We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
Dragon tribes of destruction and hope.
Something interesting happened.
A single wyvern flies in the sky above a giant fortress.
The wyvern with brown scales, flying from east to west, suddenly disappears from the sky. And then it reappears in the northern sky.
However, the wyvern doesn’t realize that it has teleported or is flying in the wrong direction.
As I watched intently, the wyvern finally noticed the anomaly it had fallen into after passing the fortress and looked back in surprise.
“Hmm, I see. So that’s how the Bewildering Technique makes you lost?”
In places like deep forests, where everything you see is covered in dense vegetation, you don’t know how you’re getting lost.
But when you see a wyvern flying in the sky getting lost like that, you can objectively understand what the Bewildering Technique is like.
Besides the brown-scaled wyvern, other wyverns flying above the giant fortress were also lost in the sky.
“Wh-what is this!?”
“Did we become directionally challenged?”
We, watching from the ground, couldn’t help but laugh.
The wyverns also found their lost selves and their companions comical and entered the fortress’s airspace voluntarily to get lost.
And it’s not just getting lost for the dragon tribes.
“Interesting. To bewilder us, how exhilarating.”
“It’s not a thank you, but we’ll eliminate the hindrances we see in our path of confusion.”
Thus, with the Great Labyrinth Technique as the trigger, the wyverns fully entered the fray.
Then, the earth dragons would not stay silent.
“Don’t let the wyverns have all the fun.”
“We can’t afford to lose!”
The courtyards scattered throughout the fortress are divided by corridors and walls connecting pavilions and forts. Of course, the fortress’s corridors have sturdy walls and roofs, physically separating the courtyards.
However, large gates were provided in the corridors to allow large beings like earth dragons and giants to move freely within the courtyards.
The earth dragons emerged from the courtyards where they were waiting and passed through the gates. Then, without appearing in the adjacent courtyard, they appeared in a completely different location.
Just like in the sky, the Bewildering Technique was also cast on the ground. Using this, the earth dragons began to drive away monsters and yōma while enjoying getting lost.
With the participation of the dragon tribes, cheers of joy arose from those who were struggling against the yōma.
A small number of yōma, one or two, could be dealt with by skilled individuals. However, if they struggled even slightly with the yōma and monsters that overflowed one after another and were slow to defeat them, they would be overwhelmed by too many opponents attacking simultaneously, forcing even seasoned warriors to retreat steadily.
With the participation of the dragon tribes, who possessed overwhelming power, the situation began to improve.
“Oh? Ooh!? Ooooooh!”
Then, Rudoriado and the others, who were supposed to have departed, returned through the gate in front of the courtyard where we were.
Along with the miko and adventurers.
“Welcome back, Rudoriado-san.”
“Ah, ahh. I’m back…?”
Seeing Rudoriado and the others looking perplexed even though they had returned, we couldn’t help but laugh again.
“It was strange, you know. I thought the place the priest told me about was much farther away? We arrived in the blink of an eye, and when we retreated with the rescued people, we were already back.”
The Great Labyrinth Technique is comparable to the Dragon Forest.
Those who are unwelcome will wander endlessly. Conversely, those with a purpose, and those with good intentions, will reach their destination without effort.
“Well done, Priscilla-chan!”
“Um, Priscilla did well too!”
Priscilla-chan gleefully rejoiced when praised by me.
Grandma Yuuri and the others, who were watching, also smiled with satisfaction, having been able to assist with the plan Priscilla-chan had devised.
“Will this improve the situation a little?”
Madrine, who was experiencing the effects of the Great Labyrinth Technique with me, let out a small sigh as if to ease her mind.
“Madrine-san, I’m sorry. May I hear the story again?”
“Yes. Well then, I will tell you about the situation up to now.”
Things piled up and were postponed, but it was time for me to listen seriously to Madrine’s story.
Madrine, as the person in charge of the rescue team, spoke about the situation of the rear forces.
“Actually, I have a request. Would it be possible to relax the conditions for using the secret medicine?”
