21st Century Archmage

“Flight leaders, handle the Skyknights.”

“As you command!”

‘Its already evening.

The pursuit hadnt been easy. The enemies were simply too numerous, and the Temir Skyknights were forced to land in the middle in order to take a break after their hasty flight to Denfors. We also lost time dealing with Laviter Skyknights charging ten at a time, resolved to die for the sake of the princes escape.

That continued until twilight. The survivors had crossed the Kovilan Mountains and were still wildly fleeing. Further pursuit was meaningless.

‘Eurgh, I almost peed myself.

The long, long battle had started just around lunch and lasted all the waytill dusk. I was more scared of my bladder leaking than dying.

‘What a shame. A whole 200 of them escaped.

Of the 500 that came to dance, only 300 of them were given a hot taste of hell. When the battle ended, I was filled with a bit of regret, thinking that I should have tried a little harder.

‘Lulu~? Shall we collect the loot now?

The territory had taken a lot of damage, but the rewards we reaped were beyond imagination. Even on the way back to Denfors, there were wyverns, airplates, and Blessed Spears to collect. There was also an immense amount of Laviters military supplies piled up in the territory. There was no doubt that simply the supplies alone would replenish Nermans finances for 10 years with extra to spare.

“Everyone, either capture the grounded wyverns or collect their bodies. Everyone did well… my knights,” I said through the transmitter.

“You have worked hard, my liege.”

“I will remember this battle for the rest of my life.”

Only with my words of praise did the tension drain out of the flight leaders voices. Everyones voices were a bit hoarse, as if they were thirsty. Maintaining taut nerves for a long time was impossible to do unless one had a certain level of mental fortitude.

‘Uwaaaaaaaaaaaah…

Right now, I just wanted to take off my helmet and yell to my hearts content, but I settled for one long cheer inside my mind.

The victory we earned today was so overwhelming that even I could hardly believe it.

‘Oh Holy Neran, thank you. I will repay your grace with interest.

In particular, without the blessing of the Goddess of Mercy, Neran, this victory would have been a far-flung fantasy.

“Bebeto, lets go! Lets go home!”

Guooooooo!

Bebeto really had stamina of steel. He should be tired, but he rode the wind with energetic beats from his wings.

His destination was Weyn Covert of Denfors, our home.

* * *

“YEAAAAAAAHHHH!!”

“Long live Nerman!”

“Long live the Lord!!!!!”

Because we had to collect the presents left by the empire, we arrived at Denfors just before dawn, when the moon was hanging in the middle of the sky. The soldiers and knights had waited for me and the Skyknights, unable to sleep. When Bebeto appeared with a powerful roar, they celebrated our victory as they raised a deafening cheer from atop the castle walls.