Sousetsuka

Sorry guys, this week hasn't been so kind to me, will try to get back in shape.

Intermission: Muno's Past

 

This is a saloon on the corner of the royal palace. It's dim even in midday due to the numerous thick curtains covering the light from outside, magic tools illuminate from below. Curtains are hanging from the roof and decorative plants are set to divide sofa sets as if to obstruct the views.

For that reason, the identity of the people in this place aren't known--That's how it is.

Furthermore, the gaps between each sofas are large, magic tools for changing voices are used and they talk in whisper to the point that the other person sitting on the next seat can barely hear it.

This is the place where gossips from all over Shiga kingdom are gathered.

It's an important place for the nobles to not only talk about scandals, but also to exchange informations revolving national defense that have been transmitted using magic.


◇


"Have you heard about it?"

One gentlemen sits down while greeting someone in secret.
Publicly, the person shouldn't be known, but everyone knows who's the one who can sit on that sofa set. They only pretend to not know.

"Is it about marquis Muno?"
"Oh, you're quick."
"Right now, everyone is talking about that story. Like how undeads are attacking Muno city."
"Half a day after the initial report from the royal palace emergency room, there's no more additional information, it's worrying."
"I can't imagine the elites of the marquis fall to something like undeads. They've probably been repulsed already, but it'd be a good opportunity to get the right of the marquis' territory depending on the damage."
"Well, everyone, please calm down. Why don't we let him tell us the latest information."

The high class people who have been talking turn toward an old man with good build.
Everyone are seemingly hungry of new informations, the buzz suddenly stops at once.

"Territory of marquis Muno has been defeated by the undeads army."

From that words, the bustling is revived from the silent.

"That can't be."
"They should have golem corps and even magician corps there."
"Moreover, they should had just bought a lot of tigerkin slaves from the weaselkin and made large battalions."
"They should have been one of the strongest five forces in this country."
"What actually happened?"

Their surprises are natural. Marquis Muno holds a very vast territory that produces many gold, silver, and even mithril and magic ores from their leading mines. Backed by that assets and various luxuries that even the king lack, the marquis had amassed armed forces that could even fight against the king's armies.

"We have to wait for more reports to understand what actually happens, we've only received the report that 『The marquis capital has fallen』 from the the birdkin of duke Oyugock's intelligence unit."

Silence dominates the room, but then the oldest gentleman who holds a cane starts to talk.

"I'm sorry but I have to go see my physician soon. Excuse me for leaving."
"Is that so, it's also the time for me to play with my grandchildren."
"My chronic pain is aching..."

The older gentlemen are leaving their seats one by one, the only ones who remain in that place is the young gentleman who has brought the news and a middle-aged gentleman. Of course, the two understand that the words of the people who are leaving are just mere excuses.

"Everyone is shrewd for profit huh."
"The kingdom army is most likely going to depart for the extermination of the undeads. Since there are many way to profit from it if the campaign is large-scale, it can't be helped."
"Is it fine for you?"
"Yes, I've already arranged something in the house."
"As expected of the right-hand man of the majesty."
"Your excellency, prying for identity here is"
"Ah right, sorry. I'd like to get my hand on the list of nobles with no legitimate child from you, no, from a certain bureaucrat-dono, would he be willing to help?"
"That's wonderful. Other people's happiness are my happiness. I'd be glad to be the deliveryman."

And then, two months after he brought the informations, the largest gathering of kingdom army ever recorded in history departed to marquis Muno's territory.


◇


"Then, all relatives of marquis Muno have died of unnatural causes?"
"It doesn't end only in that. Earl Bobi that had married with the marquis' little sister and all their children, every one of them die from a drowning accident."
"Is that true? I've also heard that misfortunes have befallen earl Muzuki?"

After the triumphal return of the kingdom army who has gone on campaign to the marquis Muno's territory, the whole family of marquis Muno have died unnaturally, no one remains from either direct or collateral family.
Thereupon, for the sake of succeeding the marquis, it seems that the nobles have sent out the one who have married into the marquis family, but they all die of accidents or mysterious illness, such reports are coming in succession to the royal capital.
Such stories also appears many times among their talks.

