kscans

Chapter 189 - Nations in Distress

The Republic.

The Royal Capital.

The Throne Room.

The Guild Master and Captain Bradamante stood before King Lustolfo.

"Thank you for your hard work in this battle," Lustolfo began. "I apologize for the immediacy, but how did the fight against the monsters go?"

To this, the Guild Master replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. In battle, they displayed coordinated movements. There are clearly high-rank monsters among them. Several of them, in fact."

"Oh? Several, you say? Do you have evidence for this claim?" Lustolfo asked, his interest piqued.

"We confirmed the presence of a Muay Thai Kong among the monsters at the rear," the Guild Master said. "Two of them, to be precise."

Bradamante added, her expression grim, "I can confirm this as well. It seemed less like they were commanding and more like they were observing. It’s likely that the Muay Thai Kongs are serving as captains."

Lustolfo buried his face in his hands. "Hmph. High-rank monsters as captains… I wish this were some kind of sick joke."

High-rank monsters were not only powerful but also held absolute command over their own kind. They could even command other species if they demonstrated their strength. And such a creature was merely a captain? Not even a commander?

That could only mean one thing: there was a monster even stronger than a Muay Thai Kong.

"Currently, there are many injured among the adventurers, but most are minor wounds," the Guild Master reported. "A few were surrounded by monsters and sustained serious injuries, but their lives are not in danger."

Bradamante followed up. "The Knightly Order and the soldiers also have injuries, but all are minor. However, several were poisoned by Anacondas and will require some time before they can return to the front lines."

During the battle, the Guild Master had led the initial charge. Carried away by the momentum, a few reckless fools had broken formation and charged ahead. They ignored the Guild Master’s orders and attempted a flanking maneuver, only to run headfirst into what could be called the monsters’ second wave.

They fought valiantly but were surrounded and in a desperate situation. A rescue party led by the Guild Master managed to save them, narrowly avoiding any fatalities. The soldiers formed a defensive line to hold off the pursuing monsters, but the attack was fierce, and it was only a matter of time before they were overrun. They were saved by covering fire from the adventurer mages and archers in the rear.

Under Bradamante’s command, the Knightly Order engaged only the monsters that came directly at them. In the midst of the fierce battle, they were caught off guard by Anacondas slithering in. Several knights fell victim to the poison. Fortunately, Bradamante was nearby and annihilated the Anacondas, minimizing the casualties.

This fighting continued past noon when, suddenly, the monsters vanished back into the forest. Had they retreated? A reconnaissance party of soldiers and adventurers was sent to investigate. A short while later, only one heavily injured adventurer returned.

His breath ragged, he gasped, "R-report… The monsters… are encamped… in the forest… The others… were… killed…"

With those final words, he died. It was proof that this battle was far from over.

The soldiers and adventurers immediately formed a defensive line in front of the gate, establishing rotating shifts to be ready for an attack at any time.

After hearing these reports, Lustolfo asked, "I see. So it is not yet over. Guild Master, I would like your assessment. Do we have a chance of victory?"

To this serious question, the Guild Master replied, his teeth clenched in frustration, "It pains me to say this, Your Majesty, but… I do not know. We haven’t seen the being commanding the monsters, and there are reports of Skeletons. This is an unprecedented situation. All I can think to do is devote ourselves to defense."

Bradamante added, "I am of the same opinion."

"I see. My apologies. Forget I asked," Lustolfo said, changing the subject. "By the way, how were the guards dispatched by the nobles? Were they of any use?"

At this, the faces of the two commanders darkened. Lustolfo understood immediately.

The Guild Master spoke frankly. "To be honest, Your Majesty… they were useless."

His face was a picture of exasperation. According to his report, before the battle began, those men had swaggered around, saying things like:

"What’s this? Are there adventurers here too? The capital must be seriously short-staffed."

"Indeed. To think we have to fight alongside such rabble. We could have handled this ourselves."

None of the soldiers, adventurers, or even the knights bothered to argue with these clueless fools. They were conserving their energy. And it was these very men who were the reckless fools mentioned earlier. While one might wish them dead, they were still allies, and a life is a life. Abandoning them would leave a bad taste in one’s mouth.

After the rescue, they had the gall to shout, "What were you doing?! Letting me get injured, you incompetents!"

