The battle has been raging for an hour.
The first wave of demons is on the verge of annihilation before the Ancient Hunters. Rex’s prediction seems to have been accurate; High Hunters and High Orders are defeating them with ease when they cooperate, and reports indicate few casualties so far.
Most of the casualties are Normal Classes, but there are also a few High Classes, so complacency is still forbidden, even if they were meant as a diversionary force.
“Report! There’s movement on the demon side!”
It seems the demons are finally making a move, but it’s too late, with nearly eighty percent already defeated. This confirms Rex’s prediction – the next wave will undoubtedly be their elite.
“What about the Dragons?”
“There’s no movement from them. However, if the second wave is the main force, they could make a move at any time.”
Indeed. Since we don’t know when they’ll attack, we can’t afford to focus solely on the enemies in front of us. That would expose our weaknesses, and against demons, such a lapse could be fatal. Furthermore, if the elite forces are as strong as expected, the Ancient Hunters might be forced to use their trump cards.
“Understood. Relay this to the waiting Hunters: advance as soon as the demon’s second wave moves. Cooperate with the vanguard Hunters to intercept the second wave. However, expect them to be on a different level than the first wave, so proceed with caution.”
“Understood!”
The waiting Hunter Raid is finally being deployed. This will bring more than half of the Philia Continent’s Ancient Classes to the front lines, but depending on the composition of the second wave, even this may not be enough to avoid a difficult fight. Rex and his group, along with us, are still on standby, but we will eventually be deployed. I suspect the Dragons won’t make their move until the mid to latter stages of the battle, so that’s likely when we’ll be called into action.
“Are we still on standby?”
“I apologize, but we cannot deploy our full strength just yet. If Yamato were to join the fray, their front line would collapse sooner, but it would also increase the likelihood of the Divine Emperor appearing early. Therefore, the Wing Crest’s deployment is scheduled for when the Dragons begin to move.”
So, we’ll be deployed after the Dragons start moving. While the Ancient Hunters can handle them, it will be difficult while also fending off the demons. The idea is for us to concentrate on the Dragons, minimizing our casualties. Given the high probability of the Divine Emperor appearing during that time, it makes sense to reduce the demon forces first and then simultaneously engage the Divine Emperor and the Dragons.
“I understand that, but being on standby for so long is making me anxious.”
“It’s unavoidable. If Yamato and Mako are deployed prematurely, it’s highly likely to provoke the Divine Emperor. As they are both Engravers who can also generate Engraving Tools, the Divine Emperor will undoubtedly be interested. Since oracle has declared that even Ancient Classes cannot stand against them, we must avoid provoking them unnecessarily.”
I understand Rex’s reasoning, but Mina is right; it’s a frustrating situation. We’ve always fought on the front lines, but now we’re on standby as a trump card. It feels wrong not to be fighting alongside our allies, especially when they aren’t at a disadvantage. It’s not arrogance, but as one of the Philia Continent’s strongest assets, I believe I should have been deployed from the start. However, with a creator from the same world as the Divine Emperor present, provoking them carelessly is something we must avoid. This is why Mako and I are on standby, and Mina’s group from the same Union is also forced to wait. But other Hunters and Orders are risking their lives in battle, so it’s hard not to be concerned.
“I understand how you feel. However, the commander cannot afford to fall early, and we need someone to protect the rear. We will move forward when the time comes, but until then, my role is to observe the battlefield and command. Yamato, you also have your own role to play, so I ask that you comply for now.”
“I understand.”
While I am restless, I have no intention of acting rashly. Besides, the movement of the second wave means our deployment isn’t far off.
“The question is, when will the Dragons move?”
“My guess is, some time after the second wave starts moving.”
“That’s likely. The demons would want to avoid bothering the Divine Emperor. Therefore, they have no choice but to deploy the Dragons with a time difference from the elite second wave. And we will join the front lines at the same time as the Wing Crest.”
