CH 139

[Reinforcement Request]

When we arrived at the courtyard, the knights who have heard the report of the messenger are making a ruckus.

Lloyd’s expression, having read through the letter from Meiss in detail, is becoming extremely dark.

“Father, is what the messenger said true?” (Noelia)

“Noelia, huh… And Frick and Al, too. It is as you heard. Before I set off with the knights, I entrusted adventurers to watch over the Abyss Hole, but it seems that the regular contact from the adventurers has been cut off.” (Lloyd)

“You sent adventurers to the Abyss Hole? Hadn’t you dispatched your knights to watch over the place?” (Noelia)

“Since I was going to take some knights to the royal capital due to Gile’s going rampant, I had to strengthen the security of Youg Hannotes, so I summoned back those who were watching over the Abyss Hole. And then with the help of the Adventurer’s Guild, I gathered capable adventurers, including those from other cities, and gave them the request to watch over Abyss Hole, however…” (Lloyd)

Lloyd gives an inarticulate answer to Noelia and Al’s question.

The capable adventurers who received the guarding request must be platinum-ranked.

Since they came to replace Lloyd’s knights watching over the Abyss Hole, they should at least have the same level of skills as them.

When it comes to adventurers, abandoning a request will negatively affect their grade assessment, moreover, it will lower the trust in them, so they’ll never abandon a request on their own accord.

If the report from those adventurers was cut off, it should be better to consider that they’ve been wiped out without being able to send out a message——

“There’s no way that the adventurers who accepted the request all abandoned it at the same time. Since the contact from Abyss Hole has been cut off, they must have been attacked by either monsters or the enhanced Abyss Walkers.” (Frick)

“Meiss also came to the same conclusion after getting the report from the Adventurer’s Guild. It seems that he had dispatched a search team from the knight order, but they have yet to come back, and might never will.” (Lloyd)

“Even the knights…” (Frick)

It’s unthinkable that Lloyd’s elite and experienced knights would all get taken out because they misjudge their opponent’s skill.

And so, it’s highly likely that the entire search team was wiped out at once.

If the capable platinum-rank adventurers and even the search team composed of elite knights was annihilated without having the time to escape, the perpetrators were unlikely to be monsters.

That only left the Abyss Walkers…

And it’s highly likely they acted with the ones controlling them.

Deducing from that, the answer I arrive at is that it was an attack from Vigo’s organization.

“Frontier Count-sama, I believe we should think of this as a surprise attack from Vigo’s organization, which controls Abyss Walkers.” (Frick)

“You are probably right. It’s most natural to take this as the deed of Vigo and his men to retake control of Abyss Hole. However, how did they do the surprise attack? If a large number of people proceeded into the Demon Forest, battles with the monsters that roamed the place should be unavoidable.” (Lloyd)

“When Vigo attacked my village, he used something like a cloak that hides his figure. Perhaps, they launched the surprise attack using that.” (Frick)

“I see, the cloak which hides one’s figure that was in your report, huh. With something like that, only monsters who are sensitive to smell would detect them, and they would be able easily pull off the surprise attack.” (Lloyd)

Even with strict vigilance, it would be difficult to discover people or things whose figures are invisible.

Adding the fact that the ones who did the surprise attack were the enhanced Abyss Walkers, neither the capable adventurers or the knights would be able to put up any resistances.

“Invisible Abyss Walkers, huh… Dealing with them while unable to rely on one’s eyes should be next to impossible. I’m not sure if I can.” (Al)

“If even Al says so, we better take it that the others won’t even be able to put up a resistance. Still, it’s as if they specifically waited for the guard in Abyss Hole to weaken before recapturing it. Perhaps, Vigo instigated Gile only so that he could act as a diversion to lower the guard in the Abyss Hole.” (Lloyd)

“Diversion, is it… Does that mean we have been dancing right on top of his palm?” (Noelia)

“Maybe. It’s unclear whether Vigo did it of his own discretion or by Boris’s order, but it’s true that we have been had.” (Lloyd)

I can only think of one reason why Vigo would go as far as betraying Gile, his master, to recapture Abyss Hole.

It’s because there’s a facility to open some kind of gate in there.

To open the gate.

To that end, I’m sure he’s willing to make any sacrifices.

