Side: Reinhardt
A while after Rex and Muse departed from the main force towards the right flank, Flam and Rebecca arrived using Traveling from the rear command post.
“Your Majesty, I heard from Order that you summoned me?”
“Yes. As you likely already know, the Antlion Empress has appeared on the battlefield leading Antlions. Rex and Muse have left the main force to provide support, but Antlions are also approaching the Solemne main camp. Therefore, Flam and Rebecca, I want you to rejoin the main force as well. We will take the main camp in one fell swoop.”
Although Flam is an archer, she is an Ancient Undine, so there is no shortage of combat power. In fact, support from an Ancient Class would be greatly appreciated.
Furthermore, it’s not as if archers cannot engage in close combat.
Indeed, Flam’s younger sister, Rebecca, has attached a spearhead to her bow, often using it like a spear.
“Understood.”
“I’ll do my best!”
I have received their consent. Now, the main force will proceed towards the Solemne main camp as is.
“Rosemary.”
“Yes! Main force advance!”
Rosemary, Rex’s wife and a Secondary Order, is now commanding the main force in Rex’s stead.
Normally, a General Order would not leave the main force, but circumstances this time make it unavoidable.
Moreover, an abnormal situation has arisen where it feels necessary to deploy all sixteen Ancient Classes.
However, we cannot simply leave the Solemne Army unchecked, as the resulting damage would be counterproductive.
Therefore, Mana and Meena remain with the main force, Flam has rejoined them from supporting the main camp, and Eos is still at the main camp.
Since the Allied Forces’ main camp is located on the Klagen Plain, not the Praia Desert, Antlions, despite their ability to move through sand, cannot launch a surprise attack from underground.
However, the proximity to the Praia Desert remains a concern, and vigilance is necessary even at the main camp.
It will be a burden on Eos, but they are an Ancient Class and have learned Traveling, so the ease of their return was also taken into consideration.
“They’ve come already. Mantis Antlion and Beetle Antlion, and also Antlion Princess.”
“Sister-in-law Marie, leave this to us.”
Meena, an Ancient Human and Rex’s sister, steps forward before Rosemary.
She wields her sword and shield made of Lapis Laz, while Flam stands beside her, an arrow nocked, ready to attack.
“There are few Antlions. Meena and Flam, you will handle the Antlion Princess. The rest will be handled by the main force.”
Following Rosemary’s instructions, the main force immediately deploys and prepares to counter the Antlions.
Slightly before the preparations were complete, the Antlions launched an attack on the main force, but their assault was repelled by Meena’s Barrier Magic.
The main force, using the opening to complete their preparations, immediately launched their attack and defeated the Antlions.
The Antlion Princess was also crushed by Meena’s Unique Magic, Mace Quake, which resembled a warhammer, with support from Flam.
Meena worries about her lack of offensive power, but considering she can crush G-I rank monsters, I think it’s more than sufficient.
After defeating the Antlions and resuming their advance, the Solemne Army was waiting.
However, before the main force, which had effortlessly slaughtered the Antlions, they faltered, proving to be no match for them, let alone the Antlions.
As they continued to advance, defeating Solemne soldiers and Antlions, Rex and Muse returned safely.
Neither of them appeared to have sustained any significant injuries.
“Reporting. The Antlion Empress was successfully defeated by Yamato, Prim, and El. The Antlions that attacked the right flank have also been annihilated with the cooperation of Wing Crest and Lily Wish, who came to our aid.”
“Understood. And what were your achievements, Rex and Muse?”
“Yes. Muse and I defeated a W-rank Antlion Queen.”
A Queen, and a W-rank at that. To defeat a monster that might rival even an O-rank, let alone an A-rank, with just the two of them is truly terrifying.
“So the right flank is also advancing towards the enemy main camp?”
“Yes. However, since the Antlion attack came from the rear of the Solemne Army, they had to fight many Antlions, so I doubt they will reach the enemy main camp in time.”
That cannot be helped.
However, with Rex and Muse now back with us, our combat strength is more than sufficient.
No, it’s more accurate to say that what was already sufficient has become even more so.
“Understood. Then, Rex, resume the advance.”
“Yes! To the main force! The Antlion Empress has been defeated! Only Prince Airgaitz leading the Solemne Army remains! Advance now and present the head of that foolish prince to Their Majesties Reinhardt and Hildegard!”
“OOOOOOOOOOOHHHH!”
It’s understandable that morale would skyrocket after the successful extermination of a Demise Species.
However, we also need to hurry.
Rex confirmed during his return that Solemne’s First Prince, Airgaitz, appears to be attempting to flee the battlefield.
With the appearance of not only our Allied Forces but also a massive swarm of Antlions, it’s not surprising that a cowardly Imperial Family might choose to retreat.
But letting him escape would only create more trouble, so we absolutely cannot allow it.
Well, even if he escapes the battlefield, we can catch him soon enough.
Side: Rosemary
I felt immense relief when my husband Rex and his co-wife Muse rejoined the main force safely.
While I don’t doubt that the two of them, having evolved into Ancient Classes, wouldn’t be outmatched by mere Antlions, this is a battlefield, and nothing is absolute.
“Seeing the Solemne Army’s resistance has almost completely vanished, have they been defeated?”
“Likely. Although the exact numbers are unclear, from our vantage point above, there seemed to be nearly twenty Queens alone, and over a hundred Princesses. This would be a significant loss for the Allied Forces as well.”
Rex answers Lyra’s question, but as they were returning from the right flank, he and Muse had also observed the enemy’s main camp from above.
