Side: Lydia
It had been a little over two hours since Athena flew at full speed from the city of Lichtenfels, ruled by Grand Duke Liar, when we found a group traveling on foot on the road leading from Estrella to Lichtenfels. We also confirmed that the Solemne Army was pursuing them from behind.
“Athena, I know you’re exerting yourself, but please don’t revert to your human form.”
“I understand. Besides, after this, you’re going to Estrella too, right?”
“Of course. I don’t intend to leave a single Steam Battleship intact.”
It is said that Dragonewts consume a considerable amount of magic power when they transform. Athena and Eos are both High Dragonewts, so I’ve heard that it’s not much of a problem for them to just move around, but even then, they can only do it once a day, or twice at most if they’re feeling up to it. Therefore, if Athena were to revert to her human form now, our travel would be by Beast Carriage until tomorrow, or we’d have to ask Alka to take shelter. Alka is safer, and since Yamato-san has recorded the Gate Crystal in Lichtenfels, he intends to use that method. However, since he also intends to go to Estrella, he wants Athena to remain in her transformed state.
“The Solemne Army is about a hundred strong.”
“They’re probably planning to raid nearby towns and villages. I don’t intend to let a single one of them escape.”
“I agree. I have no intention of going easy on these barbarians.”
When they faced the Steam Battleships in Esperanza, Yamato-san apparently called Solemne a barbaric nation, and I can understand his feelings completely. It’s true that Steam Battleships are terrifying weapons, and they’ve already caused significant damage to High Classes. Without Yamato-san and Mako-san, Solemne might have truly conquered the Philia Continent. Furthermore, those who are subjugated are not only oppressed but also treated as slaves, which would undoubtedly lead to a hellish scene. Solemne, which so easily carries out such inhumane acts, is undoubtedly a barbaric country, just as Yamato-san and Mako-san say.
“Alright, then let’s go.”
“Yes!”
Towards the Solemne Army, Yamato-san, Prim-san, Mana-sama, Meena-san, Flam-san, Ludia, Mako-san, and I descended from the prototype Beast Carriage using Flying and Scaffolding. Marisa-san, Viola, and Eos remained on the Beast Carriage to guard Sir Yuri and Aria. Ah, Raus-kun, Rebecca-chan, and Carol-san were left behind in Lichtenfels to escort Grand Duke Liar.
“What are you people?”
“I have no name to give to barbarians like you. Also, I’m not offering surrender negotiations, so be prepared.”
As Yamato-san, who had landed in front of the Solemne Army, declared this, laughter erupted from the Solemne soldiers. Although the Solemne Army numbered around 100, we were only eight, which, by normal standards, was sheer madness. However, we had four Ancient Classes and four High Classes, and these High Classes were also M-rank Hunters, giving us combat power beyond that of ordinary High Classes.
“Laugh all you want now. It’s your last laugh.”
“Don’t say such amusing things? To my glorious Solemne Empire Army.”
“Glory? Do people who get ahead of themselves just for developing Steam Battleships truly have glory?”
“They were no different from scrap metal. Even if there were hundreds of them, they’d be sunk in no time.”
Yamato-san and Prim-san would likely say so. Ludia and I have never directly confronted them, but based on the stories from Meena-san and Flam-san, sinking them alone would be sufficient. However, they mentioned that it could be a bit troublesome if crew members were High Classes.
“You guys could be excellent comedic actors. However, now that you’ve appeared before us, I won’t kill you easily. We’ll torture the men to death, and for the women, we’ll show them a fate worse than death.”
The man with a vulgar smile, likely the captain, along with others, looked at us with similar expressions. Some were even licking their lips and appraising us, which made me feel sick.
It’s surprising how many men there are. In Helios Orb, where the proportion of women is high, knights and soldiers are often women, and the same is true for the Solemne Army before us, yet nearly half of them seem to be men. Is there some reason for this? No, it doesn’t matter.
“Don’t worry. Not even if the heavens and earth were to flip over would that happen.”
As he said this, Yamato-san was clad in Wing Burst, and Prim-san in Fiery Wings.
“I see, so that’s how you do it.”
“…You copy it so easily, even though I went through so much trouble to make it.”
“It’s fine, isn’t it? You’re teaching Mana-sama too, right?”
“Well, that’s…”
“I still can’t use it, though.”
