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“I’ve reached it.”
“…Understood. Then, please recite the chant.”
“R-Right.”

The chant I relayed to him was something that could overwrite the crystal settings. Just putting magic power in would simply activate it, but if a different magic power added a similar setting while my magic power was limiting it to just telepathy, it would result in a chain reaction and release the effect of the original spell.

“—Connect the wind of two directions.”
“C—Connect the wind of two directions.”
“Connect my will, the tremor of my heart—the fury of the wind.”
“Connect my will, the tremor of my heart—the fury of the wind.”
“—Waver Connect.”
“—Waver Connect.”

Then Bard immediately threw the crystal, which landed where the monsters were gathered and then bounced up with a high-pitched sound.

It exploded violently and produced a shockwave.

It didn’t kill them, but was still powerful enough to clear up the passage.

“Now. Go straight and turn right at the second block, and head inside the room at the end of the passage.”
“G-Got it…”
“Make sure to press the crystal to the door before entering so they won’t mistake you for the enemy.”
“…Okay.”

Bard’s excitement was falling, but things were proceeding smoothly so good enough.

After that, I had them exterminate the monsters on the first floor while giving directions to the transportation squad.

It was a small mercy that there were few monsters on the first floor.

“Illya, I’m at the door.”
“Okay. Frank, can you hear me?”
“Illya…?!”
“Yes. Bard is at the door, can you let him in?”
“Got it.”

With this Bard and the patrol squad joined up safely. I could make use of the patrol unit but we only had one crystal that Bard was holding now. I should prioritize having them join up with the transportation squad.

There weren’t many monsters on the first basement floor, so the reinforcement squad members should be able to handle it.

“Illya, what about Bard?”

Looks like Frank took over the crystal.

That was natural considering their abilities.

“Please have him accompany you until you join up with the transportation squad.”
“Got it…. Are you unwell? Don’t push yourself.”
“Ah, yes. Thank you for worrying… Actually, you’re not in a position to worry about others, Frank.”
“You got me.”

It was quite like him to worry about others in a situation like this.

For now, I decided to have them join up with the transportation squad.

“—Continue advancing straight.”
“Got it… I can see them!”

Once I led the transportation squad to them, I had them distribute the crystals and organize the squads.

Meanwhile, I asked Bard to work as a scout.

Naturally, it was so I could have an excuse for knowing the monster positions.

“Illya, can these crystals connect to people other than you?”
“Huh, oh yes. As long as it’s within their effective range.”

Actually “as far as my magic power reaches” that I said during the tournament was more accurate, but I couldn’t say that here. It was just a made-up setting but Bard, who wasn’t good at magic stuff, didn’t question it and everything went fine.

“Then, we’ll just communicate with each other on our side. You shouldn’t push yourself.”
“But…”
“Just listen to me.”
“…Okay… Understood. Please be safe.”

As long as nothing happens, I added mentally.

I didn’t want to make Lashelle sad, after all.

Thus, I stopped thinking and focused on grasping the situation.

Since it was a good chance, I decided to practice narrowing down not just the scope but the targets too.

I didn’t use it until now because I didn’t want to see bugs even for a second, so if I let this chance go, I’d have to start narrowing down anew from the entire world.

“Ugh…”
“Pii…?”
“Sorry… ugh.”
“Pii!”

I asked for its permission and squeezed it tight again.

In the end, by the time I learned how to select targets by category, they had moved on to exterminating the monsters inside the arena. Ultimately, the trained coordination won over the instinctual one of the monsters.

I remembered something and expanded my detection range to Acradist. At the same time, I ended up sensing what I didn’t want to and understood that my selective sensing only worked within Luneville’s range.

I recalled it instantly, but based on what I sensed, Parsha’s group had safely removed the divine tool and the Divine Beast matter had been settled.

On the other hand, Luneville’s situation seemed to be getting even worse as the arena monsters had attracted more monsters from the outside and they were heading for it right now.

“…Sigh.”

I forced my body languid from chills and nausea to stand up. I headed to the first floor to report it to Ector and Haku followed after me.

It was cutely peeking at my expression out of worry.

“I’m alright.”
“Pii.”

I lifted Haku up and headed downstairs, and bumped into Ector who seemed to be looking for me for something. The final monster was slain right around then too. All that was left was inspection and cleanup.

The continued battles might be hard on them, so let’s proceed without including them in the battle assets.

I invited Ector in while I was thinking that.

“It appears that they have mostly subjugated the monsters at the arena and started the cleanup.”
“I see… What about the damages?”
“There are several seriously wounded in both the patrol squad and reinforcements, but nothing life-threatening.”

My report seemed to have calmed him down, Ector leaned back on his chair.

“Perhaps we can call it a small mercy…”
“Perhaps we can, at present.”

At present.

Ector reacted to those words and urged me to continue with a stiff expression.