He mentioned nearly twenty Queens in the enemy’s main camp. If such an impossible number of Catastrophe Species have appeared, it’s not unthinkable that the Solemne Army has already been decimated.
“Rex, what were the estimated total numbers?”
“Considering the significant number already defeated, my estimation is no more than about 3,000.”
Rex answers H.R.H. Manalease’s question. This is indeed an unprecedentedly large swarm.
I’ve heard that the Praia Desert has long been the territory of the Antlion Empress, and even the Solemne Army has been reluctant to venture there. It seems that by leaving it unattended, the Empress gave birth to Princesses, and many individuals evolved into Queens.
Perhaps, as we advanced, Solemne organized an army of over ten thousand, and the Empress, sensing a threat, rallied all her swarms and moved to annihilate the Solemne Army.
“No, there were just over 20 Queens, but there were about 70 Princesses.”
“We defeated about 20 Princesses on our way back here.”
“It wasn’t solely for that purpose, but we annihilated all the W-rank ones within our sight, so I believe the vigilance towards the sky can be lowered a bit.”
When I heard voices from the sky, it was Yamato, Prim, and Mako.
Lydia and Ludia seem to be there as well.
Even shortly after defeating the Antlion Empress, they still have the energy to defeat a large number of Antlion Princesses. It’s incredible, or perhaps reckless…
Well, given that it’s them, I find myself accepting it.
“Yamato, how is the right flank?”
“Slay, Caesar, El, and Saya, who joined us, are in charge. Miranda is overseeing the command, and Delfina has also joined us, so I believe our combat power is more than sufficient.”
All members of Lily Wish are High Class, so their combat power is more than enough.
Frankly, I pity Miranda having to command Ancient Hunters.
“I’m a little concerned about the left flank’s combat strength, but there are no more Steam Battleships, and Antlions haven’t appeared there either, so it’s sufficiently defended.”
“Understood. While it’s distasteful to clean up Solemne’s mess, we can’t leave it unattended. It will be a burden on the Ancient Classes, but you will prioritize hunting Queens and Princesses.”
“That’s what we’d like to do, but first, we need to capture or kill Prince Airgaitz. While the outcome might be the same in the end, as we are advancing as an Allied Force, there’s a possibility we could leave lingering problems if we’re not careful.”
What Rex is worried about is the spoils of war between Amister and Torencia.
There’s the issue of which country will take the head of the Emperor, but if we can take the head of Prince Airgaitz, who commands the entire Solemne army, both countries can share in the spoils, and post-war governance will proceed smoothly.
However, if Prince Airgaitz is defeated by the Antlions, the country that misses out on the Emperor’s head might harbor resentment and indirectly obstruct governance.
While few nobles would voice such complaints in either Amister or Torencia, it’s not entirely impossible, and the Prince’s head is necessary to silence those nobles.
“You are right. Hilde, I apologize, but please let Amister have this one. In return, I will yield the Emperor’s head to Torencia.”
“From my perspective, I would like to concede both to Amister, but that’s not possible. Understood.”
So that’s how it is.
Indeed, since Torencia has no Ancient Classes, this is unavoidable.
Even if a High Class were to charge in alone, they likely wouldn’t return alive.
However, an Ancient Class, as long as they aren’t completely surrounded by a swarm of Queens and Princesses, can annihilate enemies and return unscathed.
Since Amister possesses the Ancient Classes, if the Prince’s head is to be taken in this bloody melee, Amister must be the one to do it.
“Then, we’ll clear the enemies ahead and make a path for the main force to advance.”
“Let’s do that. It’s fine, isn’t it, Brother Rai?”
“I’m sorry, but please.”
We are only a short distance from the enemy main camp, but simultaneously, the number of Antlions, particularly Queens and Princesses, is increasing, making it difficult to proceed.
However, if the Ancient Hunters of Wing Crest can carve a path, it seems we can reach the main camp without taking too much time.
“Then let’s go!”
“Yes!”
As Yamato calls out, Flam unleashes her Unique Magic.
The unleashed water arrows multiply, and with wind and lightning entwining, they descend upon the Solemne Army and the Antlions like a great storm.
This must be Flam’s new Unique Magic, Arrow Rain Tempest.
There were several Antlion Princesses among them, but she defeated them without hesitation.
“I’m going too!”
Prim also ascends into the sky and unleashes Flare Needle.
Arrow Rain Tempest and Flare Needle rain down upon the enemy positions like a torrential downpour, burning away both Solemne soldiers and Antlions indiscriminately.
“Allied Forces, commence your advance!”
As the rain of wind, lightning, and searing flames ceases, Rex commands the advance.
In response, Wing Crest charges forward, slaughtering the surviving Solemne soldiers and Antlions, leaving the enemy main camp exposed.
“Shielding! Marie!”
“Yes!”
However, there are still a large number of Antlion Princesses. Several individuals beyond the range of Arrow Rain Tempest and Flare Needle are heading towards the main force.
Rex and Muse defend with Shielding, and Bout, Certina, and His Majesty Emperor Hildegard cut them down. Their Majesties Emperor Reinhardt and H.R.H. Elis and H.R.H. Maruca are also defeating Beetle Antlions and Mantis Antlions.
I also launched an attack on an Antlion Princess and succeeded in defeating it, but suddenly I felt an immense surge of mana welling up from within my body.
It seems I have also evolved into an Ancient Ogre.
Gripping my sword and raising my shield, I stand alongside Rex and Muse, deploying Shielding to protect the main force from the Antlions’ attacks.