The All-Purpose Nasal Mucus Medicine, carefully crafted by Old Man Sleigsta, was limited in quantity. Therefore, conditions were set to prevent its indiscriminate use.
One was to use it on individuals with life-threatening severe injuries. The other was when there was an unavoidable circumstance to avoid a pinch in the rescue operation, such as healing an injured person with the secret medicine, and that person returning to the front lines could break the deadlock. Otherwise, it was requested to refrain from using the secret medicine.
Madrine had come to consult with me to relax these usage conditions.
“The number of miko is insufficient compared to what was expected. No, it’s not that Elnea-kun’s operational estimates were wrong? It’s just that the miko seem to be consuming their magic power unnecessarily due to tension…”
The clergy gathered here are from various temples within the Armēdo Kingdom and the Yorttenitos Kingdom.
These clergy members have experienced the previous massive demon invasion, so few are intimidated by the battlefield.
However, around them are demons they confronted as enemies last time, divine and heavenly races they had only heard about, as well as giants with imposing auras and dragons that look terrifying.
Under such circumstances, it is more difficult than expected to function as usual.
Therefore, even when using magic, they are tensing up due to nervousness, consuming their magic power unnecessarily.
And the excess magic power consumed gradually accumulated, leading to the miko becoming fatigued earlier than expected. This has led to the current situation where the rescue system is starting to show cracks.
“The miko are also getting used to it little by little. However, if this continues, the consumption of magic power will not keep up with recovery.”
The miko are also sharing their duties in shifts. However, it’s not as if they recover immediately after a short rest.
To reduce the burden on the miko. And to repair the crumbling system. For this purpose, Madrine wants the usage restrictions of the secret medicine to be temporarily relaxed.
I pondered, mumbling.
However, Madrine continued to speak while looking at me.
“But thanks to Priscilla-chan, it seems we don’t have to think about it so seriously anymore, right?”
“Ah, that’s right. If the injured and those at a disadvantage can return quickly, we can reduce the number of miko going to the combat areas!”
The excessively large fortress functions well as long as it is efficiently hunting monsters and yōma. However, once the situation begins to worsen, the front lines become too widespread to manage.
In that regard, the Great Labyrinth Technique allows those who are injured and need to return to headquarters to do so quickly, and reinforcements can be deployed immediately even if struggling against monsters and yōma.
Moreover, it also resulted in a reduced burden on those providing support in the rear.
Nevertheless, the burden on the miko currently exceeds the acceptable limit, which is a fact.
Considering this, it might be better to temporarily relax the restrictions on the use of the secret medicine.
However, I also want to avoid using the secret medicine now and running out when it’s crucial.
This seems like a difficult decision that will affect the future course of the battle.
Madrine left the decision to me and watched silently.
Old Man Sleigsta also looked down at me as I pondered.
Then, more visitors arrived!
It seems to be a busy day with many visitors this morning.
“Elnea-sama!”
Laira returned here riding on Revalia.
Revalia, with a presence befitting the ruler of the sky, flew from the northern sky.
However, as soon as it approached the airspace above the giant fortress, Revalia’s form disappeared. And it reappeared in the southern distance.
“Tch.”
Revalia, with an obvious click of the tongue, glared at me.
“No, no, it’s not my fault!? But, as expected of Revalia, you noticed the Bewildering Technique so quickly.”
Moreover, Revalia, who had turned back, arrived at the courtyard where we were without getting lost.
Revalia can not only navigate the Dragon Forest but also reach the Moss Garden. Therefore, it can fly through the Great Labyrinth’s technique without getting lost.
“Don’t make me waste unnecessary effort.”
Upon landing, Revalia bared its violent fangs and threatened me.
Flames even peeked out between its fangs.
Screams echoed from afar.
Affected by Revalia’s killing intent, the clergy and the injured in the same courtyard were deeply frightened.
“Hey, hey, don’t threaten me!”
I patted Revalia’s face soothingly.
After that, Revalia glared at me with even sharper eyes.
