Ｓｉｄｅ・Ｒｅｘ
Even though the Ancient Classes sank all the Steam Warships and steadily reduced the numbers of the Solemn Army on the right and left flanks, as well as the center, I never expected a Demise Species Antlion Empress to appear with its swarm at this timing.
“Tch, what a pain!”
“But why would an Antlion Empress come near Deseo?”
“I can only guess, but it’s probably because Solemn gathered an army of over ten thousand. Even a Demise Species would likely feel threatened by such numbers.”
Certina nodded in agreement with Bout-san’s prediction.
Bout-san mentioned that the wisdom of demi-humans can sometimes rival that of humans. They are particularly sensitive to threats to themselves or their swarms, and it’s not uncommon for demi-humans to prepare commensurate forces when Hunters form a large-scale Alliance.
About 50 years ago, an alliance was formed in the Praia Desert to hunt an Antlion Empress, led by Kazushi-sama and Erieru-sama of Torencia. At that time, Solemn had also excluded guilds from within the country, so only about 20 Hunters gathered. They didn’t show themselves then, and the Hunter’s Guild concluded that they were left alone because their numbers weren’t perceived as a threat.
However, this time, the Allied Forces are about 600 strong, while the Solemn Army has organized a massive force of 12,000. Although there are fewer than 100 High Classes, a number exceeding ten thousand would normally be a threat. That’s likely why the Antlion Empress has led its swarm to the Klagen Plain, adjacent to Deseo, according to Bout-san’s prediction.
“I can’t deny that. But what’s important now isn’t speculating on the cause, but how to overcome it.”
Emperor Reinhardt is absolutely right. It seems Yamato-kun, Prim-san, and El-san from Falcon’s Beak are fighting. However, the Solemn Army has already been pushed deep into their main camp, so their annihilation is likely a matter of time. While the destruction of the Solemn Army itself is acceptable, we need to defeat Prince Airgaitz ourselves, so we must hasten our advance. But to face a swarm that likely includes an Antlion Queen and Antlion Princesses, we too must commit all our forces.
“Your Majesty, I would like to request that Muse and I provide support to Yamato-kun, Prim-san, and El-san, who are currently battling the Antlion Empress.”
Reinforcements will likely be dispatched from the left flank as well, but the Demise Species needs to be defeated as quickly as possible. Although I don’t know the details of their assault, judging by the aerial battle, the Antlion Empress probably attempted a surprise attack from the sky. Yamato-kun, Prim-san, and El-san prevented this, thereby limiting damage to the Allied Forces. Yamato-kun and Prim-san have individually defeated an Orc Emperor and Orc Empress, presumably of the same rank as the Antlion Empress. However, it’s likely that an Antlion, having lived for over 100 years, would be more formidable than an Orc, presumed to be newly born. I don’t doubt their ability to hold their own, but support would still be beneficial.
“Hilde, what do you think?”
“I have no objections. However, if Lord Rex and Muse-kyō are to leave this place, I would prefer that Mana and Meena remain.”
Emperor Hildegard suggests this, but I also intended for His Highness Manalease and my sister Meena to remain. Not all Ancient Classes can leave this location, and with Antlions also approaching the Solemn main camp, we cannot neglect that. I will entrust command to Marie, and with High Classes from Wing Crest and Trial Hearts present, I believe our combat strength will be sufficient. Of course, I also intend to swiftly defeat the Antlion Empress and rejoin the main force immediately.
“Understood. But Rex, I forbid you to die. You are the one who will carry the future of the Order’s Guild. It is unacceptable for you to be outmatched by mere demi-humans or by Solemn. Keep this in mind.”
“Yes!”
Although not immediately, I have been informally designated to succeed Tolman-sama as Grand Order’s Master. For my contributions to the Alliance five months ago, I was bestowed the title of Sky Knight and promoted to the A-rank Order, which is synonymous with Grand Order’s Master. Furthermore, after evolving into an Ancient Human, I was promoted to the O-rank Order, the same as Yamato-kun, just before the expedition. At that time, I sparred with both Tolman-sama and my father, the Associate Order’s Master, and overwhelmed them, but they both rejoiced from the bottom of their hearts. As a result, my appointment as Grand Order’s Master was informally decided. However, considering Feel-san’s situation and the need for a handover, I will likely have to take over the management of the Order’s Guild either at Emperor Reinhardt’s Coronation Ceremony, or at the latest, within a few years.
Frankly, I don’t think I’m suited for it, but it is customary for the strongest Order to become the Grand Order’s Master, so my father and Tolman-sama insist that it is only natural for me, having evolved into an Ancient Human, to take the position. My fellow Orders also tease me about it.
“Someone go back and call Flam. With Antlions approaching the Solemn main camp, Flam’s support will be necessary.”
“Yes!”
