SIDE: Baretta
«It seems like everyone has finished packing relief supplies, huh?»
The members of the Angel and Dragon-Demon races were lined up in front of me along with the Pegasuses and Griffons.
They packed the relief supplies in the magic bag Master created through «Creation Magic» and, with their weapons in their hands, they were all set to go.
"Ah, isn't this the same as when we go out for trade? Alright, while we are at it, we'll kick some monster butts if we chance upon them!"
"Hey, Shael. I know it's a moment of crisis, but don't forget we can't fight for too long outside. So don't try to stretch things out."
"I, I know!"
After receiving Master's instructions, around 200 members with considerable might had gathered here, and leading them were Shael of the Angel race and Yahada of the Dragon-Demon race.
However, while demonic race members boasted heightened physical abilities and were holders of some unique skills, they fell short on mana recovery speed.
Due to their intense mana consumption, they were unable to fight for a long duration in a low-mana environment like the outside world, so I made sure they got a proper rest before leaving. But, that still wasn't enough to eliminate all worries.
«You must absolutely make sure to not do anything that may sadden Master later.»
"I know! Well then, we're off! I'll surely protect everyone!"
The Angel race members as well as the Dragon-Demon race members riding on Griffons or Pegasuses left under the watchful eyes of their brethren.
«Attendant-dono, are you worried?»
As I watched them leaving, the Elder Dragon asked me through telepathic communication. I silently shook my head.
«......I'm not worried. As long as the Master is there and they don't die, the worst can be easily warded off.»
Even if they lose their limbs, as long as they were alive, the Master's power would heal them to their original state. Furthermore, there was also Yahada among the people who left, who was known for his cautious personality, so he would make sure to restrain everyone well.
«Preparations are all done. So we just have to set up the best possible stage for the Master and the others to act, then they'll handle the rest.»
The main event in this crisis was the time when monsters from the deepest layer started appearing outside as predicted by the Goddess. Our role was to remove as many hindrances as we could so that Master could act freely when that time came.
However——
«If possible, I also wanted to go and put an end to everything, so as not to trouble Master......»
«In that case, I will go in your place, Attendant-dono.»
With that said, the Elder Dragon stretched his neck towards the sky and unfurled his wings.
«Well, I might not be able to exterminate the monsters overflowing from the dungeon 'til the last one, but I can scout them, cull their numbers, and protect the people at least. This should lessen the burden on the young'uns as well.»
«Thank you, and please take care.»
«Umu. I will return at once before Majou-dono comes back.»
With a magic bag containing a «Transfer Gate» fastened to his arm by a leather bag, the Elder Dragon takes off after saying that. I also returned to the mansion to do my share of the work in this «Empty Wilderness» when——
«We have a problem, Baretta-sama!»
«What's wrong?»
One of the maids, who had evolved into a High-End species and was under my direct command, hurriedly reported.
«All the clay golems in the premises of the «Empty Wilderness» have started marching toward the west in unison all of a sudden!»
«What!?»
All the clay golems within the «Empty Wilderness» were made for farming, manufacturing, and surveillance and were essentially something Master...... I mean, something Teto-sama, who was currently undergoing evolution, created used her golem core and mud that came from her body, so they were sort of part family as well.
«Did they say anything about when they will return?»
«They aren't listening to anything we have to say! However, I didn't see any sign of them running away, and they seem to be moving under a clear will!»
«Is this perhaps the effect of Teto-sama's evolution......»
Similar to how I became a Mechanoid Origin and took the position of leading my fellow demonic race members, maybe Teto-sama's evolution caused a chain reaction and affected the golems who were connected to her.
«Those golems are the followers of Teto-sama. For now, assign some people to watch over them while I will report the matter to Master.»
Though an irregularity like the changes in the behavior of the clay golem occurred, overall, we, the ones left behind here, continued to do what we must.
SIDE: Selene
Countless refugees could be seen crowding at the entrance of the fortress on the border that connected to Margrave Reebel's territory.
And mixed with these refugees was a woman using healing magic to heal them.
"This is really unprecedented. Who would have expected such a disaster to strike......"
It all started a month ago.
A stampede occurred in the dungeon city to the west.
That dungeon city in the center of the three nations was constantly embroiled in strife by those three nations who claimed ownership over its land.
