Side: Lydia
After Yamato and Mako headed towards the Slume Lord, the High Sabers, High Orders, and High Hunters moved to face the Icequake Tigers, while the Trial Hearts were tasked with holding back an Avalanche Howl.
Another Avalanche Howl was scheduled to be held off by Primrose, Mana-sama, and Faris, but they couldn’t afford to take too much time.
Ideally, we would have liked to provide support, but the two individuals assisting Primrose were also P-rank Hunters, making our contribution uncertain.
Therefore, we decided to take on the Icequake Tigers ourselves.
Raus and Carol were working with Normal Class individuals to deal with the remaining Friezas Tigers.
The Icequake Tiger that Lydia and I were confronting used its massive body, standing on its hind legs before slamming its claws down.
Lydia, narrowly dodging the attack, unleashed a barrage of blows to its abdomen with her Dragrapple, enhanced by her Unique Magic, Firing Impact, without holding back.
The Firing Impact, combined with the Ether Chain dragon spirit magic, accumulated flames with each hit, proving effective even against a superior Icequake Tiger.
“Big sis!”
“Got it!”
At Lydia’s signal, I also unleashed my Unique Magic, Granddust Blizzard.
This magic envelops the Icequake Tiger in a barrier, generates a tornado within it, and deals damage with a barrage of ice and earth shards. It normally also utilizes the Ether Breath dragon spirit magic.
My Ether Breath is ice-attribute, so using it recklessly would counteract Lydia’s Firing Impact. However, since Lydia was primarily targeting the abdomen, I unleashed my Ether Breath towards its forelegs, effectively pinning them and its claws to the ground.
“Hiiiiiyyahhh!!”
Using Flying, Lydia leaped into the air above the Icequake Tiger trapped in the barrier, unleashing a flying kick with her Dragrapple’s foot armor imbued with flames.
This was the final stage of Firing Impact.
Upon direct impact from the flying kick, flames erupted from the point of contact on the Icequake Tiger. Furthermore, the accumulated flames from the Ether Chain reacted, engulfing it in fire as consecutive explosions occurred at the points of impact.
Lydia had been striking almost the same spot repeatedly, so the explosions gradually grew larger, causing the Icequake Tiger’s body, which was easily ten meters long, to lift into the air.
Its forelegs were frozen by my Granddust Blizzard, making it appear as though it were doing a handstand.
“This is the end!”
As a finishing blow, Lydia, once again enveloped in Firing Impact, used Flying and Scaffolding to slam both fists into its exploding abdomen, followed by a spinning kick. She then shattered its ice-locked forelegs with Granddust Blizzard, truly sending it airborne.
I followed up with a full-power Granddust Blizzard.
The Icequake Tiger, sent flying by Lydia, had its entire body scoured by a tornado of ice and earth with hardness comparable to Jade Silver, before plummeting headfirst to the ground and ceasing all movement.
“We did it again.”
“We did, but… this time, even Yamato wouldn’t have the luxury of worrying about the materials. There are still plenty of Icequake Tigers left, so defeating them is the priority right now.”
My Granddust Blizzard and Lydia’s Firing Impact had left the Icequake Tiger’s surface in a mangled state.
Still, the Icequake Tiger was supposed to have high resistance to both ice and fire, so it was fortunate that its materials wouldn’t be entirely unusable.
“That’s true. Well then, big sis, let’s move to the next one!”
“Right!”
There were still more Icequake Tigers to contend with, so there was no time for further discussion.
From what I could see, many people had already fallen. The matter of materials was truly secondary.
My sister and I exchanged nods, targeted the most rampaging Icequake Tiger, and charged forward.
Side: Meena
I am currently fighting an Icequake Tiger alongside Athena and Emperor Hildegard.
As I am the only one with a shield, I am focusing on reliably defending against the Icequake Tiger’s downward claw and fang strikes, as well as its ice attacks, using Barrier Magic and Knight Magic, Shielding.
“Hngh!”
I am currently blocking a chunk of ice sent flying by the Icequake Tiger’s claw strike with Shielding, but as expected of an M-I rank monster, each blow carries significant weight.
