Published: July 3, 2025
“Damn it, they have a lot of numbers. Hurry up and escape through the third secret passage!”
“It’s the third one! The first and second have been compromised. It’s got to be the third!”
Knight Zack and Scotty were holding off the enemy while constructing a defensive line at the ‘Southern Hideout’ to buy time for their allies to escape through the secret passage.
“Still, this guard squad is quite efficient.”
“It seems some of the guards that were protecting the royal capital are part of it. Well, they have to make a living too. They might not have a problem serving the ‘Betrayer King.’”
While exchanging such conversations, the two fought against the incoming guard squad, resolutely defending the entrance corridor of the hideout.
To prepare for such attacks, a long, narrow corridor was built for easy defense at the entrance.
There wasn’t just one entrance.
As a hideout, there were two direct entrances, one to the north and one to the south.
However, both entrances were under simultaneous attack from the guard squad, with the southern entrance facing particularly fierce resistance.
The defense was led by C-rank adventurer Shouken.
Shouken was one of the seasoned adventurers who had navigated numerous dangerous situations, including overseeing the protection of a delegation to Twilight Land.
At the moment the delegation returned to the royal capital, his party disbanded, and the other party members moved on to a leisurely life with the gold they had saved.
Although Shouken had saved a decent amount of money, he had no hometown to return to, so he remained in the adventurers' guild of the royal capital, settling into a semi-staff lifestyle… However, the fall of the royal capital changed everything, and before he knew it, he had thrown himself into being a ‘rebel.’
Defending the southern entrance under Shouken’s command were former d-rank and e-rank adventurers.
They were definitely not ones to be called elite, but still, they put their bodies on the line to ensure the escape of rebel members who were not suited for combat.
“Tch… they’re not that strong, but there are so many of them.”
“We don’t need to defeat them. Just buy time!”
“We have to hold on until those scattered in the royal capital can come back…”
As they encouraged one another, the rebels desperately defended the entrance.
But… they were clearly outnumbered.
If there wasn’t a significant difference in strength, the side with greater numbers would inevitably have the advantage.
“This is bad… they’re breaking through.”
They had managed to hold on until now, but the collapse of the southern entrance was imminent.
And as expected, the guard squad charged in to ensure a breakthrough.
“Ugh…”
The rebels, centered around Shouken, braced for a breakthrough and for death.
At that moment…
Fire arrows shot from the side, piercing through the charging guard squad.
A single arrow of flame split into five, launching a wide-area attack that could pierce through multiple enemies if aimed well.
And the fire arrows that unfolded before them, whether due to skilled technique or sheer luck, incapacitated over ten members of the guard squad.
At that moment, three women surged in.
A spear warrior swept through the ranks, a scout plunged throwing knives into the enemies' necks, and a swordswoman ensured the defeat of the guards.
Truly, the maidens racing across the battlefield… or perhaps, the warrior women bringing death…
“The ‘Valkyries’ have arrived!”
Shouken recognized them immediately, having fought alongside them during the delegation. There was no mistake.
The unusual c-rank party consisting of five women, led by swordswoman Imogen, known as the ‘Valkyries.’
What a reassuring ally to have at this moment!
“Let’s go! Let’s push them back!”
At Shouken’s command, the rebels stood up.
They successfully coordinated with the ‘Valkyries’ to push back the guard squad that had surged from the south.
In this way, they managed to reestablish the southern entrance of the hideout.