Kuro no Maou

Fortunately, Gratney Octo never raided the next day on the 25th of the Ice Crystal month. Having finished eating all five villages, are you taking a meal break?

Anyway, I took advantage of this precious day to prepare myself for the fifth trial to come.

"Yeah, I knew the sword would stick better"

At the armory in the fortress I was guided to, I acquired a sword of two waves.

One is just a sturdy, long two-handed sword (Zweihander). Not a magical weapon, but a stubbornly forged double-edged sword has the durability to keep cutting numerous enemies. Given the size of Gratney Octo's flock, he will undoubtedly be caught up in an infinite brawl first. We need sturdy weapons to keep fighting.

The other is a sword called Flamberge, which features the shape of a wave-beating blade. Unique shapes like this wave carve wounds that are hard to tear and stop the bleeding of meat, increasing the ability to kill. But in this flamberge I have, not only did such a physical shape have a late effect, but real magic lived in it, revealing a blurry red light emitted by my body.

As red sashimi looks, it's the flame attribute that lives there. If you shake it, the blade sprays a fire and says it will burn the cut opponent to the ground. However, since it doesn't even have the function of forming and firing a fireball, it would be something like inside as a magical addition (enchant).

But it's a valid weapon for Gratney Octo, where fire is a weakness, and too much performance from me, who can shoot 'Grenade Burst' in front of me.

Zweihander on right hand, flaming flamberge on left hand. These two bottles are going to be used as the main wappon this time.

"I'm sorry, but I'm gonna need some other swords."

I was tattooed by Baron Hellman, the base commander, and I continued to fish the arsenal without any hesitation. "What the hell..." he said on his back, the guide's knight's astonishing gaze pierces him, but it doesn't matter. It's a Crusader weapon anyway. Take advantage of this opportunity and crush him.

Of course, all the other swords I use are for Demon Swords (Sword Arts).

I get about ten blackened swords to cover my back, or the same Zweihander for my right hand as an emergency replacement.

The next thing you'll get is a sword for the Rift Blade (Blast Blade), which completely runs out of one shot. This one is impeccable with regular long swords. Let's just get about two hundred bottles.

Well, my Shadow Space (Shadowgate) is already full of swords to replenish before I arrive here. When it comes to where the hell to store two hundred more, of course, other spatial magic (dimensions).

In other words, I got a bag here with the long-awaited space magic (dimension) added to it.

One bag of the type to be worn through the belt behind the waist and one pouch to be raised on the left and right hips. Together, it is exclusive of three storage magic fixtures (magic items). If you suck, these three may be more expensive than the sword you borrowed. It doesn't look any stranger, but these three all boast a good capacity. Even with two hundred swords dispersed, there's still a little room left. Put various potions in the free space and you will be roughly ready for battle.

That's how the bell sounded just as noon was heard when we finished carefully selecting weapons and items to gear up and returned to the room provided in the fortress.

"We're back, Yuri, Ursula"

"Welcome back"

And, they both greet me with a voice.

This room is reserved for officers, but it is not large enough to be luxurious. A room for one, that's special enough.

I would have slept in a shelter on the ground floor or in a large room in the basement, just like the villagers, but Baron Hellman turned his attention and prepared this room for me. Although I feel a little bad for everyone, I'm not going to stay long anyway, and most importantly, I appreciate the fact that I have a private room when talking to Sariel.

The room is built to face the inside of the fortress, with no windows. It feels a little like a basement where you can't breathe. However, a slightly more expensive lamp that magically increases the amount of light emits lights and is not so dim.

In the bright room, Saliel and Ursula sat together in bed, looking relaxed.

In the meantime, I take the worn helm because it makes no sense to hide my face anymore by entering an otherwise invisible room.

"Dear Chloe, I'll help you"

"Sorry."

Ursula jumping off the bed with Piong receives a helmet that looks a little heavy.

Naturally, armor is not as easy to put on and take off as clothes. Especially these heavily armored full-body armor, which would be as laborious as the dress the princess would wear, would not be uncommon.

