「......我知道人类所造的城墙很麻烦。但在此等数量面前根本就无足轻重吧」

This was especially true for those members of the Demihuman Alliance who could completely disregard the existence of such walls. There ought to be no difficulty if said individuals were carefully managed.

特别是亚人联合中有着完全不把城墙当一回事的人。如果能好好活用那些家伙的话，应该并不是什么困难事才对。

“Frightened, are we?”

「怕不是怂了吧？」

“Demon Claw-kakka.”

「魔爪阁下」

A vicious expression bloomed on his -- Wayja Lajandala’s -- face as he was addressed with the title of “Demon Claw”. He swept his eyes over the other member of his species who was present before turning back towards the Nagaraja.

被称为魔爪的他——威贾·拉蒋达拉露出了凶恶的表情，将视线扫过在座的另一位同族，立刻又转向了蛇王。

The title of “Demon Claw” was known far and wide, and had been for almost two centuries now.

在丘陵地带“魔爪”这个远近闻名的称号，已经有近两百年的历史了。

This was not because Zoastias were a long-lived race but because the title was passed down through the generations.

这并不是由于兽身四脚兽这个种族很长寿，而是因为这是在某一族中代代相传的称号。

To him, this title was something he had inherited from his father. He knew very well that it was inappropriate for him at the moment. That was why he had to build his reputation in the upcoming battles. Yet, he had not been able to prove his strength -- as the inheritor of the title -- to the world so far.

对于他来说，这是从父亲那里继承过来的东西。他也十分明白这个称号对现在的他来说并不相称。正因为如此，才要在这一连的战斗中，把自己的名号打响。然而到现在为止，他都还未能向世人证明自己的——新的继承者的力量。

Everyone he had beaten so far was weak. There had not been anyone who could stop a blow from his enchanted two-handed axe, ‘Bladed Wing’.

打倒的对手基本都是弱者，不存在能撑下他所持的魔法双手战斧“刃翼”两回合攻击的人。

This state of affairs could not be allowed to continue.

再这样下去可不行。

He could not allow this war to end while others still knew him as a mere minion of the archdevil Jaldabaoth. He had to find some way to make a name for himself as a warrior, and that time was now.

在这场战争中不能让自己仅仅作为、被称为超越者恶魔的亚达巴沃的其中一名手下而结束。必须要找到机会在某处提高自己的武名，而现在正是那个时机。

However, Roxu still did not intend to attack. Wayja’s dissatisfaction with that decision was why he spoke to the former in that way.

但是、罗格修却还不打算进攻。正是因为对此不满，所以他才会表现出这样的态度。

“They say the Grand King used to hold that city. Don’t tell me you’re scared just because the enemy has someone who could defeat him?”

「听说那都市过去曾由那个豪王守护，该不会是因为对方有能把那种程度的强者打倒的对手在而怕了吧？」

The Grand King -- the king who had led the Bafolk to greatness.

豪王——统帅山羊人[Bafolk]兴起之王。

He had been one of the top ten demihumans, like himself.

是与他同样居于上位十人中的强者之名。

Wayja was confident that he stood on even footing with the Grand King, despite the latter’s annoying martial arts which could break weapons. Anyone who could beat the Grand King must surely be a worthy opponent.

虽然知道他有着能够破坏对方武器的麻烦武技，即便如此他也有与豪王互相较量的自信。如果能够打倒那个豪王的话，肯定够格当自己的对手了吧。

‘I’ll deal with her, so why aren’t we attacking yet?”

「那家伙就由我来当她的对手，所以还不赶紧去准备进攻」

He could think of only one person who could defeat someone of the Grand King’s power.

说到能够打倒那个豪王的强者，在他的心中只有一名人选。

It must be that female human paladin. If the rumors are true, she might have been able to beat the Grand King.

（是那个传闻中的雌性人类圣骑士吧。如果传闻属实的话、说不定还真能胜过豪王）

He sketched a hazy image of a paladin with a glowing sword in his mind.

他模糊地描绘起了持有散发光辉之剑的圣骑士的形象。

“Wayja-kakka, the fact that you, a commander, would say such things despite coming in late without a word of apology makes me… don’t get so excited, I know, I know.”

「威贾阁下，迟到了连一句谢罪都没有还立刻说出这番话，我身为指挥官......别那么兴奋，我知道了、我知道了」

Roxu waved him off in a relaxed fashion.