"If it's like this, the one who will inherit the territory might be marquis Ashinen or earl Fudai who don't have territory of their own."
"No, the territory of marquis Muno is too wide. It's possible to divide it into 4 or 5 territories."
"Oh dear, right about this time, there should be a lot of nobles who are raising money for the bribes."
"No wonder there are a lot of applicant for loan this month."

And then, half a year after this day, blood relations of marquis Muno up until the seventh degree of kinship have all died out. The rumor among the people is that it's the curse of the undead king.


◇


"Fuh, after marquis Ashinen, even earl Fudai died of unnatural death huh."
"Putting aside earl Fudai who has died of drowning in his house's pond, isn't the marquis Ashinen who has been killed by a spear in the downtown area not an unnatural death?"
"However, the guards who were with him didn't even notice when he was kidnapped in an instant, wasn't he fallen to the hand of the undead king?"
"Oy oy, nobles, of all people, shouldn't believe the irresponsible rumor of the street people."
"Well, even if we put aside the rumor, with this, there have been five influential nobles who would have succeeded Muno's family that dies of unnatural death consecutively."
"How many candidates remain now?"
"There is none. Every one of them has withdrawn."

Everyone, including the one who asked that question, already knew. The atmosphere is full of sarcastic smiles of people with obstructed faces.

"Even though they had bribed, no, spent entertainment expense to the brink of bankruptcy, they withdrew because they got cold feet from the rumor huh."
"No, two people among the five were active labyrinth explorers during their youth. It might be wise for them to withdraw."

Afterwards, a lot of lower honorary nobles full of ambition instigated by their guardian for their own profit also appeared, but the ones who bore the full brunt weren't only the lower nobles, even the guardian nobles died of unnatural death, so the candidates completely dried out.

And then, as the reward for the subjugation of the undead city, the mines of marquis Muno are given to the adjacent lords, starting with duke Oyugock.
Since there are a lot of dissatisfied voices from the knights who have participated in the battle, it's decided that the for the next 10 years, from the yields produced by mines that the feudal lords have obtained, 20% of it are to be given to the king, and the remaining half are to be shared among the knights.

Due to this, the value of marquis Muno's territory has fallen sharply.
With the profit gone and only risk remain, years where Muno's territory is without a feudal lord keeps piling.


◇


"Everyone, do you know that the feudal lord for the undead city has been decided?"
"Oy oy, you, don't call it undead city."
"That's right, there should be around 20-30 thousands people who live there."
"Oh, I apologize."

The young noble receives a cup of wine from a maid and wets his mouth with it.

"So it should be either the fifth prince or the honorary Earl Toldora, which one is it?"
"Since it'd be bad if a member of royal family death, it would be honorary earl Toldora right?"

The young noble who has started the matter only listens to the talks of the nobles around amusingly without opening his mouth.
Seemingly impatient, a middle-aged noble representing other nobles urges him to continue the story. However, the name that the young noble lets out is unexpected by anyone.

"Do everyone know baronet Donan?"
"Now then, that's an unfamiliar name."
"No, wait, I've heard it somewhere."
"Wasn't he from the branch family of duke Oyugock."
"Ah, that good-natured small man huh. He gave a self-compiled hero's book for the celebration of our seven year olds daughter's birthday."
"Ah, that man who's famous for liking hero huh."
"However, I don't remember him being a brave person who would risk his life by becoming a feudal lord like that?"

Yes, from what they remember, the incompetent man is fit to be called 'forgettable'. He didn't look like a man who had ambition to raise himself at all.

He was a straight harmless man--that's the common view among them.

"That would mean that he was likely recommended by duke Oyugock."
"But, the guardian nobles were dying too. Do you think that cautious duke Oyugock would do such thing?"
"That's right, since the mines have been distributed to the neighboring lords, marquis Muno's territory is only large without any specialized industry from its people, it has been reduced to poverty. There shouldn't be any profit for the excellency duke to be involved now."

