The pioneer village—should it be called a ruin now?—has become a rather desperate situation.
The countless writhing rats have all completed their transformation, turning into a grotesque horde of white-haired demons.
What they are focused on is the fortress of the large rock that stands in the very center. That said, it is merely a gigantic square formed by stone walls expanding in all directions.
The rugged, uneven stone wall is a makeshift barrier created by an Earth Attribute Defensive Magic. In addition to this, it confronts the approaching horde of Yeti Rats with defensive spells like fire, lightning, and wind.
Since their arrival yesterday, this has likely been ongoing. The intense exchanges of magic resonate with explosive sounds that drown out the rats’ screeching cries.
It’s impressive how they have managed to last a full day fighting like that. Those over there are undoubtedly elite.
We have finally approached a distance where we can visually observe such a scene.
The outermost rats have noticed the cavalry group charging through the snow, turning to look while making grating noises. Soon enough, a group will charge at us, drawn by the new prey.
“Fiona, are you ready?”
“Anytime!”
I have completed my magical charge, while Fiona has finished her incantation.
The “The Greed” unleashes a surge of purple lightning from its cannon.
The ominous brilliance of the fully bloomed “Walpurgis”.
With the iron spider between us, I positioned myself on the right and Fiona on the left, readying our weapons for the opening strike.
“———’Charged Particle Dragon Cannon'”
“———’Flame Funeral'”
A black lightning bolt and a raging crimson storm engulf the approaching Yeti horde that aimed for us.
Those charging straight at us turn to ash in an instant. The unleashed lightning and fire are not satisfied with just that offering and spring forth at the large swarm writhing behind.
The immense heat causes the surrounding snow to evaporate in an instant, enveloping the area in thick steam that obscures visibility, yet the screams resonating from beyond the white curtain indicate the extent of the devastation.
The rats transformed into Yetis have impressive physiques, but they possess no special resistance to lightning or fire. I confirmed during a previous ambush that, like monsters from snowy mountains, they would show fear of fire.
Therefore, Fiona cast “Flame Funeral,” a rare advanced area attack magic instead of “Golden Sun.” It’s more efficient to scatter flames over a wider area with this spell.
Thanks to the abundance of gold and materials from my trip to Karamala, I could create specialized ammunition and fired the “Charged Particle Dragon Cannon.” The power and range differ significantly from shooting with just my magical power.
Our combined powerful strikes cleared a significant number of enemies, yet——against their total numbers, it was still a drop in the bucket.
However, we have sufficiently opened a breach to advance. Additionally, the snow has evaporated, so the ground conditions are favorable.
“Nel, Kai, I’ll leave it to you.”
“Yes, leave it to us!”
“Let’s charge!!”
I left the vanguard to the two of them.
The opponent is that Charlotte. If she realizes the rescue team is me, the chances of her throwing a tantrum at this point are high.
Yet, once I have them face-to-face—this pair, childhood friends and my most trusted allies—the trouble will be settled.
I wear the skull helmet of the “Tyrant’s Armor” not only to conceal my identity but because I feel my senses work better when my head is clear during combat, despite the various display functions being convenient.
Well, putting aside my concerns, I pushed the two as my allies upfront. Both are more than capable as Rank 5 adventurers, but I must do my utmost to support them.
From the sky, Sariel provides covering fire wielding dual “EA Vortex” rifles, while Ain and Prim lead the positioning to focus fire for breaking through the encirclement.
Already, flashes of ether from Sariel and the ground can be seen as a storm of bullets attacks the Yeti creatures blocking our path.
Now, while I entrust the breakthrough to everyone else, I will focus on my job.
“———’Black Flame Barrier'”
What I am activating is a defense magic centered on the pseudo-fire attribute “Black Flame.” In essence, it’s simply a wall of fire.
However, its magical formation differs significantly from modern fire attribute defensive magic, which is composed of a single fire color magical power.
This “Black Flame Barrier” is a mixed composition of three attributes.
The main wall consists of fire, consuming the most magical power, but it also incorporates water and wind.
The pseudo-water attribute “Black Water” comprises a liquid fuel that is contained in “Incendiary Bombs.”
The pseudo-wind attribute “Black Wind” simply creates wind to amplify and spread the fire’s intensity.
While a simple wall of earth like the single attribute “Black Earth Barrier” would be more cost-effective, in this situation, it is worth the extra effort to create a wall of fire.
The Yetis could climb a plain wall but would be kept at bay by flames.
Utilizing the techniques related to the pseudo-attribute abilities of the black magic I honed during my time as Ash, my relatively advanced “Black Flame Barrier” blazes forth with heat and burning range that rivals advanced area defensive magic.
The dark infernal flames spread to the right side of the cleared path, preventing the Yeti horde’s re-encirclement.
How’s that, Fiona? My black magic has become quite impressive, hasn’t it?
