Training began the next day.


    That said, since the viges men were also itsbor force, they couldnt afford to only train. They could just devote early mornings and the evening to it at best.


    The coach was Carlos. Ria didnt participate in training the groups training. Even in her previous life, she had nothing but the knowledge in her head.


    But as a knight, Carlos had personally experienced subjugating thieves. Moreover, since hes a knight, he had experience leading and fighting with soldiers.


    And even going by appearance, Carlos clearly looked like a knight so the vigers obeyed him.


    Be that as it may, where did all these spearse from


    Magic.


    Carlos answered the vige chiefs question in a tone that refused speaking more of it. He was simr to Ria in things like that.


    The five others undertook strengthening the defenses of the vige itself.


    Cutting down the trees surrounding the hillock, their view was improved. Ria tried out her new katana on the tree trunks, cutting though many of them. Gig also helped after shifting his grip on his axe, while Serge stored the lumber with space-time magic to transport the harvest.


    Lulu and Maal were further away, setting up traps on slopes leading to the vige. Maal, who had hunted for her own vige, drew things out of her memory to help correct the viges hunters. Though they wouldnt be lethal, it might be enough to deprive them of fighting strength.


    Hmmm, though the trial went well


    Ria was dissatisfied. She couldnt create a better katana than Nagasone Kotetsu, the first one she created and one shed personally held in her previous life. Though it was the same as Nagasone Kotetsu, just sharper, she couldnt tune it.


    Still, it was a much sharper katana than the one shed gotten from the Ogre King, as expected from something called genesis magic.


    Since there were just tiny openings, Serge reinforced the fencing by covering it with a magic wall of soil. Though it wasnt that strong, with this it could block arrows.


    In the end though, the training was mostly meaningless.


    Midday after just two days, Ria sensed troopsing from the distance.


    One of her Gifts was the Divine Protection of the War God, allowing her to sense the presence of massess of soldiers. Though it was definitely a cheat since it prevented surprise attacks, this was the first time it had been useful.


    Serge, sound the rm.


    Roger.


    When Serge informed them using space-time magic, the vigers sounded the rm. It was even made of metal parts from Rias magic. The bell rang loudly, getting vigers out in the fields to seek shelter within the mud wall.


    When signs of the enemy appeared at the top of the hill, the vige had alreadypletely readied its defensive system.


    Every man who could fight had either a spear or a bow, outfitting themselves in armor. Despite this being their first fight, their faces werent painted with fear.


    Looking from the top of the lookout, there was a single horsemaning.


    Maintaining a sufficient distance from the vige, he started giving a speech.


    For some reason, this vige had not paid tax up to now. They were drafting the vigers as an alternative. If they resisted, they would be punished for treason.


    If Ria knew the real reason, she would probablyugh with scorn at them.


    Due to their ve hunt failing, moreover losing arge amount of soldiers, they were trying toe up with a pretext for it somehow.


    Trying tomandeer things like rations, those that resisted were exterminated. They lost soldiers in the process.


    Though she doubted they would escape from them carrying out punishment with that pretext, it seemed a battle was inevitable.


    She reviewed their victory conditions.


    To thest, the Cordova soldiers had to dominate this vige and pin it as part of the country.


    It was already just to try and save themanding officers own neck, they needed a scapegoat. Then all she had to do was kill themander. After that the officer would probably withdraw the soldiers.


    If they still didnt retreat, she would thoroughly kill all of theirmanders. If just soldiers were left, they would run away without taking leadership.


    And another important thing, minimize the damage taken by allies.


    If possible, dont let a single person be killed. In order for that, she made the spears and the earthen wall was erected. If even a single person died, it would be difficult to be seen off smiling.


    First of all, should I kill that person with the loud voice?


    Ria created an oversized Fireball, aimed at the solitary knight continuing to give his speech, and fired.


    After the knight turned into a pir of fire, the battle began.


    Cordova soldiers climbed the slope towards the vige. A few of the bows from here found their mark. Some of them were repelled by their armor, but it decreased their enemys numbers somewhat.


    Serges magic burst in the area where the enemy gathered on the path. Excalibur was shot horizontally, dissecting the entire enemy unit, as well as leaving a huge scar on the ground.


    The enemy was no longer able to assault from the front. Avoiding the road, they spread around to both sides at the gates.


    (Though it would have been serious if the enemies had a magician, but isnt it an easy win like this?)


    Just how much damage had the vigers avoided taking?


    Ria looked towards the enemys base.


    From the top of the lookout, he just continued to fire off Exploding Fireballs, simple work.


    Seeing the fleeting image ofrge shields being prepared, Serge shot magic.


