"Kikiiii! Kiiii!"
It seemed a boss had been caught within the range of the Fireball I’d launched. The remaining Onizaru began to scatter and flee in every direction.
"Oh! The monsters are running away!"
They scrambled over the gates and dashed up the cliffs, retreating in a desperate, wretched state, heedless of their dignity. Once the rout began, it ended quickly; the monsters that had breached the gate vanished in the blink of an eye.
"I’d wager every last potential boss candidate was in that group, Master," Grimo remarked.
"They are monsters, after all," Jiriel added. "If you crush the head, the body becomes fragile."
Come to think of it, whenever I defeated a boss-class monster like the previous Onizaru or the Snow Rabbit, the surrounding hoard became quite unsettled. If I take out the leaders coordinating the pack on the battlefield, perhaps this Stampede will truly collapse.
"It’s worth a try... 'Search'."
The Detection System Magic, 'Search', cast ripples of mana into the surroundings to locate specific magical signatures. As I concentrated, I found them. Dozens of large reactions surfaced in my mind, each one nestled deep within the massive monster hoard.
"Y-You don't mean to say you cast 'Search' over the entire battlefield!?"
"And even with this many monsters, you can distinguish only the bosses' signatures!?"
Grimo and Jiriel were astonished, but truthfully, even I hadn't expected to be capable of this much. Normally, the range of my 'Search' was only a few hundred meters, and the results were typically rough and low in precision. But now, reaching out several kilometers was effortless, and I could perceive even minute reactions with vivid clarity. This was undoubtedly the result of the spell formula efficiency I'd gained from Military Magic.
"I have their locations. Now... 'Void'."
I targeted those specific points and activated the Spatial System Magic, 'Void'. It didn't really matter how I defeated them, but using an attack magic with a clear point of origin while so many people were watching would be problematic. In that regard, 'Void' was perfect; it generated directly at the target location and guaranteed a kill by carving away space itself, annihilating everything within the area of effect.
"You just activated dozens of 'Void' spells—which have a ridiculously high mana cost—simultaneously!?"
"This is absurd... and Master Lloyd still looks perfectly composed..."
In the past, casting even ten 'Void' spells would have left me quite drained, but since I’d inscribed the Bloodline Magic formulas into my blood to increase my output, there was almost no fatigue. I felt like I could deploy twice as many without breaking a sweat.
"Now then, let's see how that worked."
Looking across the battlefield, it appeared I’d successfully sniped the targets. Commotions were breaking out all over the lines. Good. If the confusion spreads, the Stampede should subside.
However, no matter how long I waited, the chaos didn't seem to ripple outward. Instead, the monsters appeared to calm down and resume their assault on the gate.
"There are just too many of them, Master! Their sense of fear has been paralyzed by the sheer numbers!"
"Indeed, a herd mentality is at work. Even if you crush the heads, the Stampede will not stop!"
My plan had missed the mark. The monsters were still surging forward. The soldiers below were in tatters, covered in wounds and reaching their absolute limits. This was bad. At this rate, the gate would be breached. In the worst-case scenario, I could blow them all away with a massive attack spell, but that would likely cause significant collateral damage to the fortress. I wanted to avoid that if possible.
"...Do you smell something strange, Master?" Grimo muttered. Jiriel also twitched his nose, sniffing the air.
"Yes, a faint scent of something burning is drifting over. And the flow of the monsters is shifting."
Now that they mentioned it, I noticed it too. The number of monsters pressing against the wall seemed to be dwindling. What on earth was happening?
As we stood there in confusion, Shneider was suddenly standing beside me.
"It seems I made it in time."
"Is this your doing, Brother Shneider? What did you do...?"
"The number of monsters is immense, but they are gluttons. Therefore, if there is nothing to sustain their physical bodies, they can only collapse."
Following Shneider’s gaze, I saw smoke rising from the distant forest. It wasn't just in one spot; every tree and patch of grass within sight was being consumed by fire. That was the source of the smell.
"I burned down every forest that could serve as a food source for the hoard. It stands to reason that if they cannot eat, they cannot fight."
