A dazzling light illuminated the night sky. Fierce winds were wreaking havoc across the sky like a raging storm.
Amidst such a sight, the wind spirit, Alya could be seen in the epicentre. She had used wind spirit arts to stabilize herself midair, also reducing the air pressure.
Soft strands of her long green hair were billowing like threads. But Alya wasn't complacent with just that.
She slowly extended her hand, and energy began to converge and took shape into several spears.
With a piercing sound, they shot off towards the demonic dragon as a streak of emerald and closed the distance, stabbing into its flesh and exploding upon contact.
The demonic dragon screeched in pain as it was bathed in flames. But suddenly, Its presence grew abruptly as a breath was fired back from within the centre of the explosion, it closed in on Alya's figure with devastating power.
"Hmph."
With a snap of her finger, a tremendous windstorm took form horizontally, while maintaining its natural form. Such a thing would be considered impossible under the laws of physics.
But Alya had used wind spirit arts and swallowed the approaching breath. Explosions thundered and heated winds rage across the night sky continuously.
"… Guh."
Katsumi reflexively covered her face with her hand as an intense wind blew, sending dust and debris everywhere.
"Just what kind of battle is that?"
She swallowed her breath as she turned her gazed towards the turbulent sky. Even now, explosions were blooming constantly. The loud booms making her ears sting.
It was clear that it was a battle of unimaginable magnitude. However, Alya's body was clad in an ethereal green spiritual aura as she hovered midair. Despite coming out of it unscathed, Alya's brow was furrowed into a faint frown.
Despite taking all of her attacks head on, the demonic dragon was still going strong. Its massive body that was clad in thunderstorm as it moved smoothly through the air at a tremendous speed.
(This thing… It hadn't suffered any significant damage at all.)
Indeed, the demonic dragon was similarly unharmed from the intense clash of powers just now. Its entire body was completely encased in a tremendous vortex of wind as murky miasma trailed its form.
"Dragons all have high resistance towards magical attacks. The effects of their resistance also vary depend on how much dragon essence they had inherited. Ugh, how annoying."
Alya was naturally unhappy about this and heaved a sigh of irritation. The serpent was a Greater dragon, among the highest class of dragons only inferior to superior dragons and true dragons.
In order to deal any meaningful damage to this dragon she would have to use attacks that its inherently high magic resistance cannot ignore. However—
"My current reserve of energy probably won't hold out for long."
As a spirit Alya is able to draw magical energy from her contractor, Haruto. But since he wasn't within the needed range the connection between them were weak.
If she wanted to, she could use the mana within the atmosphere, but there was a huge difference between mana and spirit energy also known as spiriurem.
And while she could easily convert mana into spiriurem, the process of absorbing ambient mana and converting it into energy to use was one that took delicate time. To attempt such a thing would be foolish in the midst of battle.
While Alya did in fact have the tendency to be playful mid-battle, she wasn't reckless enough to allow herself to be distracted and exposed herself enough for the demonic dragon to exploit her openings.
Alya shifted her gaze from the serpent and stared off into the distance.
Within her beautiful emerald eyes reflected the vast mountain range that extended beyond, it was currently shrouded in darkness of the night.
She could not sense Haruto's exact location through their connection as the link between their souls was too thin, but she had a feeling he wasn't that far away.
But at this distance she was cut off from her energy channel and had no choice but to use the amount she had on hand.
Her affinity with this particular greater dragon was also the worst. Both could manipulate wind and alter the weather. Both could also generate lightning through their affinity with wind.
Alya could also use other attacks by converting her elemental attacks into raw energy, but that didn't give Alya an advantage.
Both of their specialty attacks were ineffective against both sides as well.
In a frontal confrontation it would only result in a drawn out back and forth and she didn't have the energy to be stalling for time.
(I have no choice… If mental communication isn't available, then the only option left is...)
Without a single delay, Alya aimed her hand skyward and spiritual energy gathered into her palm, without any warning she shot a beam of green light as a pillar straight into the starless, night sky as a signal.
Although she didn't know whether Haruto or Nikita would notice from their current distance, she knew she had to at least supress the demonic dragon and prevent any unnecessary collateral damage to the city. She had no obligation to do so, but she knew that was what Haruto would've wanted. And so...
