The Old Veteran’s Resolve and the Tide of the Undead

“You and I are old men now.”Gazing at Eric, the village chief sighed. “During the demonic invasion, you fought as a veteran soldier, didn’t you? When this village was later established on the border, it was truly desolate, nothing but barren, polluted land. We all believed we wouldn’t survive the first winter, for there was utterly nothing. But then you arrived, bringing a water wheel and improving our farmlands… Truth be told, everyone initially thought you were one of those…”

“An arrogant, overbearing old geezer who always felt superior, looking down on others with a strange temper, right?”Eric’s frank words drew a laugh from the village chief:

“That’s not far from the truth, yet you are genuinely someone who has sacrificed for this place. Regardless of what others say, some of us see it.”

“It’s not as if I’m sacrificing for this wretched village. I merely promised that troublesome child I’d protect this place.”Eric stated abruptly, and the village chief nodded:

“Anto will understand your earnest efforts.”

“He won’t, not that fellow… *Sigh*, he’s still just a child.”Eric declared plainly. “A child shouldn’t have to bear so many burdens that aren’t theirs to carry.”

“Those two, did they come for Anto?”

“Indeed. I only managed to keep them here by offering information about Anto.”Eric explained. “Old Captain, the people under your command here are no longer the Imperial Guard of yesteryear. Have your men fall back; the barrier can hold for a while.”

“Falling back won’t buy us much time. Let the young ones stand at the front. What they must face eventually, we merely delayed for a generation. Now, they too must learn to confront it. My timid boy can’t even wield a sword, alas… Never mind, never mind. Old Jack, what in the world is that half-plate armor you’re wearing?”The village chief, now clad in armor, recalled how the borderlands once hosted large garrisons after the Demon King’s War. The elder generation in the village were all veterans of that war from thirteen years past, their retirement having been to establish settlements directly upon the remnants of the conflict, thus granting most border villages the functionality of a fortress.

“My cavalry armor is only half-complete. There’s nothing for it. After some careful thought, I realized, good heavens, I melted it down last year for blacksmithing. I never imagined I’d need it again.”The village’s youth and middle-aged men armed themselves, one by one, to resist the dark creatures. No one here would ever place all their hopes on external forces, for—

“We are Northlanders,” the village chief chuckled, a composure unique to seasoned soldiers. “Border folk never await the arrival of a savior. When true crisis strikes, only we are responsible for our own salvation.”

“That’s why I like this village so much.”Eric responded. “The people are fierce and unyielding.”

Ahead, as time wore on, the smoke signals gradually faded into the distance. Yet, this did not signify the front line had repelled the enemy. On the contrary, the alarm bells remained silent, but a stirring began in the forest ahead:

A rustling, shuffling sound emerged from the depths of the forest. Eric’s gaze shone like a torch as he stared ahead, a snarl beginning to form on his lips:

“What’s meant to come will always come. There’s no escaping this.”

The first sight to greet their eyes was silver armor. Gazing forward, Mans, the village chief’s son, exclaimed in surprise:

“It’s the Border Guard! They weren’t annihilated! They’ve retreated!”

A wave of relief washed over everyone at the sight of the banners. If the Border Guard had successfully withdrawn from the watchtower, the probability of holding this position would significantly increase. However, unlike Mans’s hopeful gaze, Eric’s expression grew profoundly grave as he watched them:

“No… these are not reinforcements.”

After observing for a few more moments, the others finally noticed the peculiar way these figures were marching… swaying unsteadily, shambling forward with an uneven gait.

“Ugh… Ungh…”

“Aow… Ugh!!!”

“Everyone, hold the line! Light the village entrance bonfires!”the village chief roared. “Those aren’t reinforcements! It’s an army of the living dead!”At that moment, outside the village, the living dead—who, though deceased, had regained their ability to move due to the dark miasma—were drawn by the village’s firelight. Their primal instincts compelled them to surge towards the settlement, with even more of the living dead and other dark creatures following close behind. They poured through the forest like a veritable tide of corpses.

“This… there must be at least five thousand, perhaps more?”Mans was utterly terrified, his soul having almost fled his body. Yet Eric, gazing forward, merely shook his head:

“If the watchtower truly fell, the entire Border Legion, over seven thousand strong, has likely been annihilated, with most transformed into these living dead… Wasn’t that precisely what happened in the past? The true terror of the demonic realm, more so than its main forces, lies in these endlessly reinforcing armies.”

“This is truly a spectacle.”Mula mused from atop the watchtower. “A genuine tide of corpses.”

“Find something to pray to, for soon there will be no opportunity left.”As Eric spoke, he planted his staff firmly before him, supporting it with both hands, then channeled his entire being into it:

“It’s been too long since I’ve used wartime magic. Time to stretch these old bones… Grant me—”Legion’s Bulwark”!”With the old mage’s roar, a magical barrier materialized before the army of the living dead. A shimmering shield unfurled, and though the hordes surged like an unstoppable tide, they were violently repelled by this formidable defense.

“Archers, ignite the oil-slicked ground!”the village chief commanded with practiced ease. Following his orders, the village archers unleashed a volley of flaming arrows towards the barrier. The ground beyond it had, earlier, been thoroughly coated with a specialized mixture of oil and slime mucus—a semi-solid concoction that served as an excellent accelerant. Upon contact with the flames, a raging inferno erupted before the shield, its towering blaze spreading rapidly.

“Now *this* is a scene from hell.”Eric remarked slowly at the sight. “The living dead charging through a sea of fire, the air thick with the stench of decay and burning flesh, it truly brings back the thrilling days of old.”Even as he mused, the village chief had already rallied his forces:

“All spearmen, advance! Annihilate any stragglers who breach the barrier! We shall protect our village!”At the village entrance, ablaze with towering flames, the unfeeling living dead continued to hurl themselves against the barrier. A fortunate few managed to squeeze through, only to be swiftly decapitated by the warriors stationed behind the defense. Their tactics were precise and well-rehearsed, for border villages inherently possessed contingency plans for attacks by armies of the living dead, even conducting annual drills for such events.

Within the village’s cellar, women and children huddled together. Wrapped in blankets on her wheelchair, the frail yet maiden-like Hillevi slowly lifted her head, her eyes gradually opening as if sensing something amiss:

“Something… is coming… Livia… where are you?”