"Hm? What is that? Another group of monsters?"
"Most likely, whenever a monster stampede takes place, there is always a large number of monsters unable to catch up trailing behind the main group showing up later."
"Indeed, though they appear ferocious, they are mostly made up from weaker monsters and won’t pose much of a threat.
At the same time Scaly noticed the approaching dragon amalgamation, the adventurers who were holding back the monster stampede also realized that something was wrong. The only difference being that they couldn’t see the approaching dragon amalgamation that Scaly could see from up in the sky. Instead, they could only feel the vibrations that were getting closer with each passing second. Making most of the adventurers guess that another group of monsters that had been trailing behind had shown up and were rushing over to join the battle with the rest of the monsters.
Bad as this was for the adventurers guarding the entrance to the dungeon, it wasn’t entirely unexpected and if no more S Rank Monsters appeared, it wouldn’t affect the overall state of the battle.
"This... Shouldn’t be another group of monsters late to show up..."
However, different from the rest of the adventurers who had already dismissed the loud rumbling sounds in the distance as weaker monsters showing up later due to their own lack of strength and ability to keep up with the monster stampede, the human Archmage overseeing the overall state of the battle clearly sensed something different. A frown slowly appearing on his face as he took a step forward before using his magic to lift himself into the sky to confirm the situation personally.
"Huh... That... Impossible! Don’t tell me... This... Thing... Was created by those bastards from the Holy Flower Sect to break the barrier guarding the dungeon entrance?!"
Soon enough seeing the same thing Scaly had seen, as a look of despair appeared on his face. Understanding that the strange grotesque creature barreling towards the dungeon entrance wasn’t something they could stop with the current strength present at the Howling Caverns Dungeon.
Even worse, if he didn’t react immediately and draw back those fighting on the frontlines outside the protection of the barrier, they would almost certainly be swallowed up by that strange creature when it got close enough.
After all, every single S Rank Adventurer was already preoccupied dealing with an S Rank Monster of their own and though he himself wasn’t exactly dealing with an S Rank Monster and could rush out to intercept the grotesque creature barreling towards the dungeon entrance, he understood that doing so would put the S Rank Adventurers locked in battle elsewhere at risk. Especially the beastkin adventurer locked in battle with the terrestrial beetle lord, as outside of the terrestrial beetle lord, there was now also a very high possibility that there were people from the Holy Flower Sect lurking around waiting for an opportunity to strike.
The sole reason why those from the Holy Flower Sect had yet to make any moves was because he had been keeping an eye on the overall situation and would be able to intercept them the second they attempted to do something.
With that in mind, there wasn’t much he could do in the current situation.
Fighting the grotesque creature would open those fighting behind him to attacks from the Holy Flower Sect, while staying in place or retreating would inevitably lead to a dungeon break taking place, there was no way for him or the rest of the adventurers present to hold on long enough for reinforcement to show up. Meaning that no matter what he did, the Holy Flower Sect would end up succeeding in causing a second dungeon break. Placing the Great Sky Kingdom in an even more dire state!
"Oh? Looks like it was good for me to rush over ahead of everyone."
But just as he landed back on the ground contemplating what to do, a voice suddenly echoed out behind him, a voice that he clearly recognized as a sense of relief washed over him.
"Valz! To think I would be this happy to see a troublemaker like you for once in my life..." Smiling as he said this, the human Archmage turned around with a relived expression on his face. Facing a far younger man who looked to be around his late twenties with a somewhat cheeky smile on his face when confronting the older Archmage. Clearly indicating that though much younger in appearance, he was also an S Rank Adventurer.
"Hehe~ You know me. Didn’t want to wander around aimlessly in the capital with that old man trying to flush out those bastards from the Holy Flower sect. So, the second I learnt about the situation here, I rushed over before that old man could even pull the others together for a meeting on what to do.
Ah, they should show up in another half hour or so. My... Disappearance... Likely shortened their original meeting on what to do..." Continuing to smile brightly as he said this, the new S Rank Adventurer, Valz, slowly turned towards the terrestrial beetle lord locked in battle with the beastkin adventurer.
"Is that thing perhaps what is causing you trouble? If it is, I would be more than happy to lend our fluffy senior a hand before he ends up losing another limb. After all, recovering a lost limb is rather difficult."
"No, it isn’t that." Seeing the eager expression on Valz face as he was about to jump out to join the battle playing out in the distance between the beastkin adventurer and the terrestrial beetle lord, the older human Archmage quickly stopped him before explaining what he had just seen while also explaining his suspicion that the Holy Flower Sect was behind this and likely waiting for him to either rush out or retreat before taking action.
"I see... That is... Troublesome.... But, given that they should be unaware of my appearance, do you want to rush out and bait those little snakes out of hiding?" Frowning a bit as he heard about the current situation, Valz asked with a hint of excitement hidden beneath the frown. Clearly feeling excited about fighting the people from the Holy Flower Sect that had forced him to wander around the capital city of the Great Sky Kingdom aimlessly for the past few days in search of them.
"This..." Freezing for a short moment in response to Valz’s words, the older Archmage soon nodded his head after thinking about it. "I was just thinking about using you to stabilize the situation, but what you say makes sense, it might also be a chance for us to get a better understanding about their purpose in targeting the Great Sky Kingdom."
"Great! Then I won’t delay you any longer and will remain hidden until those bastards show up. Although... Given the state of our fluffy senior, I have a feeling I know who their first target will be after you rush out to stop that grotesque creature you described seeing.
"Indeed... I will discreetly warn him to stay cautious and prepare for an ambush. Good luck."
Whoosh~
Not wasting any more time after having come to a decision on what to do and having a clear solution to dealing with the current troublesome situation, the old Archmage didn’t hesitate any longer as he flew out to meet the living dragon amalgamation rushing over from afar. Intending to stop the living dragon amalgamation before it had a chance to reach the frontlines.
All the while, Valz slowly disappeared amidst the large crowd of adventurers on frontline. Discreetly placing himself as close to the battle between the beastkin adventurer and the terrestrial beetle lord. Quietly waiting for the people from the Holy Flower Sect to grow impatient and make their move.
After all, with the current state of this fluffy senior, it would be simple for even someone below an A Rank Adventurer in terms of strength to kill him while he had his entire attention focused on the battle with the terrestrial beetle lord. Not because an attack from such a figure could kill him, but instead because such an attack would distract him from the terrestrial beetle lord and give it a chance to land a deadly blow, something that had somewhat been prepared for after the older Archmage secretly informed him to stay more cautious of his surroundings.
Of course, this was only in the case that the strength of the ambusher was weaker, if it was someone of equal strength, it would be difficult for this fluffy senior to escape even if he was prepared. At most he would be able to delay the situation for a few seconds before falling, a crucial time for Valz to jump in and save him.
In a way, the life of this fluffy senior was entirely in hands of Valz moving fast enough to save him when the time came, something that made even the normally cheeky Valz feel a sense of pressure as his gaze remained fully focused on this senior of his.