Baldus and Aldo are also clutching their partners, preparing for battle.

The expressions on Baldus and his companions' faces were more grim than Verrier had ever seen before. It wasn't just the tension of warriors facing a formidable enemy. It looked to Verrier as if they were prepared for their own deaths, and yet, they still weren't sure if they could win.

However, a smile quickly graces that expression.

There's a hint of excitement mixed with the expressions on Baldus and Aldo's faces.

Verrier recognized it.

The challenger's face is seen when a warrior confronts a strong opponent, a characteristic unique to warriors.

That's why Verrier immediately grips her sword tightly. In response,

"...First, let's check the barrier! Everyone, cast your spells!"

"...Let's all pave the way for Verrier-sama. Aldo-sama, are you ready?"

"Ah, I understand. Verrier-sama, we will draw the enemy's attention. In the meantime, please, that dagger to it."

Baldus and Aldo raise their weapons.

At those words, Verrier felt the determination of the two of them deeply conveyed.

Verrier nodded deeply while scolding her body that was about to tremble with fear.

To reclaim the country. She had no intention of backing down here.

"...Ah, I understand. Everyone! Move according to the instructions of these two!"

Verrier immediately gave instructions. Then, she held Darius's sword in her right hand and the Crystallium dagger given to her by the King of Asteria in her left.

Baldus roared and charged toward the giant beast. His swordplay was honed, each strike hitting with the force of a storm.

The barrier was deployed, but it was swept away with such force that it seemed to carry the barrier itself.

"It seems the barrier isn't completely nullifying all techniques...!"

Baldus continues to swing his sword with a curious smile.

As Baldus said, the Tyranno Behemoth is slowly retreating.

Even though there was no damage, the impact seemed to have lingered.

Aldo moved nimbly, darting around in front of the Tyranno Behemoth and casting spells.

He himself is clad in wind magic, moving at high speed as gracefully as a bird in flight.

And he did that while controlling not just him, but the entire unit.

(...So this is the former hero?)

In the Asteria Kingdom, there is a hero who has mastered both the sword and magic.

This country was considered stronger than any other precisely because these two were there.

However, even combining those heroes and knights, the Tyranno Behemoth shows no sign of flinching.

The Tyranno Behemoth swings its massive tail with a weary air. With a single swing, the ground is gouged out, and trees are mowed down.

If even one blow landed, there would be no life left. Knowing this, the two of them narrowly avoided attacks and were looking for an opening to counterattack.

Baldus continued his barrage of attacks, drawing attention to himself above all else.

Sweat was beading on his forehead, and they could tell the muscles in his entire body were screaming.

Aldo is also continuously deploying magic while maintaining a cool demeanor and providing support to the group.

The fatigue is immeasurable.

Verrier watched the scene as she was holding her breath.

The movements, attack patterns, and defensive barriers of the Tyranno Behemoth.

It's to take advantage of the opening they'll create by risking their lives to earn money.

Verrier concentrates all her senses to gather information.

(That gem on its chest... is it a magic stone?)

In her observations, Verrier understood.

When the Tyranno Behemoth deploys its barrier, she notices that the magic stone on its chest is emitting a faint light.

If that's the energy source needed to deploy the barrier... then if they destroy it.

And then, that chance arrived.

(...This is the only place!)

The Tyranno Behemoth's body turned in a direction other than Verrier.

With a sudden burst, she kicked off the ground and headed toward the Tyranno Behemoth.

At that moment, Aldo's wind magic pushed Verrier in the back.

With a light, airy sensation, it accelerates rapidly.

Then, kicking off the ground, she leaped toward the chest of the Tyranno Behemoth.

Like an arrow, Verrier soars into the sky.

And then, in Verrier's field of vision, the magic stone on Tyranno Behemoth's chest is reflected.

Approaching. Approaching.

The target was only one. The moment she gripped the dagger in her left hand tightly.

"...Argh!"

However, the Tyranno Behemoth wasn't just standing by and watching.

Perhaps sensing the abnormality immediately, the Tyranno Behemoth's head swiveled around to glare at Verrier.

The creature that sensed Verrier's movement opened its mouth wide, and a fireball shot out from it.

"Verrier-sama!"

She can hear the knights' screams. Aldo tried to cast a spell immediately, but it won't be in time.

But Verrier had no hesitation.

As if guided, she gripped the sword in her right hand tightly.

Darius's sword shines as if it has a will of its own.

"Haaah...!"

Verrier swung her sword, as if guided by its brilliance.

The next moment.

The fireball split in two, its trajectory veering left and right.

Chapter 55