Seirei Gensouki's
Chapter 102: Second Day of Afternoon Feast, After

The interior of the hall became noisy due to the sudden visit of unwelcome visitors.

"THEY'RE HERE!"

「THEY ARE HERE TOO!」

Two groups of robbers emerged from two parts.

One group came from the door, and another group from the window, and then with a quick movement they stormed the inside of the hall.

They wore black clothes on their bodies and white masks to hide their faces.

「UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!」

In the blink of an eye, the nobles around him panicked.

Waves like chaos continued to spread even more widely.

「DO NOT COME!」

"RUN IT!"

The inside of the hall had fallen apart as everyone tried to be the first to escape.

"QUIET DOWN!"

「PLEASE LET US PASS P WE WILL CHANGE THEM BURGLAR!」

Even the guard knights patrolling inside the hall could not move well as they were pushed back by the crowd.

Although those knights had undergone training in preparation for the emergency case, it was not the same for many nobles in that place.

Of course among them there are some who have received combat training, some of them are even recognized for their military service, but they are a minority.

Clearly, since the group that caused the panic was irrational, it was inevitable that they would lose the initiative to deal with the emergency.

First of all it was already abnormal for such a group to be able to pass through the castle defenses and march to the place without anyone realizing it beforehand.

Because it seems that they have taken action against the abnormal situation due to the tight defense outside the venue.

His presence was tightly controlled, so they exerted a minimum number of knights within the hall for the sake of appearance.

When it came to that, it was natural to think that there was a collaborator of the thieves among the invited guests.

But now is not the time to find the culprit.

「Move as previously planned. Now spread！ 」

The person who looked like the leader of the group gave the order, the thieves then spread into the group of two.

It seems they are trying to commit some kind of outrageous crime.

Their deft movements show that they have been trained for this before.

Therefore, no doubt could be felt from their actions.

They just pushed through the instantaneous gap created due to chaos—

They had to act quickly, it was only a matter of time before the guard knights in that place regained their freedom of movement and then turned around to intercept the thieves.

Every second counts for this thief and perhaps the difference between victory or defeat.

The robbers ran straight through the inside of the hall with more nimble movements and superior strength than normal people.

「HYIIIIII!」

The crowd of nobles was neatly separated which helped the movement of the thieves.

The knights pushed through the waves of nobles while the thieves continued to advance smoothly through the paths prepared for them.

There were some knights who tried to disturb the robbers who were hiding among the crowd but,

Section 2

「GA!」

They fell to the ground as thieves stabbed their chests with knives.

Although there were knights who tried to move at their own discretion, it was useless because the individual fighting abilities of the thief were high. That is the current disaster.

The knights were overwhelmed as the two groups of thieves could coordinate perfectly against the single knights.

Moreover, the one-on-one fighting abilities of the thieves and knights were more or less the same.

Although some knights had fallen to the ground, the thieves would advance unhindered if left as they were.

By the way, everyone, excluding the guards of the Galwark kingdom place, was forbidden from bringing their weapons into the hall.

Even the weapons carried by the defense knights were only a stick and a knife. It was because they remembered that they only needed to catch criminals. So it was all on the grounds of not inflicting casualties, because in the middle of the crowd something that was too long would be difficult to swing and would most likely injure those around him.

Against the thief who had received a lot of training to pierce through the crowd, the defensive side was clearly in a very disadvantageous position.

The thieves make the best use of the time they have, until the knights can overcome their movements, to run towards their target with all their strength.

They're headed—,

「O-OY, They're headed our way!」

Hiroaki shouted with a shrill voice.

That's right, the thieves gathered at Rio and the others' place.

（Is it because the one they're aiming for is between us?）

Rio guessed their intentions at that moment.

Nevertheless, the list of people who could be their target was simply too large.

It could be the royalty of these powerful countries, or the hero, Hiroaki, or maybe the CEO of the Rikka company and the daughter of the powerful nobleman, Liselotte.

Perhaps because he was always secretly monitoring the tendencies of others, he could set targets without any hestitation.

「A-What is this？ What do the defense knights do?」

Michael said that in a voice that carried a hint of hysteria.

「O-Onii-sama」

Charlotte, who was terrified, hugged Michael.

The robbers were getting closer from all directions as far as the eye could see.

「Kuh！ They come from every direction！ Circle shape!」

The five knights hiding in the surroundings were acting as royal secret guards forming a circle.

Even with a single glance one could tell that the number of thieves was more than 10 people.

The number of tapping sides is clearly less.

