Just as Emiya Shirou and Rimuru were enjoying the rare calm of their leisure time, laughing together amid the lively streets of the City of Emiya, shadows began to pass over the distant jungle.
From the sky.
Hundreds of pegasi flew in steady formation, their figures growing clearer as they headed straight toward the city.
"So they really came."
Seeing the scene through the familiars he had stationed throughout the jungle, Emiya Shirou couldn't help but smile.
He had long been aware of Dwarf King Gazel's surveillance.
After all, his familiars were spread across nearly the entire forest. There was very little that happened in the Jura Forest that escaped his notice. From the moment those spies stepped inside the forest, they had already been under his watch.
But Emiya Shirou had never paid them any special attention.
They weren't doing anything suspicious.
More importantly, they were spies, not assassins.
As long as they were only watching, he didn't care. Let them observe as much as they wanted. If they didn't see things clearly, how else would their master grow wary and personally come to test them?
Emiya Shirou had always known that the Jura Forest Great Alliance would eventually ally with the Dwarf Kingdom. Because of that, he had never stopped Rimuru from making contact with them.
If anything, that outcome was beneficial.
"What's wrong, Shirou?"
Noticing the subtle change in Emiya Shirou's expression, Rimuru's heart tightened. He quickly shifted into human form and asked. He was well aware of how terrifying Shirou's intelligence network was.
"Something interesting just arrived."
"...?"
Rimuru looked at him, completely confused.
Before he could ask further, Souei's voice suddenly echoed in his mind.
"Lord Rimuru, emergency report. Hundreds of pegasi are rapidly approaching the City of Emiya."
The moment he received the Thought Communication, everything clicked.
"I see."
"Little Emiya, go inform Benimaru, Hakurou, and Shion. Little Rimuru, notify Rigurd and have him issue an emergency directive to the citizens."
"Yes!"
The two responded instantly and ran off in opposite directions.
"First, we'll gather the citizens in the plaza."
"I've already contacted Gobta through thought communication," Emiya Shirou said calmly. "He'll bring the elite Orc soldiers currently in training over immediately."
"That's good."
The two spoke as they moved, quickly reaching the edge of the city.
Rimuru expanded his magic perception, which he normally kept suppressed, pushing it to its limit to observe the incoming force.
They were coming from the direction of the Dwarf Kingdom.
About one thousand units.
Their individual strength was below A-rank-no, that wasn't quite right.
They were paired.
Knights riding atop pegasi.
So this was a properly trained armed unit.
Rimuru's thoughts raced.
"Answer. "Analysis and Appraisal" complete. The knights possess A- rank abilities. The pegasi are A-rank magical beasts. However, due to synchronized wavelengths and unity between rider and mount, their effective combat capability slightly exceeds A-rank."
Rimuru exhaled quietly.
About five hundred cavalry.
Five hundred A-rank units acting as one.
If their full forces were deployed, even the current alliance might not be able to stop them outright.
Individually, each cavalryman felt weaker than Gabiru, who had only recently reached A-rank. But if three of them surrounded Gabiru, they could easily suppress him through coordination alone.
From a certain perspective, their threat level was even higher than the two hundred thousand Orc army from before.
For a brief moment, Rimuru's thoughts became tangled.
Sensing that hesitation, Emiya Shirou casually patted Rimuru on the shoulder.
"Relax," he said with an easy smile. "With me here, no matter how many they bring, there's nothing to worry about."
He sounded completely confident.
Emiya Shirou had always enjoyed fighting against overwhelming odds.
It was the perfect opportunity to teach someone what Unlimited Blade Works truly meant.
"Lord Rimuru. Lord Emiya."
With Little Emiya and Little Rimuru's notifications, Benimaru and the others quickly arrived. Rigurd and Kaijin were there as well.
"What should we do next?"
"For now, nothing," Rimuru said after a brief pause. "Let's see what their intentions are."
Because of his trust in Emiya Shirou, Rimuru wasn't overly concerned about immediate danger. His voice and posture naturally became steadier.
"Oh... could it be..."
A voice beside him spoke softly.
Rimuru turned his head and saw Kaijin wearing a thoughtful expression.
"What is it, Kaijin?"
"Ah, nothing definite," Kaijin replied. "It's just that... speaking of knights capable of aerial combat, the Dwarf King is rumored to possess a similar secret unit."
"Rumored?"
"Yes. A direct subordinate force. But it's only hearsay."
"That's strange," Rimuru said. "Isn't the Dwarf Kingdom mainly known for heavily armored infantry and high-output magic corps? And you were once a commander. How could there be a unit even you didn't know about?"
Kaijin smiled bitterly.
"The rumors came from retired veterans. Compared to them, commanders like us are still considered young. Those old soldiers have lived for centuries."
He paused briefly.
"They drink heavily, gossip endlessly, and even after retirement, they still have connections within intelligence circles. At banquets celebrating their service, the same story always comes up."
A secret unit.
Independent of the seven regular armies.
Directly under the king.
Its name, according to those stories, was the Pegasus Knights.
"Pegasi are usually C-rank magical beasts," Kaijin continued. "Dwargon keeps them because of their ability to fly. A-rank pegasi almost never appear naturally. That's why I always thought those rumors were exaggerated."
"I see."
Rimuru nodded.
It made sense. A unit like that wouldn't be openly publicized. If Kaijin had only heard about it through rumor, that alone explained everything.
"If that's true," Rimuru said slowly, "then the one coming might be the Dwarf King himself?"
"Possibly," Kaijin replied. "King Gazel rarely leaves the royal palace now, but he was once known as a hero. If he believes it's necessary, he wouldn't hesitate to act personally."
"What necessity would that be?"
"...The Orc Disaster, perhaps? But that issue has already been resolved."
"The Orc Disaster..."
Rimuru frowned slightly, then turned toward Rigurd.
"Rigurd, I asked you to spread the news through Cabal to the adventurers that the incident was resolved. You did that, right?"
"...Eh?"
Rigurd stiffened.
"You didn't forget, did you?"
"I... I sincerely apologize, Lord Rimuru," Rigurd said hurriedly. "I did forget."
"...How could you."
Rimuru rubbed his head, feeling both exasperated and resigned.
He couldn't really blame Rigurd. Things had been far too busy lately.
In truth, Rimuru himself had nearly forgotten as well.
Could Dwarf King Gazel really be coming because of that?
He wasn't sure.
"Don't overthink it."
Emiya Shirou spoke calmly.
"They are coming for us, yes. But not for battle."
Rimuru turned to him.
"To test us," Emiya Shirou continued. "That's all."
"...A test."
Watching as several Pegasus Knights circled the sky briefly before descending into the forest, Rimuru began to piece things together.
"They probably want to meet us inside the forest."
He turned to the others.
"Benimaru, Gobta. You'll lead the troops and secure this area. Shirou and I will go see what they want."
"Lord Rimuru," Rigurd said immediately, stepping forward. "Please allow me to accompany you. Negotiation is part of my duty."
Kaijin and the three dwarven brothers also stepped up, requesting permission to follow.
After a short silence, Rimuru nodded.
"...Alright."
"In that case, let's go."
With that, Rimuru and Emiya Shirou took the lead, heading into the depths of the forest together.
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