Xingtie, started with a guitar, and made a living by singing

Although it was a bit embarrassing to face the strange looks from the waiters, Wendy really had a hard time making ends meet because she had to buy gifts for the children in the lower district.

However, at least he is not a guy who only takes advantage of others.

After coming outside the cabin, Pera felt the temperature drop significantly after nightfall, and she rubbed her palms gently and breathed on them.

Wendy took out the mechanical bird that she had exchanged from Clara from the "Eye of God". After being "repaired" by the elemental power, it had already been completely renewed.

This strange appearance immediately caught Pera's attention. Birds were officially declared extinct in Beloberg's history.

Although there are many remaining portraits and imitations in Beloberg, it is rare to find such a delicate structure...

It feels like something that would be stored in a history and culture museum, rather than something that a bard who is too poor to afford food would casually pull out.

Thinking of this, Pyrrha raised her head slightly and asked.

"This is?"

"It's a gift for you."

"Putting aside the question of its unknown origin, just looking at its appearance, you know it must be very valuable, right? I can't accept it."

"Don't worry. I got this from a cute little sister in exchange for a nice story. Even though it looks beautiful now, it was actually almost scrapped before. I spent a lot of effort to fix it.

Also, when I took it apart earlier, I noticed the gears and components inside were basically the same as they were during the pioneer period. The storage unit isn't broken either, so there might be some information hidden inside. It wouldn't be a bad idea to give it to someone like you who's good at uncovering secrets."

Wendy explained very easily, and although Pera was a little embarrassed by the comment that she was "good at digging out secrets", she was indeed more curious about the creations from the pioneering period.

After all, there was no need for Wendy to lie to her, and it didn't seem like she could afford such an expensive item. So she just assumed that he was short of money and embarrassed to be treated, so he had to bring this to "compensate".

So Pella didn't act pretentiously, but took it openly and said seriously.

"In this case, it is indeed necessary to leave it with me to investigate its origins. After the data is verified, I will deal with it properly."

"Yeah. That's right, you have to treat it well. It might bring you good luck!"

Seeing Wendy's mysterious look, Pella didn't want to point out his superstition, so she just smiled helplessly.

However, what she didn't know was that this mechanical bird actually had the ability to bring luck to its "holder".

Now blessed by "Barbatos", its original functions such as "intelligent route guidance", "environmental information collection", and "crisis signal recognition" have been strengthened.

Something as simple as bringing a gust of warm breeze to the girl is within its scope of work.

In addition, there are also many hidden functions, but the more detailed ones will have to wait for Miss Pella to study them slowly.

After confirming that the mechanical bird was successfully started, Wendy also said at the right time.

"Well, it's getting late. Do you want me to take you home?"

"Ah, no thanks. I have to go back to the Intelligence Department to spend the night, so it's not convenient for me to bring anyone over."

Pella, who was surprised at the smooth operation of the mechanical bird and did not look like a mechanical creature, answered subconsciously.

Although she blushed immediately after realizing what was happening, she didn't dare to look at Wendy's expression and could only cry out in her heart.

Didn't what I just said mean "If you don't go to the Intelligence Department, I can take you home"?!

"Is that so? Then, 'May the gentle breeze accompany you and you spend a peaceful night.'"

The poet failed to understand the true meaning of the girl's words. After making up some nonsense like a nobleman, he left happily like the wind without waiting for her reply.

Only Pella, who remained where she was, looked in surprise at the direction he had left, then looked at the mechanical bird perched on her shoulder. It was hard to say whether her tone was one of disappointment or confusion.

"Wendy's a real jerk, isn't she?"

In response, the mechanical bird simply tilted its head, looked at her, and did not answer.

Perhaps feeling ashamed of herself for talking to herself like this, Miss Pera quickly pushed up her glasses and put on a serious face.

After looking around and finding that no one was looking at her, she breathed a sigh of relief.

"—I almost did something out of character again. I always feel like my whole rhythm is off when I'm with Wendy."

Is this a good thing or a bad thing?

No one answered the girl's delicate thoughts, and the poet riding the wind came to the new crack not long after leaving.

The familiar smell brought by the wind really made him concerned.

Chapter 14: Rift and Defense

Night on the edge of Beloberg.

"Silvermane Iron Guards, follow me and charge! We will not allow any monster to pass through the defense line!"

"Yes--!"

Waves of hurried footsteps broke the tranquility of the night, and following the orders issued by the young guard officer, they all rushed into this silent and deserted death place.

