Chapter 60

Standing at the entrance of the classroom, Xiaoming took a deep breath and firmly held the secret letter given to him by his mother.

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Except for the guards of high-ranking nobles, no other guards were allowed to enter the party venue in the noble district, so the members of the "Jingang Fortress" were idly hanging around in a corner of the party venue.

"Phew, so bored."

The well-built female warrior, known as "Jingang," was munching on a free crepe available at the party venue, looking sleepy. The soft, fluffy cream spread in her mouth, and her face relaxed at its gentle taste. She loved sweet things.

This festival, held annually, was incredibly extravagant. Though she was from Saga, she was amazed when she first came to the capital. While Saga also had feasts, the sheer number of people was completely different. At the time, she was so astonished and excited that she thought all the Japanese people had gathered there.

"We were young back then."

Recalling the past, she saw people, people, and more people. Looking at the people enjoying the festival in the vast garden, she squinted her eyes, feeling nostalgic. Among the adventurers guarding as guards, some must have just come to the capital. The young adventurers were chatting excitedly.

This was the party venue for the commoner district. To accommodate a large number of people enjoying the festival, it was the largest garden in the imperial city. However, the garden, which was usually used as a military training ground and was not open to the public, was only a garden in name.

"Showing generosity to gain popularity. Being an emperor is tough, isn't it?"

A huge amount of money is spent on this festival every year, and it is said that all of it comes from the emperor's personal funds. All the royal family members own some kind of business and have ways to earn money. Of course, there are also tax benefits for using magic for national defense and being a royal, but the personal funds are substantial. It is said that no national funds are used at all. ...But who knows how true that is.

"Well, it also serves to show the country's strength, doesn't it?"

"What? Eavesdropping on my monologue is bad manners, isn't it?"

She smiled at the middle-aged man who was about 20 centimeters shorter than her and approached her. He was the leader of "Martini." He was skilled with both sword and magic and could handle scouting, but he had no outstanding abilities, so he often complained about being versatile but not excelling in anything.

She had researched him in advance to protect the same target. As a leader, he was praised for his quick judgment and leadership. She thought that was enough and envied his leadership skills more than her own, who only wielded an axe in the front line. But everyone thinks differently.

As the leader of Martini, he apparently envied Jingang's powerful one-hit attacks and solid defense. The grass always looks greener on the other side, as they say.

"Well, it's fine, isn't it? Look, everyone is reassured by the emperor's generosity and the country's military power."

"Memories from childhood are important, after all."

For the party, many tables were set up in the garden, loaded with various dishes and drinks. Everyone was enjoying themselves with smiles, but there was something that didn't fit the scene.

It was the magic-powered multi-legged tank, the "Iron Spider Type 17." Its heavy metal armor, reflecting the sunlight, emitted a dull shine. There were four of them, stationed a bit away from the party venue.

No, it wasn't just "somehow." While she was once impressed by its imposing presence, she now knew it was more of a show of force to the commoners. It was a way of saying, "Our country has such powerful magic weapons, we are strong."

"More understandable as a block of power than a standing mage. Being an emperor is tough, isn't it?"

"Not really. It costs hundreds of millions to move them, so they rarely do. They're nicknamed 'capsule hotels.'"

"Don't ruin the children's dreams by talking about the backstage. Let's just say they are the romantic guardians of our country."

"Romantic, huh? Well, I guess. Deterrence is better when it's visible. By the way, how about we go for a drink after today's guard duty? The party is half over, right?"

"Persistent, aren't you? What's so good about a tall, rough woman like me?"

She returned a wry smile to the leader of Martini. This man, who frequently invited her out for dates and drinks, had no idea what he saw in her. She was initially angry, thinking he had come for matchmaking, but she just went along with it since he didn't give up.

"A man who can't see your good points has no eye. I know a great izakaya, hmm? What's wrong?"

In the middle of his sentence, the leader of Martini's face turned slightly serious. Jingang immediately sensed something was amiss and turned to face her party members with a serious expression.

"The 'Iron Spiders' are moving. Is there some kind of attraction planned?"

"No, there isn't."

His face was already that of a professional. Despite thinking that a C-rank adventurer was not strong enough to guard a marquis's favorite girl, she understood that this man's party had a high level of professionalism and had a good impression of him. Of course, she wasn't that much of a girl to say it out loud.

The Iron Spiders, emitting a deep rumble, started moving, digging large holes in the grass as they walked. While thinking about how difficult it would be for the mages to repair the grass, she focused on what was happening.

