Chapter 62: Mock Battle
"This is a mock battle. If you can defeat our party, we will acknowledge your claim," Lord Meiger declared.
Karena was taken aback by the unexpected turn of events and turned to us. Cecily didn't hesitate and immediately responded, "Let's do it!" However, Greon and Larouk calmly assessed the abilities of the three opponents.
Then, Beth and I exchanged a subtle nod. Beth's "private conversation" would bind the party. Karena flinched, then slowly nodded.
"... Is this an official proposal as a chief inspector, Lord Meiger?" She managed to suppress her anger, speaking in a controlled tone. Well done, Princess.
"Hmm? Ah, are you concerned that attacking the dispatched chief inspector on official duty might be considered rebellion or a crime? However, it's needless worry, as it would be difficult for you to inflict even a scratch on us. Yes, I simply wish to determine whether you possess the strength to conquer this labyrinth on your own merits, and I'll be observing that," he explained.
"What are the conditions?"
Karena, now seemingly composed, continued to inquire.
"Let's pledge not to take each other's lives. In addition, our parties will engage in combat, and the decisive moment will come when either you, the primary representative, or I become incapacitated. Should you emerge victorious, though such an outcome is highly unlikely, I will withdraw my doubts and report to the capital that your family successfully conquered this labyrinth."
"Is a 6 vs. 3 ratio acceptable?"
"...Do you believe having more people guarantees victory? We'll involve both of our parties here. However..."
At that point, Meiger paused.
"If your side is defeated, I will report that 'House Orbania lacks the capability to conquer the labyrinth and has raised suspicions of making false claims.' This would not only lead to the downfall of House Orbania but also mean losing honor without any chance of recovery. On the other hand, if you were to retract the conquest report here and seek leniency from the capital, you might be recognized as a deputy to a neighboring noble or at the very least retain the status of a knight. Are you still willing to take this reckless gamble?"
He seemed to be trying to change Karena's mind.
"Are you suggesting becoming Count Brel's vassal? To become a concubine to that vile man who betrayed his father and seized Douglas without proper qualification?"
However, instead of deterring Karena, it seemed to have steeled her resolve.
"Lord Meiger, if you are also a noble, then you should bear responsibility for your words."
Her voice was cold, a tone I had never heard from her before.
***
"Everyone, I apologize."
"No need to apologize, Lady Karena."
Karena appeared to feel guilty for the provocation that could have left her retainers in a difficult situation, but Cecily interrupted her.
"If we let them mock us like that, we can't just back down, right?"
"Yes, let's do this."
Even the usually aloof Larouk seemed resolute this time, and Beth, who usually shied away from combat, was also motivated. She took off her glasses, abandoning her nonchalant demeanor.
Of course, I had no intention of meekly obeying Meiger and his companions.
Moreover, as we discussed during Beth's "private conversation," we had shared as much information as we could among ourselves.
"So, how do we win?"
Greon shifted into battle mode, seeking confirmation on our strategy.
In this world's common knowledge, it seemed that having twice the level of opponents did not guarantee victory, which was likely why they proposed this mock battle.
The enemy party consisted of: Lord LV23, Adventurer LV19, Mage LV18.
In contrast, our party comprised: Warrior LV13, Warrior LV12, Adventurer LV15, Monk LV12, Scout LV12, Mage LV11.
Of course, the actual strength wouldn't be as straightforward. The same goes for both sides.
"Very well, Lady Karena."
"Yes, thank you for waiting."
We moved away from the water's edge, returning to a better foothold on the fifth floor before the fourth floor. Karena responded to Meiger's proposal.
"Then, let's begin!"
As Meiger signaled, he began casting party-enhancing spells. In response, Karena chanted spells for physical and magical defense. The battle had begun.
Larouk had already disappeared using Stealth.
While we knew our opponents' positions through party coordination, we were unsure of their detection abilities. This would dictate how the battle unfolded.
Suddenly, Larouk appeared behind the enemy mage Noian, lunging with a dagger. However, Noian anticipated the attack and dodged as if he had predicted it. His counterattack was deflected by Larouk's magical shield. In danger of being caught between Noian and Adventurer Delacius, Larouk quickly retreated.
It seemed they were accurately predicting our movements. This confirmed my suspicion.
With the enemy mage on the defensive, we initiated our offensive magic.
Beth's flame vortex attempted to engulf the three opponents, but Noian swiftly erected a broad magical shield to deflect it. Simultaneously, a blizzard was unleashed from their side.
They were employing two spells simultaneously. Was this the power of a high-level mage?
Beth couldn't recast her magic in time. I conjured a clay barrier, everyone crouching behind it to weather the blizzard.
It seemed our opponents were taken aback by the sudden appearance of the barrier, which they hadn't seen Beth use before, apart from on the ship.
