After passing through the forest and reaching the "metal line," Alzea and his team were able to proceed more easily than before because, as expected, they were no longer being interfered with by makibishi and "bow shooting.
However, they were not able to catch Roland and the others on their backs.
The twin brothers Aram and Liam could see the impatience on their faces.
''d*mn, it''s hard to catch up with them.
Master, if we don''t do something, we''ll lose Roland and the others."
Don''t panic so much. Roland and his men will eventually slow down and we will be forced to fight them.
But ......
Haven''t you noticed? We have entered the Metal Line, but since a few minutes ago we have not seen Fafnir at all.
Oh, sure.
Come to think of it, I don''t think I''ve seen you around much.
That''s because the Arsenal of Spirits alliance is fighting Fafnir.
The "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance?
So, ......
At this rate, by the time we catch up with them, the "Arsenal of Spirits" will have been considerably exhausted from the battle with the "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)" and their forced march.
I see. If you hit that, you can ......"
So we can easily defeat the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance.
Mm-hmm. Yes, that''s what I mean. Ideally, we should immediately launch a battle right after they finish fighting Fafnir.
I didn''t realize you had thought that far ahead. I''m so proud of you!
Master of the art!
"Ffffffff."
（You seem to think that a guerrilla warfare by a squad of scattering rhinoceros and archers would disperse us, but it won''t work like that. If they wanted to escape from my pursuit, they should have beaten us in the forest instead of doing things halfway. You seem to be a good schemer, playing with the quartet, but you''re still a little green.)
In the meantime, a group in blue armor from the "Arsenal of Spirits" comes into view.
Master. I finally caught them. It is the Arsenal of Spirits.
They are waiting for us and are forming up.
Hm. I guess you can''t hit them in the middle of a battle. Well, that''s all right. Bring forward the Dragoon''s Baskets to ......."
"Master Althea! Fafnir" from behind.
Mhm. Fafnir. Stop the attack for a moment. Put the Dragoon''s Baskets on Fafnir at .......
Master. The Arsenal of Spirits has attacked with bow fire.
What? Have you lost your mind?"
Althea''s unit was caught between the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance and a swarm of "Fire Dragons (Fafnir)" and fell into confusion.
The Alzea forces were caught between the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance and the "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)" horde. Let''s retreat for now.
（Roland, you''re attacking us with no regard. If you engage in battle with Fafnir, both armies will be exposed to the breath of fire, and you''ll be in a mess. Don''t you understand that?)
However, "Fafnir" and the others attacked only Alsea''s side.
d*mn, that''s stupid. Fafnir! Why do they attack only us?
Aram, while fighting the "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)," heard a faint tone in his ears.
（What is that? What is this sound? Is it the sound of a harp?
[Nicola''s skills
Performance": B (up1)
(Nicola''s skill "Performance" is now class B. I guess now I can ask "Fafnir" to do a simple attack.
Roland and his group were gathering "Fire Dragon (Fafnir)" with Nicola''s "Dragon Sound" while Alzea was stomping around in the forest.
The scattering of water chestnuts and having Jeff and the other archers attack was also a prelude to this.
While holding a "shield of fire bullets" on the right side, Althea''s unit was exposed to arrows from the left side, and it was completely shattered.
He said, "Ee-aye. "Get back. Fall back. Retreat to the forest.
Althea and his team retreated at once to the forest at the foot of the mountain.
Roland and the others give Fafnir the goblin meat they had promised, and resume their search.
Althea, completely exhausted and having lost sight of Roland and the others, decides to return to the city and arm himself with "Dragon''s Fires.
What do you mean, Mr. Ji? I can''t believe you came back without fighting a single battle with Roland. There''s hardly any sign that you even used the Dragon''s Battleship.
Don''t panic. There was someone in the Arsenal of Spirits alliance who used the dragon sound.
What? The "dragon sound"?
Mm-hmm. So, instead of chasing after them and putting up a fight, they retreated for a time. If you keep chasing after them, you will only wear yourself out and fall into their pace. So, instead of chasing the enemy up the mountain, it would be better to return to the town to gather strength and then ambush the exhausted enemy as they came down the mountain. That''s what we thought. So, please give me an additional budget. Also, please increase the number of archers (archers) and thieves (thieves) with high agility for scouting.
That''s fine. We are not only providing the equipment for free, but we are also paying the adventurers'' wages. It''s not worth it to go through all this without any results.
Don''t worry. I''ve told them that I will ambush the "Arsenal of Spirits" alliance when they come back. If we take the ore they bring back, we will be able to pay them back for their expense.
Well, ......, if that''s what you mean. ......
