It's not there.

　When Mr. Dolan called out the resignation, the Parouf team in the audience stood up and cheered at once.
　Before I knew it, Princess Lucienne and King Linie, the sister of the King of Parfoux, were there beside her, and they were applauding lavishly along with all of the Parfoux.
　Rachel was ranting and wailing as if her tear glands had broken down, and was being coaxed by her father, the Duke of Rembrandt. That's her crying because she's happy that her fiancé (King Paloof) won, right?
　The winner was completely weak and leaned back in his chair in love. It looks like he's exhausted his mental powers. It's just a child.
　Mr. Dolan folds his arms, exhales heavily, and meditates on his eyes with disappointment.
　It was disappointing, sure, but it was still a runner-up. I think it's great enough, but I guess I still have my thoughts.

''At ... the beginning of the year.''
What?

　Mr. Dolan opened his eyes and quietly opened his mouth to the boy king in front of him. Perhaps in response, King Paloof hurriedly sat back in his chair.

''At the beginning of the year, there will be a chess tournament in Rivlet town. Would you like to join us? It's not a fancy venue like this one, though. Let's play it again there.
Oh yes! Let's do it again!

　The Elle boy squeezes back the hand that Doran-san held out to him tightly.
　Even though you don't know it, you invited the king of your country to an event in your town, Mr. Dolan.
　But even though they are different in age and status, it seems to me that there is a strange bond between them that was born out of serious competition. Maybe I'll lend you my badge for the leaflet competition.
　Anyway, the long battle had been settled. The audience moved on to the awarding ceremony, and just as in the baseball game, commemorative medals and shields were given to each of the winners.
　The winner was Ernesto, King Paloof, aka El Pals. The second place winner was Dolan of Leaflet. Third place was a man who had won from the public.
　A shining medal was placed around each of their necks. The King of Paloof was looking at his orichalcone medal with sparkling eyes.
　He must be very happy. It was the proof that he had won this medal by himself and without the help of anyone else. I hope this will give you some confidence in your own abilities.

Congratulations on your victory.
'Oh, thank you! I'll treasure it for the rest of my life!

　I'm glad you're happy.
　After the ceremony was over and everyone was off the stage, Rachel came barreling in at breakneck speed and hugged the Elle boy. 'Ooooh.

'You did it! I, for one, believed that Elle would win!
...le, Rachel, it's painful...

　Contrary to Rachel, who hugs him happily, King Paloof's face is turning blue. Hmmm, I'm both smiling and scared. Well, I guess it's beautiful to be good friends with them.
　Now that the chess tournament is over, all that's left is the final of the martial arts tournament tomorrow. After that, we'll have a closing ceremony and an after-party, and then the festival will be over.
　It seems to be ending quite easily, despite the hurried start...
　As if aiming for the right moment, the smartphone in my pocket let out a roar of manner mode.
　The incoming call is from the guild master, Relisha-san. I can't help but have a bad feeling about this.
　But that doesn't mean I can't answer it, so I touch the call icon.

''........Yes, hello?''
"His Majesty the King? It's Lelisha. I've seen signs of the frays on the Tablet. It's located in the eastern part of the Euron region, and there are probably between 500 and 1,000 of them, of medium size. There's no sign of advanced species.
What's the nearest village or town to the site?
The nearest town is Feyhan, but it's about 50 kilometers away. However, this town was turned into a ghost town due to the civil war in Euron, so it is unlikely to have any inhabitants. If there are, they're probably bandits of some sort.
What's the estimated time of appearance?
Tonight. Probably about five hours from now.

　d*mn it. You're impatient again. Five hours from now it'll be about ten o'clock at night.
　If it's 500 to 1,000 of them, and there's no advanced species, will it be enough to send out 30 frame gears?
　Based on our experience, even if 1,000 of them appeared, 10 to 20 percent of them would be intermediate species.
　If we set out with our men, including Yumina and the rest of the dedicated "Valkyria", we'll probably be fine.
　I told Relisha-san that I understood and hung up the phone, then immediately called Rosetta and Monica in Babylon to have them prepare for the sortie.
　Well, by the way, is this your first time in night combat? I'm pretty sure there was an artifact in Babylon's "storehouse" that could be used in a situation like this. I'll call Parshe, the caretaker, as well.
　It's going to be a long night.






