-A certain royal guard’s POV-
I am a demon that belongs to the royal guard that guards the royal castle.
I can’t participate in the parade but that can’t be helped.
Due to the lack of demonpower, very few were able to participate in this year’s parade.
Only around 20 royal guards.
The chosen members were the commanders of the royal guards, who have both prestige and ability.
Since there were commanders who were not chosen, there’s no way that I, who was not even a troop leader, would be chosen.
Unfortunately, I just have to do my job.
I would like to think that there are no fools who would dare invade the royal castle but there are so we can only guard it.
-0-
It is the day of the parade.
Actually, it started a few days ago but the parade in the royal capital will be held today.
Many residents have gathered to watch the parade.
Even if the residents are weak, there are a lot of them.
We are on the lookout for them while being firm and unintimidated.
Of course, we are also looking out at the dragons outside the city.
Though if they attacked, there would be nothing to do since any action would only be futile.
Ah, by the way, there are inferno wolves too.
I saw the dry run and they were simply terrifying.
Two hundred of them?
I hope that’s just a joke.
And on top of that, there are angels, high elves, and wyverns.
………
There are so many that we should look out for.
-0-
As if my vigilance was in vain, the parade smoothly went on according to its schedule and the 1st group arrived in front of the royal castle, the final destination.
Two powerful-looking knights are leading the parade.
Who are they?
I’ve never seen those armors before.
Well, they are in charge of leading the parade.
They must be strong and not just in appearance.
Behind them are the royal guards.
………
Why are they equipped with shields?
They are so alert as if there is an enemy right in front of them.
While I was thinking so, trouble started among the spectators.
It seemed like a pickpocket had appeared.
Since there are a lot of spectators, it’s normal for someone like that to appear.
Doing that despite the tight security shows that the pickpocket had a lot of guts.
However, the pickpocket immediately noticed and made a commotion to escape.
I was watching from the top of the wall so I could see the pickpocket’s movements clearly.
Just as I was about to tell the soldiers guarding below, the pickpocket made a foolish move.
He fled to a space set aside for those who had finished the parade.
Naturally, such a place is heavily guarded.
Moreover, the leader of the parade had arrived so everything could be seen clearly.
The soldiers guarding the parade rushed to catch the pickpocket from all directions.
It was only a matter of time before he was caught.
As I was thinking that, the pickpocket made an even more foolish move.
He fled in the direction of the two powerful looking knights who had done their part and were resting in the waiting area.
Why that way?
Just one glance, anyone would notice how powerful they are.
My question was quickly answered.
The goal of the pickpocket was not the two powerful looking knights but the swords they were carrying.
One shining white, the other shining black.
Their part in the parade was over so the two powerful looking knights were handing over their swords to the parade staff.
They may have been ceremonial swords but to the pickpocket, they looked like fine weapons.
He’s going to resist using a weapon.
As expected of a fool.
If you are not armed, you will be caught alive, but if you are armed, the soldiers around will not let you off easily.
That pickpocket will be killed.
Though I would like to keep blood from being spilled at the parade……
Fortunately, the pickpocket did not die.
Before he could pick up the sword, he was beaten to pulp by the two powerful looking knights.
Then, the moment he fell to the ground, the soldiers guarding the area rushed in and caught him.
Thank goodness.
Hnn?
He’s rampaging.
Vain resistance.
…..what did he just throw?
Ah, the wallet he stole.
If you had returned it honestly, you might have gotten off with a lighter charge.
No, it’s still a felony for interrupting the parade.
Poor guy.
No, he must have taken the risk.
However, since he failed, he should accept the consequences.
I was only paying attention to the pickpocket.
However, the two powerful looking knights at the scene and the royal guards participating in the parade were looking at the purse that the pickpocket had thrown.
They had a “no way” expression.
That’s why I looked at it too.
The purse that the pickpocket threw hit the face of a staff who was holding the shining black sword.
The shining black sword was thrown out and fell on the cobblestone pavement.
Then, a loud “bang” resounded.
I hope it was not damaged and that’s all that matters to me.
