The Peerless Kobold - Chapter 144
“What!? Does this mean the castle walls have been breached!? Damn, it’s too soon!”
“Captain, what do we do now?!”
“Oh no, they’re probably headed here now… Lady Eliza!”
“But earlier, you said that we’re still fine… Eh? No way, then we have to escape…”
The lobby immediately broke into chaos as some of them tried to escape from the front door.
“Halt, if you’re evacuating, go to the west wing! The rebels may already be laying in wait beyond that door!!”
“Y-yes”
Zeist stopped the nobles, turned to the guards, and gave his orders.
“Even if we’re outnumbered, we can at least buy time for everyone in the castle to escape by fortifying the entrance! It’s time for you to do your duty as guards, and leave your lives in my hands!!”
“… A-are you ready for this?”
“I don’t want to be paid just to run away from the enemy when it matters most!”
Of course, running before the enemy is a grave sin, but… For the long-lived Porcelain Elf clan who have always pursued their own way of life, they cannot allow themselves to run away under the current circumstances.
After a few moments of hesitation, the guards nodded to each other, each with a determined look on their faces.
“Sir Zeist, we Guard Knights will also lend you assistance.”
“Miss Leia… I am grateful for your assistance.”
As the Queen’s shields, the Guard Knights were always prepared for such emergencies, so they were quick to decide in situations like this.
“Lady Eliza, we will have to take our leave now… Please take care of everyone in the castle.”
“U-understood. Then, I will be evacuating everyone.”
As a Porcelain Elf, Eliza is naturally proficient in magic so her abilities are higher than average, but… If she were to lose her life in a fight, it could reignite the conflict between the conservative and reformist factions, or in other words, the Porcelain and Obsidian Elven Clans.
After considering it for a while and lightly biting her lip, she gave her agreement.
“Sir Zeist, Miss Leia, may the tides of war turn in your favor… Listy…”
“Yes, my Lady.”
The World Tree Priestess crossed her hands over her chest and recited a ritual prayer.
“Zelnes foreoa exgia vielua ruudo.” (May the brave guardians of the forest be granted with the blessings of the World Tree.)
“Gadia ecto shilva iris hauruto.” (Grant we beseech thee that you may bless them with silver apples to protect themselves with.)
As if in response to their words, a pale light flew around the people present, illuminating the place with a warm glow before dissipating.
“This… I feel like I’m being filled with power.”
“A-amazing!”
“I didn’t know there was a mystic art like this…”
“…I can feel the vibrations of the World Tree.”
Those who received the blessing felt even closer to the World Tree and marveled at the life force that flowed through their bodies.
“I have strengthened the spiritual path that connects you to the World Tree. This should allow you to temporarily handle powerful magic, but please do not overdo it…”
“Thank you, Miss Listy… Everyone, let’s go to the main entrance and fortify our defenses!!”
“OUU!”
Their morale raised, Zeist and his men fortified the entrance to the main building of the Royal Castle, their long ears twitching as they picked up the rustling of leaves as the reformist militants led by Gregor emerged from between the trees…
“Hah, just as I thought, there are only a handful of guards! Adre!”
“Yeah, leave them to me! Men, let’s blow them away!”
In response to the sharp-eyed Gregor’s orders, the deeply hooded Elf Mage formed a fireball between his palms while his troops similarly cast wind and fire-type offensive spells…
