Chapter 36

Viera, who had been let down by Lukas, was escorted into the consulate by him.

When they reached the entrance, which had been turned into the command center, Clement and the members of the Barrier Division greeted her with solemn expressions. It seemed they regretted the situation that required the help of other divisions. Fortunately, there were no looks of disdain, as if they considered her as just another technician.

"Because I saw firsthand how Viera-senpai disabled the magic circuit of that prosthetic leg before. No one here doubts your skills. Please, we're counting on you."

Clement, sensing Viera's doubt, answered sincerely and bowed deeply. He didn't have his usual relaxed demeanor, but it wasn't a somber atmosphere either. It was a dignified and composed attitude—perfectly fitting for a leader. It seemed this expedition had given him a sense of authority.

Impressed by the growth of her junior, Viera, as a senior, had a certain pride. When asked, she felt compelled to respond. Being relied upon as a mage was an honor. Her spine straightened.

"Then, please show me the copy of the magic circuit."

She knew what the barrier and monster-attracting magic circuits were and that they were overlaid, but she wanted to know how they were mixed.

As if to fulfill her request, a copy of the magic circuit—special paper called "transfer magic paper" that could print only in response to magic when the circuits were overlaid and the magic flowed—was spread on the floor.

The large transfer magic paper, two meters long and one meter wide, was filled with complex magic circuits. The mages of the Barrier Division, with worried expressions, waited for Viera's reaction.

"I can disable it. However, I need your cooperation."

"Viera-senpai, what do you need?"

"Please create a situation where there is no interference from other magic. The barrier stone still has stored magic, so the active magic circuit is more robust than usual, and it will require more magic to disable. If there are magical artifacts nearby and the disablement affects them, my magic will be wasted."

In other words, even the temporary barrier devices should not be used. Without the barrier devices, the risk of monster attacks would increase.

However, no one objected.

Clement confirmed that everyone was in agreement and turned his gaze to Lukas, who had been quietly watching nearby.

"We will turn off the barrier devices after Viera-senpai and the Barrier Division arrive at the site. Please prevent the monsters from approaching until the correct barrier is reactivated."

"Understood. The Divine Beast Knights will arrive at the site half an hour before the Barrier Division to not only deter but also reduce the number of monsters."

"Thank you. The members of the Barrier Division, who are equipped with many magical artifacts, should not approach Viera-senpai while she is disabling the circuit. Also, please disable the magic circuits of the magical artifacts that the Palace Knights, who will guard Viera-senpai, are equipped with."

Thus, the operation to update the barrier stone was carried out two hours later. Viera, like the members of the Barrier Division, rode a horse in a formation of three columns, ascending the mountain. The Divine Beast Knights, led by Lukas, had already flown to the site, and the sound of griffins could be heard even from a distance.

It wasn't the cute "kyuru" sound that Albertina usually made, but a piercing, ear-splitting whistle.

Since the battle was taking place in a dry area, dust was rising. Viera could sense the intensity of the battle, and her grip on the reins tightened.

As the tension grew, she headed toward the destination. As she approached the barrier stone, the battle scene became more visible. Upon arrival, the battle was taking place much closer than she had imagined, and the intensity was overwhelming.

Viera had seen the monster Schiamus before. During her student days, a Schiamus had been captured to test the barrier's effectiveness. It was a mouse-sized creature, just a rat. That was the impression she had, but it was completely changed now. Its eyes were bloodshot, and it bared its sharp front teeth, charging at the griffin. It was not a rat but a completely vicious and ferocious beast. If it attacked non-combatants, there would be no chance of survival.

The griffins repelled it with force, and the knights subdued it with their swords. It was clear that the Divine Beast Knights were overwhelmingly stronger than the monsters. However, seeing the blood splatter on the griffins and the knights, her body shuddered involuntarily.

She wasn't doubting their strength. Lukas and his team were strong. But the desire to change this situation grew stronger.

Leaving the members of the Barrier Division behind, Viera stood in front of the barrier stone, flanked by two Palace Knights for protection. She turned back and exchanged a glance with Clement, who then called out to the members of the Barrier Division in front.

"We are about to start the disablement! Stop the magic supply to the barrier devices!"

Six members who were operating the barrier devices nodded and stopped the magic supply. They then carried the devices and retreated to Clement's side.

With the barrier devices losing their effectiveness, the Schiamus became even more agitated, emitting strange cries and baring their fangs, ready to charge.

Lukas' voice encouraging the Divine Beast Knights echoed.

"We are strong! Show the monsters our strength, our pride, and our swords! Believe in the experience we have accumulated!"

The knights' "Ooh!" in response resounded. For a moment, Lukas' gaze turned to Viera. He quickly returned his attention to the monsters, but Viera felt that the words he used to encourage the knights were also directed at her.

Viera touched her dangling earring.

(I'm not alone. He will protect me, and he believes in me.)

Gripping the specialized pen for direct application, which she was used to, she looked up at the stone monument, which was much taller than she was.

(I'll show you... I don't want this expedition to drag on any longer, and I don't want to replace the heavy stone monument! Most importantly, this stone monument is very expensive, and it would be a waste not to use it to the end!)

To calm herself, she switched on her usual frugal "waste not" mindset.

She touched the pen to the stone and flowed magic. All the magic circuits, from the barrier to the monster-attracting ones, floated up on the surface of the stone. It was the same as what she had seen at the consulate.

"I can do this."

Viera exhaled briefly, circulated magic through her head, and began the process of disabling the magic circuit.