Chapter 39

Before the alarm bells rang out in the village of Salehad, Akari's "Unstable Map and Detection" skill caught a sudden appearance of a large red group deep within the Alerdulia Mountains. Akari hurriedly called out to Zou and Dianthia, then circled around to the back of the cave to investigate the nature of the hostile reaction. And the three of them discovered it.

Amidst the lush green trees on the other side of the mountain, a horde of white, featureless beings and ice monsters moved aimlessly. Some were armored, others were naked.

"Descending to the village... is impossible," Dianthia said, her eyes on the monsters' advancing speed.

"In that case..."

Akari and Dianthia looked at Zou.

Zou sighed at the two pairs of eyes on him. Since they couldn't descend the mountain, they had no choice but to engage in a defensive battle on the mountain and then barricade themselves in the cave. If it were just Zou and Yukishiro, they might have been able to escape. They could return when the dust settled, and perhaps fewer people would know about him. But if there were survivors, they would end up opposing them, and his secret might be revealed. Then, ultimately, more trouble would come his way. Therefore, he couldn't leave the women behind and run away.

Not that he didn't have a calculating side. But more than that, he felt he should stay and fight. If he could have been a complete rationalist, these women wouldn't have existed in these mountains in the first place. In the end, he couldn't abandon his emotions. It was who he was, and he didn't mind it. Besides, where would he go if he fled from here? Would he run every time the monsters came? No, that was out of the question.

"Well, there's no choice. We'll meet them here," Zou said. Thus, Zou, Yukishiro, Akari, Dianthia, Marnia, and the other eight decided to engage in a siege battle, just like Ophia and her group. Dianthia and Akari let out a relieved sigh, but they immediately ran off to gather the "Attendants of the Moon Goddess."

Zou looked down at the swarming monsters. Beside him, Yukishiro landed silently, her weight barely noticeable.

"...Do you remember them?"

—Von

Looking at what Zou pointed to, Yukishiro growled, extremely displeased. Her tail stood straight and motionless. She remembered the ones who had left Zou bloodied before her eyes.

"Yeah, I do. That's why—"

Zou, Akari, and the "Attendants of the Moon Goddess" had gathered in the cave. All their belongings were moved inside, and preparations were complete. Zou looked around, thinking. The fortunate thing was that if they barricaded themselves in the cave, the monsters would only have one entrance. The unfortunate thing was that only Zou, Yukishiro, Akari, Dianthia, and a few others, including Marnia, could fight the monsters.

However, Yukishiro was not present at the moment.

"This time, it's likely to be an interception battle outside followed by a siege. Fortunately, the monsters are above us, so we can attack them unilaterally while we have the advantage of the terrain. Prioritize targeting the archer-type monsters. Since they are made of ice, stopping them with fire will be effective. This time of year, there's no risk of a fire spreading, so those who can use fire should do so without hesitation. In fact, if the fire spreads, it would be a bonus, as it would slow them down even more," Dianthia said, looking around. Everyone nodded.

"Once we lose the advantage of the terrain, retreat to this cave. Ann, Metti, Eise, Luise, and Olga, you will finish off the monsters from the rear with holy spirit magic. When our front-line holy spirit magic runs out, immediately replenish it. Do not come to the front; this time, we won't have the luxury to save you, even if you are noblewomen."

Dianthia gave instructions to the less combat-capable members, and the five called out nodded tensely.

"Akari and Marnia, please support the front line."

Akari and Marnia nodded. Then Dianthia looked at Zou.

Zou was wearing dark gray leather armor and the "Giant's Gloves," with a small ice warrior's shield tied to his arm and a kukri and a boomerang at his waist. At his feet were scattered throwing weapons he had somehow acquired.

"I'm sorry, but I need you, Kuro, to hold off the monsters entering the cave with Agatha, Rubina, and Guadalupe. If possible, that Ilneic spider too."

Dianthia looked at Zou, seemingly hoping for something from the invisible Yukishiro.

"It's Yukishiro. She'll do what she wants. That's all. I'll do my part, but don't count on me. After all, I'm just a temporary ten-star."

Dianthia stared at Zou for a while but then nodded in resignation. She decided not to rely too much on him; providing the cave was enough of a favor.

The head maid had said she was skilled, but Dianthia hadn't seen it for herself. Uncertain factors shouldn't be factored in.

"Well, I'll do what I can," Zou said, walking along the cave wall, touching it. Dianthia watched curiously as the cave wall began to narrow where he touched it. After a while, a passage that had been wide enough for two people had narrowed to one person's width. Zou exhaled.