A color of impatience appeared on the faces of the knights.

Section 3

「Everyone, please gather here behind our circle！ You must not in any way move from there!」

One of the knights said so and urged everyone to take cover behind their siege.

Lilyana, who was having a conversation with Hiroaki, did not notice that the three noble daughters of Saint Stellar kingdom were getting closer. [TLC: We're not sure if the author wants a third-person perspective or if it's Lilyana who's not aware of it. ]

「Here, Lilyana-sama」

「Y-Ya」

The princesses of Saint Stellar kingdom nobles called out to her in a calm voice and then brought Lilyana to the center of the siege of the knights.

The four Michael, Charlotte, Liselotte, and Rio were already there.

「I-It's really a joke！ How could this happen. So many of them came at once！ 」

On the other hand, Hiroaki stood still with a pale face while shouting.

The approaching thief was clearly moving with bad intentions.

Hiroaki has never had true combat training since coming to this world, only mock battles, and sometimes, mock battles, things can be different from mock battles where people can become as moody as they want to be.

It was not that he practiced some kind of martial arts in Japan, nor had he ever been attacked by criminals.

So it could be said, this was his first real fight.

It might be strange if he did not experience fear, even though he gained this special power as a hero, considering all the approaching opponents wielded edged weapons.

「Hi-Hiroaki-sama. Do not obstruct the knights by standing still. Please, quickly, take cover behind them 」

Hiroaki remained standing still even though Flora called out her name in a panic.

His head turned and his feet trembled in fear.

There was no way he could hear Flora's words.

「Liselotte-sama, please go behind the knights along with the other royalties. I'll go help the knights 」

Rio told Liselotte, stepping out while saying those words in a calm voice.

Although he felt that not wanting to protect the royalties was the right thing to do in this situation, he did not know what he would say to them later if he were to escape alone now.

Especially if those thieves had once broken through the defensive line set by the knights, Rio would still have to fight against them.

Thus, if they managed to break through the defensive line, the situation that developed into a free battle for all would be unavoidable.

In that case the situation might be better if he voluntarily went to the front line.

That's judgment.

「G-Godspeed!」

Liselotte told behind Rio.

For him, who was basically witnessing Rio's combat power, joining the defensive ranks was very convincing.

「Let's use『 Barrier Magic of Magical Power (Magic Barrier) 』for you」 [TLC: Atleast I can translate it as I want in LN ..]

The daughters of the royal noble Saint Stellar said so.

「Let me help you too」

Section 4

Liselotte announced her intentions without hatred.

Its survival ability depends on the covered area and the amount of magical power loaded, the consumption of magical power for continuous use is large, making it difficult to use other magic.

But he only needed to hold back until additional knights came as reinforcement, so this magic was the most appropriate for the current situation.

When spreading a broad and thin barrier, it would be a simple barricade.

「HIROAKI-SAMA！ FLORA PRINCESSES！ COME HERE FAST!」

Liselotte shouted at them seeing that they were late in reacting.

Hiroaki's body trembled.

When he glanced back, he saw people gathering together to take cover,

「R-RUN, RUN!」

Hiroaki turned around and started running while shouting loudly.

「KYAAAAA!」

Hiroaki ran to Flora, who then lost balance.

Meanwhile, the fight had already started right by his side—

☆ ★ ☆ ★ ☆ ★

「I came to help. Since coordination will be difficult, I will attack anyone I can 」

Rio said that briefly after sneaking into the open amongst the knights forming a circle protecting the royalty.

Thanks to Rio joining the formation now they can cover an area more than ever.

"Thank you!"

The two knights next to Rio showed happy expressions on their faces.

「I'll keep both of them coming to me」

Right after saying that, Rio stepped forward and closed the distance between him and the two thieves.

Of course he did not forget to secretly improve his physical abilities with spirit arts.

「Bow!」 [TLC: The weapon you use in archery]

One of the two thieves running in the group shouted.

They did not have any equipment that approached resembling a bow.

（They're pretending？ Or have they prepared weapons？ No――）

The next moment, the two thieves formed the front-rearline formation――,

「Fuh!」

The robber in front swung his knife with his right hand.

But, Rio calmly brushed the lunge with his left hand.

And just like that, with a movement like flowing, he pushed a hard punch towards his opponent's stomach with his right hand.

Section 5

「GA ……………………. KAH 」

An involuntary scream leaked from the man's mouth before his body fell.

At the same time, the next thief made his appearance from behind the first one, and rushed to attack.

