Chapter 42: Comfortable Sky Journey
"Flugel, can't you fly any faster!?"
"I apologize, Master, but it would be dangerous to increase the speed any further."
A single griffin with its enormous wings spread wide, soaring through the sky. It was the king of the sky, with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion.
Upon receiving the news of the surprise attack on Esperanza Fortress, Celestina and the Primera Knights were heading towards Esperanza Fortress by air to provide assistance.
"I don't mind. Who do you think I am? Even if I fall, I won't die."
Looking down at the vast forest below, Kakeru ordered Flugel to fly faster.
"W-Wait, Kakeru! It's really dangerous if we fall from this height! Ahhh!"
The speed increased suddenly, and the members of the Usaneko group, Aaron included, screamed.
"Really, it's hopeless. Since my ears hurt, Sylphid, please..."
"Yes, yes, Wind Barrier."
With the power of the wind spirit, a wall of air formed around the griffin, eliminating the air resistance.
"Thank you, Sylphid."
"No problem, it's just this much. But isn't it easy for a griffin to manipulate the wind like this?"
"Is that so, Flugel?"
"...I apologize, Master. I had forgotten because I have never carried someone before."
"Well, thanks to that, we survived. I seriously thought I was going to die."
Aaron exhaled with a pale face.
"Really... It's pathetic, Aaron. It's embarrassing as your older sister."
"Sis, you're relaxing in the first-class seat! Can't you switch with me soon? The claws are digging into me, and it hurts."
"I refuse. Besides, if we do something like that, won't it delay our arrival?"
Catarina called out to her younger brother from the first-class seat. From Aaron's perspective, it seemed unfair, but it was a valid argument, so he couldn't complain and had to endure it in silence.
On top of the griffin, in other words, in the first-class seats, were Chloe, Sara, Sylphid, Catarina, and Cecilia. By the way, Kakeru and Eva were holding onto Flugel's head while floating in the air.
As for the remaining members... Four people, including Aaron, were tightly holding onto Flugel's limbs, while the other four were wrapped around Mizuha's tail with a rope made of water, spinning in the air like a kite. Of course, they had long lost consciousness.
"Hey, Cecilia-san, it's not really my place to say, but are those people okay?"
"They'll be fine, Lady Sara. Those guys are A-rank adventurers, after all. They'll heal just fine if they get some spit on it."
***
"Achoo!"
"What's wrong, Mikoto? Do you have a cold?"
"Nah, I was just wondering if someone was talking about my skills or something."
"...What do you mean by skills?"
No one, except for the busy goddess, knew that a hero sneezed in a distant land.
***
"Primeria is already in sight. As expected of a griffin, darling."
"Yeah... you're right."
"Are you worried about that knight commander? She's a bit strange, but she's a pure and exemplary knight. She might sacrifice herself if necessary... but don't worry."
Eva gently stroked Kakeru's head as he struggled to suppress his anxious feelings.
"Just the fact that you're heading there will solve everything. I believe in that."
"Thank you, Eva. You're right, I guess I was getting too worked up."
***
- Primeria in the Sky -
The arrival of the griffin caused a commotion in the city of Primeria, but the griffin swiftly passed through the airspace above the city.
"What? The griffin arrived, but what about the damage?"
Lord Alfred, ruler of Primeria, received the report. He pressed his temples, hiding his displeased face amidst the already chaotic situation.
"Well... there's no damage, Lord Alfred. The griffin didn't do anything and flew away towards Fort Esperanza."
"Considering the timing, it might be related to the fort...?"
Just a moment ago, a messenger had arrived with news of the fall of Fort Esperanza, and they were in the midst of discussing their response.
If it comes to a retreat, it's likely that Lady Seres, the commander of the Celest Knights, would personally take charge.
(...Don't die, Lady Seres, Commander of the Celest Knights.)
The last mutter disappeared into the void, almost like a soliloquy.
"...Sebas."
"Yes, I am prepared for the sortie."
Sebastian, the skilled butler, respectfully lowered his head.
"...I haven't said anything yet, but as expected of you, Sebas. It's been a while... Alfred, the Fourth Holy Sword, will join the battle!"
***
"...It's strange, isn't it?"
"What's wrong, Chloe?"
Passing through Primeria, below us, I can see knights and adventurers lined up, seemingly preparing to intercept us. As soon as they noticed us, they assumed combat positions, so we quickly increased our altitude.
"They are not heading towards Esperanza, but rather positioning themselves for a counterattack. It's possible... that the fortress has already fallen."
"The fortress has fallen?... Is Celestina safe!?"
"I don't know... but if it's Celestina, she would undoubtedly be holding off the enemy's pursuit as the commander. My lord, we must hurry."
There is no time to waste. Kakeru gritted his teeth and stared in the direction of the fortress.
＊＊＊
"Could it be... those over there?"
"Yeah... they're monsters. Look at their numbers, there are 9,789 of them."
"Your Grace?! Amazing... to grasp the numbers in an instant... but isn't the situation unfavorable?"
"They must be planning to ambush the knight order that retreated from the fortress and annihilate them. The reinforcements from Primera must be held up here, blocked by the horde of monsters..."
If they were caught in a pincer attack between the monsters pursuing them from the fortress and the ambushing horde, there would be no escape. Lady Celestina, who is in the fortress, and undoubtedly this place as well, would become a death trap for the knight order.
"Kakeru-kun, we'll take care of this. So please... go and help Lady Celestina. She's our last hope as members of Astraea."
"Traveling in the sky wasn't bad, but having unlimited monster hunting is also not bad. Kakeru, I'm counting on you."
"Katarina-san, Cecilia-san... understood. We'll handle this. We will definitely save Celestina!"
"...Sorry for interrupting this nice atmosphere, but how are we going to descend? Huh, what's with that wicked smile... wait, don't tell me..."
"Giyaaaahhhh!"
They rapidly descended in altitude and were dropped right into the horde of monsters that were cornering the knight order. Hahaha, it feels like we're conducting an air raid, quite enjoyable.
The four people that Mizuha had carried were put into a large water ball and thrown straight into the horde of monsters... by Mizuha. The ball had cushioning and was mixed with holy water inside, so it should be fine... probably.
The bursting ball scattered in all directions, healing those hit by it and purifying the monsters it touched, causing them to disappear... Holy water seems to be usable for offensive purposes too. But we won't use it.
"The rest is up to you, Kakeru!"
Descending from the sky, the magic swordsman mowed down the horde of monsters while her pink hair swayed. Her name was Cecilia. In less than ten years, she had risen to become a Class A adventurer, a genius.
"Hey, what are you all standing around idly for? Hurry up and exterminate them, so we can meet up with Kakeru and the others!"
"Hey, Cecilia, don't say such reckless things. We went through such a tough time, my body hurts... wait, it doesn't? Oh, with this, I can fight! Alright, let me vent my frustration!"
The Usaneko Party consisted of only ten people, but each one of them was an invincible Class A adventurer. They began pushing back the massive horde of monsters all at once.
"Everyone~ It's an easy job, just defeat a mere hundred and it's over. Finish it quickly."
"...Geez, it's easy for you to say. Sister, you really have no regard for people. Can't be helped... alright, let's compete to see who can hunt the most!"
"Lady Celestina... I pray for your safety."
Even though they couldn't see Kakeru and the others anymore, Katarina kept her eyes fixed on the frontlines as she prayed to the goddess.