It can't be helped that they're puzzled. Excluding the area directly under the king, the duke holds the largest territory. And it's not just vast, it's also the leading territory that produces things like rice, salt, silk and glasswork. Moreover, he even got himself the mines from marquis Muno territory and the right to deal with the set mines that the dwarves have occupied. No one can think why he would want a territory that's only wide now.

"Actually, about that baronet Donan, he has been living in the city of the marquis Muno territory for the past five years."
"What? Weren't even honorary nobles and lower nobles killed in Muno city?"
"That's right, the only nobles in Muno city now is the associate baron and his family."
"He's bringing his family to such place huh."
"It looks like they're people ignorant of the world."
"Fumu, rather than incompetent, his insensitivity can't be saved."
"Since his wife is a commoner, their noble blood is thin, that might be the reason."

Thus, in the following year, baronet Donan succeeds the Muno title, and becomes a baron inaugurated as the feudal lord.


◇


Let's change the place, to the baron main building inside the castle. 10 years after the inauguration as the baron, it's the mansion that has finally been completed with the assistance of duke Oyugock.

"Then, the marriage for the princess is indeed...
"Yeah, since the ceremony was postponed for many times, I had anticipated it, but a messenger with official refusal notice had come."
"Good grief, how deplorable. If they wanted to refuse, then the fiance-dono should had come himself."

The baron soothes the consul Jii who gets mad for his sake. He lost his anger after the surprising outlet of the anger earlier.

"It can't be helped, Soruna doesn't look to be interested anyway, and even their ages are 10 years apart."
"However, if this keeps up, her marriageable age would pass."

The words is unreserved since they've been together for many years, the baron smiles wryly.

"I don't mind even if it's a person from the street if Soruna has chosen."
"We can't let that happen. As he would inherit this territory, he should not be lower than vassals that have served master for generations. Moreover, it's also important to marry the neighboring lords. You can't be negligent in this matter."

Even while nodding to Jii's words, the baron has halfway given up about the engagements of his daughters. Until the time when he was inaugurated as the feudal lord, there were more than 100 nobles who died while aiming to become this territory's lord. Furthermore, it didn't only befall to the person himself, sometimes even the parents until the grandchildren terribly fell victims.

Even if they are escaping from their own difficulty, there is no guarantee that they would not fall into calamity if they marry the daughter of the cursed territory's lord. There are many nobles who think so.

Even the partner who had declined this time had only become the fiancee because he was promised to become the lord at the beginning. In fact, lady Karina is going to be an adult next year, but she still doesn't have a fiancee even now.

It's five years later that lady Soruna meet her new fiancee, and a year before the worst calamity visit baron Muno's territory.





Previous Chapter

Intermission: Lulu

 

I had always been an unwanted child since I was young.

My mother worked as a maid in the castle, so since childhood, I was taken care by my aunt who lived in the castle town. I don't have a father. When I was younger, I heard something about my father, but it was left aside.

"You're really ugly. Go draw water so I don't have to see that face."

It seemed that my aunt hated my face, I was often told to do works outside the house.
My aunt and her husband had two boys and one girl of the same age as me. They're Jido, Bado and Kuku.

Jido disturbed me by kicking me when I was just about to pull the water from the well.
Bado tripped my feet when I was carrying the bucket.

I was usually cautious toward them, but I didn't see their figures today, it was a failure.
Since the water splashed onto soil, I had become full of mud.

"Yay, muddy Lulu."
"Hehen, mud make-up looks better than your normal face y'know~"

I wept as I was more vexed that I couldn't deny them more than getting myself muddied. It was a fact that people were gentler to me when I was covered with mud and my face couldn't be seen than when I was just simply soaked.

When I was washing my body near the well, Kuku came. She was with her usual sarcastic friends.

"Ara? What a waste of your special make-up."
"Right right, wouldn't it better if she wear mask anyway?"
"That's good! Kuku, you're a genius!"

The girls weren't using violence like Jido and Bado, but their words hurt me all the same. At a time like this, I wonder how would Arisa retaliate?　If it was Tama-chan, she would likely throw mud balls toward those girls for their own make-up.

It was generally like these during my childhood.


