Chapter 283 280

On the city walls of Blumund Royal Capital, adventurers and guards alike stared, dumbfounded, at the swarming monsters charging towards them.

The sheer number of monsters was overwhelming, far exceeding their wildest imaginations.

There were swarms of crimson demon ants, massive Spear-Horned Armored Spiders the size of small houses, and enormous, green, plump mutated caterpillars.

Leaving aside the minor monsters, just the sheer number of high-level monsters, those ranked C or higher, was enough to fill one with despair.

Not to mention the weak ordinary soldiers, even the most experienced adventurers with numerous past achievements were terrified.

"Guild Master Fitz, the monsters are coming!"

Ellen gripped her magic staff, her body trembling slightly.

Guild Master Fitz, the head of the Free Guild Association's branch, was at the pinnacle of Blumund Kingdom's power.

He had always commanded great respect, and at this moment, the decision rested solely with him.

To defend to the death, or to abandon the city and retreat!

Clang!

Guild Master Fitz drew the longsword from his waist. "Everyone, behind us is the Royal Capital of Blumund. Our wives, children, and loved ones are all behind us. We cannot retreat, at least not now. We must buy them more time to evacuate, no matter what!"

Guild Master Fitz's words instantly reignited the fighting spirit of most people.

It wasn't because Guild Master Fitz had strong rallying power, nor was it because he was a great orator. There was only one reason: behind them was the Royal Capital, and all their loved ones were there.

When it came to their families, most people would fight to the death!

"Activate all defensive magic formations in the Royal Capital!"

"All mages, begin chanting preparations!"

"Archers, prepare for your turn!"

"All warriors, protect the mages behind you. Assassins skilled in speed, be ready to support and finish off enemies at any time!"

"..."

As Guild Master Fitz issued his commands, numerous mages simultaneously began chanting.

Brilliant magic formations continuously emerged from the magic staffs of the mages.

"Fire!"

At his command, a volley of arrows arced through the air, streaking towards the charging monsters.

Instantly, countless low-level monsters were struck by arrows, their colorful blood splattering everywhere.

Even from Rimuru's perspective, the power of this arrow rain was quite impressive.

However, it was effective against low-level monsters but not so useful against high-level ones.

High-level monsters either dodged due to their high agility or had tough hides that arrows couldn't penetrate.

After a round of arrow rain, most of the survivors were tough opponents.

Then, at that moment, a round of magic attacks arrived.

First came a barrage of Fireballs, followed by Ice Spikes, and then a small Meteor Shower, and so on.

After a series of magic bombardments, the monsters that died or were injured underwent another round of screening and elimination.

However, by this point, after two rounds of elimination, many powerful high-level monsters had nearly reached the edge of the city walls.

Their various attacks followed one after another!

Then, the magic defensive barrier of the city wall took effect, delaying and blocking all of the monsters' attacks.

During this process, archers, spear teams, and mages continued their relentless rotation and attrition.

The monsters' effective forces were once again depleted!

"Is this the way of war in the Cardinal World?"

Even from Rimuru's perspective, he could sense the great wisdom in these successive waves of attrition.

It must have cost countless lives to develop such a relatively effective combat strategy.

But unfortunately, the number of monsters was too great.

After several continuous rounds, the archers were nearly exhausted, and the mages' magic power was almost completely depleted.

Many mages had no choice but to sit down and meditate to recover their magic!

"All warriors, prepare for close-quarters combat. Protect our mages. All assassins, be ready to support and finish off enemies at any time!"

Guild Master Fitz held his longsword, his voice filled with a tragic solemnity.

In his perception, he had already seen several monsters whose strength was close to C+ or even B-rank.

These monsters were not only powerful but also highly intelligent.

This was very likely his last battle!

Not only Guild Master Fitz, but almost everyone else wore a tragic expression.

The long-range attrition battle was over; now it was time for close-quarters combat!

Those defending the city now wondered how many of them would survive and walk off the city wall!

Even if they did survive, they didn't know what body parts they would leave behind forever.

However, at this moment, everyone was astonished to find a golden-haired girl who had, at some point, stepped out of the Royal Capital's barrier.

She floated in the sky outside the Royal Capital, her clothes fluttering, her long hair dancing, and the lake-blue magic staff in her hand emitted an exceptionally brilliant blue light.

An incredibly vast magic circle appeared in the sky, leaving everyone stunned.

By Luminas Goddess, was she really casting magic?

The magic circle was simply too enormous, almost completely enveloping an area of a thousand meters around the Royal Capital.

"Icebound for Ten Thousand Miles!"

A dazzling blue light shone, forcing everyone to involuntarily close their eyes.

After the blue light faded, when everyone opened their eyes again, their jaws dropped to the ground.

Ice sculptures—everywhere they looked, large and small, were lifelike ice sculptures.

Those ice sculptures, under the sunlight, were so dazzling.

They had become an unforgettable spectacle for everyone, a sight they would never forget in their lives.

Everyone gazed in unison at Rimuru, who was still floating in the sky, their eyes replaced by fanaticism and adoration.

Had Luminas Goddess manifested herself?!

Not to mention those who saw Rimuru for the first time, even Ellen, Kaval, and Gido, who considered themselves as familiar with Rimuru as could be, were completely petrified.

Rimuru was this strong?

If so, what did their two instances of "hero saving the beauty" even amount to?

As for Guild Master Fitz, who had only faintly sensed a trace of Rimuru's aura, he couldn't help but secretly wipe the cold sweat from his forehead.

Strong, truly too strong!

She was practically a living myth!

"Hero, is she the Hero Luminas Goddess specially sent to save us?"

The Luminus Church had a wide following. Looking at Rimuru, who had returned to the city wall, everyone's eyes grew even more fervent.

Searching through all their memories, only the legendary Hero could possess such World-shattering power!

"My Lord Hero!"

Someone shouted, and soon, more and more people began chanting "My Lord Hero."

In just a few blinks, the shouts had even formed a momentum that seemed to pierce the heavens.

Rimuru was somewhat speechless. She hadn't expected that a simple display of her power would lead someone to immediately mistake her for a Hero.

This feeling was truly a bit strange!

After all, she was a true Demon Lord, and an awakened one at that!

It must be said that some events in this World truly unfolded in an absurd manner.