SIDE: Shael
We carried supplies to the fort under Maou's order, and then we helped out in its defense.
Dragon Grandpa had already visited this place two days before our arrival, installed the «Transfer Gates» arranged by Majou at the plains, and then left to scout the situation along with people from the fort.
Afterwards, we busied ourselves with protecting the people who Dragon Grandpa saved and had appeared from the «Transfer Gates» while exterminating any monsters that approached the fort.
"Seriously, one after another...... When will all this end, I wonder?"
"Well, it's an unprecedented stampede. We can't let down our guards yet."
"Hmph. Don't make light of me, you Elf."
Joining me in my patrol as I flew in the sky and defeated any monster I spotted with wind magic was an elven girl with semi-translucent wings akin to a Cat Sith's growing out of her back which she made with magic.
"I have a name alright, Refrya."
"Hmph. Doesn't matter to me. More importantly, take down the monsters."
"I know——"
It must be that spirit magic I had heard about, I guess. Just by sharing a bit of her mana, a wind arrow appeared on the bow of the elven girl, which then rained down on the monsters below.
A single attack blessed by the power of the spirits — something akin to the wands witches used to amplify their magic — decimated the monsters. 'She was strong,' were my instinctive thoughts.
After flying for about an hour, the two of us defeated the monsters that appeared on the plains. After that, an adventurer team appeared from the fort, dragging a cart to retrieve the corpses of the monsters.
We left the rest of the matters for them to handle and returned to rest in the fort.
"How was it? I have been training myself quite a bit, you know?"
"Who cares...... I'm going to the fort to recharge. I can't stay active in this place for too long."
I honestly felt that the elven woman in front of me was stronger than me, but I kept my frustration hidden and flew back towards the fort so as not to make it obvious.
The elven woman, fluttering her fairy wings, followed closely behind me as we headed past the fort and towards the tents where Yahada and the others were.
During that time——
«Ah, Angel-sama. Angel-sama hasn't abandoned us.» «The goddess has sent an Angel-sama.» «Thank you, thank you......»
The refugees who had escaped from their country offered their prayers. It was anything but pleasant for me.
They must have expected this blind worship from people, that was why our ancestor, the apostle of the goddess, must have led a reclusive life, hidden from the world. I was once again made to face reality.
Anyway, more than 50,000 people who couldn't take refuge in the big towns had sought shelter here.
In the perimeter of such refugee camps were our camp, the knights' camp, and the adventurers' camp. There was a clear distance between our tents and the refugee camps.
"Oi, Yahada, you're here?"
"Yeah. Are you done with exterminating the monsters? Also, hello there, Refrya-dono. There's not much to offer in the name of hospitality, but feel free to rest here."
"Thank you, and sorry for the intrusion."
The elven woman who followed me naturally made herself comfortable in our tent.
What the hell was up with this woman.....? I was about to give her an apprehensive look when Yahada came to report about today's situation.
"You have managed to deal with them, but the monsters are increasing in number with each passing day."
"It's already been ten days since we arrived here. This is nearly the time predicted in the oracle of the goddess so it would not be strange for the strong monsters to make their presence known at any time, but we have also amassed sufficient battle power so it shouldn't be easy for monsters as well."
Among the people who had taken refuge, aside from the adventurers, people who were capable of fighting had volunteered to be soldiers and were moving in groups to deal with the monsters from the stampede.
Furthermore, our beloved and respected Dragon Grandpa was also thinning out the monsters, and it was about time for him to return as well.
"But the question is if Majou-dono will be able to make it in time."
Yahada murmured with concern. I guess a part of him must have felt it would be safer with Majou and her Protector.
"It's better if those two don't come. In fact, we should go all out and take out any need for their assistance!"
"You're right. I do have the feeling of relying on them, but originally it should have been us protecting them. It seems like my battle intent has dulled down."
Just then, there was a commotion outside, and following that, a member of the angel race came over to report.
"Yahada-san, Shael-san! Dragon Grandpa is back!"
"Oh!"
We left the tent to check out the situation and saw Dragon Grandpa dropping the people who had tagged along with him off, retrieving the «Transfer Gate» that was used for rescuing people, and then flying back in the direction of the «Empty Wilderness».
He must have gone to pick up Majou and her Protector and should be back soon.
The people who looked at the flying figure of Dragon Grandpa from their tents revered him like us.
«That Dragon-sama brought us all the way here.» «I would have died from attacks of the monsters if Dragon-sama hadn't helped me.» «Even those of us who were abandoned and left behind were picked up by him.»
Hearing the voices praising the revered Ancient Dragon, I couldn't help but puff my chest in pride as if they were praising me.
"Alsace should have returned as well. Let's go and get the details of the situation in the west from him."
"I know! We are going, Yahada!"
"Yeah. What was it? Know the enemy and devise countermeasures, huh?"
In front of the gathered people under the command of the fort, Alsace and the knights described what they saw to everyone.
And three days later—— the true force of the monsters finally arrived at the fort on the border.
—— «Go».
However, not a single soul knew that the clay golems who had marched out from the «Empty Wilderness» were lurking in the land in front of the fort, waiting for the decisive battle.
