Chapter 149 – Meeting

Grace leaped into the air and brought her axe down in a high stance as she descended.

The iron golem split vertically with a shattering sound as if being crushed flat. Though it appeared to be just a careless downward swing, the power behind it was tremendous. It was quite a ridiculous sight.

“How is it, Grace-san?”

“It feels good. It fits well in my hands.”

Grace smiled as she examined the new axe in her hand.

I had asked for the balance to remain unchanged from her previous axe… Even though the material and weight should be different, it seemed to be working out quite well. Admittedly, it took several adjustments, but the fact that Viola managed to complete it with time to spare shows her competence.

Ashley was also having a magic tool made from the Dead Shark’s magic stone. As for our party, we’ve completed most of our preparations.

“Since it’s a new weapon, it would be good to get more accustomed to it. Shall we continue training with golems?”

“Yes.”

Grace nodded with a serious expression. Whether it was an Aqua Golem or an Iron Golem, it made no difference to Grace. To avoid injuries during training, I prepared multiple Aqua Golems to serve as Grace’s training partners.

After positioning and activating the golems, Grace charged at them. Frankly speaking, against Grace, the golems couldn’t properly dodge or defend against her speed and power. However, since the purpose this time was for her to familiarize herself with the weapon, there was no need for overly complex movements.

Grace freely swung her axes left and right, slicing the golems to pieces.

Sometimes she would use brute force to forcibly change the trajectory regardless of the weapon’s weight or swing momentum, while other times she would let the weight of the swinging axe carry her body, dodging the golem’s attacks while shifting forms, then slamming the other axe from a blind spot to bisect the torso. I could see she had acquired more refined techniques compared to before.

The result was that technique complemented strength, and strength complemented technique, creating a chain attack like a storm where the Aqua Golems were sent flying as soon as they regenerated.

The other party members were resting since Grace was moving at full power for the axe’s trial run. Getting caught up in that wouldn’t end well.

…Hmm. But if we want to practice coordination, everyone should get used to Grace’s movements. The only ones who can keep up with Grace’s movements are Sheila and Lavigne with their sharp senses, and Caduceus who can freely change his form.

I positioned Aqua Golems slightly away from where Grace was fighting. Simultaneously, I created Clay Golems in a form holding axes in both hands, making them trace Grace’s movements with a slight delay.

I made the Aqua Golems, who were meant to be defeated, perform the same movements. It was like having the golems replay Grace’s training session in a different part of the garden.

Since I needed to focus on Grace’s movements, I couldn’t really do other tasks while managing the training.

“Did you think of something again?”

Sheila, who had been watching, asked me.

“Yeah. I thought if I make them perform the same movements with a time difference over there and here, and have everyone join in, we might be able to simulate fighting alongside Grace.”

“Interesting. Let me try.”

Sheila positioned herself behind the Clay Golem and, matching its movements, delivered slashing attacks to the Aqua Golem. When Grace performed a sweeping strike to the side, Sheila leaped vertically, spinning through the air to sever the Aqua Golem’s head.

“How is it?”

“Yeah. It feels like fighting together with Grace.”

“Then I’ll try fighting while imagining Sheila-san is behind me too.”

Grace’s movements changed accordingly. She began incorporating moments to alternate attack timing with Sheila into her movements.

But Sheila wasn’t actually there where Grace was training. If I didn’t reflect the damage Sheila inflicted on the Aqua Golem to Grace’s side, discrepancies would arise.

To solve that… I needed to predict Sheila’s movements.

Normal golem control. Following Grace’s movements. Observing Sheila’s movements and predicting the type of attack and the golem’s reaction to being slashed, then reflecting it. I had to perform all these operations simultaneously.

This was quite… likely to get confusing, but it made for good control training. Since I was closely observing my companions’ movements, I could expect it to help with prediction during actual combat.

But including all companions at once still seemed too difficult.

“…This is monstrous.”

“I understand what you’re doing, but… just watching makes my head spin.”

Talcott and Alfred muttered such words while watching the training scene.

“Now then… about the day before and the day itself. I want to confirm everyone’s locations.”

After continuing the training for a while, the people I had contacted began gathering.

The reason for summoning them was to hold a meeting at the workshop with trustworthy acquaintances.

The attendees included workshop associates, Forestbird, Rosetta, and Talcott. From the Knight Order: Chester, Mercedes, and Mildred. …And Claudia was also participating.

After obtaining King Melvin’s permission, I planned to give communication devices to these members to maintain close contact on the day. Naturally, only those who could keep secrets were included.

By confirming how to use the communication devices and each person’s location, we could prepare for rapid response. In an emergency, there’s no time to leisurely write messages. If we know locations in advance, we can gather with minimal messaging.

“I’ll probably be at home. If something big attacks near the central area, I’ll contact you.”

Alfred said. His “home” undoubtedly meant the royal castle. Ophelia, Cindy, and Viola were also said to be evacuating to the royal castle.

The royal castle had numerous soldiers and knights, plus Court Magician Ricard and Princess Stephania were still staying there, so it should have considerable combat power.

“I’ll be stationed at the academy.”

“Me too. I owe the headmaster.”

Rosetta and Talcott would be at the academy… The academy already had clerics stationed there. If believers appeared, depending on the scale, those two might handle it.

Forestbird and the others would be around the Guild and temple area. The orphanage children would also go to the temple. Mildred said she would establish her command post there too, so the labyrinth entrance would become a heavily defended location. Probably safer than staying at the orphanage.

“I’ll lead the Wyvern Corps patrolling from the northern to western districts.”

“Then I’ll take responsibility for guarding the southern district area.”

Chester and Mercedes’s positions were decided too. With this, we should have coverage of all areas, right?

“From the night before until the day itself… I heard there will be a curfew issued under the pretext of training for when the cult rampages? Wouldn’t that make the other side cautious?”

Ashley asked.

“Right. That’s assuming the other side isn’t connected to that demon group. If they’re not connected, they wouldn’t move during such an obviously guarded timing.”

“I see… So conversely, if they are connected as expected, you’re assuming they can’t change their plans regardless of our movements.”

“Exactly.”

Ashley nodded as if understanding. Marlene was also nodding repeatedly with a serious expression while listening intently. Both of them catch on quickly, which helps.

Conversely… if the cult is connected to the demons, even if they know we’re on alert, they must move during that timing.

If they hesitate, I’ll collect the orbs. Assuming the cult’s objective is to disperse our forces or destroy important facilities, their attacks would be meaningless if not synchronized with the opening of the sealed door. They can’t move the schedule forward or delay it just because we’re alerting.

So from the beginning, we know when they’ll move. By issuing the curfew and informing the cult side too, we’re applying pressure with this strategy.

It eliminates the trouble of evacuating citizens and prevents believers from moving among evacuating civilians, so it kills two or three birds with one stone.

“Alright, let me explain the communication devices.”

I thoroughly explained to everyone how to use the communication devices and their confidential nature. Well, since it’s through individual contracts, loss or theft shouldn’t be a problem.

Now then… have we done all we can?

We’ll watch how the other side moves in response to the door opening and curfew. While continuing training, we’ll wait for the day the door opens.