◇


When I was 9 years old, my mother took me to the castle together with her. I was to be the princess's playmate. It seemed that the fourth queen's daughter was quite a sickly person. Moreover, she was really hard to please, noble daughters couldn't keep her company for more than three days, so they turned to me.

Normally, for a commoner like me to meet a princess, I would have to take etiquette lesson for about a year first, but it seemed they gave up in 2-3 days, so the lesson was abbreviated.

"It's Lili's daughter this time?　Mou, I've said many times that I don't need playmates, if they insist, then bring me a scholar or a bureaucrat instead."

What I heard from the other side of the door was a child voice with tired and proud adult words that didn't suit it. I'm not welcomed here either after all.
The princess that I met for the first time was a very beautiful girl with mysterious violet hair and pupils. Furthermore, her eyes were really calm like an adult.
Pushed by my mother, I awkwardly introduced myself, the princess glanced at me and then briskly stepped toward me and push up my bang. I always covered my ugly face with a bang so it wouldn't be seen.
I prepared myself for the abuse that the princess would throw at me. But the abuse was different from what I expected.

"Cih, this riajuu face, winners have it all since they're born."
"Arisa-sama, even though this girl can't be said to have superior look, she's a good girl that's calm at her age. Please don't hate her."

Riajuu face? I've never heard those words.
Arisa-sama leaned her neck to the side after hearing my mother's word and murmured, "Poor look?" That's the kindness of a mother. She couldn't really say that her own daughter was ugly.

"What are you saying? Lili. If you tell me that this bishoujo face is poor, that'd mean this country doesn't have any beauties you know?"

At this time, I had thought that Arisa's words were an indirect sarcasms, but she told me later that she was serious.
Thus, I became the playmate of the princess.


◇


The princess that I served was a slightly strange person.
She ordered the servants to cultivate a field on the castle's garden, and she went inside the library and treasure vault in the castle to read many difficult books. Even though she made her unusual clothes herself, she couldn't do embroidery or knitting, she had many imbalances like that. Moreover, she was also not good with social dancing and poem reciting.

"Did you look at the new playmate of the taboo princess?"
"I saw I saw, what's with that ugly girl."
"Hey, they'll scold you if you say that."

I heard such backbiting from the the maid's room. It seemed that taboo princess was about Arisa. Looked like, those violet hair and pupils were considered to be bad omen.
I didn't tell about it to anyone, but the women were gone in the next day. The princess said, "Fufun, it's impossible for malicious gossip to skip my sharp ears." It seemed there was a magic tool to hear far sounds, it was called voice pipe.

At the following day, princess Arisa told me a children story called "The Ugly Duckling".
Princess Arisa had told me many stories, but I liked this story the most
I wasn't as naive as to think that I would become like the swan in reality, but I thought I was allowed to dream a little.


◇


Hectic days continued after that.
What surprised me most was the fact that I was the older sister of princess Arisa from different mother. It seemed she heard it with that tool called voice pipe from the other maids' talks. It should had been a secret, but princess Arisa already knew about it.

"With this, there are 12 siblings. There are probably more if I look in the castle town. I'd hate a country without entertainment. That's right Lulu."
"Yes, what is it Arisa-sama."
"I'm banning the 'Sama'."
"Yes?"
"Like, I, said, when it's only the two of us, don't use it. Since we're sister, I'm banning the honorific."

The face of pri--no, Arisa which had turned away looked red.
At this day, we became sisters, no, the best of friends.


◇


Arisa wanted to do agricultural reform to make this country prosperous.
However, I was worried. The minister's son was supporting Arisa's agricultural reform, but from the gossip of the maids, it looked like he wasn't a decent human being.

"It's fine, men aren't trustworthy in the first place, but that kind profit-seeking type is surprisingly usable. Above all, this country only sees women as tools for giving birth. If I don't have a puppet like that then I wouldn't be able to meddle in the politics."

However, after this day, the cogwheels of our plan began to go out of order little by little.

