなって空気をふるわした。それを合図に平原を舞台にした戦いが始まった。
相手の人数はこちらより多いが、それでもこちらの士気は十分。一寸の怯みもなく突っ込んでいく。
私も戦場に身を投じ近くの敵から倒していく。私たちは防御魔法のおかげで怪我はしないが、致命傷となるダメージを受けると気を失う。ナイフを投げ、とどめを刺しては、背後からの攻撃を避けて反撃する。
「数で負けているのに突撃...悪手では?」
レイが塔の上から言ったが、一瞥もしないで目の前の敵に集中した。彼女が塔から降りてこないのも想定内だ。
そこら中で魔法が、剣が、幻獣が飛び交い、味方も敵も少しずつ減っていく。
遠くでクリスティーナが敵兵を蹴散らかしているのが見えた。伝説の龍はその攻撃力もさることながら、今この場においては、目立つというその一点がさらに素敵だ。
合間、鎧の胸の隙間からクリスタルを取り出した。クリスタルはこの場の全員が持っている。私たち将軍は自軍の兵なら誰とでもいつでも連絡が取れるのだ。兵同士は会話できない。
「セクティアラ様、あと何分かかりますか」
『そうですね...8分で間に合わせてみせます』
「了解」
短い会話を終えて再び敵と対峙した。
あと8分。
それが私たち主力軍が、鉄壁のレイ・ロウ率いるオリヴィエの防衛軍に猛攻を仕掛け、その注意を引きつけなければならない時間である。
11月、組み分けと陣が発表された際、私は考えた。
殿下と兄さまの陣は遠い。私にとってオリヴィエはその存在を無視して遠征できるような相手ではない。そしてそれは殿下にとっての兄さま、兄さまにとっての殿下も同じである。
つまり私はオリヴィエを最初に全力で叩く必要があるのだが...オリヴィエは強い。トップクラスの戦闘力を持ち、幻獣は豹。性格からしてもまず間違いなく自陣で守りを固めはしない。特に機動力が高い少数精鋭で戦場を駆け抜け、自ら他の将の首と旗を狙いに行くはずだ。
その行動を可能にするのがレイ・ロウだ。兵のほとんどを防衛軍として残し、レイをその指揮官に据えれば、まず間違いなく落ちない防衛軍の完成だ。忠臣たるレイには、やってきた他の将の首を取ることもできるのだから。簡単な作戦だがこれが一番厄介かつ強力だ。神出鬼没の戦闘神オリヴィエに気を向けつつ陣を攻略せねばならない。
さらにここで功を奏したのがオリヴィエの強運だ。実はオリヴィエの陣は四つの中で最も良い位置にある。背後に山を背負っているのだ。後ろから狙おうにも大人数でこれを登っていては骨が折れるし時間がかかる。しかも見つかれば斜面を利用して上から攻撃される。背後の山には僅かな見張りだけを置き、前方だけに集中することができるオリヴィエの陣は、まさに鉄壁だった。
対する私は弱い。第1学年で将軍に選出されるのは珍しいことだし大変な名誉と思っているが、経験も足りなければ自分自身の戦闘能力も足りない。
敵の裏をかかなければ。利用できるものはなんでも利用しなくては。
......そう、例えば、自分とか。
レイは塔から降りてこない。私が彼女を忠臣だと読んでいることをあちらも読んでいる。忠臣は将軍を倒せるが、私がレイを倒した場合オリヴィエが他の将を倒せなくなる。諸刃の剣だ。本来忠臣はそうと気づかれていない場合の不意打ちが最も効果的な機能の仕方なのだ。
レイが降りてくるとしたら私の軍が完全に押されてからだろう。弱ってから確実に首を取ろうとするはず。
そしてそのときは近い。私の軍はじりじりと後退し始めていた。戦力差を埋めるため最初から魔力全開で挑んでいるのだから、疲労が出始めて当たり前だ。
セクティアラが言った、8分というタイムリミット。
「...ギリギリかしら」
周りの兵たちの顔に焦りが浮かび始めた。段々と相手の数が減らなくなってきている。嫌な兆候だ。空気を変えねば、そう思って口を開きかけたとき。
「レベッカ嬢、一騎打ちを申し入れたい」
目の前に騎馬が現れた。
あなたがここにいるのは知っていた。深緑の髪と整った顔立ち。汗も拭わずに剣を握り、正面から私を見据える精悍な姿は、まさに五高というにふさわしく凛々しい。
「お受けします、セデン様」
オズワルド・セデン。五高の中でも三強に最も近いと言われる実力者。「なんと都合がいいんだろう」とこっそり笑みを深くした。
一騎打ちが始まった場合、周りの人間は戦いをやめ、丸く取り囲んで見守る。その際決して手を出してはならない。貴族の『決闘』にも共通するしきたりだ。
ルールに則って向かい合った。ナイフをしまって両手剣を構える。暗黙の了解であっという間に周りを両軍の兵士に取り囲まれた。
「この一騎打ちに意味はあるのでしょうか」
言外に、あなたは忠臣なのかと問う。将軍を打ち取れるのは将軍と忠臣だけだ。彼がオリヴィエの忠臣である可能性はないと思っていたのだが。
「あるよ。君の幻獣は強すぎるからね。僕に君は討ち取れないが、少し眠っていてくれればそれで十分だ」
なるほど。討ち取られはしなくてもダメージが蓄積すれば防御魔法が発動して気を失う。確かに私がそんなことになったらクリスティーナは戦いを放りだしてしまうだろう。そして目覚めるまで私から離れないに違いない。それは私の軍にとって明らかなマイナスだ。
つまり彼は一対一で私を敗る絶対の自信があるのだ。これ以上私とクリスティーナに自軍の兵がやられる前に自分がさっさと負かすべきだと判断した。
舐められたものだと格好良く言いたいが、いい判断だ。実際私はオズワルドに勝てない。オズワルドはシナリオでは今年三強になる男だ。剣の腕も確か。一騎打ちで勝てるはずもない。
ちらりとレイに目をやれば、この展開を黙って見守る様子だ。こちらをじっと見ている。
口を閉じ剣を構えて、戦闘態勢に入るオズワルド。
そんな彼に向き直って薄く微笑んだ。
私は彼に勝てない。けど勝負を受けた。
だって、この戦場の全員を私に注目させて、時間を稼ぎたかったから。
それは完璧なタイミングでやってきた。
『こちらセクティアラ。奇襲軍、到着しました』
Ch 34
Riding horses with all their might, running through the wilderness, only the sound of the horses' hooves echoing through. It is truly a fierce advance.
I am at the front, but in reality, Christina, who is soaring in the sky, is leading us. She already has a dragon-transformed body and is wearing armor. Her appearance is so divine that it's mesmerizing and she cuts through the sky, using wind magic to give us a strong tailwind. Thanks to her, we seem to be able to reach Olivier's camp at an impossible speed. Perhaps because we are facing our first battle, I am not feeling the cold as much.
