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　There was a tense atmosphere in the surrounding encampment on a mining exploration mission. Even though we were inside the camp, the alertness of our surroundings was excessive.

　It's not that they've been careless, but the wizards who were gathered by the state of emergency have been slapped with the reality.
　It's not that I'm not a fan of this, but I'm a fan of the fact that it's a good thing that I'm not a fan of this.

　Normally, there is no such thing as an encampment in the outside world. In a world dominated by monsters that prey on humans, it is of little more than a partition to make it easier to sleep. To put it simply, unless it's a full-fledged fortress-level base, it's not going to buy any time. In the first place, it could be said that the very act of remaining in one place in the outside world is creating a critical situation.

　From their mission experience, when they take a break in the outside world, they are essentially paying close attention to avoid being spotted by demons in secret.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with a good number of people in your life. I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to get the best out of it.
　I'm not sure that the majority of the reason for this is not the competence of the second-in-command who was entrusted with the substitution, nor is this backed up by the confidence that no matter what kind of monster attacks us, we won't be able to make them step in even a single step.

　Simply because the demons in the vicinity had just been wiped out.
　The mages gathered here were not disciplined as one army. They are merely a collection of experienced mages who have been gathered together as individuals. It's a good idea to have a little bit of backbone in order not to show the students, who are the targets of our protection, but it's inevitable during the short time since the association was established. This is also the reason why the association is not primarily concerned with training armies to begin with.

　At the end of the day, we are nothing more than a group of freelance wizards. There were some mages who had served in the military and some active and retired mages, but their expressions were laced with anxiety at the unfamiliar situation.


　The rescued and protected students had not even been able to take a rest, and the captain of each squadron had been called immediately to explain the situation, and had finished listening to the students.
　Preparations were steadily being made to bring the students back home, but the sounds of sobbing filled the temporary barracks. Some were stunned, tears wetting their knees, while others broke down in tears.

　The students who had finished lamenting were filled with pity.
　Some of them were quietly angry at their own inadequacy and kept their fists clenched to the point of bleeding. And those students were the troops selected from Alpha's Second Magic Academy.

''Feri........''

　Illumina, whose eyes were red and swollen, continued to shed unstoppable tears. The scabbard that remains attached to her waist is empty.
　Even if you go to help now, you can see the result. The last appearance of Felinella seen at that time is still burned into Illumina's mind and never left her. That scene where her hair is roughly - as if she found a good handle - grabbed and dragged with force makes her eyes swell again.

　I wondered if she had finished her report, but her expression hardened in such a gloomy tabernacle, and Kalia appeared, divided as a job. She maneuvers an unfamiliar crutch, and the thickly wrapped bandages are visible under her jacket.

　Gazes like the avenging gaze of a gathered parent. Kalia met them head on.
　There was nowhere to go. She knew she couldn't hit anyone, but she couldn't suppress her emotions otherwise.

　Illumina also glanced at him out of the corner of her eye and her face fell again.
　If you curse it, you are powerless. Kalia's choice was the right one. She would surely do the same thing with Felinella.
　No, I don't know now.

　Seniat, for example, had been on the spot many times when Felinella had told him that she had been taken away. It was a lie, and I had to blurt out the confirmation many times to make him say it. The last time she couldn't bear to stay, she saw tears in Illumina's eyes and she broke down sobbing on the spot.
　She covered her face with her hands and let out a sob.


　Kalia didn't turn to her squad, but stood in front of Illumina with an awkward gait. As it was, he propped his crutches up on the table next to her and leaned in himself.

'Maybe it's a relief, but Lord Ordowise is on his way to rescue us.
--!

　Illumina reflexively looked over at Kalia.
　Kalia continued that the rescue squad had entered the inside of the deposit in a deft manner, and that two people from the Fifth Magical Academy were still left inside the deposit. However, the situation seemed to be somewhat different regarding these two, and the other members of the Fifth Magic Academy were standing by almost unharmed. Unlike Illumina and the others, they didn't seem to be able to swallow the situation very well, although they still seemed somewhat uncomfortable.

　Illumina couldn't help but stifle her mixed emotions and question Kalia.

''Why, why did you let him go!　Even you saw that ... that's a monster we can't even imagine.
'Yes, I don't want to be harsh with you right now, but I'm not mature enough to choose my words for you either.

　Kalia's hands still seemed to have not stopped shaking as she said that back. Her scarred body was still succumbing to fear.

'It doesn't matter what they say, it's their job.

　As commander, Ordwise's decision was resolved by listening to the reports of Caria and the others, and then going into battle himself. The words of a defeated man who gave in to fear and chose to retreat are often exaggerated. So Aldwise had decided.

　Even if he subtracted his background as a former single wizard at this time, Kalia...no, Illumina also thought that the chances of Felinella being rescued were low.

　As time went on, the survival rate would only decrease. It's better than nothing, but even so, it seems as if no one can win in front of that monster.

