The Mysterious Child: An Adventure Tale Beginning with Numerology

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Eastern Stoania Kingdom. Danfis Fortress.

It's a sturdy border fortress located at the foot of the Katedra Mountains, which form the border with the Maguu Empire.

To enter Stoania from the empire, one must pass through this fortress road. Despite the Maguu Empire's limited foreign relations, this border was always open, with merchants and others coming and going.

The road is a wide valley, reasonably well-maintained. Large carts could easily pass through, and since Stoania's scientific devices and Maguu Empire's specialties were popular in various countries, it was quite a busy trade route.

However, now that road was completely filled with monsters.

The fortress soldiers held their breath at this sight they had never seen before.

The monsters approaching were all large and looked strong. They probably couldn't defeat even one alone. And this massive army was advancing as far as the eye could see.

"T-This is hopeless..."

"It's going to be a tough battle."

The one who patted his shoulder and spoke was the vice-commander of the Stoania Kingdom's Knight Order.

Having rushed here upon hearing about the monster army's invasion, the vice-commander with his robust physique and spirit spoke extremely calmly.

"Our mission is to buy as much time as possible and whittle down the enemy forces. With these numbers, this place will likely become a death trap, but we must take down as many enemies as we can. Our responsibility is great."

"...Yes, sir."

"Or are you afraid to die?"

"N-No, sir."

"It's okay to be afraid. Don't try to act tough unnecessarily."

The stern-faced vice-commander was smiling faintly.

"Everyone's afraid of dying. I am too. We almost certainly won't make it back alive."

"...Yes, sir."

"You can run if you want to. But we're risking our lives to fight so that our families and friends don't have to experience this fear. If your legs are shaking too much to stand, your loved ones will be killed... So let's kill the enemy with those shaking hands. There's no need to forcibly stop the shaking."

"...Yes, sir."

"It's scary to die. But it's even scarier to die without doing anything! It's even more frightening to imagine a future where we couldn't protect our loved ones! That's why we stand up! To whittle down the enemy's strength, even a little, for a future where our loved ones can live on!"

The vice-commander shouted, raising his right hand.

"Now then, everyone, let's fall gloriously! We shall become the pride of Stoania!"

"""OOOOOOH!"""

The soldiers gathered at the fortress responded with a roar.

Morale was high.

The shaking in his hands, which had been anxious before, had stopped without him noticing.

It's not that the fear had disappeared.

But—

"...For the sake of... my loved ones."

His resolve was set.

Eastern Stoania royal capital, grasslands.

In this grassland area about 30 kilometers from Danfis Fortress, defensive lines were being hastily constructed.

Skilled earth magicians were erecting barriers on the grassland, digging trenches, and setting up fortifications. They were carefully placing the barriers, as too many could be used by the enemy.

It was a sudden defensive battle. Even the royal knight order's preparations weren't perfect. While their fighting force was almost at full strength, their war equipment was quite lacking. They would probably have to rely heavily on magic in many situations.

Moreover, information about the enemy forces had reached here. The numbers and levels were incredible. Significant casualties were inevitable.

"We're short on countermeasures for large monsters..."

The one who said this with a frown was the commander of the royal knight order.

At the headquarters set up on the outer wall of the urban area, the commander was glaring at a map.

"Guildmaster, how do you see the battle situation progressing?"

"It's going to be quite difficult to control, I reckon."

The one who answered was a muscular old man.

He was the Guildmaster of Stoania's adventurers guild.

"The lack of weapons compared to the enemy numbers is a real problem... When will reinforcements from Mataisa arrive?"

"Fortunately, it seems the First Knight Division was near the border, but at the earliest, it will be two days from now."

"Hmm. In that case, we should be able to maintain the front line around the third wall. I heard there are some S-rank monsters scattered about, but they're mostly slow-moving individuals."

"So we'll still suffer casualties up to that point. That's painful."

"Actually, trying to hold them at the first defensive line would cause more casualties."

It's a basic tactic.

If you try too hard to hold back the enemy, the battlefield narrows and casualties increase. When dealing with monsters, it's better to create a path and manage the battlefield while intentionally letting them advance, then attack from the sides. This ultimately results in fewer casualties.

