𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐪𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬
“To the fourth squad, go forward! Fifth squad, assist the third!”
ㅤ
Yorha issued the command, and the makeshift unit followed her order.
Not only soldiers but also civilians who had been fighting to protect the town were included in the unit. Though they should have been the ones protected or fleeing, Yorha had incorporated them into her force.
Moreover, next to Yorha, the Summoned beast 『Gate・of・Isolde』 was deployed. From it, numerous small locusts flew out, attaching themselves to the soldiers’ ears.
ㅤ
『Can you hear me? Follow my instructions.』
“Oh, can you hear me?! Is this the princess’s Summoned beast?!”
『It’s borrowed. Those who can fight, head to the Fourth Street Park. However, if there are wounded nearby, prioritize their protection and evacuate to the royal palace.』
ㅤ
These locusts attach to human ears and can relay voices, facilitating communication. It’s a communicative ability held by a summoner affiliated with Yorha’s private squad.
Yorha, while sweating profusely, continued giving directions.
Currently, Yorha was employing three Summoned beasts simultaneously.
A dragonfly-shaped Summoned beast 『Scope Yanma』 for reconnaissance, a locust-shaped Summoned beast 『Telephone Locust』 for communication, and a massive silver scorpion, the Partner-type Summoned beast 『Dynascorpion』, to protect her.
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“Whew. . . . . .managing three at once is indeed strenuous.”
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Dynascorpion was busy fending off the approaching lump of meat demon beasts.
An ad hoc unit formed a protective circle around Yorha. However, the number of lump of meat demon beasts didn’t seem to decrease.
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“Second squad, third squad, retreat through Third Street. If there are injured or those needing rescue along the way, attend to them. . . . . .The rest gather at Fourth Street Park. We’ll make our stand there!”
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Just as Yorha was issuing this command…
ㅤ
“I’ve finally found you. . . . . .Princess.”
“. . . . . .Trismegistus!”
ㅤ
A figure, entirely covered in a hood, was present.
Beneath the hood was a young woman, but her real identity was one of the twenty-one summoners, 『The Hermit』 Trismegistus. An Equipment-type Summoned beast ring named 『Ring of Dimension』, which connects spaces, gleamed brightly.
ㅤ
“Princess, you must evacuate.”
“I dislike it. Look at this situation, we must somehow deal with that demon’s spewed lump of meat, the demon beast. It’s not the kind of opponent that will be resolved by staying indoors.”
“It’s not permissible. Royalty, nobility, you should evacuate.”
“Trismegistus!”
“Eek!”
ㅤ
Yorha shouted.
At her commanding and imposing shout, Trismegistus stumbled back. Her robe slipped, revealing the face of a girl who seemed barely in her teens.
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“Is the duty of royalty to stand still in situations like this? To cower for the sake of protecting trivial things? To hide for the sake of preserving tradition and lineage?. . . . . .No. A country is its people. I will fight to protect the people of this country that I love!”
“Ah, u-uh. . . . . .”
“If you understand, then cooperate.”
“B, But. . . . . .”
“Trismegistus. . . . . .”
“Eek!. . . . . .O, Okay!!”
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Trismegistus stood up and bowed to Yorha.
Yorha began issuing orders again.
ㅤ
“Everyone, we’ll regroup from here!!”
ㅤ
The princess’s leadership inspired and rallied both soldiers and citizens.
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◇◇◇◇◇◇
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Kid and the others arrived right under the clock tower.
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“. . . . . .Someone’s here.”
“Huh? You can tell?”
“Yeah. There’s this disgustingly sweet scent. . . . . .『Lust』!!”
ㅤ
Kid grits his teeth.
Garnet tosses the ash from her pipe and retrieves a wooden box from her chest.
Ridelle notices this.
ㅤ
“Um, what’s that. . . . . .”
“It’s my special tobacco. I summon beasts through the medium of 『smoke』. . . . . .Florentia isn’t an easy opponent. If we’re capturing and not killing, we need to be fully prepared. Ridelle, don’t hold back.”
“. . . . . .Yes!!”
ㅤ
Ridelle’s legs change, and Garnet lights a new cigarette.
And then, she arrived.
ㅤ
“Oh my~, you found me♪.”
ㅤ
Descending gracefully from the top of the clock tower is. . . . . .the demon of 『Lust』, Florentia.
She twirls a large scythe and wears a seductive smile.
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“What a wonderful view. . . . . .So many humans being devoured, despairing, and crying out.”
ㅤ
Florentia wore a look of ecstasy.
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“We planned to take this country once the Demon Emperor revived. But with Typhon here, this country will fall today. I’m sure of it. Most of the twenty-one summoners can’t move. The heroes who once troubled us are gone. . . . . .right, Garnet?”
“. . . . . .I won’t deny it. How many years do you think it’s been since that battle? Humans age. We can’t stay young and fiery forever.”
“I guess. . . . . .Those days were fun. Well, I’m having a blast now too!”
“. . . . . .Florentia. Tell me how to calm it down, or better yet, how to kill it.”
“Huh~? Why would I know that?”
ㅤ
Garnet takes a puff of her cigarette and exhales.
The smoke was black.
“Tezcatlipoca. . . . . .『Merge』.”
ㅤ
Black smoke engulfs Garnet.
It took the form of a black humanoid beast. Like a tiger, like a dragon, like a bird. A jet-black smoke, like ink, envelops Garnet.
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“Listen to your body. I know. . . . . .If it came down to it, you’d prioritize yourself over the Demon Emperor. If you felt threatened, you’d abandon him.”
“. . . . . .Maybe?”
“You won’t escape, Florentia. This ends here.”
“Fufu, Garnet. . . . . .You seem just like the old days. But have you forgotten? You’ve never beaten me. I’m really strong on my own.”
“I know. Are you blind? Look who’s next to me.”
“Hmm?. . . . . . A cute redhead and. . . . . .oh, my adorable boy♪.”
ㅤ
Ridelle activates the boosters on her boots.
Kid looks at his left hand and grips it tightly.
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“『Lust』. . . . . .”
“Hmm, trying to look cool? Boys can’t beat me.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
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Kid points his left hand at Florentia.
Then, he points his index finger at Florentia, raises his thumb, and folds the rest.
ㅤ
“Shoot, 『Headsman』. . . . . .No, let’s go, Billy.”
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Kid’s left hand turns into a jade-like material, and his index finger becomes a gun muzzle.
The all-penetrating left hand takes aim at Florentia.
ㅤ
“Today, I’ll settle everything here.”
“Really~?”
“So. . . . . .Die!!”
ㅤ
A jade bullet fires, signaling the start of the battle.
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