Chapter 55

"Situation?!"

"Oh, we've been waiting for you, Princess."

When Dianeya teleported into the castle's office, it had already been transformed into an operations room. There, Dianeya received information from the captain of the knights.

"Monsters have appeared simultaneously from the east, west, and south. They are currently advancing towards the city, and the defense forces are intercepting them."

Dianeya nodded and looked at the map on the table. Red crosses marked the interception points. However, a black circle was placed in the east.

"What's this?"

"Anne-sama said she would go to the east and marked it. She said she can handle it alone if she suppresses that area."

"Anne-sama, huh..."

As the Dragon King, she can probably handle it alone.

Should I be relieved about that?

"The south has many villages, so the knight units are heading there. According to the reports, they are in a favorable position."

"Hmm, then, what's left is... the west."

A gap that opened up due to lack of time.

There is no one guarding it at the moment.

"No, one of the adventurer groups is heading there."

"Really? I thought I entrusted the defense of the north to the adventurers."

"Yes, so it's just one group."

To go with just one group when we don't know how many monsters are coming is quite reckless.

I'm grateful they are defending us, but it's too dangerous. What kind of group is this?

"The messenger said... 'Shining Head.'"

"Them. Why are they moving from the safe north..."

"I don't know. But, if they are defending the city, it is reassuring."

A top group with a 90% mission success rate. They are definitely strong.

But, that alone is not enough to ease my worries. So,

"---I will go and reinforce them."

"Princess...!?"

"Why are you surprised? I'm the only one who can use teleportation."

"But..."

The captain of the knights tried to say something but shook his head.

"That's right. If I tell you to wait here, you won't listen, will you?"

"Yes, you understand well. If I can fight, I will fight to protect this city."

That is her role as a great mage, and the power she has gained, Dianeya believes.

---And the path she should take, inspired by that person.

"Anyway, I'll go once I've equipped my battle gear. I'll leave the other commands to you, Captain of the Knights."

"Yes... please be safe!"

Dianeya headed to her room to prepare her gear to protect the city.

●

The bald adventurers were in the west of the capital Prossia.

"Hyah-ha! This is where the defense is the thinnest, right?"

"It's also far from the commercial district. There are only ten of us."

They were on a plain between the city and the forest. Monsters were popping up from the ground, ranging from worm-like creatures to bipedal trolls.

"I didn't expect to face dungeon monsters outside the armed city, Leader."

"Hyah-ha, neither did I."

As they spoke, the adventurers drew their weapons.

"But, I didn't expect to take on a quest like this outside the armed city, Leader."

"Hyah-ha, I agree. Defending the city... and in such a tough situation, it's been a while."

The enemies were approaching.

There were a lot of them.

The adventurers—those who wield weapons inscribed with the name 'Shining Head'—observed them closely.

"Hyah-ha, they're coming. But compared to that Lord of the Earth, this level of pressure is nothing."

"Haha, you're right. It's more convincing coming from a leader who was bedridden."

"That's just because I was lost in admiration!"

The bald man chuckled and wiped his sweat.

"Hyah-ha. If we had faced this large army a little while ago, we would have hesitated. It's thanks to that person's power."

The adventurers nodded in agreement.

"Anyway, let's go, everyone. This area is far from the commercial and residential districts, but there are still a lot of people here, right?"

"Yes, there are many crops and other resources harvested here. People do live here."

"Hyah-ha... then, we have to protect them."

The bald adventurer readied his sword.

"We've been treated to good drinks and good food in this city, and we've had a great time. If we can't protect this place, our reputation will be ruined."

"Right!"

"Let's get our heads back in the game. ---Let's go, Hyah-ha!"

The adventurers ran towards the monsters.

And the defense of the west began.