The Unseen Barrier
Antonio couldn't believe it at first. The base couldn't hold them back? Did that mean it might fall?
But he quickly shook his head. He believed in his lady, Abigail Carpoem, like a god. There was no way the base she defended would fall to mere monsters.
That left only one explanation. Somehow, those vile beasts had found a way around the base to slaughter humans.
"You wicked scum."
Glaring at the approaching monsters, Antonio ground his teeth. He would annihilate every last one of those presumptuous creatures. All for his one and only lady.
"The great Duchess Carpoem has commanded it!"
Antonio raised his sword high and shouted.
"Do not let these evil monsters cross this land!"
Even without Abigail here, all the glory would be hers.
"Draw your swords! Knights of the North!"
"Raaah!"
The knights' roars echoed through the air. No fear showed on their battle-hungry faces. They eyed the monsters like prey.
Northern knights were the bravest and strongest of all.
"Glory to the North!"
With mighty cheers, the knights clashed with the monsters.
* * *
"What in the world is going on?"
Agni muttered in frustration at the gate. Unfortunately, no one could give him a straight answer. All the knights were just sweeping their gazes ahead in bewilderment.
"We can't get through!"
Something invisible blocked their path—they couldn't budge an inch. They could only watch helplessly as monsters spawned before the gate and charged madly toward the village.
The northern knights defending the base were going mad. Especially Agni, who was exploding with rage as was his temper.
"What kind of mad bastard's trick is this?!"
His booming shout only fired up the Belio Knights even more. They slashed with swords and struck with aura, but the barrier didn't budge. It was as if someone had trapped the knights inside on purpose.
As the northern knights' eyes grew fiercer and the mood turned ominous, the crown prince and imperial knights arrived.
"What is this?"
"……."
Agni had deliberately not informed the crown prince. Abigail had left the base entirely in his and Jade's hands, and to her, the prince was no better than an enemy. Compared to his lady, he was unworthy of their loyalty. So they'd planned to handle this themselves.
Of course, it hadn't worked, and the commotion had drawn the prince, the imperial knights, and even baffled priests.
"A barrier is blocking us—we can't get out. And monsters are suddenly appearing outside it……."
With Agni ignoring the prince, Jade calmly explained the situation instead.
Michael frowned.
"What? Monsters?"
"Yes, they've already headed for the village."
"Then we should chase them!"
"That's what we're trying to do, but the barrier……!"
Chasing down and slaying the monsters heading for the village mattered more than figuring out who unleashed them or erected the barrier. Michael, knowing this well, strode excitedly toward the gate—and stepped outside without issue.
"……!"
"……!"
The northern knights gawked at him, eyes wide.
Michael turned back to Jade with a scowl.
"A barrier? There's nothing here."
"But we……."
Thud!
Jade bumped into something and couldn't follow, just like before. Michael gaped as Jade tapped the empty air like a wall.
"Your Highness! …Huh?"
Corin came running in surprise—and he too exited the base effortlessly. The baffled imperial knights followed one by one, gathering beside Michael and Corin.
A clear divide separated the northern knights from the imperial ones.
"Only southerners can get out?"
Xavier, who had come out amid the commotion, muttered softly. He observed the situation with a serious gaze.
"It seems we can."
"Indeed, Your Highness."
Michael turned to Jade.
"We'll pursue the monsters."
"…Yes."
Jade bit his lip and nodded reluctantly. Agni glared at Michael and the imperial knights with burning resentment.
As Michael and his knights hastily prepared to depart, a shout halted them.
"Wait!"
Yurina, Illein, the priests, and holy knights had followed.
"We'll go too!"
"…Saintess Yurina?"
Michael looked at her curiously. Yurina met his eyes with uncharacteristic seriousness.
"I want to protect the village."
Since arriving at Volta Base, Yurina often visited the village to tend to the people. She couldn't just pace anxiously inside. She wanted to help Abigail. She wanted to save lives.
