The 9Th Class Swordmaster: Blade Of Truth [EN]: Chapter 262

184. White Bunker Battle (2)

-Core ignition stone power rising.

-Magic power charging level 80%.

Wingel Hart, his gaze fixed on the magical energy coursing through the delicate, spiderweb-like mana conduits attached to his body, carefully adjusted his goggles, a knot of tension tightening in his stomach.

Zzzzz……!

His vision seemed to expand, and three magical mirrors materialized before him, displaying a flurry of data.

-Value stabilization.

-Revol drive preparation 94%.

Surprisingly, the symbols flickering like holograms were archaic characters, relics of a forgotten age.

“94% huh… It’ll be go-time in about an hour.”

He sighed softly, deciphering the complex array of numbers. Only a mind like Wingel Hart’s, capable of piecing together fragments from countless ruins, could interpret such arcane data.

“I hate fighting…”

Yet, he was bound for the battlefield, his legs already trembling with anxiety, his voice tight, even before the first shot was fired.

“Hoo…”

Alone in the cockpit, Wingel released a shaky breath, a mix of relief and dread swirling within him. He hardly resembled the pilot of Revol, the colossal golem known as the gatekeeper of the White Bunker.

“I have to do this. There’s no one else.”

He repeated the words like a mantra, desperately trying to compose himself.

The reason was simple: unlike other golems, Revol could only be piloted by Wingel. Ironically, he was the only one capable.

Beep―

-Revol drive preparation 95%.

Silence filled the cockpit, broken only by the steady climb of the numbers indicating Revol’s charging status, a countdown to the impending battle.

Krrrrrrrr……

In the gathering darkness, the sky roared as if in protest, dark clouds swirling as if preparing for the final battle to end the civil war.

Thud…… Thud…….

Khalil felt the first cold flakes of snow land on his head.

Squeeze―

He glanced skyward, then drew his Ice Claw, making a light practice cut in the air.

“Hmm.”

In stark contrast to Wingel’s anxiety within Revol, Khalil remained calm, even as he prepared to face a unique, gigantic golem.

“Are you ready?”

“We’ve deployed the modified demi-humans within each unit. They’re instructed to target commanders first, but to remain as inconspicuous as possible…”

“They’re the type to get carried away.”

Khalil smiled, a hint of understanding in his expression.

“Hashir, take your troops to the right flank. I’ll leave the center to Ruiche.”

“Will she be able to command?”

Hashir asked, a note of skepticism in his voice as he recalled the young girl he’d seen in the barracks.

“She’s primarily a figurehead. Anthem will be directing the operation. But dealing with a child is simple: make her feel important.”

“Assign three or four of the best shield users from the Hotiger tribe as her bodyguards. Maintain a respectful distance to avoid objections from the knights.”

“Yes.”

“If Fran doesn’t show improvement, she’ll be a valuable asset even after the war. If the bodyguards fail to protect her, knock them down with your shields and prioritize her safety.”

Khalil’s instructions prompted a wry smile from Hashir.

“I’ll keep that in mind. I’ll assign Kuntai to her. He’ll do his duty.”

“Good.”

Khalil nodded, continuing, “Even if Miliana clears out the golem units within the forest, roughly half of the golems that didn’t enter the forest remain. As you know, only our Free Army can effectively damage those golems.”

“Of course.”

Hashir bowed his head.

“I’ll ensure that not a single golem returns to the White Bunker.”

He pulled the hood of his cloak over his head, obscuring his face.

“The Dragon Empress [referring to a powerful figure who taught them anti-golem tactics] personally taught us how to hunt golems; we can’t afford to falter. However, the North is different from the open hunting grounds of the South.”

Hashir, who had maintained his composure until now, now burned with a fierce desire to prove himself. He seemed determined to outshine the Southerners in this battle, a point of pride for a Northerner.

“It’s snowing.”

Khalil extended his palm, catching the falling snow. The snowfall had intensified slightly.

“Yes. A blizzard is coming. The heavier the snow, the more it favors us, the weather of the North. This time, we’ll show you the true hunting prowess of the North.”

Khalil smiled with satisfaction at Hashir’s words.

“I understand why we’re tasked with engaging the golems and drawing the enemy forces out of the White Bunker towards Ruiche’s army. But… are you truly going to face that giant alone?”

“Of course.”

Khalil replied casually.

“The White Bunker has a shelter behind the main castle where Tuli is located. By now, everyone in the front lines should have been evacuated. It’s become an empty field, but her troops are stationed there.”

Khalil had conceived a daring plan.

Even Anthem had initially doubted his ears when he heard it.

-The battlefield is, of course, the front yard of the White Bunker. But your purpose is to lure the enemy. The first battle’s purpose is to get the soldiers out of the real battlefield.

-Are you saying…?

A short while ago, in the barracks, Khalil had pointed to the White Bunker on the map and declared:

-I will fight Revol inside the White Bunker.

-…!!

-They are just soldiers fighting under orders. They are no different from the people. Rather, the front yard battlefield will be a shelter for them.