"I've been procuring gear. There's two of us, so check it out now."

"Yes, brother"

"Thank you, Lord Chloe"

Having finished dressing quickly, I sit back on a wooden chair, a set with a qualitative built desk, similar to what was in the church, facing the two of them.

"Let's start with Yuri's share"

What I took out was one spatial magic (dimensional) pouch. Inside is a set of items that looks like the basics of adventurers, including various potions. Regardless, that won't be enough.

"I kept a spare sword in this and an Ignited Dagger stuffed. Well, you may not be useful because you have wind rapiers, but throw them when you need them."

The battle of Sariel has already been heard from Ryan.

The emerald-embellished Holy Silver (Mithril) Rapier captured from the mushroom-headed marshram seemed to perform better than I thought. Because even Sariel, who has lost his magical powers, incorporates a technique that allows him to exercise wind magic so much that he can carry out a series of attack magic. I thought it was just lighter.

"Tell me if there's anything else you want. If you're in there right now, we still have time to find you."

"No, enough"

Sariel answers with the same faceless expression. Fulfilling it, do you really think it's enough, or do you just not bother telling me even if you think, "Seriously, brother, I don't have this lineup"?

I still can't read Sariel's expression, so I just have to take it exactly as I say.

"This one's for Ursula."

This is also the same type of spatial magic (dimensional) pouch as Sariel. At first glance, it's a common brown leather design, but even Ursula knows that this is an expensive piece of magic.

That's why he received it with both hands, looking a little terrified. Diploma awards, it feels like.

"Ursula doesn't need weapons, so I kept more magic restoration potions. Drink before you feel clearly worn out."

With a strange face, Cocky and Ursula nod.

When I fought at the 203rd Supply Base, I could say that I didn't have the power to restore magic, but I was pinched for it. As much as fighting miscellaneous fish, it uses little magic in the exercise of Anastasian power, so it equals little drain, but when defeating a big man such as the 10m class, it takes a great deal of skill. When it comes to the use of Drain, there is no infinite amount of magic available.

But on the contrary, it also means Ursula can stand around safely if even magic can be secured. As long as you're well guarded, you'll be fine.

"And there's gold in the porch"

"... money? Why?"

"After this battle, it's the only way I can stay in Ursula."

Her porch contains all the bounty I received from Baron Hellman.

This time, based on the dangers of the opponent's monster, it's definitely a pretty expensive request to take a quest in the Adventurer's Guild, to be honest. If only one girl would live normally, it is an amount she would have for half her life, although not for the rest of her life.

"If it's true, I wanted Leki and I to continue living in peace in that village. But I don't know what will happen to Ursula after this."

If we can crusade Gratney Octo to the end, the Crusaders will rebuild the village. Because this Alsace will be our border with Sparta, we will need some human resources during the period leading up to here.

But when we made another start from scratch, whether Ursula, who is not close and is only a helpless child, will be able to live in peace again as usual...... no, there will probably be no more room to just take care of her. If they are bad, the villagers of the 202nd Pioneering Village can be scattered elsewhere once.

The village that was supposed to be Ursula's home may vanish in a true sense.

"So..."

"I don't want it"

Ursula pushes her pouch straight back.

"I don't need this."

Her little hand with the pouch, shivering.

"I don't need money! I wish that was all I had with Lord Chloe!!

Ursula screamed so with thin tears from her blue eyes.

"... no, Ursula, I can't do that"

Grab her hand and I'll stay with you the whole time. I'll protect you.

I sincerely think that's what you want to say.

But I can't do that.

"Why, if it's for me, Lord Chloe, he's dead."

"Stop it, Ursula. Never say you can die."

I must have made my voice absurd and angry because I myself am so afraid of someone's 'death'.

If you lose Leki, if the battle is over, me and Sariel are gone, and you just take into account Ursula's feelings of being left alone, you may not have the option of "dying" to be self-inflicted. But that's only transient now.

