Saintess? Not Anymore! I'd Rather be a Destroyer-Chapter 154 - 140: War against the Infinite Nation 2
"Indeed, I suppose I’d do the same," Eva mused, her gaze distant. Initially, she’d only take interest in the wars that piqued her curiosity. Wouldn’t others find it odd, having to book a war with her? The whole concept of invasion would be completely eliminated," she sighed.
"Well, it’s better to give them a heads up about the impending conflict rather than leaving them to fend for themselves with no chance to fight back letting them lose. Where’s the fun in that?" Aurianna quipped, a mischievous grin tugging at her lips.
"That’s true, but it does take away the whole point of battle strategies when you launch surprise attacks. But who am I to pass judgment on this world’s deities?" Eva muttered.
"I absolutely refuse to follow an incompetent child into war!" a knight yelled, seething with anger interrupting Aurianna and Eva’s conversation.
Aurianna shot the young knight with a cold glare. "Who are you to call me an incompetent child, you fool?"
The knight seemed bewildered. "Why are you calling me a fool?"
"What right do you have to question my competence when you’re standing right here on the front lines?" Aurianna accused, pointing a finger at him and causing him to flush with embarrassment.
"Men and women gathered here today," Aurianna began, her voice gaining their attention, "I am Princess Aurianna Vanluad. I stand before you not as royalty, but as a fellow warrior who will fight alongside you in this war. We all know why we’re here today – the various wrongdoings and misunderstandings that led to your presence in this army."
Murmurs rippled through the troops, most of them bearing expressions of distaste and nervousness. "It’s unfortunate that none of us wish to fight or die today," Aurianna added, which made the spirits of the knights more depressed.
"But we’re scared. This is no ordinary country; it’s the Infinite Nation," a female knight spoke with a trembling voice.
"Good! It’s good that you’re feeling fear, that you tremble in the face of their might. That fear is what will propel you to find the courage to fight back and return victorious! You’re Sandeph’s knights, for goodness’ sake. When did you all become such cowards? What happened to the arrogance you had when facing other nations? The battlefield isn’t a place for cowards who’d rather get slaughtered and cry for their mothers," Aurianna declared, her words cutting through their silence, her lifeless light blue eyes fixed on the assembled soldiers.
"Since when did Aurianna become such a good speaker?" Yesphine inquired of Momo, her dark blue eyes dull with surprise.
"It seems like she’s more focused on insults than motivation," Momo responded, nervously scratching her cheek.
Aurianna confidently clicked her heel against the ground and fixed the army with her determined gaze. "You’re knights of Sandeph. You must fight to clear your names! When we go there, none of you should falter, none of you shall tremble!! Stand your ground and trust in me, for I shall lead you all to victory!" She declared her eyes glowing.
"The princess is right! They promised us that if we win and return alive, all our crimes will be forgiven!" an excited male knight declared, bolstering the army’s confidence. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦
"Despite her being so small, she has more confidence than most of us, I’m quite ashamed."
"Wait a minute. Isn’t it an honor for a knight to die on the battlefield?" Aurianna asked coldly, a sinister smile playing on her lips, making the other knights shift nervously.
"It is, but..." one knight began to object.
"Why don’t all of you fight and die for me?" Aurianna asked with an innocent smile, her entire presence shimmering.
As if under a spell, the knights simultaneously placed their hands over their hearts and stated in unison, "Yes, Princess. We will gladly sacrifice our lives for you!" They beamed as they stared at her with dazed eyes.
"Fantastic!" Aurianna’s face lit up with delight as she clasped her hands together.
"Here are some explosives, distribute them amongst yourself, so once you’re near death they’ll explode with you," Aurianna explained, plucking several bags from her ring and tossing them toward the knights.
"As you wish, Princess," the knights responded in an eerie unison.
’Since Wien’s explosives weren’t enough, I’m thinking my Dancing Grenade skill is just as strong to be used as well,’ Aurianna pondered, observing the knights sharing the explosives among themselves.
"Aurianna, what’s wrong with you?" Concubine Momo cried out, a note of panic in her voice and worry etched across her face as she hurried toward Aurianna. ’Why are these knights just blindly listening to her?’ Momo wondered, giving the entranced soldiers a quick glance.
’They all look like they’re in some kind of trance,’ Momo thought nervously. ’Is this some kind of charm magic?’ Her eyes widened as she realized.
’But can a charm spell really be this strong, affecting so many people at once?’ she mused.
’I’ve got a bad feeling, but I can only assume her charm is abnormal, especially given how she’s shining,’ Momo mused, her brows furrowing as she made her way up to Aurianna.
"Aurianna, could you please release them?" Momo implored, her gentle green eyes locking onto Aurianna’s.
"Aunt Momo, stay out of this," Aurianna retorted coldly, fixing her gaze on Momo. "It’s clear that these knights were trembling, clearly afraid. They’re not experienced knights, just a bunch of newbies sent to war to test their training. Chi, chi, chi, Father’s got some strange methods of training his knights, I’ll give him that. Always effective in nuturing the weak to be strong. But I’m not thrilled about having to fight alongside these scaredy-cats."
"But, Aurianna, how are we supposed to discuss battle strategies with them if you do this?" Momo inquired, her concern genuine.
