Even Axel was shocked seeing the girls change clothes as if he didn't exist. However, he made sure not to avert his gaze, enjoying the view while it lasted.

Although there were some differences, most of them didn't seem to pay him any mind.

A few acted shy, turning their backs to him to hide their bodies a bit, while the rest moved out of his view to change.

Seeing their actions, Axel nodded to himself with understanding.

'So being seen while in the bath, naked, and being seen half-naked while in service is different, huh…' he reasoned.

"G-Girls! At least wait until Sir Axel isn't looking!"

Although Nina, who returned to her senses a moment later, quickly worked to address the half-nude show.

"S-Sorry about this, Sir Axel. These girls aren't shameless, they're just… pragmatic," she apologized.

"No, it's fine."

Axel quickly waved his hand, smiling in understanding.

"I understand that they're not really shameless or vulgar, so no worries. Just change clothes as quickly as you can."

Of course, his main reasoning—wanting to see more of the show—was hidden skillfully.

"I-I see…"

Nina nodded before looking around hesitantly.

She, who understood how valuable the items Axel gave them were, couldn't help but doubt the scene she was seeing.

'Fifteen sets of amazing gear, which could be worth hundreds of millions, if not billions, of Colts each…!'

The other witches, roughly pulling at the clothes as if it was normal military wear, made her heart feel like it was bleeding dry. If they broke even one set, then the Hallbach Queendom wouldn't be able to afford the losses!

In less than three minutes, all the girls changed into the new set.

And as soon as they did, even those without the Sage's Monocle could understand something.

"This is amazing. I… feel way stronger now than earlier!"

"These clothes are amazing! Although thin, they could block the cold winds!"

"Idiots! Look at the design! It's so cute~!"

Axel, of course, didn't choose the design. It was as per the recipe, after all.

The miniskirt witch attire, with a dress that reveals a large portion of the wearer's stomach.

Arms covered with thin, semi-transparent cloth, and a big ribbon at the center of their chest. Rather than a witch, they look more like someone cosplaying Magical Girls from a kids' anime!

Nina, who was also wearing it now, even understood the item's effects better. After all, she had read the effects that they couldn't feel just by wearing it. Effects that no royal treasures could replicate at all!

But more than that, her gaze toward Axel changed by an entire league.

Someone who could afford these amazing clothes and give them out like they're cheap things will never be simple!

'A ruler of a different dimension…? Or multiple dimensions?' Such ideas circled her mind. 'Ria, that little girl… really overdid herself, snagging such a bigshot…'

Envy, guilt, remorse, and various negative emotions swirled inside her heart. The fact that she took advantage of such an amazing person while he was asleep further added to her burden, making her bite her lips down in chagrin.

"Alright!" But Axel wasn't aware of her inner turmoil. "With your new attire, fighting big guys like the Minotaur should be easier now."

"What?! So this attire has such an effect…?!"

"Sir Axel… amazing!"

The girls praised him while others roared in surprise. After all, they didn't imagine that just by changing their clothes, their powers would increase severalfold. Axel just smiled at their excitement and continued.

"As soon as we're done resting, we'll hit the road again! After that, we'll be hitting the fortress in one go, so prepare yourselves!"

"Yes, sir!"

With everyone's excited replies, Axel nodded once more, satisfied.

All they need to do now is rest well, and then…

"It's time for a showdown!"

…

An hour later, after they were all well rested.

Everyone boarded the Humvee once more, sitting in the same formation as before. They've already gotten used to it, so there's no use in changing seats this late in the game.

"Then… let's go!"

And with Axel's voice as the signal, they started driving forward, heading into the Red Zone once again. Shortly after, movements were detected.

"Miasma is gathering 300 meters ahead! Another demon is being spawned!"

Nina, who was wearing an accessory that increased her perception, noticed the anomaly ahead of them. By the size of it, she could tell it was another Minotaur, if not something of similar strength.

"Alright, you heard her!" Axel grinned. "As soon as it appears, hit it with your best shot!"

Instead of stopping, Axel floored the gas, accelerating even faster. Soon, they sped past the big aggregate of black "something" that was beginning to form a giant shape. A bull with a human upper body… another Minotaur!

"...!"

The girls tensed up upon seeing a familiar face.

They did struggle against it just an hour ago, after all. They wouldn't forget it so quickly.

"It's fully materialized now!" Nina shouted promptly. "Fire!"

"""DEATH CURSE!"""

This time, they were prepared.

As soon as the monster fully materialized, they fired Death Curse all at once.

With the staff adding a 50% Resistance Ignore effect, that meant half of the Death Curses should land successfully. Even if their RNG was bad, with fourteen casters at the same time, at least one should be able to slip by.

"M-MOOO?!"

And just like that, the Minotaur was hit by the curse.

Its brown skin quickly changed colors, enveloped by a dull gray. The Death Curse moved rapidly, eating into the monster's body until it reached its heart.

With a loud thud, the Minotaur fell forward, dying in moments. Its body dissipated into black particles of miasma, vanishing into nothingness.

Apart from the roaring engine, only silence remained.

"W-We… killed it…?"

Someone asked, confused.

"Yes… I think it's dead."

Another answered, similarly confused. And as the reality sank in...

"Wow! That monster we struggled to defeat earlier now fell with just a single volley!"

"No way! What is with this staff?!"

"Amazing, Sir Axel! So amazing~!"

Soon enough, they began clamoring—cheering with joy and voicing their disbelief.

After all, they had just defeated a monster they could barely touch an hour ago, all thanks to the new equipment Axel gave them!

"This is just the start! Attention, everyone!" Nina roared in command.

Of course, they weren't done yet.

No.

Rather, this was just the beginning.

As they headed further in, they started seeing swarms of monsters blocking their path. Although the Humvee was tough, it wasn't tough enough to block a troll's one-ton stone club.

"Death Curse!"

With just a couple of curses, the swarming monsters were obliterated.

It was so easy that the girls wondered why they struggled against the Red Zone before!

As they headed further in, killing all the demons they saw along the way…

"We've arrived!"

Axel frowned, his expression tightening.

Ahead of them was a fallen fortress.

Walls were almost nonexistent, and the battlement was missing. Monsters roamed the place as if they owned it, unfazed by the sudden arrival of Axel and the others.

"Now…"

He shouted, stomping on the brakes.

"It's time to take back this fortress!"

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