"I want Ursula to have a peaceful life that has nothing to do with the battle all this time. I hope so."

On the night of the Valentinus festival, I said the same thing to Leki. You can't get her involved in your own battle.

The thought has become more robust because now that we have lost Leki.

"If you stay with me, you're bound to be caught up in another harsh battle like now. No, Gratney, I'm definitely going to fight an enemy that's not so dangerous as an eye."

"... with the Crusaders, because we're going to war again?

"Oh, yeah"

Ursula already knows that I am a demon clan hostile to the Crusaders. She must be able to imagine a war that would break out again more clearly than Leki.

"Even I can fight"

"You're going to kill a lot of people"

"If it's for Lord Chloe, I'll kill any number of Sinclairs. If my" White Night Fork Princess (Anastasia), "I can do that. Absolutely, help me."

The fact is, Ursula already has the power of a high-ranking magician who can easily sweep away if she's just an infantry. It would still be inferior to Lily and Fiona, but still never enough to pull a leg.

If you keep going in action, you'll probably gain strength enough to line up with them within a short distance. Enough, comforting company.

"I'm not afraid to fight. I'm not afraid to kill people. You risk your own life, you kill someone, you keep fighting. That's all, if I can be beside Lord Chloe, I'll be happy to fight."

There were tears on the edge of my eyes, but Ursula's eyes staring at me seemed to dwell in an unusual light. As a child, I can see a firm resolve.

No more words would be persuasive on this occasion.

It's not that easy to change people's feelings than it was before. Even if I could understand, I wouldn't be very convinced.

I don't want Ursula to die. I want you to live a peaceful life. Because if she doesn't want it herself, in the end, it's just my selfish, one-sided push.

"... sorry, still, I can't take Ursula. This is the only time I can fight for my life."

"And I..."

"Enough, Ursula. Bad, now you should have just concentrated on the fight in front of you, but you told me something extra. When the battle is over, let's talk again. Let's think about the future, first, after we survive."

"... Yes, Lord Chloe"

I think I cheat myself.

However, if I stimulate Ursula any more, I have the fear that I will be as impotent as Leki.

People's feelings are important, but life is more important than that. Gratney Octo is not a sweet opponent enough to defeat him while he is lost.

"It's supposed to be lunch time. Shall we go to the dining room?"

It was painful, but I forced myself to change the subject.

I didn't really feel the flavor, even though the meal, which I do in a slightly awkward atmosphere, was just a little more luxurious than usual.

- Please, Lord Chloe, call me to your seat.

"Excuse me."

After an awkward lunch with Ursula, I was called by Cliff by way of example to come back to the command room.

Purpose, of course, is to take part in a military conference. As promised, Baron Hellman waited for me in discipline. I still wear my helmet and hide my face, but I don't hear a scratch from anyone. Is the rooting perfect?

"Looks like we're all here. Okay, let's say we start a military debate. Let's start with a report from the reconnaissance unit."

Baron Hellman merely glanced at Chirali and me, proceeding with the meeting as the chairman of the familiar appearance, as he was not particularly conscious.

"- The white fog currently covers the 205th pioneering village and has no way of moving. Inside the fog we checked the reactions of countless monsters, but we decided it was dangerous to stimulate them and stayed only under visual surveillance"

"Um, that's good. Thank you very much."

Gratney Octo seems to be packing the distance well. The fact that we have come to one village in front of us will undoubtedly mean that we will be here tomorrow. Worst case scenario, but there is no denying the possibility that it will strike at us this evening.

Most of all, you don't have to bother with that. Without pinching his mouth in particular, tonight's proposed strengthening of the night security will be put forward and adopted immediately.

I'll be in bed tonight, but I'll stay awake.

"Next, on the defense plan..."

The debate continues vigorously, but without much disagreement, solemnly. The content of the story is only about confirmation, and I guess everyone in the officers has already solidified in the same opinion.

I guess we're gathered here because we're all under Baron Hellman's command, so I guess we can't even rub it weirdly because everyone's purpose is consolidated because it's called "return to the territory".

