◈ 477. [Auto Play] Omen (2)
Immediately after Ash led the troops of the World Defense Front and left the Crossroads. There was one monster invasion.
It was a situation that prevented this safely. There were no casualties and none of the castle’s equipment was destroyed. It was a perfect defensive victory.
Now, a few weeks after that.
Morale was high and Lucas was also confident. The confidence that I can safely protect the Crossroads until Ash returns.
But to lose a hero who is no less than 15 years old in self-exploration, not in a defense battle.
Flash!
Lucas and Evangeline headed to the base camp first. I was wondering if I could get some information about the monster that caused this situation.
But
“… ?!”
“Where have all of you gone… ?”
The base camp was empty.
After rescuing the kidnapped adventurers, it was a place where adventurers always lived, but now no one was seen.
In the eyes of the two puzzled knights, they saw a large witch packing her belongings in her workshop. It was Koko of the cutting who was in charge of teleporting.
As the two knights hurriedly ran in front of Coco, the old witch smiled with her mouth wide open.
“It’s not Ash’s subordinate knights. What are you doing here in a dangerous time?”
“Madame Coco. long time no see.”
Lucas, who showed a respectful manner, asked cautiously.
“It’s a dangerous time… … Could you elaborate? Where have all the others at base camp gone?”
“Everyone dug a hiding place and hid in it. Just yesterday, the base camp here was also attacked, so I guess it’s not safe here either… … .”
It seemed that Coco was also about to leave for a hiding place. Carrying her luggage on her back, Coco spat out.
“To think that these troublesome monsters would make a fuss when Moo-myeong was away because of his fate. Whew.”
“how… What are those troublesome monsters?”
Coco then narrowed her wrinkled eyes and spoke the ominous name.
“Gorgon (Γοργών).”
“yes? Gorgon… ?”
“okay. Even here in the darkness of the Lake Kingdom, it is famous for being vicious-”
The witch shook her shoulders as if she was tired of just imagining it.
“Because the three worst monsters have appeared!”
***
After even Coco left somewhere.
“… Gorgon 3 sisters. I’ve heard the name before.”
Lucas said as he took the collected scales out of his pocket and looked at them.
“Because my lord gave me information before leaving.”
Before leaving for the ecliptic, Ash wrote up a strategy in his spare time. For Lucas, who will protect Crossroads while he is gone.
Lucas memorized the document, which described the species and characteristics of the monsters that could invade the Crossroads, so he could remember the contents as soon as he heard the name of his opponent this time.
‘Three Gorgon sisters.’
First, the mighty Steno.
Euryale of the second flight.
And Medusa of the youngest reign.
An army of only three. Vicious monsters with hair made of snakes that scatter the demonic eyes of petrification.
“A strongman of the same level as the 10 nightmare corps commanders… They are named monsters.”
These three monster sisters have no subordinates.
That’s also true, because these monsters’ abilities petrify everyone on the same side.
And also because he’s powerful enough that he doesn’t need subordinates.
‘Somehow, during this autonomous exploration, the opponent’s corps could not be identified… … .’
Originally, the opponent monsters in the next defense are bound to fill the dungeon.
This time the monsters were nowhere to be seen. It was the same as when he dealt with Jormungand, the ‘serpent of the world’ in the past.
I couldn’t know the information about the enemy corps for the next defense, so I desperately increased the scale of autonomous exploration and scattered several parties inside the dungeon for reconnaissance.
Then it was attacked. To the enemy commander… … .
‘Besides, even the base camp was devastated.’
Originally, the base camp is a safe zone, a space where Coco’s barrier does not allow monsters to enter.
However, it seems that the three Gorgon sisters stood outside the barrier and fired their petrifying evil eyes.
This cursed gaze is a principle that works when you encounter it, so it seems that many adventurers who believed in the barrier and were careless were struck.
‘Anyway, the level of adventurers at the base camp is quite high… … .’
Having lived in this dungeon for a long time, the average level is quite high. They have suffered helplessly.
