Four hours have passed since we left Krater.
Despite our vigilance, there wasn’t so much as a shadow of a monster around.
“I think it’s proof that the Slume Lord is on the move. Demise Species rarely leave their lairs. But ‘rarely’ doesn’t mean never; sometimes they bring catastrophic damage to human settlements. When that happens, the surrounding monsters seem to flee in fear of the Demise Species,” Faris explained the reason. It made sense; monsters would likely fear a Demise Species and flee, so it wasn’t strange.
“That makes it easier to advance, but it doesn’t mean we can let our guard down.”
“Of course. In fact, that’s precisely why we need to be extra vigilant.”
I agreed with Bout and El. However, the sun was starting to set, making it difficult to advance further today.
“Halt!”
It seemed Alliance Leader Albert felt the same way, as he ordered the beast carriage to stop.
“We’ll make camp here for tonight. Since there are no monsters appearing, it’s almost certain the Slume Lord is nearby. Therefore, the sentries must keep a constant watch on the surroundings. Do not miss even the slightest change.”
The Golud Great Glacier offered excellent visibility, and since the Slume Lord and Icequake Tigers were nearly ten meters tall, they would be easy to spot from a distance. The Avalanche Howl’s size was unknown, but it was likely similar.
Ah, since visibility is so good, why not fly up and survey the surroundings from above?
“Albert-san, I’m going to fly up for a bit.”
“Up?”
“Yes. Since there will likely be large monsters, anything moving should provide useful information, right?”
“Indeed. In that case, I’m sorry to trouble you, but please do.”
Advancing was out of the question, but flying up a bit shouldn’t be a major problem. With Albert’s permission, I activated Fly Wind and ascended about fifty meters.
“See anything?”
“As expected of a glacier, there are few obstacles.”
“You two came too?”
A voice from behind surprised me. Prim and Mako had also come. Mako had activated Fly Wind, but Prim was flapping her wings, so she was using the Flight magic I’d taught her.
“Nothing in particular… Wait, I see something. That must be it.”
In the far distance, perhaps ten kilometers away, I could see multiple moving objects.
“Looks like it. Dolphin Eye?”
“Using it now.”
At Mako’s prompt, I activated Dolphin Eye. Being on a glacier made water-attribute exploration spells easy to use. I confirmed it immediately.
“It’s confirmed. Take a look.”
“Where… You’re right. And there’s an incredible number of them.”
“The black saber-toothed tiger-like ones are the Slume Lords, the white tigers of similar size are the Icequake Tigers, and the ones that look like Certina-san’s Kureel are the Friezas Tigers.”
“There are also some bluish-white tigers. Could those be the Avalanche Howls?”
“They’re about the same size as the Slume Lords and Icequake Tigers, so probably. I really didn’t expect there to be two of them; this is seriously bad.”
The Avalanche Howl was A-C rank, the same rank as the guardian, the Mithril Colossus, that we defeated in the Instant Labyrinth. We had discussed how troublesome even one would be, and now there were two.
“Just counting the Icequake Tigers alone, there are about twelve. The number of Friezas Tigers and Icicle Tigers is also high; this is nothing like 180 years ago.”
I completely agreed with Prim’s assessment. Counting them carefully, there were 34 Icicle Tigers, 22 Friezas Tigers, 19 Icequake Tigers, and 2 Avalanche Howls. Even the Icicle Tigers were G-rank, so Torencia could easily be destroyed by this.
“It was the right decision to bring Rex and the others. This is no joke.”
“I agree. However, there’s no need to confront them head-on. Once they’re within range, Yamato and I will use our layered magic to reduce their numbers as much as possible.”
Layered magic, which utilizes engraving magic simultaneously, can be used individually, but it consumes the processing power of engraving tools and magical tools, making it difficult to use in some situations. Therefore, in most cases, layered magic is more effective when used by multiple people. Moreover, Mako’s accuracy with wind-attribute spells is higher, so using wind and water layered magic with her would yield better results than me using wind layered magic alone.
“Regardless, let’s report. They’re less than ten kilometers away, so we’ll engage them soon.”
“Yeah.”
How we would fight was important, but we weren’t the only ones here. Our role as the two of us was to defeat the Slume Lord, so the tiger species, including the Avalanche Howls, would be handled by everyone else. Of course, before fighting the Slume Lord, we intended to reduce their numbers with our layered barrier, but there were still many of them, and we didn’t know what the Slume Lord would do, so we couldn’t afford to focus solely on them. We quickly descended and reported the situation to Albert.
“Impossible…”
“The Icequake Tigers are more numerous than expected, but still within acceptable limits. However, I never imagined there would be two Avalanche Howls…”
“And they’re less than ten kilometers from here? That means they’re practically right on top of us.”
It wouldn’t be strange if we could see them by now. That’s why I’d told them to get off the beast carriage when I reported.
