The appearance of devils was a contingency that had been considered when the alliance was formed. SS-rank adventurer Jack who was affiliated with the kingdom had been on standby for such an event. He was waiting at a nearby Adventurer's Guild branch. Upon hearing the decision of the Wise King's Council, he was the first to rush to the battlefield.
"Is this how all the older folks feel?"
Jack sighed. He had been rudely asked for help by a girl not much older than his own daughter. Even though she was the current Hero, that didn't make her special in his eyes.
Losing his enthusiasm, Jack aimed an arrow at the barrier covering the royal capital. However, Elna, who was supposed to coordinate with him, was busy dealing with pseudo soldiers. Some of them intercepted Jack's arrow, reducing its power and preventing it from damaging the barrier significantly.
"You're useless...!"
"Hey!? I can hear you!"
Jack regretted having good hearing as he picked up Elna's muttering. Shocked, he aimed another arrow, not at Elna, but at the pseudo soldiers swarming her.
"Numbers don't work against a magic archer, you know?"
Jack released an arrow that soared into the sky before scattering and taking down the pseudo soldiers. Cheers erupted from the alliance. Elna, freed from the swarm, landed beside Jack.
"You're not bad, archer.""I'm Jack, an SS-rank adventurer. Remember that, Amsberg."
"I will if you prove useful."
"Hmph, you better."
As they bantered, they prepared to attack again. It was clear that the enemy was buying time. Both sides had yet to gather their full strength. But neither chose to wait.
"Stop hiding and come out!"
Elna swung her Holy Sword from above, and Jack released a light arrow. Both attacks were aimed at the barrier protecting the royal capital. But just as their attacks were about to hit, the barrier burst open from the inside, releasing an enormous amount of magical power. A massive pillar of light shot up into the sky, repelling their attacks.
"What is that!?"
"I don't know! But tell the army to retreat!"
"Don't order me around! Alliance forces, full retreat!"
They argued but Elna ordered the surrounding alliance forces to retreat. This was not a situation that could be resolved by ordinary soldiers.
"Should we try attacking?"
"It's a waste of energy. We should conserve our strength."
Both agreed. Something had happened in the royal capital. They could probably break that pillar of light if they used all their strength, but then they'd be helpless afterward. The forces capable of opposing the devils were limited.
"We have no choice but to wait..."
In a castle in a vassal state, Mia felt the enormous magical power emanating from the kingdom.
"Something is happening..."
"I can feel it too..."
Both were staring in the direction of the royal capital from a balcony. Even Traugott, who had decided not to be surprised by anything, couldn't hide his astonishment at the sight of a flying ship approaching the castle.
"I am Clyde, the Guild Master of the Adventurer's Guild! Are you Mia, the representative of the Cornix Dominion?"
"Yes, that's me!"
"Hurry up and get on! We've picked up adventurers from various places and are running out of time! We're heading to the royal capital!"
"Amazing..."
Clyde explained that the flying ship was one of the many legacies sealed underground by the guild's founder, Anaclito, to allow adventurers to rush to any emergency on the continent.
"Alright, set sail!"
"May fortune favor you!"
"Much obliged!"
Clyde smiled wryly at Traugott's words, knowing they were but a small comfort. But it was better than nothing.
"Full speed ahead to the royal capital! Don't fall behind the SS-rank adventurers! Clearing the way for them is our duty!"
With that, the Adventurer's Guild's flying ship tore through the clouds and disappeared into the sky.
TL's Notes:
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