Seeing the base camp destroyed in just one day, it seemed like the same thing would happen to the Crossroads if they were relieved that there were safe walls. Lucas gnashed his teeth.
“It must have been the worst opponent.”
In the document Ash wrote, it was written that these three Gorgon sisters were the rarest and least likely to meet with a probability of falling backwards and breaking their noses.
And the fact that they are the least compatible enemy corps in the current crossroads situation.
‘The ability of the three Gorgon sisters is petrification.’
In short, it is a special gimmick.
The troops currently remaining in the Crossroads are undoubtedly strong elites, but they are weak against such special opponents.
Since the main heroes are honest knights such as Lucas Evangeline, they are strong in classic power fights, but it is difficult to establish countermeasures against such special enemies.
“In the end, doesn’t that mean we can have a hard time alone?”
After hearing the explanation about the three Gorgon sisters, Evangeline hurriedly spat out.
“Then immediately request reinforcements from Hwangdo’s senior… !”
“… I can’t.”
Lucas shook his head.
“My lord is fighting for the fate of the world right now. He trusted us and entrusted it to us.”
“… .”
“We just have to stop it.”
Fortunately – Ash even left a strategy in the document.
In the unlikely event that these three sisters attack, the current Crossroad’s forces have described the countermeasures that can be taken.
‘It’s worth doing. enough.’
Certainly the three Gorgon sisters are special enemies. There were definitely points to attack as much as that unique ability.
Lucas decided to conduct a defensive battle without informing the ecliptic.
Maybe even if it takes some damage in the process… … We have decided not to put any burden on the battle in the north that will decide the fate of the world now.
“First, let’s transport those who have been petrified to the base camp here.”
Lucas looked back towards the teleport gate.
The heroes under his command, who had followed the two knights belatedly, were rushing out through the teleport gate.
“I was petrified, but not dead… Let’s move it to a safe place.”
If the petrification is not released in time, everyone will die, but not yet.
Likewise… If the countermeasures are not established in time, the defensive battle will fail, but not yet.
‘I’ll show you how to do it.’
Lucas’ fists clenched tightly.
‘I won’t be seen by the lord. I will prove that he is a sword you can trust and rely on… … !’
“… .”
Evangeline just watched Lucas with a worried gaze.
***
However, things started to take a much more urgent turn than Lucas expected.
“Sir Lucas! Report!”
A few hours later, as soon as I returned from the dungeon to the Crossroads, an urgent message flew in.
“Report from the skirmisher waiting at the ferry by the lake! The appearance of the monster has been confirmed through the surface of the Black Lake!”
“what? already… ?!”
No – not already.
It’s already been quite a while since the last defense.
In the meantime, they couldn’t find the opponent’s monster army, but they might have been secretly preparing to go out by continuing their stealth.
‘If it’s a monster of this level, it could have been a deceptive tactic to deliberately advance without being noticed by us… … .’
Lucas lamented his own carelessness.
I thought it would be enough to repair the walls, maintain the defense equipment, and manage the soldiers without shortage.
It wasn’t. I should have tried desperately to figure out the other person’s intentions more thoroughly and more closely. If that were the case, the situation wouldn’t be so urgent… … .
‘Kuu!’
Lucas shook his head. Now is not the time to reconsider time already lost. You have to think about the future.
“What does the monster look like?”
“His hair is like a snake, and his upper body is covered in bristly hair… And it is said that it was a hideous monster with metal limbs.”
It matched the characteristics of Gorgon that Ash had told me about.
“How many?”
“It is said that there were only three.”
“They must be them.”
Lucas, trembling, chewed it up and spat it out.
“… Immediately evacuate all citizens of Crossroads to the north.”
Lucas ordered, looking around.
“The three Gorgon Sisters, the monsters of this time, are regarded as the same level of threat as the previous Jormungandr.”
Fifteen-year-old heroes who had already encountered them were annihilated without even using their hands.
Their abilities are difficult, and there are not many means to deal with them. Above all, there is no Ash now.