One of the Orders who received the Emperor’s command summoned his familiar Battle Horse and hurried towards the main camp in the rear.
Flam-san, the Ancient Undine, is not particularly adept at close combat. However, as the only archer among the Ancient Classes, her support fire from the rear is superior to ours. I’ve heard she often teams up with my sister Meena, who also evolved into an Ancient Human at the same time, so Flam-san, who has concerns about close combat, will likely be able to participate with a bit more peace of mind.
“Marie, I apologize, but please look after Their Majesties.”
“I look forward to your safe return.”
“Yes. Muse!”
“I know! Let’s go!”
I’m unsure how the battle on the right flank is proceeding, so I want to avoid using Traveling. Muse and I have chosen to use Scaffolding and fly through the sky at full speed.
Ｓｉｄｅ・Yamato
For reasons I can’t fathom, I’m currently engaged in combat with an Antlion Empress in the sky above the border between the Klagen Plain and the Praia Desert. Despite Prim and El-san ganging up on it, it evades our attacks with the blades on its arms and legs. Annoyingly, Antlion Princesses and Mantis Antlions, with wings of the same type as the Antlion Empress, have also arrived in groups.
Antlions are demi-humans resembling anthropomorphized ants, with human-like facial features. They have black skin, antennae, and hard exoskeletons, and inhabit deserts. Their ecological niche means they have only ever been confirmed in the Praia Desert or Labyrinths. Higher species include the Beetle Antlion, whose skin is reddish and exoskeleton is armor-like, and the rare Mantis Antlion, which has reduced exoskeleton compared to the Beetle Antlion but possess sharp scythe-like blades on both arms and a black body nearly three meters long. The Anomaly Species, Antlion Princess, combines the strengths of the Beetle Antlion and Mantis Antlion, though its body length is around two meters. The Catastrophe Species, Antlion Queen, while appearing similar, is almost double in size, with a body length of four meters.
The Demise Species, Antlion Empress, has a massive body nearly five meters long, an exoskeleton covering its entire body, sharp armaments, and blades on its legs, making its fighting style akin to a Martial Artist. Furthermore, it wields Earth, Fire, and Dark Magic, leaving no openings in either close or long-range combat.
If that were all, it wouldn’t be so difficult. However, the presence of Antlion Princesses and Mantis Antlions with wings is making it tough for El-san, Prim, and me. While winged demi-humans are rare, they are not nonexistent. Even among regular monsters, there are winged individuals, and such monsters are classified as W-rank, considered one rank higher than usual. Mantis Antlions are Rare Species of S-R rank, but with wings, they become S-W rank, equivalent to or exceeding the strongest monsters of G-rank. Antlion Princesses, being G-I rank, become G-W rank, comparable to M-rank, let alone P-rank. We are facing three G-W rank Antlion Princesses and eight S-W rank Mantis Antlions. The Antlion Empress’s command ability seems high, as they are executing highly sophisticated coordinated attacks, making it difficult for us to deal with them. Moreover, there are still other W-rank Antlions present, which is extremely troublesome.
“This is certainly bothersome.”
“Yes. I’m confident I can handle them individually, but when they swarm and coordinate, it becomes difficult for us to cope.”
El-san and Prim are complaining, and I understand how they feel. In fact, there is a way. However, if I use Engraving Magic, the Allied Forces fighting on the ground won’t be able to evacuate, and it’s not impossible they could be injured by the aftershocks. With Prim, it’s simpler: she’d end up involving allies. El-san also possesses a wide-ranging Unique Magic, but she hasn’t used it since evolving into an Ancient Harpy and seems hesitant to do so.
“Gotcha! That’s it!”
Avoiding a coordinated attack from the Mantis Antlions, I plunge an Ice Edge Javelin in. Even with Accelerating Magic, it’s difficult to use effectively in a melee, but reducing their numbers is the priority. The Ice Edge Javelin was dodged, but Prim’s Flare Penetrator struck the Mantis Antlion. Yet, the Antlions, unfazed by their comrade being hit, launch a coordinated attack that belies their reduced numbers. Though they have human-like appearances, are these Ant demi-humans indifferent to the lives of their kin?
“It’s gotten quite troublesome in the span of a moment’s inattention.”
However, those W-rank Antlions were being shot down one after another by what could be described as a ‘light beam flurry’ magic.
“Mako?”
“Wh-what was that just now?”
“It’s my trump card, the A-rank Unclassified Art, Starlight Circle.”
That’s Mako-san’s other A-rank. In our previous battle against the Solemn Army, she used it to reflect light beams and attack in all directions. Mako-san developed it as an A-rank Art and is proficient in its use. It seems to generate charged ice particles within a domain, and by converging or dispersing them, she can freely alter the angles of numerous light beams and even amplify them. Moreover, it doesn’t cause any residual damage to the Allied Forces on the ground, so I can’t even begin to guess how much processing power that requires.
