Bermuda

Kiiik, kik-

The lanterns hanging from the tips of long spears swayed violently. The flags hanging alongside them fluttered in the twilight.

"Maintain formation, but increase speed to the maximum! We must arrive at the target point within 10 minutes!"

"Yes-!"

A woman's resolute and dignified voice rang out, cutting through the sound of hoofbeats. The knights of the Hareth family galloped at full speed, following the pale light illuminating the darkness.

Cold, lifeless shadows lay strewn across the plains they passed. However, given the situation, they were afforded neither the luxury nor the time to avoid them.

The blue flare fired into the southern sky moments ago had broadcast to the ground that an emergency situation had occurred. Following this, the Lenormand beacons spread across the entire peninsula were relit with emerald-colored flames.

Cordelia was aware that this signified a change in strategy—and that the strategy was 'Plan 5,' which had been close to zero in feasibility—as she had received a letter from Deputy Commander Amos a few days ago.

However, having also clearly seen the postscript stating that this plan would not be implemented unless in the worst-case scenario, she had to accept with growing anxiety that the situation was turning very serious.

Surrounded by floating light balls, Cordelia struck the reins once more forcefully to keep the lead. Having already driven them countless times today alone, she felt nothing but sorry for the horses.

But the terrible sensation of treading on soft flesh transmitted clearly through her lower body. Perhaps sensing its rider's mind that had no room for leisure, the horse Cordelia rode increased its speed even more, showing no signs of fatigue.

It was now the time when even twilight had retreated from the Elder Millie Peninsula, and a deep purple covered the sky. However, the artificial light flashing in the distance created an illusion as if time itself had stopped.

A massive golden magic circle like a rising sun. Its brilliance filled the ridge beyond the end of the plains. Following this, as if recreating a blazing photosphere and sunspots, dark red fireballs poured out incessantly from the undulating space-time.

More precisely, huge rocks seemingly imbued with lava were falling like slow rain, making it feel as if she were witnessing with her own eyes the catastrophic meteorites said to have brought about the end of this land in ancient times.

Cordelia, who had been running while constantly staring at that place, clenched her teeth and lowered her posture. This was to keep her balance and not waver against the ashes striking her helmet and the oncoming gusts.

The unbearable energy mixed within reminded her of only one person, both unfamiliar and familiar. The image of him she had seen before entering the peninsula was now clearly drawn in Cordelia's mind as she pressed forward.

'Blaine...!'

The golden eyes that had looked at her, resolve lodged in his left chest. Leonardo's voice, full of firm determination, echoed in her ears like an auditory hallucination.

The commotion unfolding at that end surely originated from him, who had sworn to help her. However, even in missions or battlefields full of powerful enemies, it was rare for him to emit this level of energy.

Knowing this well, Cordelia hoped there was nothing wrong with him. At the same time, she hoped that she, receiving his help, could faithfully fulfill her role as the bridgehead of this operation.

At that moment, a meteorite of obviously extraordinary size emerged from the center of the magic circle. The heavy, ponderous spark of calamity gradually revealed itself, sending out ominous waves.

Its overwhelming size compared to the other falling rocks put considerable pressure even on the knights advancing from tens of kilometers away. The giant meteorite fell at a very rapid speed and disappeared behind the high ridge a few seconds later.

When its seething surface touched the ground in some unseen place, an enormous gust spread in all directions with a roar that shook heaven and earth.

Kuwaaang-!

A vast shock wave that made ears ring blanketed the air. Even the horses of the knight order, which had been running calmly, reared, neighing as if terrified.

As the formation was momentarily disrupted and the horses became entangled, throwing everything into commotion, Cordelia looked back without slowing. Her eyes first swept over the cargo wagons the knight order was pulling. The wheels of the swaying wagons looked extremely precarious, as if about to topple over.

"Don't waver! Maintain formation!"

Cordelia shouted in a solemn voice toward her knights and horses.

