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There were two red skies on the battlefield, and a red abyss was spreading on Zephyrin's side as well.
The Spectre corps that chased Zephyrin had exerted all their efforts to subdue her, but so far, they hadn't dealt any meaningful blows.
'A monster like this was a spy and working as a 3rd-class researcher not too long ago...!'
'The signal flare went off a while ago, but how is the situation unfolding?'
'The battle on that side is dragging on, and that black power seems to be shadow force... Is the 12th flagbearer directly engaging in combat?'
'We urgently need support from 4th, 5th, 6th squads and reinforcements from the main base. Something doesn't feel right.'
Zephyrin was trying to avoid revealing her true identity to Zipfels and the leader's physical condition was still not optimal, so she was not fully using her power.
Nevertheless, Zephyrin successfully kept the Spectre corps in check. She was so skilled that those who were not familiar with axe swordsmanship, which she used clumsily, like at the Black King Mountain Hideout, might mistake her for Luna.
However, just like the Spectre corps, Zephyrin was also confused.
'What's this? That's not shadow force; it's the power of chaos. Moreover, it's not the chaos of Yona Runcandel... What's going on with Sir Jin?'
The sword energy Joshua was firing from the end of the Romin Forest almost looked like shadow force. However, Zephyrin quickly recognized that it was not.
'I don't think the 4th flagbearer or the Black Knights are using the power of chaos. It's probably the 2nd flagbearer... It's unpleasant because it strangely resembles that woman's power.'
That wasn't the only thing that was unpleasant.
Zephyrin was aware that the situation in the rear, in the Sota Desert, was not looking favorable.
The thunderstorm created by the battleship Grenil was gradually contracting. Meanwhile, the dragons of Zipfel and Kozec seemed to be finding more stability.
'Even if we go this far, if I can't take items from Sir Jin, it feels unfair, and I won't be able to sleep. Come to think of it, it seems difficult for those idiots from the Kaligo family to steal those items from Sir Jin with their stupid brains. What should I do...'
Once again, Zephyrin's gaze turned towards Joshua.
And she was able to discover something strange about the situation. Other than the power of chaos released by Joshua, there was no sign of shadow force, aura, or the blue flame, etc.
What that meant was clear.
'Is the 2nd flagbearer fighting alone...?'
There are two reasons that immediately came to Zipfel's mind.
First, the 2nd flagbearer could confront the Spectre corps alone by using the power of chaos, and then retreat, rejoining the Runcandels who had escaped.
Second, sacrifice himself.
Whether it was the former or the latter, the crucial point was that Joshua was fighting alone.
'It might become a backup plan.'
She can rescue Joshua, and hold him as a hostage for future negotiations with the Runcandels for the items. Zephyrin soon reached such a conclusion.
Swish!
Zephyrin parried the blade of the red abyss approaching her back, and pulled out a signal flare from her pocket.
***
"Ugh, vice-leader! Help! Help! Is help too far away?"
The 2nd princess of the great Kaligo family, Ainas Kaligo, had been yelling like that since her grand raid from the battleship Grenil.
Sweat ran down Bishkel's forehead as he looked at Ainas.
It wasn't because of the appearance of Ainas, whom he recognized as the female demon version of Bubare. Even though she looked very out of shape, she was surprisingly doing well in the battle.
Although a considerable amount of time had passed since the battle began, the fact that she was still alive was proof enough of Ainas's ability.
Of course, Bishkel didn't highly evaluate Ainas's battle prowess or skills.
'...It's almost like the survival power of a cockroach. She even resembles that disgusting fatty in that aspect.'
Ainas yelling for help wasn't because she was engaged in a convincing exchange of blows with the enemies.
It was due to the transcendent regeneration unique to the highest level demons.
Even if her body exploded, her head was severed, or her limbs were dismembered, she instantly recovered, and was once again getting on the nerves of Bishkel and her enemies.
"I don't know if there's everything like that, Sir Hedo."
Octavia shrugged her shoulders. While Bishkel associated Ainas with Bubare, Octavia was seeing Sandra from her.
"...I also wonder how different they are from the demons I fought with earlier."
Octavia didn't doubt Hedo's lie at all. Hedo felt a little sorry for her.
"That demon may look amusing, but honestly... The battleship Grenil is quite shocking."
There was only one battleship that didn't seem to be in perfect condition, and one demon that only had good regenerative abilities.
Octavia was barely coming to terms with the fact that these things had been holding their own against the main force she had led so far.
"That battleship had already faced the Sword Emperor's sword. Seeing the majesty of their battleship, it seems like his sword hasn't dulled. Still, it looks like they're gradually being pushed back now."
"If the Sword Emperor hadn't damaged the armor and shield, it would have been tight even now. Even if it weren't for the demon who injured the Sword Emperor, we might have gained the upper hand sooner."
As she spoke, Grenil was in a much worse state than before. Various parts were destroyed, and about half of the spikes forming the thunderstorm had lost their functionality. The cannons, excluding the main cannon, were now at a level where they wouldn't pose a threat.
