The Professor and Erik raced back to Manti Town on Hibiki.
The streets of Manti Town were nearly deserted now that the town was on alert. After passing through the gate, they did not even dismount from Hibiki before riding straight into the mayor's residence, which had been converted into a temporary Gathering Hall and command center.
The portly mayor hurried over as soon as he heard the news. "Professor, you're finally back! Good news! Several elite Hunters arrived as reinforcements while you were away!
"By the way, how did things go with those Ioprey and Remobra? Did you manage to take care of some of them?"
The Professor was in the middle of climbing down from Hibiki's back when he froze.
Compared with the threat of a Teppeki Shen Gaoren attack, Isis eliminating large numbers of Small Monsters seemed almost trivial. He had nearly forgotten about it.
"We dealt with most of them, but now isn't the time to discuss Small Monsters. Where are Griffin and Nightmist?" the Professor asked rapidly as he strode ahead.
The mayor had begun to relax at the first half of his answer, but immediately tensed again. "The two High Rank Hunters are inspecting Battle Street..."
"Call them back! Tell them it's an emergency!" Without waiting for an attendant to open the door, the Professor barged into the lavish dining room as though breaking in.
The long banquet table laden with food and the exquisite tableware had already been cleared away. A massive map and numerous supply lists now covered the walls, transforming the room into a command center.
The Professor had Erik fetch two chairs, stacked them, climbed to the top, and began rapidly drawing on the huge map that covered half the wall.
The mayor broke into a cold sweat at the sight. Not daring to waste a moment, he immediately sent several attendants to summon the Hunters as quickly as possible.
He even called in Ted and Malika, two former Hunters who had retired years ago.
Everyone soon gathered in the "command center." After plotting the predicted route and adding several figures to the map, the Professor jumped down from the chairs.
"The details are complicated, so I'll skip them and go straight to the conclusion. The Shen Gaoren that was going to attack Manti Town is dead..."
Before the mayor could show any relief, the Professor's next words made him feel that he might as well be dead too.
"It was killed by a Teppeki Shen Gaoren. Think of it as a special Shen Gaoren with a harder carapace that can spew lava and unleash an ultra-high-temperature beam breath.
"It has taken the original Shen Gaoren's place and is now heading for Manti Town. We expect it to arrive in three days. Manti Town's walls are unlikely to stop it."
For a moment, no one spoke.
Nightmist, who was serving as tactical commander, was the first to react. "Given that, our top priority should shift from preparing a defensive operation to organizing a civilian evacuation."
The mayor went rigid at her words, almost turning into a stone statue.
"Naturally, we must do that," the Professor said, agreeing with Nightmist's decisive assessment. "But there's something else. The Teppeki Shen Gaoren was also badly wounded in its battle with the other Shen Gaoren.
"The Hunter squad that went to eliminate the Small Monsters is currently trying to hinder it and worsen its injuries.
"Based on that, I believe we still have a chance to repel the Teppeki Shen Gaoren and save the town if we continue preparing our defenses.
"To be safe, however, the civilian evacuation must proceed at the same time."
Nightmist frowned in thought. "Badly wounded, you say..."
"Where are they? Where is that Shen Gaoren, and where is the intercept squad?" Griffin stepped forward with his Great Sword on his back, his intent obvious.
"You can't go."
A rough voice rang out. Everyone instinctively turned toward Ted's grim face.
"Why not? A Shen Gaoren may not be an Elder Dragon, but a few young Hunters can't stop an ultra-giant Monster like that simply by risking their lives. Do you intend to sacrifice them?"
Griffin did not change his mind merely because Ted was his senior. The two locked eyes, and the tension between them suggested that a single wrong word could start a brawl.
Ted's jaw tightened as he struggled to contain his anger. "If their opponent were a Kirin or a Kushala Daora, I'd kick you over there myself and have you trade places with those youngsters.
"But because it's an ultra-giant Monster, how much more can a 7★ Hunter like you really contribute than the four of them?
"At least they have extensive experience hunting together and know how to coordinate.
"If you go, are the four of them supposed to fight around you, or are you going to adapt to them?
"Or should all four come back while you try to stop it alone?"