Mm-hmm. Well, then, make sure you''re ready to go. Yello!
With that, Althea relaxes on the couch and begins to smoke his pipe.
(Are you all right? (Are you okay? This is such a leisurely thing to do. ......)
Raul was suspicious of Althea''s attitude, but since he did not know what was going on in the dungeon, he had no choice but to do as he was told.
After adjusting his equipment and reorganizing his troops, Althea entered the dungeon again and proceeded to the intersection of roads near the entrance of the "Metal Line.
This is the junction of all the roads leading to the "Lake Route," and must be passed through on the way back.
However, this was not a good place to ambush because it was not suitable for defense.
So, he decided to set archers (archers) and thieves (thieves) on the three paths leading from there, and as soon as the enemy was caught in the net, they responded immediately and attacked.
As we were waiting for them to return, one archer did not return anytime soon.
(Huh, he was caught in the net right away. (Phew, you''re still green...)
Althea advanced her troops in the direction where she thought Roland was.
Sensing Althea''s troops approaching, Roland decided to turn around and take up a high position.
On the flat land at the foot of the mountain, he had Lana create a trench with "crust magic," where he had his warriors and thieves lie down and fortify their defenses.
Althea, expecting to win the battle as long as he could hit them with a volley of "Dragons'' Baskets," led his troops with Aram and Liam, two C-class attack mages, in the lead.
Roland had them fire their bows at them.
The attack mages responded with "Dragoon".
The range of "bow fire" is extended by using the difference in height, while the range of "dragoon hands" is fixed by magic power and is not affected by the difference in height.
Therefore, Roland''s "bow shot" hit the target, but Alsea''s "dragon hand" did not reach it, resulting in a one-sided attack on Alsea''s side.
d*mn you!
Liam fired his "Dragoon" at the archer who was shooting at him from a high vantage point, but the flaming bullet that was right in front of Jeff''s eyes diffused just before it hit him.
Jeff''s eyes were almost on him, but the flaming projectile was right in front of his eyes. "No," he said, "get the Dragoon unit back. Hide them behind the shieldmen.
Althea hurriedly moved her warriors forward, but even if they had moved forward, they would still have been exposed to bow fire, as they were being targeted from above.
Reluctantly, Alzea lowered his troops.
The two armies were now glaring at each other from a distance.
Althea was unable to attack.
The day ended with the night.
（The day ended with the night. So the two armies were evenly matched. They would not let us win for free. But, I guess they don''t have enough potions to spare, do they?)
Roland and his team had consumed potions for the return trip to explore the dungeon, but there was still plenty of room on Alsea''s side once they had turned around and replenished.
(Eventually, they would run out of potions and would need to challenge the others to a decisive battle. If that happened, it would be ours. (We''ll use the "Dragoon''s Cage" to obliterate them when they come charging at us.)
However, the reason Roland did not challenge them to a decisive battle was to see if they had reinforcements.
(After all this time, no reinforcements had arrived. So that was all the enemy numbers. It seems that the quartet is an individualistic group after all. I don''t feel any desire to join forces and fight together. Or don''t they know how to combine their strengths?)
By appraising from a height, we could also check the skills, status, and equipment of the enemy.
In the morning, before the sun came up, Loran decided to pack up and head back down the road, taking a detour and passing Alzea and his group through another road.
When Alzea noticed that Roland and the others were pulling away from the camp, she hurried after them.
Even the quintessential Alzea began to get frustrated.
(d*mn it, I was going to ambush them, but now I''m back to chasing them. (d*mn it, I was going to ambush them, but now they are chasing me again. You''re moving around so fast. Come on, you guys!)
The two armies chase each other down a winding, up-and-down road.
Althea pondered the terrain ahead as she chased after Roland and the others.
（There was one high point ahead, I believe.)
The high point was a cliff at the end of the climb.
It was a precipice from which it was impossible to descend without tools.
Therefore, if we sealed off the base of the climb, we could confine them.
Roland, who was already low on potions, would be forced to challenge us to a decisive battle.
(Okay.)
"Increase the speed of your march and put pressure on Roland," he said. "Increase the speed of your march and put pressure on Roland, even if you have to cut some status!
(As long as you are dealing with a "dragon-headed cage (dragoon)," you will want to take the high ground. If Roland takes the high ground, he will end up blocking the foothills.)
However, Roland saw in an instant that the end of the high point was a dead end, so he passed it easily.
（He saw through it so easily. (d*mn, he saw through it so easily...)
Then we''ll take the high ground. The "Dragoon" squad, fire a volley from behind at Roland and the others as they flee!
If we take a high position, we can shoot from above with our "dragoon hands" even on this winding road.
