“With Teresa holding the southernmost point, it’s solid… So, should I move to support over there?”

Of course, I plan to move in a way that lets me cover other areas too, but there’s only so much I can do alone. It’d be better to narrow down my range of action to keep things clearer for everyone.

If it’s the sound of a flute, I can recognize it even from a distance.

In this southern battlefield, the southernmost front is held by a powerful large-scale clan, while the center is under Teresa’s command. It doesn’t seem like I’ll have much of a role to play here.

Now, the northernmost part of the southern battlefield.

Looking at the battlefield as a whole, this area is closer to the center and consists of a mixed force.

That said, a Knight Order is stationed in the neighboring battlefield, and there’s a reserve force ready in the training ground just behind us.

If anything happens, they should be able to come and support immediately. Still, it’s better if we can avoid unnecessary exhaustion.

Besides, compared to a battlefield that operates under strict discipline, I find it easier to move in this kind of environment.

And on top of that…

“—!?”

I instinctively flinch at the roar echoing from the north.

The source of the sound is Zighart’s magic.

His battle has finally started in earnest.

Man… that’s incredible.

Several knight squads are herding a group of monsters together into a single cluster.

Then, right on target—BOOM—Zighart’s magic strikes.

If I were to compare, it looks like they’re executing, on a squad-wide scale, the same hit-and-run tactics I use in the middle floors of dungeons.

Unlike the south, this area has an open view, making it easy to oversee the entire battlefield.

If I joined the fray, I’d probably just get in the way. It’s best to leave this side to them.

Yeah, the south it is!

◇

The adventurer group in the center of the battlefield is fighting in broad formation, loosely divided into front and rear lines by party units.

The front line handles combat, while the rear line steps in if any enemy breaks through.

Since the front line bears the brunt of the battle, they switch out with the rear from time to time to share the load.

Apparently, they’d already been fighting this way before I got here.

It’s a rather simple strategy, but simpler is often better than complex maneuvers.

That said, as the monsters grow stronger, some manage to break through during those switchovers.

If it’s just a breach, the soldiers stationed at the rear can handle it.

But sometimes, monsters pull a feint and circle back for a nasty surprise attack…

“There! Kicking it over!”

“Got it!”

An adventurer responds energetically to my call.

“Haah!”

I send a giant deer that had slipped through the front and rear lines flying with a solid kick.

The adventurers waste no time finishing it off.

This isn’t me handing them an easy kill, nor am I holding back.

I simply can’t take these things down in one blow.

Unlike dungeon monsters, destroying the core isn’t enough to finish them instantly.

Anyway, this area is back under control for now.

I only have a few potions left in my pouch… Maybe I should make a run to the southernmost point and then return to the main camp.

As for the north… it’s still booming like crazy, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

◇

“Sera, Vice Captain?”

After making a round through the southern battlefield, I returned to the main camp to restock my potions, but something had changed in the air.

Before, most soldiers had only worn armor, but now, more of them were fully armed.

“I’m here to resupply and report… More importantly, is the Captain heading out soon?”

August, like the soldiers, was equipping his gear.

That probably means he’s heading to the front lines.

“Yes. Have you checked the northern side?”

“I haven’t. It looks too dangerous to approach…”

Some of the people around us turned their gaze north.

Yeah… even from here, we can still hear those booming explosions.

August cleared his throat before continuing.

“Well… I suppose no one can approach that area. According to reports from the north, the number and strength of appearing monsters have started decreasing. Zighart has been taking them down at that pace, so they must be shifting their main forces south. Whether they plan to charge head-on or break into smaller units for ambush tactics… I’ll have to step in directly to handle it. A well-thought-out strategy.”

Since they can’t break through the north, they’re concentrating powerful monsters in the south and planning their next move.

Yeah, even monsters would think it’s impossible to push through that.

If they accelerate their attack or concentrate their forces… Like August said, their boss is thinking things through.

“Isn’t retreat an option for them?”

If their leader is smart enough to plan all this, wouldn’t they consider running away when victory seems impossible?

“Not a chance.”

August laughed.

He seemed completely certain.

Maybe it’s just the instinct of monsters?

“Teresa is holding the southern center, right? I’ll take the front line. Sera, you handle the southernmost point. They’ll likely try to push through the open center, but there’s also a chance they’ll attempt to break through the southernmost flank.”

If they want to make full use of their charge power, they’d storm through the open center straight toward the capital.

But if they target the southernmost point, our reinforcements will be delayed, and there’s a chance they could break through.

Even if the capital holds, the western territories will be in danger.

A critical position.

“Got it.”

————————————————————————————————————————————————–

Sera・【Hideout】+1【Prayer】【Mira’s Blessing】【Wind’s Raiment】・【Floating Orb】+1【Shadow Sword】【Scarlet Bee Needle】【Fairy’s Eye】【Dragon’s Lung】【Amber Sword】【Danrem’s Thread】【Serpent’s Tail】【Ankle Bracelet】【Amber Shield】【Purple Wings】【Red Sword】・15 cards

Seriana・【Area Identification】・【】・33 cards

Elena・【】・【Green Fang】【Amber Sword】・4 cards

Alec・【Strong Strike】・【Red Shield】【Fierce Horned Trumpet】・9 cards