Inn Overlord: Reincarnated with Enhancement Magic, Now Worshipped as a Divine Messenger! - Chapter 39

(Point of View: Robert Zappa, Mayor of the small city of Barmuller)

“U-Urgent report!!”

Just after the sun reached its highest point and began to descend, an urgent report arrived in my office.

“The Empire has crossed the border and is invading Barmuller!!”

I was shocked and accidentally crumpled the document I was holding. But I quickly calmed myself and waited silently for the guard to finish his report.

“The Imperial army numbers around 20,000! A few thousand have changed course to the northeast and are heading toward Noonan Village!”

I held my head in my hands. Behind my eyepatch, my injured eye throbbed in pain.

—They’re planning to repeat the Barossa Massacre…

I made a decision immediately. I would send soldiers to rescue the villagers in Noonan.

“Send 2,000 cavalry to Noonan Village right now! And send 7,000 infantry, 1,000 cavalry, and 300 magic infantry forward, using Barmuller as their base!!”

To ask for reinforcements, I contacted the royal capital. I also requested support from the Margrave of Burlington, who originally governed this area.

Even if we manage to rescue the villagers and adventurers in Noonan, if we just stay inside the walled city of Barmuller, we won’t be able to protect them or the cavalry who went to help.

That’s why I will send out infantry to delay the Empire’s troops and prepare to receive the returning cavalry and rescued villagers.

Once they regroup with the cavalry, they can slowly retreat into the walls. Then, together with the reinforcements, we should be able to drive out the Empire.

—But in that case, the land south of Noonan Village will be taken by the Empire… That’s why we need to retake Noonan with the reinforcements and, depending on the village’s condition, rebuild it…

If we abandon Noonan, we could probably defend against the invasion more safely. But when the Empire launched their blitz attack on the Barossa Kingdom, one of the Empire’s Four Knights, Dwayne Rigsard, led a unit that slaughtered civilians.

Because of that, even though the Margrave of Burlington opposed it, King Ingober allowed us to take over Barmuller’s administration and established a joint defense.

Of course, it wasn’t free. I heard the cost was covered by King Ingober’s personal funds. The Margrave of Burlington agreed, and thanks to our cooperation, we were able to create a stronger defense line.

Since Noonan is a village filled with adventurers, I thought it was unlikely to be attacked. Attacking adventurers could reduce their numbers inside the Empire, disrupt public safety, and damage the economy—or so it was said. But sending thousands of cavalry means the Empire is serious about taking Noonan.

—Please, let us be in time…

I prayed that the villagers of Noonan had not been massacred.

(Point of View: Axel, Captain of the Imperial Cavalry Unit)

I led 3,000 cavalry away from the 20,000-strong army and marched toward a village called Noonan, near the Demon Forest.

I heard a unit of 400 soldiers was sent there last night. If the operation went well, they should have taken over the village. But according to Sir Thomas Wade, one of the Empire’s Four Knights, we should also consider the possibility of failure.

This is a battle of speed.

Most likely, the former Schmar’s Six Generals member and current mayor of Barmuller, Robert Zappa, has also sent cavalry to Noonan.

If our forces have already taken the village, we can work together to drive out the Kingdom’s cavalry. But if they failed, we’ll confuse the enemy while killing villagers.

While we do that, Sir Thomas Wade’s army will fight the Barmuller troops. When they’re tired out, the Margrave of Burlington—who betrayed the Kingdom—will invade Barmuller with his reinforcements.

Barmuller expects the Margrave as their ally. They’ll be completely shocked.

The wind cut against us, and the nonstop sound of galloping horses rang in my ears.

As the sun began to set, we saw what seemed to be Noonan Village in the distance.

Even from here, I could see the village was protected by a wall.

—Tch, this isn’t what the report said… This is going to be a pain.

To raise morale, I shouted to my men:

“We’ve found our target village!! Whoever finds gold or women first gets to keep them!! Do what you want—kill or spare them!!”

“YEEAAAAHHHH!!”

The 3,000 cavalry responded to my cry. I turned back to face the wooden wall surrounding Noonan Village.

—If it’s wood, should we use fire arrows or bring in mages who can cast fire spells?

Most likely, the 400-soldier unit failed yesterday. I can barely see the gate—it blends in with the wall. But since the gate isn’t open, that must mean the takeover failed.

—Then where did that unit go?

Just as I wondered this, my horse neighed loudly, raised its front legs, and came to a stop.

“What’s wrong!?”

It wasn’t just my horse. All 3,000 horses stopped at once.

“What happened!?”
“What’s going on!?”
“They all stopped!?”

Everyone was confused. But the reason our horses stopped became clear after a delay.

“An earthquake!?”
“It’s shaking hard!?”
“What the hell!?”
“It’s huge!?”

I shouted,

“Everyone! Get off your horses!!”

I jumped down immediately. The shaking was so strong, we couldn’t stay standing. I dropped to the ground. Some were too slow and fell off their horses.

“Tch! Why now of all times!?”

Unlucky—that’s what I thought. But then, the next moment—

“What!?”

The ground split wide open and swallowed the Imperial cavalry unit. About two-thirds of us, including myself, fell straight into the depths of hell.