Fighting for Survival(1)

Seeing the men had gathered everything, Damien gave the order.

"Shrink it."

"Done."

The wolves came closer with the shrinking barrier. Some of them were even drooling. A wolf kept staring at Damien. Seemingly, having guessed the leader correctly.

"Sylvie, can you use Earth Elemental Magic?"

"Yes, sir, but the mana consumption is too high. I will only be able to fling four Spikes before exhausting my mana solid."

"Dig a trench."

Sylvie was astounded at the command and hesitated.

"Do it! It's a tactic from Earth. I mean the middle realm."

He nodded and dug a rectangular depression.

'I guess the language barrier is still effective.'

"Now raise the mounted gun with the earth you have dug."

He raised it by a foot.

It was just above their heads. I looked at Sylvie.

"I needed to harden the earth also."

"Dig deeper and make trench longer to surround us."

The wolves were going visibly impatient. Just when Sylvie was about to complete the trench, he stopped.

"I am out."

"Kovorad?"

"The barrier has five minutes left."

The trench was deep and wide but there was a gap. The gap could fit two of those wolves. Even if it seemed like a disadvantage for the wolves, it was a similar disadvantage on Damien's side as well. The Beastman was the only ranged paladin. Morty, Alex, and Ben were the knights while Sugimaru was the only spearman.

Bam. Crack.

As the largest wolf grew impatient, he slammed into the barrier. It cracked.

"Get in position!"

"How much longer?"

"A quarter for the gun."

The elves were wiped and hurriedly recuperated their mana. Damien loaded and strapped the crossbow across his left arm with a piece of cloth torn from his shirt. A shield on his left and a short sword on his right.

He stood with the vanguard that consisted of Morty, Alex, and Ben.

Crack! Bam! Bam! Crumble.

As soon as the barrier collapsed, arrows and javelins flew out. Out of the five javelin Sugimaru threw, two killed while three missed. The arrows struck true but were not able to penetrate the thick hide of the wolves.

Alex planted the big shield in the gap with the pointy-edge driven into the ground and supported it with his body weight. The wolved crashed into it but could not breakthrough. This had narrowed the passage even further.

Morty and Ben defended the smaller passageways while Sugimaru used his spear over the big shield. Damien kept commanding them while firing his crossbow from time to time. The crossbow had more power but low accuracy. He dared not fire it at the passageway where his men fought.

While he fought in the ensuing battle, suddenly, a deathly cry came from behind them. The Beastman who tried to escape from the back across the trenches was caught and being eaten alive. The deathly throes and the thick waft of blood in the air caused their eyes to water. The attacks of the wolves grew more frenzied as they were unwilling to let their prey go. The men in the passageway were slowly pushed back. Alex had to reposition his shield when Morty and Ben were pushed back behind the shield.

"Reiya, hurry!"

Damien shouted, sensing their imminent defeat.

"We need five more!"

"Ahhhhhhh"

The Beastman kicked the bucket with one last cry. Suddenly the biggest wolf with a darker shade of fur opened its mouth and a glowing ball condensed in it.

"It's a magical beast!"