Biggest thanks for Ace-Triad for fixing my SPAG problems, and Angel Wraith for beta-reading the chapter and providing feed backs.
As always, I will blabber some more in my end note.
Cross posted on AO3, for anyone who prefer that site.
The dungeon is dark, damp, and filled with the stench of death and human waste. But that's the kind of treatment he expected when he tried to fight against the church's rebellion. To reclaim House Leopold's lost glory was his biggest goal, but he will not allow himself to betray his nation, and the basic standard of goodness to reach it. He would not be able to face his dead father, and elder brother if he worked together with traitors who tried to steal away the nation.
The sound of armored footsteps, and the faint glow of light begin to approach his cell. Bright Leopold slowly moves his head. The first thing the only survivor of House Leopold noticed was the chest armor. Unlike the current age platemail which has a slightly curved, but smooth surface, it's constructed to have the shape similar to a well muscled man's chest. The old Romalian style. And the long, blue plume on the helmet signifies the man being a Romalian centurion. And then he noticed the man's face. "Set. Did you help the heroes?"
"Bright. Always so observant." The face of his common born friend twists, as he lets out a depreciating snort. The heavy armor doesn't really fit Set's usually easy going, and somewhat brutish attitude, or his fighting style. As a brawler, he is always at his most effective when going into a battle light, and uses his body's well honed reflexes as both his sword, and armor. Clearly, he wore the armor only to display his new position. "That's why I hate you, you know? If it's anyone else seeing their old friend and rival after being thrown in prison, they might say something like. 'Yo, Set. You got promoted!', or play it off light like 'It's been a long time, huh?'. But not you! Always right to the point. Yes, me, a commoner got promoted from a soldier straight to Centurion because I helped the Shield Hero."
"If you are visiting me, that must mean the church's rebellion has been stopped." Bright nods his head along as Set opens the gate to his cell. His movement is much more clumsy than usual, it took him two tries to get the key inserted properly. "It was a badly thought up plan from the start, doomed to fail one way or another. Was it the heroes, or the queen that stopped them?"
"The heroes worked together to kill Pope Balmus, and our glorious queen came and took back the capital while that's happening." Set's words make Bright pause for a brief moment. Balmus' authority, strength, and miracle power was admittedly, one thing the only Leopold survivor couldn't account for (if he wakes up from his injuries caused by the goddess, of course). At most, he imagined someone might get General Anderson and his army, use them to pressure the supreme leader of the Three Heroes' Church while taking the church's power base from somewhere else. That could force a stalemate with the rebels, and maybe eventually force them to submit if Melromarc is facing another threat such as a Wave battle, or a crusade from other nations. Pope Balmus was no idiot, and he would not have traded the nation he fought so hard to protect in The Great War for an unrealistic ambition. But to hear his death, in the hands of a group of young heroes? They must have trained, and fought like hell, and likely only won due to whatever injury the goddess caused Pope Balmus. Set's question breaks his trail of thought. "Hey, the heroes are recruiting their retinue. Wanna come with me? Clearly, working for the heroes is the quickest way to promotion!"
"I barely got out of the dungeon, and you are already thinking about more promotion?" Bright lets out a light chuckle at his rival friend. Even after being promoted from a common soldier straight to a centurion, Set still thinks about only one thing: More promotions. At least certain things will never change.
"Of course. You'll probably get your centurion position back, I still haven't got to a position above you." Bright's common born friend seemed to have remembered something. After foundling his free hand in his pocket for a brief moment, he flips a golden coin into Bright's open hand. The last survivor of House Leopold brushes against its cold surface, and sure enough. He can feel the dagger engraved letter 'B' on its back. "Here's your coin back. Don't say I never returned it to you."
Chapter 11: Attack on the Wave
Bright Leopold narrows his eyes. He might no longer be a centurion commanding a hundred sworn swords of House Amelia, but his experience being an officer doesn't simply rot away in the dungeon. With him not directly fighting against the Wave monsters, he's been gazing at the different armies under various factions since Princess Malty (her new, and official status as the Shield Hero's slave doesn't mean much when she clearly has the heroes' trust to command their retinues). After she dispatched her runner to the queen's own formation, only a single group left south to reinforce the heroes in Menagerie resort: the former slave legion of the Three Heroes' Church made of demi-humans, now known as the Sons of Biscas. The army from other nations, especially Siltvelt and Shiltfreeden might send more troops to reinforce Menagerie resort, but it won't be enough to hold back the monsters if they are as numerous as the Wave they are currently facing. Even when the situation is literally life or death, the power play and the faction politics seems to still be the focus of these elites.
He begins to push through the people in their formation towards Princess Malty. Set notices his action and joins him on the side, even as they earn dirty looks and scoffs from those around them. Not too long after, the two of them managed to get someone's attention, unfortunately, it's not the princess. "What's going on here!? Why are you two breaking formations!?"