"Right, I must do my best in Haruto's absence."
As if to adjust her mindset, Alya smacked her cheeks and pumped herself up, her lips blooming into a bewitching smile.
ROOOOAAAR!
The demonic dragon glared at Alya, perhaps it was equally annoyed the tiny ant-like human girl it was facing was similarly unaffected by its breath attack, or maybe it was frustrated that the storm of miasma it was basking in was dispersing, perhaps both, either way, its roar was filled with fury.
Although its eyes were dull, it seems to have retained some semblance of intelligence. As if to prove that its massive coiling body moved through the air gracefully like an eel gliding through the currents of deep water.
Alya narrowed her eyes warily as she saw its stomach swelling and promptly erected a barrier of green light from her own spiriurem. With a deafening sound, the air exploded as crackling lightning collided against her barrier!
The night sky was dyed a shade of blue from the illumination of the lightning!
"…Ngh."
Alya gritted her teeth. She imbued her barrier with a tremendous amount of spiriurem and strengthened her barrier. The light of the breath was so bright that it was painful to open her eyes for even a second. But with the collision of the lightning against her barrier she could only endure.
(Ugh, it's such a hassle...)
Alya's body dissolved and dispersed into wind. To escape the breath, she had return to her astral form and vanish. The breath tore through the air with the same intensity. In a flash, it gouges out the ground as it shot into the dark forest beyond.
BOOOOOM!
A loud explosion thundered through the eardrum of those on the battlefield. The power behind it was terribly overwhelming.
There were many unfortunate beasts that directly parish as they were struck by the breath and disintegrated.
Trees shattered under the force, their trunks splintered and bark shredded into sharp fragments.
Leaves were singed and crisped in an instant, while the ground hissed where the lightning had struck. Smoke and ozone mingled in the night air, and the forest groaned as if nature itself recoiled.
A straight scar tore through the forest for roughly several hundred meter ahead. The surroundings crackling with lingering sparks.
"Th-That was just a single breath?"
Katsumi mumbled to herself, her face paled as the hand that was gripping her Mizukiri no Kami could not help but trembled in slight fear. Her beautiful facial features were illuminated occasionally with every spark of lightning.
Luckily, the knights were not affected from the breath just now. But it seems most of them have more or less lost the will to fight as they saw the resulting destruction.
"H-Hey, isn't that woman going to die at this rate?"
A knight voiced his concern while gazing up at Alya who was closed to the epicentre of those explosions.
His concerns were most valid. Even if someone had magically enhanced their physical body they would still be blown to pieces just from the shockwave of those attacks.
"Hm… No, she's fine, she's still alive."
Another knight said as he narrowed his eyes. It was extremely difficult to see what was happening with certainty within the explosions. But he could vaguely make out Alya's appearance.
"That woman… Is she a spirit?"
The knight that was currently ranked the highest, Sir Aris saw through the nature of her existence.
The scale of each attack was well beyond the level of any ordinary mage. He doubted whether Sir Ayumu, who is said to be the strongest mage in the Watanabe Kingdom could perform a spell of similar scale.
"Yes, she should be fine… I think."
Katsumi answered with a slightly troubled expression. Her Mizukiri no Kami had strengthened her physical body and visual awareness far beyond what most magic could so she could see Alya's figure more clearly.
(It's amazing that's she's actually putting up a fight against a dragon of that size.)
Dragons were all revered as natural disasters humanity could not oppose. A Lesser Demi-Dragon would have been more manageable, anything on the level of a greater dragons, superior dragons or true dragons were well beyond what any ordinary humans could handle.
But it was Alya who had decided to take on the giant serpent in the sky. Although they had only just met each other she was certain Alya wasn't so reckless as to take on more than she could handle alone so Katsumi could only trust her.
While the intensity of the explosions was gradually decreasing Alya had rematerialized into her physical form at some point. Her emerald eyes flash strangely as she observed the destroyed forest with a deep frown.
In place of the sea of trees that once towered in the outer perimeter of the forest, there was now a large crater there crackling with residual lightning.
