Chapter 57: Swift Retreat
  “””Grrrrrowww!?”””
  
  Several dinosaurs, their balance disrupted by the magic bombardment, collapsed headfirst onto the ground, revealing the giant skeletons clad in mage robes that had been mixed in with the horde.
  
  Capturing the glimpse of their target in their pseudo-eyeballs, two Albus S-types positioned to the left and right rear of the giant knight squadron aimed their bows and arrows.
  
  『Target confirmed, fire!』
  『Take this!』
  
  Along with their individual shouts, arrows released from the sniper-spec Clawsolas units flew with a whooshing sound, piercing the skulls and pelvises of the troublesome mage-type Aberrations.
  
  The next moment, the magic of the Explosive Wind Bullet imbued in the arrowheads was triggered by the impact, blowing away the bones.
  
  “Ugh”
  “Aa…”
  
  The giant skeletons, letting out short groans, were unable to maintain the magical circulation in their bodies and collapsed with a clatter. However, their offensive ended there. Dozens of larger Aberrations, including magical beasts, were following behind, and it was clear that if they were surrounded, they would be defeated.
  
  In recent battles, large Aberrations and giant knights were the biggest factors in determining the tide of war. If the pilots of the Clawsolas were killed, the companies belonging to the regiment wouldn’t last long and would soon collapse.
  
  『… Let’s withdraw while we can!』
  『『『Understood.』』』
  
  Following Dorel’s instructions that echoed from the loudspeaker of the Regiment Commander Clawsolas, each Clawsolas turned on its heel and nimbly passed through the open west gate one after another. Dorel himself also entered the main street of the city and headed for the east gate.
  
  The pursuing Disaurs, unfazed by the narrow gate, rammed into the defensive wall. However, L-shaped steel beams had been installed at short intervals on the back side in anticipation of the “Hour of Ruin,” making it difficult to break through easily.
  
  The defensive wall, painstakingly reinforced against large Aberrations, gradually crumbled, but it withstood the onslaught of the approaching dinosaurs and guided them towards the open west gate.
  
  『… It’s infuriating to have them tread on the city we’ve protected for so long.』
  『It’s practically a deserted city now… We have to do what we have to do.』
  
  Dismissing the fact that there were still those who were unable to move due to injuries or illness, Dorel glared at the Disaurs that had emerged onto the main street as he retreated his Clawsolas.
  
  Although the street width, expanded for the Clawsolas, was said to be around 20 meters, it was still cramped for both sides, and at most, only two could stand at the front on either side.
  
  Having seized the numerical advantage, Dorel had sent the other Clawsolas units towards the flanks via the east gate, leaving two Clawsolas, two Albus including himself, and two S-type sniper-spec Albus as a rearguard.
  
  Upon arrival, they were to move to support the units that had already begun their withdrawal, and scatter the medium and small-sized Aberrations.
  
  『The rest is our problem. We can’t afford to make a mistake in our retreat.』
  『… For the sake of the children, let’s get through this.』
  
  『Don’t say such heavy things, Liana.』
  
  Sighing at his mage wife, who reminded him of their children evacuated to the capital at a time like this, Dorel placed both arms of his Clawsolas on the shoulders of the two vanguard units and crouched down together.
  
  In conjunction with that, the two Albus S-types in the rearguard fired their bows. The arrows struck the abdomens of the leading Disaurs without fail, and immediately after… the magic of the Explosive Wind Bullet imbued in them was triggered, churning their insides.
  
  “Grooo…”
  “Gyaa…Aa”
  
  Two of the dinosaurs, vomiting blood, groaned and collapsed onto the stone pavement. In the blink of an eye, the following Aberrations, stepping over their fallen comrades, closed in on the vanguard that had just risen.
  
  “Gururuu…Gugaaaaaaaa!”
  “Gwooooaaaa!”
  
  『D*mn it, bring it on!』
  『I won’t go down easily!』
  
  The two Clawsolas in the vanguard met the attack, blocking the slashing claws with their medium shields in their left hands and thrusting with their iron swords in their right.
  
  The thrust from the right vanguard Clawsolas pierced the throat of the opposing Disaurs, inflicting a fatal wound. However, the thrust from the left vanguard Clawsolas was deflected by the opponent’s left claw, and its right shoulder was crushed by the powerful jaws in return.
  
  『Guh, it hurts!』
  『Uwaaaaaaaaah!』
  
  The exclusive knight and mage of the left vanguard Clawsolas screamed as they shared the agonizing pain of being chewed through the sensory link with their Clawsolas. Just as they were about to be pushed over, the Regiment Commander Clawsolas in the middle guard fired a spear at the head of the biting dinosaur.
  
  Its brains pierced by the spearhead, the dinosaur lost its strength and collapsed. The left vanguard Clawsolas, freed from the sharp fangs, staggered backward.
  
  『… Are you alright?』
  
  『Regiment Commander, I can’t raise my right arm… I can’t use my sword…』
  『Stay on the defensive, we’re almost there.』
  
  While keeping the Aberrations hesitant after the death of the four vanguard large Aberrations in check, Dorel’s unit fended off the claws and fangs of giant magical beasts several times, killed a few more, and retreated to the vicinity of the east gate.
  
  At the stage where all that remained was for the Regiment Commander Clawsolas to fire the conserved magic “Lightning Bolt” and for each Clawsolas to turn around, a strange Clawsolas clad in rags floated up into the low altitude from behind the opposing forces.
  
  『As the diagram shows, you are inferior, monkey-like creatures!』
  
  The enraged voice of the undead Kreis echoed, and the legless floating “Mechanical Doll” Revenant thrust its Shakujo, firing two of the jet-black magic bullets it had been circulating around in succession.
  
  The Clawsolas in the right vanguard hurriedly raised its medium shield, but it was repelled by the first bullet. The second bullet, following closely behind, shattered the cockpit in the chest.