The city of Laitin has just dawned.
　In the early morning, the city is usually filled with clean air, exuding a peaceful vitality that heralds the start of the day.

　But today was a different story.
　The smell of blood in the air. The sound of animals coming from outside the city. And above all, the presence of a group of armed men lining the main street makes this morning seem extraordinary.

　Four hundred regular soldiers who have looked into the defenses of the walls. One thousand five hundred called-up militia. A hundred or so mercenaries who responded to the request to join the war. That's the entirety of this armed group - the strike force.

　Naturally, Ted and the rest of the Meisei Byakuya had also joined the strike force.
　It's not just a matter of time before you get to the top of the mountain, but also a matter of time before you get to the top of the mountain.

　Normally, it is desirable for friends who are in a party to work together as a group.
　Although there are some mercenaries who are strong even on their own, basically, mercenaries demonstrate their fighting power to the fullest when they work together.
　This cooperation will not be achieved overnight. It is precisely because they are in a party that usually shares life and death, that they are able to work together in the same breath.

　But on the battlefield, where wild battles are sure to be expected, it is problematic to risk a mage who is not used to close quarters combat.

　The magic from the sorcerer is an attack with a power that is hard to obtain by any other method.
　And the beasts that come rushing to the city walls are just swarming around single-mindedly without any leadership or anything else.
　They are more effective than their human counterparts who come up with countermeasures against attacking magic.

　For example, if this is a field battle, you could think about deploying them as a party unit.
　However, they are able to attack from the top of the safe city walls. There was no way to not take advantage of this advantage.
　It is much more efficient to fire an attack spell from the top of the walls into the middle of a crowd than to fight in the middle of a melee, risking your own safety. The commander of the army seemed to have decided that.

　As an archer, Norris could handle melee combat to a certain extent.
　However, he was still placed on the city wall because he preferred to intercept the flying beasts from the wall.

''Your role is to attack the beasts from above the wall and to intercept the beasts that try to enter the wall from the air!

　Ahead of the battle, a man on top of the city walls, who claimed to be the army's second-in-command, raised his voice to explain.

''The first blow is a magical attack by a sorcerer!　I want you to focus on reducing the numbers of the beast in the widest possible area!　For the first five minutes of combat, I want you to focus on your magical attacks!　Meanwhile, the archers focus on intercepting the flying beasts!　I need you to protect a sorcerer who will be defenseless!　Then, on my signal, I'll suspend the magical attack, then I'll open the east gate and the main force will attack!　From now on, you will use your own discretion to intercept and cover the main force!

Do you have a minute?

　The slender sorcerer raised his hand lightly as the second-in-command's explanation died down.

''What is it?''　You are, I believe, from 'Free Cloud' ......

This is Hyrule, a member of the Jiyuun, and I understand the plan, and I generally disagree with it. I understand the strategy, and I generally agree with it. However, after the main force launches, instead of covering them from above the wall, I'd like to go down and cover them from the side of the vanguard, how about it?

But it would be dangerous, wouldn't it?　I don't mean to sound rude, but wouldn't a sorcerer in the middle of a melee be a good sucker for the beast?　I don't think the vanguard has the luxury of protecting a sorcerer either.

''I understand that. But if you're dealing with a beast, or even a demon, you're going to have a tough time without the sorcerer's support. We won't be able to provide sufficient support from here. What we mercenaries are asked to do this time is to deal with demons, right?

　One after another, the mercenaries voiced their agreement.

'But ......'

　Even though I could understand his point, the second-in-command still seemed hesitant to send a group of nearly defenseless sorcerers into the area.

''They're going to bombard us with magical attacks first to keep us from getting caught up in the melee, aren't they?　The fewer beasts there are, the less danger there is for the sorcerers who go to cover them. Isn't the rest a matter for each of us to decide as we watch the enemy's situation?

　An opinion flies in from another sorcerer towards the deputy commander.
　That idea that it's your own responsibility to judge whether or not there's danger, and to risk your life, is just like a mercenary.