In front of them was a newly opened rift, a spatial crack that continued to spread like a tumor, continuously emitting corrosive energy.

Inside the ever-expanding fissure, monsters were vomited out one after another, accompanied by tremors like the peristalsis of the esophagus.

The first to arrive were the Masks of the Thoughtless, floating creatures composed of the faces of victims of the Rift's erosion. They possessed no thoughts, no emotions, and whatever had once been human had long since vanished.

The dark and hollow interior of the sphere was channeling the nearby Rift Energy, casting a thin halo over the Eternal Winter Shadow that subsequently crawled out.

It was almost visible to the naked eye that the originally slow movements of the humanoid monsters suddenly became swift, and their heads made of ice spikes stared fixedly at the Silver Mane Iron Guards who formed a human wall and blocked their way.

As it moved, the twisted armor crackled, and the icy axe blade in its hand flashed a sharp cold light. The force was so great that anyone who despised it would pay a heavy price.

However, before it could take the lead, a blond young man wearing a silver helmet and holding a huge shield converted from a piano case rushed out. His boots left a shallow mark on the ground, and his punch, which arrived later but was the first to arrive, hit the enemy in the face.

"Drink——!"

Teeth-grinding cracking and banging sounds were heard instantly, and the Eternal Winter Scourge Shadow was knocked back by the punch. Half of the ice on its head shattered, and its neck seemed to be twisted several times like a pretzel, and it crashed directly into the group of monsters rushing towards it from behind.

Its fall knocked several monsters away, causing the already disordered group of monsters to become chaotic and blocking the exit of the rift.

The young guard officer waved back.

"—Prepare for suppressive fire!"

The silver-maned gunners in the rear camp all set up their steam hand cannons. No, rather than hand cannons, they were more like some kind of large-caliber gun cannon.

The next moment after the barrel was preheated, they, wearing arm armor, growled and aimed the muzzle at the group of monsters that had spread out in just a few breaths. As they leaned back due to the vibration of recoil, the sound of artillery roared in an instant.

The auxiliary silver-maned archers were responsible for accurately shooting at monsters that were not covered by the artillery. Every shot from the long-barreled guns loaded with laceration bullets would take away a crystal elemental creature that intended to take off.

These bird-like monsters, composed of crystal elements wandering in the Rift, have only simple intelligence, but their mere existence will continuously bring low temperatures to the surrounding area. It is extremely dangerous if they escape the encirclement and rush into residential areas.

Therefore, a large number of shooters are responsible for finishing off the shots while also keeping an eye on their movements.

When the artillery in front stopped for a while and needed to be reloaded, the guards of the Silver Mane Iron Guard launched a charge with roars.

This simple tactic often has a good suppressing effect against monsters that don't have much intelligence.

However, the young guard officer who charged into battle alongside the guards had a vague sense that something was amiss.

It was as if this place was being boiled in a cauldron. The low temperature originally brought by the Eternal Winter Shadow and the Frost Crystal Creation disappeared at some point, and was replaced by a stuffy heat.

After swinging a giant piano case shield taller than a man to smash the crystal creature that was attacking him, he cast his gaze on the street on the other side. There was another battlefield where his comrades were fighting, and it was also guarded by extremely noble people.

"...Is that the main battlefield?"

The young guard officer whispered to himself.

"Oh no! Guard Officer Jeppard! Imaginary monsters are pouring out!"

The deputy following him gave a timely reminder and also raised his halberd to prepare for another charge.

This strange life form that does not belong to this world, its body penetrates into reality like a sick branch, and in its hands, imaginary numbers are transformed into the power to wantonly transform reality.

As it swung its sharp claws, a golden mark rose in the air, and the Silver Mane Guards in front of it who were about to attack were instantly knocked away by the power of imaginary numbers. The simple light armor was not enough to withstand the erosion of the imaginary power.

The two collided, and before the injured person could even scream, his body was thrown high into the air, and his heart armor was completely shattered.

"—!"

Jeppard could even see the warrior's chest cave in, blood spurting out of the observation hole in his triangular helmet. After rolling on the ground a few times, he twitched a few times and lost the ability to move.

Situations like this occurred one after another after the imaginary monsters appeared.

During this period, a hideous gap appeared in the encirclement of the Silvermane Iron Guards. A large number of monsters rushed in, and some musketeers who had not yet had time to reload were instantly exposed to the attacks of the enemy monsters.

However, no one retreated. If they did, their formation would inevitably become disrupted and their fighting spirit would plummet.

