Shatei Kyokufuri Yumi-Ojisan

ere admitting defeat.
As they knew they were getting reinforcements, they were probably going to return to their main base and prepare for a counter attack.

Just as I had expected, when I entered the empty shell that was their fortress, there were no points left and only a few player memories to be found.
While it was understandable that the points would be going to the battlefield, the retreating players would have had to go around and gather all of the memories.
That meant once again, I was unable to strengthen my fighting force.
And if reinforcements were coming, we would not be able to hold this fort.
After all, we didn’t have the necessary Guardian and Cannon Golems.

“Well, I knew that this was a possibility from the start.
I just have to keep fighting.”

And so I took our remaining fighting force and marched on towards Blue Deer’s main base.
But what awaited us in our path, were the soldiers who had retreated and the soldiers who were already there before.
To be honest, I had thought that the fortresses deeper in would be less protected.
After all, the real important battle that would determine the overall outcome was happening in the center of the map.
So surely there wouldn’t be much point in stationing fighters here.

But I had forgotten something important.
This event was all about points.
You hunted for points in the back where it was safe, create your fighting force, and send them to the frontlines.
The fortresses in the back had a very important role.

And even though they were being left behind to get points, they could easily fight defensively if necessary.
So that’s why there were so many players in the last fortress.
That would mean that the main base would have even more…

Still, I would fight until the very end.
I had decided this already.
But when I arrived at the main base…it was surprisingly undermanned.

“Well, this…I think we’ll be able to get through them after all…”

Wa-was this for real?
The last fortress had been so strongly protected, and so it was unthinkable that there would be so few at the main base.
There must be some reason for it.
But I couldn’t understand what it was.
And yet here I was.
Invading the fortress…

There was no need to wipe out everyone inside of the base.
You just had to destroy the ‘Core Crystal’ that was deep within.
And once I did that, all of Blue Deers bases would belong to Red Boar.
The balance of power would collapse.
In other words, it would practically be the end of the event.

Would Blue Deer really allow that…?
I felt that it would not be difficult to reach the Core Crystal now.
It was like they were asking me to put an end to the event…

And so it was with conflicting emotions that I reached the blue crystal.
Who would have guessed that this would happen…
And why did I feel like this as I aimed with my bow…

Kiririri…shu! Kiiin!

There was a high-pitched ring as the arrow pierced the crystal.
Well, I suppose one shot wasn’t going to destroy it…
My hands were shaking.
I had never felt so nervous during a game before…

I-I would finish this…!
The event was supposed to go on for a week, but I would end it in three days…!
But there was a small voice inside saying, ‘don’t do it’ as well.
However, most of me was screaming to take hold of this victory.

The rest didn’t matter.
If shining victory was right in front of you, you reached out for it.
Like a moth to the flame… I could not resist the fires of triumph…!

Kiriri…shu! Crack!

The crystal shattered and my vision was filled with white.
And when I could see again, the crystal was gone.

It was finished.
A lot of things had finished.
Well, I actually felt quite good about it.
Victory… Well, it wasn’t confirmed just yet, but it might as well be.
And I had brought us closer to it with my own hands.
So of course, I felt good.

However, it still bothered me how unprotected the base was.
It just didn’t feel like something that was possible.

“Oh? If it isn’t that dandy old man! So you’re alive!?”

A man who had the answer to my question had suddenly appeared.
Someone I had forgotten about.

“You…Mister Hatake! I’m surprised to see you alive as well.”

“Of course, I am.
It was just a strategic withdrawal…!”

Hatake had lost heart when he heard Buckler was coming, and he had run away.
He was a 3rd Flag Magician who was good with buffs.
But, why was he here…?