Hachinan tte, Sore wa Nai Deshou!

Although its vast, its really a barren wasteland. (Wendelin)

The Herthania Valley, which the Earl Baumeister household received in exchange for a reduction of the reconciliation money, is huge.

The almost rectangle area is mostly occupied by wasteland and rocky areas where no decent vegetation is growing. Its just a rocky mountain with a great number of mountains where no plants are spouting.

In addition, it was a plot of land that was unsuited for something like agriculture, even if it wasnt a monster domain, as its snapped apart in the centre by a ravine with the depth and width of around 100 meters which is running for 100 kilometres to the east and west.

As a matter of fact this Herthania Valley is close to the borders of the South and East and has become an enclave of the Browig Magraviate.

According to the books written in the era of the Ancient Magic Civilization, this place is an area filled with dense ore deposits where many mineral resources are sleeping.

In that ancient document the places and types of mine-able minerals were recorded. It seems like the ravine in the centre is mostly a deposit of minerals.

To begin with, it has been mentioned that the ravine itself spread this far because of the mining.

For some reason the Ancient Magic Civilization abandoned this Herthania Valley, but the influential people, who gained control of this area afterwards, have failed altogether to make effective use of this mountain of treasures.

Needless to talk about the Margrave Browig household, but even countless other noble households and the past royal family failed to liberate this place.

Alongside their failures, the number of victims was great. Since there were many opinions like Are they really able to liberate it? even the current adventurers guild has settled down to an evaluation of Given that its reckless, its preferable to not trespass there.

Probably for that reason the release of information didnt take place in the adventurer prep school either.

Its likely a measure so that young adventurers, who are filled with an adventurous spirit, dont head there to invade recklessly after being taught about it badly.

I also didnt know about the existence of the Herthania Valleyat all before coming of age.

For Katharina to have known about it was because she was searching for a place to obtain achievements that would allow her get a peerage.

Did you know about it, Burkhart-san? (Wendelin)

Only by its name. In the past there were many adventurers who dreamed of making a fortune at one stroke with a liberalization of this place. (Burkhart)

We, who managed to get out of the arbitration negotiations first, departed to a ridge of a rocky mountain looking out on the Herthania Valley with Hendriks small magic airship.

Theres no presence of living creatures. (Wendelin)

We are standing here and over theres a stone monument, isnt it? (Burkhart)

Yes. (Wendelin)

At the place, where Burkhart-sans finger was pointing at, was a stone monument with no inscription engraved erected.

Erw-boy. Try to pass over that line just a little bit. (Burkhart)

Yes. (Erwin)

Once Erw enters inside by taking one step past the stone monument as told by Burkhart-san, I detect a reaction of a monster appearing right away.

Erw! (Wendelin)

Got it! (Erwin)

Suddenly a wolf jumps out from a shade of a rock and leaps upon Erw.

If properly observed, this wolf is made out of rock.

Rock golem?

Next, two wolves appear and the number of rock wolves, who were attacking Erw, is in total three.

If it was my sword skills, it would be out, but Erw cut down one wolf after other as if completely performing a dance with a time lag.

If a rock wolf is cut at the head or heart part that are similar to normal animals, it will apparently stop functioning.

Finishing by making three scattered mountains, Erw picks up stones that seem to be ores and marble-sized magic cores from there and returns.

Aa~~~ah. Even though it was a fine sword If I dont fix and sharpen it later, it will be useless. (Erwin)

Erw sighed after seeing his own sword having a chipped blade.

So, well, thats how it is. (Burkhart)

Because of the past victims, a stone monument like that was built to show the border of the domain. There are no people approaching this place since theres wasteland and rocky mountains in the monuments surroundings.

If you take just one step across the boundary line, mysterious rock-made animals will come attacking and you will obtain ores and magic cores once you defeat those.

Wend, whats this ore? (Erwin)

Umm. Low quality iron ore. (Wendelin)

Baah~~~! How very unprofitable! (Erwin)

Once I examined the composition of the ore with Analyze, it was iron ore with a low concentration.

The quality of the magic core is very low as well.

Thus, Erw ended up having to fix and sharpen his quite expensive sword, which he uses habitually, just because he cut merely three monsters.

In other words, that means, even if you defeat these monsters, far from yielding zero profit, it will become a loss.

Its unsuitable even as adventurer hunting ground. If Erw remained a bit longer in the domain, the number of rock-made monsters coming attacking would have increased to dozens, several hundreds and then thousands.

If you lead in an army aiming to mine at the ore deposits, it will get surrounded by rock monsters before realizing it. And then they will turn into corpses after being outnumbered. (Burkhart)

According to what Burkhart-san says, there are crumbled ruins of military forces remaining if you enter a bit further inside.

Given that the recovery is dangerous, they have been apparently abandoned just like that.

According to the ancient document, there is supposed to be large-scale mithril deposit.

Its a metal that wont chip in high quality armour and magic tool structures. Because there was always too little of it, its price continued to stay at a high level.