If the barrier stones brought from near the border zone were to spill and break on the ground, all their efforts of running over corpses this far might be in vain. Safely transporting the barrier stones to the changed location in time was now the mission given to her and the knight order.

As if to compound their confusion, a fierce gust swept in half a beat late. But she kept shouting loudly to the knight order behind her, urging them to focus.

Perhaps steadied by their lord's shout that offset their fear, the horses soon showed signs of calming down. As the formation seemed to stabilize again, Cordelia, relieved, looked forward once more and galloped on.

Just then, welcome lights in the middle of the darkened plains were busily sending signals.

"Lady Hareth-!"

Gray Scott, belonging to the Operations Department and the deputy commander of the 12th Battalion, called out to her as if he had been waiting.

As if answering his call, Cordelia raised the horn hanging from her neck and blew it forcefully toward the front. At that moment, the knight order, which had been gradually slowing down, received the signal and spread wide to the left and right, aligning in two horizontal rows.

Soon after, Council members who had been waiting moved in unison between the completely stopped knights. They approached the wagons pulled by the Hareth knights and quickly began carrying barrier stones as large as a person's height. The knights who had dismounted also supported the bottoms of the barrier stones, helping them move to the designated positions.

Cordelia, who had practically jumped off her saddle, hurried over to Gray Scott. Throwing off her helmet without even catching her breath, she asked with an anxious look.

"Operations Officer Scott, are we very late?"

"No, you've arrived just in time."

Gray Scott welcomed her, drenched in sweat, while busily giving instructions to the members. Then, as if deciding it wouldn't do, when Gray himself moved to transport a barrier stone, Cordelia followed to help him.

Even Gray, who would normally have objected that it was their job, naturally accepted her help this time.

"Lady Hareth, did you send the knight order to the western plains as well?"

"No, the Parren army is there. Because the barrier stones kept being pushed back out as soon as we tried to bring them into the temporary portal... judging it would be too much for a small number of people to move, I led the knight order and asked them separately for that side."

"That's wise. Barrier stones that have entered standby state develop resistance to mana and can't pass through portals. That's why they can't be put into artifacts either. I should have told you in advance, but we didn't expect the situation to turn out like this..."

The two briefly paused their conversation and worked together to move a heavy barrier stone into a groove that had been dug in the ground in advance. As they exerted all their strength to carefully set down the base, white light leaked from the upper part of the barrier stone as if it had found its place.

The thin light that stretched out in a straight line soared into the dark sky, gently dyeing the air. As those lights shot up one by one from the side as well, illuminating the wide plains, Cordelia, who had been looking around with a surprised expression, turned her eyes back to Gray.

He was now tightly binding two adjacent barrier stones with iron chains he had brought from the side. However, something seemed not to be going well, as he was grunting despite his swift hand movements.

Cordelia watched for a moment, then noticed that he was trembling slightly. She immediately stepped in, took the chain instead, and pulled hard to weave it through. Then, pretending not to have noticed, she looked around once more and calmly opened her mouth.

"I'm glad I don't seem to be late. The Parren cavalry must have already arrived on the western plains as well. They're just as fast as our knight order. Everything will go well according to plan."

"...Ah, yes. It should. Thank you."

Gray, noticing her consideration, smiled awkwardly. But it lasted only a moment before he hurried to the side again, grabbing the iron chains and binding the barrier stones one by one to fix them in place.

Seeing him so busy there was no time for conversation, Cordelia moved along after him. Then, suddenly stopping in place, she looked around as if searching for something.

"...By the way, where is Deputy Commander Amos? In the letter he sent, he said he couldn't write in detail about Plan 5, so he would explain it in person when I came here..."

Grunting again as the chain didn't mesh properly, Gray raised his head at Cordelia's voice. This time, he held ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) up the chain in front of her as if asking for help. Yet contrary to the action, he answered her question with a serious expression.

"He went to stop the Commander. That... I think you should prepare yourself mentally as well, my lady."