In this assault, we are not holding back on using magic. We are betting on speed and attack power, and if we strike first, we will win in one blow. The more flashy, the better; the more annoying, the better; the more conspicuous, the better.
As we began to see the appearance of the enemy's camp, we slowed down. Their rock tower is exactly the same as ours. Inside, there is the flag we are targeting. Before that, there are 500 horse riders. From the top of the tower, I could see a coldly beautiful woman looking down at us. I immediately knew who it was.
"Good day. As expected, it's you, Ray Lowe-sama."
"Likewise, Miss Rebecca. As you say, it's as I expected."
Ray Lowe, the third-year student from Five High, who is known as the [Iron Walled Ray Lowe]. She is a talented woman who looks good in her upright posture and glasses. She is childhood friends and great friends with Olivier, who seems to be the complete opposite of her. This is a well-known story.
The origin of [Iron Wall] is her Phantom Beast, a small hedgehog. Despite its cute appearance, its ability is powerful. It can create a barrier with a radius of 2.3 meters centered on itself. It also has a lot of thorns, which are perfect for protecting a flag.
When Ray, who is a close friend of Olivier, was assigned to Olivier's army, it is predictable that she is most likely a Loyalist.
The current situation is 500 against 400, with us at a disadvantage in terms of numbers. But it's as expected. I spoke to our army.
"We'll proceed as planned, it's a short-term decisive battle----everyone, move forward!"
With my voice, Christina's fighting spirit became a roar and the ground shook. That was the signal for the battle on the plain to begin.
The number of opponents is greater than ours, but our morale is still sufficient. We charge forward without hesitation.
I also join the battle, defeating enemies near me. Thanks to our defensive magic, we don't get hurt, but if we receive fatal damage, we will lose consciousness. I throw knives, and deliver the finishing blow, avoiding attacks from behind and counterattacking.
"Even though you're losing in numbers, you're charging forward... is that a bad move?"
Ray said from atop the tower, but I didn't spare a glance and focused on the enemy in front of me. It's also within expectations that she doesn't come down from the tower.
Magics, swords, and Phantom Beasts fly around everywhere, and both allies and enemies gradually decrease.
I can see Christina kicking around the enemy soldiers in the distance. The legendary dragon is not only powerful in its attacks, but also stands out in this moment as something special.
In between, I took out a crystal from the gap in my armor. The crystal is something that everyone in this place has. As a General, I can contact any of my soldiers at any time. Soldiers cannot talk to each other.
"Cectiara-sama, how much longer until we finish?"
[Let's see... We'll finish in 8 minutes.]
"Understood."
After that short conversation, we confronted the enemy again.
8 minutes.