“This should be alright now, shouldn’t it?”
“Yes, thank you. We wouldn’t have been able to avoid causing damage below.”
I feel the same way as Prim. If I focused on control, I might be able to do it, but then I’d be unable to move. Flying Antlion Empresses and W-rank individuals would see me as just a target, so I couldn’t do that.
“It can’t be helped. I didn’t expect such a chaotic battle either. More importantly, now!”
“Ngh!”
Thanks to Mako-san defeating the W-rank Antlions, only the Antlion Empress remains. Of course, it’s a Demise Species and has lived for at least a hundred years, so letting my guard down would be fatal.
“Wait, did it call for reinforcements!?”
However, the Antlion Empress has summoned W-rank Antlions that were attacking the Solemn Army as reinforcements. And this time, there’s even an Antlion Queen!
“This is getting troublesome again…”
“In that case, Muse and I will handle the Antlion Queen.”
Lord Rex and Muse-san have arrived. The reinforcements consist of five W-rank Antlions, four Beetle Antlions, and one Antlion Queen. The Queen is the only truly troublesome one, so their offer to take her on is extremely welcome.
“Thank you, please handle it.”
“Then I’ll take down the other W-rank Antlions and head down to assist below once I’m finished.”
That’s also a great help. I’ve heard that Lydia and Ludia, as well as Lily Wish, are also here, but since there are Queens and Princesses on the ground as well, they are likely dealing with those. Mana and Meena are reportedly heading to the main force after joining up with Flam, so they are staying with the main body. Athena and Raous are also with the main force, so we have to trust them. However, with increased combat power, we will annihilate them here and now!
Ｓｉｄｅ・Flam
While providing support at the main camp, I succeeded in destroying one W-rank Antlion Princess by unleashing my Unique Magic, Tidal Blaster.
“Well done, Flam.”
“Thank you, Sir Yuri. It’s thanks to Raksus providing a distraction.”
The Antlion Princess, seemingly accustomed to aerial combat, was flying around at a speed close to Prim-san’s, making it difficult to aim. However, thanks to Sir Yuri’s spirit Raksus, along with Sir Yuri, pinning it down with his developed Unique Magic, Heavy Rain Thorns, I was able to land the Tidal Blaster. Sir Yuri’s Unique Magic, Heavy Rain Thorns, transforms mana into sharp needles and rains them down like a heavy shower. You could say it’s the water-attribute version of Prim-san’s Flare Needle. The concept was almost identical to mine, so we devised it together.
“It seems Eos-san has also defeated a Princess, so we only have about three W-rank left.”
“No, those have been taken care of too. Agira, Viola, Marisa, Yuria, and I each took one.”
When Rica-sama spoke, I looked up at the sky and indeed, there were no more Antlions in sight. Ah, Agira-san is a High Human male from the First Order of the 10th squad. Of course, the archers positioned in the observation deck of the Multi-functional Beast Carriage were also providing support and distractions. Normally, the Multi-functional Beast Carriage should also move forward, but with a nearly twenty-fold difference in troop numbers, advancing the beast carriage rashly could lead to isolation and focused attacks. The Hunters and Orders wielding swords and spears are in the same boat, but since there are many High Classes here, they can manage even if isolated. However, archers are not suited for close combat, so it was judged to be a higher risk compared to swordsmen and spearmen, and there’s also the possibility of the beast chariot’s pulling beasts being targeted. Therefore, they are instructed to remain at the main camp with the beast carriage.
“So, can we assume the main camp will be relatively stable for a while?”
“Likely. However, as it seems to be a swarm of over 2,000, even with the main force, it’s unavoidable to have some stragglers. Given the Solemn Army as well, we cannot let our guard down.”
Rica-sama is right; facing a large Antlion swarm while also dealing with over ten thousand Solemn soldiers would normally be an act of suicide. Although the Allied Forces have sixteen Ancient Classes, it’s still not easy to defeat them all. Furthermore, on the right flank, there is an Antlion with a particularly large body, so it feels necessary to concentrate our forces there.
“H.R.H. Yuriana, Marquis Frederica. A messenger from the main body.”
“From the main body?”
“Yes. They would like Lady Flam to rejoin the main body.”
“Me?”
I was surprised by Agira-san’s words, who brought the messenger from the main body. “Yes. Not only the main body, but the right flank is under attack by even more Antlions. Lily Wish is heading from the left flank, and General Order and Secondary Order are heading from the main body to provide support. However, the Solemn main camp is also under attack, so His Majesty believes it is necessary to break through the enemy lines as quickly as possible and secure Prince Airgaitz.”
“I see. In that case, Flam, can you rejoin the main body?”
So that’s how it is.
“I understand.”
However, I lack confidence in close combat, so I would prefer to bring Rebecca with me.