Finish this battle safely and go home alive. Only on this point, I totally agree with them.

"First, we will summon the Wind Mage (Wind Merge) to develop a wind junction that will cover all of Fortress Alsace"

An officer in a green robe, who is certainly the head of the Corps of Mages, explains without feeling comfortable. The year was as good as Hellman's, but he was a skinny man.

I think the wind junction he calls is an absolutely necessary first condition in defending me, too.

It will be important to deal with the ability to fly when defending them against each other. Just without this, the 203rd Replenishment Base was suddenly boarded inside at first hand causing confusion. On top of poor vision caused by fog, the enemy continues to descend from overhead. There's no way I can prevent it in that situation.

Not only does that fog interfere with our vision, it is also the auxiliary magic necessary for Gratney Octo to fly. I mean, they can only fly in the fog.

Being easily extinguished with Ursula's drain proves to be a fog of magic generated by the intrinsic magic (extra) of Gratney Octo. Conversely, if it is a fog of nature, receiving a drain does not make any difference.

And this magical fog is probably boosting buoyancy and lifting with wind attributes. No matter how you look at it, this is what happens when you fly an octopus into the sky that's not in the right form to fly.

In fact, they were flying like swimming swimming in the fog, but they always crawled down the ground where there was no fog. All of a sudden, the guy who came down in front of me would just say that he had to fly and move up to the foggy sky and then fall free from the foggy areas.

"Is that possible?

"We are currently in the process of engraving magic formations throughout the fortress. Once this is done, the connections that cover all the fortresses can be activated by our personnel alone."

Good. Now when they said, "No, hey, you can't" or something, I was supposed to use Ursula's help knowing the danger.

"However, once you activate the junction, all Wind Mages (Windmerges) must concentrate on exercising, so you cannot participate in the attack"

"Um, there's a way. The Wind Mage (Windmerge) unit strives to maintain its boundaries, leaving the attack to other troops. And an escort to protect the operator will be needed... and we'll put a platoon of knights on each of them."

"Thank you"

The kingdom is a defense imperative. If you are actually in danger, you will be ordered to guard the troops dead. I also need to keep their placement in mind.

"The main point of the attack will be the Fire Mage (Fire Merge), but not all magicians can handle fire attributes. Whether to attack other sorcerers or assign them to defense will be a decision after the actual battle."

"Hmm... I'd like to get a peek at Lord Chloe with combat experience here, okay?

Oh, you're gonna hook me up here.

Or there's Cliff next to me, so you should ask him that way first.

By the way, Cliff was evaluated for his previous battle and is now elevated to Squadron Leader of the Heavy Knights Unit. He was joining one of the officers, qualified to take part in this military conference in the critical.

"Among the enemies is a large solid about ten meters long. His breathing acid brace is very powerful. I want the Sorcerer Squad to prevent this brace. Conversely, magicians who have no means to prevent this should focus on attacking"

"I see, it still seems that large should be destroyed as a priority"

"There will be a dome (barista) on the walls of the castle. Big guy should go for it."

Dome cannons (baristas) that fire large arrows at miscellaneous fish opponents are useless lengths. It would be great if this could destroy the great octopus and ease the magician's burden.

"And then... right, the little guy would push in a ton and climb up against the walls. I want the Fire Mage (Fire Merge) to burn it down with 'Ignis Blast' and not lean on it"

The presence of a Flaming Mage (Fire Merge) is of paramount importance to sweep away a large number of octopuses.

Where fireballs are sporadically punched in, the effect is thin. They must flame the most enemies and sustain their attacks for longer.

Is it best to line up your troops almost equally apart on the walls and narrow the magic you use to 'Flame Release (Ignis Blast)'? In short, I would ask you to prevent the approaching of miscellaneous fish with crucible fire caused by flamethrowing.

"Got it, let me reference it"

In response to my opinion, the magician's corps leader said so without changing his face. Well, I don't know what you think in your belly... but if you actually put that large group in front of you, you'd go to a conclusion similar to mine.