"...I see! Brother Shneider, I wondered why you had so few troops with you, but you had them out burning the forests, didn't you?"
During a Stampede, monsters devour everything in their path—beasts, trees, and even the corpses of their own kind. Because we had burned the fallen monsters and Shneider had incinerated the surrounding woods, the hoard had lost its sustenance. Starving, the monsters were now scattering in all directions to find food elsewhere. It seemed the situation would have resolved itself even if I hadn't sniped the bosses.
"However, the plan only took hold because the monsters became unsettled. Without that momentary distraction, there was a high possibility we would have been overwhelmed. Furthermore, if those boss-class monsters had charged the gate themselves, our casualties would have been far greater. Honestly, I can only say it went well because of that stroke of luck. I wonder whose work it was... no, surely not."
Shneider stared at me while muttering under his breath, but... well, it must have been my imagination. Regardless, the enemy's momentum had broken. All that remained was the cleanup.
While the soldiers waited for Shneider’s command, a thunderous voice rang out across the field.
"What are you doing!? The battle is not over yet! We begin the mop-up operation now! Do not let a single monster remain in this land!"
The owner of the voice was Albert. In response, the soldiers raised their swords high.
"Uooooooooh!"
Galvanized by Albert's rallying cry, the soldiers—who had looked ready to collapse moments ago—charged into the retreating hoard with renewed vigor. Watching them, Shneider exhaled a long breath of relief. He looked like a man who had finally completed his duty.
"Good grief, was everything up to this point according to your calculations?"
I turned to see Cruse standing behind us. She must have just returned from her own sector. Her armor was battered and her face showed signs of deep fatigue, but she smiled as she stood beside Shneider to look over the battlefield.
"I suppose so," Shneider replied bluntly.
"Kuku, you really are a brother who looks out for his siblings. There, there." Cruse poked Shneider in the side with her elbow, grinning as he stoically ignored her.
I tilted my head. "Sister Cruse, what do you mean by that?"
"Umu. Shneider intends for Albert to lead the final stage of this war. See, this fellow is poor with words and perpetually expressionless, isn't he? He’s often found eerie by the common soldiers. He makes a fine general, but he’s far too grim to be a king. On that point, Albert is well-spoken and charismatic. Precisely because Shneider wants Albert on the throne next, he's letting him win the hearts of the military now."
Now that she mentioned it, Shneider did seem to be feared by many. In contrast, the approachable Albert was beloved by almost everyone.
"You're talking too much, Cruse."
"Oops, was this a secret?"
"...Well, it’s not as if I’m hiding it, so it doesn't matter." Shneider sighed as Cruse hurriedly shut her mouth. "Just as Cruse said, it suits my nature better to protect the country as a general. I intend to leave the throne to Albert. Therefore, I am laying the groundwork now."
As Shneider spoke, he looked away, appearing somewhat embarrassed. Cruse leaned in and whispered in my ear.
"He says that, but the real reason Shneider stands on the battlefield is so that you younger siblings can live without hardship. Nearly twenty years ago, when Albert was still small, this continent was a much more dangerous place. We vowed then that we would protect the peace of this country ourselves."
I remembered from my previous life that Saloom had been involved in frequent conflicts back then. The reports of these two fighting like demons had reached even my ears. I see... it’s thanks to the two of them working so hard that I and my other siblings can devote ourselves to our own interests now.
"...Thank you. Brother Shneider. Sister Cruse."
"Stop that. I didn't say it to make you feel indebted," Shneider replied.
"Umu, it is only natural for an older brother to act for the sake of his younger brothers. ...Besides, we are doing what we like more than you'd expect."
Shneider’s mouth relaxed slightly as he spoke. It was the first time I had ever seen him smile.
"...But in this war, you were still naive, Lloyd."
"Umu, we could have minimized the damage even further."
"This is all because I misjudged the asset known as Lloyd," Shneider continued. "I thought I had evaluated him high enough, but it seems it wasn't nearly enough. If I had made him my Vice Commander... hmph, it seems I still lack an eye for people."
"Hey now, I’d make much better use of him! If Lloyd were in my squad, we could have kicked this Stampede aside with a single battalion."
