Chương 77: Chapter 76

Mrs. Blackmore stood on top of the town walls, staring down at the people fighting the monsters outside the barrier. Unable to enter the town because of the protective barrier, the monsters were facing a one-sided slaughter at the hands of the soldiers. However, Mrs. Blackmore did not focus on the battle. Her eyes moved toward the clock tower within the town. The barrier would not hold much longer. Without hesitation, she turned and walked down from the walls, using the special stairs built within them.

As she reached the bottom, she saw the captain preparing to take her place. He gave her a respectful nod, and she returned the gesture. However, before he could continue upstairs, she stopped him.

"Prepare the artillery." The captain looked toward her.

"The stronghold will not hold much longer." Understanding her words, the man immediately nodded.

"Understood, ma'am." He rushed up the stairs. They needed to prepare everything, including the wall spikes and other defensive measures. Meanwhile, the soldiers who had been fighting against the monsters outside heard the signal and the captain's command. They immediately began retreating back into the town. After confirming that everyone had returned safely, the soldiers began pulling up the bridge. Once it was raised, they placed heavy objects around it to reinforce the structure.

Even if the monsters managed to approach, this would not become the weakest point of their defenses. Watching everything proceed according to plan, Mrs. Blackmore had long changed from her previous outfit. She now wore a fully equipped military uniform. It was designed for mobility, but it also carried an authority that naturally commanded respect from those around her. After entering the town, she made her way toward the center. The chief's residence.

When she entered, she saw the elderly, children, and pregnant women gathered together. Her eyes moved through the crowd. She was searching for the chief. After locating him, she immediately walked toward him.

"We need to move them to your safe room." The chief immediately looked toward her.

"But there are still people outside—""There are no buts." Mrs. Blackmore's voice was cold.

"It is not safe out there." The chief hesitated.

"If they enter the shelter, don't we need to bring everyone else in as well?"

"Once the shelter is closed, it cannot be opened until everything outside is completely safe."

"You understand that." The chief lowered his gaze. His eyes showed concern for the people still outside.

"You know, if the barrier is not going to hold..."

"Can't we simply bring everyone here?"

"Even with the food supplies you have stored, along with the resources brought by the young ladies and elderly men, it would not be enough to supply the entire city for months."

"And what happens if this place is destroyed?" Mrs. Blackmore looked at him.

"You know very well that this place is a death trap." The chief's mouth tightened. His hands trembled slightly. Mrs. Blackmore stared at him coldly before sighing. Then she reached into her clothing and pulled out the crest he had previously given her. The symbol represented her authority. The chief had entrusted her with leadership over the town's military forces.

"If you do not wish for people to die because of your hesitation, then you will send them to the shelter inside your home."

"Do I make myself clear?" The people nearby immediately began nodding. However, Mrs. Blackmore's gaze remained fixed on the chief. After clenching his teeth, the chief finally gave in. He began escorting everyone toward the shelter. Once the final person had entered through the secret passageway, Mrs. Blackmore quietly made her way through the hidden routes. She followed the same path Lily had previously taken. After reaching the correct location, she pressed the hidden button. Sure enough, the wall slowly opened.

She stepped inside. And there, she came face-to-face with a statue.

"So it has come to this." A short time earlier, after realizing what was happening and understanding that she was not the only person aware of the situation, Mrs. Blackmore had begun making her way toward Ronin McCann. The moment Ronin noticed her approaching, he felt a sense of intimidation. He immediately tried to create distance. However, before he could move far enough, Mrs. Blackmore caught up to him. She grabbed the hand that had released the flare. Looking down at it, she examined it carefully.

After confirming her suspicion, her eyes moved toward Ronin. The Crown Prince. This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Or perhaps more accurately... The leader of the Hero's Party. Seeing the fear in his eyes, the faint smile on Mrs. Blackmore's face disappeared.

"Ronin McCann." Her voice was calm.

"I believe both you and I know what is about to happen to this town." Ronin swallowed.

"I have a proposition for you." Ronin stared at her suspiciously. He understood instinctively that something was wrong. This person was another variable version of Nina. Throughout his journey, he had noticed that there were always certain traits separating these variables from the original Nina they replaced. However, he still could not understand what made this person different. But when he thought about all the people in this town... And the horrifying fate that awaited them... He hesitated. Finally, he spoke.