As the son of a count, Cardin Winchester normally wouldn't even be one of those Bright Leopold associate himself with, let alone having the authority to chastise the only surviving Leopold. Unfortunately for the red haired fallen scion, House Leopold had come to ruin during The Great War. And right now, the young Winchester is Lady Eclair's second-in-command. As a result, Bright has no choice but to answer his question. "I must speak with Princess Malty, Lieutenant Winchester. The heroes left by Menagerie resort, and all of us are in severe danger!"
"You don't think I know that? Of course we are under threat. We are fighting a Chief God damned Wave battle! Return to your position! Your last name means nothing now you are in the retinue of the heroes!" The House Winchester scion glares at Bright. Clearly, the much younger noble decided to use this opportunity to assert his authority over everyone present. From a pure objective perspective, Bright agrees with Cardin's action. As Eclair's second-in-command, he needs to take charge of the situation when Lady Eclair has been dispatched away by Princess Malty. Unfortunately, Bright really does have something important to speak with the princess, and the Sword Hero.
"Let's hear him out first." The House Winchester scion looks ready to say something else, but he is stopped by the Sword Hero. Cardin shoots Bright another glare (Bright tries to ignore how besides him, Set is glaring right back at the young noble), but lets both Bright and Set through. Much like the young Winchester, the Sword Hero clearly tried to make himself look stern and intimidating. But both of them are too young and inexperienced to look natural in the role they each assumed. Compared to someone like Duke Amelia who has lived in the role for so long, and settles into it naturally, both of them are merely acting out their position. Not that Bright would tell this fact to their faces, he needs the Sword Hero to listen to him after all.
"Lord Sword Hero, we must be on the offensive and push back against the Wave till we kill the Wave boss. The monsters have already shown to have more intelligence, possibly actual sentience than everyone gives them credit for with their two front assault." Bright points his finger at the direction of the Menagerie resort. "Our number would dwindle, while countless monsters would continue to pour into our world. A fight of attrition is overwhelmingly against our favor."
"We know that, Sir Leopold." The Sword Hero remains pensive and silent, but Princess Malty opens her mouth. He was slightly surprised at her knowing his name considering he has no recollection of talking with her face to face. He supposed as the closest companion of the Shield Hero, she would have a list of the heroes' retinues for both the recruited members, and those who have the potential to join them. "But the Wave opened up on the other side of the sea, on another island. Most of our men have no means to reach the boss monster. That's why everyone is waiting for the Wave boss to reach us."
"The Wave boss would not come for us." Bright isn't optimistic at convincing the former first princess of Melromarc. He had never met her face to face, but gossip and rumors he heard about her doesn't paint her in a very good light. But right now, all he has to go on is his own instinct and his theory of the situation. If he can't even convince the heroes and those they work with, he would have no chance to convince the leader of the gathered coalition. "The first goal of the Wave monsters was to sink our ships, to make sure we won't have our first means to reach their boss monster. If they wanted to catch us with a two front attack, they could have made landfall from the west side. They would be able to hit us on the back without anyone noticing them. But they choose to come from the east side where the resort, the port is. To me, it seems like they were targeting our means of transportation to hold us down here on the main island."
The look on everyone's face slowly morphs from dismissive, or indifference to concern and surprise. A few of them even started to show genuine fear at what Bright described. Both the Sword Hero, and Princess Malty have a more neutral look on their faces, but the slight twitch to the corner of their eyes or mouth tells Bright that he had their attention, and they realized how severe their current situation is. They are only holding their expression to not cause a panic to break out among the troops. The princess turns around to look at the few senior looking knights in their group. "Hold down our position at all costs, and prepare our backline to receive enemy attack. I'm going to see our queen with Lord Sword Hero. Sir Leopold, you are with me."
Stupid, stupid, STUPID! How could I miss such an obvious answer right in my face? Of course, the Wave monsters wouldn't know three of the four Cardinal Heroes were left at Menagerie. Not when it's caused by an attempted assassination right before the Wave started! Even if some monster from the Wave of Catastrophe, or rather, someone from this Burning Legion infiltrated our ranks, there's not enough to get the information and return to the Wave to organize that round maneuver! They were targeting our ships all alone!
Malty can't stop figuratively beating herself over the head. Granted, she isn't an actual commander, or even an official officer of the gathered forces that fights the current Wave. And she really hasn't had that much actual experience fighting in a war, let alone commanding her own army. But she should still have been more cautious of her opponent's every movement, considering she is one of the few present who actually knew about there being a demonic army behind the current Wave of Catastrophe they are facing. She's thankful that someone managed to inform her of the crisis they are facing before it's too late. And she will definitely be looking for more military advisors and strategists to help Naofumi (and herself) after this. Assuming they get through the foremost dangerous situation, she's going to be keeping this Bright Leopold very close from now on.
Of course, living through the current crisis would be a task easier said than done. Considering she needs to actually convince those who have control over their army, and their strongest fighters. Unfortunately, with them at Cal Mira Island for the Hero Conference, they happen to be more political players than army generals. So the upcoming discussion (spells 'argument') would be more focused on political gain of the different factions, than actual military strategy.
