Chapter 545: The Royal Capital of the Kingdom
Shortly after the season transitioned into late autumn, winter arrived almost unnoticed.
Snowflakes drifted down from the sky, blanketing the earth in silver. For kilometers around, the heavens and earth merged into a pure white world.
Road workers had risen early to clear the snow piled along the streets.
This was a luxurious city built against a mountainside. Though it couldn't compare to modern metropolises, its population density was immense, with towering structures rising from the ground. Its grandeur far surpassed that of the beginner town, Axel, and even winter couldn't dampen its lively atmosphere.
This was none other than the royal capital of the Belzerg Kingdom.
Built against the mountain, the capital enjoyed natural defensive advantages. A river flowed through the city, eliminating any concerns about water shortages. Without a doubt, it was a fortress—easy to defend, hard to attack.
A dizzying sensation, like motion sickness, flashed through their minds. In the next instant, Eiji, disguised as a great archmage, and Airi, disguised as a priestess, appeared in the royal capital of the Belzerg Kingdom.
"This is… outside the city gates?"
Eiji surveyed their surroundings. Behind them, a massive city wall over ten meters tall made a striking impression.
"Couldn't we have just appeared inside the capital? Now we have to run around."
"The laws of the Belzerg Kingdom prohibit setting the destination of teleportation magic within the royal capital. Violators face hefty fines," Airi explained, shaking her head to clear the lingering dizziness.
"The teleportation service in Axel is a business. Of course they wouldn't dare send us directly inside."
In this world where magic flourished, some made a living by offering teleportation services.
Teleportation magic, which generally required only 20 skill points to learn, was attainable as long as one resisted the temptation to invest in other skills and leveled up sufficiently.
Many adventurers retired early to open teleportation service shops, raking in substantial profits without facing danger—a win-win situation.
The middle-aged man running Axel's teleportation service was one such person.
However, his shop only offered teleportation to the royal capital. Combined with the high mana cost of the spell, the service operated just once a day.
"You two teleported here as well? If you're entering the capital, remember to register at the gate first."
A flash of light signaled another arrival. The man glanced at Eiji and Airi, kindly offering advice before heading toward the capital's main gate.
"Just so you know, I can't enter the capital," Airi said, adjusting the hood over her head. Her demon horns weren't easy to conceal.
"The capital bans all demons. If I'm discovered, the royal police will throw me in jail immediately."
"You've never been inside before?" Eiji asked, surprised.
"I have, but… not through legitimate means."
"Well, that's fine. It's not like I'm a good person either!"
"..."
Airi sighed. She had underestimated this man's lack of scruples.
"Then we won't use the main gate. In a moment, we'll—"
Before Eiji could finish—
BEEEP—! BEEEP—!
A shrill alarm suddenly blared.
Everyone nearby, including Eiji, was startled.
"Demon Lord Army attack! Demon Lord Army attack! Attention all citizens of the royal capital! Civilians must stay indoors! Adventurers and knights of the kingdom, head to the main gate immediately to repel the Demon Lord Army! I repeat, all civilians must remain in their homes—"
The stern voice quickly spread throughout the capital. Looking at the ripples radiating across the sky like water waves, it seemed some special barrier had been activated.
"An attack now?"
Eiji gave the witch beside him a suspicious look.
"Is this what you meant by your 'methods'?"
"Of course not!"
Airi glared at him, clearly annoyed.
"The Demon Lord Army stationed outside the capital is indeed my force, but I haven't been there in a month! I had no chance to contact them!"
"Then why the sudden attack?"
"That's how the orders are."
Airi lifted her chin and sneered. "When I'm not with the army, my troops are commanded to launch sporadic raids on the capital—even if they can't breach it, they won't let them rest easy!"
Ah, so that was it.
When Airi was at the frontlines, the Demon Lord Army would launch full-scale assaults on the capital.
But if she was absent, her subordinates would follow her standing orders and employ a harassment strategy, attacking the capital intermittently.
"Hasn't the kingdom tried to retaliate?"
"Of course they have, but they never succeeded!"
"Why not?"
"Because the wilderness is teeming with monsters!"
Airi looked smug.
"Even the capital isn't exempt from this. It's nearly impossible for them to track down my forces in monster-infested terrain. Even if they do find us, we can just teleport away—it's a waste of effort for them, so they can only react defensively!"
It was a clever tactic.
With the extreme mobility granted by teleportation magic and the chaotic wilderness as cover, the harassment strategy kept the kingdom's adventurers and knights in a constant state of high alert.
If a full-scale assault were mixed in among the feints, the kingdom would suffer a devastating blow!
"And yet, you still lost to a Divine artifact wielder before?"
"I—! I just didn't know that brat had been recognized by a Divine artifact back then! If we fought now, I definitely wouldn't lose!"
Airi stiffened, her face quickly turning red as she flailed her arms, looking like she wanted to claw Eiji to death.
"Hurry!"
"Move faster! Head to the plains ahead!"
"With His Majesty and the prince absent, we must protect the capital at all costs!"
While the two of them bickered, a large group of adventurers and knights in colorful gear rushed out of the main gate, charging fiercely toward the plains outside the city.
"Let's go take a look!"
Eiji grew excited and quickly followed them.
"What are you going to see?!"
Airi muttered under her breath.
There was no doubt this guy would side with the humans—even if a fight broke out, he'd never help the Demon Lord Army. She really didn't want Eiji seeing the state of the frontlines.
But she had no way to stop him, so she could only follow reluctantly.
On the plains—
"ROAR!"
"BOOM!"
Giant monsters rampaged across the snow-covered battlefield. A single swing of a spiked club could shatter the earth, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Ogres?"
"They actually drove these monsters here this time?"
The knights who had arrived ahead were immediately faced with a daunting challenge.
Each of those monstrous creatures stood over five meters tall, their bodies covered in rock-hard muscles. They wore grass skirts around their waists, their entire skin a sickly green hue, with a single horn protruding from their foreheads. At first glance, the sheer intimidation they radiated was overwhelming!