Seiun wo Kakeru Chapter 38

Chapter 38 – The Sleepless Night

Hearing the breathing sounds from his surroundings while standing in front of the shining pupils visible despite the darkness, Eiji felt the anxiety inside his heart rising.

Nobody wanted to get injured or die.

There are lots of instances where people, who have neither war experience nor practice, will flee from the enemy in front of their eyes.

Doing so would serve the same purpose as not letting any fugitive run away.

– Isn’t this bad? What should we do?

– Calm down! Our plan won’t change. Build the wall, just as we talked before.

The men concentrated their attention to Mike’s voice.

Preparing his spear and shield, Mike shouted with a loud and echoing voice.

The men who were restless changed their attitude completely, realizing what they should do.

Just as they were told in the plan, the men gathered near the cart and took out wooden boards, which they used to lean against each other in a form of diamond around the troop.

Despite their formation, they didn’t enclose their troop completely as they left opening parts, which were intended to create the right angle.

The wolves raised their growls, which sounded threatening, however, it didn’t seem that they would approach instantly.

– It seems that they won’t attack us in the middle of preparation, doesn’t it, Mike-san?

– You’ve done a thorough investigation.
– Naturally. I too have been dealing with them lots of times. Whether you like it or not, you have to study them.

Mike spurred Gero on so as to make the wolves contract and not let them come any closer.

It was a height difficult for the wolves to jump over, and at the same time, not high enough to obstruct the people’s view.
With that they could properly grasp the timing of their attacks and even conduct stone throwing.

– Is everyone done with their preparations? Then next, hold the stones. Match your breathing with your throw. Don’t breakup. Match your aim.

At the detailed instruction, numerous stones flew.

The stones were quite heavy and the throwing felt weird, which wasn’t like pitching in baseball, but more like something between shot put and overhand throw.

Even a stone that can hardly become a threat, while being thrown by a single person, can be turned into an aerial attack on more than a single target once more throwers are gathered.

The wolves moved swiftly left and right while avoiding the stones.

Several of the wolves got hit directly, which made them clearly become sluggish.

– Philip, I’ll entrust you with the other side.
– Yeah!

As soon as Eiji took a glimpse, Philip broke out from the wooden wall defense alone.

It seemed that his fear was a needless one.

Once Philip was thought to revolve the heavy spear bewilderingly as if it was a baton, the next moment he struck using the spear’s head.

His character stood out way too much.

Despite watching from a distant place, Eiji couldn’t follow the spear’s head with his eyes.

Once a single wolf tried to jump in the air, the spear pierced through its middle forehead with the head of the spear probably reaching its brain.
The wolf’s appearance fell powerlessly with a thud, showing its lost life.

Once Philip swung the spear, he would mow the wolves down confidently.

It seemed as though his appearance resembled that of a hero from a myth or of a great historical commander.

Such an appearance made Eiji agree that there was no reason for him to worry about Philip.

It worked.

Fernando, who stood next to Eiji, carried the stones from the cart.

– It’s your portion. Keep throwing them steadily.

– What are you talking about? Wasn’t it bothersome to deal with that large amount of stones back when we reclaimed that land?
– Ah! So it was that.

So the cart was fully packed with those?

Large amount of stones continued to disappear.
While throwing with all their might, their breath quickly turned irregular.

As soon as the number of thrown stones became sporadic, the wolves took advantage of the momentum with several of them charging at the villagers.

Operating with a spear isn’t a difficult task even for an amateur as long that person is able to grasp the moment of the approaching entity and the right timing.

Still, despite the sharp spear heads tearing through their skin and gouging out their flesh, the wolves wouldn’t stop advancing.

– Wahh! It hurts!
– Are you fine?! Give him cover!

While being splashed with blood, a single wolf opened widely its jaw and snapped at a man.

The villagers thrusted with their spears many times at it.

However, its fang remained sticking into the man.

The other wolves growled with resentment after seeing their comrade dead. Nonetheless, they moved back a little bit while loosening up their enclosure, making their enemy’s hit accuracy rate drop.

– We are short of stones, ain’t we?

– But at this rate we won’t be able to kill till the last one, will we?
– This isn’t ordinary.