By the time Malty's small group reached her mother, she noticed there were other important figures from other nations gathered around her. King Egbert, as well as his regent Lord Dumbledore, is present. So is the Whip Hero, the adopted son of the Faubley King. The Claw Hero Lung is besides them, who Malty assumes to be the representative of Siltvelt, as well as a tall, broad shouldered white tiger warrior wearing a set of heavy armor that's crafted out of monster parts and furs that makes him look like some kind of bandit, or barbarian king. The look is further enhanced by an intangible aura around him that makes every hair on Malty stand on their ends. No doubt, he is as dangerous as Lung, if not more so, no matter who he is. The princess turned slave doesn't recognize anyone from Shiltfreeden, but they are nothing more than the lackeys of Faubley anyway so she suppose those rats stayed in their own formation. There is a woman around the same age, maybe slightly older than Malty's mother wearing a red tunic with black stripes, with a suit of light mail armor over her. Her face stern, hair tied up in a simple fashion which suggests her being more of a military officer than a noble lady. Malty doesn't recognize this stern looking woman, but she sees emblems on her clothing that look like a stylized gladiator helmet. A member from Zeltoble Free City Alliance. Their members weren't present during the heroes' 'welcome committee' when they made landfall, but the Zeltoble Alliance sure didn't miss the call to fight the Wave of catastrophe. As expected from those blood thirsty sellswords.
The high queen of Melromarc clearly wasn't idling after Eclair was dispatched to inform her of the Wave monsters' second front assault. Or after the Sons of Biscas had left to reinforce Menagerie resort. That's the only reason to explain why important members from Faubley, Siltvelt and Zeltoble have left their own formation and gathered in front of Melromarc army. Of course, why, and for how long they've been talking but not doing anything is anybody's guess. Melty is standing beside mother, likely observing the sordid political play as a part of her training as the heir to the throne.
Eclair is standing besides them, looking very much out of her depth in spite of her assuming her title of Duchess (not like she has much left over to command after the thorough sacking of her family's land, and her family's general unpopularity amongst other Melromarc nobles). She notices Malty first, and her mouth opens slightly, looking ready to say something. But she drops her head low before any sound escapes her lips. Melty is the first to notice Eclair's unusual behavior. She turns around, and her half bored, half upset look instantly part ways for a bright smile as she sees Malty approaching. Mother clearly notices both Eclair and Melty's change as she turns around and looks towards the direction Malty came from. The expression on her face instantly darkens. With a wave of her hand, one of her knights takes Melty away before the crown princess has a chance to speak and cause a disruption. The high queen of Melromarc looks ready to chastise Malty, but someone beats her first.
"Is your daughter the second messenger you decided to bring to us, Mirellia, my girl? I wonder what the urgent message is this time, hmm?" Lord Dumbledore's eyes twinkle behind his spectacles. The headmaster of Faubley's Hero Academy is about the same as Malty heard of him: exuding a seemingly benevolent, and grandfatherly aura. Yet dismissive and patronizing at all times. Treating everyone around him as children that he tolerates and has to constantly chaperone. "Perhaps there is a third group of Wave monsters coming at us from the west side of the island too? So we need to further divide our forces."
"What are you doing here, Malty? Can't you see we are discussing important war strategies, and this is no time to play more of your games? Return from whence you came, unless you finally decide to fulfill your obligation to King Egbert for the good of our nation." Mother's face turns blue after the mild burn she received from the lord regent of Not So Noble Faubley. Clearly, she is at her wits end to not have much of her usual grace left.
"Oh, don't be so fast to dismiss your daughter, Cousin Milly. This would be a great time for her to learn something from her elders. That's why you had your younger daughter observe our discussion, no?" The pig king of Faubley simply smiles at both Malty, and her mother. She wouldn't call it a malicious gesture by default, but his less than handsome face certainly makes it look much more creepy. "Even if she is owned by Lord Shield Hero, I would always welcome the opportunity to know more about my dear niece."
Malty fights back the urge about snarking on how their blood relation (which is actually further than what the pig king implied, considering her father was his adopted brother, who knows how many times removed cousin) certainly didn't stop him from trying to marry her. But now is of course, not the time to act tactless towards people who have the army, and the powerful warriors that could end this Wave early. Unfortunately, she isn't by herself, and someone decided to be more blunt than she ever would. The moment the Sword Hero decides to open her mouth, she knew something bad would happen. "Naofumi and Motoyasu are fighting for their lives, and all of you just sit on your asses doing Nothing?! Are you mad? Or are all of you dumb? And want them to die?"
"I'm sure the situation is not as hopeless as you make it out to be, Ren, my boy. I was old enough to have been a companion of your predecessor, and knew his fellow heroes personally. If I remembered anything, it was how hard to kill the Shield Hero was. I am sure your fellow hero is fine, and this would be a great opportunity for you to learn how to work without their presence." Lord Dumbledore thankfully didn't take offense to Ren's bluntness, but he certainly didn't take the situation seriously enough. Malty throws a quick glimpse towards the other members around her mother, and they don't look phased by Ren's accusation either. Although she did notice how the old mage lord knew Ren's name despite the Sword Hero never properly introducing himself. Yes, Dumbledore is applying more pressure on both the Sword Hero, and Melromarc by revealing information he wasn't privy to.