The captain of the guards shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Hurry up and push forward, don't let the monster continue to tear open the rift!"

Even if doing so would result in greater casualties and at most delay the offensive, there were still Iron Guards who rushed forward recklessly, trying to buy a chance to survive for their companions.

And Jeppard did not sit idly by. Even though he was very worried about the safety of the front line on the other side, if he wanted to provide reinforcements, he had to speed up the resolution of the battle here!

After making a quick decision in his mind, Jeppard shouted loudly.

"In the name of Landau--!"

He stepped forward resolutely, and the piano case shield in his hand drew a stern arc in the air. The protective power contained in his will and heart, combined with the equipment's own position protection device, a piece of solid ice rose from the base of the shield.

"After going through the ice and snow, I have forged this ambition, which will never end!"

As the words fell, the ice instantly formed a giant, insurmountable barrier like an iceberg. A large number of monsters were directly pushed back by this attack, and each of the Silver Mane Iron Guards present was covered with a layer of transparent light film.

The attacks from the monsters that were not distinguished in time, which were enough to leave scars or cause casualties, only caused a tiny ripple.

"All Silvermane Guards! Follow my command and launch a counterattack!"

At this time, Jeppard roared again, and the way he rushed towards the imaginary monster without hesitation made many Iron Guards admire him.

They immediately carried out the order and did not hesitate because of the attacks on them. They quickly organized a large-scale counterattack, which immediately dealt a heavy blow to the monsters in the Rift. Their offensive power was immediately weakened.

No one noticed that a fresh breeze seemed to flow into the originally stagnant and dull battlefield, taking away the stuffiness that affected the fighting spirit, leaving only coolness.

The soldiers here became more and more courageous as the battle went on, but on the other side of the battlefield they were locked in a difficult and life-and-death battle.

After the monster, which was several stories high, covered with heavy armor and had blazing flames burning inside, crawled out of the crack, the Silver Mane Iron Guards present had already made up their minds to die.

If it weren't for that stern and noble figure who never retreated a single step and instead relied on superb tactical movements to command the counterattack, I'm afraid this place would have been reduced to ashes.

However, the absolute power gap could not be bridged by tactical attacks alone. The girl fighting on the front line became increasingly pale, with a sickly red flush on her cheeks, her lips became chapped, and her throat became hoarse and sore.

Her eyes fell many times on her comrades who had suffered varying degrees of burns and were about to lose their combat effectiveness. Her heart was filled with anxiety and the rationality of forcing herself to remain calm.

Similarly, there was another possibility hidden in her heart that she was extremely reluctant to think about.

...Did my mother's plan go wrong?

Chapter 15 Bronya Rand

A fiery monster from the outer universe, or more accurately, a flame from the outer universe.

This kind of monster, which continues to spread throughout the Flame Domain simply by existing, has always been one of the most troublesome monsters for the Silver Mane Iron Guards.

Although it is not an enemy that the Iron Guards cannot deal with, they still want to defeat a powerful enemy of the level of the Flame of the Outer Universe.

In addition to having sufficient manpower, supplies, and weapons, they also need "elites" who are strong enough to restrain the monsters' attacks.

Only in this way can true victory be assured. Otherwise, even if the Iron Guards fought to the end, they would still have to pay a heavy price in casualties in exchange for a bitter victory.

Sadly, since the current Grand Guardian took office, almost every victory in the battle has been inseparable from such sacrifices.

Now, even if she is unwilling to show weakness, it is unrealistic for her to deal with the opponent by herself. Just trying her best to deal with him is already the limit.

Moreover, as time goes by, her physical strength will decline, her energy will be insufficient, and the damage she sustained will not be replenished. She is simply no match for the monsters who do not know what exhaustion is.

If this continues, everyone present may face the threat of death.

Bronya Rand, the young heir to the Grand Guardian, feels deeply powerless.

But orders cannot be disobeyed.

Before nightfall, she received direct orders from the Grand Guardian, requiring her to suppress the new rift that had spread into the edge passage, and to hold the waiting square until dawn, waiting for the rear to complete the military mobilization and reinforcement.

But in the current situation, let alone holding on until dawn, it is already very difficult to maintain the front line from retreating, and the support that was promised in advance has not arrived yet.

After dodging the opponent's fireballs like a machine gun again, she gritted her teeth and raised her gun to shoot again, trying her best to squeeze out the little strength she had left. The bullet wrapped in the cyclone hit the opponent's head.