Chapter 5

This is the third update of the day.

Bar is strolling through the second-class area of the imperial capital.

During this time, a large flock of bird-like monsters approaches the imperial capital, and the guards finally discover them.

"Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang, Clang"

The bell is quickly rung three times, then once, and then three times again.

This is to inform the imperial capital that the enemy is approaching rapidly and to request the deployment of the Imperial Knights, who are responsible for defending the capital.

"It's an alarm. How many years has it been?"

The older residents, though looking uneasy, head home quickly as per regulations.

"Mom, what's this?"

A small child, hearing the alarm for the first time and not understanding it, asks the mother holding her hand.

"It's telling us to go home because it might be dangerous."

"Huh?"

The child looked dissatisfied but, sensing something from the mother's stern expression, did not complain.

"It's okay if we stay home. There are knights here, and there's a great person named Hachigami Ki."

The mother's voice, filled with trust, finally calms the child a little.

However, they still hurried home.

Meanwhile, the First and Second Divisions of the Imperial Knights are already in their designated positions.

"The enemy consists of about 2,000 gargoyles."

"2,000 gargoyles? They wouldn't gather naturally. Who's attacking?"

The commander of the First Division mutters to the lookout.

"2,000 gargoyles, we can handle them, but the second and third waves are the problem."

They are proud of being the elite of the strongest nation and are confident they can match the gargoyles.

Still, they must be prepared for casualties, and it would be troublesome if they were targeted by fresh forces while fatigued.

"Should we request Hachigami Ki to deploy?"

One of the subordinates asks with a serious face.

They have no silly pride about "defending the capital being their job."

They are taught that the important thing is the result of protecting it.

"We have already sent a messenger to His Majesty. He will arrive soon."

The commander of the First Division answered immediately.

Unfortunately, they are not aware that only one of the Hachigami Ki remains.

Their movements are classified, but the current situation is not favorable.

"First, we must prevent them from breaking through the walls. Second, take care of your own lives. There's no need to annihilate the enemy. Hold out until Hachigami Ki arrives."

The knights respond bravely to the commander's words.

The existence of Hachigami Ki is a fundamental part of their tactics, and no one doubts it.

Gargoyles are bird-like monsters with stone skin.

They can fly and are impervious to ordinary weapons, making them formidable enemies.

However, this is based on general standards. If they had a large number of anti-aircraft weapons and magicians skilled in offensive magic, the situation would be different.

The knights defending the imperial capital have both.

One of the conditions to become a regular knight of the empire is the ability to use both offensive and healing magic.

They are also trained in close combat and group tactics.

When the commander said they would not be outmatched by gargoyles, it was not just bravado but based on solid grounds.

The gargoyles gather in the south and west of the imperial capital, making threatening sounds to the people below.

With 2,000 of them, they are a terrifying and eerie presence to the civilians who know nothing of combat.

The moment the gargoyles lower their altitude to attack, the sky they occupy suddenly lights up.

In the next instant, the gargoyles vanish.

The knights looking up at the sky react in two ways.

"What, what just happened?"

"I thought it suddenly lit up."

Those who couldn't understand what happened and those who did.

"It's the War God. It's the Light War God Bartholomew."

"Only Bartholomew could release light that annihilates 2,000 gargoyles in an instant."

They praise Bartholomew with expressions of joy.

"Was that Bartholomew? I didn't see it."

The knights who saw it for the first time are stunned and ask the commander.

"Did you see it, Commander?"

"No, I didn't see anything... I don't even know where the attack came from... It was probably somewhere in the imperial capital..."

The commander's voice is filled with awe.

"The Light War God, who annihilates enemies with god-like speed, and the legend that most people can't even see the battle... Is it true?"

"You're missing the 'sama' (honorific)."

A senior knight scolds one of the stunned knights.

Bartholomew of the Hachigami Ki is famous in many ways.

"It seems the rumor that Hachigami Ki is the strongest is true."

"Hachigami Ki the strongest? Isn't it the strongest on earth?"

The knights, now more at ease, start chatting.

The person who reawakened the legend stands in the second-class area, calmly observing the surroundings.

(No counterattack. Was the purpose to lightly check the remaining forces in the capital?)

I'll keep my guard up for now.

A familiar acquaintance timidly comes out and scolds him.

"Hey, Bar. You shouldn't be outside when the alarm is ringing."

"Sorry, sorry. I was too slow to escape."

Bar shows a pitiful attitude, not at all like a hero who just saved the capital.

The acquaintance, not realizing that the man in front of him is actually Hachigami Ki, looks exasperated.

"Really, you're as clumsy as ever, Bar."

"Haha, I'm ashamed."

He laughs and tries to cover up the exasperation from his neighbor.