The Garbage Collector Who Stumbled Upon Mythical Weapons! - Chapter 42
“Lord Johann, I have heard that some adventurers are extremely strong. I believe we can rely on them…”
“Oh? Is that so? Trinken, I didn’t know you were familiar with adventurers.”
Some soldiers came from an adventurer background, but Trinken was a noble. Johann found it surprising that he knew about common adventurers.
“No, I wouldn’t say I’m very knowledgeable. However, I do have an acquaintance among those participating in the alliance.”
“By alliance, you mean Port Gran at the moment?”
“Yes. While guarding the rear, they were attacked by demons. They managed to defeat them, but one got away.”
“Demons…”
Johann thought it was rare for demons to reach the rear lines.
—Does this mean we are being pushed back that much?
“An adventurer assisting with security defeated that demon with ease. Even General Ike, the head of security, was astonished.”
“That happened… So, what is the name of this adventurer?”
“I believe their party is called ‘Great Eagle.’ I don’t know their individual names.”
“I see…”
Compared to the invasion of ten thousand demons, it might seem like a small matter. However, a faint light of hope lit up in Johann’s heart.
“Great Eagle… I hope they are among the reinforcements from the guild.”
◇◇◇
“That’s an incredible number.”
Van muttered as he saw the adventurers heading north to Rayford.
A long procession stretched along the road. Among them were ‘Albatross’ and ‘Minazuki,’ forming a force of well over a thousand people.
Van thought that Guild Master Jacob must have gathered as many as he could.
“There are a lot… but is this everyone? Against ten thousand demons, this isn’t enough.”
Clay looked around with a worried expression. Van felt the same.
“Apparently, they reached out to other guilds besides Rayford, but they won’t make it in time. We will have to fight with just these numbers and the royal army.”
Hearing Van’s words, the other three lowered their heads in silence. No matter how great the reward, dying would make it meaningless.
They all understood that well.
“Damn it! Garm, hurry up! What’s taking him so long!?”
Clay clicked his tongue in frustration. Garm’s absence added to their unease.
Normally, it was the leader’s duty to be the pillar of the team. Van felt ashamed.
—If only I were as strong as Garm… but that’s just wishful thinking.
At that moment, a single rider came galloping toward them from the front.
“That’s… a royal army knight?” Van narrowed his eyes.
“Adventurers! The Demon Lord’s army is advancing toward the town of Crave! If we do nothing, the town will be attacked. Join forces with the royal army and prioritize the evacuation of the residents! I repeat—”
The knight shouted as he rode around to spread the message.
“Hey, Crave is right nearby! Is the battle really going to start so soon!?”
Clay lamented, but Van couldn’t hide his own tension either.
“The Demon Lord’s army is advancing faster than we expected.”
Seeing Van’s anxious face, Sophia and Amber held their breath.
“…Will Garm make it in time?”
“He’ll be fine! He always comes through in the end!”
Sophia’s smile reassured Amber. Ahead of them, Crave came into view.
◇◇◇
“Boaele, that is a human town.”
The army of ten thousand flew through the sky on black wings. At its center was Boaele, an officer of the Demon Lord’s army.
He looked down at the town below.
“Beyond that is Rayford, correct?”
“Yes. What shall we do? There are likely many humans there…”
Behind Boaele, his adjutant, Granze, spoke up. Clad in black armor, he wore a sly smile.
“Hmm. Before the battle, shall we feast on some human souls?”
Demons could absorb magical power by devouring human souls.
As the dark mass of demons began to descend toward the town, a cloud of dust rose from the southeast.
“What is that…?”
Boaele raised an eyebrow. A cavalry unit in shining silver armor was galloping straight toward Crave.
“Heh, I see… The royal army!”
Spreading his black wings wide, he glided down toward the town. Granze and the demon army drew their swords and followed.
◇◇◇
“Lord Johann, look!”
“Damn it! We won’t finish evacuating the residents in time!”
The royal army’s cavalry entered the town, clashing with the demons attacking from above.
“Uoooohhh!!”
Johann drew his sword and slashed through a demon in front of him.
The demon let out a death cry as it crashed to the ground, while Johann urged his horse forward at even greater speed.
The knights following him also engaged in fierce combat with the demons.
“Hold out until the infantry and adventurers arrive! That is our mission!!”
“Ooooohhh!!”
The knights led by Johann and the Demon Lord’s army led by Boaele clashed.
Even though the knights were among the best in the Kingdom of Britend, they were at a severe disadvantage against an enemy five times their number. Johann clenched his teeth.
—Damn! How long can we last…? Hurry, adventurers!!
◇◇◇
“Hey! Look at that!”
An adventurer pointed to the sky. Above Crave, a dark mass loomed.
“Are those all demons…?”
Sophia grimaced as she watched the horde attacking the town.
“The battle with the royal army has already begun! We have to hurry, or it’ll be too late!”
Van took off running toward Crave, and the members of ‘Great Eagle’ followed. So did the other adventurers.
If the royal army was defeated first, they would be at a massive disadvantage.
These were seasoned adventurers who had survived countless battles. They knew when to strike. Drawing their swords and raising their axes, they charged forward like a storm.
A thousand adventurers kicked up dust as they stormed toward Crave.