So Rex and his group will also be deploying at that time. With over ten Ancient Classes, including ourselves, participating at once, it will be difficult to hold the front line, even with an elite demon force. That’s why they intend to commit our forces all at once and decide the battle.
“Your thinking is correct, Yamato. Still, we cannot predict at what timing the Divine Emperor will make their move. We must consider the possibility of them moving at the worst possible moment.”
The worst possible timing. If many of the demon elites remain, and the Divine Emperor starts moving simultaneously with the Dragons, it’s inevitable that our casualties will increase, and our forces will be divided. Furthermore, besides the Divine Emperor, there’s also an O-rank Dragon, the Blood Ruby Dragon. There’s only one Blood Ruby Dragon, and it was carrying what appeared to be a luxurious Beast Carriage, suggesting it might be more powerful than the Burning Dragon.
“The vanguard must be nearing contact with the demon’s second wave by now. From here on, we must monitor the battlefield more closely than ever. Marie, Muse, Saya. Please prepare so we can deploy at any moment.”
“Understood.”
“Leave this to us.”
“Yes. Rex, you focus on commanding.”
“Thank you.”
Rex’s companions, like supportive wives, headed off to prepare themselves for battle.
“Yamato-san, leave the preparations to us.”
“That’s right. My sister and I haven’t had much to do, so we want to help out in any way we can.”
“Understood. I’m counting on you, Lydia, Ludia.”
Not to be outdone, Lydia and Ludia took on the task of preparations. Preparations mainly involve contacting Raus and the others, as our equipment is already in our respective inventories, and the Beast Carriages will be stored there before deployment. They, like the Wing Crest, haven’t been deployed yet.
“Then we’ll return to our Beast Carriages. Please let us know if there’s any development.”
“Of course. The next time we call for you will likely be our deployment. I apologize, Yamato, but we’ll have to rely on your strength again.”
If my strength is needed, then anytime. With a slight nod, I left the main camp.
“Welcome back. Has there been any movement?”
Upon returning to the Wing Crest’s Multi-functional Beast Carriage, Carol immediately asked if there had been any developments. Yes, there have been. When I recounted what I heard at the main camp, Raus and the others also frowned.
“The second wave has begun to move?”
“However, with no movement from the Dragons, we must be vigilant not only on the ground but also in the air. Even for Ancient Classes, isn’t that critical?”
“That’s why Flying and Scaffolding are also being permitted. We will also deploy when there’s movement from the Dragons.”
Flying can only be used by winged races, but Scaffolding is a magic that creates quasi-footing with magic power, enabling aerial combat regardless of race. Furthermore, some of the Ancient Classes have begun using amplification magic similar to the Wing Burst we use, so now that permission has been granted, they should be able to exert their full strength. While it’s a close imitation and the amplification is not as strong as Wing Burst, and it’s likely an incomplete Unique Magic, being able to self-amplify is significant, so I believe some will use it as a trump card.
“Are we in charge of the Dragons?”
“Our group, led by Yamato-san, consists of nearly ten Ancient Classes participating.”
Including myself, an Element Human, and Ancient Classes Mina, Lydia, Ludia, Athena, Mako, Eos, Raus, Rebecca, and Carol, who is High Class but on the verge of evolution, ten members of the Wing Crest are participating this time. Moreover, Athena and Eos are Dragonian, so carrying this number on their backs is no problem, making aerial combat easier. That’s why we’ve been assigned to deal with the Dragons.
Oh, and Ancient Tigari Lucas and Ancient Harpy Lyra are also members, but they are also Orders, so they are currently commanding on the front lines.
“We’re accustomed to fighting Dragoons, but Dragons are different from Dragoons and fully transformed Dragonians, aren’t they?”
“Based on our brief engagement earlier, they’re not much different from Dragoons. They’re likely a higher rank, a step up in power.”