“I will create the flame barrier to prevent the constant flame from Hiroshi, Tuesday, Kiko———’Flame Wall'”
Upon seeing Fiona’s flame wall reach about twice my height, I ceased my selfish boasting.
Full incantation with Walpurgis fully activated for advanced area defensive magic. If Fiona does it with her strongest fire attribute, it could reach this extent…
“Chrono, if you need more fire, I can lend you some.”
“I’m fine! I’m fine! Look, the Yeti are being held back!”
So please stop looking at me with those eyes suggesting that this small flame barrier should be sufficient. It’s truly okay; the flames from Fiona are just of a higher caliber. Those creatures are weak against fire.
“Regardless, we’ll ensure our retreat is secured. It would be nice if we could successfully withdraw quickly, but———”
This would be the first time Charlotte experienced the true terror of sheer numbers.
Even so, she is a Rank 5 adventurer. She has received the divine protection of her ancestors and is a genius lightning magician. Of course, along with that skill, she has gained the necessary experience to reach Rank 5… However, nobody has ever pointed out that the path she has walked, particularly within the profession of adventurer, was exceptionally privileged.
For an ordinary adventurer, by the time they reach Rank 3, they would have faced hordes of goblins and slimes, which they deemed weaker, and gone through the bitter experience of fleeing for their lives under sheer numbers.
But Charlotte never had to endure that.
From before she became an adventurer, she received the best magic education appropriate for a princess and was equipped with high-quality gear.
Above all, her allies are Nero and the others. Her first party, already possessed the very best members.
Nero, with overwhelming combat strength among his peers, not only had battle abilities but also possessed leadership talents, coordinating all members considering their strength and personalities.
The one who can go toe-to-toe with Nero is Kai. There is no one more dependable on the frontline from the perspective of a rear guard magician.
Even though she is in the same rear guard, Safi’s “Necromancy” can flexibly respond on both offense and defense, equipped with a cool mind to always take the best actions.
Her closest friend and childhood friend, Nel, is an extraordinary healer. As long as she is present, the frontline fighters, Nero and Kai, will not fall to injuries, and they will receive full support to strengthen the rear guards.
Because of such fortunate allies, Charlotte was always in an environment where she could exert her abilities to the fullest. Of course, she had never been pushed back by weaker monster hordes. Rather, it had been the battles of “Wingroad” that saw her easily brush them aside.
Yet now, those reliable allies are gone.
Charlotte is no longer just a rear guard magician who has only to listen to Nero’s commands; she has become the leader of over a hundred knights. She bears the responsibility for the lives of a hundred elite cavalry from Spada.
It cannot be said that she lacks a sense of responsibility.
As a princess and a general, she deeply cares for her subordinates and does not disregard their wills. The knights are uplifted by her earnest efforts.
Thus, what Charlotte lacked was only the tactical insight to accurately understand the disparity in combat power between them and the enemy.
Except for suffering a crushing defeat by Sariel in the Galahad War, the path traversed by “Wingroad” is adorned with an overwhelming amount of glorious achievements.
Charlotte has repeatedly asked Nero for the impossible. Whether it was a mere whim to want the treasure chest deep in a dungeon or a pure wish to help rookie adventurers surrounded by monster hordes in a pinch.
Good or bad, the circumstances varied, but… Nero and the others always responded to her demands.
Therefore, this time, too, Charlotte thought to herself.
That she could rescue the people of the pioneer village, who might still be alive, from their desperate situation.
She believes that she and her knights can achieve that. Just like before. Even without Nero, if she and her knights have strength, that kind of wish can be easily fulfilled———
“———’Thunderclap!'”
Now, Charlotte stands atop an Earth magic barrier, unleashing thunderbolts at the horrendous monsters writhing below.
The advanced area attack magic, released over a wide range, decimates the white-haired monsters with full power, but the holes left behind are quickly filled by her rushing allies.
Some immediately cling to the wall, while others gnaw at the charred corpses of their kin.
In a siege, I remember hearing that it’s often the attacking side with the larger army that has concerns about provisions, from a tactical lecture I was not fond of. If one can satiate their hunger by consuming fallen comrades, then supply concerns can be settled. A gruesome tactic allowed only to monsters.
Immediately after Charlotte unleashed her attack, her consciousness became fuzzy, and such things crossed her mind.
“Your Highness!”
“Huh, wh-what is it!?”
A knight’s call close by snapped Charlotte back to reality. It felt like being scolded and jumping up when nearly dozing off in a dull lecture.
“Please refrain from using advanced magic. Your Highness’s magical power is already at its limit—”
“Shut up! I’m still fine!”
The fading consciousness is a typical early symptom of magical depletion. But her determined shout is more than just an emotional reaction hiding her fatigue.
She cannot show weakness to her subordinates.
She cannot risk gasping for breath before the enemy.
In the midst of a fierce battle, who would take a break first when running low on magical power?
“We will soon have reinforcements! We have to hold on until then!”
“Those reinforcements are not even from General Emily’s main force. It’ll be a gamble to escape. Your Highness should conserve your strength until that time.”
