About 20 minutes after the second wave departed, the Demon Race made another move.
It seemed a Red Dragon was about to take flight.
We watched from a distance, so we figured we’d be called soon. We finished our preparations and headed for the main camp.
“They’ve finally moved,” Rex noted.
“Indeed. However, reports say only about five Red Dragons have taken flight.”
With a total of 18 Red Dragons reported, that’s about a quarter.
I’d heard that deploying forces piecemeal is a bad strategy, but perhaps they’re assessing the situation.
Or, maybe they think even five of them are too many for us.
“We can’t be sure, but it probably won’t make much difference either way. If they had deployed all of them at once, we would have struggled. But at this stage, it’s just a piecemeal deployment. And they’re facing the Wing Crest, Philia Continent’s strongest force.”
Indeed, deploying only five at this point does constitute a piecemeal approach.
Still, they are A-rank, and the second wave of the Demon Race is expected to be elites. It’s highly likely we’ll struggle, if not suffer casualties.
“Putting that aside, is it okay for us to depart immediately?”
“I apologize, but I’d be in your debt. If we can take down all five, reinforcements will likely follow. Or, it’s not impossible that the Divine Emperor himself will move.”
Right.
But more important than how the war situation unfolds, it’s time to act to reduce casualties.
Since we’re facing A-rank Red Dragons, and considering what’s to come, let’s take them down quickly.
“Understood. We’ll depart then.”
“I’m counting on you.”
After accepting Rex’s orders, I looked at my wives and companions.
Their determined expressions gave me confidence.
I nodded in response and called out to Athena and Eos.
“Athena, Eos. It’s your turn. Sorry to trouble you.”
“Finally, huh? Leave it to us!”
“Understood. Please, board us.”
Raus, Rebecca, Carol, and I boarded Athena, while Mako, Meena, Lydia, and Ludia boarded Eos.
Mako and Rebecca, our rear guards, might remain mounted, but the rest of us intend to weave freely across the battlefield using Flying and Scaffolding.
Hunters and Orders are already engaging the Demon Race advantageously on the battlefield, so there’s no need to hide our tactics.
“Alright, let’s go!”
“Yeah!”
“Understood!”
After confirming everyone was aboard, Athena and Eos took flight at my signal.
The five Red Dragons had already left the Demon Race’s main camp and arrived on the battlefield, attacking indiscriminately.
Some Amisters were being blown away, so we need to hurry.
Fortunately, the battlefield isn’t far, only a few hundred meters. Athena and Eos can reach it in seconds at full speed.
“We’ve been waiting!”
“Sorry for the delay! We’ll handle the Dragons!”
“Please!”
Upon arriving at the battlefield, I called out to Faris, who was drawing the Red Dragons’ attention, and simultaneously launched Ice Edge Javelins at them.
First, we need to separate them from the main battlefield, but if possible, we’d like to reduce their numbers.
“Mako!”
“Yes!”
Then, deploying my Nibbleheim and Mako’s Alfheim layered barriers, we blew the Dragons skyward.
Given their name, they are likely fire-attribute Dragons, so their power should be diminished within these ice and wind barriers.
“Let’s pick them off one by one!”
“Yes!”
“Roger that!”
Athena and Eos pursued the Red Dragons blown into the sky. As they closed in, Lydia and Ludia jumped off using Flying.
A short while later, Meena and Raus soared through the sky using Scaffolding.
“First one down!”
Mako’s Starlight Circle glittered, and countless lights pierced a Red Dragon.
“Haaah!”
On the next Red Dragon, Athena’s Magma Light Breath and Eos’s Burst Storm Breath struck directly, and Meena’s Mace Quake shattered its head as it fell.
“Hya! Take that!”
“Yaaah!”
A little further away, a Red Dragon hit by Ludia’s Firing Impact was blown back significantly. It was then beheaded by Lydia’s Blading, who was waiting.
Another individual, about to swing its claws at Raus, had its attack deflected by Lapis Laz Shield, after which Heavy Fang Cloud swarmed it, tangling it up and hindering its movements with Carol’s Unique Magic, Leaf Storm Vortex, before it was finished off by Rebecca’s Thunder Scale Rain.
