I Reincarnated as a Villainous Noble, Nothing More Than the Hero’s Foil: Since the Hero Can Only Bring Misery to My Favorite Heroine, I’ll Use My Game Knowledge and Over-the-Top Effort to Rewrite the Scenario and Make Her Happy. - Chapter 29

Two days later, at midnight.

I led a force of 100 Schwarz Battalion cavalry toward the City of Death, the undead’s stronghold.

Normally, launching an attack at night—when the undead were at their strongest—would be utter foolishness.

However, we had no choice if we wanted to keep Selvia’s [Blessing of the World Tree] a secret.

The enemy’s numbers had dwindled to 5,000, but their Necromancer commander was still alive.

They had stopped taking our bait and were now firmly fortifying their defenses.

Most likely, the enemy commander was still hiding powerful undead creatures, waiting for us to step into the city so they could ambush and wipe us out.

I had a feeling that was their true strategy.

To counter their plan and secure a flawless victory, I had decided to use Selvia’s power.

I couldn’t afford to let them rampage any closer to the capital.

“Fufufu… Launching an assault on an undead stronghold—how exhilarating.”

Lancelot, carrying his massive knight’s sword, flashed a grim smile.

“Not a single soldier here has succumbed to fear. We all trust Lord Cain with our lives.”

“Of course, Sir Lancelot! Do you know how many monsters we’ve hunted under Lord Cain’s command?”

“We’ve also stocked up on an enormous supply of [Healing Potions]—we’re fully prepared!”

As an emergency measure, each soldier was equipped with one High-Grade Healing Potion (Ex-Potion) for guaranteed survival.

“Yeah, well… I’m scared out of my mind, actually…”

Gordon was the only one looking completely pale.

“Not a single one of you is allowed to die. I forbid it!”

“Yes, sir!”

My words ignited a surge of determination in my troops.

“At worst, even if this mission fails, that’s fine. Your top priority is protecting yourselves and each other!”

“Lord Cain, you always put everyone’s lives first… I will do everything in my power to ensure our safe return.”

Selvia looked at me with eyes full of resolve and admiration.

“Huh? Of course, I do…”

“Ooooh! For you to say that so naturally—Lord Cain, you truly are the epitome of knighthood!”

Honestly, I just didn’t want to waste the effort I had put into leveling up my troops to Level 20.

In games, the key to victory was training and protecting your soldiers.

Quest objectives weren’t always worth risking lives—leveling up and trying again later was always an option.

“Damn it! We’re so lucky to have such a merciful leader!”

“Glory to Lord Cain!”

Not just Lancelot and Selvia, but every single soldier was shouting in awe and admiration.

At this point, there was no point in correcting them.

I didn’t want to ruin their morale when it was at its peak.

Above all else, I wanted everyone to make it back alive.

“Alright, full-scale assault! CHARGE!”

“UWOOOOOOHHH!”

We galloped at full speed toward the City of Death.

As we neared the northern gate, undead soldiers positioned atop the city walls unleashed a volley of arrows.

As expected, they weren’t making any aggressive moves—they had chosen to fortify themselves instead.

“Selvia, I’m counting on you!”

“Yes, Brother!”

BOOOOM!

A massive sacred tree erupted from the ground, stretching its branches and leaves over us, forming a natural shield against the rain of arrows.

“W-Whoa! Is this Lady Selvia’s true power!?”

“She’s incredible!”

Cheers erupted from my soldiers.

“For Cain, for my father… and for the people of Viscount Fernando’s lands—

This mission will succeed!”

Selvia’s resolute voice rang out.

“Yeah! I’m counting on you!”

With our path secured, we urged our horses faster, closing the distance to the gate.

I deflected any stray arrows that made it through using my [Projectile Deflection] skill.

“Damn it! I don’t have some overpowered skill like [Projectile Deflection]! What if I get hit, huh!?”

Gordon, looking panicked, hurled a Fireball spell at the wall, causing a fiery explosion.

Undead archers were blown apart, their remains scattering into the air.

“Impressive. You can hit your targets at this range, Lord Gordon? Truly, you are the Schwarz Battalion’s finest mage.”

Lancelot sounded genuinely impressed.

Gordon’s attack range and accuracy were leagues beyond normal.

When given a target, he never missed.

Just a few days ago, he had sniped the City of Death from over 500 meters away—a feat that had even surprised Lancelot when he reported it.

“I never agreed to be part of the Schwarz Battalion! I swear, after this, I’m done with war forever!”

Honestly, Gordon might be a real genius.

If he trained properly, he could probably stand toe-to-toe with hero-class warriors.

Maybe I should create a special training regimen just for him.

“Now!”

BOOOOM!

Selvia summoned another massive tree, this time hurling it directly at the city gate.

The impact shattered the gate, sending chunks of the fortifications flying.

“Whoa! With Lady Selvia around, we don’t even need battering rams!”

Lancelot exclaimed in awe.

As the tree collapsed, it crushed several buildings and scattered dried leaves across the city.

Moments later, Selvia summoned a deluge of plant oil, coating the city in flammable liquid.

“[Albidus Fire]!”

With a single spell, Selvia ignited the fallen tree.

With her new [Flame Wielder] skill, the blazing inferno was far more powerful than before.

The flames devoured the sacred tree instantly, setting entire buildings ablaze and engulfing the city in a massive firestorm.

The enemy had set up barricades and defenses behind the gates, but they were now nothing more than fuel for the fire.

“YES! Just as Lord Cain planned!”

“See that, you monsters!? This is OUR victory!”

The Schwarz Battalion cheered wildly.

The enemy’s fortress strategy had completely backfired.

They had laid traps within the city, expecting us to walk right into them.

But we had no reason to step inside.

Instead, we would burn it all to the ground.

“Brilliantly done, Lord Cain!

To annihilate an undead army without losing a single soldier—

Your military strategy is divine! I, Lancelot, am in awe!”

“No, this is all thanks to Selvia. She did an incredible job. Thank you, Selvia.”

“…Y-Yes.”

Selvia looked exhausted.

Between creating [The Great Tree Fortress], summoning countless medicinal herbs for potions, and now this…

I had pushed her too hard.

“I’m sorry. Are you okay? Let’s head back so you can rest.”

“Yes… Thank you. I’m happy that I could help you, Brother.”

Despite the sweat on her brow, Selvia smiled warmly.

“And now, everyone is safe. That was nothing, really! Oh, and I think I leveled up—I’m now Level 34!”

She had gained four levels since we set out.

By rough calculation, all 5,000 undead had turned into experience points.

“Alright, Lancelot! We’re pulling out!”

“Yes, sir!”

We turned our horses around, victorious.

The undead archers who had been shooting at us were swallowed by the flames, their skeletal remains crumbling into ash.

The fire showed no signs of stopping, turning the night sky crimson red.

If the enemy commander was still inside the City of Death, there was no way he had survived.

“We did it! Lord Cain is truly an incredible commander!”

“This is OUR victory!”

“Tonight, we feast until dawn!”

My soldiers roared in triumph.