How To Suck Honey With Extras [EN]: Chapter 190

190. The Best Strategy is Annihilation (5)

But perhaps there was no hope.

Most of the mercenaries were already fleeing in terror, and the soldiers under his command were woefully undertrained.

The Count was loyal to the Continental Integration Assembly, but he lacked real authority and deliberately avoided keeping skilled individuals around him.

He had to maintain the facade of a perfectly incompetent local lord.

Because if he displayed even a hint of competence, or kept someone capable nearby, it would surely attract unwanted attention.

Sometimes, surrounding yourself with incompetent people can serve as the perfect camouflage.

‘Is this too much for me to handle?’

In the end, the Count, admitting his limitations, decided to pursue the plan through alternative means.

It was a blow to his pride, but he had no choice but to seek assistance.

And that meant requesting direct support from the executive he served.

Soon, the response arrived.

Ten figures with concealed faces entered the scene with a rush.

As requested, a full ten members of the executive’s direct action unit had been dispatched.

“It’s been a while, Kselleus.”

The Count addressed the black-haired man leading the skilled operatives with forced politeness.

“……Looks like you’re having quite a hard time.”

“Ah, well, it couldn’t be helped. Their resistance was stronger than expected……”

The Count replied awkwardly.

In truth, he had hoped to avoid requesting their help if possible.

Their arrival signified his failure to accomplish the assigned mission using his own resources.

What would the executive pushing this plan think of him?

“……Don’t worry. The Teacher [referring to their leader or mentor] didn’t say anything.”

However, Kselleus spoke as if he sensed the Count’s apprehension.

“Rather, he was regretting that he should have provided support sooner.”

“I, I’m sorry.”

“Either way, trouble was a factor we fully anticipated.”

Kselleus said calmly and asked the Count to reiterate the situation.

The Count haltingly explained the current predicament.

That they were holding out, and that there was a collaborator.

“I see. So there’s someone interfering.”

“Thanks to them, I can’t manage things on my own. They must be more than ordinary.”

“……It doesn’t matter. From now on, we will take charge of the plan’s progress.”

Kselleus declared with an air of nonchalance.

“By the way, are the only members of other races needed for the ritual those in the tower?”

As if to confirm, he asked, and the Count casually checked the documents on the desk, saying:

“We have secured about 50 more. I heard we need spare sacrifices in case something goes wrong.”

“I see. Then let’s borrow 10 of them first.”

Was he casually requesting as if checking the number of livestock or making a trade?

“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t it be troublesome to reduce the number outside of the scheduled events? He said we need reserves in case something goes wrong.”

“I know. It’s just that their resistance is fierce. Besides, there’s an unknown unstable element, isn’t there? We can use them as shields in case something goes wrong.”

In short, he meant to use them as hostages.

“Besides, reducing one or two won’t make a difference.”

It wasn’t just for shields, but also for other uses.

The Count frowned and nodded, as if he didn’t want to dwell on that thought. He didn’t voice any further objections.

“Understood. They are secured in the underground prison, so feel free to pick and use them as you wish.”

“Don’t worry. We will make sure the plan succeeds. We will move out as soon as we are ready.”

“I’m counting on you.”

“We will be sure to present the magic tome to Teacher Pemalt.”

They spoke with unwavering confidence in the plan’s success, as if it were a foregone conclusion.

But they didn’t know.

That they weren’t the only ones launching an attack at this time.

* * *

Apparently, Dires and the other members of other races had been discussing ways to rescue their imprisoned kin whenever they had the opportunity.

They hadn’t neglected gathering information and had been searching for openings several times, but it hadn’t been easy to find a suitable opportunity.

“……The security is considerable, and it’s difficult for us alone to break through.”

“I suppose so. Well, with me here, infiltration is very simple, so don’t worry.”

Very simple.

If I wanted to, I was confident I could conquer everything in that place.