They were speechless at Khalil’s words.

-Revol’s magic power charging time is still remaining. Now that the Empress has lured the golem units, I think it would be better to attack the castle.

Anthem had suggested cautiously.

Everyone agreed with his idea. It seemed logical to quickly capture the White Bunker before Revol was fully activated.

However, Khalil had dismissed their concerns and insisted on waiting for Revol to mobilize.

-The more spectators, the better. People’s mouths are faster than flapping wings. Soldiers are also spectators who will remember and tell of my fight. If everyone sees the giant collapsing, Tuli’s despair will be even greater. This will firmly imprint our power on the enemies.

“If we fight that giant inside the castle… the damage will be immense. At least half of the White Bunker will be destroyed. If something goes wrong, the shelter behind it will be damaged.”

Hashir pointed out.

“If the lord is thinking about the enemy, the people inside the castle will also be a hindrance.”

Khalil turned his gaze to him.

“If it’s a golem of that size, its movements and reaction speed will be slow. It may not be as good as Kinu Mukari [a skilled archer], but the Wolf Fox’s archery is just as good. Instead, pouring all the Blue Lightning Emperor arrows into the joints of that guy is…”

“No, it’s not easy. Revol’s mobility has nothing to do with its size. Revol, once fully charged, is far faster than the smaller golems over there.”

Khalil smiled faintly.

“Wingel is knowledgeable in magic engineering, but he’s an even greater genius when it comes to golem control. Even if all the golem pilots of the Meister unit attacked at once, they wouldn’t be able to beat him.”

“…”

His words only deepened Hashir’s confusion. He couldn’t understand why Khalil was deliberately creating a situation where he would face such a formidable opponent.

“Hashir. I don’t think you truly understand why I’m drawing the enemy to the battlefield.”

“…Yes?”

“Do you believe I’m recklessly accepting damage to our allies to show mercy and save the lives of our enemies? Have I seemed like such a soft person in your eyes?”

“I apologize.”

Hashir bowed his head quickly.

“As you said, the White Bunker will suffer extensive damage during Revol’s rampage. Dozens of lives will be lost with every step it takes, and hundreds will bleed with every swing of its arm. But more importantly, what if that golem falls and crushes the shelter?”

Khalil said coldly.

“The people in the shelter, close to thousands, will be crushed to death instantly.”

Gulp―

Hashir swallowed hard, unable to bear the thought of such a horrific scene.

“I will save the people of the White Bunker from such a monster at the moment of climax. That’s why I left them behind. Soldiers with the will to fight can risk death. But they are different.”

Khalil’s eyes gleamed with intensity.

“That’s why I will make the people feel the fear of death and extinguish the enemy’s will to fight with the overwhelming power that defeated the golem.”

Hashir felt a chill run down his spine at his words.

‘Everything was planned.’

He realized that his worries had been unfounded. It wasn’t a question of whether Khalil could defeat the golem, but the direction in which the golem would fall was already predetermined in his mind.

“However, it’s a golem from the ruins. It’s said to possess the same level of power as Enderus, which was created by dwarves who hunted dragons in the past. No, it has even more power than that.”

“The Digon tribe also hunted dragons.”

“However…”

He started to say something more, but stopped himself.

The number of Digon tribes is tens of thousands.

I didn’t know how many numbers were consumed to hunt one dragon.

Of course, Hashir couldn’t help but feel uneasy about Khalil, who said he would catch such an enemy alone.

“Well, I may have to hunt an opponent soon… But if the opponent is a dragon, it may be different, but what I have to defeat now is not a dragon but a golem.”

Hashir looked at Khalil, his eyes questioning the distinction.

“The one controlling the golem inside is not someone with the heart of a dragon or the heart of a rock, but just a human being.”

Woo woowoowoowoong…….

Woo woong…….

Khalil watched as the golem, towering in the distance within the castle, slowly began to open its eyes.

“The gatekeeper awakens.”

A faint sheen of sweat appeared on the hand gripping the Ice Claw.

Was he a little nervous, despite his confident words?

It was only natural.

The most powerful opponent he had faced since his regression [reincarnation or time travel].

“Revol.”

The giant golem, nicknamed the walking fortress or the giant god, gained a new name to be called by mankind in the Parel-appeared Holy War [a significant conflict in their world].

“No, the Fallen Exterminator.”

The terrifying power that crushed the corruption that had devoured countless humans would be more than a dragon.

‘Certainly, Revol’s power is immense. I couldn’t beat him in my previous life either. If it’s me now… Well, it’s still an even match.’

But despite that, Khalil was confident that he could control the course of this battle.

‘Wingel Hart. Unfortunately, you are an engineer, not a knight. No matter how skilled you are at controlling golems, it’s meaningless if you can’t fight properly.’

Khalil took a deep breath.

‘You are not fit for fighting. There is someone else who can use that guy better than anyone else.”

Then, he slowly rotated the Ice Claw once.

As if,

Pointing at himself.