The Roadblock Demon

Early the next morning.

The village chief gave Rienta and the other three a brief introduction to the demon race.

After expressing his reluctance to leave his hometown yesterday, he also noticed a subtle shift in the atmosphere.

That's why I said goodbye early this morning and got up very early to come and look for Rienta and the others.

After the village chief finished explaining the specific information entrusted to him,

Frieren nodded to the village chief, then said to Rienta and the other two, "Let's set off then."

"Um."

Fern quickened his pace to catch up with Frieren.

Rienta and Stark followed behind.

The four of them hurried toward their destination.

"Thank you all." The village chief looked gratefully at the departing figures of the group.

The demon remained in the area the village chief had described.

Rienta other three found it very easily.

After everyone had taken out their weapons.

Frieren said softly, "This should be the demon race we're going to defeat. Be careful."

Rienta carefully examined the demon before her.

It is roughly human-shaped.

However, its limbs and head are more beast-like in style.

He is holding a giant sword.

It looks quite intimidating.

But it only looks impressive.

Any one of the four could easily take down this demon.

After confirming that this demon posed no significant threat, Rienta...

He took a few steps back, shielding everyone in front of him.

The battlefield was left entirely to Frieren, Fern, Stark.

This isn't because he wanted to slack off.

It was at Stark's request last night.

Rienta had no reason to refuse, since his role in the team was originally that of a support monk.

Oh right.

And chefs.

Instead of mages and warriors responsible for combat.

So she readily agreed.

I had told Frieren and Fern about this on the way here.

Neither of them objected.

After retreating, Rienta immediately cast [Rho Aias] version 3.0 on Stark.

From the original 2.0 version, which featured three petals rotating around the body.

It transformed into a complete pale blue lotus flower appearing at Stark's feet.

Although the demons before them were warriors.

But applying buffs before the battle is still necessary.

This is professional ethics.

From Rienta's perspective.

The lotus flower beneath Stark's feet was radiating wisps of magic.

These magical threads are the key to automatic defense.

Soon.

The battle has begun.

An attack was launched first by an unknown demon race.

He swung the giant sword and slashed at the three of them.

Frieren and Fern quickly distanced themselves.

Stark stepped forward, and the magical threads emanating from the pale blue lotus beneath his feet detected the demon's attack.

Three petals instantly appeared, reducing the power of the attack by about 50%.

Stark reacted quickly.

He also knew that Defensive Magic couldn't completely block this attack.

But being able to block it for even a moment is more than enough.

He first held the axe horizontally in front of him, blocking the already weakened attack.

He then swung his axe at the demon.

The human and the demon immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

After exchanging several blows...

Stark's powerful [Sky-Splitting Strike] sent the demon flying back several meters.

Frieren and Fern, who had been waiting in mid-air for a long time, launched [Ordinary Offensive Magic] together.

Without a doubt.

The demon, who had been caught off guard and was still in a daze, vanished instantly under this attack.

Rienta watched this scene thoughtfully.

This should be the normal combat method of a team.

But it doesn't seem to be very efficient.

According to Rienta's understanding.

Frieren could easily kill this demon with a single [Lightning of Annihilation].

I can achieve a similar effect by using a saturation attack with [Projection Magic] and [Shadow-Driving Magic].

Fern and Stark could easily take down this demon in a one-on-one fight.

So.

In short...

It's all because this demon is too weak.

That's why the efficiency doesn't seem very high.

Having figured it out, Rienta stopped worrying.

He walked towards the three men and said with a smile:

"Frieren, Fern, Stark."

"They cooperated very well."

He then looked at Stark and asked, "Stark, how is my [Rho Aias] version 3.0?"

"Both its form and its defensive capabilities are indeed much better than the previous one." Stark first affirmed Rienta's Defensive Magic.

Then, pointing to the rays of light swirling upwards around him, he complained:

"However, Rienta, is this pale blue light effect really necessary?"

"Of course!" Rienta looked at Stark very seriously and said, "This is the key to the entire Defensive Magic!"

"..."

Stark knew absolutely nothing about magic, so he didn't know how to refute Rienta.

Frieren and Fern, who were standing nearby, did not correct Rienta's intentions.

After all.

They're used to it.

Seeing that he couldn't win the argument with Rienta, Stark changed the subject.

"This guy is actually pretty strong."

Frieren said softly, "We've only just entered the Northern Plateau; we'll have plenty of monsters of this level in the future."

"There are so many difficulties..." Fern sighed.

Stark hesitated for a moment, then looked at Frieren and asked:

"Frieren, I have a question."

"If taking the sea route can help us avoid these monsters, I think it's worth paying for the boat tickets, right?"

After speaking, Stark subconsciously glanced at Rienta.

Rienta has always been in charge of the team's finances.

The night before their date, Rienta even gave herself ten gold coins as a backup.

I was quite shocked at the time.

But Rienta said that this amount of money was just a drop in the ocean for him?

That's what I think is said.

Upon hearing this, Frieren chuckled and said:

"Stark, this northern plateau is also the homeland of many people."

Stark paused, then murmured, "That makes sense..."

"Keep it up," Fern said gently, looking at Stark.

Frieren put away her wand and said, "Let's go. Let's keep going."

Having said that, he continued on his way.

"Yes, Lady Frieren." Fern quickened her pace to catch up with Frieren.

Rienta had not participated in the discussion, was also involved.

After pulling Stark along, they caught up with Frieren and Fern.

She said eagerly, "Lady Frieren, Fern, I have another brilliant idea!"

Fern remained silent and did not respond to Rienta's words.

Frieren glanced at Fern, but saw that she didn't react.

He said with a hint of helplessness, "... What brilliant idea is it?"

Rienta said with a smug look on her face:

"That's version 4.0 of [Rho Aias]."

"Combined with [Projection Magic], it can achieve an effect that resists most physical attacks."

As for the form of expression...

"Just imagine it."

"Piece by piece, they are assembled into a cool and stylish set of dazzling armor."

"Then shout a few slogans."

"Battle Aura... Magic Armor!"

"Armor Combination!"

"How was it? Did you get a good feeling Stark?"

Stark hesitated, after all, if this magic were truly developed...

It's most likely meant for him.

Because Rienta has [Hollowfication].

Frieren and Fern cast their own Defensive Magic.

"... I think the middle splicing step you took could have been completely omitted." Frieren tried to correct Rienta once again.

Rienta said without hesitation, "This is the essence of the [Rho Aias] 4.0 version!"

"..."

At this moment, Fern, who didn't want Stark to actually wear the armor, suddenly spoke up:

"Rienta, I remember you haven't finished researching [Domain Magic] yet, right? Why don't you go research that first?"

"That's true..."

Rienta has temporarily suspended the development of version 4.0 of [Rho Aias].

After all, [Domain Magic] had been trapping him for a long time.

"I never expected to find such a powerful monster on this road," Eisen remarked, watching the monster dissipate before him.

Heiter said with lingering fear, "I thought I was going to die."

Frieren also agreed with Eisen and Heiter's views.

He said, "If we had known the land route was so dangerous, we should have taken the sea route."

Himmel chuckled softly upon hearing this and said:

"This road is indeed very dangerous, especially for people living on the Northern Plateau."

"The desire to protect my homeland made me a hero."

"And now, I also hope to protect other people's hometowns."