The monstrous creatures emerging from Shinjin Lake appeared terrifying in form, but their individual strength wasn't particularly formidable—certainly no match for wyverns.
They were roughly equivalent to mid-tier familiars, albeit among the stronger specimens approaching high-tier status. An average Attack Mage might struggle against them, but for skilled practitioners, handling multiple such creatures simultaneously shouldn't pose significant difficulty.
However, when these monsters didn't appear in twos or threes but rather in locust-like swarms numbering in the thousands, they became an entirely different calamity.
These Horned Serpents were creatures that relied on overwhelming numbers. Now spreading outward from Shinjin Lake across a radius of over ten kilometers, their feral and vicious nature drove them to attack any humans on sight. Their sheer quantity made their advance resemble an apocalyptic invasion of demonic insects.
Fortunately, this area consisted primarily of uninhabited mountainous terrain. The Self-Defense Forces had already blockaded access roads while the Lion King Agency erected containment barriers, preventing the swarm's expansion. Without these measures, the casualties would have been catastrophic.
Currently, the Horned Serpent horde rampaged unchecked through the mountain ranges, unleashing their violent instincts.
Rozen and Yukina now faced an onslaught from these creatures.
No sooner had they dealt with the three black wyverns than swarms of Horned Serpents descended upon them like predators spotting fresh prey.
"...!"
Yukina gripped Sekkaro, preparing to engage.
Yet the situation clearly disadvantaged her.
While Sword Shamans excelled as anti-Demon specialists, their abilities specialized in one-on-one combat rather than group engagements. Against limited opponents, their predictive Spirit Vision and physical enhancement spells allowed unmatched dueling prowess. Against hordes, Shamanic War Dancers with their long-range jujutsu artillery and shikigami techniques were far more effective.
Thus, compared to the individually powerful wyverns, the Horned Serpents' swarm tactics posed greater danger to Yukina.
For Rozen, however, this distinction meant nothing.
"————————"
As he chanted the Fire Realm Incantation, blazing flames erupted across the mountain road in a roaring conflagration.
"BOOM!"
The explosive detonation sent waves of fire surging outward, engulfing the approaching monsters.
The inferno burned with unnatural precision—charring neither asphalt nor surrounding trees, generating no actual heat as though illusory. Yet the Horned Serpents caught within combusted like moths in a furnace, their shrieks fading as they crumbled to ash.
Rozen ceased his incantation and smiled at Yukina's stunned expression.
"Without that foreign erosion, numbers mean nothing against me."
The Horned Serpents' appearance did provide valuable intelligence, however. These creatures likely bore no connection to whoever controlled the black wyverns and the dimensional erosion.
"Most likely, these monsters aren't part of any orchestrated attack, but rather side effects from whatever went wrong with Shinjin Lake's seal."
Recalling the flames, Rozen studied the Horned Serpents now redirecting toward their position.
"The seal failed?" Yukina's expression darkened with concern. "Then Nagisa and Avrora might be..."
In imminent danger? The unspoken question hung between them.
Rozen shook his head.
"They should be fine. Just before these creatures appeared, I 'saw' Nagisa's spiritual energy and Avrora's magic power at work. The Lion King Agency likely attempted something using their abilities, but failed."
With Lion King Agency personnel present—including one of the Three Saints—their safety should be temporarily assured. Frankly, if Nagisa and Avrora came to harm after this botched operation, the Lion King Agency would face dire consequences.
"Serves them right for scheming. Consider this their comeuppance."
Rozen's casual remark left Yukina speechless.
But he meant every word.
Though highly intelligent himself, Rozen avoided convoluted schemes outside combat scenarios. Across countless worlds, he'd observed how overcomplicated plans inevitably developed flaws when too many "brilliant" minds competed in games of deception.
As the saying went: No plan survives contact with the enemy. The most meticulous schemers often fell to unpredictable variables beyond their calculations.
Rozen didn't dislike strategic thinkers—only those who overplayed their hands. The Lion King Agency constantly danced along that line, which explained his perpetual wariness toward them.
Rather than concerning himself with their machinations...
"The other players arriving at Shinjin Lake warrant closer attention."
His gaze turned toward two distant locations.
"Senpai?" Yukina called questioningly.
At that moment—
"BOOM!"
From one direction Rozen had observed, a massive crystalline serpent materialized amidst explosions, incinerating Horned Serpents with its breath.
"That's... the Beast Vassal of Lord Ardeal!"
Yukina instantly recognized the signature.
Indeed—this was Vatler's summoned Beast Vassal.
Yet another Beast Vassal simultaneously manifested elsewhere.
"ROOOAR!"
A towering golden jackal materialized, its sweeping claws reducing scores of Horned Serpents to bloody mist as it howled at the sky. The sheer magical power radiating from it matched Valtra's serpent pound for pound.
This meant another vampire of comparable strength to the "Snake Charmer" had arrived.
"Interesting."
Rozen's lips curved upward.
"In that case, I'll join the festivities too."
Raising his hand, he summoned swirling crimson mist. Moments later, a lightning-wreathed lion materialized amidst the mountains, its thunderous roars shaking the earth.