Chapter 16: Chaos in the Royal Capital – 04
On the fourth day after departing from Barbadoza, we found ourselves atop a hill overlooking the Royal Capital.
We had anticipated the commotion from the loud noises echoing before us, and indeed, the Royal Capital was currently under siege by a “Demon.”
According to reports, the city was “experiencing intermittent attacks,” and it seemed we had arrived at just the right moment.
“Soushi-sama, that ‘Demon’ is the same as the ones we encountered in Oz,” Freinir pointed out.
Before us loomed a large, fast-moving “Demon.” Its cylindrical body was as massive as a fuel tanker, topped with a gigantic human-like face, and countless legs sprouted from beneath its torso.
Each time its colossal form collided with the city walls, a thunderous impact resonated up the hill. There was a moat in front of the walls, but it appeared to be filled with smaller demons, creating a makeshift platform.
The real issue was that there were three of these large demons, alongside approximately thirty insect-like “Demons” with six legs and two heads, launching magical ice spears at the walls.
Meanwhile, atop the walls, numerous adventurers were retaliating with spells and arrows. They seemed to be employing large crossbows (ballistae) and catapults, but capturing the swift “Demons” was proving to be a challenge.
As we watched, one of the large “Demons” charged the walls again, creating a resounding crash. While the walls still held, it was evident they had sustained significant damage, with dents and cracks appearing.
“What should we do, Soushi? Should we wait for them to be defeated, or should we provide support?” Larni asked as she approached my side, her ears twitching with eagerness for battle.
“We’re on a protective mission, so let’s observe for now,” I replied.
“But isn’t it going to be difficult to handle that big one without you, Soushi?”
“In the Royal Capital, there are plenty of A-Rank adventurers. If they concentrate their magic attacks, they should be able to manage.”
Just as I spoke, over a hundred fiery spears pierced one of the large “Demons.” As it staggered from the damage, another hundred fiery spears rained down upon it. Even the large “Demon” could not withstand the concentrated assault from high-ranking adventurers, toppling over and beginning to vanish.
Geshura, who had been watching the battle, crossed her arms with a look of intrigue.
“I have never seen a monster like that. It appears quite sturdy, but what exactly is it?”
“These monsters have suddenly started appearing over the past few months. They seem to have come from another world, but their true nature remains unknown,” I explained.
“Another world…? The realm of the gods, perhaps?”
“No, I doubt that… Why do you think it’s the realm of the gods?”
“Among us, it is said that there exists a world separate from this one, where gods reside. Though no one has actually seen a god,” she replied.
“Sounds like a myth. If that’s the case, then humans have certainly heard of it too.”
According to Freinir, there were mentions of such things in the scriptures of the Arshuram Religion. Well, since I had actually been to the “other world,” it was confirmed that the “Demons” were indeed from another realm.
As we continued our conversation, another large “Demon” was defeated.
Just as I felt reassured by the Royal Capital’s defenses, Lord Toronto suddenly raised his voice.
“More of the same ‘Demons’ have emerged from the forest over there! Three… no, five of them! This is quite dangerous!”
From the forest spreading to the left of the Royal Capital, large “Demons” began to appear one after another. They charged forward with incredible speed, heading straight for the walls, creating loud crashes and tremors.
Moreover, they were accompanied by around a hundred smaller flying “Demons,” which began casting spells at the adventurers atop the walls. It seemed the adventurers had shifted their focus to countering the smaller threats, leaving the large “Demons” free to charge the walls. This could turn out to be a serious problem.
“Let’s take down the large ones here. I’ll draw their attention and roll them over. Larni, Sfenia, and Karma, I leave the finishing blow to you. Freinir, Mariane, Shizuna, and Geshura, please continue to protect Lord Toronto.”
“Understood!”
“Got it!”
“Leave it to me!”
“Soushi-sama, please be careful!”
Hearing my team’s responses, I led Larni and the other three toward the swarm of “Demons.” As we approached within about 200 meters, I activated my “Provoke” skill, causing the large “Demon” that had been battering the walls to turn its attention toward us.
There were six of them, charging toward us in a line like a freight train.
“Larni, step back a bit!”
I shouted as I halted and raised my massive orichalcum shield, the “Immovable Fortress Wall.”
The large “Demon,” moving at speeds exceeding 50 kilometers per hour, bore down on me with its tanker-sized body. Its enormous face, resembling a mask, stared at me with an emotionless gaze.
CRASH!!
The first of the large “Demons” collided with the “Immovable Fortress Wall,” its face embedding into the shield.
However, thanks to the enhanced skills I had acquired, I did not budge an inch from the tremendous impact.
I had become a completely fixed, indestructible object. The “Demon” that charged me crumpled its own face against my shield, flipping over and crashing to the ground behind me.
Without missing a beat, the remaining five met the same fate, one after another, being sent flying behind me.
“Nice job, Soushi!! Leave the rest to us!”
“Soushi, you’re amazing! Here, let me take your head!”
As the six large “Demons” writhed on the ground, Larni and Karma unleashed their “Great Severance” and “Blade Extension” skills, swiftly decapitating them. Sfenia, too, summoned numerous magical spears imbued with fire and rock attributes through her “Dual Magic” and “Mixed Magic,” launching them into the sides of the “Demons.”
By the time the six large “Demons” vanished, the adventurers atop the walls had also finished eliminating the smaller flying “Demons” and the insect-like “Demons.”
Among the cheering adventurers, I spotted Harsivil, a young royal guard knight, and Meldoza, a lady of the court. It seemed their presence had contributed to the swift resolution of the battle. I waved back at them and made my way toward Lord Toronto and the others.