Observing Atire and the Monster’s movements, I made a deduction. The Commander’s Monster was likely strengthened to defeat the Commander on the Alastin Kingdom’s side. Given how it calmly parried Atire’s spear earlier, there’s no doubt.

I don’t know the extent of that enhancement. But I didn’t think it would be limited to simply enhancing its skill—

That’s why I created a Magic to replace “Durandal”—it was “Holy Lance,” an Intermediate Magic of the same light attribute.

Atire swung his spear from horseback, moving to deliver a fatal blow. From his movements, I deduced it was likely “Cyclone Spear,” a general-purpose Intermediate Technique. In the game, it was described as a high-speed thrust that even generated air currents, but in his case, it was imbued with the Wind from a Book, with some modifications.

Meanwhile, the Commander’s Monster raised its Greatsword, preparing to strike down Atire on horseback. Seeing its movements, it was probably planning to attack Atire, even if it meant taking damage.

Atire was in an attacking stance, even knowing this. It probably couldn’t be stopped—the next moment, both their attacks were unleashed, and I also created Spears of Light.

A pale blue light was fired straight at the Monster. In an instant, it pierced the spot I was aiming for.

From my deduction, it was clear that its abilities were enhanced. Not only the Monster’s physical capabilities but probably its armor too—as a result of this thought, I aimed the Magic at a different location than its body.

It was the Monster’s hand, gripping the Greatsword.

Just before the sword could be swung, the Spears of Light struck its arm. At the same time, a pale blue light diffused, and a Shockwave enveloped its arm.

There was also the option of using “Durandal” to target the arm, but seeing the Monster’s arm covered in a Gauntlet, I worried that I wouldn’t be able to deal damage in a toned-down state, and considered the possibility that a mere slash wouldn’t change its trajectory. Therefore, I chose Spears of Light, which could change the sword’s trajectory with impact, even if the attack didn’t directly damage it.

The Spears of Light impacted the Monster’s arm. As intended, the sword’s trajectory became erratic, losing momentum far before reaching Atire. Immediately after, Atire’s thrust entered the Monster’s head.

The Monster reeled back significantly but quickly regained its posture. Despite its head being pierced, the Monster’s movements hadn’t slowed—no, on the contrary, it emitted Magic Power towards Atire, perhaps as a threat.

Kobolds and similar races should have their heads and hearts as weak points, but was it reinforced by the Demon Race to withstand a single blow—I immediately began the Incantation for “Durandal.” Atire began to move to deliver a follow-up strike, and the Monster tried to re-ready its sword to counter it.

At the same time, I completed my Magic, created a Light Sword, and mercilessly brought it down on the Commander.

Atire’s thrust also joined in—the Monster tried to deflect both, but the continuous thrusts and slashes forced it to retreat.

Damage was certainly being dealt… Immediately after, several Knights who had been fighting the surrounding Monsters aimed their spears at the Commander. The Monster tried to move to counterattack, but with me and Atire also launching follow-up attacks, it hesitated, stopping its movements.

In an instant, attacks were unleashed simultaneously. The Monster blocked my light sword but was hit by the Knights’ full-force thrusts all over its body… and finally, its body trembled violently.

“—With this,”

Atire murmured. A considerable amount of Magic Power was imbued in the spearhead.

“It’s over!”

The Monster’s movements were also slowed by the numerous thrusts. Amidst this, the spear’s strike re-entered the Monster’s head, blowing it away.

Its head disappeared, and at that moment, the Monster finally collapsed, its body also vanishing. At the same time, Atire shouted.

“The Commander has been defeated! We’re withdrawing!”

As Atire shouted, the surrounding Knights moved towards the right path they had entered. I followed suit—and with that, I noticed that the Monsters’ movements had slowed down.

Perhaps because they could no longer receive orders, their organized movements also ceased. Therefore, there were fewer Monster attacks during the withdrawal, and the Knights thoroughly defeated the Monsters.

Eventually, we successfully withdrew. There was some damage, but our Commander, Atire, was safe. Moreover, we had defeated the enemy Commander—it could be called a great wartime achievement.

“Thank you, Lord Ruon.”

Atire called out to me.

“The monster was tougher than expected. If I had continued fighting it one-on-one, I would have lost.”

Atire stated with certainty—at that moment, a report from a familiar came from the east.

Soldiers and Knights fought valiantly, pushing back the monsters, while cavalry charged at the enemy. Among them were Sylvie and Kuuza, in addition to Shelk, who encountered the Commander. Kuuza then stopped the Commander’s movements with intermittent lower-tier magic, and Sylvie and Shelk launched continuous attacks, defeating him. They also successfully disengaged.

It seems they were counterattacked, but they successfully evaded and appear to be unharmed… It’s safe to say that the first objective, the survival of Atire and Shelk, has been achieved. As I returned to the rear, I checked the battle situation on the west side. The monsters were gradually breaking apart, and the soldiers were pushing them back all at once. At this point, it seemed difficult for the monsters to counterattack, and they were gradually retreating.

At that moment, a small number of cavalry that had been left in the rear approached. It was probably a report.

“Report from the scouts. Perhaps as a result of defeating the Commander, the monsters have fallen into disarray and begun to panic.”

“I see. Do you know how the other battles are faring?”

“The battle on the east side is also reaching its climax. And in the Southern Region, no monsters are to be seen, they say.”

“Understood… still, there are many monsters. Let’s go.”

Raising his voice, Atire addressed the Knights. Amidst this, he shifted his gaze to me.

“Lord Ruon, what will you do?”

“…Me?”

“The General told me that you have a special role. It’s safe to say that the battles at the West Gate and East Gate have already been decided. Defeating the monsters who have lost their command, while numerous, won’t be that difficult.”

He said that, then took a moment to observe the battle situation.

“After confirming once more that there are no monsters around, the cavalry and the reserve army that was waiting in the rear will leave this place and move to the Northern Region, where fighting is likely still ongoing.”

Since it was the same in the game, his judgment aligned with the scenario.

“Lord Ruon, you are not under the command of the Knight Order, so you may withdraw from here if you wish.”

—I felt like he was indirectly telling me, “Go support General Bosro first.” Given Atire’s way of speaking, it wouldn’t have been strange for the surrounding Knights to object, but perhaps they had been briefed beforehand, as the Knights didn’t utter a single word.

While curious about what the General had told them about us… I said, “Understood.”

“Then, I will head to the North Gate from here. Knight Atire. Be careful.”

“Yes. I will follow later.”

As he said that, he ran off with the other Knights. Only I and the Messenger Knight remained.

First, I dismounted my horse and entrusted it to the Knights.

“Huh, um…?”

“If it’s just for travel, magic is faster.”

I can’t use it in a chaotic battle due to the risk of involving allies, and it also prevents me from using other magic, but… I cast the incantation and began high-speed movement.

Leaving the Knights behind, I headed alone to the North Gate. In the meantime, I gathered more information. Sylvie and Kuuza were still fighting on the east side, but the monsters were already in complete disarray, and it seemed it wouldn’t take long to defeat them. As for the South Gate, as the Knight reported, no monsters were coming, and there were no monsters in the vicinity, so there shouldn’t be any problems.

And the North Gate. A report must have come that the battles in the east and west were settled—the General was finally about to make his move.