“— Hurry up! The fog is getting thicker and thicker!”
“Alright, everyone is gathered! The first squad is departing!”
The 203rd Development Village, now slightly veiled in white mist, has transformed into a bustling, chaotic morning filled with the hurried movements of people.
The church bells signaling the start of the day have not yet rung. Only the early risers among the villagers have awoken, and the children should still be deep in their dreams.
However, in the face of the terrifying Monster Legion’s impending attack, everyone shakes off their sleepiness and swiftly begins to act. Yes, they are fleeing simply to survive.
“Listen, we have no obligation to defend this shabby base! Soon, our people will start leaving the village, so keep up without falling behind!”
Ryan is announcing the strategy in a loud voice in front of the fully armed self-defense corps members.
If anyone dares to attack this village, be it human or monster, it is the duty of the knights here to protect it. Inevitably, the Crusader forces stationed at the supply base will take on the role of halting the enemy.
However, it’s unclear whether the villagers of the 203rd Development Village, besides the soldiers, will evacuate with us toward the Alsace Fortress. They might be unsure whether the situation is serious enough to warrant fleeing in full.
Since we have just enough soldiers, there may also be a tendency to think, “Can’t we repel them?”
In any case, as long as they don’t interfere with our escape, it’s fine. If they’re going to flee, they should do so with us; if they choose to stay, that’s their decision. I am not particularly invested in calling on the Sinclair people to evacuate.
“Yuri, if it comes to it, I’m counting on you.”
“Yes, brother.”
I instruct Sariel, equipped with the Wind Rapier, as she boards the last cart.
The wagon is filled with the bare essentials that the villagers have managed to gather, with priority given to mothers holding small children or infants in any available space. Among them is Eva, the beloved daughter of Ted, with whom Sariel and I performed the birth ritual.
Originally, it would have been just fine for me to carry Sariel like last time, but this time we would be acting separately.
“Reki, go with the self-defense corps. I will stay here.”
“Eh! If Chloe-sama is staying, then Reki wants to stay too!”
“I want to confirm the identity of the enemy. There’s also a risk of being surrounded here, so I can’t take Reki or the other self-defense corps members with me.”
“In that case, it’s dangerous for Chloe-sama.”
“I’ll take a quick look and then fall back to join you, so it’ll be fine. Worst case, even if we are surrounded, I can break through alone.”
Although I already have information about Gluttony, it’s best to actually fight and see for myself. Besides fire, there may be other weaknesses revealed, and more effective countermeasures might be found.
Or perhaps there might be some unexpected abilities of the enemy.
The real battle against Gluttony will begin after we reach the Alsace Fortress. Until then, I want to gather as much information as possible.
Since Sue is no longer around, I have to step up myself. Besides me, there is no one else who can act safely and effectively alone.
“And… I’m sorry, but could you stay with me, Ursula?”
“Nooo! Why is it okay for Uru but not for Reki?!”
As I gaze at Ursula with a hint of guilt, Reki, who appears incredibly disgruntled, interjects.
“Reki, be quiet. Chloe-sama chose me.”
“Why! Why can’t it be Reki?!”
With Ursula inexplicably sporting a triumphant smile, Reki clings to my leg, teary-eyed. No, it’s not that I’m discriminating between them. Please, let me explain.
“Calm down, Ursula, don’t say something provocative. Listen, you’re the only one among us who can provide magical support. I want to test if their absorption primordial magic will work against the enemies. Besides, Ursula hasn’t had any real combat experience. While it’s hazardous, I have no choice but to give her experience here.”
Weighing the risks, I decided that it would be lighter for her to fight at this stage than to be suddenly thrown into real combat at the Alsace Fortress.
Ideally, I wouldn’t have her fight at all, but the opponent is a Rank 5 Monster leading a massive horde. It’s almost guaranteed to be a total war. As an adult and a guardian, I’m failing, but I can’t help but count Reki and Ursula as part of our fighting force.