Michael nodded at her resolute gaze.
"Very well."
"Hurry—the villagers are in danger."
"Yes."
And so, Michael led the imperial knights from Volta Base, with Yurina in tow.
* * *
Duchess Carpoem—Abigail—had established two outposts in the north. One in Volta territory, teeming with monster habitats, and the adjacent Fade territory.
Fade Base wasn't directly connected to monster habitats, but Abigail had ordered it built due to its proximity to Volta.
Unlike Volta Base, manned by Carpoem knights, Fade Base housed Viscount Fade's soldiers. And recently, by the duchess's command, others had arrived: her vassals, Viscount Henry Lupus and Viscountess Camilla Marku.
"It's been a while."
Henry glanced around the base interior. He often came here with his knights to hunt monsters. Camilla, following quietly behind, murmured softly.
"Is it really true?"
"Hm?"
Henry finally turned, eyes widening. Camilla's face was unusually dark.
"That monsters are really attacking here too?"
"Camilla?"
Henry was startled by her anxious look. She always seemed bolder than him—this fidgeting was unfamiliar.
"What's wrong?"
"I heard upper-grade monsters hit Volta Base. If they come here too……."
With our current forces, we might not hold. Camilla swallowed the unspoken words.
Compared to Volta, Fade Base had crude siege weapons—monster attacks were rare due to the distance from habitats.
But Abigail had foreseen this crisis affecting Fade too, so she'd sent Henry and Camilla with their knights.
"Camilla, this isn't like you."
Henry recalled her usual boldness. Same age, yet she always acted superior, like an older sister. This trembling fear didn't suit her.
"…Henry."
But that bravado was the facade. In truth, Camilla was timid. Trained as the Marku count's eldest daughter, she just hid her weaknesses.
She fretted over trifles, and with the monster surge looming, her chest felt ready to burst. Seeing Henry only amplified her anxiety.
"Don't worry. We're strong. Monsters are no match."
"Still……."
"Let's smash 'em and head home like always! Yeah?"
His cheesy words should have made her laugh as usual, but Camilla couldn't muster a smile. As the mood grew awkward, Henry lowered his pumped fist.
"Hey, don't make it embarrassing……."
"……."
Watching him scratch his head, Camilla slowly closed and opened her eyes. Should she confess now? The impulse hit her. Both heirs to counties, she'd suppressed her feelings since realizing them.
But now, it felt possible. As she parted her lips—
"Hey, if—if the battle ends safely, unlike we think……."
"……."
As if reading her mind, Henry spoke awkwardly.
Camilla snapped alert. Abigail's old words flashed through her head.
'Got it? There are things you absolutely must not say before or during battle.'
She'd brushed it off then, but now it stuck.
Henry hesitated, continuing.
"So, then… with me……."
"Wait!"
"Uh, yeah?"
Henry's eyes widened at her sudden firmness. Ignoring him, Camilla warned sternly.
"Never say that."
"W-what?"
"The duchess said no raising flags like that!"
"F-flags?"
Henry tilted his head at her baffling outburst. Come to think of it, Abigail had said something similar.
"Why not?"
"Because it's not allowed!"
Camilla shook her head firmly at his pout. She'd nearly flagged herself but decided to let it slide.
Dong! Dong! Dong!
A massive drum echoed through the base—the signal for monster intrusion.
"Monsters sighted!"
A knight came sprinting, shouting at Henry and Camilla. They exchanged nods.
Time for fierce battle.
"To your positions!"
"Positions!"
Well-trained knights and soldiers dashed about. Henry and Camilla ran for the walls too.
Camilla's anxious face now burned with a warrior's edge. Henry glanced and smirked.
'Now that's Demon Swordswoman Camilla.'
Her nickname, from piercing monsters with ominous aura. Tougher than him despite being a woman. Without Abigail, she'd be the north's strongest swordswoman.
Feeling reassured, Henry followed her.