Right after Ash led the forces of the World Guardian Front and left Crossroad, there was a monster invasion.
It was a situation that was safely defended. There were no casualties, and the fortress's equipment was not destroyed at all. It was a perfect victory in the defense.
A few weeks have passed since then.
Morale was high, and Lucas was confident. He believed he could protect Crossroad safely until Ash returned.
But to lose as many as fifteen heroes in an autonomous exploration, not even in a defense battle?
Flash!
Lucas and Evangeline first headed to the base camp. They hoped to gather information about the monster that caused this incident.
But,
"...?!"
"What the hell, where did everyone go...?"
The base camp was empty.
Since the adventurers who were kidnapped were rescued, it had always been a place where adventurers resided, but now, no one was to be seen.
In the eyes of the two startled knights, a large witch packing her belongings in her workshop appeared. It was Coco the Severer, responsible for handling teleportation.
As the two knights rushed to Coco, the old witch opened her large mouth and laughed.
"Ho ho, aren't you Ash's subordinate knights. What are you doing here in such a dangerous time?"
"Madam Coco. It's been a while."
Lucas, who had respectfully bowed, asked cautiously.
"A dangerous time... Could you please explain in detail? Where have all the other people at the base camp gone?"
"Everyone dug their own hideouts and hid inside. Just yesterday, this base camp was attacked, so they must have decided it wasn't safe here anymore..."
It seemed Coco was also leaving for a hideout. Packing her bundle on her back, Coco muttered.
"Just when Nameless was away due to her fate, these troublesome monsters started causing chaos. Sigh."
"What exactly... are those troublesome monsters?"
Then Coco narrowed her wrinkled eyes and uttered that ominous name.
"Gorgon (Γοργών)."
"Excuse me? Gorgon...?"
"Yes. The worst monsters, infamous even in the darkness beneath the Lake Kingdom-"
Shuddering at the mere thought, the witch trembled her shoulders.
"The worst monster sisters, the three Gorgons have appeared!"
***
After Coco also left for somewhere.
"...The three Gorgon sisters. I've heard of them."
Lucas said, pulling out a scale he had collected and looking at it.
"Before our lord left, he gave me this information."
Before leaving for the Imperial Capital, Ash intermittently wrote strategies. For Lucas, to protect Crossroad in his absence.
Lucas had almost memorized the document written by Ash, describing the species and characteristics of the monsters that could invade Crossroad. Therefore, as soon as he heard the name of this opponent, he remembered its contents.
‘The three Gorgon sisters.’
First, the mighty Stheno.
Second, the flying Euryale.
And the youngest, the domineering Medusa.
A legion composed of just these three. Monsters with hair made of snakes and a malignant eye capable of petrifying, cruel monsters.
"Comparable to the ten commanders of the Nightmare Legion, they are named monsters of the same class."
These monster sisters have no subordinates.
That's because their ability petrifies even their allies.
And also, they are powerful enough not to need subordinates.
‘No wonder I couldn't identify the opposing legion during this autonomous exploration...’
Normally, the monsters for the next defense battle would have flooded the dungeon.
This time, the monsters were not visible. It was the same as when they faced 'World Serpent' Jormungandr.
Unable to gather information on the next defense battle's enemy legion, they desperately increased the scale of autonomous exploration and scattered multiple parties inside the dungeon for reconnaissance.
Then they were attacked. By the enemy legion commander...
'And to think the base camp was completely devastated.'
Originally, the base camp was a safe zone, a space where Coco's barrier prevented the entry of monsters.
However, it seemed the three Gorgon sisters stood outside the barrier and sprayed their petrifying evil eye.
Because this curse's gaze works upon eye contact, several adventurers who let their guard down trusting the barrier fell victim to it.
'Even so, the adventurers at the base camp are of quite a high level...'
Having lived in this dungeon for a long time, their average level was quite high. Yet, they were helplessly defeated.
