Defeat in Detail

Now that we've gathered our forces, let's fight.

That's not how it works.

Even when you should have superior forces, you can still somehow lose. That's the nature of combat.

Especially when dealing with group battles—even if you have superior individual fighting strength, it's a different story.

Zeke's party, the Golden Warrior Brigade, had been fighting together with the same members for 3,000 years.

The black knight Kars, who boasted impenetrable defense, served as the vanguard, while Zeke and Altecia were the damage dealers.

Marisia could fight at both close and long range, and the elven warrior Kess was more of a rear guard, though he also excelled at close combat.

Added to this group was the Hero of Destruction, Mika. She used her sword as a medium for her Destruction power, making her suited for the front lines, but she could also use offensive magic from the rear.

All personnel had a certain degree of versatility, but each naturally had their areas of expertise.

When planning tactics against such a group, Ars's first policy was simple: defeat them in detail.

"Can we really manipulate the battlefield that skillfully?"

At Sei's reasonable question, Ars patted the shoulder of the boy beside him.

"That's why he's here."

The Great Sage Sagittarius. The foremost authority on space-time magic.

Excluding gods and divine dragons, there was no one more skilled in space-time magic than him. Apparently he was even better than the Great Demon King-sama.

He had actually been researching whether interdimensional transfer was possible lately, but even at level 10 space-time magic, he hadn't succeeded.

… Well, even if he did succeed, using interdimensional transfer would attract the attention of the divine dragons, so it wouldn't be practical anyway.

"First, we'll use transfer magic to send each opponent to different locations."

The Golden Warrior Brigade was an excellent combat group, but it didn't cover all fields.

Regarding healing and recovery magic, the valkyrie Marisia and Altecia, who possessed divine blood, were excellent. However, Kars and Kess could barely use it. It was surprising that Zeke could actually use it fairly well.

As for Spirit arts, the elf Kess could use it, but they had Quorfos to counter that.

When it came to close combat skill as warriors, aside from Zeke, Sei and Mako could handle them.

As for the greatest threat, Zeke, Ars would stop him.

And there was one point that was completely advantageous for Sei's side. The Golden Warrior Brigade had no one who could use space-time magic on the level of transfer.

Of course, it was possible to interfere with transfer magic using lower-level space-time magic of the same type. However, they had Lavi, and there were three users of space-time magic even more skilled than Lavi.

Even if they tried to interfere with the transfer, they could force it through with brute level difference.

Even if they couldn't separate all six individually and they split into groups of several people, it would undoubtedly lead to a significant decrease in combat power.

On their side, they would use Sage's transfer to move the remaining five together and neutralize the separated enemies.

"What if we use transfer magic and can't split them up at all?"

Sei asked about the worst-case scenario that was unlikely to happen, but Ars unexpectedly frowned seriously.

"Knowing that idiot… that's certainly possible. After all, he's the possessor of Absolute Misfortune…"

Ars sighed, but still smiled when he looked up.

"But well, don't worry. If it comes to it, I have a trump card. Even that idiot's party should be weaker than the Black Cat people."

Black Cat. Another term Sei didn't know came up. Probably not related to a delivery service.

Noticing his puzzled expression, Ars explained. Black Cat was a transport company from 3,000 years ago that had simultaneously spread a massive information network across the Dragon Bone Continent.

Black Cat's purpose was to reduce human casualties during the Millennium. The Millennium referred to the invasion of demons overflowing from what was now Garhart.

Though Zeke's party was certainly powerful, they were clearly inferior compared to Black Cat. After all, all the Black Cat executives at the time, except for one, could use long-distance transfer space-time magic.

"There was such an outrageous group…"

"Ferna is the last surviving executive from that group. And I successfully repelled the five excluding Ferna. So well, since I've also unsealed That, nothing unexpected should happen even against that idiot."

The fact that he couldn't say it with certainty was the troublesome nature of the human called Zeke.

Still, what was "That"? Sei wondered, but surely this Great Demon King-sama wouldn't tell him everything.

With Ars and Quorfos at the center, the strategy was decided.

After a light mock battle to confirm their coordination, Zeke's party had moved to a location at just the right distance from the city.

The surrounding area was also wilderness, so there was little danger of causing damage.

"Well then, Sage, it's your turn."

