Ch.225Chapter 225. Please Give Your Orders, Captain.

“Hurry with the evacuation!”

“Monsters will soon swarm in! Focus on perimeter defense!!”

The Ark of Meter enters the archipelago, crushing the bloodied corpses of angels beneath it.

As rescue and escort teams emerge from it and move according to plan, survivors hidden throughout the city begin rushing toward them.

“Have you really come to save us!?”

“God, oh God…!”

People collapse to their knees, weeping uncontrollably at the hope they’ve found in this moment of despair.

But it’s too soon to feel safe.

Even now, angels who heard the commotion are spreading their radiance, targeting this location.

-Eunuchs, aaargh, mere humans…!!

Perhaps they felt vengeful about their crushed comrades? Or were they simply disgusted that humans, whom they considered mere food, were opposing them?

Whatever the case, they’ve already identified us as targets within the city.

“Garam, can you handle the incoming ones?”

“Leave it to me!”

As Garam shoots debris scattered on the ground at them, angels begin falling one after another from the heavy impacts.

Nevertheless, they make booming sounds as they stubbornly try to charge toward us with determination.

When one of them stretches its mana-filled hand toward me, I rotate the spear I’ve been aiming and deflect the trajectory of its attack.

-You… worthless… being…!

And those were the angel’s final words.

-Kwaaaa!!

Impaled by my thrown spear, the angel flies to the opposite side of the city until it finally disappears from sight, not even leaving a dot in the distance.

Most ruins along its path have been punctured or collapsed.

When I realized what I had accomplished, my stiffened gaze gradually shifted to the armor I was wearing.

“…What is this output?”

The only difference from before is replacing a single mana core, yet both the total amount of mana and instantaneous destructive power are beyond comparison with before.

Between this and clearing our path here… I have nothing but gratitude for Hellcry.

-You… Do you realize I have to bear this brute strength alongside you?

But great power comes with a price.

The numbness in my hand and Annabelle’s sharp voice taught me that the current attack was putting considerable strain on me as well.

“…Does it hurt a lot?”

-This body doesn’t register pain in any meaningful way. However, if I have to receive such power frequently, there’s a risk my existence could become unstable…

“But thanks to my ability, you won’t be destroyed by the impact alone, right? Then please bear with it a little longer.”

-…You’re always like this, damn you.

Despite complaining, Annabelle helps manage the power without refusing, as always.

Thanks to her help, I could use the deadly powerful throwing spear without burden, and as a result, I could easily block the attacks of angels swooping down from the sky by myself.

“We’ve secured the position, oppa!”

And amid the ongoing battle, Garam’s shout reaches me.

Realizing the time has come, I stop throwing and rush toward the entrance of the barrier that widely surrounds the Ark.

Though the barrier is made of mere debris from surrounding buildings, it boasts thickness and sturdiness comparable to castle walls thanks to Garam and Jaseong’s abilities.

-Kuung, kuung!

As angels trying to break through this hastily constructed barrier crash and get crushed against the wall, crew members who brought boxes from the Ark begin setting up and activating what’s inside on top of the barrier.

None other than “anti-monster weapons” manufactured and mass-produced in the Ark’s factory.

-Pung, pung!

Cannons and ballistas installed on the barrier begin spewing fire.

Angels hit by these attacks have their bodies helplessly torn apart and tumble down one after another.

Realizing they can prevent the angels’ entry using these weapons, crew members begin to cheer one after another.

“Good, we can hold them for now! Keep pushing!”

“Get the survivors inside the barrier!”

The influx of survivors from the ruins toward the barrier centered around the Ark became more active when the angels’ attacks on this area somewhat subsided.

“The initial invasion was fierce… but fortunately this area seems safe now.”

“Our first surprise attack was successful, but the bigger factor is that the demons who should have rushed here were annihilated.”

“…Though an enemy, that orc was quite helpful in many ways.”

Crew members focus on guarding the perimeter and protecting survivors from behind the constructed barrier.

Still wary of potential dangers, I temporarily leave the barrier and approach Flan, who is looking down at the fallen body of an angel nearby.

-Kaeuh, ah…!

No, not a corpse—it’s still alive.

Though its upper and lower body are split, it’s still wriggling and desperately trying to open its mouth toward Flan and me.

Nevertheless, Flan doesn’t immediately end its life, taking time to carefully examine its body.

“…Do you have any insights?”