"It isn't a Greater dragon for nothing, although the added power from the miasma must have amplified the destructive force of its attacks further. How frightening."
Alya muttered under her breath. The scale of the attack was no joke; she shuddered at the thought of what would've happened to her had she have not discarded her physical body in time.
The demonic dragon swooped down on her clad in lightning, but Alya promptly countered by erecting multiple layers of barriers in its path using spirit arts.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Without weakening, the demonic dragon smashed through each of the layers of light barriers without losing momentum, they each shattered like fragile glass upon contact.
However, Alya had already foresaw that outcome. Spiriurem gathered into the palm of her hand and once again burst out in a stream of heated light.
Since wind arts are meaningless against the scales of the sky dragon, she could only use spiriurem in the form of a destructive energy. As though sensing the danger, its massive body veered to the side and evaded the attack with a smooth grace, its body coiling as it dances midair.
"Hmph, don't overestimate yourself little snake."
Alya's voice became colder as her emerald eyes glowed in a slightly brighter hue. The beam that was evaded seem to be under the influence of a mysterious power and changed trajectory before it could reach the vast expanse of mountains and shot back towards the demonic dragon without weakening.
ROOOOAR!
An explosion of colossal magnitude erupted as the demonic dragon let out a wail like roar!
Its body was engulfed in flames. The attack had enough force to crack its scale.
However, Alya narrowed her eyes as rows of sharp teeth filled her vision, the demonic dragon had taken substantial damage, but it seems to disregard its injuries and closed the distance, it was preparing to swallow her in a single gulp.
But Alya twisted her body backwards instinctively, as she twirled midair Alya created a small barrier and used it as a foothold, with a slight leap, she narrowly evaded the fate of being shredded by its sharp fangs at the last second.
Alya rose to a distance of three meters above the demonic dragon, a green aura shrouded her body as she raised the toughness of her physical body, and with a speed the demonic dragon could not perceive, she closed in on the beast from above, taking advantage of her downward momentum and swung her leg, her aura-clad kick slamming against its giant body and rupturing its scales.
The force of her kick sent a shockwave coursing throughout the inside of its body. Black blood spewed from its jaws, but Alya only frowned in annoyance as the toughness of its scale was transmitted to her foot.
"Ugh."
Her expression changed once she observed its body. Despite dealing so many damages to its body, she could see its body was rapidly recovering at a visible speed through the miasma.
(... Hehe, well then, I suppose I have to use some secret arts against this thing.)
Despite the disadvantageous situation, Alya found herself smiling at the situation. However, contrary to her smile, there was a sharp gleam in her eyes, unconcealed murderous intent could be felt dwelling in those bewitching pupils.
Considering the strength of its ability to heal Alya would have to destroy it so thoroughly that its regeneration would be rendered useless.
(And the first step of achieving that is…)
Alya rose further into the sky as a streak of green light.
"Death Storm!"
She bellowed out, once again the winds stirred restlessly as several tornadoes measuring approximately hundreds of meters took form.
"What is she doing?"
Katsumi tilted her head in confusion. From her point of view on the ground she could see tornadoes forming naturally in the sky. It was an odd sight.
She was unable to understand Alya's intentions at all. From their earlier exchange it was clear any wind or elemental attacks would mostly be ineffective against the demonic dragon.
(And yet, is she trying to wear down its defences? But doing that would take forever, won't it?)
It was plainly obvious regular attacks would only do minor damage to the dragon, and it would heal almost immediately. From Katsumi's perspective it was a waste of time and energy, but…
"H-Huh… Those dark mist are?"
Katsumi raised her head and gasped. Until now the sky was partially covered in black miasma, it coalesced around the demonic dragons body.
But Alya was dispersing and scattering that miasma into the atmosphere like a smoke being blown by strong wind. The reason behind the demonic dragon's regeneration was none other than this miasma.
If she could disperse it and thin it out its regeneration would naturally weaken significantly, slowing down the speed of its recovery. The serpent seems to realize her intentions as it rose up higher into the sky to prevent her from succeeding.
