Rebelling against the reputation of being fat or a geek, Traugott!
When we left the castle, Fine saw me off from inside. She must have known that it would be pointless to follow me any further. Instead, she whispered to me in a voice only I could hear:
"Have a safe trip. I'll be waiting for your return."
"Yeah, I'll be back."
After that, I headed to the Imperial Capital branch with Brother Traugott and the knights of the royal guard. As soon as we entered the branch, Eva's voice reached my ears.
"---Anyone will do... Please save our country... Please accept the request to slay the sea dragon...!"
I immediately realized that Eva was sending a message through the long-distance communication device. Moreover, this was an emergency alert used to convey continent-wide crises. It must have been activated for some reason. Whether she knew it or not, Eva was pleading for help from the adventurers. Hearing this, the adventurers in the guild were frustrated, fighting, drinking, and generally in a state of chaos. Being asked for help by a girl being attacked by a monster and not being able to help her is nothing but a humiliation for those who have chosen the profession of adventurer. It is the mission of adventurers to help those who seek help. Overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness and the resulting frustration, they were in a state of turmoil. I found this very reassuring. In a world where there are foolish families fighting among themselves for the throne, there are still people who are overwhelmed by a sense of powerlessness at the plea of a girl they don't even know. It's a good feeling. So, representing those people, I entered the long-distance communication room of the branch and said:
"I'm on my way. Wait for me."
At the same time, I created a portal to transfer to the branch. The destination was the guild branch at the southern border.
"Let's go, Fourth Prince."
"Very well. I cannot ignore the call for help."
With that, I entered the portal and arrived at the southern guild branch. Everyone looked shocked, but I ignored them and created another portal to the Albatro Principality guild branch and immediately entered it. When I arrived at the damaged guild branch, Eva and I made eye contact as she knelt.
"Who are you...?"
"I'm Silver, an SS-class adventurer from the Imperial Capital branch. I'm here to accept the request."
Eva's eyes widened, and soon tears began to well up. It was clear how anxious she had been.
"You did well. Evacuate immediately."
"Yes... but my brother..."
"Your brother?"
"He went to the castle to do what he could..."
Just as I had a bad feeling, Brother Traugott and the others caught up a bit later. From their expressions, they seemed to have enjoyed the transfer.
"Hmm, this is the south. The transfer magic is truly remarkable, Mr. Silver."
"Stop admiring it and quickly authorize the use of the holy sword, Fourth Prince."
"That's not so easy. It won't mean anything unless Ms. Elna hears it."
"Then let's go somewhere conspicuous."
With that in mind, we stepped out of the half-destroyed guild branch, and the outside was in chaos. The buildings near the port were severely damaged, and a giant dragon was in the sea.
"It's huge. Can we really defeat it?"
"It will be tough alone."
As we were talking, a water ball appeared near the sea dragon's mouth. But it was huge. What is the size of that thing?
"It's bigger than before!?"
Hearing Eva's words, I began to prepare a defensive spell. If that thing fell on the city, it would be more than just a disaster. There were still many people who hadn't managed to escape. We needed to draw its attention somehow. As I was thinking, a voice came from the top floor of the castle.
"Over here! Leviathano!!"
It was Jules' voice. He must have been using a magic device to amplify his voice. In his hand was the magic device that had sealed Leviathano. The reason Leviathano attacked the Albatro Principality was probably out of fear of being resealed and as revenge for being put to sleep for so long. Knowing this, Jules deliberately took a conspicuous action to draw its attention, even if he knew he might die, to protect the many people in the city. Leviathano's eyes moved and caught sight of Jules.
"There you are. The hateful tool that put me to sleep. Though you seem to have lost your power, I won't be defeated again. I will destroy you."
With that, Leviathano transformed the already large water ball into an even larger one. This was bad. While preparing the defensive spell, I created a portal.
"Bold child. I will grant you a quick death for your courage."
With that, Leviathano launched the super-sized water ball at the upper floors of the castle. At the same time, I slipped through the portal and appeared in front of Jules.
"Forgive me... Father, Mother, Sister..."
"Save your apologies for when you see them."
As I said this to Jules, who had closed his eyes and braced for death, I deployed a massive defensive spell. It was a shield. The shield, colored blue and silver, appeared in front of the castle and faced Leviathano's water ball.