''Muu....... If you say so, it can't be helped. I'll leave it to each of us to decide after the main force has struck out. But we can't ignore the flying beasts, either. I would like some of them to stay behind, though.

　The second-in-command presents a compromise plan to the mercenaries.
　In the end, ten or so mercenaries were assigned to remain on the city wall to intercept them, and it was left to each of them to decide whether to stay or go to the front line for support.

　In "Byakuya no Meisei", Norris and Orphelia decided to stay on the castle wall.
　Ted doesn't need backup if it's a demon of the size of a dispenser, and he's not reckless enough to take on an opponent he doesn't have a chance against. If it's dangerous, he'll have the judgment to retreat quickly.
　There was no need to mention Aldis.



　The preparations are ready and each person takes his or her assigned position.

　It's not so much the calm before the war begins.
　The opponent is a beast. While we were being briefed in advance - or rather, they had been attacking the city walls all night last night as well.
　In contrast to the beasts that were crashing, scratching and growling against the walls, the humans waited for the command under their breath.

　Eventually, the sub-commander raises his command staff above his head and swings it down with an order.

'Fire!'

　At the same time as the voice, the sorcerers begin chanting, and a little later, masses of magical violence begin to manifest here and there.

The burning flames are the proof of my power and pride ---- fireball (grist)!

"The wind that cuts through us is played by a white lady. ----

The crush that pierces is the unshakable lance of a valiant knight ---- a rock (Dessel)!

"The bullets that strike are the spearheads of the noble winter elf ---- ice blocks!

This is the flash of condemnation nurtured by the distant void of pale white ---- The St. Glor Elmate, the blade of lightning!

　One after another, the power of destruction was unleashed from the hands of the magicians.
　Fire magic burned the 'Grey Wolf' and rock magic pierced the body of the 'Snatch'.
　The upper level attack magic sliced through the area where the beasts were swarming and instantly stained the earth with blood.

''The fierce red is born in the trail of fierce flames, the breath of the ancient dragon ---- Purgatory Flame 《Ferno Resta Ganov》!

　Orphelia, too, unleashes her signature high-level magic in a losing effort.
　Hellfire enveloped the group of beasts and created a black stain on the plain in front of the east gate.

I'm sure there are many of them over there and over there. The rest are over there. ...... I knew there were more of them than yesterday.

　Aldis looks around to see the number of them.
　She doesn't know what's causing them, but the number of beasts is increasing rapidly as time goes on.
　Where in the world are they coming from? The number is already on the verge of exceeding three thousand.

The shining blue color is the eternal time and tranquility that dances across the land of endless color and illusion ---- The storm of the far north, the Toloa Shusu Follote!

　With a quick chant as a small check, Aldis creates an extremely cold world.

　Instantly, the temperature of the designated space dropped, and the moisture in the air froze and turned into a white mist.
　The cold air struck the creatures within range, first their breath, then the tips of their hair, and then coagulated the moisture in their muscles and bodies.
　Eventually, as the blurred area is blown by the wind to reveal the scene, a murmur begins to arise on the city walls.

''Nah, what ...... that?''

I know it's a storm in the far north, but ......, that's too much bullshit.

What a power and range: ......

'Is it my imagination?　I feel like the demons that were within range were also killed in one hit: ......

　Looking at them, about twenty percent of the three thousand beasts that were there had frozen in an instant.
　A number of circular areas that had stopped moving had appeared in the crowd of beasts that had been wriggling like a swirling wave and were covered in pale white ice.
　Even a single circle, which was the area of magic's effect, was extremely wide and large compared to a normal storm in the far north.

''Who's that ......?''

　The sorcerers seemed to forget that they were in the middle of a battle and were curious about who the wielder was.
　Without regard to such gazes, Ardis continues to chant.

I wish to see the blue life and red joy, a trajectory of destiny as if it were a multi-layered one - touch me, touch me, shake me, shake me! Show him the guidance to the promised land according to the pact: ---- The rainbow-colored bow Rite Cuor Lo Verne!