Its possible to produce it by adding mana to silver for a part of the high-ranking magicians including me as well, but the amount is extremely low.

The current mines are forcibly mining even low-quality ores.

Naturally that share of labour increases the costs,

The mithril mine, newly discovered in our territory, had its operation accelerated after being told by the kingdom At any rate, start the mining quickly!

Obtaining a large-scale mithril deposit or getting annihilated, huh? Thats a tough choice Umm, by the way is it fine to ask one thing? (Wendelin)

What is it? (Burkhart)

Why is Karla-san here? (Wendelin)

Even though the arbitration negotiations between the Margrave Browig household and the Earl Baumeister household should have ended, Karla followed to this place without leaving our side for some reason.

Why you ask, its probably because the arbitration negotiations between the Margrave Browig household and the Margrave Breithilde household havent finished. (Burkhart)

She was a prisoner of the Margrave Breithilde household? (Wendelin)

A half of it. The other half lies with the Earl Baumeister household since she has been made into a prisoner after being persuaded by Erw-boy. (Burkhart)

The concerns about the rights in such matter are severe, eh? (Wendelin)

Even ransom is an important source of income after all. (Burkhart)

By no means theres a way to split a person in two.

Nevertheless, as its dangerous to put Karla in a place filled with only men, she has been entrusted to us.

Therefore, when we headed to the Herthania Valley, she accompanied us as well. Currently Erw was talking with her while looking happy.

From the standpoint of Erw who has fallen in love with her, its a great joy for her to come together with us.

Erwin-sans sword skills are wonderful. (Karla)

No, compared to your archery skills, Karla-san, its probably nothing to talk about at all. (Erwin)

Being praised by Karla, Erw had a lewd look on his face.

However, its nice that it was accepted by the Browig household. (Wendelin)

Even if I stayed with them, I wouldnt play any role anyway. But, if I accompany you, Earl-sama, possibilities will appear. (Karla)

Yeah, yeah. You mean me falling in love with you, Karla-san. (Wendelin)

Her elder brothers are probably confident. Karla-ojousan is a beauty as anyone can see. (Burkhart)

Certainly, she is a beauty that wont be outdone by Elise or Katharina.

Rather, giving a slightly humble impression, there should be many people who will gladly take her as their wife if its the men of this country.

Whats your opinion, Earl-sama? (Karla)

I think that you are a beauty (Wendelin)

Theres no doubt that shes a beautiful woman. As a matter of fact, her mood resembled my student days girlfriend.

Therefore I thought that it might be dangerous, but to be honest I dont have much feelings of love towards her.

At first I was surprised by her skill in archery and since I ended up harbouring a little feeling of respect, feelings of love didnt take root in me.

Is that how it is? (Karla)

Besides, it would be somewhat evil towards Erw (Wendelin)

Seeing Erws attitude towards Karla, theres no one amongst the people of our Earl Baumeister household that hasnt realized his feelings.

Its obviously a love of different social standings, but since Im uninterested in marrying Karla, the time for just watching from a distance increases.

That guy. Does he understand his own position? (Wendelin)

He is motivating himself because he knows it, I guess. (Klaus)

Klaus (Wendelin)

The one who interrupted the conversation between me and Burkhart-san was Klaus.

Actually, I knew it.

Klaus has given Erw something like an advice.

At the moment he said that, he was extremely suspicious, but by no means has he suggested an evil deed to Erw either.

Erw shouldnt have accepted such either.

However, no matter what, his shadiness and suspiciousness end up appearing at front.

Are you aiming to cause confusion at the Earl Baumeister household by grilling Erw? (Wendelin)

Even if I schemed that in the current situation, I believe that no one would lend their ear to me. (Klaus)

I had always such impression, but theres actually also a part where my sarcastic attacks help Klaus himself.

Because he was the person responsible for realizing the rebellion no matter how you cover it up, he lightly dodges the criticism of the surroundings by doing his job while being showered with sarcasm by me.

I wonder about that, eh? So, what did you tell Erw? (Wendelin)

Something simple. (Klaus)

If the Earl Baumeister household is successful at liberating the Herthania Valley, it will drive the Margrave Browig household into even more of a dilemma.

If that happens, the Browig household might relax on the condition of having Karla married into the Earl Baumeister household.

The probability is high, but how does that story connect to Erw? (Wendelin)

The other nobles of the central government or the other influential nobles of the East, who have a vigour towards rebuilding the fallen Browig household, there are as many other candidates as she likes.

That probability is high, but in the current situation theres nothing left but clinging onto that possibility. Besides, I think he has more of a chance than expected. Thats because Karla-sama came along with Wendelin-sama. (Klaus)

At the present time they want to encroach on our development rights by marrying her into my surroundings.

In that case even the losses suffered in the recent dispute will be recoverable in some way.

It might be a strategy to impress the other nobles by attaching her as retainer of Wendelin-sama. (Klaus)

She has already been made my mistress or such, you mean? (Wendelin)

I dont think it will go that far, but the intention of the Browig household will be clear to the surroundings. (Klaus)

The Browig household wants to send Karla into the Earl Baumeister household no matter what it takes.

