The dagger entrusted by Darius was handed over to Verrier.

When they actually fight Tyranno Behemoth, they don't know who will be using it, but for now, Verrier will be in overall command of the operation.

With all preparations complete, the selected units from Asteria and Aldrian launched.

Leading the charge are the kingdom's two proud warriors.

Aria, the current Knight Commander and Master Swordswoman, and Baldus, the former knight commander who remains unyielding even in old age.

With the two of them leading the way, the battle against the monsters will continue.

(...Baldus-san. He's gotten stronger than when we acted together before...!)

Aria had been closely watching Baldus's movements as they fought side by side. His body was moving with more agility than when they had previously gone outside the barrier together.

Above all, Darius is skilled at handling the sword he made, and he doesn't seem to be struggling at all against the monsters.

He was mowing down the horde of monsters like weeds, carving out a path to survival.

The knights who were watching the battle were also exclaiming in awe.

"That's the Master Swordswoman... To wipe out an entire Orc unit with a single swing..."

"Baldus-sama is still as strong as ever... It's like having two heroes..."

Having finished defeating the monsters, Baldus sheathed his sword with a wry smile.

"I certainly don't have the skill to be compared to Aria-dono."

"Well, I don't think that's the case..."

(...Actually, I also feel like I would like to spar with the current Baldus once.)

If this weren't outside the barrier, she would have just challenged him to a duel.

It was when the battle with the orcs had ended, and they were about to proceed.

Luna and Aldo, who were waiting behind, waved their wands.

They rained down spells like a storm to break the enemy's formation.

"...Whoa."

The soldiers cheered at its overwhelming destructive power.

(...Luna's magic is amazing, as expected. And Aldo-san too... I might have just seen the first person who can use magic on par with Luna.)

Aria watched the scene calmly as she was impressed.

The fighting continues within the unit. Aria and the others aren't the only ones fighting all the time.

Sometimes, Aria and the others would take turns on watch to assess the overall fighting capability of the unit.

The elite unit is accompanying us this time. However, there are no knights who can match the likes of Aria and Baldus, even with them, and they are struggling quite a bit against the monsters outside the barrier.

(...Hmm, it looks like they are really struggling with just the knights.)

That was true, even including the magic units. Even when everyone was working together, it was rare to get a decisive blow against the monsters outside the barrier.

She thought there might be some knights who would grow if they camped here and fought monsters for a while, but right now, progress was the priority.

At that moment, Luna opened her mouth.

"Aria, isn't it a bit tough for just them?"

"Hmm... yeah, I think it's difficult."

"Then, how about we make it a battle with Sofia's support magic included?"

"...That's right. Okay, Sofia, could you please do it?"

"Understand."

Actually, she wanted everyone to fight without Sofia's support magic, but that's tough.

At Luna's suggestion, Sofia immediately activates her support magic.

At that moment, Luna raised her voice.

"Everyone, from here on out, you will be fighting with Sofia's support magic, so please take care."

In response to Luna's voice, the knights also seemed to understand the changes in their bodies and began to face the monsters.

From that point on, the battles become incomparably easier than before.

With Sofia's support magic, the knights' abilities were boosted, and they successfully defeated the monsters.

(...I think the only one who can fight on par with us is Verrier-sama. For the other knights, I think we will still need them to fight with some level of cooperation.)

Analyzing the situation calmly, Aria began to check the movements of the unit.

Attack, defense, support.

Everyone fulfills their role and advances toward the Aldrian Capital.

As the army advances, Sofia moves along with it.

Using the recovery tool entrusted by Darius as a medium, they were gradually deploying the barrier.

It's a different form than the barrier that is said to rely on just two massive base points set up by the Great Saintess across the entire continent.

If the number is small, a single failure can cause widespread dysfunction, as in this case.

They will compensate for that flaw with multiple recovery tools and proceed while maintaining a stronger and more flexible barrier.

It was only possible with Darius's recovery item.

As Sofia deployed the barrier, Aria voiced a question while keeping watch around them.

"But why do you think the Saintess only deployed in two places?"

"I don't know the reason. Was there some special reason why it could only be done in two places? Or perhaps it interferes with other large-scale magic..."

"I don't think so. I checked a bit before we left, and there weren't any problems."

"...Isn't that how it is?"

Sofia answered quietly, and Luna looked puzzled as well.

Chapter 50