The plain that spreads out in front of the royal capital. There were already a limited number of Kingdom Knights and the Ash Clan, who could be mobilized immediately in case of an emergency.

''Michelle!　Don't run head-on into these guys, dodge and get behind them!

　The captain, dressed in a black leather coat - Loren, dressed in the same style of clothing, urges instructions to Michelle, who is returning fire.

'I understand!'

　Michelle tucked the fire that was lit in her palm and once she dropped back to the same spot as Lauren. In the surroundings, the kingdom knights other than the Ash Clan were fighting back against the Hunting Wolves.

　The Band of Ashes is a special unit made up of only mages who are excellent at fire attributes. There are only a few members, each of whom is an expert in fire-attribute magic.
　Compared to the time when Oliver Joe was known by the nickname of the ashes, his power has declined over the years, and his position is now so weak that he is ridiculed as a relic of the past. However, just as it was then, they are still often left in charge of the front line, and this is because they are trusted for their abilities next to the White King's Knights, as well as for their position as a check and balance.

　From the front, the grizzly reed approaches while raising a bullhorn. It's not just that they are huge, but their speed is tremendous. It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're looking for.

Fire Agito!

　Michelle was unafraid and calmly wore the fire to her right hand sword. Then she saw the movement and avoided Grizzleed's lunge, and immediately went behind her and aimed at her hind legs.

''Michelle!''

　But once again, Lauren's voice was heard. Michelle stopped the sword she was about to swing down and quickly got away from the spot. Immediately after, a sharp claw by another one swung down to where Michelle was now standing.

''I'm sorry, I wasn't on guard behind you.

　Michelle gasped and said this to Lauren, who was standing next to her.

'There's no need to kill him. We're just buying time until the White King's Knights arrive.'

But...

Michelle, you can't keep up appearances. In any case, Grizzly Reed will not change anything. We will retreat as soon as the White King's knights arrive.

　Michelle's expression was cloudy.

''That grizzled reed that is based on acting alone, and that grizzled reed that aimed behind you further seemed to be trying to protect that grizzled reed over there for a moment. Perhaps someone's intentions are involved following the last spirit beast. If that's the case, it's no longer the case for our kind of failure.

　In the meantime, the grizzly bearers attack the group members. They bundle up and fight back, but it doesn't work. The blade should have passed through, but the grizzly bearer, which should have weakened it, didn't lose momentum and bit off the top of the returning group members from the waist up.
　The corps members were upset by the death of their comrade who had lost his upper body in front of them. But another grizzled reed was approaching from behind them.

'Tom!　Behind you!

Eh....

　Shortly after he turned around in a delayed reaction, Tom's head flew off.
　One after another, the number of members of the group was reduced. It's not that they are normally such a powerful enemy. But at the same time, the group members who had never dealt with more than one of them before were unable to stand up to them well.

''Michelle!　High firepower!

I understand...

　Following Lauren's words, Michelle pointed her hand at the approaching monster.

''Spiral Flame (Spiral Flare)!

　A red magic circle appeared at the feet of one of the grizzly reeds. The magic circle moved in line with the grizzly reed's footsteps.

''Now!''

Yes!

　As if in response to Lauren's signal, fire erupted from the magic circle into the sky. When Grizzledead's figure disappeared, a pillar of flames twisting into a spiral appeared in front of him.

''Captain!　Nutkerene is coming!

　Then one of the group members shouted.

'What?!'

　At the sound of the group's voice, Loren saw a herd of spirit beasts running down from the hill. From a distance, six of them would be no more than six.

''What the hell...''

　Lauren was speechless.
　A strange voice that pierced her ears. Wearing a great number of particles, it was approaching us. Out of the corner of my eye, a grizzled reed that had just been engulfed by a pillar of fire and should have been dead was moving. Although it was injured to the extent of scorching its surface fur, it hadn't been knocked down.

''d*mn it!　We haven't even killed one of them yet! I can't face the White King's knights with this.

　Lauren looked around with a pained expression on her face. The members of the group holding Grizzleed back. They are supporting their weak bodies, stepping up and fighting even if their flesh is cut. But that won't last for long, Loren realized, with the looming Nutkerene in the distance.