Although they excuse it with the family head as long as possible, wont it be no problem if its a retainer if they become poor by falling into further dilemma?

Especially Erw, since he is close to me as a good friend, they should consider aiming for him at the right time.

Certainly, currently Erw is receiving a treatment as favoured retainer from me.

Though its not like I said so, the surroundings are arbitrarily thinking that.

It feels like a very light viewpoint, but (Wendelin)

Even so, for Erw its wrong if he doesnt work in the Herthania Valley as retainer of the Earl Baumeister household.

Harbouring the hope that he might be able to marry Karla, it was necessary for him to raise his tension.

Putting aside Erwin-donos matters, are there any prospects of succeeding in the liberalization of the Herthania Valley? (Klaus)

Quite so. Though its necessary to prepare a bit. Also, the recruitment of the participating war potential will take a few days? (Wendelin)

We will be on standby for a while here then. (Klaus)

The Baumeister army, which is less than 100 in total, decides to wait for reinforcements and sets up an encampment in a place just right outside the boundary of Herthania Valley.

Within the Herthania Valley, which was transferred to us from the Browig household according to the arbitration draft, there was no kind of limitation for us to act inside since it even included the barren rocky mountain area thats not located within this monster domain.

Even the territory outside the area where rock-made monsters appear if you set foot in the Herthania Valley has been declared as area where its not recommended to trespass so that no one accidentally sets foot into the domain.

As those are mostly rocky mountains and wastelands where even weed wont grow decently, they were treated as buffer zone of the dangerous Herthania Valley since mineral resources cant be mined there.

Nowadays theres apparently no person that enters this area.

Even goats cant be raised in such wasteland. Agriculture is out of the question. When adventurers entered previously, they apparently looked for mineral resources as well, but

As theres nothing but rocky mountains, Herthania Valley had been apparently transferred to us as freebie.

In that case we have to take countermeasures against intruders for the sake of the time when this place got liberated.

You are terribly confident, Earl-sama. (Karla)

If I wasnt, I wouldnt have gone as far to decrease the reconciliation money in order to acquire this place. (Wendelin)

Taking Burkhart-san and Katharina along, we begin building rock-made walls with magic at the borders to the territories of other nobles.

It declares our intention Entry for strangers forbidden since from here on out it belongs to the Earl Baumeister household, but once the three of us did the tedious task of gathering materials such as the rocks of the rocky mountains, the residents of the other nobles territories looking from outside watched at us with suspicious looks.

Its because Even if you claim your territorial rights this strongly, we wont enter such place.

No matter how many ore deposits it might have, that place is nothing but a pie in the sky if you cant enter to mine there.

For the Browig household to transfer the territorial rights easily due to seeing the charm of reducing the reconciliation money could be seen as proof of this place being an inferior property.

Even so, no matter how much walls we make, it doesnt quite come to an end (Katharina)

Adding the buffer zone area as well, it will take time since the enclosing wall has to cover approximately 23.000 square kilometres of the Herthania Valley.

It was a work just for the sake of claiming the territorial rights by fencing it in roughly, but its likely necessary to reinforce the vigilance and true construction work readiness to defend against ore thieves after the liberalization of Herthania Valley.

Is it really possible to liberate it? (Katharina)

Didnt you plan to liberate it before, Katharina? (Wendelin)

I did, but I gave up because the prospects of succeeding were too low no matter how I calculated it. I understood that I would be outnumbered. (Katharina)

She realized that it would become a difficult situation even if she invaded because even if one slaughters several hundred rock-made monsters by casting a wide-area advanced spell with one or two excellent magicians, the monsters would gush forth one after the other.

In the first place, the principle behind creating those golem-like, rock-made monsters is unknown. (Katharina)

Theres a helper who knows about that. (Wendelin)

Is that true? (Katharina)

The explanation will follow after the powerful helper arrives. (Wendelin)

Im right away able to imagine whos coming (Katharina)

End of Part 1

Several days later, after we returned to the troop headquarters since the work to build a wall had mostly finished, the powerful helper gazed at Herthania Valley while drinking tea poured by Elise there.

I have heard the rumours, but Herthania Valley is dominated by strange monsters made out of stone, huh? Moreover, for me to participate in the liberalization of this (Armstrong)

The powerful helper was of course doushi.

I want him, who is appropriately called human-shaped final bastion weapon in the Helmut Kingdom, to join in on the liberalization operation.

Its been a while, doushi. (Wendelin)

Its has really been quite a while! Although it was probably great for you, Earl Baumeister, to rampage around in the dispute against the Margrave Browig household, I was bored! (Armstrong)

(Bored, you say) As it was a dispute, I had plenty of free time as well. Putting that aside, did you bring along what I asked you to? (Wendelin)

I brought it after getting permission from His Majesty. In the first place its something you discovered anyway, Earl Baumeister. Theres no problem since the object has already been analysed. (Armstrong)

An object that has already been analysed? (Katharina)

Katharina tilted her head to the side in confusion, but I called a meeting since its probably better to explain to everyone.

