Beneath Grancel Castle, before its large gates.
Colonel Richard was about to launch his first attack after seeing strange and foreign mechanical-like monsters that didn't seem of this world appear before him in waves. After his initial frown, he suddenly felt empowered by that blast of red energy.
"This...", Colonel Richard uttered to himself, feeling stronger than ever. His eyes then saw that Naoto and his confidant were no longer next to Queen Alicia and General Morgan. He did spot a glance of them holding a conversation but they were too far away so he couldn't hear the four properly.
But Colonel Richard's eyes paused to see Naoto's new figure. Naoto currently had his left hand struck outward, unleashing a commanding aura.
It was as if he was witnessing a King issuing orders to his troops who were about to undergo battle. A King that has not yet been born. Naoto's Phoenix Robe fluttered against the soft winds as Colonel Richard burned this image into his memory...
"Your Highness..."
Toward the gate of West Block, Kevin and Ries stood before many figures suddenly appearing out of nowhere.
"Just like 'ol times eh Ries? If this all really is for the sake of experience then wanna place a bet I'll kill more monsters than you?", Kevin asked with a playful smile.
"Must you turn this into a game?", Ries retorted.
"Sir Priest's words aren't wrong. The sole purpose here is to gain more experience. Still, I did not expect to see two so young already part of the Septian Church, let alone the Gralsritter.", Phillip said, who could be seen behind Kevin and Ries. He arrived alongside them, and waited for the first wave of monsters to arrive. He was surprised that it would be two hundred of them. But he knew it wouldn't be all targeted at one area.
Such an interesting group. Two members of the Septian Church, and an ex-military who once served Liberl's Royal Army as one of its leading commanders. The same position Cassius Bright once held.
But the group itself was the thing. Kevin and Ries aren't even supposed to be around each other at this time. The Jaeger attack on the Aster House is set to take place soon which will manifest Kevin's Stigma. Right now, Kevin is likely just a Squire, but Ries is already acting as an additional Squire beside him. Such is Naoto's influence on Zemuria.
"Hey now, while I might just be a Squire still, we still have a duty to uphold. Cleanin' out monsters is one of 'em. The only question is, what's headin' our way?", Kevin shot back, seeing the glows appear one after another. Many different sizes.
The energy that spread out afterward wasn't a thick one that was felt in North Block.
It felt...evil.
Kevin immediately frowned, not expecting to feel such a sensation.
"Fiends!", Ries exclaimed, seeing magical creatures that also didn't seem of this world. "And in the back...Isn't that one of the seventy-two devils!?"
"That sure looks like it. See its tag above it? It's called, "False Beru". Even if it's an imitation, it looks scary enough to be the real thing. Didn't think we'd fight devils all the way here in Liberl.", Kevin replied, and brought out his crossbow. That's the weapon of choice he likes to use.
Ries, on the other hand, had already acquired her weapon, the templar sword. It's broken into pieces, all tightly-knit by wires. It can stretch beyond one's reach, allowing one to attack from both mid-range, and even long range. It was a deadly weapon. Even though Ries is still a kid, she's already receiving combat training from the Septian Church.
"I take it the Church is familiar with these weird-looking creatures.", Phillip said, taking a moment to arrive beside them.
"Ya sure got that right. But if you're as anything as they claim, then our backs are safe. Still...this looks like three...against fifty?", Kevin asked, doing a quick mental calculation of how many Fiends showed up before them.
While Phillip rarely showed any emotion for having built years upon years of experience underneath his belt in servitude of both the Royal Army and the Royal Family, Phillip suddenly turned quiet. Seeing this, Kevin and Ries turned toward him and saw Phillip unleash a powerful aura. Even his butler clothes began to flutter from how fierce it was.
It was then Phillip revealed a wide grin on his face, not fit to his character. He even pushed up the frames of his glasses upward!
"Then allow me to show you two why demons are much more feared than these so-called devils.", Phillip declared.
So in the North Block, Naoto, Emma and Colonel Richard started fighting several different archaisms.
In the West Block, Kevin, Ries and Phillip started to fight against Fiends and a much larger Devil. The three were also surprised to receive a sudden boost in strength and energy from Stalwart, and began combat.
South Block.
This was an equally-interesting sight to behold.
Three powerful individuals in their own right.
Zin the Immovable, the Divine Blade, and the rising Silver Streak had a calm look in their eyes seeing the land they knew well, but it just looked so lifeless.