“I’ll take on one of the Avalanche Howls. Yamato and Mako, you will have to deal with the Slume Lord. Everyone else will have to fight the Icequake Tigers, so we can’t spare any more combat power.”
“I believe Prim-chan can handle it, but even so, we shouldn’t take too long. I’ll assist you as well.”
“Me too. We need to defeat them as quickly as possible. Prim, you’ll focus on the Slume Lord, and we’ll handle the Icequake Tigers. We don’t know how much damage will be inflicted otherwise.”
Prim, who had declared she would take on an Avalanche Howl alone, was offered assistance by Mana and Faris. Both Mana and Faris had been promoted to P-rank Hunters, making them stronger than ordinary High Hunters.
However, Eos, another P-rank Hunter, was not accompanying them this time. Eos, a Hydragonian, and Marisa, a High Vampire, remained in Krater to guard Yuri. For the same reason, Viola and Yuria were also left in Krater, although they had offered to accompany us until the end. We could have asked the 6th and 8th Squadrons, who were remaining, to provide escort, but they also needed to secure Krater, and Mana and Yuri understood this perfectly, so it was best to entrust the guard duty to our butler.
“That seems to be the only way. Besides, we’ve received reports that they’re already in sight, so we can’t afford to keep having strategy meetings.”
“Lord Albert, it cannot be helped.”
“Understood. The Slume Lord will be handled by Lord Yamato and Lady Mako, one Avalanche Howl by Trial Hearts, and the other by Primrose-sama, along with her Highness Manalease and Lady Faris. Saber and Order will also provide support to Trial Hearts, but everyone else, including the Order’s Guild, will handle the Icequake Tigers.”
That was really the only option. After all, the monsters had spotted us and were charging, so combat would begin in just a few minutes.
“Yamato and I will deploy a barrier first. I think it will reduce their numbers, but it’s difficult to affect the Avalanche Howls or Icequake Tigers, and it’s hard to maintain it continuously, so we’ll head straight for the Slume Lord afterward.”
“Understood. I’m sorry to trouble you, but please do. Halt preparations for the camp and prepare for combat! Archers, deploy to the observation deck, and Normal Classes, take up supporting positions near the beast carriage!”
Hustled along, Archers, regardless of their Class, rushed to the observation deck. This time, there were 10 High-class archers and 21 Normal-class archers, so about 8 of them would be stationed on the observation deck each. Emperor Hildegard was also preparing for battle near Mina and the others, taking out her Divine Metal great scythe, Queen’s Sickle. Order and Saber had already drawn their weapons and were ready for combat. Once the enemy was within range, our layered barrier should be able to significantly reduce the number of Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers.
“They’re in range! Mako-san!”
“Yes!”
Within a minute, the Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers were within my range. I activated Nibbleheim, and Mako activated Venus, deploying a layered barrier of wind and ice. Mako’s Venus, by interfering with the surrounding atmosphere, enveloped the Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers, and even three Icequake Tigers, reducing the nearby oxygen, slowing their movements, and weakening them. Then, they were struck directly by the ice spears created by my Nibbleheim and fell. More than 80% of the Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers were defeated, and we even managed to involve three Icequake Tigers, so it should be a little easier.
“Yamato-kun, let’s go!”
“Roger!”
Mako’s Venus remained deployed, but I deactivated Nibbleheim, donned Wing Burst, readied my Azure Silver Sword – Pale Green and Multi Edge, and activated Fly Wind to take off. Mako also generated an Air Spirit and connected it to the Great Fan of Lapis Lazuli Iron, the Magic Fan – Lapis Lazuli Cherry Blossom, made by Ed, and also activated Fly Wind.
Side: Prim
It’s an unexpected situation with two Avalanche Howls, but what we have to do remains the same.
No, it *has* changed because I have to defeat this before the Slume Lord.
“I’m not holding back!”
I donned the Extreme Flame Wing and then layered the Swift Thunder Wing on top of it. The flames, amplified by the spiral wind, were now crackling with purple lightning. This enhanced wing, which Yamato had named Fiery Wing, was then used to pierce an Icequake Tiger blocking my path with Flare Penetrator and continue towards the Avalanche Howl with the same momentum.
“Tch! As expected, A-C rank is troublesome!”
However, the Avalanche Howl’s earthen and ice wall blocked my Flare Penetrator. I managed to pierce it, but by then, the Avalanche Howl had moved away from me and was swinging its claws down from behind.
“You think so!”
Despite the deceleration, my Flare Penetrator still possessed considerable momentum. I pushed forward further, thus evading the Avalanche Howl’s claws.
“HAAAA!”
Mana lunged at the Avalanche Howl with Sterling Divider, striking at the wound she had inflicted.