"But we can't draw them to the royal capital until reinforcements arrive. We also have to evacuate the citizens."

"Everything in moderation. Well, your judgment is fine. We adventurers will do our utmost, and we're prepared to push ourselves a bit."

The commander felt encouraged by the enthusiastic Guildmaster, even as he smiled wryly.

"Now, about the placement of adventurers—"

The commander and Guildmaster continued to exchange opinions about battle formations.

It was several hours later when they received the report that Danfis Fortress had been annihilated.

Ruins of Danfis Fortress.

Looking at the remnants of Danfis Fortress, trampled by the monster army, the man laughed softly.

"Such futile resistance."

The man's name was Remioron Southbird.

He was a general of the imperial army, commanding the monster army.

This monster army was one of the projects secretly advanced within the empire.

Normally, subjugating monsters is difficult. Even with high-rank monster subjugation skills, one person can only control one high-rank monster at a time.

Being able to command 100,000 monsters was the result of combining the best of the imperial military's research.

When Remioron had just come of age, a new emperor was born.

He was young but strong and intelligent.

He demonstrated talent in various fields, and this monster army was one of his plans.

"Research monster breeding. How they are born, how they multiply. Also, research on their state of subjugation."

This was what the young emperor commanded Remioron, then a young researcher, twenty years ago.

As a result of that research, artificial breeding of monsters became possible. They could also incorporate special factors to make them subjugated from birth.

The monsters rapidly increased in number. The newborn monsters became attached to Remioron like a parent and followed him.

When the emperor learned that they could increase indefinitely as long as they had food, he next said:

"Make the monsters kill each other to level up. Then have powerful individuals defeat those leveled-up monsters to max out their levels."

Thus, the Maguu Empire's army quickly grew stronger.

All the army's executives were at level 99. Remioron was no exception.

The monsters too increased in number, leveled up, and were built up to the point where further maintenance was impossible. Before he knew it, Remioron was called the "Demon General" and feared.

"Your Majesty. This Remioron shall meet your expectations..."

Muttering softly, Remioron advanced past the collapsed fortress along with the monsters.

Remioron was intoxicated with the emperor.

His intelligence was always beyond common sense. He was terrifyingly strong, highly insightful, and had an eerie, unfathomable charm.

For the emperor's sake, he would crush small countries like this.

Amidst the rumbling monster army, Remioron quietly laughed.

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"The sky really is nice, huh."

I was flying.

This isn't a metaphor or a joke.

Literally, I was riding on the back of Seori, who had transformed into a dragon.

"My wings are faster than the wind! Further than the sky! Deeper than darkness!"

The dragon princess, excited to have me on her back, was happily spouting chuunibyou lines as she flew through the sky.

Half a day of flying on Seori from the warp point closest to Stoania. We were finally nearing the end of the vast Dragon King's territory that occupied the center of the continent.

Seori's attribute is light. Since she can't use magic, her flying speed isn't much different from ordinary dragon species. She's probably just a bit faster than Ruby, the fire dragon I rode before.

However, you can't feel the wind on a dragon's back, so it's a rather rough estimate. In terms of speed, it's probably around 100 kilometers per hour.

"We should be arriving soon, but are you okay? You must have used a lot of magical power."

"Hah, it's nothing! The infinite power overflowing from my body... truly, power is power! And the speed at which it gushes forth like a gale... yes, speed is speed!"

"Saaya taught you some unnecessary words again, huh."

"My lord! By accumulating wisdom, I grow stronger!"

"I see, so you've gotten stronger. Then I guess we can join the war without taking a break."

"Eep!? I-I'm getting tired..."

The useless girl who was about to cry in an instant. Don't slow down.

"I'm kidding. Once we reach the Stoania royal capital, we'll rest somewhere until your magical power recovers. Depending on the situation, we might not join the battle until tomorrow."

"Rest... are we going back to the mansion?"

"No, I don't intend to leave Stoania. We don't know what might happen. Might as well get an inn."

"A-Alone with Master overnight... Full speed ahead! My wings shall slice through the wind!"

Seori suddenly accelerated to top speed. She's going at least 200 kilometers per hour now.