罗格修以富有余裕的态度挥了挥手。

“Honestly, ignorant chicks make a lot of noise even when they know nothing.”

「真受不了，什么都不懂得雏儿还真会叫」

The person who was snickering just now had four arms. She was the queen of the Magelos known as “Iceflame Thunder” -- Nasrenia Bert Kiuru.

发出了库库的笑声的是有着四条胳臂的、拥有名为“冰焰雷”外号的魔现人[Magelos]女王——纳斯蕾涅•贝鲁特•裘露。

Wayja wrinkled his brow,

威贾皱起了眉头。

He felt that he could triumph in a melee fight, but Nasrenia was adept at magic, so there was the fear that she might turn the tables on him in some unexpected way if it came to a fight. Even so, he -- as an inheritor of the name “Demon Claw” -- would not be able to face his ancestors if he meekly let someone call him a chick.

虽然肉搏战不感觉会输，不过因为纳斯蕾涅擅长魔法，所以有着胜负说不定会在想不到的地方一发逆转的恐惧。但就算是这样，继承了“魔爪”之名的自己要是被喊成雏儿还老实地让步，可就真的没脸去见祖宗了。

“And old hags who like to slack off cause trouble for the rest of us too.”

「老太婆真是慢条斯理叫人困扰啊」

The Magelos were quite long-lived, but given that Wayja had heard of her throughout the hills while he was still a child, she ought to be more than halfway through her lifespan.

虽然魔现人的寿命算是挺长，但从威贾还是孩子的时候那个外号就传遍丘陵这点来看，她的寿命应该也已经过半了才是。

He could not tell the age of her skin when inspecting her face due to all the cosmetics which covered it, but the fact that she was covering it up meant that she had noticed it too. In addition, surely that floral fragrance surrounding her was a sign of using perfume to mask her old folks’ stench, was it not?

仔细观察面部的话，虽然由于有化妆的遮掩，不清楚实际的肌龄到底怎样了。但既然会去遮掩就说明自己也是有意识到的吧。而且洋溢的花香不也是用香水在掩饰着老人臭吗。

“--Ho.”

「——嚯」

Nasrenia narrowed her eyes, and an icy chill filled the air in the tent. This was a physical, not psychological phenomenon.

纳斯蕾涅的双眼咪了起来，帐篷种充满了冰冷的空气。这并不是什么心理上的东西，而是物理上的现象。

“--I ought to be speaking the truth, no?”

「——我应该没有说谎才是」

Wayja straightened himself up somewhat as he said that. A Zoastia’s lower body was not a pretty decoration, but something which possessed a beast’s dexterity and explosive power. While his usual fighting style would have involved hunkering down to make full use of his physical abilities, he did not do that now. That was because he wanted to present himself as the one with the advantage, who had simply ceded the initiative to his opposition.

威贾边说着边稍微挺身。四脚兽型的下半身可不是什么花架子，而是兼具着野兽的瞬发力与敏捷性。虽然本来的战斗方式应该是活用身体的能力，压低姿势发动攻击，但是现在却并没有摆出那种动作。这是因为想要摆出自己才是有利的一方，不过是把先手让给了对方这样一种态度而已。

“This isn’t just a matter of lying, is it? I ought to teach you how to address ladies with respect. That’s also my duty as your elder.”

「这不是只要不说谎就可以的问题吧？也应该教教你这小子对待女性的礼仪了。这也是——作为前辈的义务啊」

Amidst all this tension, Roxu spoke up:

就在这一触即发的状况下罗格修开口说道。

“Contain yourselves, you two. This is a war council. If the two of you continue making trouble here, I will be compelled to report it to Jaldabaoth-sama.”

「你们两个都适可而止。如果再继续在军事会议上惹是生非，我也不得不向亚达巴沃大人禀报了啊」

Now that Roxu had brought up the name of their absolute superior, the two of them had no choice but to back down. Still, they continued glaring at each other, as though to say “This isn’t over yet” and “Bring it, granny.”

在被搬出绝对强者名字的仲裁下两人只得收手。不过还是没有忘记互相瞪着，那眼神好像在说「这事还没完」「要打架就来啊」

“Hah… I can’t help you with this even though I’m very strong, but you two ought to know what it means to work together.”