That’s why I suggested storming the lord’s castle under the cover of night.

What we need now is a direct assault.

At first, they were hesitant about my suggestion, but I emphasized my abilities.

“There’s almost no place I can’t break through.”

“Certainly, with your strength. It’s possible.”

“Understood! Let’s do that!”

I gathered about 20 men who had agreed to participate and immediately teleported them to the vicinity.

I could have moved directly into the castle, but I felt it was prudent to exercise caution.

I won’t repeat the mistake of rushing in headfirst.

“……Ohh.”

“You possess mysterious power…….”

Meanwhile, the other race warriors were bewildered and amazed for several seconds, struggling to regain their bearings.

“Amazing.”

Dires didn’t openly express his surprise, but his voice trembled slightly.

“Ailen, what are you going to do now?”

“First, I will go in and scout the structure of the castle. Then I will summon you all.”

I said, consuming a potion to immediately replenish the mana I had expended.

It’s sour.

It’s a special mana potion manufactured by the alchemist Elmerot. It’s so potent that it can handle the mana drain even when teleporting a large number of people.

‘Well, it seems he can’t produce it in large quantities.’

Still, thanks to that, I don’t have to conserve mana today.

“The plan will proceed as discussed. Please wait.”

I infiltrate first, and while the other race warriors I summon using my abilities create a diversion, we smuggle out the imprisoned and retreat.

That’s roughly the outline.

“Simple, right?”

However, I didn’t reveal everything.

I omitted the personal business I intended to conduct in the meantime.

“If a sudden situation arises, we will retreat immediately. In case of emergency, please protect yourselves.”

“……Understood.”

Everyone nodded and agreed to wait quietly.

I only mentioned that I would summon them when I was ready and teleported again to move.

The destination is the top of the lord’s castle.

I don’t have the courage to teleport directly into the interior.

I don’t know what’s inside, and even I could be injured if I encountered an obstacle.

First, I stuck to the rooftop and surveyed the surroundings.

‘There are quite a few soldiers guarding, but if I catch them off guard with a surprise attack, it will work out somehow.’

Besides, the defenses against teleportation are weak.

Is it because he’s just a local lord?

What I wanted to assess first was the security situation here.

The level of the soldiers, and the precautions against magic or ability-based attacks, etc.

I have to evaluate everything.

Fortunately, there’s no sensation of teleportation being blocked.

There wasn’t much interference when I arrived either.

Now that I’ve grasped the internal layout of the castle and the security measures, shall we begin the attack in earnest?

Let’s initiate the operation as planned.

“Okay~ then, let the guests enter.”

The admission fee is waived at my discretion!

If the resistance to spatial interference had been strong, I would have abandoned the operation and searched through it alone, but I was convinced that it wasn’t as formidable as I had feared, so there’s no reason not to summon them.

A blind spot that I had marked with my eyes.

I created a small tear in the fabric of space in a location where it wouldn’t be noticeable unless you looked closely.

And from there, Dires and the other other race warriors quietly emerged without making a sound.

They moved swiftly and immediately began to execute their assigned tasks.

They subdued and knocked down the soldiers and started fires in various locations.

Soon, smoke billowed, and the atmosphere was completely turned upside down.

“Fire!”

“Intruders! Enemy attack!”

“What were the guards doing!”

“Hurry up and chase them! Don’t let them reach the lord!”

It’s chaotic enough to be ideal.

Ordinary soldiers are unable to cope.

‘Since they’re just ordinary soldiers even to my eyes, it can’t be helped.’

I don’t need to concern myself with them any further.

The things to watch out for are likely elsewhere.

If I cause this much disruption, the truly dangerous individuals will emerge soon.

‘First of all, they will buy me time.’

Let’s do what I need to do in the meantime.

Repeating teleportation while remaining vigilant.

Each time I moved, I carefully crossed a wall or descended a floor, progressing in that manner.

The objective is to rescue the hostages.

