Even during breaks, Luna and Sofia used their magic to investigate the internal structure of the capital from afar.

Aria and the others were looking at the unfolded map.

The map had several markings on it. Luna put her hand on her chin and opened her mouth with a stern expression.

"...The situation is more serious than I thought."

"So, it's difficult to regenerate the barrier?"

When Aria tilted her head and asked, Luna nodded slightly.

"Perhaps because it's been some time since the barrier broke around here... the magical power has become quite turbulent... Originally, I was thinking of proceeding as usual and creating the barrier... but it seems we should change the plan..."

Luna said that, but her tone wasn't very clear.

As if to prove it, she added new marks on the map.

Three points and a mark indicating the exact middle of them. The three points are arranged like vertices, and if connected by lines, they would form a triangle.

"Based on the magic detection just now... it seems we'll need to deploy barriers simultaneously at several points to suppress the magic here."

"...At the same time?"

"Yes, otherwise... if we only deploy it in one place, it will be crushed and destroyed by the runaway magical power. So, we deploy it simultaneously and forcibly suppress it with force. The central point of the royal castle, where the barrier originally was, and three points surrounding it... a total of four places."

The marks Luna had made on the map were exactly like that.

However, that also helped them understand why Luna was so hesitant.

(That means we'll have to split our forces... We three sisters can handle three locations. But what about the last one?)

Aria tried to allocate her forces in her head, but there was still one place that felt weak in terms of strength.

At Luna's words, Sofia, Baldus, Aldo, and Verrier also gasp.

"...Should we return to the kingdom once and regroup our forces?"

Sofia made the most realistic suggestion. However, Luna quietly shook her head.

"No, that's not possible. The current capital is... well, it's like a bomb with a lit fuse. You never know when the magical power will explode and engulf this entire area... If that happens, we might have to start all over again from the barrier between Aldrian and the country of Asteria."

Everyone gasped at Luna's statement.

Anyone could easily imagine that the situation was the worst possible.

And then Luna continued speaking with a serious expression.

"...Unlike where Darius-san's workshop is, the magic here is far too unstable. Of course, there's a chance the instability could work in our favor... but I'd rather be pessimistic than optimistic."

Aria agrees with that opinion, too.

The fact that it's filled with unstable magic means there's also the possibility that the magic could become even thinner.

However, there's also the possibility that things could get worse than they are now, and they didn't want to make an optimistic judgment here.

"I've come prepared."

The first to speak was Verrier. There was neither fear nor hesitation in her eyes.

"...I have come this far for the sake of my country. The same goes for my subordinates... So, please don't worry about us."

At those words, Aldo also nodded silently.

"This is an excellent opportunity to repay the favor to Darius-dono. Besides, this companion who helped me fulfill my dream wouldn't allow me to retreat here."

Next, Baldus confidently pats the hilt of the sword at his waist and gives a defiant laugh.

"Yes, I feel the same way. Besides... this child, who was struck by Darius-dono, is saying that they really want to run wild."

The three of them, their unwavering resolve.

Upon hearing that, Luna's expression showed a hint of hesitation.

Sofia also remained silent, her expression worried.

As if to dispel the slight hesitation of her sisters, Aria thumped her chest hard.

"If that's the most reliable strategy, let's go with it. Luna, Sofia, and I will head to three locations individually, and Baldus-san, Aldo-san, Verrier-sama, and the knights will go to the remaining one. Luna, Sofia, please investigate the four locations and find the one with the least threat from monsters. We'll have Baldus-san and the others go there."

"...Yes, that's right. I understand."

"...Yeah, leave it to me."

Aria made the final decision, and Luna and Sofia immediately nodded in agreement.

Even though she was the eldest, Aria understood Luna and Sofia's feelings perfectly, but she believed it was her duty to guide them.

Chapter 52