"I'm not participating in combat, you know. I'm not immortal, so if I get killed, I'll die."

Though Sage complained, he intended to fulfill his role.

After tying up Kukuri, who wanted to watch the battle even from afar, the six entered position for transfer.

"All right, let's go."

With Ars's words, the scenery around the six changed completely.

Zeke was the first to notice.

His danger-sensing ability overwhelmed all others. He'd been lounging in the carriage, but immediately half-rose and issued commands.

"Enemy approaching! Prepare for battle!"

The veteran warriors immediately readied their weapons.

This was something they had anticipated. Having heard from Mika, Zeke thought they would be attacked at a location somewhat removed from the city.

The group that jumped out of the carriage immediately formed a formation. Kars stood at the front, Zeke to the right, Altecia and Mika to the left.

Marisia was in the center, and Kess began preparing Spirit arts from the rear.

Six people descended from the air. Seeing two of them, even the Golden Warrior Brigade changed expression.

"It's been a while, Siegfried. Though I didn't want to reunite like this."

At Ars's words, Zeke tilted his head, and after some silent thought, said:

"… Who are you?"

A curtain of silence fell.

The first to cover his face with his hand was Ars.

"That's right, you're the type who doesn't remember men's faces…"

"Stupid father, that's Ars Garhart."

Altecia explained in an exasperated voice, but Zeke still tilted his head.

"Don't know him. Garhart means he's Garhart royalty?"

Zeke's companions, excluding Mika, all sighed.

"You fought several times 3,000 years ago, and even cooperated together, didn't you? He's a hero from 4,000 years ago who later became the Demon King."

At Kars's explanation, Zeke finally seemed to remember.

"… The guy who snatched away my women!"

"Don't lie! I only saved women who were about to fall victim to you!"

A retort came from Marisia, who was supposed to be an ally, but that was how Zeke perceived it.

"And with Quorfos-sama here as well, is your business with the hero?"

Perhaps thinking the conversation wouldn't progress if left to Zeke, Kars asked.

"With the world in crisis, I have no choice but to intervene, do I? Besides, I personally bear no small grudge against that man."

"The matter with Sylphy…"

3,000 years ago, abducting a young high elf from the forest.

Though Zeke wasn't the direct cause, such a situation wouldn't have occurred without him.

"What's past is past, but this time we can still fix it. I'd like that hero to honestly return to her original world."

The Golden Warrior Brigade exchanged glances.

They weren't filled with fighting spirit, but with confusion.

And those gazes turned to Zeke. Fighting against both the Great Demon King and the high elf was too unfavorable no matter what.

But when Mika cunningly pressed her body against Zeke's arm, he showed a fearless smile.

"No matter who they are, I won't forgive anyone who lays a hand on my woman."

The Golden Warrior Brigade sighed again, but in the next moment had switched their consciousness toward battle.

After all, they couldn't abandon this walking nuisance called Zeke.

"Sage!"

"Aye aye sir."

Sensing the Golden Warrior Brigade's fighting spirit, Ars gave instructions.

Sage's magic deployed in an instant, and a barrier covered the Golden Warrior Brigade and their carriage.

Before Altecia could cancel it with magic destruction, the transfer magic activated.

In the next moment, Zeke and the others had disappeared from that location.

"What happened?"

At Ars's question, Sage answered.

"Two each in three locations. Split into Zeke and the hero, Kars and Kess, Al and Mari."

Not a bad result. Now, in what order should they fight?

"Each group is less than 200 kilometers apart, so if you think too much they'll reunite quickly."

Sage would stick to support. He was neither immortal nor a veteran warrior. Of course, he had strength that ordinary warriors couldn't match, but facing members of the Golden Warrior Brigade was somewhat dangerous.

He had the resolve to fight if necessary, but given the nature of his magic, he couldn't hold back well. Though he was powerful if he stuck to support.

"Right. First, let's crush the healers."

At Ars's proposal, everyone nodded silently.

What kind of distance is 200 kilometers?

At 200 kilometers per hour, it's a one-hour journey; at 600 kilometers per hour, 20 minutes.

And 600 kilometers per hour was not an impossible speed for excellent mages in this world. Especially for magic warriors with high-speed movement skills.