Seori was in a good mood, but an unexpected sight awaited us at the Stoania royal capital.

The sky above the royal capital was covered in mysterious dark clouds.

"Dark clouds... no, are they moving? Seori, slow down and get closer."

"As you wish!"

I thought they were clouds because they were blocking the light, but it seemed like numerous small things were gathering and writhing.

...Birds?

No, they're too small for that, but clearly too big to be insects.

I tried appraising them—

"[Black Mist Bats]! What an incredible number!"

B-rank monster Black Mist Bats were attacking the royal capital in a massive swarm.

Black Mist Bats are small bat-like monsters, each with only a slight blood-sucking ability. However, their threat lies in their group behavior and the troublesome ability to split and multiply immediately by the number defeated unless you take down the 'parent individual'.

"I mean, to cover the entire royal capital... how many parents are there?"

What's more troublesome is that even if you defeat the parent, the children don't fall. They stop multiplying, but you have to defeat them all after taking down the parent individual.

Without means of area defense and area attack, even the most excellent party would be overwhelmed by such an opponent.

Seori circled around, avoiding getting too close, and asked:

"W-What should we do?"

"First, let's support the defending magician corps. I guess you don't have enough magical power left to fire a breath attack?"

"Maybe one shot..."

"One shot, huh. Well, for now, can you land on the outer wall?"

Following my instructions, Seori landed on top of the outer wall and returned to human form.

The ones currently fighting the Black Mist Bats in the sky were magicians at the top of the four spires built on the royal castle.

That's probably one of Stoania's two main military forces, the Magician Corps. I've heard rumors that they're a select group of combat-oriented magicians.

Judging by how they're unleashing wide-area magic against the flying Black Mist Bats, their abilities seem to be even greater than rumored.

However, the sheer number of enemies is overwhelming. Moreover, unless they hit the parents, it's just wasted shots.

"They're struggling. The bats don't seem to be trying to descend forcibly either, so they can't focus their aim."

"Could this be the time for my secret technique..."

"Calm down. Well, if we fire one shot from nearby, we might be able to take out about 20%."

Still, I hesitate to launch a large-scale attack on my own.

Even though we came to help, we have no connection to Stoania's regular army. We can't be sure they won't attack us out of caution.

For now, the town is quite hectic because of the monsters in the sky.

"Well, let's approach for now."

I took Seori and teleported to the center of the town.

Of course, I'm not stupid enough to go directly to the royal castle, so I headed to the adventurers guild first.

If the Guildmaster is there, things should go smoothly.

"As expected, it's closed."

The familiar guild I hadn't visited in almost a year was locked and completely closed.

However, there was a notice posted, instructing those who came to help to visit the allied forces base along the eastern outer wall. The Guildmaster is apparently there.

As I was wondering whether to head to the base first,

"Master... is the sky okay?"

"No, it wouldn't be strange if they broke through at any moment."

In fact, the reason the overwhelmingly numerous Black Mist Bats aren't descending is probably because the magicians are acting as decoys to prevent them from providing covering fire towards the eastern battlefield.

Since they're not highly intelligent monsters, it's clear someone is giving instructions. If that commander orders an attack, the town will be filled with bats in no time. Strong individuals can protect themselves, but there will be massive casualties among ordinary citizens.

Seori, watching a parent and child running nearby to evacuate, spoke in an anxious voice.

"Master..."

"I got it. Let's deal with the sky first."

For now, I teleported to the roof of the tallest nearby building.

Even so, how should we deal with those numbers? Seori's laser beam would alert the regular army, and I don't have any area-of-effect spells. Besides, unless we accurately take down the parents, they'll revive infinitely.

"I wish we had a sniper with eyes good enough to distinguish the parent individuals and incredibly skilled aim..."

We don't have anyone that convenient in our party.

In fact, I sent Elen, Saaya, Nagi, and Punisuke to Mataisa. They'll be needed there too.

So, among my acquaintances who might fit the bill—

"Ah."

There is one.

Among the elves skilled with bows, the most skilled is a petite elf.

It's a secret just between us that I had no hesitation in kidnapping Karmarike.