To my surprise, Mako-san was also clad in Wing Burst. And it seemed she mimicked it, not taught by Yamato-san. Even so, pure white wings, just like Yamato-san’s, sprouted from Mako-san. At this point, it might be more accurate to say she’s mastered it rather than just imitating it.
“W-what is that…?!”
However, it seemed to be a huge shock to the Solemne Army. Their composure from just moments ago was completely gone. But then again, directly receiving the magic power of three Ancient Classes would naturally cause such a reaction.
“Do you think I’m going to explain every detail? And don’t even think about running away.”
“We’ve already set up a barrier. You can run if you want, but know that you’ll be torn to shreds the moment you do.”
As soon as Mako-san donned Wing Burst, she generated an Air Spirit and activated the Engraving Magic called Alfheim. Mako-san can deploy Engraving Magic over a wider area than Yamato-san, but perhaps due to the effect of being clad in Wing Burst, it feels like it’s spreading over an even larger area than before.
“Is it like this?”
“Oh, it’s done.”
“Mana, congratulations on mastering Wing Burst too.”
Perhaps inspired by Mako-san, Mana-sama also donned Wing Burst. We’ve been told that we’ll be taught once we evolve to Ancient Class, and since Dragonewts have wings, if they focus on those wings, they should be able to manage. Although it’s difficult for Mana-sama, an Elf, to understand what wings are, with Prim-san and us nearby, and Yamato-san carefully teaching her about wing structures, mastering it was only a matter of time. I certainly didn’t expect her to master it on the spot.
“I’d like to say thank you, but that’s for later.”
“Right. Well then, Yamato, shall we go?”
“Let’s do it. Ah, I said I wouldn’t give my name earlier, but given my position, I can’t do that. So I’ll tell you.”
Ah, so he is going to give his name after all. Well, it’s understandable since Yamato-san is here as a Sky Knight of Amister, so not giving his name wouldn’t be appropriate.
“I am Yamato Hydrangea Mikami, an O-Rank Order of Amister. Here.”
With that, Yamato-san threw his License at the soldier who appeared to be the captain in front of him.
“A-Amister’s… O-Rank Order?! Impossible! An Ancient Human?!”
“I’ll give you more despair-inducing information. There’s another Ancient Human here, and an Ancient Foxy and an Ancient Elf. The High Humans, High Undines, and Hydragonewts here are all over level 60. And there are two High Dragonewts above them. You should know what that means, even you barbarians, right?”
Rather, if they said they didn’t know, they’d be no different from true barbarians and demi-humans. Solemne once tried to subjugate an Ancient Human named Shinichi and Dragonewts. However, in both cases, they nearly destroyed the country as a result. With Shinichi-sama, they apparently took his friend hostage and used a subjugation magic artifact. While they rejoiced at the moment the subjugation artifact was used, it was ineffective against Ancient Classes. Therefore, Shinichi-sama rescued his friend and simultaneously annihilated the Solemne soldiers surrounding them. Afterwards, he reportedly escorted his friend to Bacion and, accompanied by Kazushi-sama, went to Solemne’s imperial capital, Deseo, and annihilated even the garrison troops there. Fearing this, Solemne has since refrained from interfering with Ancient Classes, and instead, they’ve come to rely on them, leading to a temporary decline in their national power.
It was even worse with the Dragonewt. While traveling, Solemne stopped a Dragonewt, took her husband hostage to subjugate her, and then killed her husband. The Dragonewt herself was also sexually assaulted. This enraged the then-living Ancient Dragonian and High Dragonian, who attacked Solemne. Upon being freed from subjugation, that Dragonewt fully transformed and, at the cost of her life, nearly destroyed as many as the Emperor’s Castle, which led them to stop interfering with Dragonewts.
With both Ancient Classes and Dragonewts gathered here now, it must be nothing short of a nightmare for Solemne.
“E-even if you are Ancient Classes or Dragonewts, you are no match for the new weapon we developed! Q-quick, prepare yourselves!”
“Prepare yourselves? Ah, fine. I’ll wait that long. Go to hell after we’ve thoroughly confirmed whether your pea-shooters can hit us.”
“The pea-shooters look like they have more power.”
“Definitely.”
