The Unwilling Protagonist

Chapter 16: Clash

Opening Theme:

Y/N walked around the camp. Various soldiers and knights were giving their greetings and respects to him as he walked by. This was the second night that everyone was out in the field. The plan that Rathe had in mind was that the army would wait for Hierophant to arrive with his army and they would fight them when that happened. According to Reighland's knowledge, Hierophant and his army had moved from Macksey to a village west of there during the night, and he had now taken shelter in it.

Y/N yawned as he went to find his tent to sleep in. He lifted the flap and saw Geralt sitting inside already.

"Good evening." Geralt smiled.

"How you doing?" Y/N replied. Sometimes it was difficult to remember that Geralt's appearance was not his physical form.

"I'm doing splendiferously!" Geralt exclaimed, "What about yourself?"

"Well, I've got a general to kill, don't I?" Y/N said as he took off his armor. He observed the open crack in his chestplate, a parting gift from Devil when he cut it open with his dagger.

"I should warn you that Hierophant is no fool." Geralt spoke, "He knows his weakness, and he takes extra steps to mitigate it."

"How so?"

Geralt sighed, "Considering the arrangement we had during the conquest, it's likely that Chariot will be guarding him."

"Fuck me, two members at once..."

"Y/N, please we've only known each other for a couple of weeks."

Y/N gave a puzzled look at Geralt as he processed what he just said, "Oh, shut up..."

"In all seriousness though, you'll have to deal with Chariot before you can kill Hierophant." Geralt put his hand on his chin.

"Is there anything else you can tell me?"

"Well, I don't exactly know how Hierophant's army acts, but I can assume that once they know that their leader's in trouble, they'll try and make their way to you to help him like the loyalists they are. While Hierophant is the leader of the army, he also entrusts command of them to his aide, Leone. Much like how an actual general would delegate tasks to his lieutenants and captains."

Y/N nodded his head in acknowledgment. The plan he was briefed on was simple in theory: General Rathe's forces would engage themselves with Hierophant's army with Miriam and Reighland being the support. Meanwhile, Y/N and Kara would sneak around and deal with Hierophant. Ideally, they would try to avoid fighting Chariot, if possible, but if the need arose, they would have to deal with it.

"I know the plan involves you trying to avoid Chariot as much as possible, but with how scrutinous Hierophant is, I don't think that's possible." Geralt continued.

"Well, Kara's a lightning user, so I think it'll be fine..." Y/N replied. He took a quick look at his stats; it had been a while.

Lvl: 28

Strength: 80

Endurance: 105

Dexterity: 69

Talent: 100

"Regardless, it's best that you have a contingency plan, just in case."

Y/N started bedding down, "What can you tell me about Chariot then?" He asked.

"All I know about him is that he's big, tough, and scary. He's so strong, can crush an ethereal being in his hands. An ethereal being; something that doesn't have a definite shape to begin with, and he can crush it."