In the "Discernment (Middle) Skill," skill names like "Doll Play" and "Clay Play" are visible, but the specific abilities within are not shown. I knew that from when I talked with Gen-san, so I kept my cards close. From the start, I didn't trust Magear.
It's troublesome that the opposing sorcerer can use multiple spells simultaneously, but if I handle defense, Ves can focus on offense. Everyone, including LaRouque who returned within the defensive wall, fires arrows simultaneously. It's an exchange of attacks, but as long as we don't hit their heads, it shouldn't be fatal.
On the other hand, Noian puts up a magic shield, and from the side, Magear and Delacius use bows.
In this exchange, even with a level difference, aren't we at an advantage? Just as I thought that, the Blizzard magic is activated again. It's simultaneous use once more.
Moreover, the Blizzard that we thought could be blocked by the defensive wall changes trajectory and accurately strikes us behind the wall.
I summon a ceramic shield to protect the party, but how do they know our positions?
"It might be a 'Transparency' spell of high level magic," Beth points out. That's a possibility. However, there could be more troublesome alternatives.
Looking at LaRouque, he's sensing our presence with a knowing expression. We have no choice but to leave it to him.
Beth once again launches a precise assault with her specialized fire magic. It's powerful enough to kill if it hits squarely, but the opponents aren't as foolish as we thought.
Noian is likely enhancing the power of the magic shield. While it doesn't deal any damage, using both defense and attack spells simultaneously seems difficult for them in that state.
Then suddenly, the opponents charge toward us, still maintaining the magic shield.
Moreover, Magear seems to be casting something. Could it be "Silence"?
A calm envelops our camp with magical tranquility.
Beth's incantation for the fire magic she was about to cast dissipates.
But the opponent's magical shield remains intact. Arrows from Carenna and Cecilie are deflected.
"That's a more advanced 'Silence' with localized targeting," Carenna expresses surprise.
"I've heard that as your level increases, you can narrow down the location to suppress magic," Beth is also unsettled. That's not good.
However, if it's location-based, then moving from this position would mean we can use magic.
"Let's move!"
I summon two ceramic shields and hand one to Glayonne.
Dividing into groups of three, we take cover behind the shields. Clay walls absorb the incoming attack, creating a barrier around Magear and his allies.
On the right, it's me, Cecilie, and Carenna. On the left, Glayonne, LaRouque, and Beth.
Naturally, the opponents, particularly Carenna, head towards us. While our ceramic shields are heavy, the opponents have magic shields, so their movements are naturally faster. But we have no choice if we want to allow Beth to use magic freely.
In fact, we're acting as decoys.
LaRouque and Beth target the enemy from behind with arrows and magic. Noian deploys a second magic shield to block. However, this should make it difficult for them to use offensive spells.
The transparent magic shield reveals its interior. Using this to our advantage, Beth channels flames through the gaps. Noian is fully occupied with expanding the shield to block it. Seeing this, Glayonne abandons his shield and launches a swift counterattack.
Lv19 adventurer Delacius intercepts it, easily blocking it. But in that moment, LaRouque, who had disappeared from view momentarily, attacks from the side with a dagger. Blood finally splatters. Delacius twists to evade, but his shoulder is cut open.
However, Magear ignores this and charges toward us.
The victory condition is that either Magear or Carenna becomes incapacitated.
Cecilie intercepts, but her sword is sent flying with a single strike. Truly powerful!
As Magear attempts to slash at Cecilie's armor from the side, I rain down a lump of clay from above, destabilizing his stance. I retract my shield and strike. Carenna is left alone.
In that moment, a presence emerges.
"Eek!"
An arm extends from behind Carenna, pressing against her head. A knife is held to her throat. A black-clothed figure materializes out of nowhere. His voice is devoid of inflection as he commands, "Don't move."
Facing me and Cecilie, Magear smiles with satisfaction. But it's short-lived.
A small fireball explodes on the face of the ninja man standing behind Carenna.
"Ugh!"
Carenna mercilessly knocks the burning man down with the hilt of her sword.
In this impossible situation, I swiftly encase Magear with a wall of clay, immobilizing him.
In a hurry to escape, Cecilie's blade is swiftly pressed against the man's neck.
"Prepare yourself."
"Damn, this is a mess."
"...We've lost."
Noian drops the staff he held.
"Do you admit defeat, Lord Magear?"
Stepping on the black-clothed ninja man as if she were a queen, her blade aimed at his throat, Carenna questions Magear.
Peering from Carenna's chest, a doll-sized Lina, dressed in wizard's attire, makes her presence known.
Since it was clear they would target Carenna in the final stage, I had hidden Lina, using the Ninja Art "Busty Concealment Technique" in her cleavage. In this ninja contest, we emerged victorious.
"Could it be... what is going on here?"
Trembling with humiliation, Magear's head shakes in disbelief as Cecilie's blade presses even harder.
"Alright, alright, we admit... we've lost."
With a twisted expression and a sense of frustration, Magear acknowledges their defeat.