“In battles, Reki is already more experienced. She performed well in the last goblin fight. I can trust her to protect you.”
“Really? Is that true? Hehe.”
I almost pet Reki on the head as she clings to me like a loyal dog, but I stop myself. It wouldn’t feel good for either of us to touch her with this bulky gauntlet on my hand.
“Naturally, if we flee, the enemy might catch up. Never let your guard down.”
“Yes! I’ll leave it to Reki!”
I hand Reki a prototype ignition series so she won’t forget.
Reki’s main weapon is the heavy cavalry’s halberd. It’s a bit too wasteful to use as a disposable weapon, so I’ve given her a longsword and a dagger as sub weapons.
“If you ever have to draw this sword, retreat for a bit and look for a new weapon. Think of fire as a tool to buy time and keep the enemy at bay. And you should use the dagger as a throwing weapon. Its blade is short, so it will become hot if it catches fire.”
“Thank you!”
Reki accepts it with a smile. I already know she can handle the combat with flexibility, despite not being good at studying. She should use it well.
“Ursula, are you okay? If you’re scared, there’s no need to stay against your will.”
“No, I’m okay. I will definitely respond to Chloe-sama’s expectations.”
With a snort, Ursula replies confidently.
It would be fine for her to be a bit more scared like a typical girl; if she did, I would have given up on including her in the battle, but… well, I know best how strong and terrifying her magic is.
“You don’t need to feel that pressure. If it comes down to it, I’ll carry you and escape, so focus on using your magic. Got it? Concentration is key for magic use.”
“Leave it to me.”
Ursula is smart. During our training, she has shown that she accurately remembers everything from my guidance, warnings, and even my casual remarks, as revealed in our conversations during breaks. Even if I were to reiterate basic advice for mages now, it has long since been etched in her mind.
So there’s nothing more to say.
Lastly, I hand Ursula a single Ignited Dagger as an amulet. Mages don’t need blades, but having a weapon naturally steadies the heart.
“Alright, let’s go.”
Thus, I separate from Sariel and Reki and head toward the stone wall with only Ursula by my side.
“This is… finally, I can’t see anything.”
My field of vision is completely white. Not “just beyond my reach lies darkness,” but rather, it is all white.
Ursula and I have taken our position atop the stone wall alongside Crusader archers and mages, waiting for the enemy’s approach.
I don’t know how much information about the green octopus and its weakness to fire has been communicated. I hope that our precautions are sufficient, as torches blaze brightly in various places and archers prepare their fire arrows.
The height of this wall is less than five meters, adequate for a village’s defense but utterly lacking when compared to a fortress. Having just guarded the Great Wall of Galahad, proud at fifty meters high, I feel extremely insecure.
Another concern is the fact that we’ve mingled seamlessly into the ranks of the Crusaders; glancing curious stares are directed toward us, yet no one has raised any accusations.
The heavy cavalry unit, commanded by Cliff, who was bickering with Ryan at the main gate below, stated, “I have heard you are adventurers hired by the village. As long as you do not hinder us, feel free to do as you please,” so I believe we won’t face any strange scrutiny.
Regarding Ursula’s curse, or rather, primordial magic, it’s likely that using it amidst a fierce battle would prevent any complaints. No one is going to complain about magical support when lives are at stake.
“Chloe-sama, is this really coming?”
Ursula stands beside me, suddenly voicing her doubts.
It has been a while since we took our positions here. However, the surroundings are eerily quiet, and the sensation of a massive monster army looming nearby feels utterly absent.
At the very least, when the Greedg Monster Legion was moving in the Ischia Hills, I felt a much stronger presence.
“Don’t let your guard down; the enemy is definitely coming.”
My left eye indicates the existence of a trial. It hasn’t flickered since that time, but it’s impossible to mistake it. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Rank 5 Monster Gluttony is out there.
Yet, I can’t help but wonder.
What if they bypass this village and target the line of fleeing villagers ahead?