“Hah!”
“Taaah!”
During the openings, Emperor Hildegard’s scythe, Queen’s Sickle, and Athena’s Dragonnes Spear inflict damage on the Icequake Tiger. However, the Icequake Tiger’s hide is tough and cannot be easily pierced.
I am also attacking the Icequake Tiger with Mace Quake, but since my Mace Quake is a Unique Magic that mimics a warhammer rather than a sword or spear, it can knock targets back or crush them, but not slice or pierce them. It’s convenient and I value it, but it’s a bit of a predicament in situations like this.
“This isn’t going to work at this rate, is it!”
“Yes, we lack a decisive blow!”
Emperor Hildegard dodges the Icequake Tiger’s attacks, and I create distance while blocking follow-up strikes with Barrier Magic, but we lack a finishing move. If I were to use Mace Quake at full power, I might be able to crush its head, but that would require me to channel a significant amount of magic power, leaving me unable to defend during that time.
Previously, I would partner with Flam, but Flam is currently providing covering fire from the observation deck atop the Beast Carriage’s cabin and is not here. Flam’s Unique Magic has high penetrative power, so I relied on it…
No, Flam is also fighting, so this is no time to be making excuses.
I redeployed my Silverio Sword and Silverio Shield, and conjured Mace Quake once more. At that moment, the Icequake Tiger broke through the barrier I had created, but that was within expectations.
“Athena, that one!”
“Yes, understood!”
Athena’s Unique Magic, which is the trump card here, is a magic that sends wind into ether breaths of light and earth, shooting out molten earth and stone mixed with light. Its name is Magma Light Breath. Unlike a normal breath attack, the Magma Light Breath travels in a straight line, like light, towards the Icequake Tiger.
The Icequake Tiger dodged it instinctively, but Magma Light Breath incorporates telekinetic magic, meaning the heated light-and-earth flow continues to pursue it at Athena’s will. It would be difficult for the massive Icequake Tiger to keep dodging. In fact, the Icequake Tiger’s body is gradually being scorched by the heat of Magma Light Breath.
“Haaahhh!!”
Emperor Hildegard, unleashing her scythe imbued with Dark Magic and Thunder Magic, severed the Icequake Tiger’s left foreleg as it continued to evade the Magma Light Breath. With one leg severed, the Icequake Tiger’s movements became noticeably slower, presenting an opportunity!
I created an even larger Mace Quake than before, used Scaffolding to ascend into the sky, and swung it down with all my might towards its head.
However, at the same time, the Icequake Tiger noticed me and swung its remaining right foreleg towards me. As I instinctively tried to dodge using Scaffolding, the Icequake Tiger suddenly lost its balance. An arrow was embedded in the base of its right leg, and upon closer inspection, the arrow was made of water and even crackled with lightning. This was undoubtedly Flam’s Unique Magic, Tidal Blaster.
Flam’s bow, Lapis Wing Bow, had Winger Drake used in its string and decorations. However, for the purpose of evolving into an Ancient Class, Yamato and Ed remade it using Lapis Lazuli Silver and Dragoon. While basically the same as the Lapis Wing Bow, it was a bit larger and replaced Winger Drake with Gold Dragoon and Disaster Dragoon, significantly improving its performance. Flam named that bow Lapis Light Longbow. As a side note, my Silverio Shield and Lydia’s Dragrapple also used Winger Drake leather, but the Silverio Shield has been replaced with Gold Dragoon leather, and the Dragrapple with Grand Deathwurm leather.
Tidal Blaster came to Flam when she evolved into a High Undine, a Bestowed Magic that fuses water and lightning attribute magic, and then launches it with a spiral rotation from wind attribute magic, making it a perfect match for Disaster Dragoon, which possesses the same attributes. Therefore, Tidal Blaster fired from the Lapis Light Longbow is significantly more powerful and accurate than the one used in the Solpreza Labyrinth.
“Taaahhh!!”
With gratitude to Flam in my heart, I firmly held the greatly enlarged and strengthened Mace Quake with both hands and swung it down at the Icequake Tiger with all my might, finally managing to defeat it. As expected, with its head crushed, even an M-I rank monster cannot move.
