Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight Volume 1

1. Auflage 2018
ISBN: 978-1-7183-3100-6
Verlag: J-Novel Club
Format: EPUB
Kopierschutz: Adobe DRM (»Systemvoraussetzungen)

E-Book, Englisch, 366 Seiten

Reihe: Der Werwolf: The Annals of Veight

The reborn werewolf known as Veight now leads the Demon Lord's third regiment under the title of Vice-Commander. Having conquered the trading hub known as Ryunheit, he soon learns the struggles of governing a city of mixed human/demon population. Armed with an understanding of inter-species relations and a desire for peace, he spends his days quelling violent demons and pacifying disruptive humans in his pursuit to bring balance and tranquility.

Autoren/Hrsg.

Hyougetsu

Weitere Mitwirkende

Nishi(E)da

Ningen

Leseproben

Chapter 1

I don’t remember much about my past life, but I’m also not that interested in learning about it. My name is Veight. I know it’s hard to pronounce, but I still wish people would at least try to say it right. And right now, I serve the Demon Lord.

“Commander Veight, our troops have successfully infiltrated the city.”

“Understood. There’s no need to wait for my orders. Once the advance party gives the signal, charge.”

“Yes, sir.”

Werewolf. A word that refers to a half-human, half-wolf demon. In my human form, I look pretty much like I used to in my old life; an unassuming, plain guy. But transformed, I truly do look like a monster. I imagine most people find my jet-black wolf form to be terrifying, but personally, I think it looks cool. If anything, I’d say I hit the reincarnation jackpot.

At present, I serve as a commander of the Demon Lord’s forces. Vice-Commander of the Demon Lord’s third regiment. That’s my current title. It sounds impressive, but regiments aren’t very big, and there’s other vice-commanders aside from me.

Right now, my command consists of 56 werewolves, and 200 canine combat engineers my commander loaned to me for this operation. Our target is a remote trading city. Its name was Ryunheit, and it had a modest population of 3000, along with a walled perimeter.

From within my position inside the forest, I looked down at the city we would soon attack. As I waited, a messenger ran up to me to deliver a report.

“The enemy possesses roughly 200 men. They’re currently spread out throughout the city on patrol.”

“You’re certain of this?”

The young boy with a face of a beagle gave me a confused look.

“That’s the report I was given from the werewolf team that infiltrated the city, sir. I wouldn’t know how accurate it is...”

“Yeah, I suppose not.”

Our mission this time was not to annihilate the city, but to occupy it. I strode forward and gave orders to my messenger squad.

“Tell all canine squads to advance. Stick to the plan.”

“Yes, sir.”

They ran off to their respective squads, while I turned toward the city and began walking forward.

Ryunheit was a city that specialized in trade, so its front gates were larger than most to accommodate caravans. That being said, it wasn’t a very impressive gate. The walls, too, were not very high. In fact, they were made mostly of hardened mud, with the occasional stone or wooden bulwark. It was a wall meant to deter beasts and bandits, not withstand a siege.

A few guards watched over the main gate as a steady stream of traders and pilgrims trickled through. Most were let inside the city without question. At the moment, I looked like an ordinary young man with black hair. Contrary to my expectations, however, the guard lowered his spear as I approached the gate. He wore a simple helmet and breastplate, and didn’t seem particularly strong.

“You there, halt. I don’t recognize you.”

I came to a stop and pulled a bird-shaped whistle out of the sack on my back.

“I came here to deliver an order of toy whistles to one of my clients, the Betun Traders.”

“I see.”

The guard took the whistle and blew lightly into it. Out came a shrill tone, like whistles anywhere would.

“Fun to play with, right?”

“I...guess?” The guard awkwardly returned my smile and passed the whistle back to me.

“Alright, you can pass.”

“My thanks.”

Just then, a disturbance occurred further down the road.

“Monsters are coming!”

“Heeeeelp!”

A group of merchants were running for the gates, all of their wares held in their hands.

The guards sprang into motion, running forward to surround the merchants.

“What kind of monsters!?”

“C-Canines! Monsters with dog faces! They’re armed to the teeth!” one of the traders stammered, pale-faced.

“There’s hundreds of them!”

“Hurry up and get rid of them for us!”

The guards exchanged glances and got to work.

“Ring the bell! Three times!”

“Someone inform HQ! Send messengers to the other gates as well!”

“Close the gates! Everyone, inside!”

Panic engulfed the people. Travelers dithered back and forth while citizens scooped up their children and ran for safety. On the other hand, the soldiers worked as a cohesive unit. It was obvious they were well-trained. Not only that, they had excellent morale.

Meanwhile, I squeezed my way into the city along with the fleeing crowd. Once I was inside I found a relatively secluded corner, pulled out one of my whistles, and blew it with all my might. This one made no sound—no sound that could be picked up by human ears, at any rate. Us werewolves heard the dog whistle loud and clear.

It was time to begin the next step of our plan. In order to not appear suspicious, I headed to the city’s center along with the rest of the citizens. That was also where the viceroy’s mansion happened to be.

Before long, the inside of the city was engulfed in chaos as well. “The monsters are here!”

“There’s werewolves, too!”

It seemed my werewolf unit that had infiltrated the city earlier had gotten to work. The streets were in turmoil, but the city garrison was busy with the enemies outside and could do nothing to help. Even if they could, they didn’t have enough information to act. Conflicting reports of canines outside the gates and werewolves inside had left the army confused and disoriented.

“There’s canines inside, too!”

“Don’t worry, the army’s pushing them back!”

“O-Oh, alright then.”

Their forces truly were in complete disarray.

Everything appeared to be going according to plan, and none of the complications I’d been worried about cropped up. Which meant it was time for me to join the fray. I took a deep breath, and unleashed my inner beast, beginning my transformation.

“UWOOOOOH!”

I felt power surge through me. It brought along a rush of euphoria that left me feeling like a giddy little kid.

Of course, the people around me weren’t nearly as excited about my transformation.

“Eeeek!”

“Kyaaaaaaa!”

“It’s a monster!”

“S-Sir! There’s a wolf monster here!”

I smiled tiredly as I watched people flee before me. Since I had a wolf’s head at the moment, I don’t doubt everyone saw it as a feral grin, not an exhausted smile.

“Don’t worry, I don’t plan on eating any of you.” It seemed I’d caused a bigger panic than I’d intended. People bowled over entire market stalls in their haste to escape.

In the span of a few seconds, the street had become empty. Everyone had fled into nearby buildings, or narrow back alleys. Thanks to my superior sense of hearing and smell, I was easily able to tell where they were hiding.

I heaved a weary sigh and kicked off the cobblestoned ground. My leap propelled me a good three stories into the air. From this height, I was able to get a good view of the whole city. As planned, my werewolf squad had the viceroy’s manor surrounded. The few guards protecting the manor had already been mauled beyond recognition.

“I told them to avoid killing as much as possible... Oh well.” Once a werewolf got going, it was hard for them to hold back. I ran across a series of rooftops and jumped down in front of the manor. Unfortunately, that was the same time a squad of reinforcements happened to show up as well.

“Protect the viceroy!”

“Chaaarge!”

The five soldiers drew their weapons and charged. I sent the first of them flying with a back kick, then turned around and started attacking in earnest. I shattered one soldier’s sword with my bare arms, then jabbed his breastplate with my knuckles. I couldn’t use my claws, or I’d kill him.

“Gaah!”

I dispatched the other three with low...