「哎……虽然身为强者的我很强也没有办法，但你们也差不多该懂得合作的意思了啊」

“Heeheehee, you don’t have the right to comment on others either.”

「嘻嘻嘻，汝也没资格说其他人不是吗」

A simian demihuman covered in white fur jeered at Roxu’s grumbling with a laugh.

身上长着白色长毛的猿猴亚人笑着吐槽着罗格修的怨言。

“Hm, that’s true. Now then, Demon Claw-kakka. About your question earlier, it is not that I am afraid. The Grand King was a valiant individual, but surely everyone present is his equal, am I wrong?”

「嗯，也确实是那样。那么，魔爪阁下。关于你刚才的问题，并不是说我感到害怕。虽说豪王确实勇猛过人，但在场的不都是足以与豪王匹敌的强者吗」

Roxu looked to Demon Claw and Iceflame Thunder, and then to the remaining three people.

罗格修看了看魔爪和冰炎雷，还有剩下的三个人。

One of them was a demihuman who was covered in long white fur and looked like an ape. He wore enchanted golden armor.

He was the king of the Stone Eaters -- Harisa Ankara.

穿着多件金色的魔法防具，浑身长着白色长毛如同猿猴一样的亚人。

食石猿[Stone Eater]之王——哈利夏·安卡拉。

As a superior specimen of his species, he and others like him could gain various special abilities from eating raw minerals. For instance, by eating diamonds, they could temporarily gain physical damage resistance which could only be bypassed by bludgeoning attacks. Usually, only three such abilities could be active at once, but he could stock far more than that number. That was also a reason why he was called a mutant.

在他们的种族中到达上位种的人，能够根据吃下去的原石而得到各种特殊力量。比如说如果吃下了钻石，就能在一定时间内获得对除了殴打以外的物理攻击耐性。一般来说这种能力只能储存3个，但是他却可以储存远超这个数量。这也是他被称为变异种的缘由。

Then, there was the Orthros general who had nodded to him in respect.

之后是威贾进帐篷的时候对他颔首致意的半人半兽将军。

He wore a suit of intricately carved armor. His equally ornate helmet and his lance lay beside him. His name was Hectowages Ah Ragara.

身穿雕刻着精美纹样的铠甲，将同样气派的头盔与骑士枪横放在边上的男人——赫克托

维杰斯·阿·拉加拉。

His nod to Wayja was not out of respect for Wayja’s personal abilities, but towards the Zoastia species as a whole. That was the reason why it displeased him.

会向威贾致意，是出于整个兽身四脚兽种族对其表示的恭顺，而并非认可了威贾个人的能力。让其感到不快的也正是这一点。

Still, he could not simply challenge Hectowages to a duel to prove his strength. Certainly, Wayja would be the victor in a one-on-one fight. However, Hectowages had not gained fame because of his individual might, but because he was a renowned general who could triumph despite having a tenth of his opponent’s forces. The tables would be turned if it came to mass combat, and there was nothing more shameful than crowing about one’s personal strength and saying “I’m stronger than you” while knowing this. That was why Wayja had a hard time dealing with that Orthros.

但是，也不是通过决斗战胜赫克托维杰斯来展示自己的强大就行了。确实拿起武器单挑胜利者会是威贾吧。但是赫克托维杰斯却并不是因为他个体的强大而知名，而是以即使相差十倍的兵力也能取得胜利的名将而广为人知的。如果是率领集团战斗的话优劣的逆转是十分明显的，在明知如此的情况下还夸耀个人的武力自满「老子更强」什么的，没有比这更差劲的了。所以威贾也捏拿不好与这只半人半兽之间的距离。

The last person was the fellow member of his species, who had remained silent all this while: Muar Praksha.

最后是闷声不发一言的同族——穆阿·普拉库夏。

Also known as “Blacksteel”, he was known as a guerilla often seen flitting from shadow to shadow.

外号“黑钢”的存在，是被称为在暗影中奔跑的影子的游击兵。

He was a rarity among the Zoastia, who often capitalized on their physical abilities and fought with brute force. Stealth and surprise were the hallmarks of the fearsome assassination techniques qhich he used to surreptitiously dispose of the opposition. His nickname came from his unshakable will and his determination to eliminate the quarry he had marked.