For a monster with the habit of attacking humans, overlooking this village, which is teeming with potential prey, seems unlikely. Positioned as we are, this village should serve its purpose as a rear guard.
However, if the leader of Gluttony is someone like Slowsgil, who is more intelligent than normal monsters, or has unorthodox thinking… could it be possible? Judging that they might target the easier prey of the fleeing villagers first and postpone dealing with us barricaded behind the stone wall?
“No way…”
As the image of the Eleventh Apostle with a cruel grin flares into my mind, the worst scenario strikes me. An earth-shaking roar reverberates through the village.
Kyoaaaaaaaaaah!!
A voice bizarrely high-pitched, almost metallic, utterly distinct from any beast or dragon. An unsettling cacophony of countless overlapping calls pierces the air.
Ursula instinctively closes her eyes and covers her ears. It isn’t because she’s a child; I can see that many of the surrounding Crusader soldiers are reacting similarly.
This chorus of distressing roars, sending chills down our spines, signifies the arrival of Gluttony—but where? Where are they?
Focusing all my senses, I peer into the white void beyond, and immediately, the answer surfaces.
“— Above?!”
Shadows writhe beyond the mist. The next moment, they come raining down. Indeed, numerous monsters descend upon the village from above.
The wall I am standing on is no exception.
Naturally. They appeared from the sky. Stone walls offer no defense against such incursions.
“Damn it!”
With a three-meter long green octopus dropping from above, I prioritize evasion over a preemptive strike.
I immediately grab Ursula and backstep—though it’s a tight space along the narrow stone wall. With nowhere to leap aside, I have no choice but to jump down.
“Granade Shelling!”
I hurl my body from the wall toward the village and, just before I begin to fall under the weight of gravity, I land a hit on the charging octopus that aimed for me.
The octopus that landed on the stone wall resembled the juvenile I saw yesterday, with four legs. It seems to have simply increased in size to three meters.
The only notable difference is that its four legs are adorned with a film that flutters like frills.
Thus, the octopus magnificently descending from the air lands without responding to my ‘Granade Shelling.’ The nauseating emerald green slime suddenly envelops in red-black flames, which is all I see just before it crashes.
“— Ursula, are you okay?”
“I-I’m okay…”
She must be feeling slightly dizzy after being unexpectedly carried and experiencing a five-meter free fall. Ursula appears a bit out of sorts, but she’s not injured, thankfully.
“What a surprise; I never expected them to be able to fly.”
It seems that the membranes under their bodies act as organs, catching or manipulating the wind like a sail. Still, it’s hard to believe they could actually fly. It would be easier to believe if they were described as fins for swimming.
However, once I land and glance around, I can see that they are continuing to descend in droves. Though the persistent fog obscures my vision significantly, I can sense the overwhelming murderous intent of countless monsters.
The Gluttony swarm has launched a descending assault on the village without hiding their presence. The heavy sounds of multiple landings echo around us, unmistakably indicating their arrival.
“Uwaaaahhh!”
“Damn it! They came from above—ugh!”
Cries of soldiers echo from the top of the wall.
We had fully anticipated a mass of them surging from the ground, but instead, they caught us off guard by launching a surprise aerial attack. The defense has already begun to panic since they’ve breached the stone wall right from the outset.
“Ursula, don’t leave my side—Black Calm.”
With a whip-like speed and flexibility, tentacles lunge from the fog. The tips are not merely sinuous tentacle arms, but armed with a sharp, shell-like tip capable of skewering a human body with ease.
More than tentacles, they resemble spear-like appendages. Combined with their malleable movements, the tips’ shape makes for a troublesome weapon.
By the time I finished my observation, my halberd…
The spear pierced through the approaching spear-wielder, cleaving straight through to the body beyond.
Fortunately, these creatures’ bodies are soft. It seems only the spear-wielders have shells. If their head is split in two, it appears they can no longer take significant action, letting out powerless screeches as they tremble their tentacles a few times before completely stopping.
