"Warrior Captain, the first village is just ahead."
The adventurer riding at the front reported calmly.
A total of thirty-eight adventurers had accepted this commission, all Platinum-rank or higher. To ensure speed, E-Rantel had temporarily provided warhorses from the garrison. Once the mission ended, every mount would be returned—this was made clear from the start.
The one coordinating with Gazef was Pelot, a veteran Mithril-rank adventurer. Though his strength fell short of Gazef's, his experience and judgment were solid enough to earn trust.
Pelot couldn't help glancing backward again.
"Warrior Captain… those troops behind us—are they some kind of secret force of the Kingdom?"
Gazef shot him a sharp look.
"If it's confidential, I won't pry," Pelot added quickly, then sighed in admiration. "Still… taming magical beasts like those as mounts is unbelievable. The tiger population in the Tob Forest has exploded these past few years. They hunt in packs now."
"Even we have to retreat if we meet high-grade ones. Once they mark you as an enemy, they won't let you live."
Gazef barely heard him.
His focus was fixed forward.
If the intelligence was correct, the Slane Theocracy's forces intended to draw him out and eliminate him. That meant bait—something expendable—had already been deployed.
The village ahead was likely part of that design.
If I eliminate the bait quickly… Gazef thought, I can force their main force to reveal itself.
That was the only way to limit civilian casualties.
"Stop—monsters ahead!"
A reconnaissance-type adventurer shouted.
At the forest edge, a goblin unit appeared, accompanied by several ogres. Upon seeing the combined force approaching, they hesitated.
Goblins were simple creatures. They preyed on the weak and fled from overwhelming numbers.
As expected, they turned to retreat.
Too late.
"Ranged formation."
The order came—not from Gazef, but from Barker.
The Tiger Knight archers, positioned at the heart of the formation, moved in perfect unison. They drew their bows.
No arrows were nocked.
Instead, condensed magical energy formed along the bowstrings.
Magic weapons.
A murmur rippled through the adventurers and the Kingdom's soldiers.
One magic weapon was rare. A handful was impressive.
But more than thirty identical enchanted bows, wielded by trained soldiers?
That was abnormal.
The bowstrings were released.
The arrows of light screamed across the battlefield.
Boom—boom—boom!
Explosions tore through the forest edge. Craters formed where the monsters had stood. Goblins, ogres—there were no bodies left intact. Limbs, ash, and scorched earth were all that remained.
Silence followed.
Pelot's hands trembled.
He instinctively glanced at his own enchanted longsword. Compared to what he had just witnessed, his weapon was little more than a toy.
High-grade magic weapons… issued in bulk…
Even the famed sword wielded by the captain of Blue Rose—once said to belong to one of the Thirteen Heroes—was only a single example.
Gazef's expression darkened.
If such weapons were turned on a city…
For the first time, doubt took root.
Perhaps accepting Lock's assistance had been a mistake.
This level of power was not meant for a mere border operation.
And worse—
If Lock ever turned against the Kingdom, who could stop him?
There were thousands like these knights in his territory.
Gazef felt something tighten in his chest.
I must prepare for the worst.
Within the floating carriage, far removed from the tension, Lock reclined calmly. Vier rested beside him, her lap serving as a pillow.
He had no idea that a brief demonstration had pushed the Kingdom's Warrior Captain into silent alarm.
And even if he did—
He would not have cared.
Twelve years of concealment was enough.
This world needed to learn his name.
Lock had no intention of becoming a savior. Nazarick was a rival—nothing more. Its destruction would be for his own benefit.
Power existed to be used.
And he possessed it.
"By my estimate," Lock murmured, fingers closing around the necklace at his neck, "it should be time."
The item activated.
A bright, energetic voice echoed directly into his mind.
"Big brother! What's going on?"
A faint smile appeared on Lock's lips.
"Catherine. Where are you now?"
"Already near the border! Of course I'd answer your call!"
"Good. Don't be late."
"Oho~? Are you finally ready to let me make an entrance?"
"I'm waiting."
The connection ended.
Lock leaned back, eyes half-closed. The image of a girl who once followed him everywhere surfaced in his mind.
It had been a while.
High above the Tob Forest, a massive golden dragon cut through the sky at terrifying speed.
Its presence alone sent lesser monsters scattering in panic.
Standing steadily upon its back was a blonde girl wearing a wide blue witch's hat, a violet dress adorned with star motifs, and white stockings. In her hand was a golden staff crowned with a small red heart.
"Faster, Annea!" she called cheerfully. "I can't wait to see big brother!"
Her silver eyes sparkled with anticipation.
She was the Starlight Witch—
Catherine Cort Albert.
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