Probably to analyze them, as she has repeatedly insisted that the most important thing in hunting aberrant beings is to analyze their condition first.

“Hybrid species…”

And her conclusion reveals that they aren’t completely incomprehensible beings like demons.

“It’s hard to detect because the entire body is tangled, but I can see hybrid species characteristics in various places. The skin is pale like an elf’s, it has wings like the Zoin tribe, and the muscles beneath the peeled skin are similar to barbarians with dramatically developed physical abilities…”

“…So it’s a hybrid species monstrosity, following tentacles and beastmen.”

Whatever it is, it certainly wasn’t born naturally.

As I was contemplating this, I noticed something flying down from the sky and landing where I was.

Not an angel but a Zoin… Coco, the leader of the Zoin tribe who had been sent for reconnaissance earlier.

“Armies are gathering from all directions. I believe they’re the demons you mentioned earlier, but they have many fliers too, making it difficult to approach.”

“You don’t need to go in too deep. Just knowing how far they’ve come is enough.”

As expected, demons are also pressing in from all directions, surrounding the archipelago.

That means the danger in this archipelago will include not only angels but demons as well.

“And one more thing… Something terrifying is approaching from behind the army.”

“…What does it look like specifically?”

“I don’t know. I can tell it’s approaching, but the area around it is distorted, making it hard to see clearly. I’ve never seen anything like it. Going near it would surely mean death.”

A being that exudes such pressure that one feels their breath would be cut off just by its presence.

As I was guessing what this might mean, a presence revealed itself from behind and began closing the distance with us.

“It must be the Demon Lord.”

Merilyn Sutherland.

A loyal servant who once followed the Demon Lord and observed him from the closest position.

“Fortunately, he seems to be coming from the exact opposite direction of where we entered… but you never know. The fact that he’s moving means there’s something in this city that provoked him, and that might come our way.”

“…So we can’t feel safe just because the distance is far.”

Yes, encountering the Demon Lord directly, not just any demon, is something we should avoid as much as possible.

Since we don’t know when the Demon Lord’s influence might reach here, our time here might be shorter than expected.

“Please leave the Demon Lord to me.”

As I was feeling tense and considering how to plan, Merilyn placed her hand on my shoulder.

Her attitude maintained the same confidence as usual.

Despite the outrageous statement that came from her mouth.

“You’re going to handle the Demon Lord, Merilyn?”

“Having served him the longest, I know best how to persuade him. While I can’t go against his decisions, I should be able to guide his actions somewhat or at least delay his progress.”

“No, but you said it yourself—the Demon Lord no longer has affection for his subordinates…”

Merilyn quietly pats my shoulder as I express my concern.

I don’t know what’s in her mind, but unlike Coco, she shows no fear toward the Demon Lord.

Her response continues:

“Leave the Demon Lord to me, and focus on your task, Hyoseong. Whatever you do, I’ll respect your intentions.”

“……”

Merilyn is volunteering for what might be the most dangerous task among us.

Nevertheless, I couldn’t stop her and ultimately decided to respect her decision.

Just as my concern for her is great, she too wants to draw the Demon Lord’s attention away for my sake.

“Call everyone together now; we’ll establish a rescue plan.”

Respecting her decision, I entered the barrier and gathered all members to strengthen our initial plan.

We’ve blocked the angels’ attacks more easily than expected, and we now know that the Demon Lord’s army isn’t immediately approaching this location.

What we need to do next is select specific rescue locations and determine when to leave.

“We’ve annihilated the angels at the eastern entrance where we came in, and there’s no immediate danger of demons attacking.”

“Angels aren’t impossible to kill. They have near-immortal vitality, but we don’t necessarily need to kill them. Our purpose is rescue, not extermination.”

“So we just need to subdue them enough to immobilize them and focus on rescuing people. What about the Demon Lord’s army?”

“While there might be a way to guide the Demon Lord, we can’t control his subordinates. We should anticipate clashing with demons as we move through the city.”

“Come to think of it, I think I saw some demon corpses while moving through the city. They must have been defeated by angels after entering first?”

“That means angels and demons are hostile to each other. We might be able to rescue survivors in other areas while they’re fighting each other.”

Analysis of the current situation and the foundation of the plan proceed step by step.

As a result, members trying to decide which areas to focus their search on from the current position began sharing their opinions one by one in front of the map.

“The market area probably has no hope. What about this residential area?”