Your Majesty, we are in position.
Roger that. Please stay in the area until further notice.

　I look up at the night sky in response to the communication sent to me by the Knight Commander, Rain, and I look up at the night sky. It's a star-filled sky with no moon.
　On top of Linse's Helmvige, which is waiting in flight form, I look at that starry sky. Once again, I don't see any constellations I know about or anything at all.
　Here in the predicted region of eastern Euron, a cold wilderness stretches out.
　I've already informed the kings of the world of this event. No one has any objection to our participation in the assault.
　Euron was devastated by the Great Frays Raid and the civil war that followed, which was fought by the next Emperor.
　In response, people left the central region and a number of people set up towns and villages to rebuild near the borders of other countries.
　However, most of them drifted to the west, towards Hannock, and the south, towards Rhodomea and Felsen, and not many headed north or east.
　Xenoas in the north was ruled by the demon race and they didn't want to get too involved with other countries, which was understandable. What's more, the northern part of this continent is harsh for people to live in. Unless you have a body as strong as a demon tribe, though.
　But to the east is the Nokia Kingdom. Why didn't the people of Euron head to Nokia's kingdom?
　When I spoke out about this question, Lindsay, who was sitting next to me, opened her mouth.

''It's because the Kingdom of Nokia and the Celestial Kingdom of Euron have never been on good terms with each other. It is said that in the past, Nokia was founded in the eastern region by some of the people who escaped from Euron's oppressive rule.

　It is said that the rugged mountain range that rises up in layers between Nokia and Euron is a natural fortress that has protected those who have fled from Euron.
　It is said that Euron had invaded Nokia on many occasions in the past, but all of these expeditions had failed.
　With a relationship like that, it's no wonder that Euron's people are not going to seek their salvation.
　Well, it turns out that Nokia is no less of an isolated nation than Xenoas. Will the North Country be closed off? No, not in Elfrau Kingdom.

The wind is much colder. It's going to be a real winter in Euron.

　This world is utterly bullshit in terms of climate in the land due to the interference of spirits and the workings of earth spirits, but Euron seems to have four seasons, just like Yishen and Brunhild.
　As I shake my head at the cold, Linse hands me a warm drink in a water bottle.
　You're very well prepared. This kind of attention to detail is one of the best things about Linse.

I think we're going to have to leave the flying type to Lindsay and the others for this battle as well, are you okay?
''Yes. In addition to the diffuse bullets, I also had them install a crystal-blade, so it's safe. I heard we were able to reduce its transformation speed by 0.5 seconds.

　Oh. You're doing your job.
　I thought you were so busy with Dimensional Gate during the festival that you'd forgotten about it.

''By the way, is Fuyao-san's private plane ready yet?
It looks like the design is almost finished. If you ask me, it's enough for the battlefield now, and the doctor has his hands full with the dimensional gate.

　So that's why it's been put off. Well, I don't have much to say if you take the time to make a good one, but even so, I want to prepare for it just in case something happens.

'Fuyao-san's special machine........I think its name is.......Regingrave........'
Yes, that's right. Just like your plane. I got it from the name of the Valkyrie, the maiden of war.

　At first I was thinking of Odin or something like that, but then I changed my mind about naming it after the Lord God.
　It also means "He who inherits the gods (Regingrave). If this is the case, though, it's not going to be completed until next year.
　As I was sipping the coffee Linse gave me while thinking about that, I immediately received a call on my phone.

''Master, I'm confirming signs of Frase's appearance. There will be a crack in the space in about five more minutes.

　Parshe's voice came flying in from the fast fighting boat Gungnir, which was waiting in the rear.
　As the caretaker of the "storehouse", she's helping me with the information support assistant this time. It's only an assistant, and the main one is Sheska, the caretaker of the "garden".
　I'm not crazy enough to let a clumsy girl hold the reins of battle analysis. An erotic maid is many times better.

'Okay, tell everyone to activate the example.
"Yes, sir.

