In the wilderness, Bell burst out of the black mist and sprinted forward.
"A suicidal charge?!"
"He actually left the healing barrier!"
The Apollo Familia watched the youth racing toward the cave entrance, utterly astonished. Once outside the range of the healing song, the Fire Magic Sword could easily strike him down. What on earth was this Little Rookie thinking?
"Black Fist" had no time for overthinking. He barked an order, "Don't be afraid! Keep attacking with the Magic Sword!"
"Attack?!"
"...?"
"Black Fist's" words went unanswered. The flame bombardment meant for the youth never came. Instead, agonized screams erupted from within the Apollo Familia's ranks.
"Huh?!"
"Aaaah!"
Inside the fortress, fierce flames raged and chaos reigned. The normally disciplined Apollo Familia seemed under attack by an unknown assailant, their ranks filled with endless wails and screams.
"Black Fist" turned around. Unbeknownst to him, the Apollo Familia member wielding the Magic Sword had already collapsed to the ground. At the source of the flames stood an Elf maiden. Her posture was dignified, her golden hair dancing freely in the wind.
...
"The Mystery Maiden has appeared!!"
"As the final entrant for the Little Rookie team, what trick has she pulled?!"
"Not only did she sneak into the town, she seized the Fire Magic Sword."
"Apollo Familia's trump card has become the greatest threat."
"Bell Cranel seizes the moment to strike!"
The sudden shift in battle sent the spectators into a roar of excitement.
The Fire Magic Sword. It merely encapsulated flame magic, lacking inherent strength. Thus, "Black Fist" did not wield it personally, instead handing it to Apollo Familia to avoid interfering with his own combat. This very consideration gave Lv.2 Laurier an opening. Taking advantage of Bell and the others drawing attention, she infiltrated through the breach created by Lefiya's magic, then scaled the ramparts and struck down the enemy wielding the Magic Sword.
"When the hell did she sneak in?!" Black Fist glared at the blonde elf, his expression fierce.
"Don't panic! Archers, fire! Mages, target the charging youth and unleash your magic!"
Chaos erupted on the front lines. Though Daphne in the central courtyard couldn't grasp the full situation, she still assumed command. The urgent priority was to prevent the enemy from breaching the defenses and reaching the Captain. Though Daphne sympathized with the youth's plight, on the battlefield, she had to respond with full force.
Mages began chanting incantations, archers drew their bows and nocked arrows at the charging youth. At that very moment, a wall of flames surged forward.
"Aaaah!!" Wails echoed incessantly. Laurier's magic power had reached its absolute limit. Yet she still held her Magic Sword in hand, fueled by her resolve to fight for the youth until the very end.
"Tsk!"
"Black Fist" watched the billowing black smoke in the courtyard, his brow furrowed. Amidst the screams within the flames, the costly Fire Magic Sword exhausted all its uses and turned to ash.
"Black Fist" grinned maliciously, clenching his black iron gauntlet as he charged toward Laurier. The next instant, Hestia's Blade blocked his path. The youth had already reached Laurier's side. Dagger and gauntlet clashed. In a single exchange, the bitter taste of defeat flashed through Black Fist's mind. He frowned and swiftly retreated.
"Little Rookie, I'll be waiting for you in the Throne Hall! That is... if you can make it there!"
"Firebolt!"
Bell unleashed his Quick-Cast magic without hesitation. This Level 3 enemy posed no threat alone, but paired with the other Cat People, it was another matter entirely. Firebolt surged forward.
As if anticipating it, Black Fist blocked the fiery blast with Salamander Wool. Retreating while issuing orders to Apollo Familia, he commanded:
"Leave the Little Rookie to us and Hyakinthos. All of you—deal with those girls! Don't let them come and interfere!"
As if venting his hatred, the remaining vanguard of Apollo Familia all charged out the city gates, heading straight for the girls.
...
Finn watched the scene unfold, his brow furrowing. The youth's decision was quite sound. As a captain, charging into enemy lines might seem reckless, but it was actually bold yet calculated. The victory condition of the War Game was to defeat the Captain. If Apollo Familia were distracted by the youth before them, Airmid, Lefiya, and the others would have ample space to maneuver. The youth must have considered the shortage of rear guards when choosing this approach. Yet now, things had gone awry.
