Standing atop the newly completed city wall, Ophis nodded in satisfaction.
"Very sturdy."
As if to confirm her words, she stomped her foot twice. The wall shuddered faintly, and Siduri's eyelid twitched uncontrollably beside her.
"Siduri, have the bodies of the shrine maidens been taken care of?"
"Yes. As you ordered, they've been placed in the temple's underground chamber, apart from the citizens of Kutha… My King, those shrine maidens—"
The way they'd died was exactly the same as the people of Kutha.
"They were dead before I arrived."
Hearing this for the first time, Siduri looked up in shock.
"This… could it be?"
"It was the goddess who did it."
"A goddess… even the shrine maidens?"
Siduri was deeply shaken.
She didn't know about shrine maidens elsewhere, but she knew Uruk's well.
They were fanatics. Even if the whole world turned against the gods, they would never waver in their faith, never stray from divine law.
Yet even followers as devout as they had been slain—by a goddess.
These gods… they truly have gone too far.
"That's why… I have my doubts about her motives."
"My King?"
Hearing Ophis's quiet murmur, Siduri voiced her confusion.
"No… it's nothing."
"But why must their bodies be preserved?"
"It's just to hold on to a faint hope."
"I see…"
Siduri nodded, a little disappointed by Ophis's answer.
"Also, halt any further exploration of the southern jungle. Don't send anyone else there."
"My King…?"
"That's a god's territory. Ordinary humans will find nothing there."
"…Understood."
Though still worried for the people in the southern cities, Siduri understood the larger picture.
"But… can Lord Merlin really hold back all those demonic beasts?"
As if to steer the talk away from grim topics, Siduri turned toward the battlefield.
In the end, the frontline trio had asked Merlin for aid.
After all, organizing a retreat under constant enemy pressure was nearly impossible—especially when most troops were already exhausted from prolonged battle. One misstep could mean total collapse.
"He can. Or rather, he's the only one who can."
Ophis stepped to the edge of the wall, gazing toward Uruk's battle lines.
"Even I have no means left to ensure the army withdraws safely behind the walls. Only Merlin can do that."
...
Hundreds of arrows rained down, striking the ground and igniting countless azure flames. A blazing barrier rose between humans and beasts.
"Everyone, withdraw calmly! Keep formation, don't rush—the beasts can't approach!"
Jeanne raised her banner high, her voice carrying over the troops.
"You've done well, Lady Altera."
Only once the army began an orderly retreat did Jeanne find a moment to speak to Altera, smiling gently.
"No, this is simply my duty."
"I see. Even so, Lady Altera, you've been a great help."
Though Altera's tone was cool, Jeanne had grown used to it over the past few days.
Besides, she knew the "duty" Altera spoke of wasn't one assigned by Ophis.
She meant killing—and destruction.
Attila, the Scourge of God—that had been her title in life.
Now, it seemed her only reason for existing.
Jeanne found it sad, but in wartime there was no room for reflection.
"But… can Lord Merlin really hold them all back?"
"If not, I'll handle it."
Jeanne smiled bitterly. I know you could… but there would still be casualties.
Before she could say more, the flaming barrier broke under the beasts' assault.
"Broke" wasn't quite right.
The fiery wall offered little physical defense; its true strength lay in intimidation. But the enemy seemed to sense this was their chance to strike a fatal blow to Uruk and gave the order to sacrifice lives to break through.
The first wave of beasts was instantly reduced to ash upon impact, but before the flames closed, a second wave surged forward to fill the gap.
Through sheer numbers and relentless sacrifice, the demonic beasts forced their way past Arjuna's flame barrier.
Though their losses were heavy, compared to their total numbers—or even earlier casualties—they were negligible.
Seeing the beasts charge closer, Uruk's troops faltered slightly.
"Do not fear! They won't get through!"
Though Jeanne herself felt uneasy, she showed none of it, lifting her banner higher to steady the troops.
...
"Oh, this looks rather fierce—slightly scary, even."
Between Uruk's retreating army and the oncoming beasts stood Merlin in his white robes. Despite his words, his expression held not a trace of fear.
The beasts charged straight for him, the foremost still ablaze with fading blue fire.
"If I tried to run now… I doubt anyone would permit it. Well, time to stretch a little."
With a carefree smile, white mist began to spill from Merlin's body, spreading fast and thick.
Wherever the mist touched, colorful flowers bloomed.
It was dreamlike beauty—beauty that could exist only within dreams.
The white fog spread quickly, enveloping the entire front line of demonic beasts in seconds.
"Hmm, reality is cruel indeed. That cruelty has its own charm, I suppose—but now, please lose yourselves in a far more beautiful dream. Though, perhaps this beauty will prove even crueler for you… but isn't that all the more delightful?"
His tone was light, almost amused, yet steeped in quiet malice.
The leading beast suddenly froze, as if seeing something unspeakable, then turned and fled—crashing into those behind it.
The white mist kept expanding. Soon the rest of the beasts reacted in chaos:
Some dropped instantly into sleep, trampled moments later by their kin.
Others turned on one another, tearing into their comrades in wild frenzy.
Still others began to dance madly in place, movements beyond reason.
The once-disciplined demonic army had fallen into utter collapse.
Dreams and illusions—this was the true power of Merlin, the Magus of Flowers, one worthy of the title Grand Caster.
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everyone is on vacation so no character notes this week
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