With the enemy forces being down by almost half, the 1st and 2nd Division head to the field and begin their own battles. The monsters gaze at the incoming forces as they charge forward.
Knowing their role, the 2nd Division rushes to the front and takes their stances as the defensive force in the Royal Army. The monsters clash with the brute strength of the defense but don't seem to make an impact.
Despite the monsters' efforts, the 2nd Division stays firm and unfazed.
Meanwhile, the 1st Division flanks around the defensive groups and lays waste to the monster squadrons. They hack and slash into the various monsters mercilessly.
It looks to be a complete onslaught. The monsters have no chance to retaliate, with the 2nd Division holding them off.
When the impenetrable defense of the 2nd Division and the overwhelming offense of the 1st Division are paired up, they form the strongest fighting force in the whole Kingdom.
In awe, Saiba watches the performance unfolding on the cloud screens, its quality not able to provide the justice it deserves.
In perfect harmony, they move to their places and fulfill their roles. They make sure not to intrude on the other's spaces and allot enough room to do what is needed.
They truly show what the Royal Army is made of.
Back on the battlefield, Rigurd stands, completely surrounded by monsters. It seems that he has changed out of his formal wear and into a set of armor.
His armor has been dyed a weathered crimson as multiple scratches and dent marks are visible like rewards from his countless battles.
His helmet has the visor open, allowing him to see the monsters around him. In unison, the monsters charge at him. They attack with their bodies and weapons.
Despite their attempts, Rigurd stays completely still. Instead, he taunts,
"I was expecting more from monsters who chose to invade our city. It seems I was quite wrong."
He takes an axe, previously strapped to his back, and grasps it in his left hand. He takes a fierce step forward and prepares for an attack.
However, before he can swing his arm, Alvard comes flying in from above and slices all the monsters in half with his sharpened scimitar.
Before the monsters can turn to dust, they all burst into flames and reduce to ash. Confused, Rigurd questions,
"Alvard! What are you doing here!?"
Alvard looks back at Rigurd and shouts,
"Shouldn't you be thanking me right now, old man!?"
Rigurd continues asking,
"What about your portion of the enemy forces!?"
Alvard answers,
"I already took care of them, no problem! Looks like you're taking a while! Probably 'cause you're so old!"
Rigurd looks toward the outskirts of the 1st District's gates and sees a scene that looks like it's straight out of hell. Flames engulf the landscape, even fiercer than the ones in the city.
One by one, the enemy forces fall as Alizandria and Freidrich keep track from atop their cliff. Behind them, members of the 4th Division inform them of updates, calling out,
"The 1st and 4th enemy forces are down!"
"The 2nd, 3rd, and 5th have been taken care of as well!"
"Commander Sylvie has just informed us that all the citizens have been escorted to the 6th District and are being accommodated!"
"Similarly, all the Districts have been successfully stabilized!"
Alizandria mumbles,
"It seems everything has gone according to plan, Freidrich. As expected of the smartest man in the Kingdom, the [Stone-Cold Strategist]."
Freidrich responds,
"I told you not to call me that, but it's as you say. Everything is going well... Almost too well..."
He realizes something as he says,
"Something feels off..."
He commands,
"Order them to retreat. Now!"
Alizandria hears his call and instructs the 4th Division,
"You heard him! Send the signal for retreat!"
The members of the 4th Division salute and simultaneously shout,
"Yes ma'am!"
They prepare to shoot out their firearms once again when they are interrupted by multiple sounds of explosions. Alizandria and Freidrich look in shock as fire and smoke come off of where the Royal Army's forces were standing.
Additionally, even more attacks come crashing down as large, boulder-sized, blazing fragments fall from the sky. Freidrich mutters,
"That's [Meteor Shower]. The same Skill used to attack the city. It seems the Users were not in the invading forces."
A little frustrated, he continues,
"I knew something was off. They sent out those monsters as bait to get the strongest soldiers grouped up. Then they hit them with a powerful [Long-Range AoE Skill] like this one."
Frantically, Alizandria calls out,
"How does the situation look!? What are the losses!? Is there any clue as to what the source is!?"
Someone from the 4th Division replies,
"We are working on it, ma'am!"
Saiba and Gladius watch from the safety of the Castle. At this point, Saiba has stood up with both hands firmly placed on the table as he thinks,
"What's going on over there!?"