"You are right the Shield Hero is usually hard to kill, but thanks to a certain someone resetting his level back 1, he is very much killable right now and will die without help." Ren narrows his eyes and sends a murderous glare towards the queen of Melromarc.
Malty's queen mother didn't say anything. At a moment like this, anything she says can be used by the other world leaders against her. But it doesn't mean her subordinate would allow someone, even a hero, to disrespect her. Sir Palmer, mother's most eager door kicker, takes a step forward, points her finger at Ren's nose, and begins to let out a string of insults more like an uncivilized peasant woman than a noble knight. "Be quiet, you pompous little entitled shit! You think your hero status would shield you from consequences of your actions? The Shield Demon had it easy for his multiple charges of starting insurrection, and killing the son of a noble family!"
"I very much doubt the Shield Hero stayed at level 1 after his level reset. He certainly didn't act like a level one the last time we met." Lung turns around on her heels and rests both of her hands on her waist. Malty notices her tongue running on the corner of her red lips. "A shame, nonetheless. If I knew he was under-leveled, I should have taken him in and given him some comforting attention to warm him up."
"Please, show some grace for Lord Sword Hero and forgive his bluntness. There is a good reason why he is worried about his fellow heroes." Malty immediately cuts Ren off before he can make himself look even worse in front of everyone. She pushes Bright Leopold in front of her. "Sir Bright Leopold suspected there was a reason why the Wave monsters held our main forces at the north front and then attacked Cal Mira Island from the east side. It's where the port is, where all of our ships are. They are eliminating ways for us to reach the island where the Wave of Catastrophe opened up, where the Wave boss likely is! We need to find a way to take the fight to them, before it's too late."
"Malty, my girl. You are treating this Wave battle like we are fighting against an opponent of equal intelligence. The truth was, the second group of Wave monsters probably got attracted by the life force of all the tourists at the resort. While it's an unfortunate tragedy that definitely requires our immediate action, it's no reason to act overly paranoid and assume our opponents are more cunning than beasts." Once again, the lord regent is entirely dismissive of Malty's concern as he Waves her off. And to the old mage lord's credit, he did immediately turn towards King Egbert. "Egbert, my boy. Perhaps now would be a good time to dispatch more of your forces to make sure the people staying at Menagerie are safe?"
"Yes, of course. I shall dispatch Sir Katy, her black guards and cursed swords to reinforce the defense of Menagerie." The pig king gives his regent a faint bow, although his sight was clearly focused on Malty herself. She can't help but think King Egbert only did what's asked of him because he was trying to make himself look more dear and presentable.
"A bit too late to let out your old 'charm', Pops." Prince Tact puts his arms behind his head and leans backwards. "She already found her honeyman on the Shield Hero. A young hero who fights monsters at the front, who is already entitled to the rank of a duke and might become a king of his own right versus a crusty old man sitting on his throne. Not much of a competition if you ask me, and I'm not even a girl."
"You be quiet, you uncivilized little shit! You are making me look bad! You should still treat Lady Malty with respect, even if she's not going to be your mother anymore." The pig king's face quickly changed from trying (and failing) to act warm and welcoming, to twisted with fury. The Whip Hero simply snorts at his adopted father, showing just how much respect, or lack thereof he has towards his king.
From their reaction it's clear that nobody took Malty's warning seriously. She herself might have dismissed it, if she hadn't gotten her warning from the current mortal avatar of Alaya. Worse, she has no way to prove to these rulers and elites that she had truly met with Fitoria. Short of the half mad avatar making an appearance among them right at this moment, it would be based on the faith of her words. And she already knew mother would immediately jump out and question the truth of her words no matter what she says. The chance that she manages to convince anyone of the Burning Legion's existence is next to zero, and it would only sour the topic if it's brought up by Naofumi.
Not that the Shield Hero himself would have a much easier time to convince these players. Even ignoring all the political power play and assuming all rulers of the most powerful nations act in good faith (she would eat the Star Wand if that ever happens), the Shield Hero's reputation isn't exactly great after Mikage Mikami.
"If you doubt our words, dispatch some runners and see if the ships at the ports are all sunk. That should be a good indication that the Wave monsters were commanded by some higher beings with enough sentience to strategize, and we would have to act accordingly." Malty opens her mouth again and tries to convince the gathered rulers and elites with tangible facts, rather than an abstract threat hanging over their heads that she has no way to prove. It's a gamble, as there's a chance that Bright was wrong with his assumption of the Wave monster's target, and it would immediately discredit all of their concern. But at least it'll be better than having her suggestion immediately shoot down and ruin any chance for Naofumi to convince them of the Burning Legion's existence. At the very least, having some news about Menagerie resort, and port's news brought back to them via a runner would make Malty's mind rest easier.