Griffin fell silent.
He wanted to say that he would stop it alone, but that would have been no different from a child sulking. No one could intercept an ultra-giant Monster alone. Not even the two strongest active Hunters could manage it.
Individual strength meant nothing against an ultra-giant Monster. Otherwise, why would anyone build city walls?
Nightmist spoke as well. "Mr. Ted is right, Mr. Griffin. There would be no point in adding you to the intercept squad.
"Their primary objective isn't to buy time, but to keep the target in combat so it cannot recover its stamina or heal its wounds.
"Your support would make little difference there. You would be more useful staying on Battle Street and conserving your strength. When the target approaches, you can take over in peak condition, lead the defenders against it, and coordinate with the Cannons and other emplaced weapons for the final defense."
After a long silence, Griffin exhaled heavily, unclenched his fists, and turned away.
"Understood. Blademasters, follow me! We'll drill the procedure for coordinating with the Cannons against the target a few more times!"
Relieved that Griffin had finally been persuaded, Nightmist continued without any change in expression. "Mayor, I'll leave organizing the civilian evacuation to you.
"And Warehouse Manager."
"I'm here!" A middle-aged man hurried forward.
"I'll write a list for you now. Gather everything on it as quickly as possible, then have that Palamute deliver the supplies to the intercept squad."
—--
With almost mechanical precision, Altaïr hoisted his sword and began charging. First stage, second stage. There was no time to reach a full charge, so he released the attack as soon as the second stage was complete.
Locked into its scabbard, Tyrant Blade [Heaven Swallower] assumed its Great Sword form and came down in an Overhead Slash against one of the Teppeki Shen Gaoren's legs.
The area was already covered in sword marks. How many times had he struck it now? He had lost count.
Thick bandages wrapped around his wrists and palms to absorb the shock. Even so, the repeated impact of his blade rebounding had taken his hands from painful numbness, to searing agony, and finally to complete insensibility. They no longer felt like his own.
Yet less than a day had passed. He had no time to consider how he would endure the nearly three days still ahead.
After completing his attack, Altaïr rolled aside and avoided another massive leg as it came stomping down.
Slow as the Shen Gaoren seemed, being clipped by one of those moving pillars was no joke. Escaping with only a few broken bones would be lucky. If he fell and was stepped on, there would probably be no point in even attempting first aid.
This was not a counterattack from the Shen Gaoren. It was merely walking. Their attacks had not yet crossed the threshold required to provoke a response from the Teppeki Shen Gaoren.
Even its body, which had glowed red-hot with excitement when it first donned its new dragon skull, had long since cooled and returned to its calm bluish-black color.
Rising from his roll, Altaïr retreated several paces and adjusted his stance while he waited for the next opening.
Morgan jogged over and spoke in a low voice. "Nymera and I are out of Bowgun Ammo. We've even used up all our Normal Ammo..."
Altaïr's mouth twitched into a grim smile. "You two should withdraw and go back to rest.
"In the final defensive operation, you Gunners will be more important than us Blademasters.
"Oh, and leave your Potions behind. Isis and I have almost run out."
Without the Potions repeatedly healing the bruising and shock injuries caused by his blade rebounding, he might no longer have been able to swing his sword.
Morgan bit his lip. He did not want to withdraw, but as a Gunner without any Ammo, there was nothing he could do.
Just then, Sajji, who had spent most of the day perched atop the Shen Gaoren's dragon skull and hammering away with his Felyne Hammer, suddenly let out a delighted shout.
Without even waiting to call Hakucho, he spread his glider and leaped from the Shen Gaoren's head. He banked, pulled up, and landed in front of Altaïr.
"It's Hibiki! Hibiki came back, meow! He's carrying loads of supplies on his back, meow!"
Altaïr and Morgan exchanged a glance, each seeing the same surprise and delight in the other's eyes.
With fresh Ammo and supplies, they could keep going for the next few days. Half a day of constant attacks had accomplished nothing, but what about a full day? Or two?
They refused to believe it could ignore them forever.
P.S. We'll skip over the drawn-out phase where their attacks fail to provoke a reaction or break through its defenses.