I don’t know what these “pea-shooters” are, but we’ve seen Solemne’s new weapon, cannons, multiple times. I’ve heard they’re just lumps of iron without even magic reinforcement, so they’re unlikely to be effective not only against Yamato-san and the others but even against us High Classes. Meena-san, who actually blocked a cannonball with her Silverio Shield, said it had power comparable to an S-rank monster. Normally, that’s sufficient power, but with the widespread use of alloys, there are now more High Hunters who can withstand attacks from S-rank monsters unharmed. And our Crest Defender Coats are made from Dragoon leather, so as long as they’re magically enhanced, we won’t suffer significant damage even if we let our guard down.
“Fireeeee!”
It seems they’ve finished their preparations. However, they only seem to have prepared about five cannons. Moreover, they are smaller than the cannons mounted on the Steam Battleships, so their power is likely reduced.
“Shielding!”
The cannonballs fired from the five cannons were blocked by the giant shield created by Meena-san, who stepped forward, and fell to the ground with dull thuds. Wait, there were only three cannonballs that fell. Where did the other two go?
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!”
“W-what happened!?”
“Too late. From an archer’s perspective, it’s like being told to aim properly and shoot.”
Ah, so Flam-san shot arrows and deflected the cannonballs toward the Solemne Army. The arrows shot by Flam-san pierced the center of the cannonballs, and the cannonballs struck the soldiers. It seems one hit a soldier’s head along with the cannonball, and another pierced his abdomen. Those two won’t survive, and the surrounding soldiers are also caught up.
“Im-impossible…!”
“As expected of Meena and Flam.”
“I’m not particularly happy to be praised for such a thing.”
“Any Amister High Hunter could do it.”
I don’t think that’s true at all.
“It’s a fluke! It must be a fluke! Hurry and load the next volley!”
There’s no way that’s the case. However, people like this won’t believe even with a thorough explanation, so it’s best to just let them do as they please.
“There are five shots, right? I’ll melt one, but what about the rest?”
“Then I’ll take one. I’ll push it back like Flam did.”
“In that case, I think I’ll just punch and crush it.”
“I’ll catch it with Telekinetic Magic.”
Perhaps stimulated by Meena-san and Flam-san’s flashy demonstrations, everyone seems motivated. Well then, I’ll try trapping it in a pillar of ice.
“Mako-san, what about you? The next volley is completely buried, isn’t it?”
“I’ll pass on that. Anyway, when the next volley is blocked, some soldiers will probably try to escape, so I’ll shred them.”
Although Mako-san says the most gruesome thing, it’s true that the Solemne Army is trapped by Mako-san’s Alfheim barrier, so they can do whatever they want with them at any time. Thanks to that, we don’t have to worry about fleeing soldiers, which is a great help.
While we were talking, the next volley was fired. However, everyone has kept their word. Prim-san melted the cannonball with her Fiery Wings, Mana-sama used the wind to push it back with force, Ludia punched the cannonball and shattered it into pieces, and Yamato-san skillfully caught it with Telekinetic Magic. I also used Ether Breath and trapped it in a pillar of ice.
“Im-impossible…”
“I told you it wouldn’t work, didn’t I? Anyone can do this much if they’re an Amister High Hunter. Bringing out outdated weapons won’t work against us.”
Mako-san nodded, but only Yamato-san and Mako-san can say that. This is the first weapon of its kind created in Helios Orb, and it fires multiple cannonballs with power equivalent to an S-rank monster’s attack at once, so it’s a considerable threat. No, it’s no longer a threat because I can block it.
In contrast, the Solemne Army wore expressions of utter despair. It’s understandable, as they’ve realized that the weapon that destroyed so many cities on the bridge town of Libertà and even took Estrella is ineffective against us.
“There’s no way we can win against those monstrosities!”
“R-run!”
As expected, soldiers overcome by fear have tried to escape. Well, they can’t escape.
“Gyaaaaaaaaaaahhh!!”
“W-what is this?!”
“Did you think I’d let you escape? If I let you escape here, you’ll just go and pillage nearby villages and towns. Do you think I’ll allow such lawlessness?”
Mako-san used Alfheim to whisk the escaping soldiers into the sky with a tornado and slice them to pieces with wind blades. She even managed to make their falling point directly above the cannons, something Solemne can’t comprehend.
“I don’t like bullying the weak, so I’ll put you out of your misery quickly. This is karma, after all!”
I agree. Whether they advance or retreat, it’s hell, but they’ve trampled on other countries without hiding their desires. Now, let the Solemne Army experience that injustice.
