The Avalon Project and the Rebellion
The Avalon Project broke ground quite smoothly. In just six days, the human knights would hand over the building without even noticing the Demon King’s portal opening, and through it, our legion would convert the humans' vital energy into Magic Stones to be used as resources for the dungeon. I had used half of our mid-grade Magic Stones for this. The remaining stones were divided appropriately to summon mounts for our legion's mobility.
"Even if we're short on numbers, 30 is enough."
To begin with, the total number of orcs was less than 200. The squad system had progressed to the point where my sons, having increased their grades and experience, could organize squads of ten or more, and I had entrusted the Werewolf Cavalry to Percival.
"Legion Commander, may I ride around the outskirts of Las Vegas?"
"Of course. Patrol the surroundings periodically. If any enemies appear, report to Eila immediately."
Although there were only 30 Orc Riders, cavalry always played a crucial role in turning the tide of battle. And the mounts we used weren't limited to just werewolves. There were Chocamels, which were slow but specialized in transport; Unicorns, which consumed several times more Magic Stones than werewolves but were well worth the cost; and Slime Dragons, which were as fast as horses when passing through already-opened holes. Our mobility was sufficient, and through that mobility, we could traverse the entire expansive battlefield.
The multi-city of Las Vegas, my main base—the dungeon—the Flauros Dungeon, which served as a bunker and tertiary base, and the Gremory Dungeon, our secondary base. Our legion's forces, connected by portals, were spread wide, and a means to travel between the dungeons was absolutely necessary. I could just run blindly, but for my subordinates, mounts were practically essential. Especially in a situation like this, where two places were being attacked simultaneously.
"I thought we were having a peaceful 'Las' for once, but then this happens."
"Tell me about it. Of all days..."
...There were 12 hours left until Luna, whose belly was swollen with eggs—not my semen—would give birth. Las Vegas was facing an attack from a new human unit, and a rebellion had broken out in the Flauros Dungeon.
"The humans have varied equipment. There are about 500 of them."
Andras reported the information she had gathered with her own eyes from the sky.
"They've set up camp much higher than where the subjugation forces did before. The existing tunnel network is unusable."
Tristan reported what he had scouted through the watchtower. As the squad leader of the Orc Archer Corps, he had eyes as sharp as Andras's, despite being an orc. He quickly identified the position the mysterious enemy had taken.
"They're hired mercenaries. Most of them are adventurers."
Eila, the captain of the Las Vegas defense force, immediately grasped the enemy's identity.
"Andras, was there any strange emblem or anything?"
"Yeah. It looked like this."
Andras drew the symbol on the ground. Eila clicked her tongue at the geometric shape of the emblem.
"It's the crest of the Pisces Barony. Did they hire a massive number of mercenaries in their haste to seek revenge?"
"Isn't Guinevere still alive?"
"They must have misunderstood, thinking the Master captured him to kill him in the dungeon. Unless there's some way to confirm otherwise, Guinevere is a dead man to them. We have to fight with that in mind. Andras, what is the composition of the enemy forces?"
"There are archers and mages, so I couldn't get a detailed count. Sorry."
Andras had only managed to estimate the numbers. As if they were already aware of the air raids conducted by the Harpy Angels, the humans showered the scouts with arrows and magic without hesitation.
"Still, there are about 50 of them. They also have those siege weapons the Master mentioned before."
"Weapons."
"Anyway, they had something like that."
Andras described the shape of the objects she had seen to Eila.
"Catapults. They must have judged that there were only monsters inside and no humans."
"Even if they were told, they wouldn't believe it. Isn't it strange to think they're still alive? We probably would have, too, if it weren't for the Master—Father's instructions..."
Percival trailed off. He didn't mean to create anxiety, but if Pahuu hadn't dreamed of harmony with humans, the orcs' staple food would have long since changed from Slime Dragon bodily fluids to actual meat.
"Surely the Master showed the hostages' condition directly last time."
"The priests of the Goddess Church must have made a fuss about those who broke the taboo. They would have said that anyone who has carnal relations with a monster is a person of twisted spirit, no different from a monster, and must be burned and purified by fire."
The Guild Master recited what he knew in detail. The residents of Las Vegas had long since escaped through the portal, but the Guild Master was the only one who wanted to remain.
"Are you not planning to do anything strange?"
"Of course not. I have no intention of leaving this city until I create the ultimate underwear the Legion Commander spoke of. Eila, you're wearing them too, aren't you?"
"...I'm grateful for that, Guild Master."
Eila blushed, fiddling with the stockings that went up to her thighs under her steel skirt. She hadn't tried 'stocking play' with Pahuu yet, but surprisingly, wearing stockings with her greaves and armor made her feel much lighter and more comfortable. The death of the Guild Master, who created such functional inner armor, would be a significant loss of human resources for the legion.
"If you feel it's dangerous, flee through the portal. If you're captured, the humans will have everyone's heads."
"If that happens, I'll become a Dullahan and keep making stockings. Hahaha."
"...You're quite bold. Good. Then you, too, shall become a member of the defense force protecting Las Vegas."
Eila drew her sword from its scabbard and steadied her breathing.
"500 adventurers. Not a single one of them will set foot in Las Vegas."
"Thank you, Sir Gei. It is an honor to have you participate in the holy war."
"It's nothing..."
Gei gave an awkward smile at the priest, who was showing off his yellow teeth. The priest was certain of victory and was slightly looking down on Gei.