"As long as it is not something unreasonable, I will agree."

"Excellent." Mrs. Blackmore smiled. For a brief moment, her expression was bright enough to seem almost cheerful. But just as quickly as it appeared, it disappeared. Like smoke drifting away. The chilling words that followed made Ronin realize something. This variable was not playing around. She was not trying to manipulate events for amusement. She was serious.

"Then will you do it?" Ronin looked at her.

"How did you know?" Mrs. Blackmore tilted her head slightly.

"Are you certain you wish to ask me that?"

"Are you asking how I knew there would be four rifts?"

"Four rifts that would break apart this town one after another."

"Rifts that would appear in waves without giving you time to recover."

"Or are you going to realize that this timeline is different from your previous one?" Ronin froze. Before he could respond, Mrs. Blackmore reached forward with her other hand and grabbed his neck. She pulled him down making him eye level with her. Her eyes remained cold.

"Someone is interfering."

"Someone is changing things."

"Someone is attempting to create disaster after disaster, as if their goal is to destroy your party." Ronin felt a chill run through him. He still did not understand everything. But his fear of whatever was controlling Nina at this moment could not outweigh the truth behind her words. Instead of asking unnecessary questions, he needed to act. The Hero's Party needed to destroy the cores of the rifts before the person responsible had the opportunity to create another failure condition.

Seeing that Ronin finally understood, Mrs. Blackmore released him. He stumbled backward, struggling to regain his balance. Mrs. Blackmore looked at him.

"Oops." She said it casually. Then she continued.

"Regardless, you should split your group."

"Inform Rosa that she should lead the sixty knights toward another rift."

"Your group will handle one."

"They will handle the second."

"Then, if everything goes well, both groups can reunite for the third." She pointed toward the general direction of the nearest rifts.

"But you must decide the order carefully."

"Will you first guide the people there and then move toward the next location?"

"Or will you attempt to divide your forces differently?"

"One wrong decision could cause everything to collapse."

"You should choose wisely, Mr. Ronin." Ronin pressed his lips together.

"I have a way." Mrs. Blackmore looked toward him.

"I can use the dragon's breath technique."

"It will allow me to communicate with them and tell them where to go." For the first time, Mrs. Blackmore looked surprised. However, her surprise quickly turned into disappointment.

"For what reason are you telling me this?" Ronin froze. Mrs. Blackmore stared at him.

"I am not the one hiding my identity." She said sarcastically"You need to make your choice."

"And you should probably start moving."

"I need to speak with the chief after this." She turned away. Ronin watched her leave. For the first time in a long while, he felt uncertain. This person... What exactly was she? Mrs. Blackmore felt at ease. Inside the consciousness, Nina was no longer sitting in her usual seat. Instead, she had moved into a corner. She sat there with her knees pulled toward her chest, holding onto her legs as she stared at the outside world. She did not speak.

Unlike for the other personalities, who usually required Nina's permission either implicitly or explicitly, there were certain personas, such as Mrs. Blackmore, who possessed a higher level of authority. In other words, unless Nina had clearly and directly stated that something was completely forbidden, these personas did not need to ask before accessing memories, taking action, or making decisions. Her internal conflicts and instincts alone were not enough to stop them.

The problem was that Nina, unlike her treatment towards the other personalities, felt unable to properly voice her own desires against her mother. Even when she disagreed, she struggled to express it. And because of that, this strange relationship existed between her and the persona. Outside, Mrs. Blackmore searched for the chief. She found him overseeing the distribution of food and handing flowers to the children. He moved through the crowd, checking on everyone and ensuring that the people were being cared for.

Mrs. Blackmore watched him carefully. Her understanding of the man was limited. However, it was enough. Enough to identify what motivated him. His kindness. After pulling him aside, Mrs. Blackmore spoke to him while maintaining the image of a seer.

"I understand that you may dislike what I am about to say." She glanced toward the clock tower. Her eyes narrowed slightly.

"But if we are fortunate, in less than seven hours, waves of monsters will descend upon this city." The chief froze.

"You're not serious."

"I am." Mrs. Blackmore looked directly at him.

"So unless you wish for everyone here to die, you will need my assistance." The chief swallowed.

"How many?"

"Waves upon waves." She paused.

"Approximately five hundred monsters per wave." The chief's expression changed.

"Five hundred?"

