Chapter 85
Side: Abe McMillan
Now then… I observed the approaching beastmen before me.
This is the Minnegan Plain—the final bastion of resistance for the Elven tribe dwelling in this forest.
From the beginning, what we are about to embark on will be a battle of annihilation.
The adversaries have evolved their races and possess forces equivalent to a major power.
To think that over ten S-rank level forces exist in such a remote area is nothing short of a bad joke.
Nevertheless, at this checkpoint that is far away… S-rank and A-rank forces are probably not stationed here.
We will spectacularly capture the checkpoint, only to be defeated by the reinforcements that will arrive later.
And if all goes well, we will reclaim the princess in the thinly guarded capital.
「Abe, the preparations for ritual magic are complete.」
「Hmm. We’ll be done for if they close the distance… That’s why.」
Since earlier, we have been preparing an extensive attack magic passed down by the Elven tribe.
A ritual magic performed by 200 mages, with the target being the checkpoint.
Naturally, a massive amount of magic power will flow into the atmosphere.
Despite being more on the brutish side, they would certainly sense our movements.
They want to engage us in close combat before we unleash our ritual magic.
Thus, the moment they sensed our attack, the beastmen poured out from the checkpoint all at once.
「As for close combat—of course, we won’t allow it.」
The magic formation drawn on the ground.
Everyone stood on it, with me at the center.
「But you guys… your manipulation of magical power is quite crude…」
「Compared to you, Abe, our spell formations… are akin to that of infants.」
「In that case, shall I handle the finishing touches?」
In the adventurers’ guild, I’m considered A-rank.
Or rather, I used to travel around as an A-rank adventurer to gain worldly experience.
「As expected of Master Abe. With such a refined manipulation of magical energy heightened by ritual magic…」
「Your spell formations are really quite crude… At this rate, we won’t make it in time. The beastmen will reach us.」
「No, we are adhering to the practices of ritual magic passed down by the Elves…」
「That’s why I’m saying it’s crude. Let me just rewrite the spell formations a bit.」
Let’s see… I examined the magical formation constructed in the atmosphere.
Hmm, as expected of a spell passed down through the ages.
It’s crude but complex and highly refined.
「But still… it’s not quite… beautiful.」
With that, I began to overwrite the magical script.
「With this, the spell construction speed is at 130%.」
「Truly, you are the sage of the forest… Master Abe MacMillan. Your power, hailed as the pride of the Elven tribe… is far more magnificent than what I’ve heard.」
「Well, I am a genius after all.」
「Haha, it’s frustrating that even when you say it yourself, it doesn’t sound arrogant. However…」
In front of us, the horde of beastmen is closing in.
The distance between us and them is less than 100 meters.
「In a few seconds, the vanguard of the magic formation will be breached. Then, both the constructed spell and the accumulated magic will scatter.」
At that moment, I smirked.
「It’s intentional.」
「…?」
「It’s more effective to draw them in until the last moment. Then, precisely at that moment, we rewrite the spell.」
As the scouts of the beastmen were about to breach our formation—
「Inferno of the Elements (Mahagaia)!」
The ritual magic, a trademark of the Elven tribe, exploded.
Violent light enveloped the surroundings, dazzling even us, the casters.
And a deafening roar echoed, almost rupturing our eardrums.
It’s a grand magic that incinerates 120 degrees in front of our formation in a fan shape.
It’s a grand magic wielded by an S-rank level super mage in adventurer terms, and facing it head-on is no joke even for ordinary folks.
And as the smoke of the explosion cleared—
「Impossible…?」
The Beastmen that were about to breach our formation indeed turned into ashes.
However, despite being hit head-on, only 10% of them were annihilated.
We only blew away some of the scouts.
「Why are they concentrating their main force at a mere checkpoint?」
They have 12 S-rank and several times that number in A-rank.
Even with a grand magic, it’s impossible to finish them off in one strike.
But… the fact remains that about 90% of their forces are still alive, with over 50 members remaining.
They couldn’t escape unscathed, it seems, but…
「Could it be they gathered officers who have undergone artificial evolution…?」
Most of the survivors are around B-rank, barely clinging to life.
But… except for me, our forces are at best C-rank.
Though seasoned warriors, our strength is incomparable.
「It’s like a repeat from nine years ago.」
I shrugged my shoulders at the man standing beside me, as if to say, “There’s nothing more we can do.”