“—Kuh, we’re already surrounded! Form a circle and defend! And you, Mage, what are you doing? Quickly disperse the mist; we can’t see anything!”
The voice echoing nearby must belong to Cliff, the Heavy Cavalry Captain. Though he’s flustered, he’s giving accurate orders; he might be more competent than I thought.
“Oh, the mist has cleared.”
Thanks to Cliff’s instructions, it seems the elite Mage unit has begun to function, blowing away the swirling wind magic that was thickening the mist. They can’t disperse all the dense fog that’s covering the entire village just yet, but at least it had some effect in clearing the mist around the soldiers.
It seems to create a uniform airflow as a wind barrier. In any case, this support is immensely valuable at the moment.
At the same time, with a degree of visibility secured, the desperate combat situation becomes apparent.
As if the previous silence had been a lie, there are now revolting green octopuses overflowing everywhere.
The juvenile forms, about 50 centimeters that can invade human bodies, cling to the stone walls and houses, writhing. It looks as if the walls had green speckled patterns from the beginning, with them sticking everywhere.
And the primary adversaries we face are the medium octopuses, about one to three meters in size. Just a glance reveals that their numbers already exceed ours.
They crawl towards the soldiers deployed on the ground with movements that correct mimic those of octopuses walking along the seabed.
Looking up, multiple spear-wielders are darting from the stone walls, indicating that fierce battles have begun along the pathways. With screams accompanying the splatters of blood, some couldn’t help but flee from the passage, falling headlong from a height of five meters.
The ones deployed on the stone walls are mainly archers, so if an enemy swinging four spears suddenly appears right in front of them, they wouldn’t be able to react properly.
However, it’s fortunate in this situation that the octopuses aren’t coordinating much. They attack the soldiers in a disorganized manner and even ignore their combat comrades to try to invade houses or fly towards the food-filled warehouses.
It seems that they have a high quantity, but their coordination as a swarm isn’t very impressive.
“Wow, um… Chloe-sama, there are so many.”
Nevertheless, in this situation overflowing with monsters to the left, right, and above, Ursula seems to be flinching. Anyone would be scared in their first real battle facing such a scenario.
I gently shield her with my left-hand shield instead of patting her head as she clings to my leg unknowingly.
“Ursula, trust in your own strength. It’ll be fine; with that power, you can definitely defeat them.”
It doesn’t seem like these creatures have any special abilities or traits that completely nullify absorption. If Ursula can use magic as she usually trains, these physically attacking foes should be an easy match for her.
“Stay calm; aim for the closest one in order. I’ll make sure the enemy doesn’t get near. Focus solely on your attacks without worry.”
“…Yes.”
Having finally made up her mind, Ursula’s presence changes completely. That sensation is the familiar, slightly chilling magical presence of Ursula’s primordial magic that I’ve grown used to during our nearly week-long training together.
“Chloe-sama, I’m going now—’White Night Demon Princess.'”
Then, a large shadow of a woman suddenly appears silently in an instant.
Her body and long hair blend in with the mist around her with a whiteness reminiscent of something that could be displayed in an art museum or royal palace. However, the two horns growing from her head give her a sinister impression.
Thus, I named her ‘White Night Demon Princess’. The name Anastasia for a woman is purely impulsive, but since Ursula likes it, it should be fine.
Come to think of it, it’s the first time I’ve had the ‘White Night Demon Princess’ so close. During training, I only defended against Ursula’s fierce drain attacks, so I never had a chance for close combat.
Now that I see her up close, she gives off a sense of anxiety, as if just standing there could suck away my magical power… But still, Ursula has learned to control her power enough to distinguish between friends and foes. There should be no problem letting her fight as an ally.
“Hey!”
Hiding behind the great shield, Ursula lets out a somewhat unenthusiastic battle cry as she makes her first strike.
There’s no special power or technique. She simply swings Anastasia’s right arm and touches the medium octopus within reach without hitting or striking.
And just from that, the enemy vanished. With a brief sizzling sound, the head she touched melted away, leaving behind four tentacles writhing on the ground, having lost their connection to the body.
