The Virus King (JP-GL) 11

11. Undead Assassins

After discussions with Liz, we decided to deploy three-quarters of the Barghests—thirty-six out of forty-eight—to the front lines.

I stood before the fifty wraith assassins newly transferred from the undead army, all forty-eight Barghests lined up behind me.

Though humanoid in shape, they wore deep purple, almost black, hooded robes pulled low over their faces, obscuring their skeletal features. However, their forms, along with their clothing, were semi-transparent, clearly marking them as wraiths.

“—I am the Virus King, Lord of Disease. I am pleased to welcome you, elite warriors, as my new subordinates.”

I wore the formal attire of the Virus King, Lord of Disease, minus the mask.

“Unfortunately, due to the nature of our respective duties, we won’t have many opportunities to meet like this. So, allow me to show you my face.”

In other words, my true face.

While they should have already been informed that I was human, a ripple of unease went through the assembled wraiths. Still, as long as they didn’t openly express their distrust, it was a passing grade.

“You have already received and reviewed your orders detailing the specifics of your mission in Rank Kingdom. However, allow me to briefly summarize.”

I planted the ferrule of my staff into the lawn.

“Hunt all livestock and edible wildlife within the operational area.”

I pulled the staff free and repositioned my grip.

“This is a special assignment, but you will also carry out your regular duties concurrently. In other words, non-combatants within the operational area are also targets. Prioritize those capable of tending livestock and hunters. Eliminate all personnel and facilities related to food production, including farms, fields, orchards, and storage warehouses.”

The wraiths listened in silence.

“By order of the Virus King, Lord of Disease,” I said, smiling at them.

“Carve eternal fear and starvation into the land of Rank Kingdom.”

A profound silence fell over the gathering as I finished speaking. I shifted my tone and demeanor.

“So, everyone, please be careful and do your best.”

“Master, Master.”

Ignoring Liz’s pointed stare, I continued.

“I don’t think this was in your orders, but since we’re short-handed, I’m sending thirty-six of my Barghests with you. They’re generally intelligent creatures, and I’ve trained them to obey your commands, so please treat them well. Be nice to them, okay?”

“Lord of Disease. Your levity…”

“I assure you, I’m perfectly serious.” I smiled thinly. Then, narrowing my eyes, I fixed Liz with a sharp gaze.

“Or is it… —that you consider my subordinates, my troops, to be a pack of fools who would underestimate me based on this?”

“…My apologies. Please forget I said anything.” Liz bowed deeply.

“Don’t worry about it.” I waved dismissively at Liz and turned back to the wraiths.

“Here are your amended orders. The only changes are related to coordinating with the Barghests. I believe all necessary precautions are outlined, but read them now, and raise your hand if you have any questions.”

Liz efficiently distributed the amended orders, which were essentially instructions on how to interact with Barghests. The scene reminded me of extracurricular activities back in school.

The wraiths reviewed the documents with brisk efficiency, a testament to the joy of having competent subordinates.

“If you have any questions in the field, ask the Barghests themselves. While communication is one-sided, they can understand basic commands in the common tongue. I’ve trained them to nod vertically for ‘yes’ and horizontally for ‘no.’”

A hand went up. The wraith commander. …Or at least, I assumed it was the commander, based on their position, since their clothing and obscured face offered no clues.

The wraith stepped forward.

As they approached, our eyes met. I could clearly see the skull beneath the hood, the eerie blue-green flames characteristic of the undead flickering in its dark sockets.

“Forgive my impertinence in questioning the Virus King, Lord of Disease…”

“You are forgiven. …Ah, and please dispense with the formalities and honorifics.”

“Understood. Who holds the control over the Black Hound Barghests?”

“I do.”

“What is the acceptable casualty rate for this operation?”

I gave a wry smile. “I have to ask,” he continued.

Yes, this was war. And casualties were inevitable.

“Zero.”

Then, I declared, “This is a covert operation. Avoid direct confrontation. Prioritize safety. If the enemy is a regular army, especially the Dragon Knights, their movements won’t go unnoticed. If you deem the situation dangerous, retreat from the operational area immediately.”

“And after we retreat?”

“If the enemy remains in the operational area to bolster their defenses, the effectiveness of this operation will decrease, but continue operations in other regions. The objective is to prevent Rank Kingdom from launching attacks using the Dragon Knights. They won’t be able to mount a large-scale expedition while their own territory is under threat. Coordinate with the local operative units assigned to those regions.”

As if I’d engage in proper warfare. Even if it meant resorting to methods more horrific than war… so what?

My very presence here was a result of such methods.

If both sides had engaged in proper, honorable warfare, I would never have been involved in this world.

“I entrust all judgment to you, in the field. Respect the chain of command. Consider my orders as guidelines. …Understood?”

“As you command…” He bowed his head, and the other wraiths followed suit, bowing in unison.

Inside a covered wagon headed for the border, packed with wraiths to a degree that would have been considered overloaded if they were living beings, the undead soldiers discussed their recent meeting.

“Captain. What did you make of her?”

“…We can trust her. That is the Virus King, Lord of Disease.”

Following the captain, the others chimed in.

“I was surprised by her demeanor.”

“It’s no wonder the maid reprimanded her.”

“Idiot. That dark elf is more skilled than any of us.”

“It was a test.”

“I shudder to think what would have happened if we’d said the wrong thing.”

“I felt like I was going to die.”

“And we’re already dead.”

The standard undead joke elicited a round of laughter.

“…Who would be foolish enough to underestimate someone who can line up forty-eight Black Hound Barghests behind them?”

As the laughter subsided, the wraith captain muttered, and the others nodded in agreement.

They looked at the pack of Barghests running alongside the wagon, keeping a safe distance so as not to spook the horses.

“The fact that a single person controls so many… is astonishing… Thirty-six Black Hound Barghests… that’s more than enough firepower.” Again, they nodded in unison.

“Let us go, then. To bring fear and starvation to the enemy. —And to bring victory to our new master.”

The wraith captain said lightly, a grim smile on his face.

Beneath their translucent hoods, the others smiled in unison.