Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero: 131

Unfortunately, I’m Not A Hero: 131

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Commissioned by Shaderic

Wordcount: 2500

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In all honesty, building up everything in Ylstu was the easy part of preparing for the battles ahead.

A lot of Kindred were hungry for a better life and wanted to fight. There was no lack of manpower. The same went for the infrastructure and the money. The Kindred merchants and nobility were eager invest, give loans, and make tons of money, while the Kindred customers found that they liked spending their hard-earned money for various amenities. The Kindred were diehard consumers, every single one of them had strong desires and motivations, and I haven’t encountered a single one without the drive to push themselves to the limit for what they wanted.

However, those desires and motivations were a double-edged sword.

Sure, my troops wanted to protect their homes, liked the fact they were getting paid to do it, and had the chance to earn glory. They were extremely willing to fight to the death for all those three things in fact… but that’s the issue. Controlling them, while they had all they had and wanted on the line, was a large issue when I was commanding from a safe bunker. It was the same reason why Demon Lord and other Kindred Nobility led from the front. Their troops were likely to over-extend because they were passionate, driven creatures that could be goaded into traps, misdirected, and fall prey to more advanced tactics.

Now, organizational structuring, education, and a constant communication stream helped, but they only did so much. I could count on my elites to do get the job done without me, since they had strong hierarchies and leadership. Ur and her Amazons, Sayuri and her Kunoichi, and Ashe and her original tribe could all function without my presence. However, the regular soldiers and the militias were another story entirely, even though the former were improving slowly over time… the latter were militia and just recently called to arms.

As the battles on Ylstu grew more desperate, as the Empire sent more to remake their fortress at our rear after I crushed most of it with a landslide, the militias grew restless and more difficult to manage. They smelled the desperation in the Empire’s actions, felt the weakness that the Empire’s officers and soldiers tried to overcome, and that made their blood boil. Their attached commanders reported them being difficult to control, having to stop them from pursuing the enemy, and having to stall movements that would take them into neighboring and hostile territory.

The militia was doing a good job, and I wanted them out there, but as time passed, I sent the order to pull them back and replace them completely with regular soldiers.

But if I just let them loose, I’d eventually lose them as well, so as much as I wanted to stay and coordinate… I knew that I needed to do the same as my colleagues. Thankfully, I didn’t have to do it on foot or on horseback, even though I couldn’t fly with my own power. And, of course, I didn’t have to be useless and rely on Ur and the others to stay close to me at all times either. Even though I wasn’t even a Vampire, let alone a Demon Lord, I could still act as a Kindred leader just fine.

How?

Well, with my flying, magical ship-of-the-line, of course.

Shit with magic and shit at fighting, but I had what I needed to lead my troops in battle, just like every other Kindred noble on the continent.

…

With full sails, A’Bel’s power, and no long-term supplies stored in the hold, the ship was more than capable of keeping up my regular soldiers. The Wyverns and Harpies stayed in formation around the ship. They flew around and behind us, while tugging along the large transport gliders that held their supplies for the coming battles. Ur and her finest were aboard the ship, while Ashe remained back at the castle as our final line of defense along with her people, while we went to cut off one of the Empire’s invasions points completely.

“My lord, the status reports for the hour.”

“Thanks.”

We were making our way to the southern entry point of the Empire. The northern force of the Empire was slowed down a bit by my northern neighbor, once she realized that she wouldn’t get any more profit from the situation. My forces were tearing the fortresses and supply lines apart before her own people could get in. Naturally, so that they could continue harvesting for their own profit, they struck and embroiled themselves properly in the situation.

I took a look at the reports, beside the Kindred at the helm of the ship, and nodded at the simple summary before looking over at A’Bel and addressing one of the nearby officers.

“Slow us down and change heading by ten degrees. A’Bel get off the conduit and call on Kurama, you’re up.” I kept the paper while giving orders. My officers relayed my command. Those with subordinates on the ship just started barking orders, while the ones who coordinated the flying Kindred beside us took flight. A’Bel moved to find Kurama below deck, while Ur approached me from below. “A new Empire convoy has been spotted and they have the Empire’s latest, stolen troops with them. It looks like they’ve stolen a few more Amazons… but this time they didn’t take any chances.”