But once it came within thirty meters of her it slammed against an invisible barrier. The area around her shimmering in a green aura. Alya smiled smugly at it. The demonic dragon kept up its fierce onslaught of attack.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
With each attack the air shakes and space distorted momentarily before stabilizing a moment next. No matter how much it kept attacking it could not break through the space, in fact it was receiving more harm with every attack.
The demonic dragon finally roared in frustration and open up its jaws. Its stomach rapidly enlarged as bolts of lightning and wind swirled before its maw.
With a booming echo, space finally tore open, breaking several layers of space as a large beam closed in on her from the front.
"Fufu, of course you wouldn't just sit idly and allow me to destroy your recovery method, will you? In that case, then how about this! Secret art— Astral Refraction!"
More layers of barrier were formed as if to replace the broken barrier. It was an invisible barrier that not only blocked all incoming attacks but also absorbed it and sent the force back towards the target at twice the power.
The demonic dragon tried head butting the barrier, taking advantage of its huge mass. But its large body was sent flying back with its own momentum.
However, Alya's expression grew even more dire. The longer she kept up the barrier the more spiriurem she was losing.
(Ngh… At this rate I won't be able to keep my material form after using this technique. But first…)
As Alya was fending off the attacks of the demonic dragon Katsumi swung her katana horizontally, cutting open a demonic beast in two halves.
"Tsk, how many are they?"
Her chest rose and fell irregularly as she surveyed the battlefield. It was in fact a very chaotic battlefield. Yells of the knights filled the air as booms of explosions from the numerous magical attacks resounded.
The demonic beast kept charging forward without any hint of fear, their numbers were so vast that it would be considered suicidal to fight them all alone.
If not for her divine katana that was assisting, her body strengthening she would have collapsed from exhaustion a long time ago. Most knights had to face the approaching demonic beasts in a formation with the royal mages helping out from a distance.
"Maybe I should use the secret art I learnt through my memories."
She thought of such a plan. It was a secret art that allowed her to change the shape of the water with her own imagination, but she had yet to actually try it out, but at that moment…
{H-Hello? Can you hear me? Hero?}
Katsumi gasps as she heard a distant voice inside her head. It wasn't one she was unfamiliar with, on the contrary, it was a voice she had already gotten used to. But the person herself should not be on this battlefield but in the sky facing a demonic dragon.
"This is… Alya, is that you?"
{Fufu, good, it seems I was able to link our minds mentally, I was worried it would be difficult from this distance.}
The familiar cheerful voice of the wind spirit resounded inside her mind.
"Wh-What's going on? How come I can hear you?"
Katsumi screamed and turned her gaze towards the sky. Loud explosions were still blooming in the night sky like a flower, and she could vaguely make out the figure of Alya hovering in the air as she defended herself from the constant attack of the demonic dragon.
{Hehe… No need to scream, like I said, I simply linked our minds temporarily. You can think of it as a form of telepathy I suppose.}
Alya explained, completely unbothered about Katsumi's agitation. Katsumi wanted to complain that her surprised was most natural but held her tongue, despite how carefree Alya was she could feel a strong pressure in her voice.
{Anyway, I will activate a powerful technique any moment now. I want you to evacuate along with those knights to some place safe, this attack could cover a wide area.}
Alya informed her in a serious tone.
"Can you win?"
{Hm, who knows, but I can at least say I have no intention of losing, as long as this thing has miasma it will keep regenerating, so I can only destroy it completely.}
"… I see."
Katsumi's brow furrowed into a slight frown as she bit her lips in frustration. The hand that was gripping her katana could not help but tremble. Despite being a hero, she felt powerless and ashamed she had to leave everything to Alya.
As if Katsumi's downhearted feelings were transmitted to her through their mental connection Alya chuckled.
{Heh, no need to be making such a face, you'll ruin your pretty looks. There is no need to worry about me, there are some things even you can do once you give it your best.}
Alya said as if to cheer her on.
"… Right! I'll leave it to you, Alya!"
Katsumi said and quickly headed towards the knights to inform them of the evacuation. Her long ponytail fluttered gracefully as she moved with her physically enhance body, closing the distance instantly.
Aris was currently facing a demonic beast twice the size of his own body. He imbued the blade of his sword with his magical energy and swung it into a vertical line, it drew an arc through the air as it collided against the flesh of the beast, but…
AWOOOO!
