Chapter 264

The jet-black lion crashed through the glass window leading to the garden and leapt in.

Ignoring the many guests in the hall, the lion charged straight toward Shedelielya.

"Watch out!"

The first to move wasn't Clael or Reina, but the crown prince, Eric Seincle.

Since Eric, the host, was near the stage, he managed to cut between Shedelielya and the black lion.

"Grah!"

"Kuh... Hah!"

Eric drew his sword and blocked the descending claw.

He grimaced at the black lion's powerful arm... but quickly pushed it back, forcing the beast to retreat.

"Heh... You've gotten stronger, haven't you?"

Clael murmured without thinking.

Eric was stronger than expected. Clael had to revise his opinion a little.

"Luy, let's help His Highness!"

"You don't need to tell me, Will!"

"I'll support you too...!"

Will, Luy, and Melon moved to assist Eric.

Will attacked the black lion with magic, Luy used support magic and magical arrows, and Melon sent out healing magic.

The four fought in a well-coordinated manner. Just like the heroes and heroine from the game.

"At this rate, it looks like they won't need our help..."

"What should we do, Clael?"

"We'll evacuate the party guests. I'll coordinate with the staff to guide them out, so Reina, please treat the injured!"

Clael gave instructions swiftly.

The black lion was only targeting the songstress Shedelielya. She was being shielded by Eric and the others.

The party guests screamed and ran in all directions. Some fell, and others were injured by shards from the broken glass.

"Understood! Please be careful too, Clael!"

"You too, Reina... Everyone, please evacuate calmly! Don't panic!"

"Munya munya... I can't drink anymore..."

"Mr. Yurii, stop mumbling in your sleep! You're a teacher, aren't you!"

While shouting at the drunken Yurii nearby, Clael worked with the staff to lead the evacuation.

Eventually, most of the people in the hall had evacuated outside. The only ones left were Eric and the others fighting the black lion. The hotel security staff were also surrounding the black lion from a distance.

"............"

And then... Shedelielya, wearing a troubled expression. Only Clael, who had played through the game, knew why she looked so pale.

"Clael, we've evacuated all the injured!"

"Good work... Now then, how are things over there?"

After treating the last of the injured and sending them out, Reina rushed over to Clael.

When Clael turned his attention to the battle... Eric deflected the black lion's descending claw and counterattacked with a returning slash.

"Grrrrrrr...!"

"Hah, hah... So strong...!"

Eric was breathing heavily.

While he had no major injuries, he was clearly fatigued.

This black lion had the strength of a boss monster from the latter half of the scenario. Eric was holding his own reasonably well, but his stamina was clearly running out.

"I thought they'd be fine... but maybe it's a bit too soon for them?"

"Shall we assist, Clael?"

Reina asked from beside him.

If this were the Reina from the game, she would've jumped in without hesitation, but the one before him seemed to prioritize Clael's judgment.

"Yes, I suppose we have no choice..."

"Uwooooooooooooooooooooooooh!"

As Clael prepared to join the fight... the sound of shattering glass rang out again.

"Eric! Look out!"

What burst into the hall, scattering shards everywhere, wasn't a Bigfoot covered in pure white snow... but Vincent Flame, covered in snow.

Clael didn't know why he was here, but Vincent had crashed through a different window than the one the black lion had broken.

"Take this!"

"Guoh!"

Vincent struck the black lion with a blow from his greatsword.

The unexpected attack from an unforeseen direction startled the black lion, causing it to leap back.

"Alright! We can do this, everyone!"

"Grrrrrrr...!"

Realizing the disadvantage brought by the new enemy... the black lion glared at Shedelielya with hatred before taking off.

It leapt out through the broken window and vanished into the darkness of the night.