　This time it was night combat and there was no moon. It's an unreliable brightness with only starlight. The night vision device is not a problem because Yumina and her special machine "Valkyria" has a built-in night vision device, but the older heavy knights "Chevalier" and others were not yet equipped with it.
　Therefore, it was decided to install the external night vision device that was on the [Kura] on the old frame gear. Externally, it looks like the visor has been lowered on the knight. This should allow him to see his surroundings brighter and better in the dark.
　If I just wanted to brighten up the area, I could have used the light magic "light", but I dismissed it because it might make me an easy target if I am the only one shining in the darkness.
　Of course, for me, who doesn't ride Frame Gear, the surroundings are still dark, but if I lightly focus my eyes on the divine energy, I can see through the darkness. It's becoming more and more inhuman.
　Linse makes her way through the starlight to Helmvige's cockpit. Here and there, the sound of frame gears starting up began to roar.
　As I got out of Helmvige's aircraft and stared into the darkness as I stared into the space ahead of me, a loud, creaking cracking sound echoed around me.

'They're coming.'

　With a crunch, the space here and there began to crack, and flames shimmering in the starlight appeared like insects in a row.
　It's still only the lower-grade and mid-grade species.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. The flying types are left to Linse, Lean and Yumina. I want you to destroy Lou as well, depending on the situation.
Copy that.

　Lean's Grimgelde, Umina's Brünnhilde, and Lou's Valtraute have ranged equipment. Lou's Valtraute, though, needs to be converted.

''Which, then, as per the theory, we'll first bite the Meteor Shower [Meteor Zapper] and count...''

　Just as I was about to open the "gate" in the night sky to reduce it, I noticed something strange.
　The movement of Fraise and her friends was strange. Normally they would be coming straight for me.
　They attack humans on instinct. To be more precise, they are coming to stop your heart from beating. That's why, when they land on our side of the world, they should be attacking the people closest to them, that is, us.
　But this time, they are scattered in all directions, like spider spiders. Some of them are coming towards us, but others are starting to run in the opposite direction.

''What? Are there other humans here besides us?

　It's not impossible. In fact, in the past, the Goldian Society stole a frame gear that was destroyed on the battlefield at the hands of the Goldian Society. They even made a replica of the Iron Cavalry based on it.
　At that time, an artifact with a stealth function that hides its appearance was used, and it's possible that this time they are using the same kind of thing.
　If that was the case, he couldn't just use Meteor Shower!
　In any case, we can't let them get away with it.

''Linse! You can get to the ones that are leaving before they do! Youmina, start with the guys in the back, please!
Copy that.
I understand.

　Following my words, the Helmvige in flight form flew through the night sky at high speed.
　Directly below it, Frase, who was about to run to the other side, was nuked from behind and shattered into pieces.
　It was a sniper rifle shot from the rear camp, fired by Brunnhilde. The crystal bullets fired from Brunnhilde accurately shot through the nucleus of the Frase, one after another.
　That's the face of a dedicated long-range sniper.

But that's a messed up move........ They were originally uncoordinated, but now they're even worse than before.

　In the midst of such a confusing battle, the cracks in the space go back to normal. Apparently, it seems to be censored. Alright, then I'll go too....

"Master! The second wave is coming!
What?

　Parshe's voice, who was analyzing the battle situation in "Gungnir," reached the speaker on his phone.
　At the same time, the space that had been restored to its original state cracked again, and it cracked grandly.
　New flames emerge from the rattling and shattered darkness as they crawl in.

''What...!

　It wasn't much different from an ordinary lower-grade flake just in terms of size. However, its body was not transparent like a crystal, but emitted a dull, dark golden glow. Can we call it a mutant, or should we call it a mutant? The shape also drew a distorted form.
　I couldn't take my eyes off the figure that glowed vaguely in the darkness.
　I couldn't take my eyes off of it, because the mutant was covered in a vague, but divine protection.
　This is proof that it is a member of the God family.

That evil god........you have created something troublesome.......!

　Obviously, that thing is not a normal flay, but a thing created by an evil divine beast that ate a subordinate god. Probably, even if it's a divine blessing, it's not something so powerful that it can't be pierced. However, it seems to be on a much higher level than ordinary flames.
　If this kind of thing is being born, has the Evil God already come out of his cocoon?
　As if to cut through my thoughts, the mutant Frase moved. Is he coming?

What?