I too unleashed a rain of Ice Edge Javelins to stop its movement, then approached using Accelerating Magic and put an end to it with a single slice from my Blading.
“You said they were A-rank, but are they really that strong?”
“Ludia, complacency is dangerous. We defeated them quickly without letting them unleash their full power, so we haven’t confirmed that, nor do we intend to,” Lydia admonished.
I understand Ludia’s sentiment, but as Lydia said, letting them unleash their power would devastate the battlefield.
Even if the Demon Race suffers numerous casualties, ours would be far worse. It’s best to defeat them swiftly if we can.
“Ludia, you weren’t being careless, were you?” Mako asked with a chilling smile directed at Ludia.
“N-N-No, of course not!”
“Honestly. Now, what do we do? Even though we defeated all five, the remaining Dragons haven’t moved,” Carol stated.
“Oh, you’re right.”
“I thought they’d move immediately, but why?”
At Mako’s prompting, I glanced towards the Demon Race’s camp. Indeed, the remaining Dragons showed no signs of moving.
Like Raus, I expected them to move immediately. What were they thinking?
No, more importantly, we have the Demon Race to deal with now.
“It’s concerning that they aren’t moving, but let’s defeat the Demon Race for now. It was troublesome when they attacked us simultaneously. If they don’t come, it’s even more convenient.”
“That’s true. We can’t let our guard down, but the Demon Race are enemies we must defeat. We also need to draw out the Divine Emperor. We’ll have to leave the Dragons for later.”
Charging into the Demon Race’s main camp would be suicidal.
“Yes!”
Carol’s response was vigorous, but I felt she was getting a little too worked up.
It’s understandable since her homeland was attacked, but I need Raus and Rebecca to support her properly.
Of course, I will too.
“Athena, Eos. I’d like you two to wait here for a while and monitor the enemy’s main camp. Are you okay with your Magic Power?”
With numerous Dragons still remaining, we couldn’t have Athena and Eos revert from their Dragon forms.
However, it had been quite some time since they transformed, and they’d been in combat. I was concerned about their remaining Magic Power.
“Yeah, we’re fine!”
“We’ll use Scaffolding, so Magic Power consumption should be minimal.”
To my surprise, they both assured me they had no issues. Dragonian in their Dragon forms can fly without Flying, but it consumes Magic Power.
Even hovering uses Magic Power, so if using Scaffolding can conserve it, that’s ideal.
“Understood. But if it seems too much, retreat to the main camp immediately.”
“Understood.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
We will remain vigilant, but with Athena and Eos watching from above, we won’t be caught off guard if the Dragons move.
“Alright. Then, let’s go!”
At my signal, everyone else descended towards the battlefield below.
While the Divine Emperor and the Dragons weigh on our minds, we must defeat the Demon Race in front of us first!
Side: Saya
After Yamato and the Wing Crest headed to the battlefield, we also moved out.
While it might be better for my husband and his co-wives to command from the rear, as they are important figures in the Order’s Guild, I enjoy fighting alongside them, so this is fine by me.
“To all Orders and Hunters! The Dragons that took flight a moment ago are being handled by the Wing Crest! Leave the Dragons to them, and we shall now attack the Demon Race! Follow me!”
This formidable speech was delivered by Rex, my beloved husband and the Grand Order’s Master. It’s troublesome that he insists on fighting on the front lines as a commander, but since he’s an Ancient Human and has reached level 78, his presence on the front lines significantly boosts our morale.
After taking a long leave, we entered the Instant Labyrinth as a couple of four and defeated the Guardian Mithril Colossus. Not just Rex, but everyone has leveled up.
We borrowed the second prototype Multi-functional Beast Carriage, which Yamato no longer uses as frequently, and it made travel and rest much easier.
“Hah! What’s wrong? Is this all youDemon Race got!?” shouted Muse, my co-wife, as she cut down a Demon Race member before Rex.
Perhaps it’s because they lacked substance, but the Demon Race Muse just cut down was a Normal Class. For an Ancient Ogre at level 76, it’s only natural that it felt underwhelming.
“Muse, it’s fine to taunt them, but please don’t let your guard down,” Marie advised gently.
“I know.”