在活用被恩惠的身体能力，靠力量战斗的四脚兽中十分稀有的，使用隐藏、出其不意、悄悄地收拾掉对手的可怕暗杀术。坚定的意志绝不会动摇，必定会解决掉盯上的目标是他外号的由来。

While he did not think he would lose to them, every person seated here would be a troublesome opponent for him in straight-up combat.

虽然不觉得自己会输，但在座的都是些正面战斗的话会有些棘手的对手。

“Then let’s go back to the topic of why we’re not attacking them. That would be because I received orders from Jaldabaoth-sama in the city of Rimun.”

「那么回到为什么不进攻的话题好了。那因为我在被叫做里穆恩的都市，收到了亚达巴沃大人指令的缘故」

“Say what? Was that how it was?”

「你说什么？是这样的吗？」

Wayja’s question was due to the fact that Roxu was the only person in this army of 40’000 who had had direct contact with Jaldabaoth. By the time the others had been summoned to this city of Kalinsha, his men were already in fighting order and waiting to be deployed.

威贾会这么问，是因为这次的编成的四万攻击部队里，直接和亚达巴沃联系的就只有罗格修。其他成员被唤来这座叫卡琳夏的都市的时间，都是在部队已经列队完毕、只待出发的时候。

Jaldabaoth teleported constantly between multiple cities, so there were few opportunities to receive directions from him in person.

由于亚达巴沃不停地使用着转移在复数的都市间移动，所以才抓不住时机从他那里直接收到指示。

“Jaldabaoth-sama said to give the humans occupying the city several days’ time.”

「亚达巴沃大人说了，要给占领都市的人类数天的时间」

“Give them time? Whatever for?”

「给他们时间？为什么？」

“He said it was to frighten them. There are fewer than 10’000 people in that city. There are fewer still people among them who can fight. In contrast, all of us here can fight… how afraid do you think the humans holed up in that city will be?”

「说是要给与他们恐惧。那座都市里的人类连一万都没有。在那之中能战斗的也不会有那么多。与之相对这边则全都是能战斗的人……被围困在那都市里的人类们的恐惧又会是怎么样的呢」

“I see… so that’s it. Jaldabaoth-sama is truly fearsome.”

「原来如此……是这样啊。真是位可怕的大人」

“Hehehe. Indeed, That said, I do understand how you feel, Wayja-kakka. The question now is how much more time we should give them?”

「嘻嘻嘻。说得一点不错。虽说如此，威贾阁下的心情我也能够理解。问题是还要给他们多少时间？」

“No, we can decide exactly how many more days to give them. That said, we might have two months’ of rations stored up, but it would not be good to actually give them that long.”

「不，具体给几天我们自行决定就好的样子。话是这么说，虽然粮食够两个月的份，但真给他们这么多时闲的话可不妙啊」

“Is it because we still need to deal with the prisoners?”

「是因为还要管理俘虏们是吧？」

There were only 10’000 demihumans left to manage an overwhelming number of human captives. While demihumans were stronger than humans, quantity was a quality all of its own. It was very likely that they would not be able to deal with any riots or uprisings.

现在管理着压倒性数量的人类俘虏的，只有一万只相对少量的亚人。虽然拿亚人和人类

比的话亚人比较强，但数量就是暴力。发生了暴动之类的事态应付不过来的可能性相当高。

“Precisely. That’s why I have gathered all of you, in order to hash out our plans for the future. Personally, I think we can move in after another couple of days and finish things. Does anyone disagree?”

「正是如此。所以才会像这样把各位召集起来。就是想要把方针给定下来的意思。我个人倒是想差不多两天后发起进攻，把这件事给结束掉，有没有不同意见？」

None of the demihumans present -- Wayja included -- objected to him.

包括威贾在内，集合在场的亚人们谁都没有表示反对。

“Alright. We attack in two days. Until then, we will continue observing them.”

「好。那就再过两天进攻。但在那之前还是要保持监视」

There was the possibility the enemy might launch a counterattack, though he did not think it very likely.

虽然觉得不太可能，但是敌人反攻过来的可能性也不是没有。

“That would mean it’s about time to deal with the humans we’ve brought along, then.”

「这么说也差不多是时候处理带来的人类了呐」

Some demihumans ate human beings. Species like those preferred fresh food. The Zoastia had no particular preference for manflesh. To them, beef and horse meat were better. However, most of them would prefer fresh human meat to beef jerky.

