It had to be said that when Duanmu Huai learned of the situation from Xun, he was left utterly speechless.
"So the Machino Defense Line can't be held anymore?"
"At present, that appears to be the case. We require your assistance, sir."
"Oh? What do you need me to do?"
"It's like this… at the moment, the royal capital is no longer defensible. A large number of Level 2 citizens have flooded into the capital, and under these circumstances, there's simply no way to withstand the Demon race's army. Therefore, King Gandhi has ordered everyone to evacuate to the Fortress City for refuge…"
"The Fortress City… wasn't that only just starting construction not long ago?"
If Duanmu Huai remembered correctly, it hadn't even been a month since construction on the Fortress City began. With so little time, forget building a city—there wouldn't even be enough time to finish laying the foundations, right?
"Thanks to your suggestion."
At this point, the worried expression on Xun's face finally showed a hint of a smile.
"After those Level 2 citizens learned that as long as they worked hard they could become Level 1 citizens, their enthusiasm exploded. They worked day and night without rest, and with the assistance of the mages, the Fortress City has now taken initial shape. Although a large portion of the work is still unfinished, its basic functions as a fortress can already be considered complete. While there are no defensive installations like magitek cannons, as long as mages are present, it can still resist the Demon race's army to a certain extent."
Of course, there was another reason as well. In the nationwide riots that swept the country, only the Fortress City region remained completely calm. On one hand, it was a military construction project, and no one was allowed to leave until completion, so they were naturally ignorant of what was happening outside. On the other hand, those Level 2 citizens willing to work were all striving for a better future, and naturally wouldn't be foolish enough to participate in any riots.
Moreover, the construction of the Fortress City had drawn away most of the young and able-bodied labor force from the region. The remaining elderly, weak, sick, and disabled—even if they wanted to riot—couldn't amount to anything significant.
In addition, for the sake of caution, King Gandhi had originally assigned one of the Seth Kingdom's main legions, the Ice Legion, to garrison the Fortress City. As a result, the Ice Legion had instead become the only complete legion within the Seth Kingdom that had neither been drawn into the rebellion nor engaged in combat with the Demon race.
Under these circumstances, King Gandhi was overjoyed and immediately began ordering the remaining population to relocate toward the Fortress City. After all, when the Fortress City was first planned, it was specifically to avoid a repeat of situations like Lisath. Therefore, the Fortress City was located closer to the inland, at a major transportation hub. If the Fortress City could be held, then at the very least, one-third of Seth's territory could be secured.
"So, what did King Gandhi send you to find me for?"
"The royal capital can no longer be defended, so King Gandhi hopes you can help evacuate the civilians."
"Me?"
"Yes. His Majesty's intention is that you help… Lady Magico."
"Oh, that princess…"
Hearing this, Duanmu Huai immediately recalled the bespectacled girl with the prominent forehead.
"That's right. According to intelligence, Lady Magico is currently at Paris Academy. After the Level 2 citizens launched the riots, the army and the security forces have been busy suppressing and resisting the unrest, and contact with Paris Academy was lost. Although Lady Magico shouldn't be in any danger, His Majesty is still very worried. However, with state affairs pressing, he has neither the time nor the manpower to deal with this, so King Gandhi hopes you can help…"
"Hmmm…"
Hearing Xun's request, Duanmu Huai thought for a moment. Generally speaking, he wasn't very willing to get involved in this kind of mess. However, considering that this princess had helped him take on the Monster Tamer class back then, he made his decision.
"No problem. Leave it to me."
At the same time, inside Paris Academy, the atmosphere was equally tense.
"Prepare… fire!!"
Magico stood by the window, loudly issuing commands. As Magico gave the order, the students standing by the windows immediately raised both hands.
"Ice Arrow!"
"Flame Arrow!"
"Lightning Arrow!"
Accompanied by the girls' shouts, streams of magic shot forth from their palms and flew downward. Faced with the oncoming magical bombardment, the rioters screamed in panic and hurriedly retreated.
"Hah…"
Watching the rioters withdraw once again, Magico finally let out a sigh of relief, then raised her hand.
"Seal off all entrances immediately. Don't let them get inside!!"
"Yes!!"
Upon hearing Magico's order, students quickly moved to carry it out. At this moment, however, Magico gazed outside with a grave expression.
To be honest, she had never expected a riot to break out in the royal capital. Fortunately, Paris Academy was located relatively far from the city, so it hadn't been affected immediately. The downside was that by the time the news reached them, Paris Academy had already been completely cut off from the city. Magico was unable to contact her father, King Gandhi, and most of the academy's teachers had fled, leaving behind only these students.
In a situation with no outside help, the only solution Magico could think of was to organize the students to defend themselves. Fortunately, all the students at Paris Academy were Level 1 citizens and basically knew magic. Although most of them hadn't received military training, hundreds of students casting magic simultaneously was still extremely intimidating.
However…
It's almost at the limit…
Watching the rioters retreat once again in the distance, Magico bit her lip tightly. She could see that most of the students were already panting heavily. After all, they were students, not professional mages. Continuously casting magic had exhausted them greatly. They had already repelled the rioters' attacks three times in a row, but if this continued, what would happen next? How much longer could they hold on?
"Report!!"
Just as Magico's thoughts were churning, another student suddenly came running in, panting.