Therefore, rather than agonizing over which opponent to face, it was better to just move. If you thought calmly, there were plausible reasons for taking down the impenetrable defender Kars first, or striking at the head, Zeke.

But Ars decided to strike the healers. Regardless of whether that decision was correct, the important thing was to act first.

On the battlefield, acting intuitively often produces better results than arriving at the right answer through deliberation.

Where they transferred using Sage's magic, there were two people: Altecia and Marisia.

Strictly speaking, Marisia wasn't one of the humanoid races, but the valkyrie defiled by Zeke's hand was a being no different from a human.

Against the six who transferred in, Altecia and Marisia readied their weapons back to back.

Altecia wielded a longsword, Marisia a spear. Both were powerful magical weapons, and their other equipment was powerful as well.

"Sei, Mako, and Lavi take Marisia. I'll handle Altecia. Quorfos, provide support as appropriate."

Though they hesitated slightly at Ars's words, the three nodded.

Marisia's level made it impossible to face three people simultaneously, though she could handle them one at a time. And if it was just Altecia alone, Ars could definitely win with his ability.

In other words, they could calculate certain neutralization.

The problem was how much time it would take to neutralize them.

If they had time, they could neutralize two at a time. But actually, since the opponents had transferred to positions forming roughly an equilateral triangle, if the other two groups headed to one battlefield, they would meet up partway.

Neutralize as quickly as possible, but without forcing it. Achieve that without casualties.

That condition was far stricter than simple annihilation.

At worst, Ars thought killing Zeke would be acceptable.

Both Marisia and Altecia immediately realized they had been separated and made targets for defeat in detail.

And their opponents were the Great Demon King Ars and the high elf Quorfos. Just facing these two, their chances of victory were zero.

Additionally, there was the boy who had transferred them using space-time magic, and the girls heading this way seemed to have considerable skill.

Though very regrettable, Altecia instantly judged they had to rely on that stupid father.

Chantless magic. She released a giant fireball not at the enemy before her, but straight up.

When it reached a certain height, it burst and spread out.

A pseudo-sun. Now their position should be visible from quite a distance.

Though both Altecia and Marisia were skilled in detection magic, they had no time now to use it to search for their companions' positions.

Notice this signal and endure until the other companions arrive. Against opponents who could use transfer space-time magic, there was no other method.

(Still, Sage?)

Altecia had no recollection of the boy who had forcibly used transfer magic without giving them time to resist.

But that name brought to mind a certain mage.

The Great Sage Sagittarius. Also called the Wandering Sage, a master of space-time magic. His appearance was that of a boy, and he was known for sticking his nose into various troublesome matters everywhere.

Probably him. Since the Great Demon King brought him along.

Even while Altecia was thinking such things, Ars was closing in before her with a step that gouged the ground.

He only held a single holy sword, wearing no armor. Not even leather armor, just ordinary clothes. But.

"Equip!"

His figure blurred for an instant, and in the next moment he was clad in gleaming armor.

Armor based on mithril with critical points reinforced with orichalcum. Legendary-class armor, but for Ars to wear, anything less would be insufficient.

(Stall for time as much as possible!)

Altecia thought so, but she was immediately made to realize that was far too optimistic a thought.

While Ars's longsword was a holy sword, Altecia's blade was also a holy sword. But even among holy swords, their levels were different. Specifically, their materials were different. Ars's sword was orichalcum, while Altecia's sword was mithril.

But transcending such things, their fundamental sword techniques were different. Though Altecia had trained for 3,000 years, she was no match for a Great Demon King who had survived the Millennium and the Great Collapse.

In addition to equipment, all his body enhancement magic was far superior to hers.

After one exchange, she understood the difference in ability.

After two exchanges, she was certain of defeat.

After three exchanges, the holy sword had left Altecia's hand.

Altecia's eyes followed her own sword as it spun through the air. It was a fatal opening.

Ars's hand, slipping into her guard, touched Altecia's abdomen.

A spinning shock passed through her armor and reached her flesh, and Altecia writhed on the spot.

(T-too strong…)

Altecia regularly crossed swords with Zeke, who was technically her father.

Zeke's strength was overwhelming, but it felt like Ars surpassed even that.

This is unwinnable.

As Altecia thought so, Ars gently touched her neck and harvested her consciousness.