It’s so absurdly easy to defeat that it’s almost hesitating to call it a guaranteed deathblow.
“Hmm… It’s not as bad as it looks.”
The White Night Demon Princess seems satisfied with the taste of the Gluttony Octopus’s wind attribute.
“Good! Keep going like that.”
“Hehe, leave it to me.”
Ursula appears to have gained confidence from such a one-sided victory and boldly launches her attack.
Currently, the powerful absorbing arms of the ‘White Night Demon Princess’ can be deployed up to four at the same time. Their power is such that they can nullify ‘Grenade Shelling’ just by touch.
They don’t have any special abilities, and medium-sized octopuses like Dortus, which is even smaller, don’t stand a chance against her.
Like a mockery to the gluttonous monsters, the princess reaches for the food overflowing in the surroundings, one after another.
The Gluttony Octopus has neither hard scales nor quick mobility. Even I would need to put in a good effort to dodge Anastasia’s Drain Arm, so those writhing nearby couldn’t possibly respond.
When lightly struck, their heads disappear, and with a swing of her arm, the tentacles are sliced away. The overwhelming attack power that erases an enemy with just a touch. There’s no need for me to go on defense, as the surrounding octopuses rapidly decrease in number due to her.
However, their numbers still exceed our annihilation capability.
There’s no change in the amount of octopuses slithering through the streets, and all around, there they are, appearing like a swarm of pests from the walls and rooftops. Additionally, there are still reinforcements raining down from above.
“—Kuh, don’t falter! Push them back!”
Cliff’s command for a counterattack echoes futilely among the chaos of battle.
From the start, they had already entered a state of melee, so it didn’t take long for the defense line to collapse. The stone walls stopped serving their purpose as defensive structures, which was evident from the moment they fell.
For now, it’s only me and Ursula who are successfully defeating the octopuses; the others are struggling against the tough soft-bodied monsters to which swords and spears hardly apply.
The infantry are mercilessly pierced by the spear-wielders of the medium octopuses, and before they can succumb completely, they are brutally devoured by grotesquely-toothed mouths.
Though the Heavy Cavalry Unit led by Cliff is not easily taken down due to their defense, they appear to be having difficulty against the physically strong octopuses. Unfortunately, they’re unlikely to have the power to turn the situation around.
“Ursula, don’t push too far ahead.”
“I think I can eat a little more.”
“No, it’s fine to hold the line.”
It seems that while using magic, Ursula gets a little too high on the excitement, her face expressing dissatisfaction like she’s not yet satisfied with the fight. However, she still retains enough reason to comply with my orders obediently.
With the same fluid grace as the octopus tentacles, she swings her Drain Arms without embarking on reckless charges and stays still in her current position.
“This isn’t good; the wind barrier is weakening.”
It seems the casualties are affecting not just the infantry but also the Mage unit. Before I know it, the range of wind dispersing the mist has narrowed, and we are about to be engulfed again by the white darkness.
At first, we had a clear view of a fifty-meter square around the main gate, but now it’s less than half of that. Either the wind mages have been taken down, or they are being pushed back to the point that they have to remove the barrier to attack.
If we lose visibility at this point, the soldiers here will be forced into annihilation.
Honestly, I don’t care how many Crusader Soldiers die… But right now, I want as many allies as possible. I will provide as much assistance as I can.
Thanks to Ursula keeping the surrounding octopuses at bay without letting any approach, I can concentrate on firing grenades. Even out of Anastasia’s reach, my black magic can reach enough.
Without needing to wield any weapons, I completely focus on casting spells, dedicating myself to unleashing ‘Grenade Shelling.’ I am effectively a fixed artillery. The grenades fired incinerate and blow away the writhing octopuses. The houses in the vicinity are caught in the blast and are either set ablaze or collapsing, but well, that’s just part of the charm.
“Waaah! It’s no good already!”
“We can’t hold here! Run! Run now!”