"Malty, my girl. I'm sure the Wave monsters have destroyed most, if not all the ships in the port as you said. They are crazy monsters who destroy anything in their path after all. But regardless, we can send a runner to see what's happening behind our back. Just to make you feel better." Malty feels like grinding her teeth together at Dumbledore's response. He didn't shoot her suggestion down, rather he did something far worse: completely discredit everything she suggested right at the front... and then take her suggestion. If things went differently from how she predicted, he could continue to act as a condescending elder pulling a 'I told you so' act. But if the runner does notice something out of place... he would be the one to take all the credit for stopping a crisis in a timely manner.
"We should not dismiss Lord Shield Hero and Lady Malty's concern, and prepare for the worst. Wave battles are unpredictable, after all. But it doesn't change the fact that we are at a major disadvantage if we go towards the Wave boss, compared to letting it come to us. There's a sea between us. And if Sir Leopold is right, we have already lost most, if not all of our warships." The Zeltoble warrior lady breaks her silence. She isn't supporting Malty per say, but at least her concern comes from a military strategic perspective, not political power play. "I'm sure Cal Mira people would have some ship hidden somewhere for such an occasion. But it remains to be seen if we can safely make landfall on the northern islands with them. We would be sending out a lot of our elite troops to die if they are sunk on the way."
"We won't travel by water." The new voice is much deeper than the rest of the speakers, and Malty feels a physical burden on her shoulder as she hears the words. She looks around, and sees both Ren and Bright twitching on their feet as if they are trying to stop themselves from falling over. She turns around, and sees the white tiger man unwinding his arms from his chest. His purple eyes are cold, shining with the same icy fire as the crystal on his pair of gauntlets. Another hero who holds a star weapon, and the princess turned slave doesn't need a second chance to guess his identity when the white tiger man turns to address both Lung, and Tact. "We'll transport our most powerful warriors and spellcasters with your airship. And use all of our air cavalry to escort them. Lung, you will hold the monster down by the beach."
Dionysia of White Tiger has a number of titles to his name. The current 'Strongest Tiger' of White Tiger Clan. The Tomb Tiger. The Gauntlet Hero who wields the star gauntlet, and one of the most senior vassal heroes who have fought, and survived The Great War. It's debatable if he is the strongest hero, but he is the most experienced one. And yes, Malty heard of the story that Tact had some conflict with the current Hammer Hero during their study at Faubley's Hero Academy that nearly resulted in the death of the current Hammer Hero. It was Lord Dio who stepped in, stomped Tact and his retinue into the dirt and allowed the Hammer Hero to escape with his life. She wonders how the arrogant Faubley prince would act with the way the Gauntlet Hero, who utterly humiliated him in the Hero Academy, orders him around like a subordinate.
Tact glances at Dio from the corner of his narrowed eyes. His mouth thins into a slightly curved line. But the normally arrogant, and aloof hero of Star Whip didn't say anything back to the veteran hero. It seems like the rumor was true. The Whip Hero is most definitely cautious towards Lord Dio. He turns around, and leaves together with the Claw Hero. Hopefully to gather the troops and transportation as Dio commanded them. Because Malty has a bad feeling about this Wave, it really feels like something bad is going to happen, or someone is watching over them.
He stands silently at the highest vantage point, watching at the main Cal Mira Island under the crimson sky. A smirk on the corner of his lip. They are acting faster than I originally expected of this world after I opened the second front. Someone from this world is treating this Wave battle seriously like they are fighting a war against an equal opponent. Was it out of pure cautiousness... or perhaps a guardian of this timeline told them of The Legion? Regardless, it's impressive... very impressive.
Cold air suddenly condensed together behind him, and began to prickle the back of his exposed neck. A woman's voice, much colder than the air itself, begins to echo behind him. "Why are you here? This world should have been my mission."
"Think of me as an insurance." He doesn't have to turn around, the calm, uninterested smirk never leaving his face. "Our goddess isn't happy after Kiddo's failure last time. Not only did he fail to capture his target, he was spending so much time pleasuring himself, he didn't even conquer the world properly. That's why our goddess decided to have me as a backup. If a newly recruited member does everything right, I would merely act as an observer, maybe an advisor if they appreciate some help. Otherwise, I will only step in if our target is about to get away like last time Kiddo was in charge."
"How dare you compare me to the likes of that lecherous fool. The fact that the Legion recruited someone like him makes me wonder if I made a wrong choice in joining." The woman's treacherous words don't phase him. He knew the exact circumstance she joined them. When their world was destroyed, she had almost everything stripped away from her. She chose to join them rather than be killed alongside the denizens of her world. Her loyalty had never aligned with the Legion, or his goddess. But she wouldn't dare to defy them when they could crush her like an ant any moment. As expected, the woman quickly changes topic, and stops complaining about his presence. "Don't tell me that second front attack is all you planned. Even if you have no plan to capture your target immediately, a surprise attack by a wave of cannon fodder wouldn't mean much."
