Rin: "Master, are you preparing some kind of magic?"
Inside the inn room, Rin curiously watched Tris as he busied himself around the walls and floor, using spiritual energy and a special ink to draw certain symbols.
Tris: "This is a type of magic that protects the room."
Rin: "Is it different from the magic you usually use before sleeping?"
Tris: "The usual magic I cast has a shorter duration and requires me to constantly supply spiritual energy. This, however, is a magic formation. As long as magic crystals are placed in the right spot as its energy source, it will continue to function without me being here."
Hearing this explanation, Rin immediately asked in surprise:
"Are you planning to go somewhere?"
Tris: "I'll be away for a few days. With this in place, you can still train in the room without worrying about damaging the floor."
Rin: "Are you going to join the Goblin King subjugation event?"
Tris: "Yes, though how much I'll participate still depends on the situation."
Rin: "Can Rin come along?"
Tris: "You won't be able to join the early stages. At most, you might take part in the final phase."
Rin: "Early stages? Do you mean just fighting the Goblin army?"
Tris: "From what I see, it can be divided into three main phases.
First is preparation, like gathering manpower, weapons, and equipment, setting up battlefields, traps, or evacuating civilians, etc.
The second phase is the battle against the Goblin army. You're not ready to fight on such a large-scale battlefield. At best, you could help with logistics.
But instead of wasting time on that, you should keep training. And even if you wanted to take on such tasks, it's unlikely anyone would be willing to pay to hire a child."
Rin nodded, agreeing with his assessment.
Aside from evacuating civilians, which could be dangerous, logistics work was often welcomed and even contested by many poor folk.
Since she could already earn a living hunting Magical Beasts, Rin had no intention of competing for such jobs.
Rin: "Then what is the final phase you mentioned?"
She was curious about what she could take part in.
Tris: "Cleanup. After the Goblin King is defeated, there will still be many Goblins scattered into the surrounding areas that need to be dealt with. That's back to the usual work of adventurers."
Rin: "I see. So at that point, it's just like hunting groups of Magical Beasts as usual."
Once he finished setting up the protective magic, Tris straightened up and stretched.
Rin: "When will you leave?"
Tris: "At dawn tomorrow."
Rin: "I heard the guild will also gather adventurers tomorrow morning. Are you joining them?"
Tris: "No, I plan to act on my own first. If things go well, it might move on to the third phase quickly."
Rin: '??'
Tris: "Alright, since I need to wake up early tomorrow, I'll sleep now. If you want to read or train, feel free. I can sleep fine even with lights or noise."
Rin: "Then Rin will also sleep early tonight."
Not wanting to disturb him in the slightest, she chose to go to bed at the same time, even though she wasn't entirely sleepy yet.
* * * * * * * * * *
The next morning, on the outskirts of Aldor City, a crowd armed with weapons and clad in armor gathered. They could be divided into three groups.
The largest group numbered several thousand. They wore fairly uniform attire, from weapons to armor. These were the regular soldiers of the territory.
The second group had only a few hundred, looking scattered and disorganized. Their clothing, weapons, and gear varied widely. It was easy to tell they were adventurers who had chosen to join this special mission.
The final group was very small, only a few dozen. All of them wore garments rich in religious symbolism. They were the ones sent to support from the Church of Light.
Though the smallest in number, no one here was foolish enough to show disdain toward them.
The holy knights had all undergone harsh training, each one a formidable warrior. As for the Mages of the Church of Light, every one of them possessed excellent support magic, with healing being among their most vital skills.
In battle, who could confidently claim they would never suffer harm? For that reason, of course, no one was stupid enough to provoke or antagonize those who held the power of healing, something that could mean the difference between life and death in a crisis.
Captain Marcus: "Once again, thank you both for coming to support us."
Bishop Peter: "This is our duty."
Guildmaster John, standing beside them, nodded in agreement.
After a few polite words, they quickly began their work. John first reported the number of adventurers:
"Currently, more than 200 adventurers are present here. Because the call was so sudden, many were unable to prepare in time. My vice guildmaster is still working behind the scenes to recruit more. Another group should be assembled in the coming days."
Peter: "The five Mages from our side all have healing abilities. If anyone is injured, send them to us immediately."
Marcus: "As for my side, there are three thousand soldiers here. Most will be divided into groups of fifty to protect and evacuate civilians. The smaller remainder will be under my direct command for research and battle preparations. I hope your forces will also provide support for this."
John: "Only three thousand soldiers for now?"
Marcus: "The Count just informed me that the rest must temporarily remain in the city for certain duties. When the real battle begins, they will be sent afterward."
John: "Alright then. I have no further objections."
Marcus: "Good. Then let's begin immediately. SOLDIERS, HEAR MY COMMAND…"
He shouted toward his subordinates.