　A sphere shining in seven colors appears above Aldis' head.
　Silently, but with an overwhelming presence, the sphere continued to expand, keeping the eyes of those around it glued to it.

　When it grew to a size that exceeded the height of a human being, the surface began to ripple soundlessly.
　As the waves became finer and finer, becoming more and more like ripples, the change came suddenly.

　Every single ripple suddenly protruded from the sphere, and in an instant, it turned into a long, thin arrow of light that flew at the beasts that swarmed below.
　The scene was exactly like an archer's salvo. It's not like an arrow that flies in a straight line towards the enemy, unlike an arrow, its power is incomparably higher, and the person who executed it was a single human being.

　The magic arrows created by Ardis are unobstructed and pierce the beasts to take their lives.
　No one knows for sure, but the number will never be less than a hundred.
　The targeted beasts could not be left without a trace. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

It's a great ....... I've never seen a wielder of a rainbow-colored bow before.

'No, hey ......!　Funny thing!　Because rainbow bows usually only release about ten bows!

Are you still a kid?

Who is that sorcerer?

　A rainbow-colored bow is considered to be extremely difficult to control, and there are extremely few users of it.
　It is natural for a sorcerer to be interested in its wielder.

　However, for Ardis, such things are not important.
　It's a good idea to have a good idea of what you're going to do with it, but it's not the rainbow-colored bow itself. Of course it was possible to use it without chanting.

''Haha. As usual, you're very good at confusing your allies, Ardis.

Oh my god. Why doesn't it cause you to run out of magic power? That's foul, no matter how you look at it.

　Norris and Orphelia's reputation is always half-hearted.

'...... I don't want to make enemies on the battlefield with a sorcerer like that. But for now, they are our allies. It's a very reassuring thing. I can't afford to lose either!

　Hyrule, the sorcerer of the Cloud of Liberty, is excited to see Ardis' magic.
　It's not a bad idea to have a good time with them.

　The other sorcerers saw this and remembered their roles and started firing off attack magic one after another.
　Five minutes after the order to start the attack.
　The herd of beasts that had been attacked by the magicians had been reduced to less than half of their original number.

''Alright!　Hold your fire!　From now on, we will concentrate on covering the main force that will be struck and fighting off the beasts in the sky!

　The attack from the top of the wall stops at the voice of the second-in-command.

'Open gate!'

　The sound of the east gate opening beneath their feet could be heard.

'Let's go!'

Let's go, gentlemen!　Don't be late!

Oh!

　The main force, which until then had been waiting for the signal to sally forth, let out a battle cry and launched an avalanche of attacks outside the wall.

　The numbers are reversed. However, there were not only beasts but also demons mixed in with the other side.
　Even if it's only a beast, it would be reckless for ordinary soldiers and militia to deal with demons.
　The sub-commander's expression was hard as well, as the situation was not one to be optimistic about.

Then, Sub-Commander. We will go to cover our comrades.

Hmm. Good hunting.

　Hyrule from 'Free Cloud' and the other sorcerers descend the city walls to join their partymates.

''Well, I'll go too. Norris, Orphelia, take care of things here.

　Aldis received a reply from both of them and began to walk to the opposite side of the stairs.

'Hey, where are you going?　What about you on the outside?　If it's a staircase, you have to go to the other side--

　Ignoring the voices of the soldiers who tried to call out to him in confusion, Aldis stood at the edge of the city walls.

　Below him, the main force that had sailed out and the herd of beasts were fighting a mixture of the main force and the herd of beasts.
　He took a glance at the battlefield and instantly read the situation.

'Ted is ...... over there. It's safe to leave him alone. The battle strength is thin ......, right around there.

　I mutter to myself to no one.

Hey. I'm sure the arrows won't fly off because they're beasts, but it's dangerous if you're standing there standing there like that. Hurry up and get behind--, yeah!

　The soldier who had been calling out to Aldis for his safety guffawed.

　Aldis, who was standing at the edge of the castle wall, leaned outward without hesitation and threw his body into the air as gravity pulled him.