"This is seriously weird. Why did this Instance Dungeon drain the place of its color?", Scherazard asked, revealing a frown on her face.
"Perhaps some things are best left unanswered. It does paint an eerie picture though. Kinda creepy too.", Zin said, keeping his arms crossed while waiting for the monsters to arrive. "But this does serve a good opportunity. I haven't personally overseen any of your training since you've become the Silver Streak, Scherazard. Let's see if you can keep up with my pace."
"Ooh, I love me a challenge~", Scherazard said, and grinned at Zin. She had her whip at her waist, ready to strike out. "And aren't you due for a promotion soon, Zin? A rank, right?"
"Well yeah, it's coming up but why bring it up?"
"Scherazard's words do hold merit. Since we're in this "Instance Dungeon" His Highness has preciously graced us with, why don't I use this as an opportunity and gauge how strong the two of you have become? Pull your weight, and I'll put in a word for you on your upcoming promotion too, Zin.", Cassius said, standing beside the two with a calm look in his eyes.
"Seriously? An impromptu exam, right here?", Zin asked, raising his eyes.
"True. It's not like we've many opportunities to meet like this.", Scherazard said. "Plus this will give that cute disciple of yours another story to tell~"
"Ugh, don't tell me about it."
"Now there's a response I didn't expect to hear. Is something wrong? Sherryl, her name if I recall?", Scherazard asked, raising eyebrows.
"Sherryl's too good for someone like me. And that's saying something. She already absorbed everything I taught her. Her body can move in ways a normal person's body can't. In due time, she might even hold a candle to you, Cassius.", Zin said, praising Sherryl's progress.
"That kid has such potential? Seriously, how did His Highness even find her?", Cassius uttered, and sighed. "He attracted such a weird group of people. I've been looking into it and Scherazard, you didn't hear this from me, but this is something you know, Zin. Those people beside the prince, they're survivors from the DG Cult."
"The DG Cult...", Zin uttered, sucking in a cold breath of air as his eyes turned sharp. "Are you telling me the prince went into THE lion's den of dens, sought out these people, and managed to make it back, alive?"
"That's looking to be the case. I do not know how His Highness was even capable of doing that, but seeing this Instance Dungeon appear around us, I'm starting to think why he held such confidence to do so.", Cassius said, looking around the black and white Liberl around him.
"I feel I'm hearing something I shouldn't be hearing...", Scherazard frowned. "Seriously, what's a DG Cult?"
"You'll learn of them in due time, Scherazard. Many groups are in motion to launch a joint operation which will likely head toward our very own Bracer Guild in the coming days. We're trying to be discreet, but until the operation happens, mum's the word.", Cassius said. Seeing Cassius's very rare serious look in his eyes, Scherazard could only nod.
"Got it. At the very least, it sounds like more work."
"Haha! That's one way to see it. So to prepare you for that, I'm on board with Cassius's suggestion. Let's kick these monsters' asses.", Zin said, punching his fists together. "Look, they're coming."
In response to Zin's words, many colorful glows appeared before them. Monsters that one could find scattered around Liberl.
But one particular Monster stood above the rest of them. It was gigantic.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
"Oh dear Aidios, is that what I think it is!?", Scherazard said, seeing a towering monster that was several fold larger than her. She looked upward, and frowned. Even her own shadow was swept away.
"That's one big Crop Muncher. Haven't fought one of these in a long while.", Zin said, smiling at the gigantic monster. "Don't fall behind now, Silver Streak.", Zin said, looking down at his ally beside him.
"Grr, I'll make you eat your words, Zin. These guys can take any newbie by surprise, but I'm not one any longer!", Scherazard said, and cracked her whip.
"Hahaha! Then I'll leave it to you two. I know there's this contribution thing, but you two deserve it more.", Cassius said with a big laugh. "If it does truly get dangerous, I will watch your back."
"Sweet. Then let's go!", Zin exclaimed.
And so, the battling began in the South Block with Zin leading the charge against the gigantic Crop Muncher and its surrounding monsters. As the fighting started, Cassius turned his head feeling empowered all of a sudden, only to look at Grancel Castle, and smiled. His eyes shifted backward, and saw Zin and Scherazard fight even more vigorously...
All that was left was East Block.
Where Prince Olivert, Mueller, and Aurelia could now be seen.