Marie rebuked her lightly, but Muse wasn’t truly provoking them, and she certainly wasn’t being careless. Still, Marie is responsible, so she felt the need to say something.
“Saya!”
“I know!”
Even as we exchanged words, the Demon Race continued to attack relentlessly. I used the scythe blade of my Buster Trident, a spear crafted from Lapis Laz given to us as a wedding gift by Yamato and his companions.
The Buster Trident has a three-pronged head, but the side prongs are a scythe and an axe, making it similar to a halberd in terms of handling. Made of Lapis Laz, it won’t break easily and can withstand my Ancient Rabitry’s Magic Power, making it my indispensable companion.
“Eat this!”
With the Buster Trident, I unleashed my Unique Magic, Gran Rock Blazer. Gran Rock Blazer is a Unique Magic I developed upon evolving into a High Rabitry. It coats the spearhead with earth and fire attribute magic, allowing direct attacks as well as launching fire-infused rock projectiles.
Upon evolving into an Ancient Rabitry, I was granted affinity with wind attribute magic and Fusion Magic. By incorporating these, its power, accuracy, and usability have all improved.
The Demon Race struck directly by a fire-infused rock projectile from Gran Rock Blazer was riddled with holes and perished. It was a High Demon in terms of Magic Power, but Gran Rock Blazer was sufficiently effective.
“As vicious as ever,” Rex commented.
“It’s thanks to Sayuri’s knowledge, of course, but Yamato and Mako also contributed,” I replied.
“Guest knowledge? While we too benefit from it, we can’t use it as effectively as you can.”
“For me, my upbringing was quite unique.”
My parents died soon after I was born, and Sayuri-sama took me in and placed me in an orphanage. Therefore, to me, Sayuri-sama is like a mother. I’m too awed by her former royal status, and feel too embarrassed, to ever call her that, but to me, she is undoubtedly my mother. Sayuri-sama is also a guest from the same world as Yamato and Mako. The orphans, including myself, received instruction in studies and combat from Sayuri-sama, so we possess a distinct set of common knowledge, different from the general knowledge of Helios Orb. This is why Lily Wish, the organization I belonged to, was called Amister 1. However, as we were all in our early twenties, many who looked down on us often mocked us behind our backs. This led to me getting into trouble several times… Well, I’ve left Lily Wish since marrying Rex, and we have the impossibly unconventional Union called Wing Crest, so it’s no longer my concern.
“Your remark is problematic, but it seems your environment was beneficial.”
“I don’t even know what my birth parents looked like, and I couldn’t find any relatives either. However, I consider myself lucky to have been taken in by Sayuri-sama, and she continued to look out for me in many ways, so I don’t dwell on it at all.”
Even if relatives were to appear now, I’d likely doubt their authenticity. I don’t know what Sayuri-sama thinks, but I am one of Sayuri-sama’s daughters, and that’s enough for me.
“More importantly, isn’t the Demon Race’s main camp becoming chaotic?”
“It’s hard to tell from here, but it seems so. The Demons are beginning to retreat.”
“And is something not approaching from the Kobaldia direction?”
It’s difficult to discern the movements of the Demon Race’s main camp due to the flat terrain, but there is definitely some activity, and as Muse said, the Demons are starting to fall back. Furthermore, as Marie mentioned, something does appear to be approaching from the Kobaldia direction. It’s still far, so even with Ancient Class eyesight, we can’t see it clearly, but it’s undoubtedly getting larger. The timing of this occurrence gives me nothing but a bad feeling.
And as it became clearly visible, we could only stare in astonishment.
“Dragons again…?”
“Reinforcements at this timing? Did the Divine Emperor anticipate this situation?”
“This is bad! To all Orders and Hunters! Do not pursue! Maintain your positions and hold your ground! I repeat, do not pursue, hold your ground!”
Chasing them now would undoubtedly lead to disaster. However, we cannot retreat, so holding our ground is our only option. As their coloration becomes discernible, it appears they are also fire-attribute Dragons, and there are over ten of them. Whether the Divine Emperor or a general named Arthur anticipated this situation, we don’t know, but for us, it’s the worst-case scenario. I must be prepared for this. I haven’t even been married for a year yet, so I will be prepared, but I have no intention of dying.