Revalia rumbled deeply in its throat, but it didn’t try to eat or burn me.
“Hmm, not very honest, are we?”
Old Man Sleigsta chuckled merrily, his throat rumbling.
Revalia bravely glared back at Old Man Sleigsta, but it had no effect.
Revalia reluctantly stopped rumbling, easily brushed aside by Old Man Sleigsta, who looked down at us.
“Elnea-sama, this is a disaster.”
As Revalia calmed down, Laira immediately hugged me.
While bracing myself for the impact of her ample chest, I readied myself, wondering if something had happened to Ruiseine and the others.
However, the warning Laira brought was from much further away.
“Revalia-sama says that a foul presence is approaching at high speed from far to the east.”
“From the east?”
I wonder what is approaching.
Recalling the incident with the evil tribes last night, I turned to Revalia to ask for more details.
“It’s a foul presence. I won’t get involved.”
“A strong enemy that would make Revalia run with its tail between its legs is approaching!?”
“Who said I would run with my tail between my legs!”
We hurriedly dodged Revalia’s tail, which was swung mercilessly.
“But you don’t want to get involved…”
Unless it was something truly dire, Revalia, who was even feared as a tyrant, wouldn’t normally be in a situation where she would flee.
What kind of threat is approaching from the east?
We all turned our gazes eastward.
A clear blue sky, worthy of being called a spring sky, stretched endlessly high.
Although thin clouds drifted by, there was no sign of them hiding the sun.
I could see far into the sky. From beyond, the figures of something approaching us at terrifying speed became visible.
And by the count of less than the fingers on one hand!
“N-no way!?”
“Tch, too late.”
Overwhelmed with shock, I stepped back, still holding Laira.
Revalia flapped its four large and small wings fiercely and tried to soar into the sky, but it was too late.
The figures, which had only been visible as dots in the sky a little while ago, instantly revealed their full forms before our eyes.
“I see, no wonder Revalia disliked it!”
Looking up at the sky, I let out a cry.
Towards me, a terrifying existence attacked mercilessly!
“Meow!”
“Whoa, Nimia!”
Yes. Flying from the eastern sky was Nimia, an Ancient Dragon Species, a Snow Dragon.
And…
“It’s quite lively, isn’t it?”
Asher-san, with Nimia on his head!
As expected, Revalia is not fond of Asher-san. That’s why it referred to Asher-san’s presence as a “foul presence” and tried to escape before he arrived.
Asher-san landed beside the tower, confirming Old Man Sleigsta and Revalia on the ground, and us in the courtyard.
Of course, he destroyed a part of the fortress in the process.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. We had a bit of a problem over there.”
“Oh, a problem?”
For some reason, Old Man Sleigsta grinned.
Then, Nimia quickly exposed the truth.
“Mother and Father were arguing, meow.”
“I see!”
“Be quiet!”
“Kyaa!”
This time, Asher-san’s tail attack struck us.
I hurriedly took Laira, Yufilia, Nina, and Madrine and teleported to the top floor of the tower to take refuge.
I only understood that Nimia’s arrival was delayed because their parents were arguing, and yet I was attacked without question!
“…Or rather, why are Yufi, Nina, and Madrine-san hugging me too?”
“It’s your imagination.”
“It’s been like this from the start.”
“We thought it was unfair that only you were getting it!”
“Geez,” I sighed, shoulders slumped, at the top of the tower.
On the ground, Priscilla-chan, reunited with Nimia after a long time, was jumping for joy.
However, Asher and Nimia were not the only visitors from the east.
“Is it you? A human who would corrupt my daughter!”
I looked up at the sky with a gasp.
There, a giant dragon attacked with tremendous force!
The next moment. With a violent explosion, a section of the fortress was blown away.
Yes, the castle wall in a completely different location from our tower…
“Um. I forgot to mention, but the fortress is under the effect of the Great Labyrinth Technique, you know?”
The giant dragon that attacked us unfortunately crashed into a different location!
Asher sighed deeply.
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