“There aren’t many hiding places there, so there will be few survivors. As sad as it is…”

“Let’s focus on saving as many people as possible right now. What about the prison?”

“It’s fortified and concealed. Angels who only roam the ground due to their size and wings would find it difficult to enter, so there’s a high chance survivors are still there.”

“Normally, criminals would be lower priority… but now there must be many innocent people detained during the riot suppression.”

The opinion gradually leans toward heading to the imperial prison.

While exchanging these opinions, one member looked closely at the map showing the prison’s location and began speaking with a tense voice.

“The problem is that the prison is located close to the imperial palace…”

Yes, the issue is that to reach the high-priority prison, we need to go to the center of the archipelago.

Given the tragedy unfolding even in the surrounding areas, the danger waiting at the center would be incomparably greater.

And for someone, entering the imperial palace might be more important than anywhere else.

“The imperial family… if they’re alive, they might be in the palace.”

Of course, I know the imperial family is the cause of the current situation, but only a very few people here know that.

If I were to tell others, it would surely cause intense confusion.

No matter how corrupt the authorities are, they’ve been the pillars supporting humanity until now, and some still consider them objects of loyalty and dependence.

“I’ll take responsibility for entering the palace.”

“You’ll go to the palace yourself, Hero?”

“Yes, I’ll rescue the imperial family if possible, though the chances are likely slim.”

I have no desire to rescue someone who is essentially the mastermind, but I’m currently in a position where everyone is watching me.

Going to a dangerous area requires proper justification, and determining the fate of the imperial family serves as an adequate reason.

“…Yes, we should prepare for the worst.”

The members ultimately agree, as if they can’t hold me responsible for this.

Realizing that a general conclusion had been reached, I prepared to speak as they all focused their attention.

“From now on, let’s divide our active personnel into two groups. Those who will join the entry team focusing on the palace and the nearby prison, follow me. And for the defense team that will secure this place and ensure the safety of survivors…”

As I continued speaking, my gaze shifted slightly to the side.

There stood the Paladin with a spade resting on his shoulder, who had been listening to the conversation until now.

“…Jaseong hyung.”

Paladin of the Spade, Nam Jaseong.

The hero who had the most significant influence on the construction of this Ark.

“Can I entrust the Ark to you?”

“Leave it to me. I’m specialized in defense.”

Having been rated the best among heroes in defensive battles, there’s no one more suitable to be in charge of this place.

Living up to such expectations, Jaseong answered me and then turned his attention to the girl who approached him.

“I’m worried about the kid over there… will she be okay?”

“I’m here because of oppa, so I should follow him to the end.”

Hero Lee Garam.

The volunteer who approached me before anyone else, and a child too young to be involved in this situation.

“You won’t tell me to just stay home and behave, right?”

“…I’m not that heartless.”

While the inside of the palace is unknown, we need people to help with the rescue until then.

As Garam’s accompaniment was decided, expected individuals began gathering around me.

“I’ll go too.”

Hope of Humanity, Francesca.

Given her mission, she must step forward regarding issues concerning the imperial palace, which forms the center of humanity.

“…Alright.”

I will surely enter the palace with her.

Following her, my most familiar companions approached me.

“We will join you as well.”

“You too?”

“We’ve already discussed it. Even if we can’t enter the palace with you… we can at least help with the rescue so you can focus on what you need to do.”

The expedition members who have accompanied me since the subjugation team.

Representing them, Sanson spoke to me in a solemn voice as I prepared to advance to the most dangerous place.

“And we will respect whatever choice you make afterward.”

Even as I seek to enter the palace with mere justification.

Declaring that they won’t resent me even if I choose to betray those to whom they’ve sworn loyalty.

“…Are you sure you won’t regret it?”

“In this world, we’ve already prepared ourselves.”

There was no wavering in his voice.

Nor in his gaze toward me.

“And in this world, you’ve brought many people together and led us to rescue people in this dangerous place. Following you is the best way for us, who joined the military to serve humanity, to continue our mission.”

That resolve will never waver in the future.

As all members took a salute position to prove this, Sanson, standing at the front to represent them, spoke to me in a dignified voice.

“Therefore, I declare that from now on, the soldiers here will retire from the Imperial Army and officially join the army under Hero Hyoseong Woo.”

“We will follow you even to hell. So give us your orders, Captain Hyoseong.”

Captain, not Hero.

This title showed that a relationship that began simply to repay kindness had now transformed into absolute loyalty in this moment.