kscans

Chapter 33 - The Evil Spirits' Assault

"And then, Papa, I took down the stampede’s boss monster with a magic bullet I fired."

"W, wow, that’s amazing."

"Bayonet, step away a little. You’re troubling Sensei."

"That’s right. Dareth-sama is tired, so let’s not be so clingy."

A few hours after I had repaired the Shinket, we were all taking a break in the forge. We sipped our tea and got lost in stories of the past. Bayonet was clinging to me relentlessly, so Militar and Iz were constantly peeling her off. As we talked, I was struck by how long fifteen years truly is. Their childishness was gone, and they had all grown into adult women. Watching them grow up felt like watching my own children, which made me happy, but also a little lonely.

"Sensei, please listen to my story next."

"No, Militar-san. It is my turn next."

"I want to talk to Papa more too."

Yet, the expressions they showed from time to time were still those of children. Fifteen years had passed since we first met, but they treated me just as they always had. I didn't need to think hard to understand how precious that was.

...I really am a lucky man.

I was sipping my tea, thinking this quietly to myself, when it happened.

"This is terrible! The Royal Palace is under attack! Grab your weapons!"

"Help! There are monsters like black shadows everywhere... Kyaaaah!"

"Put out the fire first! Is there anyone who can use water magic!? At this rate, the whole palace will be engulfed in flames!"

Suddenly, it grew noisy outside. The sounds of angry shouts, screams, and an impact like the rumbling of the earth reached us. A high-pitched metallic clang, likely an alarm bell, was ringing out. Something was clearly wrong.

"W, what is it!?"

"Everyone, let’s go see!"

We hurried outside, and the sight left me speechless. People were fleeing in terror, soldiers lay wounded, and the Royal Palace was in ruins. It was as if a horde of the Demon Race had attacked.

"W, what is this... It’s complete chaos..."

""H, horrible...""

This was a catastrophe. What in the world had happened? Mysterious black shadows floated in the air. Did they do this? The moment I thought that, countless black shadows swooped down to attack.

"Whoa! W, what are these things!?"

"Sensei, please stand back! Shinma, draw!"

The instant Militar drew her sword, the Shinma began to glow. Its blade transformed from a jet black like the depths of darkness to a powerful, pure white reminiscent of the sun. W, what just happened... I see, so that’s what happens when she uses it.

"Dance of Godspeed!"

In the blink of an eye, Militar vanished.

[AAAAAAH!]

And in the next moment, dozens of black shadows burst apart with death cries. Militar hadn't disappeared. She was slicing through the enemy at superhuman speed.

"!"

Iz cast a spell without an incantation. An endless barrage of light rays erupted from the gem of her Daiwand, striking the black shadows at tremendous speed. Any shadow hit by the rays vanished without a trace, like dust.

"Rapid Fire!"

Bayonet, holding her Shinket, shot down the black shadows one after another without a single miss. It was a continuous stream of attacks without ever needing to reload. In less than five minutes, all the nearby black shadows were annihilated.

"Wow, you’re all incredible. There were so many, but you defeated them in an instant."

"However, we cannot let our guard down yet. There should be more."

"I agree. The extent of the damage suggests as much."

"This is a pretty bad situation."

The black shadows appeared one after another. As the girls looked around with grim expressions, soldiers and corps members came running over in a panic. Their arms and legs were bleeding, and their bodies were covered in mud and soot.

"Legion Commander! Are you unharmed! Dareth-dono and Iz-dono too!"

"The Royal Palace is under attack! The damage is severe!"

"Captain! The entire Musketeer Corps has assembled!"

Upon hearing their reports, Militar and the others began giving orders efficiently.

"Form squads of five and guide the swift evacuation of all non-combatants! Take out the black shadows individually! Do not worry about Her Majesty the Queen! I will go to her!"

""Yes, ma’am!""

The soldiers formed groups of five and headed toward the Royal Palace.

"Everyone else, focus on eliminating the black shadows! Assume a fish-scale formation!"

""Yes, ma’am!""

At Bayonet’s command, the corps members formed a line that resembled the scales of a fish. They aimed their barrels at the sky.

"Don’t hit our allies! Fire!"

A volley of bullets was unleashed, piercing the black shadows. They didn't seem to be magic bullets like Bayonet's, but firing in a dense formation must have multiplied their power. As expected of the Legion Commander and the captain of the Musketeer Corps.

"I will check on Her Majesty the Queen! !"

When Iz cast the spell, a hexagonal mirror appeared before us. The surface of the mirror rippled for a moment, then settled to show Her Majesty.

""Your Majesty, are you unharmed!?""

"I am fine. I gave the insolent fools who tried to attack me a thorough thrashing with my whip."

In the background, tattered black shadows were disappearing. It seems Her Majesty the Queen is indeed a very strong person. Militar spoke on our behalf.

"What are those black shadows? We have never seen such an enemy before."

"Those are the evil spirits that attacked the Grossa Kingdom in the past. It is likely that the Calamity, which was stored in a hidden room in the Royal Palace, was destroyed by someone. We are currently searching for the culprit."

""E, evil spirits!?""

We couldn't hide our shock at Her Majesty’s words. Those black shadows were evil spirits... Are you serious? This situation seems even more dangerous than I thought.

"Your Majesty, what must we do to completely vanquish the evil spirits? We are attempting to defeat them individually."

"Yes. Unless the sword that sealed them is repaired, they will continue to be reborn indefinitely. That is why, Dareth, I want you to repair the Calamity."

"Uh... Me?"

The Calamity was said to have been forged by a legendary master craftsman. I never imagined I would be asked to repair such a sword. Her Majesty the Queen nodded silently, her expression serious.

"There is no blacksmith in this kingdom who surpasses you. Only you can do it. I ask you, save our country."

"I understand... I will repair it, no matter what."

After answering, I happened to look down at my hands. They were covered in calluses and rough, not what you would call beautiful by any stretch. As always, the hands of an old man were there. But they were the result of many long years of work.

...So the future of the kingdom rests in these hands.

Steeling my resolve, I clenched my fists tightly.