"Was he seen through... or was there someone in the enemy ranks who hated the youth so much they sought revenge..."
That enemy wielding the black iron gauntlet was a recent recruit to Apollo Familia. Not only that, he'd specifically prepared Salamander Wool—clearly to counter the youth's Quick-Cast Magic. Thus, Finn believed the latter scenario more likely.
"The enemy's charging toward Lefiya and the others... Does that mean they have to abandon the offensive...?"
Riveria sighed regretfully. The hard-won chaos would quickly dissipate if they retreated, allowing the Apollo Familia to regroup swiftly.
"Tch."
Bete kicked the ground in displeasure. The enemy not only fled but also lunged at the woman beside the youth—a move that deeply irritated Bete.
In that split second, the youth faced a choice. Should he retreat for the girls' sake, or charge forward regardless? Most in the city believed the boy would choose the former. A harem is both a yearning and a shackle. Yet Bell's actions defied expectations.
"That's the spirit, you little brat!"
Bete's face broke into an admiring grin.
"Charge, Argonaut!"
Tiona, completely oblivious to Lefiya's predicament, cheered loudly with glee. On screen, the youth didn't retreat to defend. Instead, he charged toward the tower deep within the fortress. Mages and archers in the central courtyard were engulfed in flames, rendered combat-ineffective. Daphne, commanding the defense, barely escaped unscathed.
"I'm sorry, but I can't let you pass."
She drew her dagger, ready to halt the enemy's advance. Yet meeting the blade was the slender sword held by the golden-haired elf.
"Though the Magic Sword is shattered, I still have this. Please, play with me."
Laurier watched the youth's departing figure and smiled softly. Facing the pure elf who had fallen in love, Daphne's dagger trembled slightly. This beautiful blonde elf possessed a gaze Daphne had never known. It was the true light of love.
As blades clashed, Daphne finally realized... these girls' affections were all genuine... The youth charging toward the tower did not abandon the girl. Between them existed a trust and understanding imperceptible to outsiders. Unlike Apollo Familia, this affection was not blind as sunlight. They shone like stars—each girl radiating a unique brilliance.
The fierce battle raged on, mirrored in distant conflicts. After several fierce swings, the Wind Magic Sword crumbled to ash. Cecil untied the ribbon at her waist and swung a massive iron hammer.
"I'm destined to be Bell Cranel's personal blacksmith! Don't even think about charging past me!"
Facing the advancing enemies, Cecil abandoned all defense, relying solely on the strength she had honed over years to unleash relentless, fierce attacks. Not only for the goddess Astraea, but also for the yearning and passion burning within her heart, Cecil charged deep into the enemy ranks.
"How reckless?!"
Lefiya watched the blue-haired girl's demonic figure, her brows furrowing. Even an Lvl.2 Blacksmith showed such courage—she refused to be outdone. If her own weakness caused the boy's battle to fail, Lefiya would blame herself for the rest of her life.
"Ahh! Forget it!"
Lefiya gripped her wand tightly and positioned herself in front of Airmid. The boy's encouragement echoed in her mind, and Riveria's teachings had been repeated countless times. Compared to those terrifying monsters, the enemy before them was nothing to fear!
Lefiya abandoned her Magic incantations, swinging her staff strike after strike. These attacks, powerful enough to fell a Minotaur, were completely beyond the low-level Apollo Familia to withstand. Their techniques weren't particularly skilled; they were essentially employing a tactic of mutual destruction, trading blows relentlessly. By all logic, Lefiya and Cecil should have fallen long ago. But Airmid would never allow that to happen.
Pure white light enveloped the land, offering healing to the two "knights" before her. The Apollo Familia couldn't break through, occasionally firing arrows at the Dea Saint, but Lefiya instinctively blocked the lethal ones. The remaining assaults, Airmid forcibly absorbed with her healing light.
Hammers clanged, wands rang out with a crisp, high-pitched sound. Swords danced, the love song never ceasing. At the far end of this love. A bell tolled.