The beast howled, turning its neck to bite at Aris's head.
"Mother of fire, burn my target—Fire ball!"
A royal mage assisted him with long range magic. Flames lit up in the surroundings in a slight heat momentarily as it struck and burnt the demonic beast.
The beast roared in pain. Aris took that chance to pulled back and gather distance. But with its body still clad in searing heat, it charged at Aris with the intention of biting him.
"Secret art—water vortex!"
At that moment a massive mass of water gathered around the demonic beast, trapping it into a cyclone of water. Water blades materialize, cutting up the beast from all side.
"H-Hero?"
Aris called out to Katsumi, stunned. The only one who could control water with such precision was in fact that hero, Katsumi.
"We're retreating from the battlefield."
She said curtly. Aris jumped with a start when he heard her voice directly behind him.
He hadn't let his guard down and yet, he didn't sense her approach until she spoke.
Katsumi ignored his startled reaction and explained the situation. Aris fell silent with a troubled expression on his face.
As a knight there was nothing more shameful than running away. But he couldn't think of any other option in this situation.
While he would rather nothing more than to assist her to the best of his abilities, there was nothing they could do against an opponent who had the advantage to fly freely in the sky.
Some skilled practitioners in wind magic or arts could indeed fly, unfortunately, the number of those geniuses skilled enough to perform such feats were pitifully low. Furthermore, they already had their hands full dealing with the demonic beasts on the ground and had no leeway to turn their sights on the ones in the sky, and so...
"Can we really leave everything to that spirit?"
He questions Katsumi, he didn't know the relationship between them, but he could see that Katsumi trust that unknown spirit girl a lot. And so, as if to ascertain something, he stared into Katsumi's eyes.
"Yes, she's confident she can win once she used her attack."
Although her face clouded with worry, Katsumi's voice was filled with a strong confidence. If it was Alya then it was possible, that was probably what she was thinking in that moment.
"… I see, in that case, everyone! Fall back! We are retreating!"
He said to the knights.
"Hehe, good girl."
In the sky, Alya's lips curved upwards as she watched Katsumi's departing figure on the ground. She was about to use up the last of her spiriurem in an all or nothing attack.
This was an attack that did not distinguish friend from foe, its attack could reach everyone nearby.
Honestly, this was an attack she would rather not use, if possible, it could not only disrupt the flow of mana in the environment but also, alter the topography of the land.
But regardless of what happened afterwards as much as she hated the idea, she could only leave it to fate. Yes, that was all she could do currently.
With unmatched grace, Alya slowly raised her hand and pointed up towards the night sky. From the tip of her index finger, a green particle of spiriurem and mana was coalescing and condensing. A small sphere the size of a marble took shape.
"To think I'd be force to use this technique after such a long time."
The light in her eyes grew dull and was dyed pitch black as the green sphere hovering silently above the tip of her index finger pulse stronger. The illumination of the sphere was like a single star in the night sky.
The power that was radiating from it was so strong that the air was distorted and vibrating. Alya's brow sweat coldly as she focused on controlling the energy output of the art.
Even a skilled spirit mage would have a difficult time controlling an art of this scale. However, it was possible for Alya who was among the highest-class spirit, a spirit Monarch.
"And so… Let's see how you deal with Nihilistic orbs."
Her glossy lips curled into a slightly mocking sneer.
…
Meanwhile, some time before Alya decided to use her secret art. Inside the Royal palace. A large number of knights could be seen moving about in a flustered manner. At the same time, there were also various royal mage who was treating the injured knights.
"Guh, those beasts had abnormal healing abilities."
A middle-aged knight explained. His face grimaced in pain as he moved his bloodied injured leg.
"Please don't speak too much."
A young maid said, as she wiped away the blood. At the same time, she applied healing magic around the wounded area.
"They had abnormal healing, you say?"
Sir Aron, the captain of the royal knight hummed to himself with a slightly troubled expression. While most beast or monsters were in fact capable of some form of self-healing, they didn't have any instantaneous regenerative abilities.