The participating members are me, doushi, Burkhart-san, Erw, Elise, Ina, Luise, Wilma, Moritz, Thomas and Klaus.

If we talk about the usual members, those are the ones.

First off, theres a reason for me obtaining Herthania Valley on the condition of reducing the reconciliation money. (Wendelin)

That is something after the capture of that Deadly Inversion Regulation.

When I was reading a book in Earl Ischrubaks library to kill time, it contained notices about this Herthania Valley as well.

At that time it was belonging to the Margrave Browig household, thus I didnt have overly much interest in it. (Wendelin)

Even if I were to be requested to liberate it, I wouldnt accept it unless there was quite a large reward. I didnt have any intention to liberate it before that either.

As a matter of fact they never approached me to request the liberalization.

They likely considered it impossible to begin with.

They thought that Margrave Breithilde would interfere even if they asked or its also possible that they had no will to liberate it from the very start.

After that, once they harassed my familys home and because I was summoned to that unproductive dispute, I judged that I had to have my revenge somehow and this is the place for that. (Wendelin)

The Browig household cheaply transferred Herthania Valley, which they treated as bad property, to you, Wendelin-sama.

Thats how it is.

Dont you think that those rock-made monsters in Herthania Valley are similar to the golems of the Deadly Inversion Regulation, Elise? (Wendelin)

I believe that to be true except for their propagation. (Elise)

However, even the propagation of their appearances is managed by a system resembling the unmanned golem repair workshop in the Deadly Inversion Regulation. (Wendelin)

In other words, its a defence system to prevent illegal mining in this Herthania Valley! (Armstrong)

What doushi brought along was an old book.

Its Catalogue of my own works written by Earl Ischrubak and found in his library.

Differing from historic ruins, the Herthania Valley is vast. Moreover, since its a natural environment, theres the possibility of golems, which were made out of metal, to corrode due to degradation over time! (Armstrong)

Even if they were to maintain an unmanned workshop, it would take time since the numbers are huge.

They would have to exchange parts because of the intense degradation. There was the risk of the defence systems operating ratio dropping gradually once a numbers of years had passed.

Thus, thats the reason for the rock-made monster-shaped golems.

With a magic core to keep them running, they are able to be constructed with rocks no matter where they are as long as its within Herthania Valley.

For ores to have been mixed in is apparently by chance due to the location of them rising.

Since they are able to make up the numbers like this, it becomes possible to defend a large area! (Armstrong)

Me, me, doushi! (Luise)

What is it, Luise-jou? (Armstrong)

I wonder from where they get the magic cores? Also, since they are golems, I believe they should have an artificial personality crystal. When Erw defeated one, it didnt seem like that monster had one (Luise)

Certainly he didnt collect anything but ore and a magic core.

Erw examined the remains after he defeated that rock-made monster, but he didnt discover even a fragment of an artificial personality crystal.

The reason for that is simple! This Herthania Valley has a master and that one is controlling all of the rock-made golems! (Armstrong)

According to Earl Ischrubaks Catalogue of my own works, theres apparently a huge rock dragon called Gigantic Rock Golem enshrined within the crevice located in the centre of Herthania Valley.

If you consider it the other way around, you can even say that theres no other golem in Herthania Valley except that Gigantic Rock Golem.

Inside of the Gigantic Rock Golem, which easily exceeds an over-all length of 100 meters, theres a huge artificial personality crystal embedded which is controlling a great number of rock-made monsters at the same time.

Once it detects intruders from outside, it will carry out an interception depending on the scale of the attackers and if the numbers decrease, it will carry out a restoration up to a number it can control.

What can be regarded as propagation by its appearance might be called a strange fixation of the genius Earl Ischrubak.

How about the magic cores?

Theres a hint at the point where the Gigantic Rock Golem has been enshrined! (Armstrong)

It was recorded in the old book that it has been deliberately enshrined on top of a large mithril vein.

I heard from Wend that adding a large amount of mana to silver will create mithril. (Ina)

Just as Ina says, there are many monster domains with dense mana and mithril veins below.

The silver, which is located there, changes into mithril while gradually absorbing mana as time passes.

Staying at a point with lots of mana, the Gigantic Rock Golem is artificially refining magic cores?

It looks like thats how it is! (Armstrong)

Although they are rock-made golems, theres no difference in their strength to wolves, boars and bears since their numbers are something like a war potential.

Even the monsters like hawks and wyvrens who are able to fly are only imitating the movements of flying accordingly.

They arent stronger than the real ones.

However, their number is astounding. (Ina)

Indeed, just as you say, Ina-jou, their numbers are a threat! (Armstrong)

Even if one has a bit of confidence in their magic and destroys a few thousands of them on the first day, those losses will be already recovered on the next day.

Just one of those is plenty of a threat to a common soldier! (Armstrong)

Even if you destroy several thousands of them by invading with 10.000 military forces, its not like the side of the human military forces will come out unhurt.