Not only the leader of Martini, but other adventurers and the security samurais also looked to see what was happening, and the commoners enjoying the party were curious.

However, the question was quickly answered. A man's voice echoed from the speakers of the Iron Spiders.

"This is the Imperial Capital Defense Force, Iron Spider Cavalry Regiment. We have confirmed the appearance of a group of monsters. We will eliminate them immediately, but as a precaution, please evacuate. Please move calmly and orderly."

People were shocked and murmurs spread, but few panicked and ran. Most were disappointed that the food was still left. They were probably reassured by the reliability of the Iron Spiders, which would repel the monsters.

"The enemy is small but numerous. We would like the samurai and adventurers to deal with any that slip through. There will be a reward later."

The adventurers were excited at the prospect of a surprise reward. With both magic weapons and samurai, they didn't think they would lose.

Only a few adventurers were wearing "Magic Armors," but even those who weren't were happy at the unexpected extra income, and a confident atmosphere began to spread even before they saw the monsters.

Worse still, most of the commoners, thinking the attraction had started, didn't run away but instead watched with food in hand, becoming spectators.

"This is bad. The military doesn't understand the meaning of relying on adventurers."

"Yeah, they called because it's beyond their capabilities. A proud samurai group wouldn't ask for help with a reward."

Jingang clicked her tongue, agreeing with the leader of Martini. The calmness of the soldiers who announced from the tank was having a bad effect. They were too calm, and everyone felt overly reassured.

The tank cannon roared, and smoke billowed. The trees in the forest, now off-limits for the party, were blown away, and dust flew.

"Wow! I've never seen this before!"

"Dad, it's amazing!"

"Is that a magic weapon?"

As people cheered at the sight, the four multi-legged tanks advanced into the forest, firing multiple missiles from the missile pods on their backs.

Leaving trails of smoke, the missiles soared high into the sky, changed direction, and fell into the forest. Flames erupted like a storm, burning the forest.

Amid the cheers of the crowd, who ignored the evacuation, Jingang flowed mana into her "Magic Armor" to activate it.

"Connection, activation started."

With a familiar, reliable hum, the "Magic Armor" came to life. Jingang put on the visor hanging from her waist, quickly assembled a double-bladed axe from a trunk she had prepared, and gripped it firmly.

"Normal activation. Genbu Type 15 drive."

The "Genbu Type 15," which had been on the market for seven years and was quite old, fully activated. The armor parts of the armor she was wearing expanded, black lines ran through them, and the color changed to white. A "Magic Barrier" enveloped her body, and Jingang gripped her axe tightly.

"Swallow!"

"Sure thing."

The scout, Swallow, summoned her familiar hawk, which took off into the sky. The hawk quickly reached a height where it could see the forest. Swallow clicked her tongue at the scene she saw through "Shared Vision."

"Leader, this is bad. It's full of mantises. They're Scissors Mantises."

"Damn, there must have been eggs somewhere!"

Jingang immediately understood the situation. Scissors Mantises were dangerous monsters that could produce thousands, or even tens of thousands, of offspring. Once they escaped from the dungeon, they would attack the city in large numbers.

"Alright, everyone, let's get ready!"

"Can't be helped."

"Understood."

To counter the numbers, her companions summoned the spirit Flame and the Dire Wolves. They were a well-coordinated party.

"Look, it's a monster!"

"There are so many!"

"Let's, let's run!"

Someone screamed at the sight of the forest. Jingang saw a swarm of mantises, each about two meters tall, rushing towards them.

The tank cannon fired again, and the Iron Spiders started firing the machine guns on their hands. The scattered bullets hit the Scissors Mantises, blowing some away.

"Please act calmly. We can protect you here. The samurai and adventurers, please eliminate any that slip through."

The calm voice of the soldier came from the speaker, and the Iron Spiders headed towards the swarm of mantises, apparently intending to act as bait.

"Wow! The soldiers in those tanks have some guts."

"Not really. Why are they so calm?"

The people who were trying to run were calmed by the soldier's words and mostly evacuated in an orderly manner.

Impressed by the capital's defense force, Jingang moved forward with her companions. The Martini group also readied their weapons and stood beside them without fear.

The Iron Spiders fired their tank cannons and machine guns, and were swarmed by countless monster mantises. The mantises that didn't head for the Iron Spiders came towards them.

"Well, since it's a festival attraction, let's put in some effort!"

Jingang and her companions roared and began their battle with the approaching Scissors Mantises.