"C-Captain… Those beasts were acting extremely strange. Not only do their bodies heal at an abnormally fast rate. But they didn't seem to care about physical damage either. They were fighting as if they felt no pain at all."
Another knight explained in the place of the injured knight. His face was completely drained of colour.
"Tsk, I see… We've never faced any demonic beast before, so we lack the experience. There are hardly any records left behind from the war three hundred years ago, not much is known about the demons aside from the fact that they are savages. However, we can't allow them to cause further harm. All those who can still fight will accompany me to the frontline."
Sir Aron said in a deep voice. His brow was firm as a strong glint shone in his eyes. There was a strong aura of fighting spirit radiating from him, the pressure of a veteran soldier.
"Understood!"
No one made any complaints as they saluted respectfully.
"Fufufu, very good, as expected of you, Sir Aron. You certainly deserve the title of captain of the royal knights. Your loyalty is most splendid... But If you would allow me to also accompany you on the battlefield, I would be most grateful."
At that moment, the sound of applause rang out followed by the sound of cheerful laughter as the prince, donning his usual royal robes made his entrance.
"No, your assistance will not be needed."
Sir Aron said calmly, shutting down the prince indifferently.
"Fufufu, are you sure it's wise to reject the request of the prince? I am next in line to succeed the throne, you realize? It might not be good to turn me down so easily."
Prince Tyler said with a daring smile plastered on his face. He seemed genuinely surprised Aron would ignore his request so easily without careful consideration.
"Indeed, your Highness is next in line to claim rights to the throne, but as long as you're not seated on that throne my sworn loyalty will always belong to the current king."
"Please reconsider, I assure you I can also be useful on the battlefield."
Prince Tyler said cheerfully. Despite the disinterested look on Aron's face he did not seem to be discouraged at all, perhaps he had already expected that answer from the beginning.
"Did his Majesty not reject your offer of assistance before, your Highness?"
Sir Aron heaved a sigh of irritation as he asked.
"Indeed, it seems father has very little faith in me despite my upbringings. However, that is precisely why I came to you, as the captain of the royal knights you also have the right to approve of my accompaniment, do you not?"
Prince Tyler said so while tilting his head innocently, his lips broke into a sly smile. Since his father had refused, he had actually come to get Aron's own approval.
Indeed, as commander of the knight squad, Sir Aron did in fact had the right to approve of his assistance. But even so, to go behind his father's back, the king and request the approval of the knight captain.
It was a ridiculous technicality, but he didn't seem to mind it at all. It could even be said that this prince was a man with zero sense of shame if it meant he could achieve his goal. He was a troublesome spoiled child.
"Well? Your answer? I won't mind it even if you keep it a secret from my father, as leader of the knights you are under the king's direct order. However, you could think of it as a secret between you and me."
(… How shameless.)
Sir Aron found it difficult to keep a straight face, his lips twitched visibly. What would happen if he had accepted the prince request in this situation?
Naturally, Aron's own position could potentially be placed in danger. Thinking logically, he would be going against the order of the king.
This prince had chosen to ask despite knowing that. As though to suppress his emotions he heaved a sigh.
"Forgive me, your Highness. As someone to be protected I cannot allow you to enter a place as dangerous as a battlefield filled with beasts."
"Aren't you all the proud royal guard squad? Surely someone of your calibre would not lose to mere beast."
The prince persisted without batting an eye.
"I am most honoured for your Highness huge praise, but we unfortunately do not have much information or experience subjugating demonic beast. Since I cannot guarantee your highness safety, it is most reassuring that you stay here within these walls where it's safe."
Aron spoke courteously with the grace of a knight. Allowing a member of the royal family to be endangered would go against his knightly code of honour. Nevertheless, he naturally understood Tyler's intentions but had no desire to entertain him in his schemes.
Furthermore, it was true that he could not allow a member of the royal family to enter a battlefield. Such a thing would smear mud on the dignity of the royal knights who were entrusted with the duty of protecting the royal family.
(It was also reported that the hero was sighted on the battlefield as well, his Majesty has already sent another squad to retrieve her.)
With that thought in mind, Sir Aron turned his back and left with the other knights. Prince Tyler saw them off with his usual smile, but once they were out of sight his smile gradually contorted into a sneer.