They will be attacked once again at the location, where their numbers decreased due to being killed in action or receiving war wounds, on the next day.

Its unthinkable to succeed in the liberalization like that.

The aforementioned old book has records of the abilities of the Herthania Valley defense golem device! (Armstrong)

This was written on a certain page of the old book opened by doushi.

The Gigantic Rock Golem cant move as its enshrined within a ravine where mana is collecting.

A huge artificial personality crystal is embedded in its large build that can control 100.000 rock-made golems at maximum.

It also has a device to gather mana and to manufacture low-quality magic cores, that become the cores of the rock-made golems, installed.

Its magic core production ability lies at around 5.000 cores per day.

Once the number of golems decreases, the artificial personality crystal will try to make up the lost part.

The magic cores appear outside the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem, are temporarily swallowed by the golems outside and then those golems split themselves into small golems with rock being the material which they are composed from.

Although it can be seen as if they are born going by appearance, its actually a splitting. The children, who were born in the same shape as their parent, grow large due to the rocks in their surroundings.

Their similar appearance might be regarded as them having eaten the same rock.

A completely autonomous defence system, huh?

Thats why it has likely been operating till now.

It means that the mystery was at last unravelled, but while that may be true, its impossible for the kingdom to liberate it right away. (Armstrong)

The method to liberate Herthania Valley is actually very simple.

All will be fine if you smash the huge artificial personality crystal embedded inside the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

Since this artificial personality crystal is the source moving the Gigantic Rock Golem and the rock-made golems, the golems will turn into simple masses of rock once you destroy it.

The method is easy. But the means are very difficult (Erwin)

Just as Erw has said, breaking through golems, reaching a maximum amount of 100.000, wont work unless you reach the location of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

The means are difficult, but the Herthania Valley was originally something belonging to the Browig household. (Katharina)

No matter how much they might be a part of the kingdom, its not like the kingdom can selfishly make a move on a property owned by the Browig household.

It was as Katharina said, but this times dispute was a huge chance.

If the Browig household didnt notice the value of Herthania Valley just as before, the kingdom would have taken responsibility for a part of the reconciliation money in the latter half of the arbitration negotiations and confiscated this place. It was possible that they would have requested us to liberate it afterwards as well.

His Majesty showed a bitter smile. It was nicely snatched away by you, Earl Baumeister. (Armstrong)

Now that I think about it, it was useful for me being close to death in that underground labyrinth. Even if its a similar liberalization, I will be able to show willingness if it becomes my own possession. (Wendelin)

Therefore, this time the positions have changed even for the previous party members.

It has taken the shape of me, Earl Baumeister, requesting excelling adventurers as main force to storm towards the Gigantic Rock Golem.

As its troublesome to split the concessions of the mines, I decided to pay one hundred million cents upon success in advance.

Although the degree of difficulty is high, the reward is exceptional.

Given that its 10 billion in Japanese Yen, its not an excessive reward to begin with.

You will take charge, Burkhart-san, right? (Wendelin)

I have been told by master to accept it. (Burkhart)

If you consider the time after the liberalization, theres no other choice for Burkhart-san, who is a magician employed by the Margrave Breithilde household, but to accept.

Since theres no way for just the Earl Baumeister household being able to manage the mining areas of Herthania Valley, it will be necessary to consign quite a few of the operations.

Im also receiving private support from His Majesty and the Business and Engineering Minister. (Armstrong)

For the kingdom that means that they want to obtain even a bit of the concessions of the Herthania Valley, which was snatched away by me ahead of time.

Though the property rights are mine, theyd like to have a certain degree of concessions regarding mining, guarding, refining and transportation.

Also, if the royal family is involved in the concessions, they will become a guard for the Earl Baumeister household against being blamed by the Browig household after the liberalization.

Since they will likely be jealous, if I keep it completely to myself, I considered a method how everyone can be happy.

Though I still didnt know whether the Browig household will join in on that.

The group, who cant fly by means of magic, will be a diversion here, huh?

Yes.

I want Erw, Ina, Wilma and Elise to participate in the diversion as people belonging to the Earl Baumeister household.

The main members, who will destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem, will plunge straight towards the target by flying in the air.

During that time the feinting ground unit will barely enter and leave the boundary as they were given the task of drawing the rock golems on the ground.

Wend-sama. (Wilma)

Whats up, Wilma? (Wendelin)

The numbers for the diversion are too little. (Wilma)

According to the documents, the golems are split into 80.000 ground forces and 20.000 airborne forces.

As expected, Wilma pointed out that it would be too harsh to run a diversion with less than 100.

I have called for reinforcements. Before that, we will have a bit of combat practise. (Wendelin)

To preserve mana as much as possible, we have to destroy golems on our route with a good efficiency.

For that reason I wanted to check how much mana is needed to break those golems.

It would be best for the diversion unit to grasp the strength of the golems, too.

Because of that, we waited right at the boundary line for the golems, the storming group, from the sky, and the diversion unit, from the ground, and started our combat training by defeating those.