"They… they're back again!"
"What?"
Hearing this, Magico's heart skipped a beat. After being driven back the previous few times, the rioters had always taken a long while before returning. Why were they back so quickly this time? Could it be that the royal capital had already fallen? Then Father…
As Magico's heart wavered, she saw the rioters once again rush in through the academy gates. However, unlike before, these rioters now wore panicked expressions, desperately fleeing toward the school buildings. Seeing this scene, Magico's face turned pale, and the other students fared no better. Still, Magico forced herself to calm down and issued another command.
"Everyone, listen to my order. Prepare—"
However, before Magico could finish her command, something unexpected happened.
Behind the rioters, a massive, pitch-black figure suddenly burst forth. It let out a ferocious roar and charged into the crowd, opening its claws and fangs in a brutal slaughter. In the blink of an eye, it tore the rioters into pieces.
However, that was not a human, but…
"Demons!?"
Very soon, one monster after another charged forward behind the leading Demon general. At this moment, Magico finally understood why the rioters had returned so quickly… They weren't launching an attack, they were fleeing for their lives!
But why had the Demon race appeared in the royal capital? Could it be that the Machino Defense Line had been breached?
"What do we do?"
"What do we do…?"
Hearing the wails and screams of the other students beside her, Magico clenched her teeth, unable to say a word. If it were just rioters, that would be one thing, but these were Demons… and a full Demon army at that! This was completely beyond what Magico could handle. Before her were hundreds, even thousands of Demons, while on her side were only ordinary students who hadn't even graduated yet!
At this point, unless they could dig up a White Trojan Horse from beneath the school building, there was no way to fight!
Unfortunately, there was no White Trojan Horse beneath the school building… let alone the Archangel…
Watching the Demon army about to charge into the school building, Magico finally couldn't hold back any longer.
"White Destruction Ray———!!"
Accompanied by Magico's furious roar, the most powerful destructive magic erupted from her hands, blasting straight toward the Demon army ahead. Amidst the dazzling brilliance and explosions, the first wave of Demons that rushed into the campus was instantly reduced to ashes in the blinding white light of destruction.
Seeing this, the students immediately burst into cheers. However, their cheers had only just begun when even more Demons broke through the corpses of their fallen comrades and continued to march toward the school building!
At this moment, Magico's legs nearly gave out, and she almost collapsed to the ground.
At this instant, her heart was filled with nothing but despair.
Was everything… already over?
Magico could only watch as the Demons charged toward the school building with ferocious grins. They were getting closer and closer, and the students' screams and cries echoed endlessly around her. They no longer had the strength to resist the Demons' assault. Next… there was nothing they could do anymore!
"Raaah!!"
Just as the Demon army rushed to the front of the school building, a black shadow suddenly fell from the sky, slamming straight into the midst of the Demons. With the explosive shockwave, those ferocious-looking Demons were sent flying. Then, Magico saw a figure even taller and more imposing than the Demons rise from the impact.
"That is…!"
Seeing this figure, Magico was shocked. Although she had only met him once briefly, Duanmu Huai looked far too distinctive—so distinctive that it was impossible to mistake him!
Why was he here?!
"Wind Fury Art!"
Duanmu Huai drew his greatsword in one motion, while his left hand flung forward. In an instant, a Soul Card transformed into a raging tempest, charging head-on toward the Demon army and blasting them backward.
Next came… Frozen Tempest!
Howling cold air turned into snow and ice, crashing down like a blanket over the Demon army and forcing them back.
Seeing this, the leading Demon general let out an enraged roar and charged at Duanmu Huai with a great blade in hand. Facing the oncoming Demon general, Duanmu Huai neither dodged nor retreated. He stepped forward and swung his sword head-on, instantly cleaving the Demon general cleanly in half.
However… this was far from over!
Summon the puppets to the field! Then activate the "Dragon Transformation Technique," turning all puppets into giant dragons!
In an instant, dozens of giant dragons materialized out of thin air. With Duanmu Huai pointing forward, they roared, opened their blood-filled maws, and charged toward the distant Demon army!!
"Hah…"
Only then did Magico finally let out a sigh of relief, while the other students inside the school building erupted into cheers. Soon after, Magico was led out of the building by the students, just as Duanmu Huai walked over as well.
"Yo, long time no see."
"Ah, hello, Mr. Inquisitor…"
Seeing Duanmu Huai, Magico felt more than a little surprised.
"Your Monster Tamer trial…"
"Thanks to you, it went smoothly. I've already become a Monster Tamer now, but we can talk about that later."
As Duanmu Huai spoke, he looked around.
"How many people do you still have here?"
"A total of three hundred and fifty-six students. Almost all the teachers have left; only four or five teachers stayed behind."
"Then let's leave this place first. The Demon army is currently attacking the royal capital. Hmm… gather everyone. We're going to the rooftop."
"The rooftop?"
Hearing Duanmu Huai's words, Magico was somewhat surprised.
What were they going to the rooftop for?
However, Duanmu Huai simply raised his hand silently and pointed toward the sky. At that moment, a shadow appeared, enveloping Magico and the entire academy.
Magico lifted her head in confusion and looked upward, and then her eyes widened in shock.
Within the clouds above the academy, at some unknown moment, a city floating in the sky had appeared!
(End of Chapter)