The Western Gate was originally a quiet place compared to other gates.
But now, with the monumental event of the fortress’s emergence, it was akin to a cauldron of chaos.

"Move quickly! We need additional support!"

"There are many injured adventurers! We need the church's help!"

"Hurry up and gather your gear! There’s not much time left before the reinforcements depart!"

The gate was filled with shouts and screams.
Among them, the first to arrive was Serelin.
Then came Lapirie and Aria, followed lastly by the Hero.

"Where's Louis?!"

"I can’t see him! There are too many people!"

The four immediately began searching for their last companion, the mage.
However, they couldn’t find his distinctive white robe or his large white staff.

"Where is the captain of the Western Gate guards?"

As Serelin shouted, a middle-aged man approached, panting heavily.

"Yes, Serelin."

"I'm sorry to call you when you're busy. But this is important. Have you seen our comrade?"

"Huh? Your comrade... Are you referring to that mage?"

"Yes, the little mage we saw before."

"We're also looking for him, but he vanished right after the commotion started. No one has seen him. I apologize."

"Wait, Captain. You’re looking for Louis?"

"Ah, yes, Hero. In fact, there are rumors that the reason the walls are still standing is because of him."

What does that mean?

Serelin interjected.

"I saw Louis casting some magic on the walls with his staff; could that have been a wall enhancement...?"

"And yet! The person in question isn't here! Where could he have gone...?"

"Everyone has arrived."

At that moment, the subject of the discussion suddenly appeared from behind.

"Hey, Louis?"

"What the heck! Where have you been?!"

"Ugh."

Lapirie suddenly rushed in, nearly knocking me over as she buried her face into my chest, making an odd sound.

"Ah... I was just getting information about that fortress."

"Ah..."

Everyone’s gaze turned toward the gate.
There stood a massive black fortress, illuminated by the setting sun.

"I estimate it’s about half the size of Alphares. On the side that can be considered the Eastern Gate, monsters are constantly pouring out."

"Where on earth did such a thing come from...?"

"Demons."

"Demons? Ah..."

What escaped everyone’s lips was not a gasp of horror, but a sigh of understanding.
Indeed, regular monsters wouldn’t cause such a massive disturbance. Only demons could pull off something like that.

"Then... what kind of demon could it be? We lack information about demons..."

Unlike the well-established information on the scale and types of monsters, knowledge about demons was scarce even among the empire's high-ranking officials.
Demons are inherently sly beings who often scheme without revealing their identities.

Even if they were encountered, it would likely only be one or two at most, leading to a dire lack of information about them.

'I know, but... I can’t tell you.'

Unlike information about the fortress, details about demons can’t be easily dismissed with a typical alibi.
So, I decided to speak indirectly.

"First of all..."

"Huh?"

"The ability to build such a massive 'fortress' indicates a higher probability of superior intelligence compared to ordinary demons. And they likely evolved into a form similar to this one to construct it or are skilled in techniques like magic."

Though it’s uncertain for now, the dusk fortress is designed to fit the human body.
If its owner were a gigantic creature like an elephant, everything would be built to their scale.

In other words, they resemble humans.

And it’s unlikely that demons would stack up such a structure individually, so they probably used their specialty—magic.

'Demons that use magic well and take on human forms.'

Their fangs are incredibly sharp.

"A special technique. For now, that’s all we need to consider."

"......Right. Then let’s formulate a plan."

Even now, monsters continue to pour out from the fortress like a calm wave.
Mercenaries, adventurers, and the guards are responding, but their stamina is far inferior.

Thus, our party needed to join before a gap formed in their defense.
However, this time it seemed we wouldn’t be moving separately like before.

"If it’s a fortress of demons, the danger will only increase over time. So we must finish this as quickly as possible."

Huh.
'Was there something like this?'

But, well, it wasn’t a bad thing.
I chimed in on the Hero’s suggestion.

"Monsters won’t keep pouring out indefinitely. With that many, they’ll surely stop before long."

"Then it means we won’t be fighting alone this time, nor will we be fighting separately?"

"We’ll have to fight alongside the mercenaries, adventurers, and the guards."

"It feels... like a war."

Aria’s last words were correct.
This was a war.

"Alright, the formation will be as we originally did: Serelin and I will be at the front, with Aria in the middle, and finally, Louis and Rie at the back."

"Understood. Captain, from now on, the Hero’s party will engage in battle."

"Understood. I’ll share this information with the others."

"Please inform the mercenaries and adventurers as well."

"I’ve already contacted the church on the way, so support will arrive shortly."

Despite the sudden situation, the Hero’s party calmly formulated and executed a plan.
I felt a subtle joy in the fact that I was part of their team.