Shneider and Cruse began bickering while looking at me. I didn't quite understand the shift in the conversation, but I was just glad everything had ended safely.
Thus, the Stampede that struck the Kingdom of Saloom came to a close. The soldiers who had fought so valiantly were granted rewards, and the generals who led them saw their status rise.
A few days later, I was summoned to the Throne Room. Shneider and Cruse had left the post-war bureaucracy to Albert and the others, having immediately returned to the front lines. Apparently, they had received numerous urgent letters from the border even during the Stampede. It seemed Shneider had been managing multiple fronts from a distance while dealing with the situation here. I really wondered what the structure of his brain was like to handle all that.
"I will return again. Study this thoroughly by then," Shneider told me.
He handed me a military strategy book he had written alongside Mars. It was tailored for a mage's perspective and included advanced tactical applications. When I showed it to Albert later, he was visibly impressed. "This is a one-of-a-kind book written specifically for you, Lloyd. This is an incredible gift!"
"Hoh, you gave him something good, Shneider. Then I shall grant him this."
Cruse handed me a volume titled 'Manual of the Hidden Langris Style'.
"This is the crystal of our lo—ahem! This is a secret manual containing the techniques Knight Commander Marquos and I designated as 'hidden' because of their extreme danger and difficulty. To know the surface, to know the hidden, and then to reach the truth... that is the path of mastery. Since you are as you are, it should be fine to entrust this to you."
I thought I heard her almost say "crystal of our love," but I decided I must have imagined it. To be honest, I had no personal interest in swordsmanship, so I gave the manual to Sylpha. She spent several days completely absorbed in the book, which made for a peaceful week, but once she mastered the techniques, her intensity during our training sessions reached terrifying new heights. I really should have anticipated that. Well, she was happy, so I suppose it worked out.
"Even so, Lady Cruse is amazing-aru! It was a good match." Tao laughed contentedly after finishing her promised sparring session with Cruse.
"You had quite the skill yourself, Tao. I'd almost like to recruit you for my personal guard. Hahaha."
Apparently, the Langris Style also included unarmed combat, and Cruse had surprised everyone by engaging in a fierce, high-level duel with Tao.
"I'm happy for the invitation, but I'll decline-aru. I am a martial artist for life-aru."
Cruse nodded respectfully at Tao’s straightforward declaration. In the past, Tao had seemed more interested in finding a husband than training... she really had changed.
"...I see. Very well. Let us meet again."
"Ah, wait a second-aru!" Tao scurried up to Cruse and began whispering urgently in her ear. "By the way, that Masked person is quite handsome-aru. I want you to introduce me-aru!"
"...Is that so? Shneider has a quite intimidating face. You have strange tastes, girl."
"Nfufu, my strike zone has expanded recently-aru!"
...On second thought, maybe she hasn't changed that much. Well, Shneider is certainly a man of character, even if he is a bit scary.
"Well then, Master Lloyd, if anything happens again, don't hesitate to call us."
"Yeah, you were a big help, Galilea. Thank you, everyone."
Galilea and the others departed, taking Mars, Bills, and the reformed bandits with them. With monsters still scattered across the territory, they would have their work cut out for them, and having Mars and Bills' strength would be a significant asset for the region.
"Lloyd-san, you must, MUST come to the Adventurers' Guild again!"
Katarina, the receptionist, left while emphasizing her point multiple times. I didn't understand why she was so persistent about me becoming an adventurer. I truly wasn't interested, but I did owe them a favor, and they might occasionally have an interesting request. I figured I might drop by if I ever felt like it.
Finally, I heard that Saias had set out on a journey of training. Because of the Bloodline Magic I had unleashed using his name, he had been burdened with massive expectations he couldn't possibly fulfill, leading to a loss of credibility. Feeling a bit bad about it, I’d gone to speak with him, but he simply replied, "I will definitely return. Until then, our match is on hold."
I wasn't aware we were having a match, but he didn't seem depressed. If he undergoes rigorous training, he might return having mastered some truly surprising magic. I’d love to see some unknown spells I've never encountered before. I’m actually quite looking forward to his return.