Chapter 178 - Attack on the Academy
「Do you feel anything different?」I asked.
「It’s difficult to explain, but I have a feeling that something has changed.」Tina said.
「Yeah. It has changed. Since I’m a scout, I can tell clearly.」
「How is it different?」
「The smell of the wind. The feeling of raindrops hitting my body. And the scenery in the distance. Everything has become much clearer.」
It is probably the effect of the Hunting God.
Rosetta had a high love value for the Hunting God from the start.
The higher the love value, the greater the effect of the new blessing.
「Maybe we can use that as reference.」
「I don’t feel that my senses have changed that much. However… I feel that my mana has increased by a few folds.」Tina said.
Tina’s love value was originally high for the Water God, Magic God, Flame God, Thunder God, Ice God, Earth God, and Wind God.
It may be difficult for her to realize the increase in power until she actually uses magic.
「I think your magic control has also increased in tandem with the power, Tina.」I said.
「I am looking forward to it!」
「How about you, Arti?」I asked.
「The sensation of my body has become sharper.」
「That’s good.」
Originally, Arti had a very high love value for the Sword God. In addition, the love value for the God of War, Military God, and Magic God should have also risen. Her combat sense, techniques, as well as physical strengthening using mana would have also improved.
The other day, just by giving a light blessing, all three of them displayed improved fighting skills. They were also very active in today’s battle. With a second blessing, I expect they will be able to play a more active part.
After granting the blessings, I called Xenovia via the Transceiver Ring.
「Xenovia. What is the current situation?」
『Master. It’s not good.』
「What about Dion, Milt, and Regina?」
『It’s the same as last time. They left to respond to situations in other places. I’m the only one in the academy.』
They fell for a diversion, huh. However, worrying that it might be a diversion wouldn’t be helpful at all. And perhaps the Cult has actually caused great damage in various other places that need immediate attention.
「Did you underestimate the enemy’s strength too much?」
Until now, when the Cult started showing movements in various places at once, they could be crushed by the forces of the Salvation Organization.
If the situation was unmanageable for the combat department of the Organisation, only then Regina and the others would rush in. The current situation where the combat department is unable to handle the situation at the same time in various places must have been unexpected. In such a case, they have no choice but to decide which areas to save and which to abandon.
『I am sorry.』
「No, you don’t have to apologize. I underestimated them as well. So, is there a Cardinal on your side as well?」
『Most likely. I haven’t met the enemy leader yet, but given the scale of the attack, it’s probably a Cardinal.』
「Alright. I’ll be there as soon as possible.」
『Okay. ……To tell the truth, I would like Master to hide.』
「Is the situation looking that grim?」
『Yes. To the extent that I am prepared to die.』
「I see. Don’t die. I’m heading there right away.」
『……Okay.』
Rubeum flew at full speed while I was in contact with Xenovia.
The distance from the training camp to the academy is 14 hours by horse-drawn carriage.
Rubeum flew over that distance in about 30 minutes.
「We’re about to arrive! Kyuru~」
「Thank you, Rubeum. Are you okay?」
「OK!」
Although he responded strongly, there is no doubt that Rubeum was tired.
However, it pains me that I cannot tell him to take a rest.
「The battle has already broken out.」
Rosetta said while looking far away.
The royal capital and the academy can be seen in the distance.
Dura was flying over the plains in front of the academy.
And a golden light was shot from the ground towards Dura.
While skillfully dodging the golden light, Dura swept the surface of the earth with his storm breath.
「That golden light was shot by a tail of Tenebris.」
It was more than just one.
Dura was fighting hard against all of them and had secured the higher ground in the sky.
Still, he was outnumbered. He won’t last long.
「Will! There are enemies in the academy!」
Rubeum, who has good detection, informed me.
I immediately searched with magic and confirmed their positions.
「Indeed.」
「Rose…」Rosetta whispered with a tense look, having left her sister, Rose, in the care of the nursery.
I called via the Transceiver Ring.
「Xenovia! I’ll arrive at the academy soon. Where are you?」
『I’m fighting at the South Gate!』
When searching for enemies with magic, I also found that the forces of the Salvation Organization were fighting at the four gates.
The ally forces at all four gates were barely holding on.
Even the senior students of the academy were mobilized to help the combat forces of the Salvation Organisation.
However, they were not able to completely stop the enemy. Some enemies had managed to invade inside the academy.
Regardless, they were unable to split up their forces from the gate. If they did that, the defense line at the gate would be broken immediately and the enemies would flood inside. The enemies who entered the academy have to be wiped out by the students who remained inside the academy.
It is a very dangerous situation.
「We will start wiping out the enemy from inside the academy.」
『That helps a lot!』
And then I turned towards everyone and said.
「Wipe out the enemy inside the academy and then head to back up the defense at the gate.」
Everyone nodded deeply.
「I am going to help Dura. Kyuru.」Rubeum said.
The gate was only being defended because Dura was pulling away the attention of the beastkins.
The beastkins absolutely cannot be allowed near the gates.
「It’s going to be a tough job.」
「Leave it to me. Kyuru.」
「We’ll jump off from the sky when you reach above the academy.」
「All right.」
Rubeum nose dived to the ground and began to fly as if grazing the surface of the earth.
It seems that he was trying to attract some of the attacks aimed towards Dura.
「10, no, if you count the ones which are far away, there are more than 20. Be careful, Rubeum.」
「I understand! Kyuru.」
One of the tails of Tenebris shot a golden ray from its mouth aimed at Rubeum.
While dexterously dodging the shot, Rubeum flew over the beast and burned it off with his flame breath.
Dura approached closer and started flying in parallel to Rubeum who was flying at high speed.
Thanks to Rubeum’s blessing, Dura seems to be much stronger than the time when he fought us.
「Holy Monarch-sama!」
「Dura, I will fight together with you. Kyuru.」
「It is my honour!」
Rubeum then reached the sky above the academy.
「Rubeum, Dura. I’ll leave the sky to you two!」
「Be careful! Kyuru.」
「Take care.」
Carrying Shiro and Fluffy on my shoulders, Fay in my pocket, and hugging Arti and Rosetta by the waist, I jumped off Rubeum’s back.