"Ouch… Indeed! There’s a limit to laziness!"

The rest spouted similar nonsense. They were so annoying that they were given a special sleeping potion. They won’t wake up unless given the antidote.

Lustolfo rubbed his temples. "I’ve caused you trouble. I will inform their masters that their guards were seriously injured and unable to return to the front."

Both commanders bowed deeply. At that moment, all three of them had the same thought: Why on earth were people like that chosen to represent the guards?

Incidentally, these guards had received combat training, but only enough to pass the beginner level. During actual guard duty, they left everything to the soldiers they brought from their own domains and "commanded" from the rear—which was really just them slacking off. It would be one thing if it were just one of them, but all the guards sent this time were slackers. What were their masters thinking, sending them as representatives? The most likely explanation was a shallow thought along the lines of, "They have excellent records, so they should be fine."


Saint’s Church.

At the garrison, in a room large enough for twenty people, five figures stood around a table with no chairs. They were the four captains who led the various knightly orders and Pope Altorine.

An elderly captain reported, "The group of Anacondas that infiltrated the warehouse district has been repelled. We managed to drive several of them outside. However, three of our own were poisoned. Their treatment is complete, but it will take time for them to move. We are currently prioritizing the repair of the walls."

"Thank you for your hard work," Altorine said. "Please ensure that those working on the repairs do not overexert themselves."

The captain saluted.

A female knight captain in her thirties spoke next. "A report from the main gate. The monsters have begun to move in unison, but it is only groups of Goblins, Slimes, and Bears. The others have not moved. Casualties among the adventurers are in the dozens, all with minor injuries, and they are still able to fight. The same goes for the knights. Additionally, we have reports of Rock Wolves among the wolves we have confirmed."

At this, a silver-haired captain interjected, "Rock Wolves? Those high-rank monsters? But they are native to the Empire. Could it be a mistake?"

Everyone except Altorine and the female knight captain nodded in agreement. Why would a high-rank monster from the Empire be here? If it had come in search of food, the border guards would have reported it.

The female knight insisted, her voice a little uncertain, "B-but, I am certain it was a Rock Wolf. I confirmed it with the monster list that was circulated at the Adventurer's Guild…"

Altorine cut in. "This entire situation is abnormal. There is no point in applying common sense to it now. We must always assume the worst. Otherwise, we will be annihilated."

At the Pope’s declaration, all the captains present bowed their heads. This gesture alone was a testament to the respect Altorine commanded.

The elderly captain asked, "Then, Your Holiness… is it possible there are other high-rank monsters?"

To the question he didn’t want to ask, Altorine replied, "We should assume there are. What we must do is prevent any further intrusion into the city. We must hold out until the monsters have completely withdrawn."

Her face was grim.

The captains looked as if they wanted to say something, but they remained silent. They could not think of a better plan than Altorine’s, and even if they managed to defeat all the high-rank monsters, they had a feeling it still wouldn’t be over.


Empire.

The Royal Capital.

The Throne Room.

Emperor Yorune was receiving a report from Captain Magnes of the Knightly Order.

"So, to summarize," Yorune said, "casualties among the adventurers, soldiers, and knights are minor. No other significant incidents have occurred. The attacking monsters were only groups of Goblins and Wolves, and the few high-rank Great Ogres at the rear were merely observing."

It was a puzzling report.

Magnes felt the same way. The lack of damage was too suspicious. He could feel someone’s intent behind it.

"With all due respect, Your Majesty," Magnes said, "I find the Guild Master suspicious."

"I share your opinion on that matter," Yorune replied, his face weary. "However, we have no proof. We can only wait for him to slip up."

Honestly, the matter of the Guild Master was trivial. He could be dealt with at any time. Right now, they had to deal with the monsters and wait for good news from the border.

"Do not worry, Your Majesty," Magnes said, smiling with pride. "My father will see it through. After all, he is the one who defeated that giant monster."

Yorune could only offer a wry smile. The truth of that day was a secret known only to those involved. He had to keep it hidden, even from his own son.

"You are right," Yorune said, looking at the moon shining through the window. "The general, along with the people at the base, will surely overcome this situation."

He had a feeling that the general, and especially those two, would manage somehow.