Seeing the base camp devastated in just one day, Lucas gritted his teeth, feeling that if they were complacent even with the safety of the walls, Crossroad could end up the same.
"We've ended up with the worst possible opponents."
In the document Ash wrote, these three Gorgon sisters were mentioned as extremely rare, almost impossible-to-meet opponents with a very low chance - so low it's like falling backward and breaking your nose.
And currently, they are the worst matching enemy legion for the forces at Crossroad.
'The ability of the three Gorgon sisters is petrification.'
In short, it's a special gimmick.
The remaining forces at Crossroad are definitely strong elites, but weak in dealing with such special opponents.
The main heroes, including Lucas and Evangeline, being straightforward knights, are powerful in a standard battle of strength but struggle to establish countermeasures against such unusual and difficult foes.
"Does this mean it's going to be difficult for us alone?"
After hearing about the three Gorgon sisters, Evangeline uttered in urgency.
"Then we should immediately request reinforcements from Senior at the Imperial Capital...!"
"...We can't do that."
Lucas shook his head.
"Our lord is currently fighting a battle that will determine the fate of the world. He trusted and left this in our hands."
"..."
"We have to stop them with our own strength."
Fortunately, Ash had left strategies in the document.
In the unlikely event that these three sisters invaded, he had described measures that could be taken with the current forces at Crossroad.
'We can do this. It's definitely possible.'
Indeed, the three Gorgon sisters are special enemies. But just as unique as their abilities are, there are definite points to exploit in their approach.
Lucas decided to carry out the defense without notifying the Imperial Capital.
Even if they suffer some damage in the process, they decided not to burden the battle in the north that will determine the world's fate.
"First, let's transfer those who have been petrified to this base camp."
Lucas looked towards the teleport gate.
The heroes under his command, who had followed the two knights late, were now frantically running out through the teleport gate.
"They're only petrified, not dead... Let's move them to a safe place."
If they don't undo the petrification in time, everyone will die, but not yet.
Similarly... if they don't establish countermeasures in time, the defense will fail, but not yet.
'I'll show that we can do this.'
Lucas clenched his fist tightly.
'I won't be a burden to our lord. I will prove that I am a sword he can trust and rely on...!'
"..."
Evangeline could only watch Lucas with a worried gaze.
***
However, the situation began to unfold much more urgently than Lucas had anticipated.
"Captain Lucas! I have a report!"
A few hours later, as soon as they returned from the dungeon to Crossroad, an urgent report came in.
"A report from the scout stationed at the lakeside pier! A monster's emergence has been confirmed through the surface of the Black Lake!"
"What? Already...?!"
No - it's not 'already'.
Quite some time had passed since the last defense battle.
They had failed to track the enemy monster legion until now, but the monsters might have been secretly preparing to march, continuing their clandestine movements.
'If they are such high-level monsters, they might have employed deception tactics to launch a surprise attack without us noticing...'
Lucas was deeply regretful of his own complacency.
He thought it would be enough to thoroughly repair the walls, maintain the defensive equipment well, and manage the soldiers without any shortage.
But it wasn't. He should have been more thorough, more meticulous, and desperately tried to understand the enemy's intentions. Then the situation wouldn't be so urgent...
'Ugh!'
Lucas shook his head. Now was not the time to dwell on the time lost. He had to think about what lies ahead.
"What does the monster look like?"
"Its hair is made of snakes, its upper body is covered with thick fur, and its limbs are made of metal... a grotesque monster."
It matched the description of the Gorgons Ash had provided.
"How many?"
"Just three, they say."
"That's definitely them."
Lucas, trembling with rage, spat out.
"Immediately evacuate all citizens of Crossroad to the north."
Lucas looked around and commanded.
"This time, we consider the Gorgon sisters as a threat on the level of Jormungandr from before."
Already fifteen heroes encountered them and were annihilated without being able to lay a hand on them.
Their abilities are tricky, and there are not many ways to deal with them. Above all, Ash is not here now.