*This shield is the Great Shield of the Gods, known to all. It is the symbol of protection, created for all the weak. Even the gods cannot break it. Therefore, this shield is invincible and undefeated. Its name is—Aegis.*
The moment I chanted the shield's name, it glowed. It effortlessly destroyed the super-sized water ball Leviathano had launched. Jules was so shocked that he nearly fainted. Concerned, Eva came through the portal.
"Jules!"
"Sister..."
"Oh, thank goodness... I thought it was over... It's okay now... Help has arrived..."
"Help...?"
"Are you the twin princes of the Albatro Principality?"
"Yes... I am Jules di Albatro..."
"I've come from the Adventurer's Guild. I'm Silver, an SS-class adventurer. And this is—"
"Fourth Prince of the Empire, Traugott Reux Ardler."
Brother Traugott introduced himself as he emerged from the portal. His introduction was dignified, but his eyes were fixed on Eva. It seemed that a crying beauty was quite a point for Brother Traugott. I wanted to punch him, but given my position, I couldn't, so I said:
"Fourth Prince, get to work."
"But can't I admire the beauty a bit more? Your shield will last, won't it, Mr. Silver?"
"I'll throw you outside the shield."
"That's a problem... Fine, I'll fulfill my duty as a royal."
With that, Brother Traugott grabbed the voice-amplifying device Jules had been using and pulled it toward himself. It was the first time he had seen Jules. Then he said:
"By the way, Prince Jules, your actions earlier were commendable. I only know my late brother who could do such things for the people. Therefore, I will be like you in this moment. A royal who can be proud of the people."
With that, Brother Traugott began to amplify his voice. Meanwhile, Leviathano was preparing its next attack. But Brother Traugott started his speech leisurely.
"To all those in the Albatro Principality. I am the Fourth Prince of the Empire, Traugott Reux Ardler. Listen to my voice."
I wanted him to hurry, but the summoning of the holy sword required Brother Traugott's permission and for Elna to recognize it. To ensure this, it was better if Brother Traugott and Elna knew each other's locations. So, Brother Traugott would call out to Elna. Until then, we had to hold the line.
"I have come here as the representative of my father, the Emperor, not to save this land, nor to protect it. That is not my job. I am here only to deliver a message."
Thinking that a single blow wouldn't be enough, Leviathano launched a wave of water balls. We intercepted them with numerous magic arrays. Throughout this, Brother Traugott did not pause his speech.
"Are my knights here? Are the brave knights? The powerful knights? The proud knights? Are there any knights who want to change this situation? Are there any knights who want to save the unjustly suffering people before their eyes? If so, step forward. In my name, I will grant the honor of saving this land to that knight!!"
There was no response to his words. It wasn't that they couldn't hear. Every knight in this land would want to say, "Please, me!" But only one person in this land was allowed to respond to Brother Traugott's call.
"I am here!! Your Highness! The knight who answers your call is here!!"
Cutting through one of the approaching water balls, Elna appeared gracefully. Recognizing her, Brother Traugott nodded and made a dramatic gesture with one hand.
"State your name!"
"Elna von Amsberg answers your call, Your Highness!"
"Very well! By the command of the Emperor, Johannes Reux Ardler, and as his representative, Traugott Reux Ardler, take the holy sword! Hero!"
At that moment, Elna raised her arm to the sky. Then, an aurora descended from the heavens. Clutching the glowing light, Elna held it as it gradually transformed into a sword.
"Thank you, Your Highness."
"No need for thanks, Ms. Elna. This is the duty of a royal. Now, I will observe from a distance. The strongest knight and the strongest adventurer of the Empire. It will be a good spectacle to watch them battle the dragon."
With that, Brother Traugott smiled in his usual slightly creepy way. I smiled wryly at him and looked at Jules, who was floating in the air.
"Well, Prince Jules. My client is you. So, just to confirm... is it okay to slay that sea dragon?"
"Wh-What? Yes! Please, go all out!"
Hearing Jules' response, I turned to Leviathano with Elna.
Finally, we've reached this scene. I've had it in my head for a long time, but it took a while to get here. I'm sure it was a long wait for the readers too, but knowing the ending beforehand made it even longer for me. Laugh. Brother Traugott is performing unexpectedly well, but we've finally reached the exciting part. Writing Silver's scenes is always fun.