The mountain died, monsters came out of the fertilizers, and the fields' harvests dropped sharply.
But, I personally was more worried about Arisa than the country. Even though she was called, "The Wise Salvation Princess" just the other day, now as if flipping hand, they called her, "Country Destroying Witch", or "Mad Princess".
Then the king finally confined her inside one of the spire in the castle. It seemed that our country had been occupied by another country, although I didn't know the detail since I was only looking after Arisa while being confined with her.

The kings and his companions were executed, and we became slaves.

Arisa was looking like a doll with her lifeless eye and lethargic condition. She's not like the usual stout-hearted Arisa, but she's still a 10 years old girl. It is not unreasonable.

The strength in Arisa eyes came back after a year, when we were moved to the royal villa from the prison, it came back a bit. In the evening with full moon, the royal capital sank into flame. The two of us ran away to the mountain. We were surviving while being frightened by the wolves sounds, endured starvations by eating nuts, and drank water collected with leaves.
When we ran out of strength on the highway among the mountains, we got caught by a passing slave trader. If we had not got caught at that time, we would probably die of starvation or fall victim to the wolves' fangs.


◇


"Guhehehehe~."

I felt cold shivers on my spine when I heard creepy voices from Arisa.
Aah! It seemed　that the stout Arisa had finally reached her limit.

Even though I'm clumsy and good-for-nothing, an older sister is still an older sister.
I don't know what kind of person our master would be like, but I would protect Arisa until the end.

Even though I had such grim determination--

That Arisa, she was just laughing after finding her favorite type of young man!　Mou, that Arisa, mou!

It was several days later that the young man became our master.

My first impression on that person is, "He looks like me."
He's not ugly like me, but his features are similar. His lines are slender, his colors are also not white, but black like me.
But, I don't think that he's as pretty as Arisa make him up to be. I wonder what does Arisa like from him?


◇


"It's quite tough."
"What is?"

I was surprised when I heard Arisa's story. That Arisa! She was crawling inside master's bed in nude herself to get his favor. She's too bold!

But, master didn't seem to touch Arisa. Master should be only 2-3 years apart from Arisa, it was strange that he didn't lay his hands on her when someone as beautiful as Arisa approached.

I wonder if master likes men?


◇


Today, I talked a lot about Arisa with master.
I noticed that I was talking too much in the middle, but I couldn't restrain myself as I didn't feel tense like I would with other men.
But, master listened me to the end without showing unpleasant face even once.

Furthermore!
Furthermore desu!

He didn't look disgusted from seeing my face.
It might be the first time this happened beside with Arisa.

It might only be my misunderstanding, but I felt like he was looking at me gently full of affection. Even if it was misunderstanding, it is fine.

Since the only one who could cook was Liza, I offered myself to help her. I also had things I could do. I would work hard to become something that was needed, not only as a freebie from Arisa.
<TLN: Like she's an extra Satou gets from buying Arisa.>

Ehehehe~.
I got master to praise me, "Tea made by Lulu is delicious."
This might possibly the first time I had been praised by a person.


◇


"Yes, listen to the sound well."

Impossible. It's impossible, master!
Y, you can't whisper so close to my ears.

Aah!　I feel too happy, I would likely get a nosebleed. As a girl, I cannot live if that situation happen. I'll endure with spirit.

But, it was not a whisper of affection. I earnestly asked the secret of the really delicious steak that master had made yesterday.

But it was not the time to listen to the oil at all when I was being embraced from behind with our hands stuck together holding the frying pan.

Even so, I still managed to grill one somehow.
When I sampled the meat, even though it was absolutely no match against the one that master grilled, it was many times tastier than the one I made yesterday!

As a proof that I was not mistaken, the plate became empty in a blink of an eye.


◇


It was exposed to Arisa.
I wonder how did she knew that I was attracted to master. It's mysterious.

But, master is very popular.
Not only to Arisa, but to Pochi-chan and the others too.

Furthermore, this time, even the the elf princess!

"I, I will also work hard to gain your favor."
"Yes, yes, you're cute Lulu. However let's wait the favor until you refine yourself as a woman in 5 years okay."

Cute he said!
Just now, he said that I was cute right?!