"Next, infantry unit operations..."

There are only a few things you can do to make a magical unusable soldier.

Shoot the bow or wave the spear. In addition to that, a long patterned pine light also enters the choice.

It will be the infantry who will stop the octopus at the end trying to get into the walls. Attack magic can't burst at close range.

"The arrows have been turned into fire arrows whenever possible, and we are preparing for the pine lights. We also plan to collect other items that could be burned, drop them from the walls, and use them to attack."

Is it possible that Koitsu and others will soon return to their territories, so use them as much as you can, like? If you're prepared to challenge this battle with total force, as far as I'm concerned, there's nothing to complain about.

"- Well, I heard the approximate story, does anyone else have an opinion?

Would it have been about two hours since the military debate began? I've almost finished my report and my operational plan. Frequent silence. There is no one to raise his hand.

But we still can't finish the military debate like this.

"So, for the last time I ask... is there any action you can take about the gratney oct, which is huge as a mountain, that Lord Chloe saw?

Yes, what has been discussed so far is about an operation that merely intercepts a large group of enemies that push over.

A true gratney oct that becomes a monster of trials. I haven't got a single idea of how to take him down yet.

"... I'm afraid, Baron"

Raised his hand was the head of the Legion of Mages in the Green Robe.

"Infantry troops will be powerless more than those giant monsters are flying in the air. Where you've shot in how many fire arrows, it's not expected to do much good. Worst of all, you could be so advanced that you can't even reach the arrows"

"Well, the decision-maker will rely on magic."

"Yes, but with our magical forces, we'll probably do our best just to deal with a large group of enemies. There's plenty of room for a very huge monster to attack intensively..."

Naturally, magicians are considerably less numerous than infantry. The ratio will vary slightly depending on the military, but everywhere it will mostly be less than half of the infantry, roughly about 30%, etc.

The legions stationed at this Alsace fortress have already withdrawn the majority, so there are no significant numbers left. Something like a plus alpha for Baron Hellman's gesture.

It is very difficult to say that there is a full force of magicians.

"Besides, if you mention the total power of our legion, when you become a mountain giant... you can't use enough great magic to shoot down such a giant monster. You won't want to destroy it in a very legitimate way, unless it's a strain of appearance."

Deplores the decisive lack of firepower.

If either Lily or Fiona were alone on this occasion, there would have been as much tactics to take. But unfortunately, there are no more wizards under Baron Hellman's command than they are.

Or, if that was all personal, you wouldn't have offered to cooperate with me. In addition to this many people, if there's even one person as powerful as Lily or Fiona, it's not that hard to kill me.

"So what should we do?

"From the current strength of the war, there seems to be nothing better than enduring"

Gratney Octo produces a whirlpool of wind as intense as a typhoon, and drinks every house in the village.

If you can stand this awesome suction, you won't be eaten... it should be.

"Will this fort endure?

"Although it is an Alsace fortress of rapid construction, the construction itself is robust. I was wondering if there was enough chance that I could stand it."

"But if that giant monster would come down... what would happen? Even if the mountains come down, can this castle be overrun without collapsing?

Both the Legion Leader and the other officers answer in silence.

Limited combat power. There's no way I can think of any way to overwhelm an overwhelming enemy in how troubled and conceived it is.

- I'll take him down.

In a quiet room, my voice sounded slightly louder.

Whispering happens, but no one hits me in the face with questions. After a beat, Baron Hellman, who plays the chairman, asked, creating an atmosphere like I knew I had to ask.

"Lord Chloe, is there a way to defeat him?

Honestly, I'm not sure. But there is certainty that you will never survive unless you defeat me. In addition to caged castles and such. He flattens this fortress without a trace.

"I can take him down. But we need help."

"I don't have any other ideas, let's work together on anything."

Anything, you said. Then don't turn me down for such a favor, Baron Hellman.

"Pegasus, on which the Seventh Apostle Saliel was riding, is still in this fortress. I want you to lend me the Soitz."