The chase was brutal.

　I'm sure you'll find that the chase was sporadic, thanks to the remaining winged chieftains and their warriors, but no matter how much you defeat them, new enemies will spring up from somewhere and never stop chasing them.

　I'm not sure what kind of orders they were given: ...... It's not surprising that they were ordered to "kill all opponents" or something like that.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this.

"...... Nell! Reinforcements!

"...... is the only way, or . Ronia, the communication ball, please!

　A little bit of repugnance for involving him in this dangerous situation arises, but since he is not the only one here, it is very selfish to keep a lid on the moral obligation to pierce his own heart for a while now.

　And he is the only support they can hope for.
　The nearest city is far away and before they can get there, they'll be hunted by the demon tribe.

　Best of all - with his knowledge of Nell, even this desperate situation can be overturned.

　At this point in time, there was no room for them to take the option of not calling for help.

　Nell's words of agreement despite the guilty look on her face, Lonia nodded her head and reached for the drawstring bag on her hip as she ran--then.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　The sound of arrows flying.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

　But ...... is not a combatant to begin with.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most out of the situation.

　Is it a prank of fate. The Devil's smile.

　It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get the best out of it.

　The sound of something hard cracking echoes around you.

----!

"Pierce my enemy! "Sacred Arrow"!

　Nell immediately reversed her body and released several arrows of light that appeared in the air and aimed in the direction from which the enemy's arrows had come flying.

Follow her! Keep the enemy at bay!

　At the same time, the winged warriors, who are escorting the non-combatants fleeing with them, also participate in checking the enemy by firing arrows in response to Nell's attack.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the best way to get the most out of it.

It's ...... bad, it's broken now!

"Huh, red or white, which one?

"Both!

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work for you," he replied, with an unusually strong sense of impatience on his face, and he was gritting his teeth tightly, perhaps out of remorse.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time with us.

Huh. ......

　--Calm down. At times like this, I should know that rushing around doesn't work.

　Take a deep breath, calm down, and think hard.

"...... Lonia, what's the fix?

...... has been analyzing what kind of circuit it is, so maybe it's possible. But it will probably take a few hours.

...... Okay. Let's get out of here for now!


　　　* * *


"Oh my God, you're a strong girl. I'm very impressed with you, lady. Okay, next.

　After a quick glance at one of her companions, who was tending to more and more of the winged children and wounded warriors with expert hands, Nell spoke to a warrior sitting in front of her.

...... So, Mr. Regulis, how is the enemy?

"Thanks to your Warding of Misunderstanding, we've managed to disperse it. But they've mobilized quite a few men. It's just a matter of time before they find us.

...I knew it was unlikely that they would give up?

I agree. It's just that they attacked those who didn't obey them with sneaky methods such as night attacks. We demons follow the strong, but only if they are strong enough to do so. I don't know why they resorted to such a hard-line approach, but if we escape, their reputation will spread and they may weaken their forces, so they will not stop pursuing us.

　The winged warrior, Regulus, replies gravely to Nell's words.

　--They had somehow managed to scatter their pursuers and were now taking a brief respite in a decaying ruin located a short distance away from the winged community.

　Around them, some were lying tiredly at the foot of some weathered statue, while others were nibbling on what little portable food they had to share with others to replenish their strength, making it resemble a field hospital.

　However, despite such an emergency, they are still warrior clans, or perhaps because they are warrior clans, and even though their expressions show sorrow and preparedness for death, no one has an expression of despair on their faces, and they are acting in a very orderly manner.

　From the look of things, I am sure that they must have played a tremendous role in wartime as a formidable unit.

...... The nearest town or settlement was far away, wasn't it?

　The question was answered by another person present, a winged warrior, Orias.

It'll take us two days to walk from here. I suppose we could shorten it even more if we flew over, but if we did that, we'd be caught and finished in no time.

　Yes, they are now blocked from the sky, which is their greatest advantage.

　If they jumped up in this situation, they would be easily caught, and more importantly, because of the darkness around them, it is difficult to fly properly.

　Therefore, they didn't fly, they just ran like Nell and the others to this place.

Well, they are probably expecting us to go to town. Even if they do, there's a good chance they'll ambush us just before that.

If you go to ......, you'll have to rely on Lonia after all.

　Glancing at her friend, Nell turns her gaze towards her friend.

　The girl is now working on repairing her own fault - no, people around her don't particularly consider it her fault, but she feels so strongly responsible that she has risked her whole being to repair her broken communication ball.