And locating the place where the other races were imprisoned wasn’t difficult.

Not a complicated route, just an ordinary prison.

‘Nothing special.’

A sigh of relief escaped me as soon as I found it.

In fact, I was secretly apprehensive because I didn’t know what kind of scene awaited me.

‘Rather, it’s a relief that nothing terrible has happened…….’

They don’t have any major injuries, except that they seem a little weakened and anxious from their imprisonment.

‘But why? On the contrary, it feels like I have to keep them alive…….’

The same question as before resurfaced.

Somehow, it’s strange.

Usually, in this situation, they would be executed as an example or subjected to other forms of abuse.

That way, they can exert psychological pressure on those who are resisting.

But they didn’t.

‘Well, I have to save them first…… I’ll think about it later.’

First, let’s deal with the guards.

They appear to be ordinary soldiers, so it will be easy to handle them.

Summoning the Sandman, the spirit of sleep, and emitting waves that induce drowsiness, the soldiers begin to stagger and collapse.

‘Well, that’s easy.’

It’s so simple that it’s rather annoying to have to adjust the range of the effect exerted by my spirit.

Suddenly, the guards fell one by one, and only then did the other races in the prison realize something was amiss and watched them fall.

The atmosphere was thick with fear, as they didn’t know what was happening.

I waved my hand lightly.

“Hello~.”

Of course, I’m being cautious.

Everyone is subtly retreating behind the bars, and even though I understand the reason, it’s somewhat disheartening. I almost felt a little hurt.

“Don’t worry. I’m just a kind person who was asked by Mr. Dires to come and save you.”

“Dires?! Did Dires send you!!”

Among them, someone who recognized his name hurriedly clung to the bars.

It’s an elf youth, just like Dires.

His name is Reltics.

“Are you an acquaintance of Dires?”

“We’re from the same hometown! More than that, is it really true that he sent you?”

“It’s hard to believe, but if I wanted to, I could reunite you right away.”

“Ohh!”

Fortunately, he seemed to believe me.

Thanks to that, the other members of other races are also showing eyes filled with anticipation, albeit a little.

‘Thanks to that, it will be easy to instruct them.’

All I have to do is guide them out like this.

“Then I’ll break the bars, so everyone please step back. I don’t think splinters will fly, but you never know.”

Seeing everyone faithfully stepping back, I smiled and prepared to destroy the bars.

They seem to be reinforced against magic, but then I can just crush them with my ability.

Just as I was about to exert my strength.

“……Danger!”

Dires’ friend suddenly shouted.

The moment I heard it, I reflexively reacted.

By the time I turned my gaze, a black lump of iron had already reached right in front of my nose.

“……Huh?”

Kooong!

A deafening noise and impact reverberated, and my vision was turned upside down.

However, I was only pushed back by the weight of the heavy lump of iron, and the actual impact I sustained was minimal.

Because a blue crystal shield had materialized in front of me.

“Kueugh?!”

I deployed a magic crystal shield in that instant, barely managing to block it.

‘But if I hadn’t blocked it, it would have been dangerous.’

If it were an Aura Practitioner [someone who uses their life energy to enhance their physical abilities], it would have been a fatal wound, and even if it were an Expert [a highly skilled martial artist or magic user], wouldn’t one part or another be broken?

I wouldn’t die, but I would have been in considerable pain.

I stared at what had sent me flying.

‘An iron ball?’

Isn’t that an iron lump resembling the head of a morning star lying on the floor? And a long chain is dangling from it.

And the man holding the connected chain glared at me and gritted his teeth.

“Tch, you didn’t die. Looks like I missed. You lucky bastard.”

An irritating tone.

I got up without replying and this time, with proper preparation, looked above his head.

A supporting role…….

Does that mean it’s as I suspected?

But because he’s a supporting role, it’s difficult to recall where he appeared.

‘I think it would emerge if I searched the original content in my memory.’