The previously sluggish Grace Worm began its fullon assault on the Seventh Castle, revealing its horrific fangs at that exact moment.

“Wow, look at that.”

“It’s not just the appearance; even the smell is overwhelming, right?”

Killian, usually frugal with his expressions, twisted his nose and grimaced.

“Shouldn’t it be tasty by now?”

“Stop showing off.”

As Raymond shrugged his shoulders, Killian completed setting up the catapult and loaded it with a bundle of oilsoaked cloth.

All the cloth left in the castle had been hurriedly turned into oil bundles, which looked crude.

Yet, nobody laughed at the sight.

It was the desperate result of struggling against an unyielding tension.

Killian aimed at the Grace Worm, which was attacking the castle in turns.

Behind him, Elizabeth held a flaming arrow.

The surroundings were soaked in oil.

If they lit it now, they’d all be roasted together.

So, they planned to shoot the oil bundle first, followed by the flaming arrow to ignite it in midair.

It was not an easy task.

Still, if it could reduce even one Grace Worm, it had to be done.

Fourteen Grace Worms in total.

Though Gillian seemed to have little hope, the leaders could not give up.

If anyone had to be let go, it would be enough to part ways with Silerus Barlock.

They had resolved never to do so again.

A small piece of cloth was attached to the arrow tip.

Should the flame go out midway, it would be problematic; hence, they attached oilsoaked cloth to the arrow.

Though flames continuously shot from the flaming arrow tip, Elizabeth did not blink as she pulled the bowstring.

“Is it too far yet? Are you going to fire only one shot? Elizabeth’s eyes must be bad!”

Raymond could not hide his impatience when Killian didn’t give the signal.

Still, Killian held out for a long while.

The wind direction was unfavorable.

They were at the Fourth Castle.

From here to the Seventh Castle, the distance was immense.

The weight of the oil bundle was substantial, laden with thick, gellike oil.

Falling in a backdraft would be a loss.

They had to catch the wind.

Whooosh

In that moment when it seemed like flames were blazing all around, the wind direction changed.

“Fire!”

Killian did not miss the moment and shouted.
Raymond’s blade cut through the air, and the oil shell soared high.

Then it collided with the following fire arrow from Elizabeth and flared up like a shooting star.

“Ha.”

The elongated light was both majestic and beautiful.

Thwack!

It was certain that the star that precisely hit the Grace Worm was truly a wishgranting shooting star.

With the sound of fireworks exploding, a Grace Worm began to burn.

“Squaaa!”

The Grace Worm, which had been pounding the castle walls with its bulky body, writhed and screamed.

Thud, thud!

Its flapping overcoat fiercely fluttered, pounding the castle walls like waves.

Subsequently, the cracked castle walls began to crumble.

From the newly repaired areas, they crumbled with a rumble.

Even upon seeing the castle crumble, the commanders could not hide their excitement.

“Did you see?”

“It worked.”

They looked at each other’s faces, revealing their heightened emotions.

‘Wait for me.’

It had always been the duke, who had shown his back and distanced himself.

Like a protected child, he risked his life scrambling behind a few monsters.

This was a onesided and vertical relationship.

A pathetic relationship, not even between a master and a knight.

But he had thought it was inevitable.

Because monsters were not an area that humans could handle.

He thought it was unavoidable.

But was it not?

Something welled up inside his chest.

He didn’t know if it was emptiness or belated excitement.

But one thing was certain.

They would never leave their master alone again.

“Reload!”

Raymond, who had snapped back to reality, yelled at Killian, and they soon completed preparations for another shot.

The smell of oil stung their noses, and everything was slippery.

But at this moment, nowhere was more splendid for them than this place.

“Fire!”

The profound darkness lit up, and once again, fireworks exploded in the air.

“I want to follow you.”

Creta slowly followed behind Gillian’s walking pace.

“No.”

“I know I won’t be helpful. But, take me with you.”

“Why, if you’re not helpful?”

Contrary to the melancholy Creta, Gillian’s words sounded cheerfully pleasant.

“……”

“Why?”

I can’t leave my master alone for the second time.

Swallowing the words he could not utter, Creta took another step, following the footprint Gillian had left.

They had reached the door of the 5th castle.

Gillian, who had stepped out with the castle door wide open, lightly pushed Creta.

“I’ll be back, so wait.”

“Your Grace.”

“Don’t worry.”

“Please, let me accompany you.”

“Have you forgotten, Creta? The Barlock Dukes have never lied.”

For a moment, Creta’s eyes widened.

‘How could I refuse Termina’s call?’

Silerus Barlock did not promise to return.

In the brief moment of hesitation, the massive door of the castle closed before his eyes.

Thud.

Gillian Barlock had left.