Isn’t ordina-ry?

Saying ‘this isn’t ordinary’ meant that there was an exception.
In the first place, being now surrounded was by itself not ordinary.

Good grief, his words doesn’t make me feel at ease. – thought Eiji.

As a rustling sound was heard from the bushes, a big shadow drew near.

Its physique made a large-breed dog like Gero look small.
Mike stared at the wolf boss with his loathsome eyes.

– It’s huge, isn’t it? I thought it was odd for the wolves’ pack to be this numerous… but now the mystery has been solved. If there’s such a monster-like leader among them, it is natural for others to follow.

Even the wolf’s body seemed to reach their chest.

– Fenrir…. – Feeling the overwhelming sense of intimidation, Eiji muttered this word naturally.

——

Wolves usually appear in a pack of around 5 animals.

Perhaps it was due to the wolf, which Eiji called Fenrir, having strength and size exceeding a human’s common knowledge that made it highly capable as a leader.

Therefore, it could lead a particularly big pack.

Fixing[notching] an arrow on his bow, Mike adjusted the aim while deeply focusing.
The string generated the sound of being tightly pulled.

Whoosh – the arrow flew sharply, piercing through the sky while making a swift sound.
Without waiting for the outcome, Mike pulled the bow’s string again. It was a rapid firing.

The offensive attitude coming from the wolves turned much fiercer.

Its speed was not inferior to that of a shot arrow.

Even the stones, which hit accidentally due to the wolf’s size, were repelled because of its thick fur.

It was a confrontation of the bosses.
Depending on which boss was to be defeated, their respective side will probably lose motivation.

– Don’t panic, we still have the wooden wall. Those holding spears, match your timing!

Despite himself being targeted, Mike kept his composure.

Even Eiji decided to hold his spear instead of using stones.
He didn’t know what he ought to do in his first campaign; still, Eiji followed the instruction and decided to become a strength. This was the only thing he could do.

Lines of spears broke through from the gaps within the wooden wall.

In his voice there was no sign of impatience, despite him becoming the aim of the wolf.

– It’s coming. Aim!

The Fenrir drew closer to the wooden wall.

It was a distance, in which the walls became a hindrance, making it impossible for them to throw stones.

Once everyone thought so, the wolf leapt into the sky.

– Impossible! For it to jump over like that.

Depending on its huge body and unbelievable explosive power, the Fenrir leapt over the wooden wall.

The Fenrir warped its jaw and exposed its fangs as if mocking its enemy’s moment of disturbance.
As soon as it jumped again, the wolf pointed its fangs at Mike’s neck.

—- At that time, a white gust of wind ran past.

– Gero!

The hunting dog, Gero, jumped at the Fenrir.

Gero and Fenrir laid on each other while changing their top and bottom position in turns. Suppressing their opponent, they tried to bite at each other’s neck.

Angry roars of the dog and the wolf reverberated.
Did the other wolves have faith in their boss? They didn’t seem to go and help.

No one could give a support as both the animals were frequently switching places and wouldn’t remain steady.

Mike and Eiji grasped their spears firmly, waiting for the right opportunity to help.

Gero was restrained by the Fenrir. The white fur covering his neck became exposed and the wolf thrusted its fangs in deeply.

A small scream was heard coming from Gero.
– Gero! You bastard, let him go!

It was the first time for Mike to raise his flustered voice in this turmoil.

Besides being only able to use its fangs for an assault, the animals could make use of their weight so as to slow their prey significantly.

They had to help.

The steel blade pierced through the Fenrir’s skin and gouged out its flesh as it directly hit the wolf’s shoulder and the base of its forefoot.
However, despite the wolf bleeding, it wouldn’t release its jaw.

– I’ll rescue you!

As soon as Mike drew his spear, he hit the wolf’s base of the neck.

Nevertheless, Gero still couldn’t regain his movement’s freedom.

However many times they stabbed it, the wolf wouldn’t release its fangs.

Did the surrounding wolves confirm their leader’s death? They broke up and withdrew.
Perhaps, they won’t approach Siena as long nothing major happens.

The battle concluded.
Some of the villagers dropped weapon, others lost power in legs, and yet another, shed tears from their eye corners.

