"Notify all residents."

"Everyone, take shelter in the labyrinth. Clear the surface."

Chishiya gave the order.

This was the second function of the labyrinth.

Besides making money, obviously.

It could also serve as an emergency shelter.

The labyrinth was massive, with many residential units built on the fifth floor and below in the rest area.

Housing the entire city's population? Not a problem.

"Yes," Shion nodded and left.

But she was still confused about one thing.

Why did Chishiya-sama only order the civilians to take refuge, without saying anything to the adventurers?

Wouldn't this leave only foreign adventurers on the surface?

What if someone got hurt?

Although puzzled, she still trusted Chishiya's judgment.

After Shion exited the room,

Souei spoke up.

"Chishiya-sama, how should we handle these two?"

Chishiya looked at Vanir.

"I'll leave them to you. Sound good?"

Vanir considered for a moment.

"Hmm. I'm not a fan of despair-flavored negative emotions."

"But there's someone who'll enjoy this little gift."

"Kid, I owe you one."

With that, he walked toward Kyoya and Kirara.

His eyes glowed red, and a slow smirk crept across his face.

"Let me introduce myself."

"I am the chief of the Seven Dukes of Hell, the great demon Vanir who sees all."

"We represent the demons of hell—and we welcome you."

"Please, after you."

As his voice fell.

A red and black teleportation gate opened behind Kirara and Kyoya.

"Hell?!"

The two of them froze, jaws slack, faces pale.

Just now there were already two demons and ghosts, and now this human was casually summoning a high-ranking demon?

Terrifying!

The power balance was completely off!

Total miscalculation...

No way they could win this. Absolutely not!

If war breaks out, Falmuth would be annihilated!

They turned to Chishiya, panicked and shouting.

"Who the hell are you?!"

Chishiya: "Me? Just an ordinary businessman."

The two of them stood frozen, speechless.

By the time they came to, they were already dragged into hell by Vanir.

Gone without a trace.

Souei turned to Chishiya.

"Chishiya-sama, what's next?"

Chishiya smiled and picked up the red flare on the table.

"Inform everyone. I'm going turtle hunting."

---

Ten Minutes Later, Meeting Hall

Chishiya unrolled a map on the table.

"According to the info they spilled, there's the Church camp set up in all four directions outside the city."

"We'll split into four groups."

He tapped the map.

"West side—Souei, Megumin, and Yunyun. You three, led by Souei, take one team."

"Wiz, Shuna—you handle this side."

"North—Frieren, you up for it?"

Chishiya glanced at the elf sitting across from him.

Frieren nodded. "Yes."

Chishiya finally looked at Shion.

"South side—Shion, you and Rim take a squad over there."

"Understood, Chishiya-sama."

Chishiya said, "Everyone else stays in the labyrinth, just in case."

"Yes!"

Chishiya tapped the table with his index finger.

"Well then... let's begin."

---

At the same time

In all four directions of Lapris—east, south, west, and north—

The holy believers brought by Archbishop Reyhiem were stationed near crystal towers.

Once the signal was given, they would activate the sealing barrier.

Grand Mage Razen glanced at the time and muttered,

"It should've happened by now."

"Why haven't we heard anything?"

Knight Commander Folgen looked back at his soldiers, who were itching to charge.

"Did something go wrong?"

Razen shook his head.

"No. With those three dispatched, unless they ran into a Demon Lord, nothing could stop them."

"Do you really think there's a Demon Lord-class opponent in a town this small?"

Hearing that, Folgen nodded.

That made sense.

He turned back toward the army behind him.

Falmuth had deployed 20,000 troops for this crusade.

Even though the kingdom could muster up to 100,000, ordinary soldiers were useless against monsters.

Only elite knights and mercenaries stood a chance.

Using low-level troops would just get people killed and clog up the battlefield.

So the 20,000 gathered now? They were the cream of the crop.

Everyone was at least B-rank.

Even if they faced A-rank monsters, they could still hold their own with experience and teamwork.

Plus, with the Western Saint Church's blessing, the enemy's barrier would be severely weakened.

This time, Falmuth would definitely win!

Once the signal came...

Twenty thousand cavalry would crush the city!

Just as that thought passed—

BOOM!!!

A red flare shot into the sky above Lapris.

Everyone stationed outside the city lit up.

"It's time!"

Folgen turned and bellowed to his troops.

"The monsters are attacking civilians! Warriors, follow me! Flatten this monster-infested city!"

"YEAHHHH!!!"

A war cry like a tsunami erupted.

Twenty thousand cavalry charged toward the city center without hesitation.

Knight Commander Folgen led the vanguard.

He couldn't wait to see the terrified expressions of the monsters.

"Charge! Kill them all!"

The soldiers stormed in like they were invading a defenseless village.

Burn, pillage, loot—the usual.

"Kill!"

"Kill!"

The thunder of twenty thousand hooves shook the ground.

But—

As they reached the flare's location...

Something was off.

Where were the monsters?

Or rather—where was anyone?

From the start of the charge, not a single monster had appeared.

Instead—

At the source of the flare,

A huge crowd of adventurers and merchants were calmly lining up to enter the labyrinth.

Hearing the sounds of hooves and shouting, they all turned around.

Two armies stared at each other.

Everyone froze.

Folgen and Razen were both stunned.

Wait, what?

Wasn't the flare supposed to signal "mission accomplished"?

Now the signal's been fired...

Where's the "monsters attacking civilians" part?

Without that scene, they had no justification.

No moral high ground.

While the two commanders were still processing what was happening—

A black-haired boy in the crowd suddenly pointed at the drawn sword in Folgen's hand and shouted.

"Help! Murderers!!!"

"They're invading! Run for your lives!"

The words dropped like a stone into still water.

Panic exploded instantly.

"Go!"

"RUN!"

"Someone, help!!"

Merchants and adventurers scattered in chaos.

Screaming, yelling, pushing.

Total chaos!

Folgen stood there dumbfounded.

This wasn't the plan!

Where were they?

Now it looked like Falmuth was the aggressor.

He exchanged glances with Razen.

Damn it...

The arrow's already nocked.

We have no choice now!

We can't let these civilians get word out!

Folgen shouted with cold resolve.

"Kill them all! Leave no witnesses!"

"Purge the scum who side with monsters!!!"

As his order rang out.

The Barrier prepared by the Church activated.

A massive purple pyramid formed, covering the entire city.

With the barrier in place, monster power would be significantly suppressed.

"Kill!!!"

The troops charged into the city.

Adventurers who hadn't made it inside in time were cut down one by one.

The situation plunged into absolute chaos.

(To be continued.)

***

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