Chapter 29

Alexis Karl Modenes, standing at the eastern fortress, was giving orders to the knights.

"Everyone, prepare your magic! Release it!"

Dozens of fire, earth, and wind spells were cast, defeating the monsters in front of them. However, their numbers showed no sign of decreasing.

"Damn, why are there so many monsters...!"

Although Alexis always exuded a calm and composed demeanor at tea parties and social gatherings, on the battlefield, he displayed none of that. As the heir of the Modenes dukedom, he gave orders with a dignified attitude and presence.

However, even with his efforts, the swarm of monsters could not be contained.

"Lord Alexis! There are still over a thousand monsters! The knights can no longer hold them back with their shields and swords!"

Over a hundred knights were holding the front line with their shields and swords, but they were reaching their limits. Despite already defeating a thousand, the monsters still kept coming.

"Damn, what can we do...!"

Alexis, who was in command, was also casting water magic, but the numbers were not decreasing.

Water magic could defeat the monsters, but it was not specialized for attack. Moreover, the biggest problem was that the ground became wet and slippery when water magic was continuously cast.

If the knights holding the front line slipped and fell, it would be disastrous, so he could not use large-scale water magic.

Just as Alexis was at a loss for what to do, his father, Mikhail Horo Modenes, the head of the Modenes dukedom, who was casting magic alongside him, spoke up.

"Alexis, have all the knights retreat."

"Father!? What are you saying!?"

"I'm about to use my ultimate magic. If there are knights in front of me, they will be caught in it."

"Ultimate magic? Father, do you have such a spell?"

If such a spell existed, why didn't he use it until now?

"Yes. It's an ultimate technique unique to the Modenes dukedom, which uses the water within one's body to amplify the power of water magic. No matter how many monsters there are, it can engulf and kill them all."

"Water within the body? Wait, Father, surely...!"

"...This is a spell that requires the user to be prepared to die."

"No, Father!"

Alexis shouted without thinking, driven solely by his emotions.

"...Alexis, to protect the fortress, there is no other choice. If the monsters break through the fortress, tens of thousands will be harmed. As one of the Four Great Dukes, we must prevent this."

"But without you, Father, the Modenes dukedom...!"

"You have me. Alexis, because you are so capable, I can use the ultimate technique without hesitation."

Mikhail, the head of the Modenes dukedom, patted Alexis on the shoulder, showing a fatherly face.

"I leave the rest to you, Alexis."

"..."

"Come, Alexis. Have all the knights retreat."

With a determined look, Mikhail stepped forward.

Alexis, though reluctant, gave the order to all the knights to retreat, so they could witness the duke's final moments.

As the knights retreated, the monsters drew closer to the fortress.

Mikhail began preparing his magic, but Alexis was still trying to think of a way to turn the tide. However...

(There's nothing, nothing... The only way is for Father to risk his life to defeat the monsters all at once. I can't use the ultimate technique yet, so I can't replace him.)

The fact that he could do nothing but leave everything to his father was the most frustrating thing.

There was nothing more he could do, at least... he would etch his father's final moments into his memory. He couldn't look away.

Then, Mikhail's magic was ready.

(Father...!)

The moment Mikhail was about to cast his spell—

—a bright red flame enveloped many of the monsters.

"Huh...?"

Alexis couldn't help but exclaim.

The knights fighting at the eastern fortress were also shocked by the sudden appearance of a massive wall of fire.

Mikhail's concentration was broken, and he could no longer cast his ultimate magic.

"What... is this...?"

Alexis looked around and then up, sensing a strong magical presence.

There, a woman with long, bright red hair, enveloped in flames, was floating in the air. Alexis had once attended a tea party just to meet this woman, and her strong and beautiful appearance was instantly recognizable.

"I am Asaria Jill Spencer of the Spencer dukedom. I have come to assist the Modenes dukedom."

Asaria smiled slightly, bringing the strongest reinforcement.