To me, that is.
However, the two powerful looking knights moved at great speed.
One of the knights held the staff who dropped the shiny black sword and moved away from it immediately.
The other knight kicked the dropped sword to the shield holding royal guards.
The royal guards held their shield up as they surrounded the sword.
What are they doing?
Before I could think of why, a loud explosion resounded along with bright light.
I finally thought what was happening, the shining black sword had exploded.
However, the impact was deflected upward by the shields.
There was no damage to the surroundings.
It was stopped by the shields.
As expected of them.
While thinking so, I looked at the sky where the impact was deflected and saw…..
The angels.
The angels participating in the parade.
As a person who was watching, I can testify that the royal guards equipped with shields did not intentionally aim the deflected impact at the angels.
They simply let the impact go upward.
However, due to bad luck, it was deflected to the place where the angels were flying.
This was a coincidental accident overlapping several coincidences.
-0-
Several of them fell, probably due to the impact of the explosion.
Before I could move to rescue them, the harpies flying behind the angels caught the falling angels in midair and carried them to the back of wyverns flying further back.
Looks like something that has been practiced before.
The angels and harpies are at a disadvantage if they fall to the ground after all.
I guess they have plans for emergency.
The remaining angels took up an offensive formation.
I have a bad feeling about this.
I don’t mind them doing that but there are still many who suspect the angels are enemies.
However, such a blatant offensive formation is not a good idea.
No, some of the angels are already swooping in.
They may be trying to confirm the circumstances of the explosion. They’re not attacking but given that they were swooping down while the others are in offensive formation, they look like they are attacking.
Then, I see it.
From the ground, attack magic flew at the angels.
Not one or two shots.
And they were fired by more than one demon.
It is as if they were creating a wall of offensive magic.
They are not aiming at someone but an area.
It was a tactic to effectively shoot down those who are flying in the sky.
If it weren’t for this situation, I would have praised them for their brilliant coordination.
-0-
Seeing the offensive magic, the descending angels soared.
The angels, harpies, and wyverns rose to a height that was beyond the reach of offensive magic.
Great.
If the angels had gotten angry and fought back, that would have been the end.
The angels were on our side.
This time, they were on our side.
Our side.
That’s what everyone should think.
The angels participating in the parade are allies.
In other words, from the point of view of those who are participating in the parade, the angels, who are their allies, were being attacked.
In fact, several angels were harmed by the impact of the explosion.
I have confirmed that the inferno wolves, who are participating in the parade, formed small packs and left the parade line.
Oi oi oi oi oi oi!
The beastkins and high elves participating in the parade have shifted to battle stance too.
Even from a distance, I could see it.
Things are going from bad to worse and worst.
「It was an accident! They are not attacking!」
I shouted but it didn’t reach them.
On the contrary, I can hear the voices of the residents who are watching the parade and the soldiers who are guarding the parade.
「Defend the royal capital!」
「It’s time to show my power!」
「Inferno wolves, so what!」
How stupid are you!
Shall we attack and beat them? Nonsense!
To add to the confusion, some sort of giant appeared.
What the hell was that?
A giant that looks like it’s been made of dismantled carriages took a humanoid form.
Golem?
As if lured by it, the dragons on the outskirts of the royal capital turned to the royal capital.
Eh?
They’re heading this way?
C-c-can we even resist?
I was puzzled but then, I received an order from the captain.
「Protect the citizens.」
…..
I-I-I’ll do it!
However, there’s no way I can fight against dragons!
Three dragons appeared in front of me while I’m being disheartened.
They are dragons I know.
The three dragons are Ojess, Haifrigta, and Kihatroy.
They are dragons working in the royal capital!
Will they oppose those incoming dragons?
Eh?
You can’t fight against them?
You want to deal with the inferno wolves?
T-that alone is a big help!
Please!
I went down the rampart and evacuated the non-combatant residents inside the castle.
…………
There are fewer non-combatant residents than I thought.
Ah, grandma.
Don’t take up arms.
Take shelter over here.
-0-
Royal Guard: It’s like watching dominoes fall.
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