He might act as a backup to make sure that Rio dies. [KLT: Killed/dead .. same thing]

Perhaps the so-called 「Bow」 is a pre-decided command as a kind of signal.

The other man rushed over from behind the fallen man sending another surprise attack at Rio.

He lunged from Rio blind spot firmly holding his knife while aiming at his heart.

If it hit the mainland, it meant instant death for Rio, there would be no way out of it.

But, Rio's pace quickly to the side.

The lungs sent by the thief barely grazed his clothes.

「WHA!」

Under the mask, a surprised voice came out.

Rio, who was now standing next to the robber, quickly grabbed the thief's arm, leaving no room to break free.

And that was how Rio pulled the thief forward, gained control over their entire body, and then finished it by suddenly turning the thief's body *. [TL*: If you are confused, this throws aikido] [TLC: This sentence will give me nightmares ..]

Following him with elbows hitting the robbers is still spinning in the air,

「GAH …………………. 」

The thief landed on the floor like a sack of potatoes, and he then lost his consciousness.

It had only been a few seconds since Rio started fighting.

After taking a glance to confirm that his opponent lost consciousness, Rio noticed the knight who was still fighting nearby.

It seemed that some reinforcements had come but, there were still people fighting against the thieves alone.

The knight to Rio's left was also one of them.

Although it seemed like he could face two thieves alone, there was a knife attached to his right arm.

（I have to protect him ya）

After thinking about it for a moment, Rio decided to help her, but the moment he decided so, Rio decided,

「Kyaa」

Behind the knight whose right hand was pierced, Flora fell because Hiroaki hit her.

Hiroaki was unaware that he met Flora and continued towards the last line of defense where Liselotte and the noble girls of Saint Stellar kingdom were gathered.

「Kuh, I'm at my limit！ Make a protective wall. 『Barrier Magic of Magical Power (Magic Barrier)』 」

Right after Hiroaki entered, the noble girls of Saint Stellar and Liselotte activated 『Barrier Magic of Magical Power (Magic Barrier)』.

The barrier of magical power develops as if to protect Hiroaki and the royalties who take refuge.

「CEH」

Clicking their lips, the thieves who had made it past the first line of defense, the knights, were only one step away from the nobles.

Although the barrier was not so difficult to break given how big it was, it would still take some time.

The pursuing knights must have come at them during that time.

On the other hand, at that moment,

Section 6

「GUH」

Behind them, Flora's cry could be heard for a moment, and then the consciousness of the wounded knight was snatched away.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, the thief threw away the wounded knight.

「KYAA」

The knight hit Flora and the two fell to the floor.

Even the three thieves who stopped right before 『Barrier Magic of Magical Power (Magic Barrier)』 turned around and headed for Flora.

（Maybe they narrowed their target to her for the time being）

Even including the thieves suppressing the wounded knights, the four thieves must have gotten closer to the helpless Flora.

The person closest to him was the knight driven by the thief.

Rio ran towards the thief just for a moment after strengthening his legs with spirit arts.

「!!!!!」

Blocked by Rio when he was just one step away, the male thief was stunned.

Rio destroyed the posture of the man by confiscating his clothes at that moment.

And then threw the thief with all his might, aiming at a thief who was behind and to his right.

The man was enchanted by the unexpected force, and violently hit the approaching body of the thief.

「GUH」

Unable to stop the unexpected impact, the two thieves hit the magical barrier Liselotte and the others were casting.

Rio quickly turned around and then faced towards the two thieves who were attacking Flora from his left side.

While stomping on the ground violently, he directly entered the gap between Flora and the two thieves.

「WE DON'T GET IT」

When one person said that, the robbers parted to cover Rio on both sides.

That's their strategy. Whichever one fights first with Rio, the other will get Flora while he is busy fighting.

「I WILL BE THE WOMAN HE IS. WOR DON'T WORRY ABOUT HIM. PLEASE DEFEAT ONE OF THEM FOR THE TIME BEING！ 」

The fallen knight along with Flora shouted so.

Perhaps he was really planning to raise his body to stop one of the thieves.

It was the soul of an amazing knight.

Although Rio did not have such a soul in his heart, he admired him.

He believed even when thinking that he did not want to die at the same time.

「……」

Although Liselotte feelings were troubled over whether she should use attack magic, thus cancelling the Magic Power Barrier Magic Magic (Magic Barrier) Magic 』, if she missed her shot, others might get involved as well.

The chances of losing are high because the opponent is fast.

And the bandits would immediately attack them if Liselotte left a gap for them.