CHAPTER 171: ARTK UNDER SIEGE [1]

Waaaaaaah!

Kill them all!

Magical beasts! Be careful!

Smoke rises everywhere.

Arrows and magic fly wildly, screams and howls pour out.

What awaited the students returning from the desert were hordes of monsters and magical beasts attacking the wall at all hours.

The monsters and magical beasts charging mindlessly numbered well over two hundred.

It was enough to make one’s eyes dizzy, ears deafened, and nose numb.

This was a battlefield.

This was war.

This was the future humanity would face as demons returned once more.

GRWOAAARRR!

The tail of a scorpion, revealing its killing intent as it climbed the high wall, was blocked by a rock.

Rocks flying in from all directions shattered its hard carapace and crushed its head.

Without even a scream, it crumbled and fell outside the wall.

Gerhard’s gaze turned back to the battlefield.

Even in this chaos, there were two who shined.

Aint Armian, the hero of light acknowledged by the prophecy book and the natural enemy of demons.

And Luina Berchef, who was destined to be his companion, the genuine Royal Knight endorsed by the first Royal Knight.

Gerhard smiled contentedly.

Their growth was the future of the world. The more magical beasts and demons they killed, the more peaceful the world would become.

’Then I just need to pick up the bread crumbs falling from there.’

Since these crumbs were falling from demons and the prophecy book, Gerhard Goldenheim would be able to build a castle of gold that no one would dare covet.

The mere thought of that brilliant future brought a smile to his face.

Good. May it continue just like this.

"The number of magical beasts is small."

Eicrud. Among the seven fortresses forming Altriark’s barrier, it was the one at the frontmost position, the first to face monsters.

Naturally, it was where the most troops were stationed and where the most battles were fought.

Yet the number of monsters and magical beasts attacking Eicrud had drastically decreased.

Especially magical beasts, which totaled only about ten.

The cause was clear.

The evil species that had been captured while trying to attack the desert tribes.

With the capture of the one who had controlled magical beasts and monsters to cause an artificial wave, there was no longer anyone to provide central direction.

’Does this mean the matter related to the Bell of Pasa is over too?’

The original goal of that evil species named Byron was to break the Bell of Pasa.

But perhaps due to the recent large-scale purge of evil species at the Academy?

This time, it felt like they had taken a preemptive strike with a flashy army of magical beasts and monsters before their existence was revealed to the world.

But now that the mastermind was dead, wouldn’t the plan to break the Bell of Pasa have come to a halt?

’But if things had gone as originally planned, when would the Bell of Pasa be broken?’

It certainly wouldn’t be this time. There was no mention of it in the prophecy book.

After all, it’s not just any incident, but the destruction or near-destruction of the Bell of Pasa—there’s no way the prophecy book wouldn’t mention it.

’This incident will end smoothly.’

Since the one summoning magical beasts has been captured, things will soon enter a lull, and the stirring of magical beasts that had surprised the world will come to an end that way.

’This is the most uneventful part of the prophecy book so far. No, perhaps even more than that.’

Not only had they captured the one targeting the Bell of Pasa, but it also became an opportunity for Aint to gain the desert tribes.

Except for the anxiety about how much the future might change, everything was perfect, and beyond.

Koong koong!

"Stay still."

Kuuuuu!

"When exactly do you fight? Hmm, I’m sorry."

...

It suddenly went quiet, and when he looked, it was standing with its mouth open, looking almost like it had lost its country.

...Is it that shocking?

’I should set a date during the vacation to let it fight monsters.’

That wouldn’t be particularly difficult. If they went to an uninhabited place, there would be no worry about Wooden being exposed.

’By the way, that Rudger fellow, his eyes seemed filled with venom...’

He must have noticed Aint’s achievement. That Aint had recovered his family’s lost Vision Swordsmanship.

In truth, one would have to be an idiot not to notice.

’Is this where it really begins? Rudger, Schwaben will start to check Aint.’

If that happens, Gerhard has three options.

One, actively help Aint and confront Schwaben.

Two, passively help Aint and avoid conflict with Schwaben as much as possible.

Three, stand by and watch.

At a point where all the contents of the prophecy book were becoming reality, the third option was as good as nonexistent.

If Aint were to fall by mistake, the future of this world would disappear along with him.

’There’s no need to take risks unnecessarily. Aint will handle things well on his own. For now, I’ll keep a moderate distance and only step in for truly dangerous situations...’

Although he didn’t see it in the prophecy book, in the original future, Rudger would have noticed that Aint had recovered the Vision Swordsmanship.

It was just a matter of sooner or later.

In the end, Schwaben’s checks were a predetermined future. Even without his help, Aint would have overcome them all.

KWANG!

At that moment, an orc about to pounce on Gerhard tumbled down the wall as if hit by a carriage.

"Where is your mind wandering?!"

Luina, who had pushed back the orc with a body charge, shouted angrily.

"I had something to think about."

"Is that something you can say so confidently right now?"

"It wasn’t particularly dangerous. I always carry defensive artifacts."

All the bracelets and rings Gerhard wore were artifacts with built-in magic.

Even if the orc’s rusted axe had struck Gerhard, it would have been blocked by the artifact’s barrier and then pierced by a rock spear, leading to its demise.

"Anyway, thank you."

"...It feels like I’m bowing to receive an offering."

"It’s not quite that level..."

Gerhard closed his eyes as his head suddenly began to throb.

’The situation here isn’t even over yet, and new content is emerging?’