　I'm sure the repair itself will be manageable with the way it looks ......, but the question is, will it buy enough time to complete the repair?

　If she had to run away, she would not be able to concentrate on her work and the restoration would not be able to proceed.
　But on the other hand, if she continues to stay in one place, there is a clear possibility that she will eventually be captured and severely attacked.

　The situation was so unfavorable.

　If we could at least buy one more day of time, we would have a glimmer of hope. .......

...... I'm sorry to interrupt you, but can we count on this reinforcement? An individual would be ......?



　At the words of a dubious Reglis, Nell slowly shook her head.

...... yes. At least I believe it's worth betting everything on it. To be more specific, he's definitely several times as good as me. Or rather, it is too strong and unknown.

Well, if you say so, that's very promising. If it wasn't for this situation, I would like to meet with you.

Hmmm. If we get through this phase, I'd love to have you with me.

　At that time, Nell smiled bitterly at their argument - then.


'Enemy forces are approaching from the southwest! Not enough is not enough!


　One of the warriors who had been on a perimeter alert runs back into the ruins in a panic, warning of the impending danger.

They're not going to give you a moment's rest ......!

　Nell screams at Reglis, who is also spitting out the tension, and asks: "Where else can I escape from here?

"Where else can I escape to?

...... There's a valley about half a day from here that's perfect for hiding. But it's no good if they find you before you get there!

"...... Got it.

　At those words, Nell let out a breath of air - the next moment, she suddenly ran towards the direction the enemy was coming from.

"Nell-dono, what are you--?

"Separation! "Warding the Extremities!



　--A moment later, a supersized, warding (or...) occurs between them.



　Nell's unique skill, "Warding Magic".

　No. ...... Rather than a ward, it's more like a wall.

　It's so huge that it's a translucent wall that separates her and her companions for several kilometers.

"Lord Nell!

"Nell-dono!

　With a bang, the winged warriors bang on the wall of the ward and shout.

Mr. Regulis, Mr. Orias, take care of everyone!

"But then you--

...... If you want to help me, please protect Lonia. You'll take care of him, won't you?

　With a slightly strained smile, Nell told them.

"Nell!

"Nellie!

　And then, coming up to the wall in a hurry, Lonia and Mekina.

Lonia, get out of there and fix it, okay? If not, I'd be dead.

"Don't be ridiculous! I can't wait to get this ward--

Mekina, take care of her. Oh, and take care of the injured people too, okay?

"...... Okay,

"Mekina! Don't nod, stop Nell!

　So, at the same time as Ronia lets out a distressed cry, a faint sound of footsteps can be heard from behind Nell.

"You're already here ......! Go! Quick!

"Lonia, let's go! Get out of here, for Nell's sake! Nell, we haven't accomplished anything yet! If you throw away your mission, I'll never forgive you!

"Kooky ...... Nell! Don't ever die!

"Nell, your friends will be protected by us, even if we have to pay for their lives!

Good luck!

　A small smile breaks out of Nell's mouth as their desperate words seem a little funny.

　And then - as she listened to their footsteps going away, she turned on her heel on the spot and conversely turned her body towards the footsteps that were coming closer and closer.

............

　With a shining sound, he draws the holy sword from its scabbard.

　The glimmer of the holy sword faintly illuminates the surroundings.

　The magic is ...... still fine.

　I've used a lot of it to set these wards, but I still have half of it left.

　Besides, her weapon is a sword.

　Even if her magic runs out, she'll still be able to fight until her body is finished.

　Eventually, the sound of footsteps grows clearer.
　There may be dozens of them. Maybe more.

　--I'm afraid.

　You're cowering.

　My heart is pounding noisily and my heart is jumping.
　If you're not careful, your knees are trembling and you feel like you'll fall over.

　If I were to cry out without shame, I would run away from this place as soon as possible, but for some reason, I am a brave man.

　Her dream of being a brave person is to protect everyone, to be a shield for everyone and to risk her life.
　A person who wields power for someone else, dispels demons and brings peace.

　That's why she can't run away from here.

　Even though she is still inexperienced, her pride (・・・・・・・・) as a scarce hero (・・・・・・・) does not allow her to do so.

　And then, Nell tried her best to move her expression, which was about to twitch, and, with a grin, she fished the corners of her mouth up.

"Well - I'm not going to let you pass a step from here, okay?

　So it was with a wry smile and a holy sword at the ready.