Ur grimaced at my words and her frown deepened as she read the paper I handed her.

“So, they decided that using their own people wasn’t enough. They’re implementing more terrible things upon mine.” Ur growled at the news. The Empire deployed their latest shock troopers during this campaign. The deluge of hard-hitting, strong, and well armored soldiers without the ability to feel pain had taken the Kindred by surprise, but both parts of the pincer movement only had them as the spear tip. The majority of them were still with the main force, so their strength in numbers hasn’t been tested yet. “Hachiman, please tell me that you know of some way to save them.”

I answered Ur honestly.

“I asked Henri to look into it, but it was low priority compared to everything else. The new control method isn’t a collar anymore.” Ur’s frustration was evident, but I didn’t mince words or claim that I did everything that I could. She deserved to know everything that I knew. “They wipe a person’s mind out and make them slaves that follow orders at the start now. As far as she could tell, they’re just bodies being manipulated by the Empire. We don’t know anything more than that.”

Ur was quiet for a few seconds, before shaking her head and letting loose a sigh.

“Then, they’re just bodies bereft of spirit. Nothing more than flesh defiled by the Empire.” Ur grunted and looked to her second-in-command at her back. Her lieutenant looked more distraught at the news, but she recovered at Ur’s words. She regained her warrior’s countenance, her brow furrowed, and her sorrow was replaced by a glare. “Tell the others the news. We will destroy them and prepare them proper funerals back home.”

I interrupted.

“Keep their bodies intact if you can. Maybe they’ll want a second chance, or want to fuck over the Empire. I’m willing to give them either.” We have the Necropolis and Henri now. It’ll cost a lot, given how Amazons are naturally resistant to magic. But, if the Empire was ignoring the long-term costs for powerful, mind-controlled elite warriors, then I couldn’t pass up on the opportunity to bolster my own forces. “Hell, the last time I fought these things, they didn’t do a thing after I killed the noble controlling them. Maybe we can figure something out, if you capture them alive after killing the Empire’s officer on the field.”

Ur stayed quiet for a bit, but after a moment nodded at my words and looked to her waiting lieutenant.

“Tell everyone the same thing. Kill the Empire’s officers, refrain from killing our captured sisters unless they have no choice. Our chieftain says he will do all he can for them.” Ur spoke and her second nodded with more energy than she had before… and shot a beaming smile at me, before heading for the rest of her fellows. Moments later, I had to retreat from the deck’s sightlines, as the Amazons all started sending praise my way. Ur laughed at me, even when I glared at her for putting everything in motion. “They would’ve praised you even if I hadn’t called you our chieftain, Hachiman. Just accept it.”

Before I could give a reply, Ur left to address and speak to her troops personally, which left me alone for a moment… with the latest report. The honest praise and affection of the Amazons made my heart race, but it wasn’t the time to be distracted by a whole slew of tanned, toned tomboys who can easily kill me.

And, Ur’s butt.

Even if my libido was slowly regaining its strength, I still had a battle to win.

Unfortunately.

Yep.

My libido was definitely coming back.

…

On paper, I’ve never conducted attacks on supply lines before. I never had the opportunity to do so back when I was a slave, and Roseanne put a stop to things before I got the Empire scared enough to go on the war footing. However, I did have practical experience in regards to ambushing my opponents, even if most my battles were pitched, defensive stands against superhuman monsters with rape fetishes.

Thankfully, it looked like destroying supply lines was very similar to ambushes.

Open with the biggest weapon you have, cut off the retreat and advance, and kill everything stuck between while targeting anyone with a semblance of command. Insert overwhelming amounts of troops to ensure as few casualties as possible, and win while taking all the enemy’s stuff with you.

I’m fairly sure that a lot of people could do better, but I did my best.