"Is your magic power okay?" Dianthia asked, impressed by his lack of fatigue, which raised her estimation of him considerably.

Zou waved his hand and looked outside.

"No problem. Besides, this is more efficient than my magic power."

Zou thought for a moment that he had finally reached the level of the parent monster, recalling it briefly.

About ten minutes had passed since the discovery of the monsters. Zou and the others were outside, looking down at the monsters climbing the mountain. As the ice monsters passed, the trees froze and fell. A white wave was approaching, climbing the mountain. Dianthia shouted enthusiastically.

"Let's show the 'Attendants of the Moon Goddess' what we're made of. We weren't trained by the head maid for nothing!"

The other women shifted slightly, remembering the intense training.

Dianthia drew her short sword and pointed at the largest group.

Then she chanted.

≪Earth, split asunder≫

≪≪Earth, split asunder≫≫

After Dianthia's stern voice, nine voices joined in chorus. The ground split with a thud at what seemed to be the center of the group. The monsters, suddenly losing their footing, fell into the fissure.

"Simultaneous casting? How deep is it?"

Zou was surprised by the first time he saw a simultaneous casting of spirit magic. Spirit magic didn't require chanting, but it was easier to synchronize when casting in a group. The more synchronized, the more the earth spirits' synergy increased the power.

"It should be quite deep. Even so, they can still crawl out, so it's only a delay. Ideally, we'd use fire spirit magic, but as earthlings, we specialize in earth spirit affinity and aren't good with fire. Among the others, only one is skilled in fire spirit magic."

Dianthia looked at the commotion.

"Ha ha ha, it's burning!"

Marnia, at the end, was setting the forest on fire, seemingly in high spirits.

"...Is that 'Fire Happy'?"

Zou didn't know such a dangerous term, but Marnia looked genuinely delighted as she cast flames. Zou turned his gaze from Marnia to the fissure. The monsters were no longer falling but continued to advance, avoiding the fissure.

Crawling out and only delaying them, Zou muttered.

"Then, let's gather them and bury them."

Saying that, Zou transferred his magic power to the earth spirits. It was more efficient to use the existing earth than to create earth from nothing. The surrounding earth flowed together, and the fissure was quickly filled.

"This should keep them out for a while."

Saying that, Zou headed toward Marnia. Dianthia was speechless. Even though it was just a third-level spell, to fill a fissure created by ten people alone was impressive. While it wasn't simply gathering earth, it was clear that Zou's magic power was far beyond that of a typical magic soldier, considering he was still combat-ready.

Marnia's flames were melting the monsters. Those that couldn't move were writhing like caterpillars. Zou picked up fist-sized stones scattered around and imbued them with holy spirit magic. Holy spirit magic was more efficient when imbued than used alone. He threw the imbued stones at the immobilized monsters before they could recover. The stones, flying like arrows, buried themselves in the monsters' faces and quickly vanished due to the holy spirit magic. Zou kept throwing stones, one after another.

Dianthia watched, wondering who he was, but then realized it wasn't the time for that and drew her bow.

"Use all your arrows! Imbue them with holy spirit magic and shoot them!"

Arrows pierced the advancing monsters, freezing the mountain. Although she couldn't shoot as quickly as she imbued them, the monsters kept falling and vanishing.

"Out of arrows!"

"Me too!"

Within an hour, the arrows were depleted, and the monsters were closing in. Dianthia fired her last arrow.

"No choice, we're retreating!"

She shouted, turning her bow around. Zou, hearing her, made his final move. Three earth clumps, each about his height in diameter, sat before him. He had placed rocks of a manageable size at the cliff's edge, coated them with earth spirit magic, compressed them, and added spikes. He imbued each with holy spirit magic and, with a forceful push, sent them over the cliff.

"Un!"

He did this three times. The compressed earth clumps rolled down, crushing and slicing the monsters as they fell.

"Phew, that was tough."

Wiping the sweat from his forehead, Zou returned to the cave.

"Is your magic power okay?"

Akari asked, exasperated. She would have been drained by now.

"Probably below half, but I can't quantify it."

If Akari were a typical magic soldier, Zou would have about five times her magic power. It wasn't abnormal, but it wasn't exactly normal either.

Akari looked away, thinking, "I worked hard on magic too."

"Maybe it's because you're small, so it's harder to increase your magic power."

"Small? I'm not small! What are you looking at?"

Zou's gaze was on Akari's modest chest, now covered by a white chest plate.