"Of course not. The point is to test the abilities of this world's champions. Their intelligence to adapt to the situation... and their strength to resist an attack. As much as Kiddo was an idiot, he was right in one thing: this game wouldn't be too fun, if we go straight for the prize." A glowing sphere of scarlet right begins to slowly focus on his finger tip. He shoots the wisp into the dimensional tear itself. Slowly but surely, a distant rumble can be heard in the horizon across the world. Until a deep crimson shaded leg, long and thin like a stilted breaks through the dimensional tear, slowly revealing its arachnid looking body. "Let's see if these heroes can overcome Little Miss Spider, shall we? Let's see this world's champions fight for their lives."
"Bringing out a nation ending, if not a world ending demon lord on the Fourth Wave? You are such a deviant bastard." The woman behind him lets out a muffled snort, as if she tried to hold it back in due to the very action being too far beneath her, yet wasn't successful in the end. "What would you do if she actually killed all the heroes and ended this world?"
"I am but a humble servant to my goddess." He closes his eyes, pushes his palm together in front of his face and bows down his head. As if showing courtesy to some imaginary icon. His response doesn't answer anything, yet explains his intention to his co-conspirator perfectly. "It's all the more reason for you to return where you came from, isn't it? Your absence might be noticed. As someone being initiated into the Legion, it is your task to ensure the target's capture."
The air was cold like a blizzard for one moment, but it turned hot, almost scalding the very next instance. Smart girl, she had already left. He knew his co-conspirator had left for her own role. She wasn't an idiot like Kiddo, who joined the Legion only to save his own skin, and to live in pleasure and luxury plundered from other worlds. She will do what's good for herself in the end, and right now, her fate is entirely connected to the Legion.
He gives one last look to both the dimensional tear, and the giant, crimson spider that had fully emerged from the Wave itself. He should follow the advice he gives to his co-conspirator. His 'mistresses' might notice his absence too if he dally for too long. Time to see if the champions, and the 'heroes' of this world are worthy enough to entertain him. With that final thought, he throws himself into the darkness once again.
Janne feels a cold hand had suddenly closed around her heart, she turns around to look at her battle brother. Sure enough, Abel is looking right back at her. Clearly her battle brother felt the same evil presence breaching their world just like her. Besides her, Mittelt begins to shake uncontrollably. Janne pulls her into an embrace to calm the young crow down. For now, they have more important things to worry about than to fight back this dangerous threat to their world. The Shield Hero, their father's appointed successor, was almost assassinated right before the Wave battle suddenly descended upon everyone. And right now, he had been trapped in Menagerie resort by a second group of Wave monsters. To ensure the safety of their father's successor, her battle brothers and herself would cut a path of blood through the Wave monsters if they have to.
Her fingers tighten around the Replica, the weapon first forged by Master Aldrecth during the Great War with all three pieces of hero shards. Right now, the form she chose was a replica of the Brave Spear. Her ability to wield polearm isn't as good as her swordsmanship, but a spear would be more useful in their charge. They are getting closer to the edge of the tropical forest they are marching through, she could already see the tall Menagerie Hotel through the last layer of foliage. Abel jumps through the treeline ahead of Janne, and she has to grab her battle brother on the shoulder. "Hold, Abel. Something doesn't look right."
Her battle brother didn't say anything, didn't even turn around to look at Janne. Out of every single member of the Sons of Biscas, Abel took the death of their father the hardest. And her battle brother wanted to kill the Shield Hero more than anyone else from their order. But Abel is also loyal towards their father, and would obey the duty of following the Shield Hero's command like their father wanted. But right now, with Janne giving the order to hold, there is no reason for Abel to disobey and charge right into Menagerie resort. Not when the tourist town is covered in some kind of blue glyph that glows with the light of magic.
"It's a protection Glyph built into the island's mana grid, using the streets and buildings as conduit." Abel's eyes narrow, purple peacock tail feathers sprout out behind the wrathful son and carry Janne's battle brother into the sky. With them being raised in the church, study of magic that's not directly gifted to them by the Chief God and his pantheon is heavily frowned upon. But of all her battle brothers, Abel is one of those who has a strong natural sense towards the arcane due to both being a peacock, and having proper tutors to study the actual arcane theories. "There are three types of defensive magic field: a protection barrier to keep enemies out, causing damage to the attackers, or weakening them. I see no defensive barriers the Wave spawn piled them on, and they are clearly not being damaged. So it must be a weakening type. It would most likely weaken anyone caught in its range, us included."
A weakening type defensive field... it should be expected that Cal Mira Island would have something like it as the neutral ground that would hold the Hero Conference. Much like the already fallen 'Judge of Heroes', a reputation to a nation can be a double edged sword. It would cause others who are too weak to stay away from them, but for those who are ambitious and believe themselves to be strong... Taking down a nation with a well-known reputation would be the easiest way to gain prestige. Obviously, someone has expected the possibility of Cal Mira Island being invaded in the future, and they are using the contingency plan to fight against Wave monsters.