That's the time our main army needs to launch a fierce attack on the defense army led by the iron-walled Ray Lowe and Olivier, in order to draw their attention.
When the teams and formations were announced in November, I thought.
His Highness and Nii-sama's formation is far away. Olivier is not an opponent I can ignore and go on a campaign with. And that's the same for His Highness when it comes to Nii-sama, and Nii-sama when it comes to His Highness.
In other words, I need to strike Olivier with all my might first...but Olivier is strong. She has top-class combat power, and her Phantom Beast is a leopard. Even from her personality, it's clear that she's not going to fortify her defenses in her own camp. Especially since she's highly mobile and elite, she's bound to run through the battlefield and aim for the heads and flags of other generals.
That's where Ray Lowe comes in. By leaving most of the soldiers as defensive forces and placing Ray as their commander, it'll definitely be a perfect defensive force that won't fall. And since Ray is a loyalist, she'll be able to take the heads of other generals that have come. It's a simple strategy, but it's the most troublesome and powerful one. I have to focus on the god of battle, Olivier, while conquering the formation.
Moreover, what made it possible here was Olivier's good luck. Actually, Olivier's formation is in the best position out of the four. It has a mountain behind it. Even if you try to attack from behind, it'll take a lot of time and bones will break if you try to climb it with a large number of people. And if you're found, you'll be attacked from above while using the slope. With only a small lookout placed behind and being able to focus only on the front, Olivier's formation was truly ironclad.
On the other hand, I'm weak. Being selected as a General in my first year is unusual and I'm thinking of it as a great honor, but I don't have enough experience or my own combat ability.
I have to attack from the enemy's back. I have to use anything and everything I can.
...That's right, for example, myself.
Ray won't come down from the tower. I am reading her as a Loyalist. Loyalists can defeat the General, but if I defeat Ray, Olivier will not be able to defeat the other generals. It's a double-edged sword. Ideally, Loyalists should be aware of this and act as a surprise attack for maximum effect.
If Rei were to come down, it would only be after my army is completely pushed back. She would definitely try to take my head when I am weak.
And that time is coming soon. My army has begun to gradually retreat. Since we have been fighting at full magic power from the beginning to make up for the difference in strength, it's natural that we are starting to feel fatigue.
Cectiara said, 8 minutes is the time limit.
"... It's going to be close."
The faces of the soldiers around me began to show signs of anxiety. The number of enemies is gradually not decreasing. It's a bad sign. I was about to open my mouth to change the atmosphere.
"Miss Rebecca, I would like to propose a one-on-one duel."
A horse appeared in front of me.
I knew you were here. Deep green hair and a neat face. Holding a sword without wiping sweat, a fierce figure that looks straight at me is truly worthy of the title of "Five Heights" and noble.
"I accept, Ceden-sama."
Oswald Ceden. He is said to be the closest to the three strongest among the Five Highs. "What a convenient timing." I secretly smiled.
When a one-on-one battle begins, people around will stop fighting and surround it to watch. In such a case, they should never intervene. This is a common rule even in duels among nobles.
We faced each other according to the rules. I put away my knife and held both swords. In an unspoken agreement, we were surrounded by both armies in no time.
"Is there any meaning in this one-on-one battle?"
By the way, I wonder if he is a Loyalist. Only a General and a Loyalist can defeat a General. I didn't think he had a chance of being Olivier's Loyalist."
"There is. Because your Phantom Beast is too strong. I can't defeat you, but if you're a bit tired, that's enough."
I see. Even if I am not defeated, if the damage accumulates, the defensive magic will activate and I will lose consciousness. If that happens, Christina will definitely start fighting. And she won't leave me until I wake up. That's a clear minus for their army.
In other words, he is absolutely confident that he can defeat me one-on-one. He decided that he should defeat me quickly before Christina and I could take out any more of his army.
I want to say that I am being underestimated, but it's a good judgement. In fact, I can't beat Oswald. Oswald is one of the top three swordsmen this year in the scenario. His sword skills are also sure. I have no chance of winning in a one-on-one battle.
I glance at Ray, she seems to be silently watching this development. Sh's staring intently at me.
Oswald closes his mouth and takes a sword stance, entering into battle mode.
I turned to face him and smiled thinly.
I can't beat him. But I accepted the challenge.
Because I wanted to draw everyone's attention on this battlefield to me and make use of the time.
That came at the perfect timing.
[This is Cectiara. The surprise troops have arrived.]
The Villainess Carries a Strategy Guide
その悪役令嬢は攻略本を携えている
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/the-villainess-carries-a-strategy-guide/
Fantasy Josei Romance Shoujo
Academy Adapted to Manga Aristocracy Doting Older Siblings European Ambience Female Protagonist Love Interest Falls in Love First Magic Nobles Otome Game Reincarnated in a Game World Villainess Noble Girls
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n6554fr/
岩田加奈