---

Before the mana descended upon the world and the gods and demons intervened, war’s kindling—spears and swords—was considered the exclusive domain of men. But now, it’s nothing more than a tale passed down as an ancient legend or myth.

Upon the tall and sturdy castle wall, it was the women who silently observed the impending war. They were igniting the mana etched into their hearts, hoping to gain the steadfastness required to not be swept away by the blue tide.

“…Have you prepared enough oil and torches?”

“Yes, the oil in the cauldron is ready to be poured at any moment, and all the burning torches are set as well.”

“What about the arrows for the archers and replacements for any broken weapons during battle?”

“All weapons are evenly distributed at intervals throughout the castle wall.”

“Good work.”

“Yes!”

Shione quietly gazed at her mother’s stern profile.

The bright sky, turning red as the sunset approached, contrasted sharply with her once confident speech. She too was feeling quite the burden.

“Phew…”

Ainel sighed. She bore a heavy burden in this situation.

The lives of the territory’s residents rested on her shoulders, along with the considerable trust and lives of the soldiers who would be under her command.

If she had reached the level of a master, perhaps things would have been different. But being caught between an expert and a master made this situation far heavier.

Ainel reflected on her ancestors’ duties and achievements as the head of the family while observing the commotion off in the distance.

Shione thought of the legend entwined in her family’s hair.

‘The reason our hair absorbs moonlight.’

The moon awakens the demons that have slept during the day, causing madness to bloom. Thus, while the moon symbolizes demons and frenzy, why do we possess moonlight-kissed hair, more than anyone else who rejects demons?

It’s because our bloodline has historically fled to the church out of fear of demons each night. The first head of our family would stroll under the night sky to confront them. Apparently, in the cascading drops of demon’s blood, their black hair eventually became infused with moonlight.

“A hunter more demon-like than the demons themselves.”

That was our past epithet.

As peace continued, the meaning behind that title gradually faded, but we have not forgotten that spirit.

To quell her fear, Shione kept reminding herself of what kind of blood ran in her veins.

‘…I’m scared.’

Yet, fear was not easily quelled.

Although she had puffed herself up in front of Ray… the primal fear only intensified as she directly witnessed the approaching army.

At that moment, she recalled something he had once said.

─“Princess Shione is fragile.”

Yes, even I think I’m weak. I cry easily and am quite fearful.

─“So, henceforth, leave any challenging matters to me or share them with me.”

But despite everything, with him standing behind her, she felt she could muster a bit more courage.

Even if it might seem like sheer recklessness to others; he would believe in her.

Shione glanced back for a moment.

As expected, Ray stood steadfastly behind her.

“…What’s the matter?”

“Huh?”

“Your lips appear to be slightly raised…”

“It’s nothing.”

Ray’s expression was quite the sight.

Why on earth was I smiling in this situation?

It was almost as if he regarded her as if she were a bit insane for not understanding.

Well, in a situation like this, if someone is smiling…

You could certainly be treated as if you were a madman.

Shione composed her expression and quietly gazed at Ray against the backdrop of the castle wall.

The area above and within the wall was brightly lit. The burning torches and the determination of their defense shone brilliantly.

That malicious moonlight could not yet envelop their territory.

“…If it feels dangerous, I’ll take you straight down from the castle wall.”

“I understand.”

Shione turned her body again.

The monsters were drawing ever closer.

Thud—thud—

The ground began to tremble with the movements of thousands.

The vibrations traveled up the castle wall and reached their feet.

In sync with those vibrations, thud—thud—her heart raced even faster.

The expressions of those standing atop the wall were all cold and pale; however, it was clear they were all feeling the mana awakening alongside the heartbeat.

‘… The same should be true below the castle wall.’

Although the situation outside was not clearly visible due to the castle wall’s obstruction, they would surely sense the approaching source of danger.

As the army drew closer, Ainel’s emotionless gaze followed Shione and Ray.

“Ray, I shall now publicly unleash your power.”

“…I will comply.”

“I’ve heard that the Flame of the Forest Keeper can shine brighter than anything regardless of how small it is, depending on the conjurer’s will. Is that true?”

“Yes, if sufficient mana is infused, a strong flash can be cast. However, the consumption is quite large…”

“Good. A flash is unnecessary. A mere light to illuminate the darkness shall suffice. Bring someone with the strongest longbow.”

At Ainel’s command, someone brought forth a longbow.

The bowstring was not made of ordinary wood. Its elegant patterns and finishing were evident. It was crafted from an exceptional tree.

Evidently imbued with various forms of magic, geometric decorations adorned it.

Ainel accepted the bow and said,

“All mages on the castle wall, prepare yourselves.”

One of the soldiers beside her echoed back her command.

“All mages on the castle wall, prepare yourselves!!”

“Yes!!”

Then, Ainel handed Shione the bow.

“Shoot as far as you can. Will you be able to manage?”

“…I will confirm.”

Shione pulled back the bowstring.

It was incredibly tough. Almost to the point of straining to draw.

So, while preparing for the upcoming battle, she adopted the stance Ray had taught her.

Close stance.

