Lambert spoke with the knight who could use flight, and the preparations were quickly made. Martina and the knight were tied with cloth, ensuring that Martina wouldn’t fall even in the worst case.
“Flight can’t last too long. I think we can make two round trips to the city at most. Are you alright with that? Also, we can’t stay in one place.”
“Yes, I’m fine.”
Although nervous about entrusting her life to someone else, Martina firmly nodded, and the knight took a deep breath before channeling magic.
Using more magic than when flying alone, and utilizing the spring of his legs, the knight soared into the sky.
“Kyaaahhh…!!”
The speed of ascent caused Martina to scream in surprise, but she quickly covered her mouth with her hand to stop herself from crying out. Making too much noise could alert monsters, which would be a disaster.
“Are you okay?”
“Y-Yes, sorry for being so loud.”
“It’s fine. Let’s go.”
With the wind pressure hitting their faces and bodies, making it a little hard to breathe, the two reached the city’s sky in an instant. From above, the city was filled with monsters.
“Wow, there are so many…”
When they reached the sky above the city, Martina, perhaps more driven by her sense of duty than fear, focused on memorizing the city’s layout with a serious expression.
She blocked out the monsters in the streets, on rooftops, and inside buildings, concentrating only on remembering the structure of the city. The places where buildings were destroyed and became dead ends, and the places where collapsed buildings had created new paths.
She was completely memorizing the current state of the city.
“We’ll turn back now.”
“Yes. This time, please focus on the east side. The alley over there is hard to see from here.”
“Understood.”
A few minutes later, the two finished their flight and returned to where everyone had gathered.
“We’re back.”
“How is it? Can you draw the map?”
“—I can.”
Martina nodded seriously at Lambert’s question, and Roland immediately prepared paper and pens.
“Use this. I don’t have large sheets, but I have plenty of this size.”
“Thank you.”
Martina received the materials along with a board used for writing outside, sat down, and began drawing the map with a steady hand. It was a simple map with only the necessary information, but the level of detail was impressive.
“That’s incredible…”
“Martina has an amazing memory, but her ability to communicate that to others is also quite remarkable.”
“True.”
Lambert and Roland spoke nearby, but it seemed that their voices no longer reached Martina’s ears.
One map after another was completed. By the time Martina finished the tenth map, she finally looked up.
“Are you done?”
“Not yet. However, part of the city’s map is complete, so I think we can start planning the rescue operations with the information we have. There are numbers on the back, so please arrange the five sheets vertically starting from the top left.”
After saying that, Martina returned to her work on the maps, and Roland nodded with a confident expression.
“Leave it to me.”
When the ten sheets were aligned on the ground, they formed an accurate map. The map was simple, almost entirely just the streets, to avoid confusion for the knights and to mark the areas they had searched. It would be more than enough for the mission.
Everyone gathered around the map, splitting into groups and assigning search areas. Several knights entered the nearby forest, and preparations for medicinal herbs were well underway.
“This place is quite complex with many alleys. We should send someone experienced in searching city streets.”
“For managing the rescued citizens, leave it to me and Sylvan.”
“Understood. Then, please make a list. Work with the light magic users. For the critically injured, we’ll need healing magic.”
“Captain, should we also sprinkle medicinal herbs in the area where the rescued citizens will be waiting?”
“Good idea. If there are any leftover herbs, go ahead and sprinkle them.”
“Understood.”
Everyone carried out their roles, and preparations were progressing smoothly. When Martina finished the last map and looked up, everything was ready for action.
“Sorry for the wait. The last map is done.”
“Thank you. The team searching this area can take it.”
“Yes, sir.”
Martina handed over the last map, placed her pen down, and stood up, looking tired. All the knights’ eyes were on her.
Lambert was the first to speak.
“Martina, you’ve really helped us. Thanks to you, we’ll be able to save more citizens, and the damage to the knights should be minimized.”
“I was wrong to doubt your abilities at first. I had heard of them, but I never expected you to be this capable. Your talent is truly remarkable. I hope you continue to lend your strength to this country.”
Next, Escoffier spoke, and Martina, slightly embarrassed by the praise from both leaders, took a step forward.
“If I’ve been able to help, then I’m glad. But this is all I can do. From here on, it’s up to you.”
“Of course. From now on, leave it to the knights.”
At Martina’s words, every knight nodded with determination, and at Lambert and Escoffier’s signal, they all took a step toward the city.
From this point on, it was the knights’ job.