“I’m fine! I am a Rank 5 adventurer, Charlotte of ‘Wingroad’… I’ve overcome worse predicaments countless times before!!”
That spirit gives her the strength to rise despite her lacking magical power.
Once more, she unleashes red lightning from the tip of her clenched staff, glaring at the seemingly endless swarm of enemies.
Seeing her like that, a knight would not dare to say anything more.
However, pushing beyond one’s limits merely with willpower is not something everyone can do.
“———Guh!”
“Not good, they’re breaking through!”
“Quick, cover it up!!”
The section of the defense line where she stood, using attack magic and fire barrier spells to hold the enemy back, was about to be breached.
A white-haired demon that had climbed to the top of the rock barrier jumped at the knight, who was reaching the limit of his magical power, and both fell inside the wall.
The knight stationed below promptly speared it to death, saving the ambushed knight, but from the spot where he fell, the claws of the rats were beginning to climb up one after another.
Not good; if they are allowed to invade from here, it will collapse all at once.
Even with her thoughts muddled from magical depletion, Charlotte quickly realized.
She hastily redirected the lightning spell she was supposed to shoot outward toward that area.
The other knights also rushed into action, facing the crisis of the defense line’s collapse.
However, both Charlotte and the knights are at their limits. They had withstood the unrelenting onslaught for over a day, but whether they have enough power left to patch the crumbling defense line remains in question.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!
It was then that a resounding roar shook the ground.
The extent of the magic’s power was unimaginable; the immense heat created an opaque wave of steam, obscuring the view on the other side, but there was no mistake—this was undoubtedly the arrival of the long-awaited reinforcements.
“They’re here! Retreat!!”
“Don’t let the enemy close in, push them back!”
With what little strength they have left, the knights retaliate.
The appearance of a new opponent caused the horde of monsters to stir in great commotion. This is not out of fear of being attacked from behind, merely joy at the arrival of new prey.
Even witnessing an overwhelming magical attack that could blow away hundreds of their comrades, the rat demons move without hesitation.
As if urged by the movement of such a horde, those surrounding Charlotte also seemed to become more active.
A back-and-forth battle. No, they have begun to push slightly, and in the next moment, the defense line is about to shatter.
“Ugh, dammit!”
Charlotte unleashes yet another lightning area attack spell, but——— perhaps due to magical depletion or perhaps her focus wavering; the power has waned. She could not kill the rat demon that had closed in at her feet with that blow.
GIIIIIIIIIIII!!
Though mostly charred, it bares its fangs at Charlotte with its unyielding life force and appetite.
The response———it’s too late. The extreme fatigue would not allow Charlotte to counterattack.
“———Whoa! Hey Charlotte, that was a close call back there, wasn’t it!?”
By the time she realized it, the monster was already splitting in half and falling apart.
She experiences such fatigue that she wonders if she has lost consciousness and is dreaming. But if it’s a dream, why this particular person?
“Kai!? Why are you here!”
“Well, that’s because I accepted a quest—!?”
Kai’s strong swing of his weapon is brought down toward the barrier below.
A new rat demon, gripping the top of the wall with its claws, is cleaved, no, shattered, and the shockwave travels down the walls, bursting forth its destructive power.
It has transformed from mere swordplay into an explosion, sending the clustering rats flying.
The technique of smashing enemies, “Break,” is Kai’s specialty.
Not only does it have the power to blow back multiple foes, but it also involves meticulous control so as not to strain the wall that conveys the shock.
“But, it was only me and Nel who came here.”
“You’re kidding, Nel is here too!?”
Without needing Kai to confirm that it’s true, Nel also soon appears.
From beyond the white mist, she flaps her white wings and descends toward the barrier, like an angel.
Nel glances at Charlotte, offering a smile.
She cannot yet exchange words of reunion. There are other things she must do right now.
“To those who halt their steps. To those who bend their knees. To those who fall, powerless ones. Do not give up. This is a benevolent, gentle rain, a warm breeze, and the flame that lights the furnace. Grasp your swords and rise————’Soul of the Resonant Wave'”
The “White-winged Balance,” held high, radiates light.
This is an advanced area healing magic that grants the knights, who have exhausted their strength and are about to collapse, the will to rise again. No, it is a primordial magic enhanced by the protection of the healing princess Aria that Nel receives.
It is not a recovery that closes wounds or a cure that promotes regeneration. It is a fatigue recovery magic that gives vitality and magical power to those whose bodies and minds are completely exhausted.
This healing light illuminates the hundred knights who continued to fight.
“Ah, my strength is returning… Thank you, Nel.”
“As expected of our healer! You revived everyone in one go!”
Even after class change, her healing techniques show no signs of diminishing.
Charlotte and the knights regained the final vigor needed to escape.
“Alright, let’s get out of here quickly!”
“Yeah! Everyone, let’s move!!”
With a booming roar that resonated, the encirclement of hell was about to open up.