In the game, the time from joining the battle to its start is instantaneous, but in reality, it’s not like that.

The march began the next day and lasted for two days. During that time, we contacted the Armies of other Nations to pressure Beluna. Eventually, the surroundings became covered in forest, but there were few Monsters, so everything was going smoothly so far.

The Allied Forces were positioned to surround Belluna’s Castle. We were scheduled to attack from the south. Phili, on the other hand, was on the north side. Since they were participating according to the Game Scenario, they should reach the Castle smoothly. We must pay particular attention to his movements.

I mentally re-energized myself… and then noticed Sofia looking at me.

What’s wrong?

I called out. She met my gaze and was silent for a moment.

…Lord Ruon.

—She might be concerned that I can’t fight as effectively in the Five Great Demon Lords’ Castles. Compared to the Battle of Redras, I’ve become somewhat more capable of maneuvering even while suppressing my power through training. Since this is a chaotic battle, I’ll likely need to move around to some extent. Therefore—

It’s true that my body feels somewhat heavy even now. It’s probably the influence of the Demon Race establishing their Stronghold. Since the Army is surrounded, the enemy might have various traps set up.

Is that so?

But since it’s the second time, my body has gotten somewhat used to it… I think I can maneuver better than before. However, if a Demon Race itself appears, I think it will be tough.

What’s wrong?

Radi asks. Come to think of it, I hadn’t explained it… Here, I explain to Radi and Nestor that I can’t fight as I’d like in the Five Great Demon Lords’ Castles.

–So, I’ll be mainly providing Book support.

I see… Are you alright?

I’ll protect myself… Sofia, don’t worry about me. And I’ll provide as much support as possible. I’m counting on you.

Yes.

Sofia gives a strong reply. Considering she will house the Sage’s Power, Sofia needs to become even stronger in this battle… She’s probably about the same level as Radi right now, but it would be better to create a gap.

It was at that moment. From the front, a war cry could be heard.

It seems to have started– As I thought that, the Warriors and Soldiers around me began to stir.

Well, what will happen?

I mutter as I draw my sword. In the game, after several battles, the troops scatter, and the players proceed to the Stronghold alone–

There, first, a report from the Familiar monitoring the Stronghold– details of the Monsters. I organize the information of the incoming Monsters in my head… and realize that Sofia and the others can sufficiently handle them even now.

Good, I thought to myself, and at the same time, Radi shouted as if she had discovered a Monster. Simultaneously, Miasma began to generate in the surroundings.

Along with that, I caught sight of the Monsters– Finally, the subjugation of Beluna had begun.

The first to appear were not Goblins, but Warriors in full armor, about the size of Humans… Their heads were like a pig’s face made even uglier, revealing them to be Orc-type enemies.

The difference from Goblins is that they are a bit slower but have higher basic stats– The Monsters created by the Five Great Demons have a certain consistency. In Beluna’s case, instead of creating Goblin-type Monsters, you encounter Orc-type Monsters. In other words, for Beluna, Orcs are the foot soldiers.

If this had been the very first battle among the Five Great Demons, I think it would have been the lower-class ‘Bronze Orc,’ but what is in front of me now is the intermediate-class ‘Steel Orc.’ Since it’s a Monster created by the Demon Race, I don’t know if its equipment is actually steel, but in any case, its attack and defense are reasonably high.

The Soldiers’ voices from the front include not only shouts of encouragement but also screams close to cries, as if they’d been attacked. Orcs don’t have prominent weaknesses, although they lack specialized abilities. Therefore, raw power is what matters… It seems that Soldiers have difficulty dealing with Orcs of this level.

It looks bad if we don’t get serious.

Radi says. Considering her experience fighting Ogres, she should be able to handle Steel Orcs sufficiently… but there are quite a few visible. She’s probably concerned about their numbers.

As the surrounding Mercenaries began to fight, we also started fighting. Two came towards us… but there are quite a number of them in the Forest, arrayed somehow. Wiping them all out would be quite a chore.

Upon closer inspection, there are Monsters attacking us and Monsters merely surrounding us as if observing. Are they trying to put pressure on us?

Then, a Soldier’s shout. I see the Soldiers who were advancing have been divided. This is proof that Beluna is moving, using the Sage’s Barrier.

I look at Sofia and Sylvie nearby. I was about to tell them not to separate… but Sofia and the others seemed to understand, nodding slightly.

If possible, I’d like to head to Belluna’s Castle like this– and then Familiar’s report. Phili also seems to have started fighting.

Two Orcs approach. Sofia was the first to respond.

Ha!

Before the Steel Orc could approach and unleash its sword, she closed the distance and struck. The slash, accompanied by Magic Power, landed firmly, damaging the armor somewhat, but naturally, it wasn’t enough to defeat it.

As if she had anticipated it, she followed up with the magic ‘Thunderbolt.’ This seemed to have some effect, as the Orc stopped moving, and she followed up during that time.

A one-on-one fight seems to be no problem– Sylvie was dealing with the other one. She had somehow gotten behind the Monster and unleashed a downward strike from above.

The attack succeeded brilliantly. Just as the Monster faltered, she launched a follow-up attack with lightning speed, unleashing a horizontal slash. As a result, the Magic Power released with the technique created a Shockwave, and the Orc was engulfed by it, taking further damage.

That was the general Intermediate Technique ‘Heaven-Piercing Violent Wave.’ There’s a slight opening at the beginning of the technique, but its power is high, and it can also be used to create distance from an opponent, so it was a technique I often used when I played the game.

I used ‘Holy Shot’ on that Orc, shooting it through the abdomen. The Magic pierced the armor, and coupled with Sylvie’s slash, it finally fell.

Looking at Sofia, she successfully defeated it by combining Magic and her sword. Around us, Warriors also began to engage, and the surrounding Orcs continuously approached.

Normally, it might be better to wipe out all the Monsters around us… but these Monsters should continue to appear under Beluna’s power. So I tell my companions:

It looks like there’ll be no end to this unless we defeat the one in the Stronghold… Let’s move forward!

Sofia and Sylvie immediately nod at my words, and Radi and the surrounding Warriors also seem to agree with my opinion. Although the surroundings had become chaotic in a melee, we decided to advance.

On the way, another Orc appeared directly in front of us. Sofia, Sylvie, and Nestor stepped forward and began to engage.

Since we’re in a Forest, fire is probably a bad idea.

Radi, who is nearby, mutters and begins her Incantation. I also begin my Incantation. Sofia and the others can handle the Orcs, but it would be better to speed things up from here.

Thus, I cast an attack power enhancement spell on Sofia. She then powerfully repelled the orc she was fighting, and with “Clear Stream Flash,” she sliced through the orc’s torso, successfully defeating it.

Furthermore, Nestor and Sylvie cut down an orc, and Radi eliminated another with Wind Magic, clearing the path. Just then, I sensed a presence behind me.

It wasn’t a monster, but Sage’s Barrier. Beluna’s barrier, designed to divide, cut off our retreat and prevented us from coordinating with the warriors and soldiers who were further back.

“It looks like we have no choice but to push forward.”

Radi said. I agreed and looked ahead to see Sofia and the others, exuding a sense of fulfillment and high morale.

If this is the case, it should be fine to proceed. Having decided that, I immediately gave the order to advance, and we hastened towards the Castle.