「Well, anyway, this is just a futile battle that showcases our pride.」
「If this resistance can contribute even a little to improving the situation for the future generations of Elves, well… that would be enough.」
「If we can show the Beastmen that we are a people with fangs…」
「Yes, if we handle them too roughly, they might not let it slide. But for that… even if it means facing a futile battle, we need to make them suffer a bit more…」
Well, there’s no helping it now.
「Prepare for melee combat. There’s no other way than to fight to the end here.」
Elves primarily rely on magic and bows.
They specialize in fighting in the forest, using tricky attacks with trees.
But fighting in an open field like this, they need to inflict devastating blows on the enemy right from the start, even if it doesn’t lead to a complete wipeout with area-of-effect magic.
And in this case… we stumbled right at the crucial first step.
「It’s more like being trampled than fighting to the death.」
The man said with a resigned expression.
「Well, I am never going to die anyway.」
「You mean, on that day nine years ago, you couldn’t die with your brethren.」
「Yes. I didn’t die when I should have. But if I died trying to save the princess, just like what should have happened that day nine years ago, then… in Valhalla…… I’m sure my former comrades will forgive me.」
With that, the group that had been waiting behind the blown-away scouts surged forward like a wave.
The distance between us and them is less than 100 meters.
Yes, each one of them has the eyes of a literal beast.
Truly fitting for the grim reaper who announces the end of my life like a yakuza.
「Now, it’s the final battle.」
「Yes, let’s go down together.」
The man, the Crown Prince of the Elves and the overall commander of this battlefield, shouted with all his might.
「One kill per person! Overcome individual differences in strength with determination and resolve! Let’s strive together so the heroes of Valhalla won’t laugh at us!」
The entire army erupted with enthusiasm.
「But Crown Prince, determination won’t bridge the gap in strength, will it?」
「I know. However, if we must die, let’s die bravely and gallantly. If that’s the case, we need to resort to desperate measures.」
「Yes, that’s also true.」
As I said, the difference in individual strength is clear.
At this rate, we’ll be trampled without achieving much.
However, the battle results are a bit too meager.
We’ll be laughed at in Valhalla.
Hmm… I surveyed the more than fifty Beastmen approaching, assessing the final difference in strength.
The disparity in individual strengths is too great, and in a chaotic melee where the Elves’ strengths are nullified… there’s hardly any advantage for us.
However, they are not invincible either.
From the looks of it, even the ones equivalent to B-rank are in a heavily injured state from the previous attack…
Even if we can’t handle those of A-rank or S-rank, if we could unleash Mahagaia (Extreme Flame) once more, we could sweep away those around B-rank level…
And so, the Crown Prince raises his sword high, attempting to give the final command to the entire army.
「All forces, charge—」
At that moment, a girl with light blue hair wearing a white hood interjects between the two armies.
「Golden Roar (Dragon Genocide).」
The light, almost equal to the one we used with Mahagaia, if not greater, envelops the entire area.
And once again, the deafening roar resounds, even louder than before.
After the violence of light and sound subsides, I am left speechless.
「Th-This is… Dragon Magic, isn’t it?」
「We’ve wiped out all the small fry. Lute.」
「However, enduring the Golden Roar… They’re something else, huh?」
A boy with black hair, who has appeared next to the girl with light blue hair, continues with a cool expression.
「It seems there are about ten left equivalent to A-rank. Three equivalent to S-rank…」
The boy then lightly taps the girl with light blue hair on the shoulder.
「Lilith. I’ll take care of anyone S-rank or higher without fail.」
「Understood.」
「If I happen to miss an A-rank and you’re about to be overwhelmed by multiple enemies, collaborate with the old man over there to deal with them.」
With that, the girl called Lilith nods towards me.
「…In the end, it came to this.」
Then, the boy advances calmly towards the cream of the crop among the Beastmen.
「Hey, the kid over there…? Alone… you’re planning to face that force, including S-ranks, by yourself?」
「Yeah, that’s the plan. If I miss any, work with Lilith to take them down. A few A-ranks should be easy for you guys.」
At first glance, it seems they’ve discerned my strength.
However, the boy’s aura and killing intent—it seems bottomless.
I’ve traveled the world to broaden my horizons, but I haven’t encountered something like this since meeting with the Dragon King…
「Kid? Who… exactly are you?」
As the boy heads towards the group of Beastmen, he waves his hand behind him and says,
「Lute McLane… I’m just a villager.」
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