Chapter 202: Interlude (A Certain Defense Line)
A swarm of Soul Butterflies was approaching.
“Captain, I’ve visualized the target swarm!”
“Good. We’ll commence the attack once they’re all within range. Make sure not to rush.”
“Understood!”
Currently, the defense forces of the Forest Country (Reburesta) were pulling back the front lines and reorganizing their units.
Though Soul Butterflies were monsters, they were not the type that actively attacked humans. Therefore, the reconstruction of the front lines could be carried out relatively leisurely.
“There are 14 targets. They’re moving almost in formation. Likely a reproductive group centered around the female individuals.”
“In that case, we need to save the Queen for last. Inform the archers; the Queen is the main dish.”
“Understood!”
As the commander relayed the strategy, the Soul Butterflies continued to close the distance. Their target was likely the city’s hot spot.
With a high outpouring of Magic Essence and a wide area, it was no wonder this place had developed into a central city of the region. From the perspective of the Soul Butterflies, it was an ideal spawning ground.
“The lead individual has entered range; it’s likely the Queen.”
“Good, they’re clustered together… We might be able to manage this.”
Then, the last of the swarm fell within range.
“Target acquired! Distance confirmed! Commence attack!”
“Attack initiated!”
The weapon resembled a massive bow laid sideways—specifically, a ballista. The archer carefully aimed and pulled the trigger.
With a snap of the bowstring, a bolt thicker than an arm was launched. Unbeknownst to them, the pencil-shaped projectile with stabilizing wings closely resembled what was known as an A-P-F-S-D-S Shell.
Accelerated by the magic formulas inscribed upon it, the bolt adjusted its trajectory slightly as it soared toward the last Soul Butterfly.
Its speed was nearly that of sound.
The ballista was enhanced with initial speed increase and one-shot magic formulas, while the bolt itself was imbued with range enhancement magic. Although no individual could take down a Soul Butterfly alone, they utilized this collective power as a defensive weapon.
The subsonic bolt flew through the air, slightly off-target but still powerful enough to pierce the abdomen of the Soul Butterfly.
Explosion.
The compressed air released within blew apart the Soul Butterfly’s midsection.
“Hit! A critical blow!”
“Reel it in, commence!”
“Reeling in! Starting now!”
The wind magic users stationed nearby directed powerful gusts at the windmill connected to the ballista’s reeling mechanism. With a roaring sound, the windmill began to spin, cranking the bowstring tightly.
“Reeling complete!”
“Next round loaded! All set!”
“Target acquired! Distance confirmed! Commence attack!”
And so, this scene was repeated all around the city.
The defensive ballistae were large, heavy, and not something that could be easily transported. Each shot required multiple casters, making continuous operation by a single team challenging.
However, when it came to city defense, the situation was different.
Fixed at defensive positions, multiple teams could rotate through the firing crews. Thanks to the hot spot, magic recovery was swift, and they had ample supplies of Magic Recovery Potions. The high Magic Density of the area also meant efficient operation of magic tools, resulting in minimal depletion of Magic Stones.
The operation to lure and exterminate the Soul Butterflies was proceeding smoothly. Similar methods were being employed at various defensive outposts to eliminate the swarms.
“Downburst!”
With the shout of the caster above, a powerful downdraft was unleashed. Several Soul Butterflies caught in the gust lost their balance and plummeted to the ground.
“Great job! Hah!”
One man rushed toward a Soul Butterfly that had been slammed to the ground. He unleashed a super compression rare magic. A tremendous pressure twisted inward from the point of impact, causing the Soul Butterfly’s body to cave in with a series of cracking sounds.
“Got one!”
Beside him, a woman wielding a rapier thrust the tip into the head of another Soul Butterfly.
“Pierce Burn!”
A flash of light surged from the blade, scattering intense flames within. The Soul Butterfly, its brain and central nervous system seared, fell lifeless. Its fragile neck carbonized in an instant, and with a swift motion, the woman withdrew her rapier, sending the head rolling to the ground.
