Salia opened the message from Fi and then displayed the map in her water mirror.
It displayed everything in detail, from all the tunnels and the structure of the rooms. Fi’s mobile device was an impressive gift.
“Quite amazing.”
“The dragon god had to bear the cold gazes of the small dragons in order to make it.”
“…Yes, what I meant was..”
Canila pointed to Sheto.
While Keita’s magic had brought down many of the monsters, they continued to pour out of the cave. Still, Sheto attacked with his whip and bow, keeping the enemy at bay. And while it was not Salia’s first time seeing it, she also found herself staring.
“Well, he has escaped death many times now. If something like this could stop him, then he would have no chance against the Demon King.”
“Indeed…”
As Canila muttered, a shadow crossed her face.
“Hey, Salia… About earlier…”
“When I said that I would use you?”
Salia said without turning her head.
“In this battle, everyone had their own hidden motives. I will not condemn you for that. As long as you do not try and deceive me, or do anything cowardly.”
“I’m sorry… I…”
“The celestial world is so poisoned now, that there is no point in accusing others of villainy. You have your reasons. I understand that.”
In truth, she did not want to have this conversation. She wanted to talk about lighter things, like old times.
However, Canila was even more of a pacifist than her. And she was participating in the games.
To say any more would just hurt her. And so she tried to keep things fair and equal.
“Sheto. I received word from Fi. A group of four enemies in armor are headed towards you. Also, he has gone quite deep inside the dungeon now. Go after him when you are finished up there.”
‘Understand. Leave it to me.’
“Keita, please support Sheto.”
‘Yes.’
After giving the order, Salia split the image in the mirror into two.
“Canila. You follow Keita and support him in the dungeon. I’ll send Fi’s map. I will continue to look outside and see if there are reinforcements.”
“Wouldn’t it be better for you to give orders in the dungeon?”
“You need experience to watch for enemies over a wide area… If you miss something, you could put the others in danger.”
She was speaking from experience.
“…You are good at giving directions.”
“Once you get used to the battlefield, such things feel natural. Ironically.”
As they spoke, a new enemy appeared at the cave’s entrance. Once Salia saw that it was the enemy that Fi had reported, she gave further instructions.
“Focus on break arts to destroy the armor instead of attacking! Make it easier for Keita’s attacks to go through!”
It had been a while since he last used great magic. But Keita had no time to enjoy the sensation. He jumped out of the bushes he was hiding in, and ran towards the inner defense walls of the dungeon.
“Keita! While I, hold them back, use magic!”
There were four goblins who wore armor that shone strangely. And they were surrounding Sheto. But a few of them turned to Keita.
“There is another one after all!”
“That, the magician! Kill it first!”
They shouted, and then Sheto’s whip struck against their armor.
“No, you won’t!”
“Ahhhh! Dangerous!”
“Shit! Take care of the dog first!”
While dodging their attacks, Sheto swung his whip from side to side at the enemy. He would spin his whole body to boost its speed and change to keep the enemies in check in all directions.
‘Keita! Draw back and use Frozen Moon Arrow!’
“Ye-yes! …Come forth from the frozen moon, chilling wisdom. The frozen silver blessing is a single arrow of judgment that pierces all obstacles.”
The number of arrows increased depending on the user’s energy. For Keita, three arrows was the limit.
‘Stay focused and listen! Shoot two to the enemy on your right! And the rest forward! After that, immediately start chanting for Sun Piercing Thrust!’
Salia’s words made him focus so that things appeared to move in slow-motion. He then targeted the goblins and finished the chant.
“Shoot them down, Frozen Moon Arrow!”
‘Sheto! Aim for the feet!’
At the same time, Sheto’s body sank low, and he lashed out with the whip so that it slammed into their ankles.
“GAHHHHH!”
“AGHHHH!”
The two enemies lost their balance and were then blown away by the lights. The third was pierced through the arm and fell to the ground.
“The blazing sun’s spear is in my grasp…Huh!?”
Two enemies began to run towards him, as if suspicious of magic’s threat. Keita’s stomach felt tied up with nervousness and fear, and he nearly lost focus.
‘Do not be afraid! Target the single enemy behind you!’
“Stop there!”
Sheto’s whip wrapped around the armor and bound it in place. The other enemy kept looking back and forth between Sheto and Keita, and could not decide who to kill first.
“Forged in succession, resonant light of steel, sharpen your power and pierce through the void.”
Golden light gathered to the tip of the staff, and then the power was unleashed at the enemy who was behind Sheto.
“Pierce… Sun-Piercing Thrust!”
The light slammed into the goblin’s face with precision, and then Sheto let go of the whip that bound the enemy.
“Aghhh!?”
“Shh”
He unsheathed and swung the hatchet, slashing open the enemy’s throat. And then he stabbed into the face of the other enemy that tried to get up.
“Ahhh…hah…ha…”
The world began to move at normal speed again for Keita. He leaned against his staff and tried to catch his breath.
“Are you, alright? Keita.”
“Uh…yeah…sorry. I’ve rarely used magic…in front of enemies like this…”
Normally, it was mercenaries or skilled villagers who took the advance guard. He would generally support with magic from a distance.
As he relied heavily on magic, he had never thought he would be fighting in an area where the enemy weapons could easily reach him…