　Even if reinforcements arrive from association headquarters, it will be tomorrow at the earliest. Even if you think about it physically, that would be the limit.
　In order to gather enough power, enough strength to reliably defeat the 【King's Keeper (Serketo)】 that Kalia and the others encountered and the demons that kidnapped Felinella.......
　It's impossible in a few days.

　Intuitively, both Kalia and Illumina would understand. Various restrictions are imposed on the single wizard that each country has. It's not possible to be dispatched to reinforce other countries with impunity.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time to think about it. A sense of impatience is irritating me every time the clock ticks down.

　Not long after we received the report that Aldoise was headed to the deposit, a thinly bearded man came to tell us that he was ready to return.
　The feeling was to stick their feet to the ground, but Illumina and all the students of the Second Academy of Magic were accompanied by the guarded mages, who pushed them back.

　When they emerged from the Tabernacle, there were mages in formation, and they were beginning to act for their return. The mages who had seemed so dependable before the mission began now contributed to the anxiety. I even want to question the effectiveness of the ranks that looked so reliable.

　No matter what I look at, I'm just anxious. I can't help but compare it to the fear I've faced as if I were possessed.
　Already in Illumina's eyes, no matter how many mages, including herself, were gathered together, they seemed to be only a crowdsourced group. I even wanted to have them go inside the deposit and rescue my best friend like Ordwise, rather than wasting time mobilizing mages in a place like this.

　Illumina desperately suppressed such unstable emotions. Maybe it was good that she was the only one who had witnessed that monster. There was already no sign of the troops from the Fourth Magic Academy, and it seemed that they had returned ahead of her due to the damage to her body and mind.

　While all of them were taking heavy steps to return, only Karia remained standing to see them off.
　She needed to stay here to represent the students. Rightfully so, to tell the facts as they were to those even higher up.
　She reported to Aldwys, but was skeptical of the way it was being received. He underestimated the excuse for succumbing to the fear of a student. He felt a pang of unease for the former single mage who had long since retreated from the front lines.

　He couldn't imagine how strong the reinforcements that followed would be, but he hoped that he would stay, believing that his report would surely be useful. Of course, the fact that she is not a student, but an active duty soldier, was also probably a factor in her being allowed to stay.

　When Illumina summoned up the courage to turn back, she turned her body around.
　A small rumbling of the earth echoed through the temporary base. I'm not sure if it's a good idea to have the same thing happen to you.
　The wizards on guard all have muddy backs, and the magic power dances wildly.

　But sooner than they move to a state of alert, they find out what they are. I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.

　The sight of the figure didn't make me let down my guard.
　Following the resounding metallic sound, the magical power they emit is wildly cohesive, as if they were one.

　An army of about ten people in full armor, including silver armor, helmets, and small hands. Some of them were conspicuous for their old-fashioned weapons that had been in use a long time ago, and some of them had shields that didn't seem to be very useful.
　That band of heavy knights, rarely seen in Alpha or Lusarka, were making footsteps that sounded like scraping metal in a single, threadbare movement.

　The red-black armoured behemoth in the lead stood out prominently, its face hidden by a full-face helmet with horns extending from either side.

　In front of the returning Illumina and the others, the one in armor at the front raises his visor to show his hidden true face.

''Thanks for the welcome. We have received Lord Ordwise's request for help.''

　Immediately, the man who is probably his second-in-command responded reverently with his eyes peeled back.
　But the same is true for Karia, who also peeled her eyes away.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.

'You're responding too fast!　And moreover, I can't believe Harkapudia's [Red Light Order] is coming out!

　With those words, Illumina couldn't help but hope for the best. There were some surprises, but right now, powerful reinforcements were appreciated.

　--[Red Light Knights]!　Then that man in the red armor is Garginis Theotolt!

　Garginis may not have noticed the gaze he unconsciously pours out, but he suddenly interrupted his conversation with his second-in-command, turned his gaze upward, and

'You're a late arrival,' he complained overflowing.

　At that time, a sound like a falling stone roared by Illumina and Karia.
　When I hurriedly turned my gaze to look at it, I saw a strange tube-shaped object sticking into the ground right beside me. It reminded me of a modern, yet somehow ancient artifact. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for, but you can't get rid of the impression that it's an artificial object because you can see marks that look like magic formulae on the cylindrical surface.

　Illumina and Karia both look up at the sky that would have fallen immediately. There were a few small black grains there. It descended down a stage, landing on a thin film-like foothold in the air.
　By the time you look up and can discern that the black grains are human shadows, the several shadows make no sound and land in front of Illumina and Karia.

　It looked like they opened something just in time to descend....

''Ahhhh, you beat me to it despite the heat!　Phew, or rather, what's that, tacky. Exeles~ That's steaming inside, I swear.

　The girl not only looked out of place in the outside world, but also promptly spread a hint of sullenness.

　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.