"Anyway, we need to make a decision soon. The situation near the Romin Forest doesn't look promising."
Octavia said, raising her mana. The dragons were also ready to fire their breaths, and the mages were preparing large-scale defensive spells again.
'It's almost the limit now. If we're exposed to attacks of this level a few more times, escape will be impossible.'
It wasn't a situation where the leader could restore Grenil, as he did during the Sword Emperor Castle terror attack.
'Ms. Zephyrin, hurry...!'
The moment Bishkel clenched his teeth, searching for her.
In the distance, a signal flare exploded in the sky above the Romin Forest. It was the signal flare set off by Zephyrin.
The Zipfels immediately recognized that it wasn't their signal.
'Alright!'
Ainas also saw the signal and raised her greatsword high.
"Oh, it's grand duke Zephyrin's signal! I don't know what's going on, but the grand duke! After all, he is our Grand Duke! Let's get out of here, vice-leader!"
Chiiiiig-!
The sharp metallic rotating sound emanated from Grenil's engine. It was the power they had been saving from being beaten up until now.
Those who had operated Kozec knew what the sound meant. It was the sound just before starting full-speed flight.
"Escape? After being beaten up like this, there's still such power left!"
Octavia narrowed her eyes and shouted.
Everyone knows that Grenil's goal was to buy time in the first place. However, Zipfels believed that they could completely defeat Grenil unless the leader appeared, as was the case during the Sword Emperor Castle terror attack.
"Hey, hey! vice-leader! I'm still here!"
Bishkel had no intention of rescuing Ainas Kaligo and leaving.
Not just because he disliked her, but it was dangerous to waste time boarding and revealing weaknesses.
'There is nothing we can do if you die. If you become a prisoner, we will rescue you through negotiation, Ainas Kaligo. But I hope you survive on your own. So that I don't have to waste negotiation cards needlessly.'
Ainas ran frantically towards Grenil, which had started turning its hull.
However, she was unable to get closer to Grenil as Kozec's cannon fires, Hedo's sword energy, the mages' offensive spells, and the dragons' breath were being bombarded and exploding in all directions.
"Vice leaderrrr! You forgot me, ugh! No, huh, kuck! Kuduk! Let's go together!"
Having turned back towards the Romin Forest, Grenil was concentrating all remaining power on the rear shield and acceleration. Kozec couldn't keep up, and the dragons barely followed, shooting breath, but none of it hit.
The colossal barrier erected by the mages collided with the front of Grenil and shattered.
At that moment, Hedo explosively threw himself towards Grenil.
"Whoa!"
Ainas, who stood in his path, was blown away by the shockwave created by Hedo's acceleration, and Octavia matched Hedo's leap by generating a gust of wind with her mana.
Sssaaak-!
The longsword, Bale, rose in the air, unleashing a storm of twenty sword energies.
If it weren't for injuries, as Octavia had mentioned, Hedo's sword wave would surely have shattered Grenil's rear shield, preventing it from advancing at full speed.
'A bit too shallow.'
The sword wave only scraped the rear shield, narrowly missing its target.
At the same time, the heat and shockwaves from Grenil's engine engulfed Hedo's body and the dragons that were following closely.
Even in the midst of this, Hedo scattered his sword waves in all directions to protect the dragons, allowing them to descend and avoid the shockwaves.
However, Ainas was once again thrown somewhere by Grenil's shockwave.
"Chase them!"
Octavia's eyes were burning with dark killing intent as she shouted and Kozec took the lead to catch up with Hedo.
***
Meanwhile, at the central border of the Lutero Magic Federation beyond the Romin Forest.
A woman in a white dress was wiping the blood off her greatsword. In front of her stood a man covered in wounds and scars, breathing heavily with his left arm lost.
It was Bianca Kaligo, the 1st princess of the Kaligo family, and the Black Knight, Mon.
'She suddenly stopped moving....'
Mon ran into her while escaping from the shipyard. He couldn't fend off her attacks throughout the battle, even though he fought tirelessly.
Well, calling it a battle might be an overstatement. Mon's stamina was low due to fighting all the time in the shipyard, but Mon was sure of one thing.
Bianca was an opponent he couldn't handle even if he fought in his best condition.
The only reason Mon was still alive was that Bianca suddenly stopped her attacks, as if she were possessed by something.
'The ones who went into the magic tower... Are they okay? I have to somehow escape from this monster and request support from the clan. Definitely. But why is she staring at that thing so intently?'
What Bianca was looking at was the signal flare fired by Zephyrin.
"Uh, uh, that... The signal from the Grand Duke. I have to go. What should I do...?"
A slurred yet slow voice. Bianca was conflicted.
Whether she should kill the human in front of her before leaving or just hurry up and go.
"The grand duke's... orders come first. If I don't follow, I'll be in trouble. You're lucky, human. And it was fun."
Saying so, Bianca ran off towards the Romin Forest.
She said it was an important signal flare, and even though she had such remarkable physical abilities that she could overpower Mon, it was impossible to know why she was casually jogging away.