A combat stance meant for either defense or distant sniping in battle.

Her right foot backed for support while the left knee bent forward.

Then, she slightly bent her upper body while gripping the bowstring with her left hand and using her right hand to pull back the bowstring while channeling mana.

It might seem trivial to pull this bowstring, but the more strength she applied, the clearer the lessons learned from Ray came to mind.

Zwaaaak……!

The bowstring was indeed tough, yet powerful, and she managed to draw it back.

Slowly, she relaxed her stance.

“I think I can shoot it.”

“Good; hold it steady. And Ray, ignite the arrowhead. Just enough so the position of the arrow can be seen through the darkness.”

“I understand.”

Whoosh!

The arrow Shione had drawn burst into flames.

“Gah…!”

A woman watching from nearby let out a gasp while looking at Ray.

Since he was using magic, it was no surprise she would be taken aback.

Nevertheless, the others paid her no mind, focusing solely on their tasks.

“Phew…”

Shione took a breath and drew back the bowstring once more.

The flickering flames on the arrowhead somehow felt perfectly fine to her, making it less of a problem.

Close stance. And Dead Release.

With the bowstring drawn, Shione released it.

PANG!

The arrow soared towards the sky.

Whoosh!

The flames on the arrowhead began to blaze even brighter.

The arrow flew far away.

It was distant, but the enhanced size of Ray’s flames illuminated its position.

“Mages, once the monsters cross that arrow, unleash bombardment without hesitation.”

“Mages! As soon as the monsters pass that flame, bombardment is to commence!!”

Before long.

Led by Rabi, the mages of the Alenarr Marquis Family, alongside the mages from the Count’s House, unleashed a carpet bombardment that shook the very earth.

*

The mages were powerful.

The number of monsters killed in the onslaught of magic was astonishing.

Yet those bastards are soulless beings. Whether they die or not, their sole desire seems to be to take lives first. As soon as the magical bombardment ceased, they charged forth over the corpses.

Bam!

I uncorked a glass vial and downed its contents.

A mana recovery booster potion. Rather than providing an immediate mana surge, it enhances the recovery speed of mana, so it was wise to drink it now after using a bit of mana for that flame.

As I did, a message appeared before me.

[Commencing battle alongside Shione Shianella.]

[Significant portions of limited power have been unlocked.]

Indeed, with an overwhelming sense of divinity, I felt my basic physical abilities and magical aptitude rising steeply.

I savored the sweet taste rolling over my tongue as I surveyed the battlefield.

“Pour the oil!”

“What good is just pouring oil! Throw the torches too!”

“Monsters are climbing up! Where are the women with bows and spears?!”

Everyone was in a hurry. In their frantic chaos, collisions were happening left and right.

This is how things are in war; it’s only fitting.

The only ones remaining calm were Ainel, Shione, and the knights like Siabel.

Whoosh!!

Finally, it seemed the oil we had poured ignited, and a path of flames arose in front of the castle wall.

I rushed to Shione’s side and began shooting arrows. A single shot for those we could deal with swiftly.

As monsters began to die in the blaze, countless archers and spearmen started to pile their bodies high, creating a mountain of corpses.

And as the battle dragged on, those mountains would continue to rise even higher as monsters climbed over them towards the castle wall.

“Well, um…”

It seemed like now was the best time to fall back.

Should I take Shione and just retreat right away?

As I was seriously considering this while observing Shione shooting alongside Ainel…

“Ahhh!”

A youthful scream came from not far away.

A little girl wielding a spear was just about to be overwhelmed by a monster.

“Tsk.”

It was a bit of a distance, but…

At this point, that distance was hardly anything.

There was no reason to hesitate saving her since the monster was weak enough.

In this ongoing battle, every life that could be saved mattered.

With a whoosh of wind to close the distance, I drew my sword.

With my enhanced body and the sharp edge of my blade, it would take just one strike to behead such a creature.

Slice!

A clean cut. The monster’s body tilted as it lost its neck.

“Get up quickly. Don’t let it happen again.”

“Uh… y-yes…!”

As soon as I confirmed the girl, now holding her spear, back on her feet, I scanned the area atop the castle wall.

Sure enough, it seemed difficult to shoot arrows or thrust spears to fend off enemies from afar at this point.

More and more monsters were climbing onto the wall, claiming the lives of terrified individuals.

What was now needed were valiant knights. We needed those who could bring order to this escalating chaos.

Returning to Shione, who was tirelessly shooting arrows beside Ainel.

“Lead the knights. Siabel will defend the right side of the castle wall, while Diolia defends the left. Once the mages recover their mana, concentrate on clearing the mountain of corpses.”

“To fulfill my mother’s orders—”

Siabel’s cold voice rang out—

“The demons atop the castle wall will be ripped apart without exception.”

For the first time, I could see Siabel knitting her brows in anger.

“Right, and…”

Ainel’s gaze shifted to those clad in light armor bearing the church’s emblem.

“I will now deploy the battle priests as well.”

At that, a woman with mid-length black hair smiled, somewhat inappropriately for the situation.

“I’ve been waiting for just those words from you, head of the family.”

 

---