Mana’s linked sword had been replaced with a new one forged by Ed, using Lapis Lazuli and Gold Dragoon. It could be used as a sword, but Mana prefers to use it as a whip, so this new weapon has more blade segments than the Lapis Whip Edge and is over five meters long. It’s named Lapis Whip Sword, but to use it as a sword, mana ring reinforcement and protection are essential, so even when using the Lapis Whip Edge, she rarely took direct hits. Thus, although it looks like a one-handed straight sword, she has decided to use it as a whip normally and as a sword when using unique magic.
Sterling Divider, used through this Lapis Whip Sword, had a longer blade than when used with the Lapis Whip Edge, and by using Gold Dragoon, its affinity for all elemental magic increased. Furthermore, Mana was able to control the elemental magic of her summoned beasts more effectively, increasing their magic strength, hardness, and magic density, thereby lowering the target’s magic resistance and enhancing its cutting power. The evidence of this was the large wound inflicted on the Avalanche Howl’s neck by a direct hit from Sterling Divider.
“Spica!”
“Woof!”
Spica, Mana’s summoned War Horse, who was carrying Mana on its back, immediately distanced Spica from the Avalanche Howl. Then, the Avalanche Howl’s claws swept through the air where Mana and Spica had been an instant before. Taking advantage of this opening, Faris, who approached from above using Flight, swung a great axe made of Blue-Gray Iron enhanced with lightning at the wound Mana had inflicted. As expected from fighting together so often, their combination was impeccable.
“Tch! Still not severed?”
“How hard are you?!”
Although it appeared to be considerable damage, from the Avalanche Howl’s perspective, it was probably just a minor scratch. The evidence was that its movements were not hindered at all. Even an M-rank monster wouldn’t survive such an attack, but this was no doubt why it was an O-rank equivalent monster.
“Mana, Faris-san! I’m going in again, please cover me!”
However, we couldn’t afford to waste time. So, I poured more magic into my Fiery Wings and, in the manner of Flare Penetrator, charged towards the Avalanche Howl again. But unlike Flare Penetrator, which was only imbued with Extreme Flame, this time it was also imbued with purple lightning, and its charge speed was even faster.
This is my new trump card: Seraphim Penetrator. The Fiery Wings, which also have the effect of lightning-attribute magic, provide a greater degree of enhancement than the Extreme Flame Wings. Therefore, physical enhancement magic like Physicaring and mana enhancement magic like Manaring, as well as acceleration enhancement magic like Accelerating Magic, became stronger and faster than when using Extreme Flame Wings. As expected, the Avalanche Howl, mistaking it for Flare Penetrator from before, tried to stop me with the same earth and ice wall, but such walls were meaningless against Seraphim Penetrator. It pierced the wall effortlessly, and the Avalanche Howl, surprised, began to evade, but I sliced from its left shoulder to its abdomen. I had wanted to pierce it completely, but that was the extent of an A-C rank monster. Still, its left foreleg was unusable, and moving must be difficult, so this was our chance.
“Haaaaa!!”
Just like before, and unlike before, Faris swung her axe, now imbued with light and lightning, with all her might towards the left shoulder I had wounded. Mana’s Sterling Divider, imbued with more magic than before, also succeeded in severing the left foreleg from the shoulder. Then, in unison, they slashed at its abdomen. I thought we had inflicted more damage than expected, but were their magic powers increasing? More importantly, we had to finish off the Avalanche Howl. Using Seraphim Penetrator once more, I finally pierced the Avalanche Howl’s torso.
“It took longer than I expected, but it was a good test run for Fiery Wings.”
“Even with our support, you defeated an A-C rank monster without breaking a sweat. You’re as unbelievable as ever.”
“That’s a harsh thing to say. After all, Mana and Faris-san have become our comrades.”
“What do you mean?”
You can’t possibly not notice. It’s not my imagination; their magic power has clearly increased.
“Why don’t you check your License or Library?”
“I had a feeling, but I didn’t expect it to be true… So that’s why.”
Yes, Mana had evolved into an Ancient Elf, and Faris had evolved into an Ancient Fairy. The power of that final attack was clearly beyond that of a High Class, so it must have been that her level increased with the previous blow, and then she evolved.
“‘Librarying.’ You’ve really evolved into an Ancient Elf… Well, given the circumstances, let’s be grateful for now.”
“Yes. Prim-chan, Mana-sama and I will go to support Trial Hearts.”
“Understood. I’ll proceed with fighting the Slume Lord as planned.”
“Yes, please do.”
The addition of two Ancient Classes here is good news for the Alliance. Frankly, I’d like them to help with defeating the Slume Lord, but we can’t leave the remaining Avalanche Howl unattended, and there are nearly ten Icequake Tigers left. It would be better for them to handle those. Setting our next objective, I headed towards the Slume Lord, while Mana and Faris moved towards the Avalanche Howl. I flew with Faris, and Mana rode Spica.
