Oran Knight is out (1/3 chapters for today)
No.1 Sniper
Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
Second round of the second semester interclass competition.
It seemed safe to assume that the senior team was seriously trying to beat us now.
The battlefield was the practical area. We, Catrap, entered the field at the signal from the eastern main street, and by the time we exited the forest, the opposing team had largely set up their positions. This was an astonishing speed.
We weren’t walking slowly either. However, when we emerged from the eastern forest, what we saw was the opposing team occupying the southern hill and the central wilderness, with some soldiers heading to the northern hill as well. In other words, they had completely occupied the southern and northern hills and the wilderness.
On the two hills, there were Snipers and Shooters stationed. All other soldiers were gathered in the central wilderness. The Knight (Ritter) had set up a base in the center of the wilderness from a spot with a good view, probably to be prepared if we tried to ambush them, just like the 3rd-year team Roy-kun faced.
They had also placed snipers (Snipers) at the ends of the hills to take out our movements from those advantageous positions. The two distant hills were too far for coordinated efforts, but perhaps the Shooters were there to withstand our attacks individually with their own strength. In terms of individual abilities, I did think the 3rd years had the upper hand. Even with such a perfect setup, the enemy team Night Hit wasn’t forcing an attack. They were waiting for us to make a move.
The Knight (Ritter) base was heavily guarded by two Heavily Trooper (Armor), and the Knight (Ritter) himself was hiding behind a sandbag wall, leaving no openings. Initially, we had planned to secure the northern hill, which was farthest from the enemy team (Night Hit), but we were forced to change our plans early on.
“For now, we had no choice but to set up a base in the forest. Let’s retreat for now.” (Heinz)
Following Heinz’s instructions, we returned to the forest and secured a random base.
“What should we do?” (Lite)
“Though the situation had changed from what we expected, the plan remained the same.” (Maria)
Maria replied, and I responded with a grin.
“Yeah.” (Lux)
“That said, some adjustments were necessary. Rick-san, come with me to the plains. Let’s draw the enemy in.” (Heinz)
Heinz instructed.
“Yeah, leave it to me.” (Rick)
“And Sonia, you’re on the plains too. Watch out for snipers and disrupt them.” (Heinz)
“Understood.” (Sonia)
“Hana, Lite, Lux, you’re on the original plan” (Heinz)
“Got it, gozaru” (Hana)
“Then, Lev-san and Ratt-kun, come with me. Frank-kun too.” (Maria)
Maria said, and the three nodded.
“Lev, you’ll be the key defense. I’m counting on you.” (Heinz)
Heinz added.
“Yes, leave it to me.” (Lev)
Lev answered firmly.
“Then, let’s get started!” (Heinz)
“Yeah!” (Everyone)
With unusual enthusiasm for us, we each rushed off to fulfill our roles!
—
(TLN: POV Switch – Rick)
Clang!!
Although they were practice rounds, a powerful shock hit my shield as I braced myself and dug in. It seemed like they were trying to keep us at bay, but several enemy soldiers charged at the ones visible.
“Rick-san! Take cover!” (Heinz)
I hurriedly sank to the ground at Heinz’s shout, and just after that, an enemy Spearman (Lancer)’s bullet whizzed past my head. There was no time to relax. I quickly readjusted my position and deployed the shield.
Then, the attack response was slower than before. Looking from the edge of the shield, I saw a few enemy soldiers aiming their guns in another direction. Sonia seemed to be doing well. Sonia appeared to have grown the most among the Catrap team. She could barely shoot or even scout at first, but now she was more than capable in battle. I was impressed by how far she had come.
“Rick-san!” (Heinz)
Heinz called out again. I dodged another Spearman (Lancer)’s bullet.
This time, Heinz kept the Spearman (Lancer)at bay, and the enemy pulled back a little.
The situation wasn’t good. they were closing in on us little by little. Right now, I was managing to dodge the Lancer’s shots thanks to Heinz’s guidance, but if this kept up, it would just be a matter of time before we were taken out.
“Well then, has the setup begun yet?” (Rick)
I spoke to Heinz casually, as an older member of the team. In truth, we were barely holding on.
“I thought it was about time.” (Heinz)
I glanced at Heinz as he answered.
I think it’s a strange coincidence.
Heinz comes from a royal family in a neighboring country. I, who grew up as an apprentice blacksmith in a northern town, lived in a completely different world from him. Yet, just because I am older, he speaks to me with respect.
It’s not just Heinz. Maria is like that too. Everyone on this team is good. They don’t seem to care much about winning or losing, but I want to help them win. To be honest, I’m terrified, extremely scared of fighting on the front lines. My wish is to earn a decent salary and be able to live a comfortable life with my wife. I never thought I’d end up feeling this way…you never know what life will bring.
As I fended off the enemy’s attacks, I heard a shout from a distance.
“Fire!!” (Lite)
Lite’s shout echoed across the field.
—
(TLN: POV Switch – Lux)
“Fire!!” (Lite)
A thick cloud of white smoke rose near the southern hill. The one who shouted was Lite. He had the loudest voice among us, which was why he was chosen.
Of course, that white smoke wasn’t actually from a fire. It was from Frank’s smoke grenade (the version with the wrong amount of powder). But when a loud cry of “Fire!!” accompanied the thick smoke, everyone turned to look in that direction.
The soldiers fighting on the frontlines, the instructors overseeing the battle, and even the Heavy Trooper (Armor) guarding the base.
And then…
The Knight (Ritter) hidden behind the base also peeked his face from behind the sandbags.
This was the moment I had been waiting for.
—
That evening, Team Cattrap advanced to the second round with a single blow from me.
As we were about to return to the dorm, someone called out to me, “Lux-kun”. It was Saras-senpai. I told Heinz and the others to go ahead and met up with Saras-senpai.
“Anyway, congratulations.” (Saras)
“Thank you.” (Lux)
Saras-senpai congratulated us on our victory, but his eyes weren’t smiling at all. It was a frightening smile that I’d seen before.
“When I saw this tournament, I thought you’d probably make it this far.” (Saras)
“…” (Lux)
I stayed silent, waiting for Senior Saras to continue.
“…I’m glad.” (Saras)
“What are you glad about?” (Lux)
“That I didn’t have to fight you after teaming up with Lamie and Bianca.” (Saras)
“…” (Saras)
“Sorry, but I’m going to be serious in the next match.” (Saras)
“Okay.” (Lux)
Looking back, the only time I had seen Saras-senpai’s sniper skills was during the fake lover incident with Lamie. And that was with a gun he didn’t normally use. In other words, Saras had probably been hiding his true abilities from me. He probably didn’t want to show me everything in case we ended up facing each other.
The setting sun shone on Saras-senpai’s face.
Looking at his expression, I was certain. If it was pure shooting skill, Lamie-senpai might have been better, or maybe I was. But as a class, as a Sniper, I thought this person was the best in the academy.
Thank you for reading at bayabuscotranslation.com)
Please consider supporting Bayabusco Translation @
bayabuscotranslation 