    He dropped a Fireball where people were gathering in groups. Not even armor or shields could prevent the mes. This was more efficient than rapidly firing off Excalibur.


    Ive gotten used to this huh


    He muttered. He really had grown ustomed to killing people.


    Originally, there wasnt much guilt from killing with magic. Holding memories of his previous life like Ria, it was more abnormal to kill people with weapons and feel the resistance in your own hands while maintaining your calm.


    Nevertheless, there still was some guilt. Those soldiers could have beenmoners like Serge, gathered up. In order to kill them, he needed some excuse.


    Ria ordered him.


    He was ordered, so he is killing them.


    When all of the responsibility was taken him, even if it was just the official story, even if it was just an excuse, Serges guilt was offloaded.


    Additionally, this was a defensive battle. Not a fight of aggression.


    For self-defense, he would protect everyones everyday life. Therefore, he would fight.


    Carlos and Gig were each like nonmissioned officers, takingmand in order to eliminate enemy soldiers as they tried to scale over the earthen wall.[1]


    Carlos would shoot arrows at enemies that asionally appear over the wall. Gig was even better with throwing stones.


    Maal asked the wind to weaken the arrows strengths, doing her best to concentrate. Lulu waited on standby for medical duties. She really wanted to use offensive magic, but Ria prohibited it.


    At any rate, there wasnt much friendly damage.


    Against the enemy forces that exceeded one thousand, it was a miracle.


    However, it might have been possible if it was Ria. He thought so as well.


    About nine hundred enemies spread around the vige to surround it.


    At best, there were about two hundred prepared forbat on the friendly side. Even so, they were just amateurs that could barely be called troops.


    However, morale was high.


    Considering that they would defend their vige under normal circumstances, they were also under the influence of Rias Gift. If it came to a fight, itd probably be neck and neck.


    However, being on par with each other was no good.


    They would lose arge number of people. If they invaded the vige, they would definitely suffer damage. That couldnt be called victory.


    Therefore, she would crush their head.


    Time to go?


    Getting off of the earthen wall, she hopped on Matsukaze that shed prepared. Matsukaze was wearing horse armor. Though it was made based on her memories, it would probably be useful. In order to not increase the weight, Ria was wearing her usual leather armor.


    Then, Ria charged together with Rudolph. Could a standard soldier stop the power of a level 45 demon?


    Open the gate.


    A viger hurriedly unfastened thetch. Then, Ria rode out on Matsukaze.


    Just one horseman.


    No, including Rudolph, one horseman and one animal.


    Rudolph leading, the soldiers were sent flying by hisrge body. Cordovas soldiers weapon was amon pike, but it couldnt pierce Rudolphs fur and body.


    Following behind, Matsukaze galloped.


    Ria held a cross spear with a long handle, killing soldiers that got in the way. Though horsemen sometimes came at them, they couldnt get close enough to fight against Ria.[2]


    Finally nearing the top of the hill, she saw themander being defended by infantry. Since Cordovasmanders wore red cloaks, she immediately knew who it was.


    He had an incredible countenance. Definitely someone who had encountered true monsters on the battlefield.


    Y-you son of a bitch, the fuck are you!


    Want to know!?


    Her spear shed. The battalionmanders neck was severed.


    The surrounding knights, probably officers, didnt have time to react.


    The battalionmanders body tumbled off his horse. Finally reacting, they brandished their weapons toward Ria.


    The one responsible for the ve hunt is dead. Still eager?


    Rotating her spear, it audibly sliced through the air. Behind her, Rudolph overran the infantry.


    Companion to a Hellhound, killing theirmander in a single blow, she was still a young girl. Even if they lowered their visors, she understood by the voice.


    The fuck are you!?


    If was the same question as themander, this time from a senior officer. Probably the adjutant. Ria answered properly this time.[3]


    I am a hired mercenary for this vige. I dont intend to give my name.


    Feeling Rias intimidation, the officers drew back, the horses frightened. The horses understood the feelings of their riders.


    And this adjutant was a wise man. Having grown old, he knew there were existences one shouldnt act against.


    Sound the bells of retreat. We will return to the garrison.


    Thats better.


    Ria turned the horse around, running down the hill. This time, Rudolph followed behind.


    The euphoria of running through a battlefield pulled her. The sounds of bells rang in a constant rhythm from the top of the hill.


    It echoed throughout the entire battlefield, signalling the end of the fight.


    Cordovas soldiers pulled back.


    Within them, a single horseman dressed in ck returned to the vige.


    Cheers of joy sprang up from the vige. While listening to them, the only thing on Rias mind was if anyone had died.