“Magnificent. Truly worthy of being Yamato-sama’s wife.”
“No, it’s thanks to Flam over there. If Flam hadn’t provided support with Tidal Blaster, I would have been hit by the Icequake Tiger’s attack.”
For me, Flam is my best partner.
“However, Your Majesty, the battle is not over yet.”
“Indeed. Let us cooperate with the other High Classes and defeat the next Icequake Tiger.”
“Right!”
The number of Icequake Tigers has been reduced to three. The High Hunters have dealt with them without any issues, and the same appears to be true for the High Orders. The High Sabers encountered some difficulties but still succeeded in their subjugations. However, the remaining three refuse to fight specific opponents and are rampaging across the battlefield, leading to casualties among Sabers, Orders, and Trial Hearts alike. If their movement isn’t stopped quickly, the damage will spread further. Athena, Emperor Hildegard, and I set our sights on an Icequake Tiger targeting the Beast Carriage and charged towards it.
Side: Albert
Leading the Demise Species Suppression Team, I am currently fighting Icequake Tigers alongside the Sabers. Although the Orders have 32 members and the Hunters have 42 High Class individuals, our Saber High Class numbers only 14. Following the Slume Lord’s attack the other day, the Saber’s Guild Master of Krater lost his left leg, and the Sub-Saber’s Master perished, along with over thirty other injured. Consequently, the Krater branch of the Saber’s Guild is understaffed.
But so what? Even so, this is our homeland. If we don’t stand on the front lines, who will? No matter the opponent, defeat is not an option for the Saber’s Guild. With that resolve etched in everyone’s hearts, we face this suppression battle.
“Second Cavalry! Encircle to the left! Fourth Cavalry, you must hold them back at all costs!”
“Yes, sir!”
While issuing orders, I too swing my sword at the Icequake Tiger. The sword, forged from Jade Silver, a metal gifted by H.R.H. Manalease, the second princess of Amister, is far more comfortable to use than one made of Magic Silver and allows us High Class individuals to channel our magic power into the blade to its fullest. It’s a testament to the country of origin of the Crafter’s Guild that they could develop such a metal, or alloy. Moreover, they provided all the participating High Sabers with these Jade Silver swords on short notice, for which we are immensely grateful. Furthermore, the sword I wield was purportedly forged by Emperor Aiver himself, who has become the King of Amister. A sword from Emperor Aiver, who has become a true master blacksmith by being promoted to M-rank Crafter, is something no amount of money can procure. I swung that sword down from an overhead stance towards the Icequake Tiger before me.
“Tch! Just grazed it! Guh!”
My strike only lightly grazed it, but the Icequake Tiger fired an ice spear at me. I instinctively blocked it with my shield, but it struck my left shoulder and left leg, causing me to lose my footing slightly.
“Watch out!”
A High Saber belonging to the Fourth Cavalry unit intercepted the Icequake Tiger’s right claw strike, which was aimed at me as a follow-up. Idiot, run!
“Uh, ah…”
That claw sliced through the High Saber and his shield, instantly taking his life. The shield, being made of Magic Silver, could not withstand the Icequake Tiger’s blow.
“You bastard…!”
Filled with intense hatred for the Icequake Tiger that just killed my comrade before my eyes, I unleash my fury. Four High Sabers have already fallen, making him the fifth. I won’t let him take any more!
“When defending, always use Shielding! Shields made of Magic Silver won’t last!”
However, even with Shielding, it’s uncertain how long a Magic Silver shield will hold. But the Icequake Tiger doesn’t just use claws and fangs; it also fires ice and earth spears, making it impossible to dodge everything. We have spare shields prepared, but we might not have the chance to switch them, so all we can do is disperse the Icequake Tiger’s attacks and land accurate blows ourselves.
“There!!”
