Chapter 34

The temporary barrier device is less effective than the barrier stone and requires a magician to activate it continuously. It consumes a lot of physical and magical energy, making it unsuitable for long-term use.

If prolonged, there will be withdrawals due to magical exhaustion.

To protect them, the divine beast knights and palace knights cannot rest, increasing the risk of injuries.

This is a measure that should only be used in true emergencies.

Lukas frowned momentarily at the messenger's content but quickly returned to a calm expression.

"Understood. Respond that we will begin the retreat. The rear will be entrusted to Deputy Leader Jackson."

"Hai"

"Divine beast knights, push the Skiamaus back into the forest from the boundary line! Ensure the placement of the barrier device! Palace knights, focus on guarding the barrier department!"

Following Lukas's command, the knights changed the formation of their griffins, shifting from defense to offense, and drove the Skiamaus into the forest.

Once the barrier device was activated by the magicians of the barrier department, the Skiamaus would stop their assault on the boundary.

However, instead of retreating into the forest, they stood there, waiting for another opportunity to invade.

Leaving a few divine beast knights to monitor, Lukas temporarily retreated to the manor. The report from Clement was worse than he had anticipated.

"The magic formula of the barrier stone has been rewritten. It is a mixture of a monster-attracting formula, the barrier formula, and its protective magic, making it impossible to deactivate even for those responsible for it."

"Who would do such a thing... No, right now, we need a solution more than a culprit. Can't even Clement and the former team leader Zen deactivate the formula?"

"Both of us failed. We considered forcibly deactivating it with two people, but considering the age of the stone, the burden on the stone would be too great, and it might become unusable. It would take at least two weeks from the capital, including initial maintenance, to transport a replacement stone, and normally three weeks. We must keep the barrier device active during this period."

"Even if the effect of the monster-attracting formula wears off, we must maintain the barrier. We lack personnel and supplies. If we don't act soon, we will continue to be exhausted. I wish there was a way."

Lukas, with eight years of expedition experience, had never encountered such a situation before.

Replacing the stone usually involves placing a new barrier stone next to the active one and writing the magic formula, ensuring safety.

Transporting the heavy stone requires personnel, and immediate escape is not possible. Replacing the stone while monsters are nearby is extremely dangerous.

Even though the divine beast knights and griffins are strong, they want to avoid danger as much as possible.

As Lukas and Clement sighed, the former team leader Zen, dispatched from the magic department, spoke solemnly.

"Let's request assistance from the magicians of the development or technical departments. There might be someone who can deactivate it individually."

Clement's face stiffened at these words.

Lukas, feeling a slight chill down his spine, asked Zen.

"Why can the development and technical departments do what the barrier department's skilled magicians cannot?"

"Magicians in the barrier department only handle 'fixed magic,' such as barriers and equipment repairs. While the skills required for both casting and deactivating are highly difficult, they are limited in type. On the other hand, the development and technical departments handle all kinds of magic formulas and can perform deactivation if necessary. For irregular magic formulas like this one, those two departments are likely stronger."

"By the way, how many people in Zen's department are capable of this?"

"Two from the development department and one from the technical department. There are more, but some are too old or have positions that make it difficult to leave the palace. We should request the youngest and most skilled magicians from the magic department in the palace."

Finding a solution should be a cause for relief, but Lukas's mood remained heavy.

(Judging from Clement's reaction, the one from the technical department must be Viela. Clement, known as the ace of the barrier department, has skills that even he admires. I would prefer someone from the development department, but...)

He thought, but he had no authority to choose. Considering the safety of the citizens and team members, he could not prioritize personal feelings.

The selected magician, inexperienced in expeditions, would face the risk of being attacked by excited monsters. The task would be more dangerous than usual.

Lukas prayed that Viela would not be chosen and told Clement.

"Let's proceed with Zen's proposal. It's the quickest solution. If successful, the burden on everyone will be minimized."

Clement nodded, understanding that it was the best option available.

"I will connect with the magic department and request the selection of a magician. If the selected magician cannot deactivate it, we will prioritize invalidating the monster-attracting formula, forcibly deactivate the barrier formula, and replace the stone. I will inform the magic department to prepare for this contingency."

"Also, tell the divine beast knights on duty to transport the selected magician. It will be faster than by horse."

"Hai"

Clement used the magic communication device to contact the magic department. The magic department accepted the proposal and they waited for a response.

A response came in less than an hour.

"The technical department's Viela Yubert will be dispatched to the site."

Lukas quietly clenched his fist at the news.

Clement, who probably expected this, maintained a calm exterior but was grinding his teeth.

Viela's consent was obtained, and she would leave the palace within a few hours. With griffin transportation, she should arrive by noon the day after tomorrow.

Lukas relayed some precautions to the divine beast knights in the palace and ended the communication.

All they could do was maintain the barrier device while updating the remaining barrier stones and wait for Viela.

Clement muttered, "Damn..." His fist on the table was tightly clenched and trembling.

Lukas watched him with a cold eye.

(Are you regretful for not being able to deactivate the magic formula yourself, or are you angry that Viela was chosen? No, both. You probably feel responsible for involving Viela in this. I appreciate your caution regarding the danger of the monsters...)

Clement is an excellent magician but still young, lacking experience.

Lukas sighed and strongly patted the leader's back.

"Maintain your composure."

"What!? Why are you so calm, Lukas? She is your fiancée. Isn't she important to you—"

Clement's words faltered as he met Lukas's eyes.

Lukas's usually cold blue-gray gaze was even sharper.

"If you want to complete the expedition without any injuries, you must exclude emotions as much as possible. If your judgment is delayed by emotional turmoil, you will lose. That's what happened in the war five years ago. The more you care about your comrades, the more you must remain calm."

Lukas achieved glory and a prestigious title in the war with the neighboring country, but he lost much in the shadows.

He never wanted to experience that again.

"Ensuring safety depends on the speed of activating the new barrier formula. Support Viela so she can focus on deactivating the formula, and ensure the barrier department can quickly activate the new barrier. Assigning the barrier is your specialty, right?"

"Lukas..."

"We, the divine beast knights, will protect everyone from the monsters. Clement, act as you always do, confidently and calmly, making quick and rational decisions. It's not just you who has personal feelings."

He added a final word in a low voice, but his expression remained as cold as usual.

Viela's safety, inexperienced in expeditions, depends on the support of Clement and the barrier department. As a leader, he wanted Clement to be solid and reliable.

"Take me as an example and maintain your composure," he said arrogantly, glaring at Clement.

The red-haired youth was surprised, his eyes wide, and after a few seconds, he nodded solemnly. The words of an experienced person carried weight.

"Thank you for your advice. I will do my best. In half an hour, I will leave to update the remaining barrier stones."

"Understood. I will discuss coordination with the knights."

Lukas turned and left the accommodation building.

In the distance, he could see griffins descending to the middle of the hill. Monsters were approaching the boundary, ignoring the less effective temporary barrier device.

"I will protect everyone, including Viela—"

Touching the ribbon in his hair, he voiced his resolve and headed towards the stable where Albertina and his comrades were.