Free Web NovelRania was fighting.
The furious, snarling giant scythe in her hands was like a docile lamb, every swing flowing like the swirl of a magnificent purple skirt. With each arc it brushed over the goblins’ heads, and they collapsed like weeds cut down in swathes.
The Tribunal Knights stood like an iron wall, blocking the tide of green-skinned monsters.
“How could there be so many goblins in the city sewers? Is the Demon-Hunting Order and those adventurers nothing but decoration, not noticing a thing?”
After only half a minute of cutting down goblins, Rania sensed something wrong.
No matter how many were killed, their numbers did not shrink. They were only growing.
“Hero! There must be a source monster behind all this!”
For something this big to erupt within their jurisdiction meant that this year’s evaluation would certainly drop. A cut in budget allocation from the ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ Royal Capital would be the least of it. If it worsened, even his current position might not be safe.
Sweat streamed down the Tribunal Director’s face. He no longer had the heart for petty maneuvers. He only wanted to end this mess before it spread.
“It could be that a summoning-type monster slipped into the city! All across the sewer system, those damned goblins are pouring out nonstop. And after they emerge, they head straight for the Tribunal! As though something stronger is commanding them!”
Thanks to the Tribunal being built on Deercry City’s second-highest mountain, they had a wide view. With special magic devices, they could overlook the entire city.
Suddenly, the Director seemed to realize something. He shouted up toward the purple-haired Hero leaping gracefully in midair as she harvested monsters:
“Yes! The kind of monsters that, aside from Demon Kings, possess specialized abilities!”
Summoners often weren’t powerful themselves, but they could unleash beast tides that could besiege cities. The higher their rank, the greater the number and strength of monsters they could command.
Perhaps because nothing had gone right for her recently, and now a huge nuisance blocked her from settling scores with a certain someone, Hero Rania hadn’t been in such a foul mood for a long time.
“What about the Heroes stationed at the southern border?” Rania’s tone was heavy. Deerhorn City was a port city. Its sewer systems were ancient, sprawling, filthy, and complex.
Finding the source of this infestation down there and wiping out the cockroach-like goblins wouldn’t be dangerous, but it would be time-consuming and disgusting.
Unless the entire city was roasted with high-tier holy magic.
But that would be like firing a cannon at mosquitoes.
And invoking that “cannon” required not only the Tribunal’s approval, but also the approval of two other powers. If even one objected, the all-city indiscriminate purification spell could not be activated.
“Heh! They were supposed to strictly guard the harbor entrances. Now look at them—letting the wolves in.”
The Tribunal Director gazed at the chaos of Deerhorn City, and at the faltering defenses crumbling in the goblin tide, and sneered coldly.
Suddenly, the Hero fighting in the middle of the monster horde retreated from the center of battle and returned to him.
Startled, the Director hurried to add:
“Of course, I don’t mean you, Hero. You’re just carrying out your mission, bringing that accursed monster from the neighboring city to stand trial...”
Rania shook her head. “Leave these to you. They’re numerous but weak. You can handle them. I’m going back to continue tracking the intruder. Perhaps Senior Shiyu has already uncovered something.”
“Heh. Then I shall sincerely wish for Minister Hua’s astounding wisdom to play its part at just the right moment.”
“Also, make sure to contact the nearest Hero to come here.” Rania said.
“Of course, of course. Already sent word to the transmission chamber.”
“...”
Rania said no more, only hefted her giant scythe and strode off quickly.
The Director watched her go, and after a moment, a transmission knight came running out from inside, face flushed red from exertion.
“Report! Urgent report! The nearest Star Hero has sent a priority message!” freewebnøvel.coɱ
A chill of dread rose in the Director’s heart. He barked:
“Speak!”
“The Star Hero says, says...”
The transmission knight stammered in panic:
“She says the demon tribes have gone to war among themselves. The defeated monsters are fleeing! They reached the border of Monster Forest half an hour ago. The villages nearby have all fallen, no survivors!”
“Anything more?” The Director sighed heavily.
“Our first human defense line has already been drawn. Everyone in Fengxiang Town capable of wielding a weapon has been conscripted to hold the line... The Star Hero says she cannot come to Deerhorn City...”
“Contact the Royal Capital, then.”
The Director turned slowly, gazing toward Monster Forest. For once, he didn’t fear being demoted.
“This calamity is not of my making. It is theirs—the monsters!”
“The monsters!”
The transmission knight kept his head down, not daring to reply or meet his Director’s gaze.
“Send word to the Lord Mayor and the Demon-Hunting Order’s overseer. They have ten minutes to press the high-tier magic authorization button. If they don’t, issue them a tribunal summons for delaying the war effort.”
“Yes, sir!”
