They entered the city from each of the three gates of the Aldrian Capital.

The operation is simple and straightforward.

In each assigned district, they infuse magic into the recovery tools and activate the barrier. That's all there is to it.

However, there are many monsters along the way.

Aria sprints straight toward her assigned district.

There were also groups of monsters in their path.

She drew her beloved sword, 'Altair,' and engaged the enemy.

"Gaaaar!"

The monsters that had pounced on them, Aria dodged their attacks and raised her sword above her head.

"Get out of the way!"

The slash of the released magic sword instantly mows down the surrounding enemies, allowing her to dash through the gap.

(Luna, I can't fall behind Sofia, can I...!)

Taking a light breath, Aria starts running toward her destination again.

Aria eventually reached her destination, the district.

However, there was a monster there that looked stronger than the ones she had seen along the way.

It's a legendary monster called a manticore, the face of a human with the body of a lion and the tail of a scorpion.

Even within the barrier, it's a powerful monster, so much so that the Knights frequently receive requests to defeat it.

It stood before Aria as if it were the last guardian, roaring.

"...I don't think I can deploy the barrier until I take them down."

Aria immediately drew her sword and kicked off the ground.

In an instant, she closes the distance, gets inside, and delivers a powerful blow.

However, the manticore absorbed it with its thick chest and immediately swung its front paws.

Of course, Aria didn't receive such an attack, but she was surprised by how sturdy it was, more than she had expected, and a smile played on her lips.

Aria has always enjoyed fighting. However, she is currently in the middle of a mission.

Suppressing her rising excitement, she infused her magic to make a decisive move.

"Then, how about this?!"

Aria kicked off the ground and soared high into the sky.

She slammed her beloved sword 'Altair' straight down, unleashing a blow that channeled all her weight and magic.

The sword imbued with magic emitted a faint light. The manticore had blocked the attack and was likely about to counterattack again.

However, it didn't block the attack. Aria's blow was imbued with magic as it easily pierced through the enemy.

The monster's massive body twitched once, then collapsed completely and fell silent.

"Alright, we've arrived safely... And."

Aria was convinced she would be the first to arrive, so she looked up at the sky to launch the signal magic.

At that moment, a pillar of blue light rose from the direction of the Magitech Academy district toward the heavens.

"...Oh, Luna beat me to it."

Aria had been muttering regretfully, but now she saw magic erupt from the district Sofia was heading toward.

"N-no. This is terrible! I'm last!"

Aria immediately infused her sword with magic and swung it toward the heavens.

Pure white light pierces the sky as the third signal.

Three lights crossed in the sky above the capital and then disappeared.

That was the signal to start.

Aria took a bracelet-shaped recovery device out of her pocket.

And when she poured her own magic into it, the recovery item gently floated from Aria's hand and began to emit a dazzling light in the air.

Mysterious magic is overflowing into the surroundings.

The stagnant magical power that had enveloped this district was being purified, and Aria could feel it on her skin.

Aria turns her gaze toward the direction where the magic rose just now.

She could tell that the district where Luna and Sofia were was also overflowing with divine magical power in the same way.

(Yes... I did it! Now, the barrier is... all that's left is to regroup in the center and then―)

It was at that moment that Aria was convinced the operation would succeed.

As if fleeing the light of purification, all the ominous magical power that remained in the city. She sensed it converging toward the plaza in front of the central royal castle.

(...! This ominous magical power... the center...!? Could it be that something... is happening where Baldus-sama and the others are...!?)

The moment Aria thought, she saw a wave of despairing magic, enough to cover the sky, erupt from the direction of the royal castle.

To join up quickly, Aria kicked off the ground with a powerful leap, but as she was in mid-air, the remaining monsters appeared.

"Oh, come on! Get out of the way!"

Swinging her sword and fending off the monsters, Aria headed toward the center.

Chapter 53