Then, there was somebody coming to Gero’s rescue with all his might.

– Gero, I’ll save you! Don’t die on me!

Kyuun – once a small cry was thought to be heard, Gero licked Mike’s hand lightly.

– You still have to assist me with hunting from now on. It’ll soon be spring and you will be eating lots of your favorite deer meat. You have to teach your newly-born puppies how to hunt. That’s why… don’t die!

Mike continued to talk.
Despite the dog’s breathing becoming faint, it wouldn’t cease licking Mike’s hand.

– Damn, just how deep did the fangs sink? It won’t come out.
– I’ll help you. Let’s use the spear as a lever.

Was the wolf’s rigor mortis already present? Its fangs, which bit into Gero as if being its last act of tenacity, wouldn’t come out.

There were many deep gashes inside of it.

Luckily, it seemed that the fangs didn’t reach the dog’s thick arteries and trachea.
The leather collar on Gero’s neck also played its part in saving the dog from an instant death.

– While I block the blood, you go and order the retreat.
– Yeah, that’s right. That’s my duty…. I’ll entrust you with Gero.

Mike showed a moment of hesitation at the idea of leaving the place, but he quickly stood up.

Indeed, he’s a great person.

Once they arrived at the tribal chief’s house, everyone broke up, leaving the tidying up for later.

Mike, who finished his errands, rushed over to see Gero’s condition.

– Is Gero fine?

– Don’t you know of any way to help him? There are probably various things you can come up with.

– No, you’re a blacksmith, so it was wrong of me to ask you something out of your field.

– Got it. Thank you.

Is it fine to sew the wound? Or perhaps cauterize it? Eiji didn’t even know how to perform that.
Assuming they resort to any of these treatments, Mike and the village doctor will probably be more familiar with that.

Eiji felt vexed at being unable to help.

The women’s camp, who prepared meals, went outside one by one and awaited the return of their men.
Tanya too, searched while trying to detect Eiji’s appearance.

– Hey Tanya-chan, this way!

– Yea, we killed their leader, so probably they won’t come. Lookie, there’s your husband.

– I’m back.

– I’m sound. I didn’t sustain any injury, but I just got tired from being over enthusiastic.
– Eiji-san, are you really ok?

Was it because his face looked much exhausted?

It could probably have been due to Eiji not noticing himself being worked up that he looked worn out.

– Thank you, but there’s nothing wrong with me.

– Such a thing, I didn’t….

– Understood.

It was painful for him to look at Mike, who was explaining to Tanya clearly and with all his might.
Perhaps, Eiji wanted to run away at that moment.

Were he to approach any closer, Mike would probably have to sustain his face, meaning it would cause him more trouble.

Eiji, who thought so, received a light meal from Tanya. Once he finished, they left the place.

——

The same night. Eiji immediately opened his eyes as soon he realized he was dozing off.

Today, it didn’t seem like he would fall into a sound sleep.

Placing properly the covers on Tanya, Eiji went out, as he felt a small urge to watch the night sky.

After putting a coat on and going out, the moon was shining above the sky.

Still, it was dark in the surroundings.
Just when Eiji recalled the battle scene, it was enough to make his spine muscles tremble and gush with fear.

– That is…

A dim light was leaking from the interior of Mike and Jane’s house.

The dog was a partner that Mike trusted and loved like his own child, and with whom he would go together on hunts.

How Mike became flustered when Gero was bitten.

Mike continued to command the troop while remaining composed and dependable, to the extent that one wouldn’t think it was normal.

Despite that, inside, his feelings and heart were probably in disorder and raging.

However, far from showing any flaws on his face, Mike even assumed the role of calming down Tanya.
Eiji could understand well why Mike, who was called a fool, would be considered dependable without being detested.

Indeed, he was a man of great magnitude.

And then, after tidying everything up, he still poured all his power into helping his dear partner.

In the worst case, he will die tomorrow morning.

—-Tonight seems to be a sleepless one. – He thought.

Knowing that it was inexcusable for him to go out after being told to rest, Eiji returned to the house with a quick pace.

Tanya’s appearance, which fell sound asleep after learning of Eiji’s safety, made him sigh with relief.

                            

Chapter end