"Stubborn fool. Since he won't cooperate, then I guess I can only go ahead with my original plan."
Although he kept his motives hidden under a mask until the very end, a cunning smile peaked out at the corner of his lips.
(Tch, I knew gaining his assistance would be nigh impossible, but… Sigh, how bothersome.)
The prince's irritation was growing at having his request denied so openly. He couldn't help but think Sir Aron was becoming a hindrance.
"Your Highness, the preparations are ready."
Behind him several knights lined up. Among them, a young youth endowed with slightly long white hair reported, he placed his hand at his chest as he bowed his head solemnly.
They were the Lords of the most influential noble family within the Albanian Kingdom.
In order to grow the number of his supporters he had sent various invitations to those with the ambition of rising up in the world.
For a noble, serving the prince who was next in line to succeed the throne was the fastest way to move through the ranks and spread their own influence.
"Hm, I see… Then shall we also make our way towards the frontline as well?"
He said with a spring in his voice. Despite Sir Aron denying his request it seems he still had the intention of joining the frontlines. He had never participated in war before, and his figure was oozing such confidence.
(If I could leave a glorious impression on the battlefield not only would my father entrust me with more important tasks, but Lady Katsumi would also acknowledge me as well. I could also attract that Princess Hinata as a bonus.)
As if he was already imagining that moment, the light of expectations bloomed in his eyes. He had fallen for the hero, Katsumi the moment he laid eyes on her, and had always had a deep obsession towards Princess Hinata, who was famous as the most unobtainable flower. This was his chance to obtain both.
"If you would allow me, your Highness?"
Among the row of knight, a young girl who also wore a light female armour raised her hand meekly.
"Go ahead."
"… We had our participation rejected by Sir Aron; won't we be in trouble if we joined despite that?"
She asked timidly. Several knights also wore hesitant expressions as well, joining the frontline despite being ordered not to by the commander could be seen as an affront to the dignity of the royal knights. It would be a huge insult to the commander's honour. But...
"Heh, heh, indeed, your concerns are most valid. However, as the future ruler of this nation I also have the right to dictate royal authority."
He swipes his long blonde hair back as he replied, reassuring them that their worries were most unneeded. Because he was next in line to become this country's ruler, he could in fact exercise some royal authority.
"Y-Yes, it's just as your Highness said, and as long as we achieve great things, we will be rewarded accordingly."
The white-haired knight said, supporting Prince Tyler. Although they had no experience in the field of beast extermination, those words were filled with confidence of their success.
(But isn't that just your wishful thinking?)
The young female knight thought inwardly, her beautiful face contorted into a worried frown.
"You worry too much, Aline. We have the prince as our backing, it's best to think positively."
Another young knight spoke up humbly. Despite wearing the clothing of a knight, he had a brutal aura surrounding him. It seems he was someone who got his earnings from violence.
"I personally think my concerns are most valid though. We haven't even spent much time working on our battle formations."
Aline heaved a gentle sigh as she voiced her frustration. She was the youngest daughter of a high-ranking noble family. But her father did not give her a lot of important work as he did with her elder siblings.
Being born the youngest meant that her talents were being overlooked by her father who regarded the eldest with the most importance.
She had only joined Prince Tyler's faction and became a knight merely because she wanted to prove herself as someone capable to her father, but now she was having second thoughts.
"Don't tell me you're starting to chicken out now? Wasn't it you who had begged to join my faction because you wanted to achieve something wonderous to get your fathers approval?"
Prince Tyler peered at her face closely as though to see her resolve. Aline flinched under his cold, piercing gaze and averted her eyes.
"Those beasts maybe considerably strong, but if we use long ranged magic, we can annihilate them all from a safe distance."
The white-haired knight shrugged his shoulders as he responded as if to give Aline a helping hand. Aline bowed her head thankfully at the white-haired knight and sighed in relief.
"Well said."
Prince Tyler smiled in satisfaction as he applauded cheerfully. And without anyone noticing, they easily slipped out of the castle that was severely lacking any available personnel.
As for whether or not the prince's hidden efforts would bore any fruits, such things were naturally unknown.