“If they sent such a strong guy, it doesn’t seem like they did it unknowingly… Were they planning to annihilate this place with this one guy?”
“However, no matter how resilient humans are…”
Ian silently assessed his opponent’s power.
Two high-ranking demons, each as strong as a 4-star summon, stood before him, surrounded by a swarm of lesser demons and low-level creatures. Individually, they were insignificant, but in great numbers, they posed a real threat.
“Anna, protect our master.”
“I know. I am good at that.”
Theresia suddenly leaped forward, drawing her sword and glaring at the demons. The most important person here was Ian.
No matter how tireless or mentally resilient summons were, if the summoner died, it was all over. Ian understood that too well, so he quickly took cover behind Anna’s shield.
And, of course, the demons knew it as well.
“Get him.”
At the high-ranking demon’s command, dozens of creatures hiding in the shadows surged forward at once.
“Scatter!”
Theresia shouted as she activated the ability embedded in her armor—Final Battlefield.
“Damn it—if I had my staff, I could wipe these out in one shot… But I can’t hope for what I don’t have.”
Empress muttered in frustration, slamming her temporary staff into the ground. Magic surged from its tip, instantly freezing the approaching demons.
“Can’t we just call this ‘Ice Age’ and be done with it?”
While the others fought, Anna swiftly led Ian out of the forest. But no matter how far they ran, Ian’s expression remained grim as he glanced back at the monsters still in pursuit.
Could they escape? No. Even if they did, these creatures would still have to be dealt with eventually.
“We can’t keep running forever.”
Saying this, he pulled an object from his pocket—a magic tool that Earl had given him for emergencies.
It was shaped like a pistol but had an unnecessarily large caliber. A flare gun.
Ian quickly loaded a green flare and fired it into the sky. The signal shot exploded high above, releasing a burst of blue flames.
“Anna.”
“…Master?”
“Stop. We have to wait here.”
“No, what…? It’s too dangerous if we don’t run!”
“I know.”
But now that the signal was fired, other summoners would be heading this way. If he left, they would walk straight into an ambush.
Staying put was the only option.
Ian tugged on Anna’s veil.
“Do it…”
“What? What are you—”
“You know, that thing you do. Praying to God or whatever.”
“I doubt that’s very useful in this situation…”
Still, it was better than nothing. Anna reluctantly prayed, forming a sacred space to shield Ian.
As if stepping into a barrier, Ian settled inside the protective space and sat down.
There was nothing else he could do. If the barrier failed and Anna couldn’t hold them back… he would die.
Summoners were always helpless before monsters. And monsters were powerless against summons.
“For now, I’ll do what I can.”
With those words, Anna tossed her veil over Ian. The insignia woven into the ceremonial fabric carried divine energy, granting it some level of defense.
At least, he wouldn’t die from a stray attack.
With that thought, she braced herself, raising her shield against the advancing demons.
“Come at me, you damn demons.”
***
Seeing Ian’s signal flare, the Earl narrowed his eyes in the direction it had been fired.
‘That’s…’
He had given Ian the flare, but he had never truly intended to go and rescue him if he used it.
Realistically, even if everyone here rushed to help, they wouldn’t make a difference in a battle where a 4-star summon was struggling.
There was only one reason he had handed Ian that flare.
“Everyone, prepare for battle.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
“We had already sent a separate reconnaissance team. That flare is a signal from our scouts.”
“Wait… Doesn’t that mean the scout is in danger?”
“It’s a necessary sacrifice.”
Most of the group nodded, accepting his words. But one person didn’t—Noah.
“…Earl?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“That scout… Is it Ian?”
“…I will not reveal the scouts’ identities.”
His refusal to answer was as good as confirmation.
Noah’s heart sank.
“Ian…”
He was in danger.
Without hesitation, she summoned her Colossus.
Rumble—!
The massive summon materialized, and the Earl, startled by her sudden action, looked up at her in shock.
“What the—?! Get down from there now!”
“Ian is in danger. I won’t just stand by and watch.”
“Wait—”
Boom!
Ignoring him, Noah spurred her summon forward, charging straight into the forest.
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