Chapter 159

Chapter 159

A wyvern was typically a creature they referred to as a "flying dragon."

It was a degenerated species of dragon incapable of utilizing the inherent abilities or magic of dragons. However, being direct descendants of dragons, they boasted high magic defense and could spew fireballs from their mouths.

This monstrous child had the terrifying combination of flying, long-range attack, and high magic defense.

Luckily, it had a clear weakness. Its physical defense was noticeably low.

Armed with anti-air nets from Stage 4 or so, one could take them down without too much trouble.

The problem was... our monster frontline hadnt recovered from the damage they sustained in the fight against the blood race.

While engaging in the decisive battle with the vampires atop the city wall, more than half of our cannons and ballistae were ruined.

We put our all into repairs, but we couldnt fully restore the anti-air nets.

In addition, the composition of these monster bastards is a problem.

Krrrrrrrr-!

Twenty or so giant monsters were flying in from the front of the wyvern horde.

These giant lizards, which were emanating flames from all over their bodies, were called Flame Wyverns.

As the tanker unit of the wyvern legion, it swallowed all flame and explosive attacks into its stomach.

Not only the cannons, but also most of the explosive arrow bombings from Burnout, who was attacking with explosive arrows, were sealed.

Even just this was a headache, but there was more.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 6]

- Lv.35 Trishula <Elite>: 3 units

- Lv.25 Flame Wyvern <Elite>: 30 units

- Lv.20 Wyvern: 710 units

Information about the boss monster of this stage, which had previously been hidden by question marks, had appeared on the stage enemy information.

Trishula, the three-headed dragon.

As a wyvern with three heads, it could be said to be the strongest monster in the wyvern category.

This stage had assigned these three elite monsters as the boss.

And with the start of the stage, their names were revealed.

In other words, they were not joining in the later wave but had come from the beginning.

Upon closer examination through the telescope, it was indeed true.

Three three-headed dragons were visible, flying right behind the leading Flame Wyvern.

This is crap, seriously...

Various tactics came to mind and disappeared. There was no way to fight without taking damage from these things.

Damn, is there any way? Still, I have to try as much as possible.

I will get rid of the Flame Wyverns with the artifact from last time that redirects entrance, and then have Damien snipe, while Burnout bombards...

Just as I was about to give the final instructions, I was interrupted.

"My Lord!"

Lucas called out to me urgently.

Wondering why, I turned to see Lucas pointing to the opposite direction of the incoming monsters - the north.

"Something is coming from the northern sky!"

"What? From the north?"

Startled, I turned around.

Lucas was right. Far in the northern sky, the shadow of a large object was visible.

The unidentified something quickly closed in. Lucas, recognizing its identity, yelled out.

"Thats... an airship!"

"Airship?"

"A ship that can fly in the sky, built with ancient magic!"

I know what that word means! But was that a thing in this world?!

"I thought there were only a few left in the entire continent. And the airship thats coming now...!"

Screeeeaaak-!

The airship was approaching with a noise that split the wind.

There were three airships in total.

One was a jet-black airship with the imperial royal insignia of a sword and a rose.

And two escort ships, clad in thick plates, flanking the royal airship.

Lucas recognized the middle ship and called out its name.

"The royal flagship, Alcatraz...!"

Three airships that appeared from the northern sky charged into the Wyvern horde that was covering the southern sky, without slowing down.

Thwoooosh-!

Blue flames burst from the stern of the two escort ships.

The two escort ships that quickly accelerated flew across above our heads and dove into the center of the Wyvern horde.

Kraaaaaaaa-!

The wyverns let out a simultaneous wail and spat fire from their mouths. Hundreds of fireballs rained down like a downpour.

However, the wyverns fireballs evaporated when blocked by the thick armor of the two escort ships.

The magical characters carved into the escort ships armor flashed with a chilly light.

As I was muttering, I suddenly noticed a sour expression on Juniors face, who was standing next to me. I cautiously asked,

"Junior? Whats wrong? Is something the matter?"

"...No, its nothing."

Junior forced a smile.

"Its just... the relationships between people... its disgustingly never-ending."

"Do you know her?"

"A little."

Junior stared at the pitch-black airship cutting across the sky and pouring out bullets.

"Just... a little."

***

BANG-!

Thud...

The last Trishulas third head, crushed by the bullets, was torn apart, spurting blood.

Without even a chance to scream, it crashed, raising a dust cloud.

With that, the wyverns were completely annihilated.

After confirming that there were no more monsters to shoot down, the three airships smoothly landed outside the walls.

Leading my party members, I opened the castle gates to greet them.

Creak...

Raising a cloud of dust as they fully descended to the ground, the hatches of the three airships opened simultaneously.

From the two escort ships, knights and soldiers in crisp Imperial Army uniforms formed rows to exit, while wizards walked out from the Alcatraz.

Seeing the scale of these neatly lining up in front of me, I internally gasped.

There were so many. Too many.

There seemed to be over twenty hero characters and about two hundred soldiers.

Including the personnel on standby inside the airships, there would be even more.

This scale...

At that moment, Reina slowly approached me and saluted politely.

"Allow me to greet you again. Its an honor to meet you, Prince Ash."

"Im pleased as well, Lady Reina."

I pointed to the soldiers standing behind Reina.

"But... the scale of the reinforcements is much larger than I thought? The royal favor seems more generous than I thought?"

"Ah, these are not reinforcements."

Reina gently smiled and corrected me.

"The official reinforcements sent by the royal family are five officers including me, and fifty soldiers."

"Ho... then what are these friends here for?"

"Dont you suspect, Your Highness?"

After a pause in her words, I bit my lips.

"Its a royal decree from His Majesty to return to New Terra immediately."

"..."

"These people were dispatched to escort you back. Thats why the Alcatraz, a royal special mission airship, was sent as well."

I sighed quietly.

"So Father has called for me... Can I know the reason?"

"Does the Supreme need a reason to want to see his son?"

"Isnt Father residing in the royal palace? Did Father really call me? Its not someone else from the royal family using Fathers name to summon me?"

"Im an ignorant soldier, so I dont know such things. Im just following the order given to me."

Reina, who had stepped aside, stretched out her hand towards the open hatch of Alcatraz.

"Now, please get on. I assure you that the Alcatrazs air travel is very comfortable."

"..."

"Youre not thinking of rejecting the Emperors summons, are you, Your Highness?"

To me, who stood silent, Reina stepped forward, her smile not fading.

At that exact moment.

Swoosh!

Lucas, who had stepped forward drawing his sword, pointed his blade at Reina.

At the same time, Evangeline stepped in front of me with her shield deployed, and Damien, who had drawn his magic guns, aimed at the other wizards around us.

Junior finished preparing to launch dozens of magic elements she had floating above her head.

Thunk! Thunk! Thunk!

And as if they knew it was coming, the imperial knights drew their weapons.

The imperial magicians aimed the spells they had previously cast at my party members, while the soldiers prepared to shoot with their crossbows.

"His Majesty the Emperor must be heartbroken."

Even in this tense atmosphere, with Lucass sword pointed at her throat, Reina didnt even blink as she murmured.

"Its because his beloved youngest prince wont listen to his words."