Just a little more and the third part is over (/・ω・)/
As adventurers gathered at the Imperial Capital branch, they were about to open the transfer gate.
Suddenly, a messenger from the castle arrived at the branch.
"What is it? What does the Second Prince need?"
"Currently, a meeting is being held at the castle to discuss the anomalies in the south. Your transfer is valuable. We would like you to wait a little longer."
Surprisingly, Eriq bowed his head.
I'm not him, but a normal royal wouldn't bow. That's because of the position they hold.
"We've had time until now. If no decision has been made, what guarantee is there that a decision will be made in the future?"
"We are proposing to call nearby troops to the capital, entrust the castle's defense to them, and dispatch the royal guards. It will probably be approved."
"Hmm? Will the competition for credit start from there?"
While saying this, it's quite a realistic strategy.
The royal guards can't be dispatched because the castle's defense is uncertain. So, they are calling the troops instead.
While the troops may not have the same individual power as the royal guards, they should be sufficient to defend the castle.
"I have recommended Gordon to lead the royal guards. It shouldn't take long."
"That's strange. You were so eager for credit when it was a problem of another country, but now that it's a problem of your own country, you're giving the credit to your brother?"
"I am a royal and the Foreign Minister of the Empire. For problems of other countries, it might be different, but for problems of our own country, power struggles are secondary. My top priority is the Empire."
Saying this, Eriq looked straight at me.
It's not a bad proposal.
If the royal guards come, it will be a great help.
Waiting might be an option if I also put power struggles aside.
If I force the issue, it might just worsen the impression of adventurers among the upper echelons of the Empire.
Just as my heart wavered, a clear sound came from afar.
I couldn't tell where it was coming from, but I somehow knew that it was Linfia, and that she was in danger.
Linfia was calling for help. There was no evidence, but I was certain. The clear sound conveyed that.
"But... there will be sacrifices during this time. While the country is preparing, there are people buying time. What do you intend to do about them?"
"We will do everything we can."
"Then I will accept your proposal. Adventurers are different from knights and soldiers. We exist to help victims that those in power can't find or must abandon. Leave. We are adventurers. We don't take orders from anyone. We will do as we please."
"The fate of the country is at stake. Don't you think it's better to be sure?"
"We don't care what happens to the country. We protect the lives of the people. Go back and tell the emperor. I, Silver, have taken this problem."
"Do you think you can get away with such arrogance?"
"That's what SSS-rank adventurers can do. And don't underestimate us. The Empire's adventurers are many times stronger than the royals think."
Saying this, I turned around and a huge transfer gate appeared at the adventurer guild.
I stepped into it and announced,
"Let's go earn some. Follow me."
With those words, I transferred.
The moment I transferred, the area was filled with monsters.
But I could see a girl standing up amidst them.
Despite being in a life-threatening situation, she wasn't panicking or making a fuss.
She was thinking about what to do, as usual.
I smiled wryly at the sight of Linfia and blew away the monsters around her.
This should make it easier for the adventurers who have just arrived.
"Are you alright? The female adventurer from before."
As I approached Linfia, she opened her eyes in surprise.
"...Why are you here...?"
"I heard it was a raid quest. I brought the others too."
After my words,
From the huge transfer gate that opened behind us, the adventurers from the Imperial Capital branch burst in, making a commotion.
They looked energetic. The main force of the enemy monsters seemed to be skeletons.
If that's the case, it should be fine to leave it to them.
"If you can stand, follow me. It's time to earn."
"Yes...! Silver...!"
Saying this, Linfia stood up.
I cast a healing spell to restore Linfia, and together we looked ahead.
Our goal was to reach where Leo and his sister were, pushing through the monsters.
■■■
"Silver! It's a Dragon Zombie!"
Receiving Linfia's report, I looked up.
A dragon over ten meters long, with a decayed body, was rushing towards us at high speed.
Seriously.
It's a monster that's only mentioned in literature.
"They're not going to let this be easy, are they?"
I rose into the air to intercept the Dragon Zombie.
Meanwhile, Linfia, along with the adventurers from the Imperial Capital branch, scattered the skeletons and approached Leo and the others.
We were still outnumbered, but the momentum was on our side.
If we can suppress the few high-rank monsters that are appearing, we should be able to reach the city.
"The problem is that black sphere."
Ducking the Dragon Zombie's bite, I looked at the black sphere that had appeared above the city.
The black sphere was emitting an incredible amount of magic power, but there was no sign of it being used for an attack.
"What is it being used for?"
"Gyaaaaaa!!"
"Shut up."
I enveloped the Dragon Zombie, which had charged at me, in a barrier and dropped it to the ground.
Since I dropped it into a crowd of skeletons, they were blown away by the impact, but I didn't care.