Lucas judged that the situation was on par with Jormungandd before, perhaps even more difficult.
“Immediately, the evacuation of citizens begins. Hurry!”
In order to use the strategy Ash left behind, the city had to be evacuated, and citizens had to evacuate.
So Lucas tried to order an evacuation.
but.
“Lily sister… … .”
Evangeline muttered shyly.
“I am giving birth now.”
“… .”
“Evacuate… Can I go?”
Lucas put his hand on his forehead. My head was pounding.
“… let’s go to the temple Right Now.”
The two knights immediately headed to the temple and summoned Zenith.
“Oops!”
It was break time, so Zenith, who was about to light a cigarette in the backyard of the temple secretly, gasped and ran in front of the two knights.
“What is it, Sir Lucas? Should I call you the deputy commander?”
“It doesn’t matter either way. It is more urgent than that.”
Lucas asked directly.
“When do you think the birth will end?”
“It’s the first time I’ve seen such a difficult birth in my life… Originally, mixed-bloods bully their mothers from the time they are in the womb to the time they come out into the world, but this one is even worse. Things are not good right now.”
Janice couldn’t stand it and put a cigarette in her mouth. But I didn’t light it and just chewed it like gum.
“If it wasn’t for the temple, Lily-sama would have died long ago. baby would be dead The situation is stable thanks to the presence of priests here… … .”
“I’m sorry, but please keep the explanation concise. So how many more days do you think it will take?”
“… In my experience, the minimum is three days.”
Janice sighed heavily.
“One of the mixed-race children I had before got caught that way. But since the situation is worse than then… … It might take longer.”
“… .”
“But why? What’s wrong?”
Instead of Lucas, who was worried while touching his forehead, Evangeline stepped forward and explained the current situation.
That a powerful enemy monster is approaching and that you must start evacuating now.
Despite hearing everything, Janice shook her head.
“No. I told you, it’s a terrible difficult birth… … .”
“… .”
“It’s still in the middle of a close fight, but you want me to evacuate in the middle of this? If you’re lucky, Lily-sama and Lee will live. Normally both would die.”
When Janice refused to evacuate, Lucas spat harshly.
“The city must be emptied now! Otherwise, the monster will kill you!”
“So what? Are you asking me to fix it now? To decide whether the mother will die from the monster or die while fleeing?”
Janice burst into anger.
“In this winter weather, where the hell are you going to evacuate and give birth to a child! Do you really want to kill both mother and child?”
“If you don’t evacuate right away, I can’t guarantee your safety, priest.”
“Ibosho driver.”
Janice took a step towards Lucas.
“If I was going to be safe, I wouldn’t have been assigned to a city like this in the first place.”
“… .”
“As a priest, I will save both the mother and the child. Neither the deputy commander nor the monster can interfere with this.”
Lucas and Janice stood there for a moment, meeting eyes.
After a while, Lucas let out a long sigh.
“… great. Other citizens start evacuating first, and Lily evacuates with her child as soon as the birth is over. Until then, let’s keep the minimum number of people in the temple.”
It was the best compromise for Lucas as well.
Janice nodded heavily and Lucas pointed towards the temple.
“Please select only the minimum required number of people. Priest Zenith. Instruct the rest to evacuate. immediately.”
“Damn, they said it was to make matters worse, and that’s exactly what it was… .”
Gumbling, Janice ran into the temple.
Leaving the noisy temple behind, Lucas and Evangeline walked outside. The city, which had already been given an evacuation order, quickly became chaotic.
Dingdengdengdengdeng –
Evangeline was disturbed for nothing by the urgent ringing of the bell and the footsteps of the soldiers running in preparation for the monster.
The Crossroads, which had been peaceful and enjoyable at the thought of seeing Lily’s child just half a day ago, was no longer there.
As a fortress, this place was being transformed into a frontline to prepare for the monster’s invasion.
“… so.”
Evangeline asked as she looked up at Lucas, taking her eyes off the streets filled with the ominousness of the pre-war period.
“What is the strategy that senior Ash gave you?”