(It is only a hastily created unit after all. They may be strong against attacks, but when they are attacked, they are more fragile than you might think. The troops exposed to the bombardment of the "Dragoon" are confused and flee. Then, the heavily armed troops equipped with "magic-work" armor and swords will assault them, and it will be the end.)
Aram, who had taken up a high position, caught sight of Roland and the others fleeing below him.
Finally. Aram, who has taken up a high position, sees Roland and his men fleeing below him. Take that!
With a roar, a flaming bullet is released.
Erio was hit directly.
The "exterior reinforcement (coating)" of the blue armor peels off, and Erio himself is directly damaged.
"Agh!"
The troops were in an uproar at the wounding of Erio, the ace.
"Calm down," said Erio, "I''m not going to hurt you. It is a transient attack by the ''dragon-headed cage hand''.
Leon helped Erio up and raised his voice.
This level of damage is insignificant. We will march on as planned.
Leon''s single voice brought calm back to the troops.
The troops continued their march despite the bombardment of the "Dragoon''s Baskets".
Leon willingly takes up a position behind the troops, exposing himself to the bombardment to show that the "Dragoon''s Baskets" are not to be feared.
[Leon''s status.
Command: 70-80
(Leon now has the ability to command. I can count on this calmness in this situation)
After checking the safety of his back, Roland decides to check Elio''s damage.
Elio. Are you okay?"
I''m not sure. But I think my equipment and status have been cut off.
[Elio''s status
Endurance (toughness): 60 (↘?10)-80
Stamina: 80 (↘?10) - 100
[Status of Elio''s armor].
Strength: 120 (↘?20)
Durability: 70 (↘?10)
The decrease in power is due to the "exterior reinforcement (coating)" being removed.
(In one blow, the "coating" is removed, and the endurance (toughness) and stamina (stamina) of the equipped person are shaved off. This is a powerful attack from a long distance. The power of the "Dragoon''s Baskets" should not be underestimated.
Eventually, Roland and his team escaped out of range of the "Dragoon''s" shot, which was aimed from a height.
Despite the damage, Erio and his team arrived at the planned location and used potions and "Earthcraft" to heal themselves and their equipment.
Elio''s status
Endurance (toughness): 60 (↘?10)-80
Stamina: 90 (10) - 100
[Status of Elio''s armor
Strength: 140 (?20)
Durability: 80 (?10)
（Good (Good. I can''t recover my durability (toughness), but my armor is fully recovered. (This means I can still fight.)
Unable to stall them even after bombarding them from on high, Alzea began to grow impatient.
（He was exposed to the bombardment of the "dragon-headed cage (dragoon)," but did not move an inch? What a high level of skill. And all my attacks have been blocked since a few minutes ago. You mean to tell me that my 20 years of experience and knowledge as an adventurer are not enough? That''s ridiculous. You look like a strong man who has fought a hundred battles. (Is the person in command really from the alchemy guild?)
After that, Roland left no stone unturned.
He reached a place where he said he would reach the forest at the foot of the mountain tomorrow.
（But it''s not good. (This is not good. The enemy has better thieves and archers than we do. (We will be plagued by the enemy''s guerrilla warfare of "setting traps" and "shooting with bows" again.)
Eventually, Alzea decided to forcefully attack Roland''s position, which was stiffly fortified with defenses.
However, Roland has blocked the only narrow road leading to his camp with a wall of "crustal magic.
Even if they broke it down, the road would be covered with water chestnuts and trenches, and as soon as they stepped into it, they were sure to be hit with bow fire.
（d*mn. They haven''t let me use the "dragon''s head cage" at all since a while ago. You''re always doing such nasty things to me.)
Can''t we somehow outwit the enemy?
（Wait a minute. Here it is. There is a way to use the "Dragoon''s Baskets.
To the right of Roland''s camp was a cliff.
It would take some time, but if we could get the "Dragoon" unit around the cliff, we could bombard Roland''s position from a high vantage point.
Both the waterfalls and the trenches would be neutralized.
Althea would use the "Dragoon" to bombard the "crust magic" wall and make a loud noise, and then use it as bait to send the remaining three attack mages to the cliff side bordering the enemy position.
（The wall was made with "crust magic" so that even the other side could not see our movement. (They can''t see our movement because of the wall they built with "crust magic".)
Aram, Liam, and the one remaining attack mage were circling the cliff.
Aram, Liam, and the one remaining attack mage were rounding the cliff. We got around the top of the enemy''s flank.
Now we can show the power of the ''Dragoon Head'' this time!"
However, the move was read by Roland.