I extended my right hand towards the Dragon Zombie that had fallen to the ground.
<Pierce—Bloody Lance>
I shortened the incantation and immediately cast the spell.
A huge spear of blood rose from the magic circle and accelerated towards the Dragon Zombie, which was trapped in the barrier.
At the moment of impact, I released the barrier, and the spear of blood pierced the Dragon Zombie.
"Gyaaaaaa...!!"
The decayed body was melted by the high-temperature spear of blood.
The surrounding skeletons were also melted by the aftereffects.
But in the grand scheme of things, it was a very small number.
If I wanted to dispose of this many skeletons, I would have to properly chant and cast a powerful spell.
Just as I thought this, I felt a massive surge of magic power and looked in that direction.
Next to the black sphere, a man was floating.
However, he was holding his head in his hands.
"A Dullahan...?"
An undead monster equivalent to AAA-rank, but the magic power emanating from that man was far beyond that.
He is headless, but he is not a Dullahan.
He shares a similar characteristic, but he is a different entity.
With this certainty, I tried to attack before he moved, but he instantly moved to Leo and the others.
"Damn!"
I transferred to Leo and his sister's side and protected them from the sword strike he raised.
"Ugh!!"
The multiple barriers I had set up were significantly damaged.
A strike without preparation and this much power. It's definitely not a Dullahan.
"I didn't ask for your help, masked adventurer."
"We can't let the leader lose his head. Please bear with it, Marshal."
I wiped cold sweat from my face under the mask.
It should be fine.
This mask is a secret item from my grandfather.
It not only changes my voice and smell but also the impression I give to others. Even close family wouldn't recognize me.
My sister seemed to realize that the man in front of her was a dangerous opponent and took a step back to face another monster.
It seems even my sister didn't notice.
On the other hand, Leo was still by my side.
"Silver... It's been a while."
"You look well. Prince Leonardo."
"Yes, it's good to see you. I would like to talk more, but not in this battlefield."
"Unfortunately, that will have to wait."
Leo nodded and quietly moved away.
I confirmed this and focused on the man in front of me.
Just standing there, he exuded an inhuman aura. It's not about having a head or not. Fundamentally, he is not human.
The man, with eyes dyed black, smiled at me.
"I'm surprised to find someone who can withstand my attack."
"I'm surprised to find someone who can launch such an attack."
"You are a bold human. But that's fine. It's been a while since I've been on the ground. I need some entertainment."
"Been a while on the ground?"
"By the way, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Fulcas. I am borrowing this body, but I am a demon."
Fulcas laughed.
His smile was cruel to humans, but he seemed to be laughing normally.
Hearing the word "demon," one thing came to mind.
The demon that took over my great-grandfather's body.
At that time, it took the mobilization of the Royal Guard and the House of Courage to defeat it.
"For a demon, a resident of the Demon World, to appear on the ground. There must be a medium, right?"
Demons, in principle, cannot exist in this world. The exception is when a medium is prepared and the demon possesses it.
In the past, there were mages who controlled demons this way, but now no one summons demons.
Binding a demon is very troublesome, and it requires a large amount of magic power to maintain.
If you make a mistake, you could be killed, and you can't control them as you wish. Demon summoning is one of the magic techniques that have fallen out of use in modern times.
I didn't expect someone to do it.
"I have no summoner."
"You're lying."
I glanced at the black sphere.
The summoner is probably inside there.
"You're quite perceptive. But she can't command me. So, it's as if I don't have one."
"But it would be a problem if you didn't. The one stabilizing your existence is undoubtedly the summoner."
"Then what?"
"Rescue the summoner from that black sphere. These ridiculous numbers of monsters are a byproduct of your summoning, right?"
"Brilliant. Almost a perfect answer. Indeed, a hole connecting the Demon World and this world has been created in the center of the city, and I was summoned through it. The hole is expanding, and monsters are pouring in from the Demon World. Everything you said is correct. Except for one thing."
"What?"
"The one summoned was 'us.'"
Suddenly, a powerful magic user appeared on the scene.
Turning around, I saw a man in black clothes next to Leo.
Is he a demon too!
What a guy!
He slipped through the detection barrier I had set up!
I tried to set up a defensive barrier, but before I could, the man's sword was blocked by Linfia.
"Linfia!?"
"Are you alright, Prince Leonardo?"
"Damn!"
The man showed frustration at having his decisive moment thwarted and disappeared.
His attack speed wasn't that extraordinary. Probably a complete stealth type. But in this chaotic battlefield, he is a nuisance.
I tried to go to Linfia's aid, but Fulcas blocked my path.
"Don't get in the way!"
"Interfering with humans is what demons do."
While saying this, a man in black clothes appeared behind Linfia and swung his sword at her.