'Michelle, order all members of the group to retreat.

Captain....

I'll hold them back.

'Mmm, that's absurd!　Let's wait for the White King Knight!

I will. But by the time they get here, we'll be wiped out, as it is. Round up your men and run for the barricades. We'll cover you.

　Michelle bit her trembling lip and looked at Lauren. If they retreated from the group, Lauren would die. Because it was obvious.

'Don't die ... captain.

I won't die. I won't leave you alone.

　Lauren laughed.

'Attention all members!　Fall back now!　Stop the fighting and fall back immediately!

　The members of the group doubted the instructions as they turned their attention to the grizzled lead in front of them. But once they moved away from the enemy and looked in the direction of the voice, they found their deputy commander, Michelle, giving the order. I'm not going to be the only one who has been in a position to do that.
　But that's when. A group of adventurers arrived on the plains, as if passing the retreating members.

''This is........

　The number left Michelle speechless.

'Michelle, I will take this opportunity to retreat as well. Let them take care of the rest.

　Lauren sheathed her sword.

'Shh, but...'

"I took on seven men and lost two of them. We've had enough. We will collect the bodies and fall back.

Okay.

　Michelle instructed the group members again, as Lauren had said.

'Hey, Yogi!　There really is a bunch of grizzly reeds out there that don't want to be in a pack!

Meanwhile, one of the adventurers looked at the scene excitedly.

'Don't let your guard down, look at that!

　Feeling uncomfortable with Yogi's calm words, the adventurers around them turned their gaze in the direction of the hill.

We're not going to have time for Grizzleed. This is no time to be bothered with Grizzleeds. We're going to kill them all right now!

　A crowd of adventurers emerged from the main gate, overflowing. They all shout "gold, gold!" as they all raise their swords, axes and spears, respectively, and head for the battlefield. At the sight of them, even Yogi starts to run.

'Out of the way, out of the way!　Get out of the way!　I'll take a shot at you!

　The heat of the surrounding heat made Yogi prepare his right fist and close in on Grizzleed.

'Everybody get out of the way!　Yogi's going to do something!

　For them, in their festive mood, Yogi's active participation in the game was nothing more than a spectacle, and everyone was like, "Oh, come on! He raised his voice in an agitated manner.

'I'll take care of it! --Godd*mn it!

　Yogi activates his skill and hits Grizzleed hard in the side of his head. Grizzleed loses his balance on impact and rolls over.

'You're the quintessential Yogi!

　Those of low rank sesame to those of high rank. Those with lower adventurer ranks than him were gathered around Yogi.

''Ha, ha, ha.......I haven't used it in a while, but it's not something you should use skills for. I can't keep up my strength.

Mr. Yogi!　There's already a Nutkerene coming!

Nutocerain?

　The grizzled reed that Yogi should have just turned over just now had risen as if nothing had happened. Meanwhile, the adventurers could be seen already starting to fight back against the nutricelane. The five Nutrikelane were divided into five evenly spaced bodies and were throwing the adventurers away. But Yogi's breathing was heavy and his face was pale. He wasn't in a state where he could compete.



　Those whose hearing had been invaded by Nutkerene's strange voice were overloaded by the three semicircular canals, causing their bodies to become paralyzed. Most of the adventurers stopped in their tracks as if in convulsions; some felt nauseated from dizziness. Yogi was one of them.
　At that moment, one of the knights was leaped into the air as if exposed and was seen spitting blood over Nutkelaine's head. It was a knight in a black coat. But Nutkerene's horns pierced through his back and into his stomach, and his coat was torn and he couldn't move.

''Captain!''

Captain Loren!

　It was the ash corps leader who was supposed to have retreated earlier - Loren Isaac.
　The group members carried the bodies of their friends on their shoulders and called out Lauren's name. Apparently, they were collecting the bodies when they were targeted in the back. Yogi was immensely disappointed with a look of resignation at the sight.

It's not good. That's the guys from the Ash Clan, right?

You look like your commander.

　The two of them have painful expressions on their paralyzed bodies.

I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work. It's not in our hands. Let's get out of here!