“For him to go as far as making use of Gile, his master, as a diversion to recapture Abyss Hole, I think Vigo’s aim is only one, that is to reopen the gate.” (Frick)

“The second Great Invasion, huh… that would be a nightmare.” (Lloyd)

For the disaster that drove the kingdom to the brink of destruction to repeat itself would be the worst-case scenario.

It absolutely has to be stopped.

“Can it be possible that Vigo see Youg Hannotes as a hindrance for the success of the recapture of Abyss Hole and the success of the second Great Invasion, and aim to destroy it?” (Frick)

“Yes, he most likely sees Youg Hannotes as a hindrance. If I were Vigo, I would crush the force with the strongest fighting power first, after all. That’s why he gathers everyone in one place.” (Lloyd)

“He gathers everyone in one place?” (Frick)

“Ah, right. Noelia, to where would villagers of the villages around which Abyss Walkers are sighted flee?” (Lloyd)

“I think it’s the city of Youg Hannotes, which is well-fortified. It has high and robust walls.” (Noelia)

“Then, what about the knights stationed in the city which houses the villagers? Would they go out and launch an attack at the Abyss Walkers?” (Lloyd)

“No, they wouldn’t. They would defend the city to protect the inhabitants. If they hold the line, the reinforcements from the kingdom’s army would come, after all.” (Noelia)

Just like Noelia’s reply, Meiss made the same decision. He chose siege defense and asked Lloyd for reinforcements.

The high and robust walls work in favor of the defenders, so I think it is a correct judgement.

“The kingdom’s strongest fighting power gathers in one place. Vigo will be most grateful for this situation. After all, he and his organization have weapons that have the power to erase them all in one go.” (Lloyd)

“Ah! The Genociders! If they self-explode in the city of Youg Hannotes, not only the residents, but also the entire city would——” (Noelia)

Dammit, so that’s how it is.

With several Genociders, even if Youg Hannotes is protected by strong walls and the strongest of knights, it will be possible to turn it into a mountain of rubbles in a matter of seconds.

“Yes, that’s right. The letter from Meiss said that the Abyss Walkers did not attack indiscriminately even though they showed their appearances. We should take it that they drove the villagers scattered in the outskirts to Youg Hannotes so that the knights don’t leave the city.” (Lloyd)

“No way!? If that’s true…” (Noelia)

“The report from Meiss only mentions sightings of Abyss Walkers, so I hope there are no Genociders, but… we shouldn’t be optimistic.” (Lloyd)

As Lloyd said, we can’t be optimistic.

Because the opponent is Vigo.

He will use whatever means to achieve his goal.

“Frontier Count-sama! I will fly to Youg Hannotes with Dimol immediately! If we prevent Genocider from getting closer to the city, we should be able to defend the city! After that, I will definitely recapture the Abyss Hole and stop Vigo’s plan!” (Frick)

The situation is so dire that every moment counts.

I feel that the longer we delay, the worser the situation will get.

“……Very well. I command you, Frick, the Crimson Magic Swordsman. Go defend Youg Hannotes, recapture the Abyss Hole, and stop Vigo’s plan. However, you are not allowed to die.” (Lloyd)

“Understood! I’ll set off right away.” (Frick)

“Wait, I am not done talking yet. Noelia, I order you to go there as the acting lord. Lead the knights here to help Frick, the Crimson Magic Swordsman, to fulfill his orders.” (Lloyd)

“Y-yes! I understand! I will definitely do my best to assist Frick-sama!” (Noelia)

“Umu, however, bring Al, the swordsman, as an escort.” (Lloyd)

“Bring Al-sama!?” (Noelia)

“As you wish. I will definitely protect Noelia-sama.” (Al)

“Thank you, Al. It’s not a request reward or something of the sort, but you can use anything from my collection of swords in Youg Hannotes. With your skill, you should be able to wield whichever one you like.”

Lloyd writes something on a paper with a writing brush, both which he received from a knight, and hands the paper to Al.

“My deepest gratitude for your consideration.” (Al)

“Normally, I should be the one leading the knights as reinforcements, but if I were to leave the side of King Rodrick, who has just been inaugurated, Boris who has been cornered might launch a counteroffensive. Stop Vigo’s ambition in my stead. I am counting on you.” (Lloyd)

“I’ll definitely do!” (Frick)

“Knights, please ready your wyverns! We will leave for Youg Hannotes immediately!” (Noelia)

The knights, hearing Noelia’s command, begin to prepare for departure in a hurry.