"That is..."

"That is a lot."

"How many waves?"

"I do not know." Mrs. Blackmore spoke calmly.

"But if you are fortunate, there will only be one."

"Five hundred monsters and one boss monster."

"That alone would be enough to destroy this city many times over."

"And if you are unlucky..." Her gaze became colder.

"There will be four waves."

"Each one capable of overwhelming this place." The chief's face became pale.

"Can your town survive that?"

"I..."

"I do not..." The old man struggled to answer. Mrs. Blackmore sighed.

"Give me the chief's seal." The chief looked up.

"Why?"

"You are too old for this." Her voice was not cruel. Only practical.

"Hand it over, and I will ensure, to the best of my ability, that this city survives." The chief hesitated.

"Will the Hero's Party help?"

"No."

"They are currently preventing the other waves from breaking through."

"But the first wave has already arrived." The chief's expression tightened.

"Then..."

"The more time you waste, the less time we have." The old man went silent. Then he reached into his clothing and retrieved a sealed pouch. After opening it, he handed the chief's seal to Mrs. Blackmore. She examined it briefly.

"Good." She returned her attention to him.

"I need you to come with me."

"We need to make an announcement." The chief nodded.

"Understood." After reaching the center of the town, the chief announced the incoming disaster. He explained that he was entrusting the protection of the city to Miss Nina, the seer. The people listening became restless. Fear spread throughout the crowd. Mrs. Blackmore stepped forward and took the amplifier.

"Listen carefully."

"I will only say this once."

"For the children, pregnant women, elderly, and anyone unable to fight, you will follow the chief."

"You will be taken to the chief's residence."

"It is the safest location because it is the farthest area from the walls." She looked over the crowd.

"For those capable of fighting, you will divide yourselves into groups."

"You will rest for two hours before switching with the next group."

"If the monsters have still not arrived, you will repeat this process."

"Afterward, the resting period will be reduced to one hour."

"You will continue rotating throughout the battle."

"One hour fighting."

"One hour resting."

"This will allow everyone to maintain enough strength and prevent exhaustion when the battle becomes critical." She continued.

"For those who cannot fight but are still able to assist, your role is equally important."

"You will move throughout the city."

"Wake anyone who has not joined."

"Bring them here."

"Inform them of the situation."

"Help gather food and supplies."

"Those resting will need something to eat before returning to battle." Her gaze moved toward another section of the crowd.

"And those with medical knowledge will take responsibility for treating injuries."

"You will organize yourselves and assist anyone who can still return to combat." Mrs. Blackmore lowered the amplifier slightly.

"This is what we will do." Then she raised her voice.

"Do you wish to protect your city?" For a moment, silence filled the area. Then someone shouted.

"I!" Another followed.

"I!" Soon, the entire crowd responded.

"I!"

"I!"

"I!" Mrs. Blackmore raised her own hand. At the same time, her appearance changed. Her clothing transformed into a military uniform. The sight immediately strengthened the resolve of those watching. She looked like a commander. Someone who could lead them through what was coming. After that, Mrs. Blackmore organized everything. She worked alongside the captain and the newly formed defensive forces. While one group rested, another trained.

They practiced basic formations, defensive techniques, and methods that could increase their chances of survival. When one group finished resting, they switched places. The captain and Mrs. Blackmore alternated command. The other leaders did the same. Everything proceeded according to plan. The monsters arrived later than expected. The attack began during the sixteenth hour instead of the seventh. However, the preparation time had been enough. The soldiers fought desperately.

But five hundred monsters, followed by a boss monster, was not something this city could defeat alone. Even so, the rotation system, supply organization, and continuous support allowed them to achieve what should have been impossible. They defeated 467 monsters. After the final desperate push began, Mrs. Blackmore had already given another order. Everyone who could no longer fight was to retreat toward the chief's residence.

The fortified building would become their second line of defense once the outer defenses collapsed. No exceptions. Even those who believed they still had strength left were ordered inside. Because the boss monster was not something they could face casually. Mrs. Blackmore stood before the statue. She waited. Patiently. She counted silently. One minute. Two minutes. Three minutes. That should have been enough time. The artillery preparations were complete. Slowly...

The barrier that had protected the city began to weaken. And within ten minutes... Nothing would remain preventing the monsters from entering. Including the boss monster that was about to appear.