According to the old book, the manufacturing amount of magic cores per day by the Gigantic Rock Golem is 5.000. Therefore, if we kill more than that, the recovery wont be able to keep up! (Armstrong)

Doushi, dont state something troublesome (Erwin)

Erw is checking his sword.

Once doushi clad himself in a minimal Magic Barrier, he plunged into a flock of wyvren-shaped and hawk-shaped rock golems which he called together by deliberately provoking them.

Certainly, only by their appearance, they arent that powerful! (Armstrong)

As usual, amazing

At the same time of plunging in, he pulverises one after the other with kicks and fist-strikes that were clad in mana. Once he faces a target slightly away, he throws a small snake-shaped tornado, made out of mana, at it.

Once hit by the small tornado, the targeted golem scattered and its broken pieces rained down on the surrounding golems like a buckshot spreading the damage even further.

The Magic Mobile Armour is rejected due to the aspect of its mana consumption, but I will simply destroy those on the route as efficiently as possible since they arent as strong as a dragon! (Armstrong)

Decrease their numbers by dragging several of them into it without using a too powerful spell. (Burkhart)

Got it. (Wendelin)

Understood. (Katharina)

Katharina and me hit wyvren-shaped golems in turns with small tornado spells upon Burkhart-sans instruction.

Once hit, the golem breaks and its fragments increase the damage among the golems in the surroundings.

Is it fine to fire this spell continuously?

There are no monsters with other attributes. This much is plenty. Rather, preserve your mana to the utmost. If your mana has run out at the time you reach the Gigantic Rock Golem, you will die. Im sorry, but I will cancel the operation before that though. (Burkhart)

If I cant fly I will end up becoming a victim to the ground golems. Its no good if I dont have any mana remaining to defeat the Gigantic Rock Golem either.

I will leave the stopping of the Gigantic Rock Golem to you, Luise-jou-chan. But, since theres the possibility of it ending in failure, the other storming members will preserve their mana for that as well. (Burkhart)

In this times operation five people will charge in.

Transporting Luise to the Gigantic Rock Golem in a perfectly protected condition, she will destroy the huge artificial personality crystal in the body of the Gigantic Rock Golem with one hit using all her power.

If she succeeds, all other golems will cease operating.

That means theres no necessity to forcibly destroy them ahead of time.

Luise-san, you are in perfect form. (Katharina)

Ahead of her sight Katharina witnessed Luises figure moving across the sky while breaking the heads of golems and flying without hindrance completely as if leaping up from the initial charge.

Same as living creatures, the golems fell towards the ground once they lost their heads.

Luise was the best in regards of not using mana pointlessly.

Also

I realized it just now! If my sword is a treasured orichalcum sword, it wont suffer a single chip! (Erwin)

Erw, who is in high tension because of Karla being there, cut one wolf-shaped golem after the other with the orichalcum sword he bought with the money he obtained in the capture of the underground labyrinth.

Certainly, if its an orichalcum sword, it should cut the golems like tofu.

End of Part 2

Dont say something absurd! Such a sharp sword. How can you possess something like that if you arent a rich person or a first-class adventurer!?

I do have one though. (Erwin)

For real!? (Moritz)

How nice (Thomas)

Once Erw begins to fight with an actual orichalcum sword, Moritz showed an expression of surprise and Thomas one of jealousy.

Erwin, go in front since Karla will assist you.

Really? (Erwin)

She will be sending your encouragements as if she cant see anyone but you, Erwin.

I will go ahead! (Erwin)

Erwin is monopolizing the attention of Karla-sama.

Ahahaha! Diee! You small-fry golems! (Erwin)

(Moritz, you are nasty)

Although he dashed out in front constantly due to Karlas case being used as pretext by Moritz, Thomas and the others, Erw continued to peerlessly hold the front line by himself thanks to his own skills and the performance of the orichalcum sword.

I wonder if Karla-san is watching? (Erwin)

Its fine. She has been paying attention properly. (Moritz)

I will do my best! (Erwin)

However, since its not like Moritz hates Erw either, it seems that he has Erw retreat once he fought to a certain extent.

Erw, come and take a little break in the back. Karla-san is waiting for you. (Moritz)

Yess! (Erwin)

Erw returns to the rear in a hurry. Completely like a dog, he goes to the location of Karla who is treating the injured together with Elise.

Are you alright, Erwin-san? (Karla)

Yes! I have plenty of leeway! (Erwin)

While receiving a cup of water and a towel from her, hes apparently taking a rest happily.

Moritz, you are skilled in using Erw

Once I look for Inas whereabouts next, she was showcasing her dear big move.

Spearmanship Giant Swing! (Ina)

Its a spearmanship,which I was shown by Roderich at the time of his fruitless effort, where I dont know whether its powerful or not.(T/N: Refers to the time when he was using the technique in front of the Brandts mansion, I think)

I didnt know when Ina learned it, but this seems to be more useful than I expected.

