CH 64.1

Day after day, fighting against the monsters that came in like innumerable flocks of ants. Old comrades dying beside them, the newly acquainted friends meeting the same fate.

The soldiers’ will did not break even as the mountain of corpses piled up, they remained steadfast.

Because they had a reliable general.

Even soldiers who lost their morale—with a single speech from the general would start to silently sharpen their swords with blazing intent in their eyes.

And this great general was Cloud’s old friend.

Cloud had once asked this friend of his—how was he able to raise the morale of his soldiers so much with just one speech.

His friend replied, “There’s nothing complex about it.”

“Proud citizens of Roberto!”

Cloud’s voice reverberated throughout the city through mana. The citizens were befuddled. Even the monsters directed their attention towards him.

– Chi-hee!

Two harpies stretched their claws towards Cloud.

– Slikk!

His sword drew a silver afterimage and severed the body of a harpy lengthwise. The other startled harpy tried to run away, but for naught.

Cloud grabbed the harpy’s leg and bashed it down. He crushed it under his feet, immobilized it, and then cut its throat.

He shouted again.

“Roberto has been invaded by monsters! Innocents are bleeding and dying, our city guards are trying but aren’t able to stop them!”

Citizens who hadn’t comprehended the situation fell into despair.

A mother and daughter pair hiding inside the basement of their house trembled, with tears running down their cheeks.

Citizens who were escaping from monsters without a destination in mind gave up hope, and the guards’ hands holding their spears lost the strength.

“But do not be afraid! I, the Hero, Cloud, along with your brave soldiers have arrived in Roberto!”

The Hero is back.

The soldiers have returned.

A rope called hope was given to the citizens who had fallen deep into the abyss of despair.

However, no one was willing to take the rope. They lacked the will to get out of the abyss on their own by latching onto the rope.

“Proud citizens of Roberto. Where are we? The land flowing with milk and honey. Isn’t it the most prosperous land in the Kingdom—your Roberto? Those golden fields are evidence of the blood and sweat of our farmers, the strong walls and this beautiful city are the results of the maintenance of your ancestors, so you have the right to live. You have the right to live in this city of yours! You thought it would be taken away by these mere beast cubs?!”

Right.

Citizens flinched.

Yes.

This city is their’s. It is the city built by their ancestors. Here, they have the right to live in peace and security.

“Those who can fight, fight! Show those cheeky monsters the power of your rights! Those who cannot, run! Survive somehow and defend your rights!”

His friend had said, it’s not difficult to raise people’s morale.

First, inform them of the reality—that will bring everyone’s mood to the floor, and then bring it up again by giving hope. The will raised by hope is painted with pride and determination.

And teach them what to do to protect their pride and self-esteem.

Cloud’s voice infused with mana vibrated.

The voice with the most suitable resonance to touch people’s emotions moved listeners’ hearts.

Citizens held the ropes.

A man ran up to pick a jar and threw it at the beast pursuing him. He fled into the alley while the beast smashed by the jar was left disoriented.

The mother and daughter pair who hid in their basement no longer shed tears. With a determined look on their faces, they shut their mouths and hugged each other tightly, hoping to survive the danger somehow.

– Those who can fight, fight! Show those cheeky monsters the power of your rights!

It was clearly only passed through their ear canals, but it strangely throbbed within their hearts.

Hans opened his eyes.

The wolf’s fangs were approaching to devour him. It was too late to avoid. He had to choose, and instead of the nape of his neck, he gave his left arm.

Sharp fangs pierced through his skin.

“Aww!”

It was painful, making him scream, but Hans kept his eyes open. He held the sword in reverse and pushed it into the wolf’s neck.

The wolf didn’t die.

The damn wolf had too much vitality.

Moreover, the neck may not be as important to a monster as it where to a human.

Just when the wounded wolf, furious at his prey’s retaliation, was about to tear off Hans’ arm.

– Swwwk!

– Sleeek!

A spear and a sword anchored the wolf.

It were his fellow guards who had ran away after seeing the beasts. They hollered out loudly.

“Twist!!!!”

“Ahhhhhh!!!”

“Die, bastard!!!”

The sharp edges of their weapons rotated and tore the wolf’s skin and pierced its organs. The wolf howled painfully while clutching onto Hans’ arm. The guards drew their spears back, and plunged it back in.

Pulled out.

And, plunged it back again.

The simple act was repeated until the monster collapsed helplessly.

For a moment, they looked down at the corpse that had fallen, and then began to move again.

There were plenty of beast bastards left to be killed, and they were no longer afraid.

* * *

Morale was overflowing in waves among the soldiers and guards.

They were no longer afraid to face the beasts and monsters. If one person wasn’t capable by himself, then two. Three, if not two. Somehow, the number of beasts kept reducing.

And Eri’s contribution towards it was not small.

[Magic Missile]-!

Five magical masses materialized at the tip of Eri’s staff. Each magical mass was zoned at one monster.

Before it could do anything, a monster was snipped by the magic missiles letting out a terrible welp, and died.

The monsters who witnessed the death of their fellow monster dashed away. However, no matter how far they ran, the magic missiles continued to pursue them, and the monsters weren’t able to avoid their end.

Eri, who successfully snipped with the five magic missiles, took a deep breath.

By no means was double incantation an easy task.

Because the speed at which mana and chants had to be coordinated was no joke. Eri picked up one of the mana potions Cloud had left behind and gulped it down.

She once again felt mana coursing in her veins, starting to rejuvenate her mana pool.

Eri looked towards Neria and Ophelia while her mana pool was replenishing.

“Ha!”

“Get out of my way!”

They were doing their best to protect Eri from the harpies. In case of Ophelia, in particular, she could see her arms trembling as she was losing her strength due to wielding the extra heavy mace.

Eri looked at Cloud with [Clairvoyance].

He was subjugating the dangerous monsters with the soldiers and guards.

Eri quietly closed her eyes.

She once again began chanting as the Magic Missiles materialized.