Chapter 99

“Hmph.”

As soon as Rostia snorted, the Demon Toads trying to break through the southeastern gate passage froze solid, along with the entire passage.

With their path completely blocked, the Demon Toads panicked, not knowing what to do, but soon they started using each other as stepping stones to send others upward.

Since the passage through the gate was completely blocked by ice, they decided not to force their way through. Instead, they began building a step-like wall to climb over it.

“L-Lady Rostia! They’re building a wall in front of the gate!”

“Surprisingly intelligent for such ugly creatures. I’d love to freeze them all and use them as research specimens, but we already have enough. So, everyone, step forward. Show me your skills.”

“Yes, Lady of the Magic Tower.”

Five High Magicians, dressed in noticeably extravagant robes, who had been standing behind Rostia, took a deep breath, focused, and walked up to the top of the fortress wall.

They then joined hands and began a large-scale Magic Process.

“Aksion, you start first.”

“Alright, let’s begin. Attack Magic isn’t our specialty, but if we combine our strength, we can definitely pull it off. Now…! Basic Magic Formula, construction complete.”

“Transformation Form, Flame. Visualization ready.”

“Range set.”

“Magic Circle synthesis complete.”

“Then, finally, launch!!”

With that shout, a massive fireball rolled out from the huge Magic Circle that had formed above the High Magicians.

The fireball rolled down Rostia’s stone fortress wall, gaining speed and size as it fell, mercilessly crushing and burning the Demon Toads in its path.

As the fireball rolled, it cleared a large path through the Demon Toads that had completely filled the area in front of the gate.

“Just five of them created such a large and powerful spell!”

“Wow, as expected of the High Magicians! Even though none of them specialize in Attack Magic, they still unleashed such a powerful spell so effortlessly!”

“Hmph…”

While the other magicians watched in awe and cheered, Rostia just snorted, clearly unimpressed.

“Five of you combined your strength, and that’s all you could manage?”

“We apologize, Lady of the Magic Tower.”

“You need to improve. Keep going until not a single toad remains.”

“Huh? B-But, Lady of the Magic Tower, if we keep using Mana like this…”

“What do you mean ‘if we keep using Mana’?!”

Rostia couldn’t hold back her frustration and shouted.

“When else are you going to use Mana if not now?!”

“We’re sorry, Lady of the Magic Tower. We were short-sighted.”

“Tsk tsk, if it weren’t for me and those two, what would’ve happened to you? You’d have been buried under those toads and died from the itch.”

After scolding the High Magicians, Rostia pulled out a small hand mirror from her pocket.

The mirror showed the Northern Gate and the Western Gate.

What caught Rostia’s attention the most was Riana, who was furiously unleashing flames alone at the Northern Gate.

“How dare they spread rumors that I like him! When I become a High Magician, I won’t let this slide!!”

“What? Riana, who’s spreading such vicious rumors? I’ll go and crush them…!”

“And he’s not even good-looking!!”

As she shouted, another wave of flames swept away the Demon Toads.

“That girl, she’s finally releasing all her pent-up frustration.”

While Rostia had snorted at the five High Magicians, she smiled warmly at Riana’s display.

Though the flames Riana unleashed alone were smaller than those created by the five High Magicians combined, Riana was doing it all by herself without any preparation.

After confirming that the Northern Gate was secure, Rostia turned her attention to the Western Gate.

While Riana was going wild at the Northern Gate and Kairon was covering the gaps, the Western Gate was practically being handled by Abelin alone.

Every time Abelin thrust her sword and charged forward, countless Demon Toads exploded.

The Defense Force could only watch in awe, barely managing to handle the few Demon Toads that slipped through.

What Rostia had taught Abelin was a simple wind magic that anyone who could use Mana could easily perform.

But seeing the whirlwind that surged around Abelin with every charge, no one could call it a simple spell.

The reason it was possible was because of the necklace Abelin wore.

The powerful magical equipment Abelin had been wearing amplified the simple spell into a powerful one.

Naturally, Abelin was thrilled, her usual composed and dignified expression replaced by an excited grin as she rampaged.

If Kairon had seen her, he would’ve teased her, but unfortunately, Kairon and Abelin were in different places.

‘This is quite the situation, but it looks like it’ll be resolved without too much trouble.’

The only real issue was the sheer number of Demon Toads.

Though numerous, the Demon Toads were of poor quality and were being swept away effortlessly.

Moreover, the defenders of Rostia’s city showed no signs of tiring.

Rostia thought this as she leisurely prepared to return to the Magic Tower.

“Huh…?”

At that moment, Rostia’s eyes widened as she sensed a powerful magical reaction.

“L-Lady of the Magic Tower!”

“I felt it too. What on earth is going on…?”

Beyond the horizon where the Demon Toads were swarming, a massive Magic Circle was being drawn in the sky.

Soon, countless people began descending from the Magic Circle, landing on the ground.

Their numbers grew rapidly, becoming too many to count.

Finally, when the Magic Circle closed and all the people had landed, another magical reaction was felt.

“Huff…”

A woman’s voice, amplified by magic, echoed.

“Everyone, charge! Crush those insolent demons who dared to invade this world!!”

“For Rimpos!!”

What had arrived through the massive teleportation Magic Circle was none other than the Rimpos Empire’s army.

Though their numbers were fewer than the Demon Toads, the Rimpos Empire’s war cries and the thunderous sound of their warhorses’ hooves were overwhelming.

The ground shook with their fierce charge, so grand that even the Demon Toads, who had been charging forward mindlessly, turned around in shock.

Caught off guard from behind, the Demon Toads were skewered by the Rimpos Empire’s swords and spears, trampled under hooves, and exploded.

Despite the sticky fluid splattering everywhere, the Rimpos Empire’s army showed no mercy, continuing their relentless charge.

The wave of the Rimpos Empire’s army swept through.

What Rostia had expected to be a long, drawn-out battle was completely overturned.

Watching the Rimpos cavalry hunting down the remaining stragglers, Rostia turned to the old man who had quietly appeared beside her and asked politely.

“What have you done, Gatekeeper?”

“Hehe, it’s nothing much. You already know what’s happening in this world, don’t you? So, I just asked for a little help.”

“Asked for help? Don’t tell me…?”

“Exactly that.”

“Old man…”

Rostia clutched her throbbing head.

“Just know this, old man. Your plan for a quiet, simple retirement is completely ruined…!”

***

“What on earth…?”

Everyone watched in stunned silence as the Rimpos Empire’s army swept away the Demon Toads.

Of course, I was no exception.

I never expected the sudden appearance of demons launching a large-scale attack on Rostia, and I certainly never expected the Rimpos Empire’s army to show up and aid Rostia.

But…

‘If my ears aren’t deceiving me…’

When the Rimpos Empire’s army began their charge, a woman’s voice rang out loudly.

Kairon thought he was hearing things.

But with his improved vision, he spotted a familiar figure among the troops.

Even as Kairon stood there dumbfounded, that person galloped fiercely toward him and shouted.

“You, how have you been?!”

“This can’t be real.”

Kairon shook his head in disbelief.

“…Artemis?”