"The Goddess must have given us this trial to purify the wicked monster horde. She has passed judgment on the complacent humans. I shall offer a prayer to the Goddess for a moment."
Gei listened to the priest's words while grumbling inwardly. Because of that 'judgment,' countless humans had died, and women had been subjected to unspeakable humiliation. The provocative memories that still wouldn't leave his mind made Gei uncomfortable.
'There are so many damn adventurers.'
The adventurers who had come to retake Zabiyaba and avenge the priest Francis—Guinevere Pisces—were those hired from the Pisces Barony. Among them, a few priests were leading the adventurer group, claiming they would at least recover the body of Guinevere, who was a figure who could potentially become the next Cardinal, to honor the Goddess.
'Why did the Baron get hooked on that?'
He had intended to reveal his status and use his power to suppress it if necessary, but the Baron had been blinded by the massive amount of gold and treasures sent from the Pisces territory. From the Baron's perspective, he was easily swayed by the messenger from the Pisces territory, who promised to build a subjugation force and provide recovery funds. But for Gei, whose heart was elsewhere, he just hoped that Spica Castle would become safe.
All the adventurers who had set up camp near Zabiyaba were those who had gathered at Spica Castle, and with them gone, Spica Castle had suffered a significant loss of combat power.
'I need to find the building quickly.'
Gei fiddled with the 'coupon' in his pocket, calming his excited heart. His mind was filled only with the kind heart of the woman who could be called the owner of the building, making him feel restless.
'She was amazing.'
If there was a cradle, it would be there. Thinking of her gentle heart made his energy surge on its own. The priest was the same.
"In the end, the Goddess will save everyone and bring down the iron hammer. So, let us eat with a light heart and fight. Hohoho!!"
'Yes, I'll retake this place so she doesn't turn back the merchant group.'
It would be perfect if she spent the night with him herself, but wouldn't it be great if she called a woman comparable to herself to spend the night with him? Gei steeled his heart.
"Priest. Regarding this operation..."
Gei began to discuss the Zabiyaba recapture operation with the priest in a serious voice.
"Dad, I can't let Guinevere go. I'm going to protect him."
"I don't intend to let him go either."
Guinevere knew my ambition, and he was practically my son-in-law. Even though the enemy had come to save him, Guinevere wasn't throwing a tantrum, and there was no reason for me to say something like 'take him away immediately.'
"Legion Commander, give me the chance to protect my father."
Galahad, Guinevere's proud son, showed the spirit to defeat the human group that had set up camp near Las Vegas to reclaim his father. I felt sorry for Galahad, but it was quite troublesome if I didn't deploy my troops in the right places.
"Galahad, the place you're going is the Flauros Dungeon."
I hammered it home.
"Flauros still has a long way to go before it recovers. It seems the wounds inflicted by the unicorn, Amducias, are still deep."
"You heard that? They say there's no one to protect the Flauros Dungeon right now. We need someone to protect our dungeon. And that's you."
Galahad nodded with a troubled face. His will to protect his father directly was commendable and mature, but since he used Holy Power, it was much better for him to face monsters.
"Galahad, your role is the ultimate weapon. An orc who uses Holy Power. You're not a card to be played against humans. But it's perfect for the monsters who dared to attack us. Especially if they are of a much lower rank than me."
"......I see. Understood."
"And Guinevere has more than one or two people protecting him right now. Don't you see your mother is already sharpening her knives? She'll break the legs of anyone who tries to take your father, and if your father tries to run away, she's the type to pull out his soul to keep him from leaving."
"Dad!"
Lancelot screamed. She seemed embarrassed that I was saying that in front of her son, but I could tell by the smell what Lancelot had been up to.
"How many times did you 'finish' with Guinevere before coming out?"
"......Six times?"
"That's only an hour? Guinevere's legs must be shaking so much he can't even run away because of you. No, is he trying to run away because he's being drained by you?"
"I only meant to do it three times, but Guinevere said he wanted to do more, so I did three more!!"
"...Right, is that so."
I had unintentionally learned about my daughter's couple life. Since I knew Guinevere had no intention of running away alone, I felt I could safely go and defeat the enemy.
"Then Galahad, let's go."
"Yes, yes."
Galahad followed me with a bewildered face. The number of enemies stationed in Las Vegas was much larger and looked dangerous, but they were not beings to be underestimated.
"...Fuck, I'm scared as hell."
What kind of trickery had they pulled? I couldn't understand it.
Belial has opened a portal as a surprise attack!
Belial. The demon who guards the 68th dungeon. And if my guess was correct, the name he originally held was Dantalion. He was an enemy who climbed up by 'breaking the dojo' through rebellion, and this time, the target was me.
"But we have Galahad."
A user of Holy Power. And there was someone who said they would step up if necessary.
"...Please, don't make me have to step up. I'm begging you."
"Ah. ...Yes! I will do my best!"
Galahad, like a gentleman, immediately understood what I meant.
"Seere, the preparations are complete."
"I have discarded that name."
"My apologies, Dantalion."
"...I have discarded that name."
"Forgive me, Decarabia!!"
"......I have discarded that name too—no, never mind. Come to think of it, it's my fault for changing names so often in this short time."
The old man with black hair closed the book he was holding and stepped forward. That door was the iron gate marking the entrance to the Flauros Dungeon.
"Let's go. I should be able to collect four faces today."
The pages of the book held by the black-haired old man contained three faces together. The original Dantalion, the current Belial. He, who had already raided three high-ranking dungeons, opened the portal to the Flauros Dungeon and started a rebellion.