Four archers (archers), Hans, Claire, Alice, and Jeff, were waiting on the cliff side.
As soon as Aram and Liam appeared, they were showered with "bow shots".
They were like, "Whoa! We were ambushed.
I''m good," he said. I''m all for a firefight.
...... a little far to the enemy''s position, don''t you think?"
I don''t care. The power of the Dragoon is enough for me! I''ve got plenty of range.
One of the weaknesses of the Dragoon is that the further away the enemy is, the more the converged fire magic spreads and the less powerful it becomes.
Aram and Liam''s "Dragoon" usually had the power of an attack magic equivalent to Class A, but at such a distance, it would have the power of Class B.
However, it seemed to be enough to damage Hans and the others.
The moment the ''bow fire'' subsided, he looked up and began to counterattack.
''Take that!"
Three cannons opened fire.
They extended straight toward Hans and his men, but were sucked into the red jewels attached to their bows and arrows.
What is that, a "firebolt"?
Yes," he said. The "Fire Fault" in our equipment "Ryusenkyu" can absorb up to B class flame attacks. And "Ryusenkyu" shows its true value against anti-aircraft fire. You may think you''ve been successfully outsmarted, but it''s you who have fallen into the trap. In addition, ......
Hans unleashes a flaming "bow shot" from his "dragon-headed cage (dragoon)".
With my unique skill ''magic shooting'', I can return the power of your ''dragon-headed cage''!
Hans'' "magic shot" hit Aram directly.
"Geez!"
Aram!
d*mn it."
A desperate C-class attack mage slides down a cliff.
"Claire."
Yes."
Claire hit the sliding enemy with a "barrage" of shots, disabling it from combat.
''Chiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii.''
Aram points his "Dragoon" toward Alice.
Alice''s "Fire Felt" was still filled with the fire from the Dragoon she had just received.
（The "Fire Felt" cannot absorb flames in a pooled state. At least that one. ......)
Hans!
Okay!
Alice and Hans exchange the "Ryusenkyu" they have with each other.
Alice was thus able to once again catch the fire of the "Dragoon''s Cage".
Hans fires another "magic shot".
What?
Liam got down and somehow dodged.
(d*mn. What a coordination. (No chance.)
Liam stayed down and persisted for a while, but his mind began to race every time Alice fired a curved arrow at him.
(What? (Hatred in my heart: ......)
[Alice Bergamot''s skills
Hatred Concentration": A
Hmph. I wonder how long I can endure before my skill, ''Concentrated Hatred''?"
Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit.
Hans finally exploded with anger and shot Liam, who stood up and prepared "Dragoon" with his "magic shot.
While Hans and the brothers Aram and Liam were engaged in a shooting match, Alsea was also trying to break through the "crust magic" wall.
There were no traps or trenches at the destination where they broke through the wall, and only warriors (Warrior) were waiting for them.
However, they did not appear to be exposed to artillery fire.
(Ee-aye. What are Aram and Liam doing?)
''If it comes to this, I''m going to have to beat you in a white hand-to-hand combat! Attack Granted!"
Warriors covered with "magic-work" swords and armor are enveloped in a red light.
They now combined the offensive power of a real Class A Warrior.
They rush toward the enemy wearing blue armor.
Leon and the others caught the enemy''s swords with their "flexible shields.
The "magic-work" sword, glimmering in the red light of the "attack grant", was weighed down and rendered useless.
Leon and the others knocked down their swords and tried to attack the enemy.
No, no, no, no, no. The "defense grant".
Althea hurriedly switched her support magic from "Attack Grant" to "Defense Grant.
（Oh, family!
Leon and the others'' swords bounce back.
Thus, the battle in the vanguard stalled and a battle line was formed.
It seems my turn has come at last.
Will shines the tip of his cane.
Althea panicked.
(Oh, shoot. The enemy had attack mages too!)
Althea still had one attack mage wearing a "Dragoon", but the "Dragoon" was a powerful but linear attack and could not attack over the Warrior in the vanguard.
He had used up all his strength in breaking the wall of "crust magic" and was already out of magic power.
(Ridiculous. I, who have been an adventurer for more than 20 years, am a young man like this. ......)
Master Alzea. You used to be the best mage on the island, but it seems that times have changed. Blast magic."
When Will casts the spell, a magic circle floats under the feet of the warriors in "magic-work" armor, and a blast of air is generated.
Even though the "magic-work" armor increases the power of support magic, it cannot prevent magic attacks.
Their status is reduced.
The "Warrior" is not a magic circle, but a magical circle. It''s amazing. Big brother."
Leon and his men overpowered the enemy, and Roland took Alzea prisoner.
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