Lucas judged this situation to be as difficult, perhaps even more so, than the previous encounter with Jormungandr.
"Start evacuating the citizens immediately. Hurry!"
To use the strategy Ash left behind, the city had to be emptied, and thus evacuating the citizens was essential.
That's why Lucas was about to order the evacuation.
But then.
"Sister Lilly is..."
Evangeline muttered uneasily.
"She's giving birth right now."
"..."
"Can she... evacuate?"
Lucas pressed his hand to his forehead. His head throbbed.
"...Let's go to the temple. Right now."
The two knights immediately headed to the temple to call for Zenis.
"Oh my!"
Zenis, who was sneakily about to light a cigarette in the back of the temple during his break, hurriedly ran to the knights.
"What's the matter, Captain Lucas? Or should I call you the acting commander?"
"Either is fine. More importantly, it's urgent."
Lucas asked bluntly.
"How long do you think the birth will take?"
"I've never seen such a difficult childbirth in my life... Hybrids usually torment their mothers from the womb until birth, but this one is worse. The situation isn't good right now."
Unable to help it, Zenis put the cigarette in his mouth. However, he didn't light it and just chewed it like gum.
"If it weren't for the temple, Lady Lilly would have been gone by now. The child too. It's only stabilized because of the priests here..."
"Sorry, but could you keep the explanation brief? So, how many more days will it take?"
"...Based on my experience, at least 3 days."
Zenis let out a deep sigh.
"I once took care of a hybrid child that took about that long. But the situation is worse than that time... It might take even longer."
"..."
"But why? What's going on?"
As Lucas massaged his throbbing temples, Evangeline stepped forward to explain the current situation.
She explained that a powerful enemy monster was approaching, and they needed to start evacuating immediately.
Despite hearing everything, Zenis shook his head.
"No, it's impossible. As I said, it's a terrible childbirth..."
"..."
"She's already in a precarious fight, and you want to evacuate her now? If we're lucky, either Lady Lilly or the child might survive. Normally, both would die."
When Zenis refused evacuation, Lucas harshly retorted.
"We need to empty the city, now! Otherwise, you'll all die to the monsters!"
"So what, you're telling me to choose now? Whether the mother dies to the monsters or dies while evacuating? Is that what you want me to decide?"
Zenis exploded in anger.
"In this incoming winter weather, where exactly do you expect her to evacuate and give birth? Do you really want to kill both the mother and the child?"
"If you don't evacuate now, Priest Zenis, I can't guarantee your safety either."
"Look here, Sir Knight."
Zenis took a step towards Lucas.
"If I was concerned about safety, I wouldn't have taken a position in a city like this in the first place."
"..."
"As a priest, I'll save both the mother and the child. Be it the acting commander or the monsters, you can't interfere in this matter."
Lucas and Zenis stood facing each other for a moment.
After a while, Lucas let out a long sigh.
"...Alright. We'll start evacuating the other citizens first, and after Lady Lilly gives birth, she and the child will be evacuated. Until then, we'll keep only a minimum number of people at the temple."
It was the best compromise Lucas could make.
Zenis nodded gravely, and Lucas pointed towards the temple.
"Please select only the minimum necessary personnel, Priest Zenis. Instruct the others to evacuate. Immediately."
"Damn, when it rains, it pours..."
Muttering under his breath, Zenis ran into the temple.
Leaving the noisy temple behind, Lucas and Evangeline walked outside. The city, already under evacuation orders, was quickly becoming chaotic.
Ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-
The urgent ringing of bells and the sound of soldiers running to prepare for the monsters made Evangeline feel unsettled.
Just half a day ago, thinking of Lilly's baby, Crossroad was peaceful and joyful. Now, that was gone.
The place was transforming into a frontline, preparing for the monster invasion as a fortress.
"...So."
Pulling her eyes away from the streets filled with the ominous air of imminent war, Evangeline looked up at Lucas and asked.
"What is this strategy that Senior Ash gave you?"
--TL Notes--
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