Zou patted Akari's shoulder and went deeper into the cave.

"Don't try to comfort me!"

Akari chased after Zou, steam almost rising from her. Dianthia, watching them with a slight smile, sealed the cave entrance with earth, creating multiple walls instead of burying it. It might be useless against monsters that could detect magic, but she hoped they might pass by. If the walls were breached, it would be better than being attacked from all sides, so she didn't completely seal the cave.

"Here we go. Once we clear the bottom, Lady Ophia will likely come to help. Let's hold out until then."

Dianthia's words made Zou frown slightly.

"Are you hurt?"

Akari looked worried, but Zou shook his head.

"...Ah, they're here."

Almost without thinking, Dianthia was the first to sense it. The sound of earth being dug.

Zou sighed and picked up a short spear.

"What's the tip made of, not iron?"

Marnia, who had noticed, asked.

"It's the tusk of an ice-dwelling white bear."

It resembled a narwhal tusk but was about thirty centimeters long, white, with a shallow twist, harder and denser, and sharper.

"...I've never heard of such a monster."

"It's a scavenger from the far north that eats ancient creatures frozen in glaciers. I don't know why it's here, but it's an excellent weapon against ice monsters."

Dianthia explained. Zou couldn't explain, as it was a monster left by the parent monster.

"Hey, Zou, you use a spear?"

Akari asked.

"Come to think of it, I didn't use one here. When I went to the village, I learned a little from Irida."

"From Irida?"

"From Irida Bargain?"

Zou shrugged.

"But just one."

Well, Zou headed to the cave entrance with the spear.

"Let's do shifts. Switch when you get tired."

"I'll go first."

"Let me see how far I can go. You seem to have a better view of things. We might have to retreat, so be prepared."

Saying that, Zou waited halfway into the cave. Akari followed.

"I'll support you."

Looking back, Dianthia was watching them.

"Hey, you forgot to imbue the spear with holy spirit magic."

Akari imbued Zou's short spear with holy spirit magic.

"Ah, sorry."

This was Zou's second confrontation. He seemed nervous.

The first time, his jaw and both arms were shattered.

This time, it wouldn't happen.

He braced his trembling legs and clenched his teeth.

Finally, the earth wall was breached, and a white monster appeared. In that instant, Zou's short spear drew a white trajectory. When the spear was pulled back, the monster, its face torn, was already collapsing. Irida had only taught him how to thrust. He repeated it as usual, imagining an enemy in front of him. Without a moment to breathe, more monsters broke through the earth wall and approached Zou. There was no time to feel the fear from the first encounter. He thrust his spear as usual. Occasionally, a shield-wielding monster deflected the first thrust, but repeated thrusts caused it to collapse. Zou felt fatigue in his arms, unsure how many he had eliminated.

"Switch!"

At the sound, Akari stepped forward and cast fire at the monsters entering the cave. Zou, without looking, passed by Akari and switched with Dianthia.

"Good job. You can handle the front line."

"Wait, if you can use the spear, do so. It can melt them like butter."

Dianthia looked at Zou and the spear.

"...I'll borrow it."

Taking the spear, Dianthia stepped in front of Akari.

"Others, use it if you want. You can break the handle, but bring back the tip at all costs."

Zou smiled and looked at the remaining women.

"I'll borrow it."

"I'm fine, I prefer an axe."

They chatted, showing no signs of despair yet.

"Do as you please. I'm tired, so I'm going to sleep. Wake me up one shift before my turn."

Zou said and promptly fell asleep.

Later, Zou was woken up, and the shifts repeated two, three, four times. By the tenth time, the women were clearly fatigued. Some slept, others ate food made by the rear guard, and some, though tired, couldn't sleep due to tension. The short naps between battles were not enough rest. Zou was now at the cave entrance, repeatedly thrusting his spear into the monsters. Even though it was repetitive, fatigue was accumulating. One mistake could mean instant death, so he couldn't let his guard down. Zou glanced back.

Everyone except Dianthia was quite fatigued, and some were injured, though not severely. It was only a matter of time.

"We're short on numbers!"

He thrust his spear, but it deflected.

A spear-wielding monster thrust at him.

"Ugh!"

He deflected it with his arm shield, but the force knocked him off balance. A follow-up thrust.

But before it could land, the monster's face was torn off. Zou quickly thrust his short spear into it. As the monster started to collapse, it was slammed into the side wall, and something heavy pressed against Zou.

White fur with black spots filled Zou's vision.

The momentum of the monsters entering the cave was also beginning to wane.