’What’s the point of strategizing if these knights are essentially going to die? I’m going to have a feast,’ Aurianna thought, her anticipation showing. She quickly wiped away a droplet of drool and regained her composure.
"All right, then, Aunt Momo, what strategy do you have in mind?" Aurianna asked, making Momo feel a bit uneasy with her piercing gaze.
"The arc triangle strategy," Momo said seriously.
"Do explain, as I am young and not familiar with war strategies," Aurianna said politely.
"Are the knights listening?" Momo asked as she stared at the dazed knights, whom their eyes returned back to normal.
"Oh they can hear you, I just eliminated their fear and gave them a purpose to fight or die for. Their minds are still intact," Aurianna said with a smile.
Momo began as she faced the knights, "We’re going with the arc triangle strategy! Ten thousand of you will form a triangle with your shields locked side by side to break through the enemy. Meanwhile, the other ten thousand will create an arc to encircle the enemy and kill them within that arc. Mages will be in the center, launching long-range magical attacks at the enemy. You’re all aware that the enemy has a formidable hardening skill, so your armor and weapons have been upgraded to tackle that. At first, we thought they had no discernible weak spots in that form, but we’ve found one— their lower abdomen. Strike there with all your might. Miss that opportunity, and you’re done for, so give it everything you’ve got!" Momo’s words resonated through the army, and the knights responded in unison with yells, wholeheartedly accepting her plan.
"Aurianna, I’ve got a question for you," Momo said, looking directly at Aurianna.
"Go on," Aurianna replied, her eyes fixed on Momo’s innocent expression. ’I can tell she’s quite uncomfortable here, always glancing at the knights. My hunch is that she pities them but can’t do much due to King Girsal’s orders. Aunt Momo, you’re a kind soul, but it’s a shame you married King Girsal,’ Aurianna sighed inwardly.
"Since when did you start using your charm magic skill?" Momo inquired, her gaze serious.
"I just got the skill, but is it really surprising? After all, I am beautiful, cute, and adorable," Aurianna quipped with a smug grin.
Suddenly, Momo enveloped Aurianna in a warm hug and gently patted her head. "Promise me you’ll stay safe. Vatium would be sad if you were to die," Momo said, a touch of sorrow in her voice as she looked at Aurianna.
"I’ll be just fine! Don’t underestimate me!" Aurianna declared confidently.
"If something bad happens I shall intervene immediately," Momo prompted Aurianna before she left.
As Aurianna left, King Girsal couldn’t help but wonder aloud, "What’s that kid scheming?" He sat on his throne, eyes locked on a screen showing Aurianna.
"Set those visual Meimus free all over the HighLand!" King Girsal declared, and Concubine Emirie nodded, channeling her magic into her ring. In an instant, hundreds of visual Meimus soared out of a window, spreading across the HighLand, projecting screens displaying the battlefield.
"Are you sure about releasing the streaming Meimus, Girsal?" Lauren asked, her gaze steady as she clutched the streaming Meimu in her hand.
"Yes, do it," King Girsal affirmed. Lauren let out a sigh and released five streaming Meimus, which darted swiftly toward the battlefield.
"The Infinite Nation has arrived!" a platinum knight announced, catching Aurianna’s attention as she observed the ground trembling beneath a vast army riding six-legged horses.
"What?!!" King Girsal gasped in astonishment, sitting upright as he stared at the screen in shock.
"Girsal, how can there be six Arc Humans with them, along with 500 Chaos Humans, Holy Humans, and 6000 High Humans, marching as an army of 400,000 strong?" Momo inquired through a communication cube, her voice quivering slightly.
"Our intel was clearly flawed," King Girsal muttered, clenching his fists and directing his gaze to Chu, who stood beside him.
"Chu," he addressed calmly.
"I did my best to gather information. Unless we were deceived or they have a secret base, I can’t explain it," Chu responded, maintaining his composure.
"I trust you, but this is a mess," King Girsal muttered. He then turned to the knights and gave an order: "Get a carriage ready immediately; we’re heading to the battlefield!" A group of knights nodded and dashed off.
"I underestimated the Infinite Nation. We should’ve been more cautious," King Girsal muttered, walking away from the throne room alongside Queen Amber, Emirie, and Lauren.
"I am King Shiba of the Infinite Nation. Sandeph HighLand, you’ve grown arrogant!! Prepare to pay the price for daring to wage war against us!" shouted a fiery-voiced woman, her words boomed loudly through the field, causing the ground to tremble. She appeared as a beautiful, brown-skinned woman with deep purple eyes and short, tied-back purple hair. Her body was toned and her arms and back bore intricate tattoos, and she wore an armored top, baggy pants that reached her ankles, and slippers.
"Such an aura..." Aurianna thought as she and several others felt as though their bodies were being crushed by an invisible aura. ’She’s definitely stronger than all the Arc Humans I met in the underground city,’ Aurianna looked up to see King Shiba. Even though she was far away, the streaming Meimu displayed her face clearly on a large screen. ’I’m just lucky that I’m just fighting in the first round, but I have to find a way to speak to her and make her and her army mine. However 400,000 people I would need a ridiculous amount of mana to give them all my mark. and I don’t have enough mana. Unless I gain the mana from someone else like a being that way stronger than me. This war is going to be fun,’ Aurianna grinned.
