It was like a humanoid giant that also towered over us at about 4 metres in length and it shaped reminded me of a tree but unlike Krolve, the bark skin looks dead and there were no leafs amongs the branches.

Thankfully it was still a distance away from us but it was lumbering slowly towards us.

It fact, It is almost like Krolve but bigger.

“A… Tree friend?”

Amidst all the chaos, I could hear Krolve’s agitated voice looking at the dead or undead treeman.

“That’s not a friend, Krolve, it’s an enemy.”

The red-haired girl who looked as bit of a female knight said that grimly to Krolve.

Krolve wordlessly gasped while still staring at the treeman.

Right now, I have to worry about myself and the people around me but I think we’re in good hand.

(‘Eo, Luxaer, Ollus, Olatus’)

An Eomancy circle appeared from where Thurieol was standing and she was lifted up into the air. She took out two fans out of her cloth and brandished them like weapons.

(‘Eo, Luxaer, Magni, Ventus’)

She pointed fan on her right hand at the Toad and swung it upward. From below the monstrous toad, a large Eomancy circle of the same width had appeared and then it was buffeted up into the air forcibly by a visibly light blue Eomancy tinged fearsome gale that had suddenly appeared below.

(‘Eo, Luxaer, Ventus, Ormento, Actus’)

As she pulled in on the fan that she had swung upward and pointed the fan on her left, an Eomancy circle appeared in front of that fan.

A light blue wind that twisted like a horizontal cyclone shot through at the still mid-air Toad. It was hit by that and it was hurled away from here.

“Guards, protect the summoned and fellow summoned, do as you fit! I will deal with that Mal’eur.”

Thurieol roared another order and in an instant, she quickly flew towards where the monstrous toad was hurled.

That was… an overwhelming display of power. Is that our future?

The Ubersmench after a lengthy silence as he look over the situation turn to look at all of us.

“We have to do something, I proposed that the group on the right to save their side and the group on the left of theirs. Both of our group will try to defeat or at least delay that monster behind us.”

“Why should we follow what you say?”

A male elf who had periwinkle hairs and upward pointy ears scowled at the Ubersmench. I think he was the one who said something about they were called Falskilan during dinner at that night.

“This is not the time for another conflict. I agree with what that man said but the problem is how can we get across these canals without them noticing? Much less, we don’t have weapons.”

The red-haired woman came forward and voice out several problems. Hearing that, I had ideas.

Looking around, I spotted a guard that was at the back of another guard waiting to rotate the shielding.

“Excuse me, sir, you there!”

I called out to him. He had heard me and after whispering something to the guard in front of him, he went running towards us.

“Akujin, if you may, please [Replicate].”

At first Akujin was confused but upon seeing the guard, he connected the dot. He asked the guard to hand over his weapon and the guard was reluctant at first but he gave it in the end.

It was a halberd that was a mix of a ranseur and a voulge. It was the same weapon we encountered when we were summoned.

Akujin replicated about ten of them.

We then distribute each of them who were willing to fight.

“This look shoddy for a weapon, it is unfit for warrior like me.”

The Falskilan male commented to Akujin with condescending tone.

“Take it or leave it, sometimes you don’t have a choice in life.”

Akujin brushed him off.

“Well that solves a problem, now how about going across the canals?”

The red-haired male of the red and green haired group had asked.

“I have an idea but I’m not sure whether you guys like it or not.”

I have something in mind but it’s a little rough and quite limited.

Ghrukka stepped forward.

“If we may, us and Fyrphov can use our special abilities to subdued part of them but we need someone to distract them from harming the hostages.”

All of us looked at the Manticore. Its bat-like wings was large enough to fly but can it carry Ghrukka with their weight?

“Hey, if Ghrukka promised to cook me my favourite, then I’ll do it.”

“I will.”

“Alright, I’m on it.”

The manticore agreed immediately after Ghrukka promised him.

One of the elves from the elves group, a tattooed one came forward.

“I need a bow. I can take out those that are holding the hostages.”

To that, Vefal stepped forward and summoned her [Shadow]. Due to the fact she had used it for training, a portion of its time to manifest was shortened but I think it would be enough to last this.

The [Shadow] took out something from inside of itself. It was a well-crafted bow and a quiver.

I cocked my head to the right side. I didn’t remember she had a bow with her after she was summoned.

She noticed my confusion.

“I had asked Akujin to make some weapons for us since he told us that he was bored before and wanted to craft something. I have something that he crafted for you too.”

“When was that and how did he crafted it?”

“The night when you came in late which was two days ago and he used the kitchen for crafting at night.”

The kitchen? Seriously? That is… amazing, you need a really high temperature for blacksmithing.