一部分的亚人会食用人类。这类的种族大多更喜欢新鲜的食材。兽身四脚兽虽然并不会特别嗜好人※肉，真要说的话还是牛、马的肉更好。不过如果在是牛肉干和新鲜的人※肉中选择的话，多数还是会选择后者吧。

In contrast, Iceflame Thunder had a look of revulsion on her face. Perhaps it was because the Magelos did not eat humans, given that they were visually similar to human beings.

与之相对地冰炎雷则露出了厌恶的表情。或许是因为魔现人并非是会食用人类的种族，外观上也与人类比较接近的缘故吧。

“Hehehe. How about killing and eating them in front of their city tomorrow. That ought to terrorize them, no?”

「嘻嘻嘻。那么明天，在他们的都市前杀了吃掉怎么样呐？那些家伙会感受到恐惧的吧？」

“An excellent idea. After that, we’ll declare that we’re attacking the next day…”

「那真是个好主意。在那里宣布第二天将进攻……」

“There’s no need to press them that hard. What’ll happen if they surrender? Fighting is only fun because they have hope, and thus struggle with all their might. Nothing’s more boring than killing people who have lost the will to live.”

「也不要逼得太紧了。他们投降的话怎么办？正因为怀抱着希望，奋力抗争才能让战斗变得有趣啊。没有比杀掉失去求生意志的人更无聊的事了」

Ultimately, Wayja wanted to fight strong foes. There was no point in facing weaklings.

对来威贾说还是想和强者交手。和弱者就算打起来也没意思。

“Indeed. Also, there is another important point. It’s an order from Jaldabaoth-sama. We mustn’t kill them all, but let a few escape. Therefore, my plan is to kill everyone guarding the western gate -- our side -- and chase away the ones manning the eastern gate.”

「也是啊。另外还有一点很重要。这也是亚达巴沃大人的命令。不能杀光他们，要适当的放跑一些。所以我打算我们这边——把守西门的人都杀光，而守东门的人则是赶走他们」

“In other words,whoever’s attacking the eastern gate needs to be able to keep firm control over their men, am I right? Otherwise, it feels like it’ll end in a complete slaughter.”

「换句话说负责东门那边攻势的人，若不能很好地指挥部队是不行的，是这样吧。不然的话感觉会全杀光的啊」

After Nasrenia said that, everyone’s eyes went to a single individual.

拉斯蕾涅这么一说，在场的视线都集中在了一个人身上。

“I see… Then you won’t mind if I bring all my kin with me, then?”

「原来如此……那么我把所有同族都带上也没关系吧？」

“Can you leave a few as messengers?”

「能不能留下几个作为使者呢？」

“Certainly, Roxu-kakka. In that case, Hectowage Ah Ragara and myself will be responsible for the eastern gate.”

「了解了，罗格修阁下。那么就由我、赫克托维杰斯·阿·拉加拉来负责东门吧」

“After that, we need some people on the north and south to give them some pressure. While there’s no need to actually take those points, we ought to kill off an appropriate number of defenders there. I’d like to send some ranged fighters there…”

「剩下的就是为了要给予压力，南、北两侧的城墙也要去点兵。虽然没有必要真的攻下那里，但还是要杀掉一定程度的吧。想派擅长保持距离作战的人选去……」

There were three people present who were adept at long-range combat. The person Roxu chose from among them was the silent Zoastia.

在场的人中擅长远距离战的有三人。而罗格修在其中所选中的是闷声不响的兽身四脚兽。

“Muar Praksha-kakka.”

「穆阿·普拉库夏阁下」

“--Acknowledged.”

「——应」

That was all “Blacksteel” said in reply.

“黑钢”只回应了这么一句。

“Everyone else will be on the western gate. While I don’t think there’ll be a chance for you to show your stuff, I’ll leave any strong opponents which show up there to you. After all, I need to command the entire army, so I won’t be able to make it to the frontline.”

「剩下的人就是负责西门那边。虽然不觉得会有你们出场的机会，但如果有强者出现的话就交给你们了。毕竟我还有要指挥全军，所以没办法上到前线去啊」

The remaining three demihumans -- Wayja included -- all nodded their heads.

包括威贾在内，剩下的三名亚人都点了点头。

“Since we are all in agreement, we shall attack that city in two days. I hope you will all get your rest and gather your strength before the humans wail in despair.