The stampede that occurred in that dungeon city was of a scale never seen before. It swallowed the city in its wake and the roads were occupied by the monsters, causing many people to flee from the city.
The monsters that continue to flood out of the dungeon attacked the villages, further increasing the number of refugees, and made the big towns their nest. The people who couldn't enter the towns anymore also became refugees and ended up here.
"Madam, the distribution of the rations to the refugees has been completed. Please take a rest.”
"I will, thank you. This sure was tiring.”
The refugees were brought into the Iska Kingdom for protection and we provided them with food, healing, and simple bedding.
These people fled with little to no belongings and managed to escape here either on foot or by carriage and were in a state of exhaustion, but once they recovered their spirit and stamina, there was a high chance for most of them to fall into banditry.
My husband was leading the knights of the Margrave Reebel house to keep an eye on such people and was maintaining public order with great difficulty.
Just as I was taking a rest in one of the fort's rooms, one of the knights from the Margrave Reebel house arrived with a report.
"Seleneril-sama, we have received a reply to the report sent to the royal castle. His Highness the King will send reinforcement and supplies as soon as possible."
"That's a relief. I knew we could rely on Onii-sama."
"Also, the adventurers from the various guilds have been gathering here in response to the request we made. Among them, Alsace-sama and Refrya-sama of the A-rank party «Sword of the Dawn», who specialized against dungeon stampedes from the Dungeon City Apnanemis, have just arrived."
After hearing that, I finally let down some of my tense feelings.
The A-rank party «Sword of the Dawn» was called the dungeon specialist for their achievement of reaching the deepest floor of the dungeon in the dungeon city, conquering and clearing many of the dungeons, and suppressing the stampede in the dungeon city.
The other members had already retired due to marrying or turning old, so only two of the original esteemed party were currently still active.
"It's reassuring to have two A-rank adventurers. But......"
Refrya-san, who I had seen in the past when Chise okaa-san was taking the A-rank promotion exam, was an elven woman which was a long-lived species, so I could understand how she was currently active as an adventurer even now.
However, I believe the other person, the human Alsace-san, should be quite old already so I couldn't help but be worried about him.
'If only Chise okaa-san was here......' I couldn't help but murmur.
After leaving on a trip to the Great Forest of the Elves a year ago, she has yet to come back.
Okaa-san seemed to be coming back once in a while using the «Transfer Gate», but apparently she was doing something important in the Great Forest of the Elves, so I rarely got in touch with her.
And ever since the stampede had also reached this kingdom, I was busy here in this fort while the communication magic tool was left behind in my room in the mansion so I had no means to contact her either.
But as such a melancholic feeling washed over me, I quickly got ahold of myself. I couldn't rely on Chise okaa-san for everything.
"I will quickly go and meet them. This kingdom isn’t free from the crisis either."
Not long after I requested the commanding knight, the aforementioned two from the «Sword of the Dawn» adventurer party along with a young swordsman arrived.
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Margravine of the Reebel House. I am Alsace. We'll be under your care today."
"I am Refrya. Nice to meet you."
"This person here is the B-rank adventurer Tonny, the successor to the «Sword of the Dawn». He will be with us for this time's operation."
Alsace-san's face was full of wrinkles that showed his age, but his body felt more youthful and vigorous than his age would suggest due to his diligent mana training.
The elf Refrya-san also gave quite a reliable impression, more than what I had seen in the past when she was taking the A-rank promotion exam.
"I am sorry to rush things so suddenly when you have just arrived here, but I would like you to subjugate the monsters that are creeping up on us. And within what you can do, please help out the people that are coming toward this fort as well."
"Very well. I will follow the orders of the knights. However, please be aware that I am unable to battle for a long time due to this old body of mine compared to the past."
"Yes, of course. Then, please."
I was hoping that after meeting the heroic figure of the two adventures and feeling their presence, this would raise the morale of the adventurers that would be coming after them and bolster the defense of the fort. Just as I was thinking that—— another knight rushed into the room.
"Madam, we have a grave problem! A dragon has appeared from the eastern mountain range!"
"The eastern mountain range....... could it be, the «Empty Wilderness»!?"
Editor's note: Some more old faces from volumes ago appeared. And dang, Alsace can still fight? He must be somewhere around 70 or 80 already, right?