As the Icequake Tiger landed after evading the Second Cavalry’s attack, a High Saber aimed his sword at his waist and charged at it with his entire body. That strike pierced the base of the Icequake Tiger’s left foreleg. I believe it was a significant blow to the Icequake Tiger, but the next moment, after letting out a roar towards the sky, sharp fangs impaled that High Saber. Because the sword was lodged so deeply, the High Saber couldn’t evade and was bisected by the fangs, dying instantly. However, this left the Icequake Tiger’s right side defenseless. This is a golden opportunity.
“Now! Attack from the right, all of you!”
To capitalize on the opening created by that High Saber, I ordered the Sabers to launch a full assault. Of course, I don’t think our attacks, even with this opening, will easily affect an M-I rank monster. But if we miss this chance, we won’t have any victory. I gripped my Jade Silver sword again, imbued it with wind and lightning, and charged forward as I gave the command. The Icequake Tiger’s movement is already sluggish with the Jade Silver sword lodged in its left foreleg. The Icequake Tiger seems aware of this and fires more ice and earth spears than before, but we press on. The Normal Sabers in the rear are also providing magical support, trying to offset the ice and earth spears as much as possible. Furthermore, archer support fire from the Beast Carriage’s observation deck lands its hits. Arrows of water, ice, and lightning are also piercing it, likely the archer’s Unique Magic. Those arrows struck the Icequake Tiger’s right side, dealing significant damage and causing it to lose its balance. With it thoroughly impaled by High Sabers’ swords and finally my sword piercing its skull, the Icequake Tiger finally fell.
“…Report the casualties.”
“Ten Normal Sabers and six High Sabers have fallen…”
“There are also many seriously injured. They have already been moved to the rear for treatment.”
“I see. The losses are severe.”
For the Saber’s Guild, fighting a single M-I rank monster has resulted in them being half-destroyed. No, perhaps it’s thanks to the archer support and the Jade Silver swords that the damage was limited to this extent.
“What about the other fronts?”
“The Hunters have already concluded their Icequake Tiger subjugations in their respective raids. The Orders, under the command of General Order and First Order, have also defeated two Icequake Tigers each in their platoons.”
At that report, I was surprised. While we were taking a long time to fight one Icequake Tiger, the Hunters had already defeated them in their raids, and the Orders had taken down four? I know the Hunters have G-rank individuals and many Orders are over level 50, but is the difference really this significant? No, this is not the time to be thinking about that.
“What about the Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers?”
“They have also been subjugated. G-rank Hunters from Wing Crest provided support, minimizing our casualties.”
That’s good news, but weren’t the G-rank Hunters from Wing Crest assigned to fight the Icicle Tigers and Friezas Tigers still only fourteen years old? However, I heard they are disciples of the Ancient Human, Lord Yamato, so perhaps they are capable of such feats? This is also not something to be considering now.
“Understood. What about the Avalanche Howls?”
“One has already been defeated by Primrose-sama. The remaining one is causing significant damage to Sabers, Orders, and Trial Hearts, but H.R.H. Manalease and the leader of Holy Grave, Faris-sama, are currently engaged in combat.”
“And His Majesty?”
“She defeated an Icequake Tiger alongside the individuals from Wing Crest. She reportedly sustained no noticeable injuries.”
That’s good. No matter how much Emperor Hildegard is a High Vampire, it’s impossible to be unscathed against an Icequake Tiger. However, if she sustained no noticeable injuries, then while it is regrettable as a Saber, it is safer for Her Majesty to be with the Wing Crest members.
“Understood. Then, the lightly injured will have their wounds healed with potions, and then proceed to support H.R.H. Manalease.”
Potions enhance self-healing capabilities, so even a Grade High Class individual can quickly recover from minor injuries. While not as effective as healing magic, they are extremely useful.
“Yes, sir!”
It is unacceptable as Sabers for H.R.H. Manalease and Faris-sama to be fighting an Avalanche Howl alone. The Orders are likely heading there too, but we cannot simply do nothing. Even though she is a princess of another country, she is risking her life for our Torencia, and our pride as Sabers will not allow us to stand by idly. The other Sabers seem to understand this as well; they immediately drank their potions and began healing their wounds. Once finished, we moved as one to support H.R.H. Manalease, who was fighting the Avalanche Howl.