　The sharp outstretched tentacles of the mutant species Frase pierced the lower level Frase that was nearby. The arm accurately dwelled on the opponent's core.
　Despite this, the lower-grade species did not shatter. Eventually, the lower class species began to change in a strange way.
　It was melting, or could it be described as such? Not like ice turning into water. It changed into a viscous state, like a syrup.
　Eventually it was taken up by the mutant, and only the core that had pierced it fell to the spot and shattered. The mutant species that took in the other party feels like it's grown a whole lot bigger.
　It's eating me. That's how I felt intuitively.
　What it is doing is 'kindred eating'. Could it be that Fraise, who appeared earlier, was running away from this mutant? Because you instinctively felt that this was an opponent you could never beat?
　In the meantime, the tentacles of the mutant species are attacking the normal species of Frase one after another. They ignore us, as if they don't even have to deal with us.
　The only reason the Frays attack humans is to find the core of the King. It's a mission, an imprinted instinct. But the mutants don't seem to have that.
　So they are completely the apostles of the evil gods?

''Fuyao-san, what in the world is going on?
I don't know. But it seems that both of them are still our enemies. Umina, can you get a shot at that mutant from there?
'Uh ... it's okay. I'll have a shot.
Please.

　The next moment that Yumina answered the communication, the mutant species that had taken in the normal species was hit by a crystal bullet.
　A small crack appeared in its dark-gold body, and I could see it tilt slightly. My eyes, amplified with divine energy, definitely catch it. How hard it is.
　But that crack also begins to regenerate immediately. But even before that, the second and third crystal bullets were definitely shooting through the same spot where the mutant was injured. Hey, that Yumina thing is amazing........ Is that what you call a pinhole shot?
　Covered in a dark gold metallic color, the mutant is unable to see the location of the nucleus. However, Yumina must have predicted the location of the nucleus from her previous experience and shot it.
　If the normal species is a crystal demon, the mutant species is like a metal demon. The moment the fourth crystal bullet hit that metal demon, the change came for the first time.
　As black smoke rose, the distorted mutant species began to melt. Slowly, like ice cream melting, its shape collapses. Inside the melting body, I saw the nucleus that was chipped by Yumina's crystal bullet.
　It seems that the mutants also stop working when the nucleus is shattered, after all. The fact that they dissolve instead of shattering is eerie, but........

It's not impossible to defeat it......... I'm sure you'll be able to find a great deal more than one. Cherry blossom, please support magic.
Okay.

　An amplified singing magic is released on the battlefield from the cherry blossom-riding Los Vise.
　 My grandfather was my favorite band. It's by far the most common song I have in my stock.

'But ... what about the choice of this song ...'

　No, cherry blossoms don't understand English lyrics, so I guess I'm choosing them purely on the basis of melody and rhythm.
　'Help me!' That song, which means, "I'm not sure I'm going to be able to do this," makes the movements of the Fraisees slow down. I see, it restricts the opponent's movements - or, to put it another way, it's a supportive effect of reduced speed.

'Let's go! The Brünnhilde Knights Assault!
"'Oh, yeah!'

　Led by the white knight 《Shine Count》 driven by the knight commander, Rain-san, all the planes left behind with the rear support planes begin the assault.
　Along with that, Else and the other special-purpose machines 《Valkyria》 plunged one after another into a melee between the Frays.

''Powder, shatter!

　The pile bunker fired by Else's Gerhilde shot through the mutant's body. However, he failed to hit the nucleus or take it down, and he was hit back with his tentacle arm.
　The third blow finally shatters the nucleus, and he hurriedly jumps back from the mutant Frase that melted out of the doldrums.

'Ew. That's disgusting.''

　I generally agree with Else's impressions as well. That thing is a Frayze, not a Frayze, something else.
　But if this mutant species is a subordinate of an evil god, why is it attacking Frase? Wasn't that evil beast that ate the subordinate god controlled by Yura or some other dominant species?

What's going on over there...?

　It would be very welcome for us if they were to take on each other, but from what I've seen, it seems to be a one-sided predator/prey relationship, and I don't think we can expect much from them.
　For the time being, there seems to be no problem with our policy of taking care of both of them together.

"Master! We're going to crack the space again!'
Wha...!

　Without having time to be surprised by Parshe's report, the thing that came out of the space cracked three times.
　It was a humanoid monster whose body was covered with crystals like crystal.

''This is the worst........!

　The dominant species. A life form that reigns supreme over the upper species, the top of the Frays.
　Moreover, that guy looked familiar. It's because I fought him once in the castle of the Demon Kingdom of Xenoas. Was it Gila or something like that?
　As the name implies, his bright red eyes glazed over, and that guy definitely looked at me and smiled belligerently.