But our support futilely notwithstanding, the Crusader Soldiers begin to crumple and flee.
With the force of abandoning their weapons, the infantry who had been positioned on the stone walls descend into the village streets one after another, sprinting for their lives.
“Hey! As Crusader Soldiers, fleeing before the enemy is unacceptable! You all, return to your posts and defend the base!!”
If they were going to say something like that and then return, they wouldn’t have fled in the first place. Even if they muster their remaining courage, it’s clear that the stone walls are already completely occupied by the octopuses, and it’s impossible to retake them.
Because the fleeing infantry are abandoning their positions, Cliff’s Heavy Cavalry naturally takes on the role of the rear guard. Even if I wanted to cut down the fleeing soldiers to make an example, there’s no time to expend energy on that now. Even the solidly defensive Heavy Cavalry are overwhelmed by the sheer numbers of the invading octopuses.
“This is it; we’ve reached our limit.”
No matter how hard Ursula and I try, we can’t change the tide of retreat. For now, we must utilize the ability we possess to hold our ground and protect the retreat of as many as possible. Just then, I directed my attack towards the octopuses rushing in behind the fleeing infantry—at that moment.
A thin purple wind reminiscent of deadly poison blew down from above like a single line of a tornado.
This purple airflow hit the group of soldiers running towards us, swallowing them whole.
“Ah, it’s hot, Gaaaahhhh!”
Suddenly, anguished screams surged up. However, what I saw was even more horrific… the scene of humans dissolving alive.
The true identity of the purple gas is a potent acid. It could be described as an Acid Breath.
The Crusader Soldiers’ matching white surcoats became tattered rags in an instant, and next, their iron helmets and chainmail began to melt as if thrown into a molten furnace.
Simultaneously, their flesh turned into a dark red, gooey substance that began to drip. The soldiers’ faces could only express anguish for a brief moment. The moment they were ensconced in the noxious purple, strongly acidic gas, they seemed as if someone had dumped water on a watercolor portrait, ruining it.
The Acid Breath, which possesses a dissolving power capable of melting iron, impacts, and those powerless infantry without magical defenses collapse ineffectively on the spot. While they barely manage to keep their human form, the ground turns into a hellish pool of melted human flesh rather than a blood lake of suffering.
Not by cutting, nor by burning, but by melting—faced with this unprecedented death, I involuntarily want to look away from the grotesque.
However, I must not avert my gaze. It’s not just the dreadful spectacle of death; I need to identify the opponent who unleashed this breath.
“I see, so that’s the one over ten meters.”
Without needing to scan my surroundings or sense their presence, I found it. Beyond the mist that faintly smokes, a shadow of a massive figure over ten meters tall began to rise.
Given its size, it’s no surprise it’s easily caught in view. Most notably, this creature is standing upright.
The notion of an octopus standing upright seems incomprehensible, but seeing it in reality, it can only be described as standing.
Tentacles so thick they can’t be reached even if a person stretches out their arms, literally stand straight like a huge tree, elevating its head high into the air. With four tentacles, it mimics the posture of a quadrupedal animal. However, the tentacle legs lack joints, moving in a manner completely different from beasts, resembling rather an insect-like motion as it walks while standing.
I would really like to delve deeper into the bizarre ecology of such a monster, but now is not the time.
In such a ridiculous walking manner, it elegantly vaulted over the stone wall and, in a single stride, entered the village.
“One, two… three… damn it, this is really no good.”
Moreover, it’s not just one. The overwhelmingly present giant octopuses are confirmed to be at least four, visible at a glance.
Two are directly ahead. One is slightly to the left. And worst of all, one is right behind, in the middle of the village. The fact that one has already entered the village suggests that this giant can fly too.
“That one will be quite a challenge to eat.”
“That’s for sure.”
“What are we going to do, Chloe-sama?”
“It’s obvious—”
With a sigh, I steeled myself and declared.
“—We’re running.”
I started to withdraw at full speed, carrying Ursula with me.