Okay, okay, what?　You're going to get out of here?

　Yogi's sudden declaration of retreat confused the adventurers around him.

''What Yogi, are you giving up already?''

　Then he heard a voice behind Yogi speaking to him.

''Cedric.....

Yogi, drink this. Here's some Catherine's medicine. It'll numb you in time.

I'm not paying you.

Huh, I don't want my money back.

　Cedric is the man who had previously tangled with Masamune in the guild and was blitzed back by Toa. He wears pants and a jacket that looks like a red carpet pieced together. And a blue cloak that flutters and flutters in the wind. The flamboyant clothes, which look like the image of some prince, are different on the battlefield and in the guild, and the people around them laugh.
　Cedric is known as the highest level adventurer in the guild of the King's Capital, but ever since he was knocked unconscious by Toa's blitz, his stock has fallen to the ground.

''What, Cedric, are you saying you're staying?''

　Yogi's tongue is spinning as if the drug is starting to work.

It's not something we can handle. If you're not careful, you'll die. I'm not going to take an adventure that I know will kill me. It's time for you to run away.

Yogi, you're getting a bad rap these days. I heard you've been tangling with some new healer.

You don't owe me anything. You don't owe me anything. I saw what happened the other day. You got your ass kicked by that kid.

That wasn't his doing. It was the woman next to him.

Well, so am I. I haven't had a run-in with that kid.

You were a little girl the second time around.

These aren't just kids, these are beastmen. They're physically superior to us humans. I don't care if they're kids or not.

Do you really believe that?

I don't think so. I'm just saying, I've got an excuse.

But they won't listen to our excuses. They'll just spread the word and move on to something more sinister.

Then I'll just flush it down the drain. I don't wanna see your face.

Yogi, are you going to get it back here?

What?　You mean the money that's gone to pay for the drinks?

Our reputation. We'll get it back, and we'll be back together. When we met, you and I were both adventurers chasing the same dream. Now you look like a brigand with a bunch of servants. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

'So that's a line I could say to you, first deal with your curious appearance.

　Yogi turns his back and tries to walk away.

'Yogi!'

We'll get it back. There's nothing to do on the battlefield but dig graves.

''You ... a**h*le,'' he muttered into Yogi's back as he walked away.

　Yogi didn't look back.

'You guys!　We'll take care of this ourselves!　Let's show them what adventurers are made of!

"Mr. Cedric, how do I fight those guys...

"Magic will not work on Nutocerain. Surround the area with those with the highest physical strength. The rest of you will provide cover. Then get everyone else to drink this.

　Cedric handed a puffy cloth bag to the adventurer.

'It's a Catherine potion. It works differently for each individual, but it's better than not taking it.

Thank you!

　The adventurer took the potion and distributed it around.

　Cedric seems to have some knowledge of how to get around. The adventurers were reassured and motivated by the fact that they had a plan of attack when they asked for instructions. But it's not going to work out that way.
　Michelle holds Lauren's hand as she lies down. The sight of her bleeding from her mouth brought tears to her eyes.

'Dad!'

Get away, get away...

　Specialized fire-attribute magic didn't work, and the group of ashes couldn't get their hands on it. The adventurers knew that magic was ineffective against the situation and had already responded with swords and spears. However, Nutkelaine's body did not pass through the blade. The resilient muscle-covered epidermis easily played off their blades.
　Gradually, the adventurers' expressions began to fade. When they managed to kill one of them, the number of grizzled reeds was multiple. In addition, it's the looming Nute Kellane. Unable to get anywhere, the adventurers who had already given up on them had begun to evacuate.

''Don't turn your back on the enemy!　First of all, it's a grizzly reed!

'Mr. Cedric, let's get the hell out of here, too!　We're not going to make it here!

"You're abandoning King's Landing!　It's our hometown that we're hypothetically taking care of!

"Life is more important than King's Landing!　I'm tired of hearing about your guts!

　Leadership begins to fade and the will to fight fades from the eyes of the adventurers. But then a glimmer of light appeared.

''You guys, now that this Raid-sama is here, you're safe!　I'll kill that beast myself!

　The White King's Knights have arrived.