This skill is a technique used against multiple opponents. Somehow I can imagine it, but (Ina)

A great number of golem remains were scattered about in Inas surrounding.

I wonder where Wilma is? (Wendelin)

Once I search for Wilma, she was drawing one of the most powerful iron bows, we talked about before.

As it seems that all of it is made out of iron, even the arrows, the released arrows penetrated several golems at once and destroyed them.

Being able to draw such bow frequently (Wendelin)

I was once again speechless due to her superhuman strength.

Even if I tried to draw that iron bow, it shouldnt move an inch.

Around three years ago it was placed as decoration at my favourite weapon shop. (Wilma)

Given that it was used as decoration, the owner apparently didnt think of selling it as he used it as replacement for a signboard.

I was told that theres no way for me to pull it and that he would sell it once Im able to do so. (Wilma)

Since she was told that it will be for free if she was able to draw it, she apparently obtained it after drawing it in front of the owners eyes.

Though I hesitate if its between humans, its convenient that the opponents are golems. (Wilma)

However, theres a weakness to it as well.

Because the arrows are more expensive than the common ones, she ended up exhausting her stock right away.

War costs money. (Wilma)

While lamenting over the truth of this world, Wilma switches her weapon to her battleaxe and pulverises a lot more golems by swinging it around than with bow and arrows.

As expected, its probably a feeling of that being Wilma, huh?

Wendelin-san, any time now. (Katharina)

Yea. (Wendelin)

Time-wise and according to the number of people we are probably soon approaching the limit.

I, who was told so by Katharina, complete a huge tornado spell by using vast amounts of mana with the four people, except Luise, after the diversion unit withdrew just a bit.

Thats combination magic?

Spin Tornado!

Everyone is compatible. Thats magnificent. (KAtharina)

Tetragon Tornado? (Wendelin)

Thats it! Wendelin-san, please dont use a question there! (Katharina)

Thanks to the combined tornado spell of the four of us, all of the visible golems are broken and smashed against each other by the tornado spell. They drop down to the ground after having turned into simple rocks.

There was also a large amount of blocks, ores and magic cores remaining.

Pick them up~~~~! (Wendelin)

Upon my order from the sky, the personnel of my army, which had withdrawn, begins all at once to search the remains of the golems.

Put priority on magic cores! Ores after that! (Wendelin)

At any rate, there isnt much time.

Its certain that reinforcements will close in immediately, with numbers that are bigger than now, from other places.

Wend! I have discovered a golem corps with more than twice the amount from now! They are heading this way! (Luise)

All hands, retreat outside the boundary! (Wendelin)

Since the golems, who were surging forward one after the other, were discovered by Luise with her good eyes, I give the order for the whole army to retreat right away.

Like this the first day of combat for the sake of gaining experience in actual combat has safely passed with zero casualties.

The number of magic cores is? (Wendelin)

2056 cores.

Such an amount, eh? (Wendelin)

The subjugation itself wasnt the goal, but once I hear todays results, it confirms the fact that it will be difficult to capture this area with a frontal attack by military forces after all.

Theres also the reason that our army is too small, but even if we subjugate 2.000 golems in one day, theres no meaning to it since the restoration ability lies above that.

Besides, its also true that more than half of those 2.000 were brought down with magic.

What will you do with the magic cores? (Erwin)

I will use them to replenish the magic gems I used up in the recent wide-area stun. (Wendelin)

I see. (Erwin)

Erw agrees with my reply.

The replenishment with mana of all the empty magic gems, which I possessed, hadnt finished yet. Since those were low-grade magic cores anyway, there wasnt that many other uses for them either.

However, a device to produce magic cores, eh? The one called Earl Ischrubak was a genius.

Thanks to that genius we have to constantly fight with all our power though.

Although they are low-quality, he created a magic core production that has a creation process where even taking the first steps in understanding it are impossible nowadays.

If possible, its something I want to seize undamaged.

Only if its possible to do so. (Luise)

Thats true, isnt it. (Wendelin)

As Luise says, its a viewpoint that cant be applied if we fail due to being too greedy.

The first priority should be the destruction of the Gigantic Rock Golem.

So, until when will we continue the combat training?

Until our friends arrives. (Wendelin)

Haa?

The strategy is for us five magicians to rush in and destroy the Gigantic Rock Golem, but if we go by the old book, the Gigantic Rock Golem itself isnt overly powerful.

Since its made out of rock, its possible to destroy it if someone among us five preserves a certain extent of mana.

The problem is what the golems, which are manipulated by the Gigantic Rock Golem, will do. (Wendelin)

Since its realistically impossible to destroy all of them, we are aiming at the Gigantic Rock Golem by destroying only the bare minimum of obstacles.

Since we will be flying, it will be fine if we take on only the airborne golems. However, even the ground forces, which are bustling around next to the Gigantic Rock Golem, will become a hindrance for the destruction. That means it will be necessary to cause a diversion. (Wendelin)

With just the Earl Baumeister feudal army?

