Chapter 92

Professor Noor took off with the dragon Lala and confronted the monster in the sky, immediately staging an unbelievable spectacle above our heads.

Lala circled the sky with a speed that made even her massive body seem to blur, repeatedly ascending and diving while searing the monster's body with intense 'Destructive Light' multiple times.

The monster, trying to knock Lala down by burning her, unleashed countless massive black lightning bolts, but Professor Noor, standing on Lala's back, deflected them instantly with his 'Black Sword' and effortlessly scattered them to the distant plains and mountains.

Each time, the thunderous roar shook the earth, and the black flashes carved away the distant landscape.

Occasionally, a ridiculous amount of flame filled the sky, covering the entire sky above Mithra, but even that scorching ball of fire, which we could barely push back with the two of us, was forcefully repelled by Lala's massive wings with a single flap, and she used that fire to burn the monster instead.

Seizing the moment when the monster flinched, Lala mercilessly hammered the massive flesh with even more powerful 'Destructive Light,' and the sky, which had turned a dark red, instantly turned white.

Immediately after, the entire field of vision was illuminated so brightly that it was impossible to look directly at it, and a delayed blast of wind hit the ground, collapsing buildings and scattering debris.

The relentless thunder, flashes, and inferno continued.

In the midst of this, Professor Noor and Lala kept fighting.

It was a realm that ordinary people could no longer understand.

"... Amazing."

I was captivated by the spectacular scene unfolding in the sky, to the point where I forgot that the ground was also in the midst of intense battle.

It was a clash between beings far above us, a spectacle that no one with even the richest imagination could ever have conceived—like the gods of mythology fighting with all their might.

"Amazing... that..."

I was brought back to my senses by Roro's voice beside me, who was also looking up at the sky.

"... Roro, I'm sorry. I suddenly asked Lala to do something difficult... But I couldn't think of any other way right now."

"No, she was happy and I think it's good. She looks really enjoying it right now."

Roro said, looking up at the sky.

"That's true... but we can't win like this."

I had asked Roro to read my vague intentions and had Professor Noor and Lala head to the sky.

According to Ines, the monster couldn't even be cut by her 'Light Sword,' which could slice through any metal.

However, I had seen Professor Noor shatter that creature earlier.

I don't know the logic, but it means that Professor Noor's 'Black Sword' can destroy that unknown being.

That's why I asked Professor Noor to head up with Lala—but this isn't going well.

Professor Noor can't get close to the monster.

And despite being burned by such intense heat rays and flames, there's no sign of the monster taking damage.

Probably, the monster can't be defeated unless its core, wrapped in flesh, is struck.

But even with Lala's 'Destructive Light,' which can destroy a city with a single shot, the amount of flesh it can cut is minimal.

We need one more force to turn the tide and head to the sky.

"──Ines, can you do it?"

"......Are you sure, Lady Rineburg?"

Ines, who was cutting down the swarm of monsters, turned to look at my face.

"Yes. We'll hold the ground."

"But... if something happens to you..."

Ines looked at me with a worried expression.

I understand what she means.

She is almost single-handedly holding back the swarm of monsters.

We have formed an array with Ines at the forefront, and she alone can clear the threat from the swarm of monsters with her 'Light Shield' in an instant.

Thanks to her, we have a little breathing room and can tend to the wounded.

But if Ines leaves the ground, the situation will change drastically. We won't even have the time to talk.

"......Please go now. The one who needs your power the most right now is Professor Noor."

Ines was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"──Understood. But please take care of yourself. If you get hurt, I will be in a difficult position."

"... I understand. Ines, please be careful too."

"Yes. Lady Rineburg, please stay safe."

With that, Ines swung her 'Light Shield,' and all the monsters in sight were horizontally sliced, instantly turning into a pile of corpses.

Then, she created several small 'Light Shields' in the air, forming a staircase leading to the sky, and immediately ran up vertically, disappearing in an instant.

──Her destination was the ongoing battle in the sky.

Ines was worried about me, but she shouldn't be worrying about others.

But she has to go.

No one else can intervene there.

Thus, the strongest 'shield' that protected us was gone, and I called out to the people around me.

"Everyone, the break is over... Are you ready?"

"Yeah, thanks to you, I got a little rest, Rine."

"Yes, it seems no one is injured and can't move. That person... Ines, right...?"

Behind me stood Roro, Prince Tylence, Astilla, and the six members of the 'Twelve Holy Knights' [Starboard].

There were no other figures around.

Until just now, many Mithra knights were here, but many were injured in the battle with the monsters, and Astilla and I provided them with basic treatment... but keeping them here would only result in unnecessary deaths and more injuries.

So, except for the ten people here, the rest were assigned to focus on evacuating the citizens.

I made the selection and took command of this 'operation' from Prince Tylence.

But...

"... This is definitely wrong...! The princess of the Clayse Kingdom really intends to deal with such a number of monsters with just this many people...!? ... No matter how much it's the prince's order, I can't accept it...!"

Naturally, there were complaints.

Miranda of the Twelve Holy Knights gathered them and looked puzzled at my explanation.

"Control your tongue, Miranda. Obeying her is the command of His Holiness and the prince. Do you intend to show disrespect in such a place?"

"... But... even so, such a method...!"

"... I'm sorry, Miranda. I suggested that she take command of this scene. She is much more skilled at this than I am. If you have any complaints, feel free to blame me."

"... Prince...! I never meant...!!"

"Then, obey quietly. Miranda."

"... I... I understand...!"

... I can understand her feelings.

Even I, who came up with the idea, am hesitating in the face of the approaching swarm of monsters.