The better question is what to do for themselves. Would the defensive field extend into the sky? Abel, or Janne herself could fly through the sky, informing the defenders of Menagerie that help has arrived. Having them shut down the defensive magical field to let her battle brothers in. Or else they could charge in while the defensive field was active, taking risk that it would do to them as it did to the Wave monsters to ensure the safety of the defenders taking shelter. The decision was made in an instance, this is what they were raised to do. "Prepare to charge. We shall endure."
"I will take points. You lead from the center." Abel descended down from the sky without complaint. Janne prefers to lead at the front, but when she is partnered with Abel, she would be better suited to remain in the middle to command her fellow battle brothers. Or rather, Abel would not be able to do what she can do. As the prodigious son let herself back into the middle of their group, Abel had already charged forward ahead of everyone towards Menagerie resort. Jenna quickly begins to direct her fellow Sons of Biscas to form into an arrow, and follows right after the wrathful son. She doesn't know how strong the weakening field around Cal Mira Island is. It's possible that everyone stepping in would be weakened equally, but if its spellworks were designed to weaken only the strongest... she's not about to let Abel get killed by the tide of Wave spawn.
As she steps through the threshold of the magic field, she can feel herself immediately grow heavy. Not only in the sense of her body becoming more sluggish (although that's certainly true), but it feels like there is a cage placed inside her, burdening down her soul from inside, making it nearly impossible to commune with their gods. Still, it would not be the worst condition she has to fight in, and her head is still clear enough as her battle brothers on the front manage to catch up to Abel. The wrathful son still lived up to the name even in a weakened state, where wavespawn have their limbs torn asunder, their bodies kicked and stomped into unrecognizable shapes as they are thrown around like toys.
The rest of Janne's battle brothers arrange themselves behind Abel, even with their power reduced, they have no trouble with cutting through the horde of Wave monsters. Although they did encounter an expected obstacle as they reached the foot of Menagrie Hotel. In the form of a tall, stone barrier around the hotel itself. As Janne looks up in complete bewilderment, she wonders if her fellow battle brothers share her puzzlement. "Is this... a newly built castle wall?"
"I, I remember you! You were that angel who saved Malty and I when we were falling! Cover them, Motoyasu!" The Shield Hero looks down at them from the top of the barrier. He gives a light tap to the Spear Hero besides him, and his fellow hero obliged his request. With a Wave of his weapon, the Spear Hero throws down a Wave of explosive stars behind Janne's group, blowing hordes of monsters back, or turning them into broken bits of dead body parts. The slab of stone on the Shield Hero's arm turns into a coil of rope, and he quickly throws a few strands down for Janne and her battle brothers. "Get up quickly!"
Her fellow Sons of Biscas didn't hesitate. Janne, Abel and others who are capable of flight carry some of their fellow battle brothers up the wall, while others climb up using the Shield Hero's rope one after another. The Spear Hero, and others lay down cover fire for them with musket shots, arrows, bolts, or their weapon arts. Barely a few breaths of a moment, one hundred of Janne's battle brothers she brought along now stand on the makeshift wall around Menagerie Hotel. The sense of burden from the defensive magic field disappears as Janne touches down on the barrier.
With her better vintage points, she realizes what the Shield Hero constructed is less of an impromptu wall, and more of a circle of lined up giant stop tablets. Still a decent barrier around the resort they are taking shelter in, but hard to get up and down due to the lack of something like a ramp, or stair cases. She assumes it must be some kind of hero ability, rather than a high level earth spell. "My Lord! We came as soon as we heard about the monsters attacking Menagerie Resort. Are you unharmed?"
"I'm fine. The monsters didn't even get close to me. Motoyasu was in more danger because he ran out to help bring back civilian survivors while I stayed behind healing people, and building this barricade." The Shield Hero pointing his thumb at the Spear Hero standing a few steps away from him. His fellow hero is currently waving his spear around, hitting more monsters with his weapon arts. "How is the battle at the front? Is Malty safe? Is Raphtalia safe? Everyone else from my group?"
"Countless waves of monsters are trying to make their way south onto Cal Mira Island. But they couldn't even reach our formation by the time we turned our way south to reinforce you, my lord. They are fairly weak, and they can't even get through our ranged attack. We haven't heard anything about Lady Malty or Lady Raphtalia, but they shouldn't be in danger." Janne briefly wonders about informing the Shield Hero about the sudden feeling of dread she experienced together with Abel. They don't know anything, except some kind of demon had made through the dimensional tear to have both of their senses picking it up. And she doubted this would have the Shield Hero rest easy, but soon, her choice was made by her.
The feeling of coldness grips Janne's heart once again like a lifeless hand. And this time, it didn't stop at only wrapping its malevolent fingers around her, but squeezed down around her heart. It isn't only herself and Abel who felt this. While the two of them managed to stand upright without flinching, the same can't be said about her battle brothers. Most of them doubled over, a few actually went down on their knees. But the most severe reaction could be seen on Mittelt as the young crow fell on the ground, and puked her guts out. Janne quickly runs over to the young demi-human she initiated into their brotherhood. "Mittelt! Are you okay?!"