“Two down!”
The third was handled by a man wielding a round shield nearly a meter in diameter.
“…”
Silently, the man charged at the Soul Butterfly, inflating his massive form even further.
A tremendous impact sound echoed.
Just how much force was behind that? The mere charge was enough to slay the Soul Butterfly, its body bending grotesquely as its legs were torn off, and its head rolled away.
“Whirlwind Slash!”
The last remaining Soul Butterfly, having escaped the downburst, was shredded by a fierce whirlwind unleashed by the caster above, its joints torn apart and scattered into the sky.
“Alright! That’s it for today! Aliusia, come down!”
The man who had felled the massive monster with his fists shouted. Hearing him, the wind magician above controlled her magic and began to descend.
“Today’s tally is 13! That’s plenty!”
“Now we just need to scout the area and report back if we find another swarm.”
“Ugh, I’m exhausted… At least we can rest in Karak City, but if this keeps up, I won’t be able to maintain my magic…”
This party was hired by the defense forces as valuable skirmishers capable of exterminating swarms of Soul Butterflies.
While the lure and extermination in Karak City was going smoothly, there were inevitably stragglers and small groups that emerged from the main swarm. It was the skirmishers’ role to hunt down these stragglers.
“At least we get priority for Magic Recovery Cuisine, so it’s not all bad.”
“But that stuff isn’t bad, but it’s so bland…”
“Hahaha! It’s better than nothing! I hear that further east, they don’t have that luxury and only get handed Magic Recovery Potions!”
“Ugh… Those are too bitter to even drink…”
The group chatted cheerfully as they began their patrol. While they appeared jovial, they remained vigilant against any threats from above. The dense trees obscured their view, making it difficult to see.
Nonetheless, they were fulfilling their role admirably. This single party could take down over ten Soul Butterflies. As skirmishers, they were exceptionally skilled.
“Well then, the situation at the northern and eastern front lines seems better than expected.”
“Thanks to those girls. We’ve been able to allocate more personnel and supplies than anticipated.”
“It seems we’ve also managed to import equipment and food. We won’t be able to raise our heads for a while.”
“New bows and a large supply of arrows. I hear they even brought bolts for the ballista if we asked. What do you think?”
“At the very least, it means we can operate weapons of equal quality without any issues.”
“Considering that golem over there, it seems we’re not the only ones in a good position.”
“That’s an incredible piece of machinery. It reminds me of the stories my grandfather told me about the Magic Kingdom.”
“Your grandfather? You mean the one from the previous Council of Elders? How many years ago was that?”
“Well, I can’t say for certain. Was it 500 years ago or 1,000?”
“However, that is a golem. I’ve heard there are civilizations on distant continents that have developed without magic, relying on machines instead.”
“That sounds dubious. The envoy was likely exaggerating. After all, they arrived on a regular sailing ship.”
“True. Speaking of mechanical civilizations, I haven’t seen much of that lately, but I heard something called Reputari appeared not long ago.”
“A paddle steamer, huh? If they can navigate the seas with that, it would be reassuring. They don’t seem to be as adept at wind magic as we are.”
“We’ve also been away from conflict for a long time. Dealing with ambitious nations has become quite challenging.”
“If it’s that young lad from Tiarriada, he seems to be managing well enough.”
“The dispatch to the Afrasia United Kingdom was originally for securing fire magic stones, right? But they’ve brought back something even more outrageous. Hohoho.”
“Good and bad, I suppose. Well, that’s fine. It’s rolling in a good direction. More importantly…”
“Over there, is it that religious nation?”
“That’s a troublesome topic. It reminds me of the Goddess Worshiping Nation from back in the day.”
“Ah, the one we eradicated long ago.”
“There’s nothing more troublesome than blind zealots. Still, it seems that girl is reaching out to them.”
“What? Is she still connected to Reputari?”
“At the very least, it’s the bare minimum. Our birds fly well, after all.”