"... Then, Miranda, Petra. Please help me create the 'barrier' with me."

... I would like to wait until Miranda's feelings calm down, but there's no time.

The swarm of monsters was destroyed by Ines's single swing, but immediately more monsters emerged from the entrance of the 'Labyrinth of Lament,' and the swarm quickly grew.

It won't take long for that swarm to reach us.

We need to prepare quickly.

"But... hey, are we really going to do this!? I understand the meaning, but this means that all of us...──"

"──Miranda. To protect the people of Mithra. You must cooperate."

"But... even so, it's still...!"

"... Miranda. Do you understand why a 'distinguished guest' from another country is staying here at such a risk?"

"Ah...! I... I understand...!! To be cowering while someone from another country is doing so much... I, Miranda of the 'Twelve Holy Knights' [Holy Scripture], can't afford to look bad...!"

"... Then, let's start. We don't have time, focus."

"... I... I understand...!! Don't rush me...!"

Despite her flustered tone, Miranda quickly raised her magic power and was ready to cast a spell in an instant.

"... It's ready. If you're going to do it, do it."

"Me too. I'm ready."

──Miranda of [Holy Scripture].

──Petra of [False Scripture].

They are probably around eighteen years old, not much older than me, but they are top-notch mages.

I also quickly prepared to cast a spell to match them.

"Then, let's go──"

And the three of us synchronized our breathing and cast our spells simultaneously.

"「「「[Stone Wall]」」」

Then, with a loud roar, thick, massive rocks rose one after another into the sky, forming a stone wall around us.

Looking up at the hard, towering stone wall that instantly rose, I felt a chill despite being the one who proposed it.

There are no more buildings of Mithra visible.

In an instant, all we could see were the stone walls, piles of rubble, the entrance to the labyrinth, and the swarm of monsters.

The height of the stone wall is such that it cannot be easily climbed.

Not by the swarm of monsters, nor by us.

We have no place to run.

"... Ugh...! I knew this would happen. Really, to lock ourselves in like this...!! ... This is almost like a stone coffin...!!"

Miranda is right. What I completed with the help of the Twelve Holy Knights is a huge rectangular enclosure... in other words, a 'stone coffin.'

The ten of us will now fight the endless swarm of monsters in this prison with no place to run.

──This method is reckless from the start, and I feel sorry for Miranda, who I dragged into this.

But Ines and Professor Noor are no longer here.

While those with supernatural powers are a different matter, with our ordinary human strength and numbers, we cannot suppress the rapid growth of the swarm of monsters if we fight them head-on.

No matter how hard we try, we will inevitably miss some of the monsters spreading to the city.

Evacuation orders have been issued to the citizens of Mithra, but many are still left behind. The monsters will flood into the city and kill many citizens.

This situation must be prevented at all costs... but our options are limited.

We can forcibly 'seal' the entrance to the labyrinth to contain the monsters, but it's clear that we can't contain all the monsters that keep emerging.

Simply sealing the labyrinth would only be a temporary solution.

Continuing to destroy the monsters will not stop them from overflowing into the city.

But simply sealing them won't work either.

... Then, what should we do?

In a sense, the answer is very simple.

──We need to do both.

In other words... we need to contain the monsters and continue reducing their numbers from within.

"... I see. With this, even if we all perish here, we can buy time for the evacuation of the people of Mithra. To think of such a thing..."

"Stop being impressed, Gergnain...! Just thinking of such a reckless thing...!"

"But in terms of protecting the people of Mithra, this is the best. The sacrifice will be minimal."

Gergnain of [Great Spear], holding a large spear, seemed to be smiling under his faceless helmet.

"Still, to think of locking oneself in a coffin with the swarm of monsters... That princess of the barbarian country is really crazy...!!"

"But this is the mission we should fulfill... isn't it? Sigil."

"That's right. His Holiness and the prince are also fighting with us. Think of it as the true calling of a Holy Knight, Miranda."

"... Ah, you... You're the one who asked for my agreement... I was the fool...!"

They are right. From here on, it will be a fight to the death.

A war where either the swarm of monsters or we will be destroyed.

There is no place to run in this huge stone wall, and we may die in here.

But of course, I didn't enclose us to die.

"Don't worry, Miranda. I didn't propose this plan with the intention of dying."

"... That's true. You wouldn't think of such a thing without any chance of winning...?"

"Yes. But if the worst comes to the worst, I will sink this stone wall along with the monsters, so I'm sorry if it comes to that."

"... Ahhhhhhh...!!"

"Try your best to avoid that... You are one of the 'Starboard.' Don't show an unseemly appearance."

"I... I understand...! There's no choice but to do it...!! ... Ugh...!"

As I was about to say another word to her, Astilla gently placed her hand on Miranda's shoulder.

"Hehe, don't worry, Miranda. I'll help as much as I can."

"... Your Holiness...!?"

Miranda, surprised by the hand on her shoulder, lost her balance and sat on the ground.

"... Y... Your Holiness...!? And... w... what's my name...!? ... Ah...!?"

"Hehe, I've been through quite a few battles. I'm sure I can be of help. I'm used to being crushed by monsters when someone carelessly opens a trapped treasure chest... but this is the first time I've seen something so amazing."

As Astilla approached, the Twelve Holy Knights knelt and bowed in respect.

"──It is an honor to fight alongside you, Your Holiness."

"Yes, I'm also very encouraged, Sigil, everyone. That swarm is a bit... actually, it's really difficult... but let's do our best!"

"... Your words are precious."

Astilla spoke to the tense group with a gentle smile, and I could see their morale rise and their minds