When I fought the Burning Dragon earlier, it felt more like fighting a Dragoon than a transformed Dragonian. Dragoons often use their claws, but they also utilize their arms, legs, and tails. Of course, they use claws and fangs as well, but ultimately, even Dragons are monsters, and they don’t seem to fight with much efficiency. In contrast, Dragonians, being human, often imbue their claws with elemental or unique magic when fighting. They also use their arms and legs, but by using magic-imbued claws like weapons, they can adopt a fighting style similar to before transformation, making the combat styles of Dragonians and Dragoons clearly distinguishable. Dragons engaged in combat similarly to Dragoons, so it’s reasonable to consider them a higher species.
“I agree with Yamato. Some individuals might possess high intelligence, but considering the Burning Dragon is O-rank, there likely aren’t many of them.”
“Perhaps something like the Blood Ruby Dragon in their main camp has that potential.”
Mako and I are both highly wary of the Blood Ruby Dragon. It’s an O-rank Dragon, and while we’ve confirmed it, we can’t distinguish whether it’s a rare species or an anomaly since its threat level rank isn’t displayed. Considering it as a higher species of Dragoon, dragons with gem names should fall under anomalies, making its rank O-I. The Burning Dragon is also O-rank, but it’s an elemental dragon, placing it at O-U. Thus, even within the same O-rank, the Blood Ruby Dragon is predicted to be the more powerful individual due to the difference between a higher species and an anomaly. However, this is merely speculation. We are considering the possibility of it being a Demise Species, meaning O-A rank.
“You’re considering Demise Species? That would make it difficult, especially if Yamato is busy fighting the Divine Emperor.”
“I apologize, but considering the Divine Emperor, we could use some backup too.”
In reality, even if the Blood Ruby Dragon is on par with a Demise Species, Mina and Raus, who are holding shields, will be the ones taking direct hits. It’s understandable why Raus is making a grimace. If I could fight it, I would, but if the Divine Emperor appears, I’ll have to prioritize them. Moreover, it’s said that even Ancient Class power is ineffective against the Divine Emperor, so we can’t expect any support. Still, my honest desire is for at least some support.
“If there’s an opening, I’ll provide support, but depending on the situation, that might not be possible.”
“That’s true.”
The only one we can rely on for support is Mako, but we don’t know where the battle against the Blood Ruby Dragon will take place, nor how the Divine Emperor will move, so there are no guarantees. Furthermore, it’s logical that the Blood Ruby Dragon would be deployed to turn the tide of the battle, meaning it would be located away from the Divine Emperor.
“So, even if the Blood Ruby Dragon is on par with or stronger than a Demise Species, we have to handle it on our own?”
“Unfortunately, that seems to be the case.”
In the worst-case scenario, Mina and Raus will have to fight it alone. We don’t know what kind of Magical Tool the Divine Emperor possesses, and if they are far away, I won’t be able to provide support. To be honest, I likely won’t have the leeway for it.
“The departure of Prim-san and Mana-sama, as well as my sister, is having a greater impact than I thought.”
I believe Rebecca is right. Prim has a track record of defeating an Ouch Emperor-class Orc Empress, second only to me. Mana can unleash high attack power through her summoned beasts and coordination with Eos. Furthermore, Flam, like her sister Rebecca, is an Archer and is more accustomed to providing support than Rebecca, and she is at a higher level. Of course, Rebecca’s support is also appreciated, but with her preferred Lapis Light Bowedge also usable as a spear and her training under Prim, she’s been fighting more in close combat. Therefore, for rear-line ranged attacks, with no other Archers who have evolved to Ancient Class, Flam is unmatched. Honestly, if those three were here, I can’t help but wish they were, but Mana has just given birth to her eldest daughter, Saki, and Prim and Flam are four months pregnant, making it impossible to bring them to a war.
Besides, we knew about the departure of these three, and we had prepared for it. Therefore, while it will cause trouble and burden everyone, I intend to focus on the Divine Emperor. I don’t know if we can defeat them here, but at the very least, I will drive them out of Philia Continent. And I believe that time will not be far off.