"It's that feeling again... it's like he is back again. No... something worse than him." The young crow's words sounded distant, her eyes unfocused. Janne doesn't need her younger sibling to spell the name out for her. Mittelt is talking about the demon that pretended to be a father to her, the one that nearly manipulated her down the path of damnation. That's why out of all her battle brothers, she is the most sensitive to demonic influence.
"Motoyasu? What's wrong?!" The Shield Hero's alarmed voice forces Janne's attention away from her adopted little sister. She notices that the Spear Hero is down on his knees just like some of her battle brothers, his face twisted in suffering, left hand covering over his chest and his right hand holding onto the shaft of his spear for support. The ruby on his spear glowing furiously, the same as the Shield Hero's emerald on his shield. "What the- what's happening to my shield, and your spear?"
"A very powerful demon has no doubt entered into our world, my lord. One that might be powerful enough to destroy us all. It seems like Lord Spear Hero could sense its oppressive presence." Janne can't stop her own voice from sounding grim. As one of her father's favorite sons, she had access to the church's library. She had read over some of the records of the old Waves of Catastrophe. Powerful demons, or even avatars of invading gods entering through the dimensional tear of a Wave to take advantage of their world isn't unheard of. But they usually happen near the end, maybe after the Tenth Wave. For one of this level to appear only in the Fourth Wave... it's unheard of. Seeing the Shield Hero's face quickly turning into hysteria, Janne tries to reassure him. "Do not panic, my lord. Strong veteran heroes are fighting in this Wave. I'm sure Lord Gauntlet Hero, Lady Claw Hero and Lord Whip Hero would fight this threat to the best of their abilities, and we could still win thanks to their strength."
"That's not what I'm worried about! Malty got her father's hero wand... but it's broken! What if she's forced to fight this demon, or god thing with a broken hero weapon?!" The Shield Hero takes a long step away from the Spear Hero, and begins to practically shake Janne. Abel has to push him away from her. "Take me to the battle, PLEASE! Even if I can't help in the fight, I have to make sure Malty is safe!"
"Your level is low. I'll go!" The Spear Hero gets back on his shaking feet.
"Don't look down on me! I'm still the Shield Hero with my focus on defense, and I have my Saiga. Even if I can't help out in the fight, I could keep Malty safe!" The Shield Hero turns around and gives the Spear Hero a slightly annoyed glance before his face turns to a more neutral expression. "We'll go, and fight together. But here..."
"Have no worry, my lords. We shall fight these evil creatures down to our last men to protect the innocent behind us." Lord Leif and Lord Seliph slam their balled up fists over their heart, as does every knight they brought with them. "Our duty is to fight and die for the land."
"Lok'tar Ogar, my king! The horde knows no defeat, only victory, or death!" The big boarman behind the Shield Hero roars together with his fellow raiders.
"I'm taking a little trip with Naofumi to bring back Malty, hold down the fort while I'm gone, okay? Katarina, Bertia? My Children? Miyu, you are in charge while I'm gone, Matsu will help you." The Spear Hero seems to regain his composure. He turns around and places a hand on a tall woman with long flowing purple hair, and a woman whose orange hair is tied into a braid.
"May fortune smile upon you, Master Motoyasu." The purple haired woman bowed her head down, so did her orange haired companion.
"You can count on us! Master Motoyasu! Be careful out there..." Lady Katarina's energetic response turns softer by the end. She steps forward and with a blushing face, places a quick kiss on the Spear Hero's left face. Lady Bertia follows her example, down to the last detail of the faint blush.
Janne feels someone's finger running along her palm. She looks back and sees Mittelt looking at her. She knows her adopted little sister worries for her, but the young crow knows that she isn't strong enough for the upcoming battle. Wordlessly, Janne gives her little sister a nod, and a light pet on her head. She stands back up, and sees the aura of a fully revealed, giant purple peacock behind Abel. Her battle brother speaks with a stern voice, and even a stern gaze aimed at the Shield Hero. "Come up. We shall fly to the Wave boss."
End Note:
We get a little sneak peek on what's going to happen on the Hero Conference based on the reaction of these so called 'world leaders' from this chapter. Thankfully, at least one of the veteran heroes is able and willing to take charge of the situation and jumped over the players of The Game.
Bright Leopold who had a off hand mention and Set who had a brief apparence in the prequel are like wise, also from the Chinese strategy RPG franchise 'The Legend of the Fay Realm', this time from the second prequel game. Bright was the main character, and one of the six heroes who stopped the three destroyers from destroying the world in the second game, while Set (whose original name pronounce more like 'Seg', but I changed it slightly to avoid confusion with SIOC) is his self-proclaimed 'friendly rival' who got brainwashed by one of the destroyers.
And of course, we get a bit more of a brief spat between agents of the Burning Legion who has already infiltrated Medea. And yes, they just pulled a Lautrec and effectively summoned their own 'god' tier monster onto the field.