Section 10: Tactician of the East and the Courageous General of the West - Middle

Yes. This is the spell Taigong Wang cast earlier. There was a sorcerer in Persia who used similar tricks.

D-did you say sorcery!?

Oh, sorry. I should have chosen my words more carefully.

Anyway, I don't know what it does, but I'm fairly sure it doesn't cast a curse on us directly.

G-gotcha. Well, then I guess it's okay.

That being said, this one is much heavier than the kind I'm familiar with. I guess he really does know what he's doing.

？！

Hard to say. Some spells remain even after their casters die.

And seeing how quickly old Fox Eyes took off, it looks like we still have a lot of cunning foes ahead of us.

Capturing that throne isn't going to be easy, that's for sure.

？！

Assuming this castle is built the same as ours, anyway. As far as I can tell, the throne is at its center.

So if we can defeat this castle's lord and take the Tear of the Holy Grail in the throne, we should be able to claim ownership of this castle as well.

That will allow us to remake the castle, like we did to guide the Dreadnought, and summon shadow knights to aid us.

So the fact that he booked it out of there so quickly could mean thatoho, we're already here.

Wait.

I knew it.

？！

Phew, that was brutal. I never was an expert at dealing with physical powerhouses like this.

...Are you joking?

How the hell did you manage to kill it?

Well, I was prepared for this kind of thing.

And now that you're all here in my castle, I can really throw everything I have into this fight.

Luring the tiger out of the mountain, eh?

Oh, is it that what later generations called this trick? Hmm, an evocative image. I like it!

Though of course, I would say we've got the tiger in this case.

Are you treating me like a tiger now, Chancellor? You never were one to mince words. Even when you should.

You see? In fact, I'd say he's even ten times more dependable than a tiger!

？！

So you know him too, Master? Just our luck that one of the great Eastern tacticians would also have one of the great Eastern generals on his side.

What about you? Are you all patched up?

Oh yes, physically, I'm all set. I could hardly call myself a professional otherwise.

Mentally, well, the less said there, the better. I still can't believe I'm fighting back-to-back battles without rest OR reward.

Just my luck, getting stuck with an actual beast as my boss.

I've also put down my own spell circles here, just to be extra safe.

Well, everyone, what do you say? It can't hurt to lay down your arms now.

I see. You're even more formidable than I thought.

It seems sending a lone monster in ahead of us wasn't enough to get the job done.

Oh, don't get me wrong. It was quite the surprise. I didn't think you'd be able to make it so far.

Which is exactly why I suggest, in the strongest possible terms, that you surrender now.

If we fight this out, our side will doubtless suffer some injuries as well.

And I'll need all the resources I can get to take over the third castle.

？！

So, what do you say? Comply, and we'll treat you well.

Oh man, oh man! Wh-what're you going to do, Ptolemaîos!?

I mean, you're completely surrounded, right? This is checkmate, right? Right!?

Oh yes, I'm very relieved.

So, you've played all your tricks then, yes, Taigong Wang?

...Who can say?

Master! Are you ready!?

？！

Wait, what!?

At its core, war is far simpler than you people seem to think.

Yes, we employ all the clever strategies and surprises we can, but ultimately, it's all about enjoying the ride.

I see. So that's the kind of general you are.

I like that. I like that quite a lot!

Very well then! I, Prince Wucheng, shall gladly be your opponent!

Oh my. Teehee, you really do know how to divide and conquer, don't you?

Too bad, Taigong Wang. It looks like we're going to have to fight the exact sort of battle you hate.

Hehehehe.

Nice one, Ptolemaîos! You finally got my respect!

Just as I was getting sick of all this pain in the ass strategy crap!

...You're serious, aren't you?

Oh, very. And you know, I underestimated you.

From where I stand, I see a very respectable duel about to unfold. One well worth fighting.

Especially since our Master here is quite the rare find.

？！

Hold your head high, Master! You're going up against the famous Taigong Wang!

What's more, his top generals are Huang Feihu and the spitting image of Daji! Even his soldiers are shadowy demons!

What more could you ask for in an opponent!? If this doesn't get your heart pumping, nothing will!

Now come! It's time we finally bared our fangs!