"Alright, everyone. Let’s not get hurt. Now, let’s go!!"

The first battle against the dusk fortress.
The Hero's party joined the fray.

The monsters pouring out of the dusk fortress were several times stronger than the typical monsters encountered.
This was due to their bodies and abilities being transformed to match the overwhelming magical energy emanating from the fortress and its demon owners.

As a result, most of the forces that had come to block the Western Gate were struggling more than usual.

"Damn it, adjust the formation! This is different from usual!"

"We have casualties here!!"

It was utter chaos.

However, when the Hero’s party appeared, the situation reversed in an instant.

"It’s the Hero’s party!"

At someone’s shout, everyone’s gaze turned to one place.

Swoosh!

A man with black hair swung his pristine white sword, slicing through the monsters charging at him in one swift motion.
Whether it was one monster or two hundred, the Hero pressed forward steadfastly.

"Serelin is supporting us!"

And beside him was the blue-haired knight, sweeping through the battlefield.
With only the basics of the empire's swordsmanship, she wielded a sword with several times the power of others, resembling a blue storm.

"Anyone injured, come this way!!"

Behind them, the blonde saint cried out.

"Look down upon us. Descend and grant us peace..."

As she chanted, a golden light began to spread from her clasped hands.

"Oh...! All my wounds are healed!"

With a single prayer, her power surpassed that of dozens of ordinary priests.
This was the strength of a woman claiming to be a representative of the divine.

"Hey, watch out behind you!!"

"Huh?"

An adventurer had been distracted, staring in awe at the scene for a moment.

Thwack!

"Get your act together! This is a battlefield!"

Suddenly, the sound of arrows whizzing through the air reached the fallen monsters.
The adventurer spotted an elf scolding him from nearby.

She scanned the battlefield and aimed her bowstring at a place where they were being overwhelmed.
Then, wind began to wrap around her, and a different green arrow appeared compared to before.

Boom!!

With a deafening sound, the arrow shot forth as if it couldn’t possibly fly.
It soared across the battlefield and struck the targeted group of monsters.

Boom!

Monsters were swept away by a small tempest.
The mercenaries facing them expressed their gratitude from a distance.

With their morale boosted, they stood up once more, ready to face the monsters on behalf of their comrades, alongside their comrades, or even ahead of them.

About two hours passed.
They fought hard, and the Hero’s party fought even harder.

"Raaah!!"

However, the number of monsters did not decrease. Eventually, injuries began to accumulate among those who couldn’t be treated by the saint Aria.
Even with Aria’s swift healing, the fundamental difference in strength left many helpless.

Yet, if the Hero and his comrades stepped in, it would create gaps elsewhere.

"Hah... hah..."

Lapirie gasped for breath as she nocked the next arrow to her bow.
Just as she was about to follow up with her next attack, the mage beside her held her back.

"Lapirie, stop."

"Huh? What do you mean...?"

"This won’t end."

The mage, who had been tirelessly inscribing golden letters with her pen to support the Hero’s party, spoke up.

"The gap between the monsters and our combat forces is too great."

Lapirie lowered her bow involuntarily as she watched the mage pull out her white staff.

"I should have prepared spells in advance for situations like this; it’s my oversight."

An oversight? What kind of spell could she have needed to prepare beforehand, and how could it only take two hours to cast?

"Master key, fairness review... Done. Just a moment."

Muttering something, the mage stepped forward.
Her gaze remained on those engaged in battle.

The staff spun lightly in her small hands.
With that, the two white rings at the end began to spin fiercely.

"Setting the range. All combat forces at the Western Gate of Alphares."

All combat forces?

What kind of spell could designate such a vast range that even Aria couldn’t cover completely...

"Multiscale-Enchanting."

"Huh?"

Suddenly, a golden flash erupted from the ends of the rings.
No, upon closer inspection, countless golden letters were pouring out.

The golden letters flew into the sky before falling to various places.
Specifically, onto everyone’s weapons and gear.

"Fatigue relief, weight reduction, rebound, speed increase, cutting power enhancement..."

It was like a golden rain falling down.
It was no wonder that those fighting would stop momentarily.

"Hah..."

Exhaling a breath, the mage shouted one last word.

"Activate. Right now."

In the next moment, golden waves emanated from everyone’s gear and weapons.
Simultaneously, gasps erupted from all around.

"W-What is this...?"

"The feel of my weapon and equipment has changed...?"

As everyone was left bewildered, an adventurer swung his sword at a nearby monster.

Swoosh!

"Huh?"

In an instant, the monster was cleaved in two.
Those who witnessed it thought, surely this couldn’t be real, and began to fight the monsters once more.

And soon, they realized that their doubt was becoming reality.