Since that will be completely insufficient, I have asked for other reinforcements as well. Thats why I had doushi accept a subjugation request as adventurer as well. (Wendelin)

Those are, possibly

Several days later the sky above Herthania Valley was covered by large magic airships. A sky fleet of four ships was floating there.

Luise is apparently speechless due to that spectacle.

Those are the large magic airships prepared for route service, right? (Luise)

Thats right. The numbers cant be transported if its not those. (Wendelin)

It will cost quite a bit (Luise)

Once we liberate the Herthania Valley, they will demand various concessions anyway.

Since thats the case, its fine for us to receive assistance from the kingdom as much as possible.

The one who will pay the money is me after all. Even if we fail, it wont cause that much damage either. (Wendelin)

I understand well the reason for the Margave Browig household to cause a disturbance in the rear

Roderich might not have a good expression right now, but the kingdoms army will acquire actual combat experience and training by being in charge of the expenses here. The participating commander and soldiers can obtain military exploits even though their opponents are golems.

As a matter of fact, once I suggested this idea to Minister Edgar, he immediately sent them over after loading the troops into magic airships.

We came upon the command of Minister Edgar. Im the commanding officer, Alois von Willi Achilles. (Alois)

Alois-san, who led 3000 soldiers, was a person who looks like a diligent military bureaucrat type and appears to be around 40 years old.

As family head of an appointed Viscount household, he has a relationship of being a relative of the Earl Armstrong household.

Its quite the flashy operation. By the way (Alois)

Ah, yes. I have prepared them. (Wendelin)

As expected. (Alois)

As Viscount Achilles led the troops in a hurry, they havent prepared overly much of things like food and water.

Since theres no port either, the soldiers are coming down on rope ladders one at a time as its not possible to land the large magic airships properly either.

You truly hurried coming here. (Wendelin)

I heard that our task is to act as diversion and that the goods will be prepared at the actual site. Since thats the case, lets finish the liberation in a hurry. (Alois)

Why? (Wendelin)

Although this Herthania Valley has been officially transferred to Earl Baumeister in the arbitration draft, parties, who consider unnecessary things once time passes after getting to know of our movements, will increase. (Alois)

Viscount Achilles, who is a noble himself as well, doesnt believe the slightest in something like the sincerity of the Margrave Browig household.

He stated that its essential to turn it into an established fact after finishing it as fast as possible.

Thats also true. Ah, right. (Wendelin)

I hand over the prepared large amount of goods to Viscount Achilles.

Yesterday I made a temporary storage for the goods and placed them in there.

An army wont move if there are no goods. If you prepare those, unexpectedly absurd things become possible. (Alois)

The 3000 soldiers, who disembarked the large magic airships via rope ladders, moved to take the goods after assembling in their respective units right away.

Its for the sake of starting to construct an encampment and prepare the meals quickly.

If people enter this boundary, the golems will start up but they wont attack once you leave. I received such information previously, but its a mysterious system. We will explore the method of an efficient diversion while practising in a period of several days. (Alois)

The 3000 soldiers of the kingdom commanded by Viscount Achilles repeated entering and leaving the boundary while repeatedly hunting and luring the rock golems which are on the ground.

Dont chase too far. Dont forget to leave outside before their numbers increase. (Alois)

Differing from Minister Edgar and the members of the Armstrong household, Viscount Achilles calmly gives directions to the troops.

Although there were already casualties as well, Viscount Achilles says that this much was in the range of his assumptions.

If one dislikes dying, they shouldnt become soldiers or adventurers. (Alois)

Viscount Achilles performed the training of the diversion for the crucial moment indifferently.

Their mission is to act as diversion to pull the golems on the ground at the time we rush in.

So, what about the reinforcements of our allies?

They will all be present until today or tomorrow.

As that means that the 3000 soldiers of the royal army arent enough, I requested reinforcements from the nobles close-by in addition.

Earl Baumeister-dono, that helps

The majority of the nobles, who are bordering the territory of the Herthania Valley, have suffered losses from being led by the nose by the Browig household in the recent dispute.

They had the damages being taken over by switching sides to the Margrave Breithilde household, but if the Browig household doesnt pay after concluding the arbitration draft, their debts would remain as is.

Since their financial standing is severe, they were added to the diversion task after sending their troops.

That means they accepted the job of mercenaries aiming for the reward handed out by the Earl Baumeister household.

Thats because we really dont have not enough manpower (Wendelin)

Its owed to you developing as territorial noble.

With the arrival of over 50 noble households and the royal army, they repeated the training of the diversionary tactics in Herthania Valley after splitting the troops into ten army corps.

Luring out the golems by crossing the boundary line, they escape outside after people are hit.

Once the golems disappear, they cross the border once again and carry out their provocations.

While exploring for a method to attract as many golems as possible, they also continued the training how to destroy them with a good efficiency.

After a period of a week, merchants, who sell stuff like food and entertainment items to them, started showing up.

The Herthania Valley experienced a kind of special procurement for the liberation operation.

Well then, wont we begin the storming soon?

After a last meeting, the operation starts.