She took out three swords, a shield, an axe and a dagger from inside of it. She distributed them all to our group.

“The storage is limited but it is enough to store our weapons.”

Vefal said that as she gave me a sword.

She then gave the bow and quiver to the Tattooed Elf.

“This looked good enough. Thankee, lass, I’ll put it in good use.”

He made an agreeable smile while looking at the bow.

“Okay, now how do we get across and who is going to face with that monster!”

August, seeing the incoming monster tree lumbering towards us was a bit in panic. Well, who wouldn’t?

“I will go.”

“So will I, Ghozano and my captain.”

The falskilan and the red haired guy, already armed, volunteered. The captain he mentioned must have been the red haired female knight and the blue-scale Dragonoid guy who stayed silent in the situation while looking grim.

“We need more. I will go too. What about you Kiefy?”

The Ubersmench, who had the halberd on his right hand, turned his sight at the already equipped Kiefy.

“I think we can take it down with the help of Erganisu.”

Kiefy in turned looked at Erganisu. Erganisu nodded firmly.

“Wait, Erganisu. I have something in need of your help at the moment and also, Stryklos and Kristalisha too. Aeriasus, heal those that are wounded with your special ability. Kimiko, try to use your special ability too.”

All four of them nodded at me without question.

“You there, Krolve and Amitva have a special ability that can help with the hostage recovery.”

The red-haired woman approached me from the side. Well, we need all the help we can get.

--

The plan had already been formulated and right now it was to see the result. I was facing the left canal along with Erganisu.

“Are you sure this is safe, Ruigne?”

“… This is indignation.”

August and Herkaloi complained to me. Right now, both of them were under Erganisu arms.

My plan was simple. For the hostages rescue, I’ll have August and Herkaloi thrown to the other side by Erganisu. As to make sure they don’t harm hostages, I had gathered rocks for Stryklos to control with his [Legions] and hindered their attempt to do so.

And as for Kristalisha…

“Ruigne, they’re going to start the barrages again.”

Stryklos reported to me.

“Okay, Erganisu, uses [Indomitable] and throws away.”

“Wait, give me time to-”

“… This is-”

Before they could utter something, Erganisu had already entered into the state of [Indomitable] and accurately threw them into their designated positions across the canal on the left.

Seeing the two flying towards them, the terrorist readjusted their aim that was about to commence the barrages on the two of them but…

On my right, Kristalisha had activated her [Dexcrozus].

Eomancy Circles that were formed was abruptly destroyed in an instant and the spell sort of backfire in an exploding burst of red coloured energy. Even the higher level Eomancies would break but it took at least two seconds or more.

“… That’s amazing, Kris.”

The older sister of Kristalisha, whose name was Annastasha was beside her as she muttered that. She wasn’t allowed to participate in the combat by the lady knight.

Ouch… thankfully the casters didn’t hold any hostages but seeing that, the ones that were actually holding hostages were tightening their arms around the poor hostages.

Suddenly, eight floating rocks were attacking the hostages taker on the right side. Some of them hit straight at the head, knocking them out and some of them were hitting the arms of the terrorists, pestering them.

From the left side, Kimiko [Chains] was within range and she were able to harass and damage them with constantly changed shaped attacks.

Both August and Herkaloi had landed safely as Erganisu was throwing them as gentle as possible.

On Herkaloi side, some of the enemies were confused as they looked around like they had forgotten while others were baffled looking at Herkaloi that was taking them out one by one and securing all the hostages on his part. Herkaloi [Fade] can only effect four people at once but with the help of Stryklos, the rest of them were taken down.

On August side, he uses [Reaction] and in almost an instant, most of the enemies around him were knocked down in five seconds while the rest was taken care of by Kimiko and he successfully freed all the hostages.

All the hostage takers were taken down.

Both of them had completed their job. Now it’s Krolve turn.

Krolve special ability was called [Bond] in which he can imprint an individual. An imprinted individual shared a special sense in which they can instinctively know about their whereabouts and their condition but it was not only that but the imprinted individuals can also imprint on others by touching their forehead with their own and there is one more thing...

I saw the hostages appearing like they were being teleported towards Krolve.

Imprinted individuals can be teleported to Krolve on their own will or Krolve. Although there was a limit on how many can be imprinted, Krolve can cancel the imprint on the imprinted.

It was an ability that if used properly is powerful in its own way.

This side was a success as all the enemies were knocked down and those that weren’t, were being barrages by the Eomancies from the guards. I’ve told both August and Herkaloi beforehand, that after they had finished securing the hostages, they both should jump into the canal and they did.

Now then, let’s check on the other side.