Chapter 48

As he unleashed a thunderbolt and fought against a horde of monsters that could be called the second wave, the second unit, which had taken over from the first unit, rushed to provide support.

The third unit, already at the peak of fatigue and barely moving, was delighted by the arrival of the second unit for reinforcement.

"Barbarot! The second unit has arrived!

We, the third unit, will temporarily retreat and take a rest!

Hurry back!"

The captain of the third unit informed Barbarot, but Barbarot did not move to return.

"Barbarot! Can't you hear me!"

"I can hear you! I will stay behind, so Captain, please take the unit and go ahead!"

"Don't be ridiculous!

You are indeed strong, but you can't fight indefinitely!

Just come back!!!"

"I'll catch up later, so don't worry about me!"

Leord, who had been listening to their exchange, judged that this would not resolve anything and interjected.

"Barbarot, follow the orders of your superior."

"But, Sir Leord, if I withdraw, the front line will collapse, won't it?"

"Hmm? Do I look so unreliable to you?"

"I don't think so, but if you look at the overall situation, you should be able to see it, right?"

Indeed, as Barbarot said, many knights were exhausted and barely holding on, struggling to survive the current situation. If Barbarot were to withdraw here, the front line he had been holding would collapse, and the battle would quickly tilt in favor of the monsters.

"You seem to be underestimating me. If I get serious, this is nothing."

"Haha. Stop being so arrogant."

Barbarot, slightly irritated by Leord's words, brutally killed a nearby monster.

"Did you see my magic?

Even after seeing that, you don't trust me?"

"Indeed, it was a formidable display, but that was because Sir Leord was in perfect condition.

Can you do it again now, Sir Leord?"

"Hah! Don't underestimate me. I said I can do it. I can do it, of course."

"…If you say so, I'll see it for myself."

Though he trusted Leord, Barbarot could not tolerate his arrogance and asked him with a calm but angry voice.

"Alright. Then watch closely."

Leord stepped back and began to chant.

"Mother Earth, resonate with my will.

Devour, Earth, the feast of gluttony is here now!!!"

A rumbling sound echoed, and a tremor so strong that neither monsters nor knights could stand occurred.

"Gluttony Gaia!!!"

The earth split open, and a chasm was born, sucking in the monsters. Even those trying to escape fell as cracks appeared under their feet, and the ground split, swallowing them. The knights, witnessing the monsters being sucked into the chasm one after another, trembled in fear at the realization of Leord's hidden power.

The earth, having swallowed many monsters, mercilessly crushed those trying to escape. The torn earth returned to its original state, leaving only the knights behind.

"Hmph…"

Leord was about to show a smug face to Barbarot but collapsed to the side. Gilbert, alarmed by the fallen Leord, rushed to his side and lifted him up, but Leord had completely lost consciousness.

"Master! Master!"

Realizing the seriousness of the situation, the medical corps rushed over to check on Leord. After confirming that his pulse and heart were functioning normally, they realized that Leord had run out of magic power.

"Please calm down. It seems that Sir Leord has run out of magic power.

He may not wake up for a while, but there is no danger to his life."

"That's a relief…"

Gilbert, reassured that it was just a depletion of magic power, carried Leord and turned to Barbarot.

"Are you going to waste the time Master has bought for us?"

"! We should immediately retreat to the fort."

Gilbert's words brought Barbarot back to his senses, and he retreated to the fort with the third unit. Thanks to Leord's large-scale magic, the retreat was smooth.

Barbarot and Gilbert, carrying Leord, returned to the fort. Gilbert carried Leord to the medical room, laid him on a bed, and then ascended to the outer wall of the fort with Barbarot.

"It's quiet, isn't it?"

"..."

"Lord Barbarot, it's unusual for you to be angry with Master."

"I apologize. I knew it, but in that situation, I couldn't help it.

Many knights were exhausted, and some could barely wield their swords. Master's words were giving them false hope.

While it's true that Master temporarily eliminated the monsters with Thunderbolt, it was clear to everyone that he was so exhausted that it was a wonder he could even stand.

Yet, he was putting on a show. Even if he had recovered a little, I didn't think he could cast Thunderbolt again.

That's why I got angry and told him to stop putting on a show and stop giving false hope.

If Master's words had been just a show, the knights who were standing on sheer willpower would have collapsed, and the front line would have crumbled.

Thinking about it, I couldn't help but be angry."

"You're right. To be honest, I was skeptical too.

I was disappointed that Master had returned to his arrogant self from just a short while ago.

But, Master wasn't just putting on a show; he was showing us a stark reality.

Indeed, I was so captivated by the scene before me that I didn't notice Master collapsing. That's not the behavior of a proper attendant."

"It's frustrating. I thought I trusted Master."

"Indeed, it's very frustrating. I feel so ashamed of myself."

The two, feeling dejected, sighed simultaneously.

While they were feeling dejected, Leord did not wake up.

As night fell, the darkness became the ally of the monsters and the enemy of the humans. In the poor visibility, the first and second units fought hard.

However, the absence of Barbarot, Leord, and Gilbert was fatal.

The number of injured increased, and they had to retreat the front line. Fortunately, there were no casualties, which was the only consolation.