“Fire.” The ship fired first into the back of the convoy. The arcane ballistae’s bolts surged forward like lances of light from the ship’s side. This wasn’t a rolling barrage like back in the dessert, where sustained fire was important, but instead alpha-strikes with all the ballistae of a side firing at once. “Turn the ship and fire on the front. Wyverns will go in first. Cut the enemy force in half with flames and kill as many of them at range as possible. Harpies, you’re all with the Amazons. Follow Ur’s commands.”

A myriad of affirmatives reached me at once, as the ship turned about, and A’Bel stayed knelt beside me and Kurama stayed seated at my back. I had a witch beside me, powering a mirror that saw through the eyes of her familiar closer to the battlefield.

The Empire was quick to respond, probably having developed counters to long-range bombardment over the last few days. Despite their rear and front being blasted to oblivion, leaving a crater where wagons and men once existed, their remaining forces scattered swiftly into the woods… and their wagon covers opened to reveal arcane ballistae about to be crewed instead of supplies.

“A’Bel, blind them.”

“As you wish, my lord.” My Archdemon raised her hand and an orb formed in the sky that sent forth a great flash. It was like an intense camera flash meant to blind anyone looking our way. Our own troops knew to look just towards the enemy, and their backs kept them from being blinded, but the Empire’s wouldn’t be able to look our way without countering our magic. Which they started mere moments after A’Bel cast the spell, making the shine of the orb lessen and lessen rapidly. “They are resisting admirably.”

“Well, that needs to change. Kurama, fire on the wagons and mages. Don’t hold back.”

“Yes, my dear husband.” Kurama complied, and just like in the Pharaoh’s lands, the missiles in the center of the ship came to life. Half-undead constructs, with ghostly wings, and minds with single purposes lifted from the ship’s center into the air. However, unlike in the Pharaoh’s lands, we had more space and room. So, instead of a handful, nearly two dozen lifted themselves out of the ship and circled around the ship like a flock until they were all at the ready. They were all out the moment A’Bel’s magic faltered and failed, so the Empire saw the oncoming attack, but were helpless to stop it. “They will perish, as you will it!”

With that simple call, devastation surged forth, speeding ahead of all our other forces still mustering, and as one they struck the enemy. Although there were no storm clouds above us, the sound of thunder resounded again and again as they smashed into the ground, and unleashed their explosive, fiery payloads. The recent discovery of the Goblins of a burning, metal compound gave them greater potency, while also drowning the area in a cloying smoke that saturated the battlefield.

The enemy’s front and rear were destroyed, their anti-air defenses smashed apart, and now ever-burning flame and smoke was washing over the battlefield from where their hopes once were. My Wyverns neared them and dashed whatever hope they had left with their breath. From their maws came forth magical flame, and they carved a fiery path through the entire battlefield, cutting it in half with a single, coordinated pass in groups flying just behind one another. When they broke upward again, the ballistae on my ship were reloaded, and I gave another command.

“Portside prepare for another full power strike. Aft, fire at will with precision and lessened power. Provide support for those landing.” I spoke and my commands were followed. The Harpies descended with the Amazons in tow as the Wyverns returned to us, resting until they can once again go forth and scorch the earth with their breath. The ship’s aft rocked slightly as ballistae sighted and fired on targets within their limited windows, and I watched as Ur and her sisters descended to take back their stolen kin. The caravan burned, their soldiers were scattered, blind, and choking, while their officers could barely a thing. I decided that wasn’t enough assurances for my forces on the ground. “A’Bel… go make sure things go right.”

My order at the capital that led to the deaths of my soldiers still weighed on my mind. Even if they were back, they shouldn’t have died, and their lives shouldn’t have been irrevocably changed. I didn’t want that to happen again, so I sent in my Archdemon.

For a brief second, I wondered if she would be affronted, but her reply and smile was the same as always.

“As you wish, my dear summoner. It will be done.”

This was the first of many assaults on the enemy on our southern flank, a lot of things could go wrong, but at the very least this one was going right.