Ah, I can die of happiness.
To think that the day I got called that so naturally would come, it was such an absurd thought even in a dream or a delusion.

Even though the rivals increased, we had got to share bed together, we even did "A~n" like lovers, it was full of happiness.

Becoming master's wife or mistress are too unrealistic of a dream, but if some kind of mistakes happen, I would bear master's baby.

When I talk about it to Arisa--

"It's alright Lulu! When I become the legal wife, I will absolutely make Lulu the second!"

Arisa is very reliable.
But, I can't keep relying on Arisa.

I can't match with my face no matter what, but I work hard every day to make my figure suit master's liking. I'm still doing [Bust-up Practice] that Arisa and Mia have given up in three days.

And also my cooking!　I will improve my cooking to be equal for standing next to master.

And then, he would say "Lulu, you're cute." once again!
It's an audacious ambition, but I will absolutely make it comes true.





Previous Chapter

6-34. End of Turmoil (2)

 

Satou's here. In my childhood, the word "fiancee" was present in many stories. It has become obsolete before I know it, but I've realized that it's not actually that fun when it befalls me, Satou.


◇


"You're Nee-san's master huh?"
"It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Satou, a merchant."

The young knight with three scars on his face talked to me. He's the captain of the 17th knight squadron of the dukedom that have followed Liza. Even though they're knight of the dukedom, the captain doesn't hide his social status, the vice-captain introduces themselves. Both of them are commoners. Maybe because of that, they feel more like mercenaries than knights. I've thought that a knight would be a ranked noble, but it doesn't appear to be so.

The vice-captain beside him is wearing helmet, so his face can't be seen, but his tribe is the rare panther-headed clan. Of course, I'm not going to deliberately touch upon it.

"Hoo, she wasn't the guard of a noble but a merchant huh. At any rate, you've hired someone really capable, she can even use magic blade. You're probably a heir to a very large merchant family right."
"No, far from being large, I'm a merchant who doesn't even have a store on his own.  This time we've just had chance to meet with baron-sama."
"Sorry, the captain is the type who speaks first before thinking."

The vice-captain covered the last part of the captain's talk, but I heard it. The vice-captain covered for the captain, but I think it wasn't something to hide at all.

While we were chatting around, the maid earlier came back and guided us toward the stronghold.


◇


"Aah!　How dare you deceive me back then!"

When we were dismounting the horses inside the stronghold, a high-pitched voice resounded. It's the second daughter of the baron (Karina) from earlier.

"She comes out, that oppai lady."
"That is enemy."

Arisa and Mia spoke abusively in low voice. Since there's something like lese majeste, do speak in quietly okay?

Swoosh, along with the sound of wind tearing the empty air, the lady's fist has penetrated through the place where my face has just been.
Huh~?　Suddenly battling huh. Is there any reason for me to get twisted in like this?

I try to hear her reason while avoiding.

"Why"

I avoid a jab.

"Am I"

I turn over her hook.

"Being attacked?"

I handled the barrage of attacks from the lady who moved as if she was a fighting game character.
I couldn't help but always got my awareness robbed by the shaking mountains that shook whenever she moved, but I tried to look desperate in avoiding her as much as possible. However, isn't it painful when those things move that much?

I caught a sight of Liza and Pochi who are going to jump on her. Looks like the other three had controlled themselves from jumping in. I wave my hand when my eyes meet theirs.

"What's with that composure desuno."

After a slight lag, she tries to sweep my leg and I jump to avoid it.
Oops, we were in the middle of battle.

"Impudent desuwa."
"I'm just good at avoiding."

Come to think of it, since I've only been looking at her breasts, I don't realize it before, she's not wearing dress but some kind of horse-riding pants. Her hair has a lot of braids too, if it's only by look, she's like an elegant young lady from horse-riding club who's enjoying her holiday.

"Mou, how capricious!　Fight fairly if you're a hero."
"The hero-sama is over there. He's standing next to Soruna-sama right?"

I talk while avoiding her attacks, this could make me bite my tongue.
Her older sister, lady Soruna is coming here together with the fake hero. Rather than looking surprised with your hands on your mouth, I'd like you to stop this wild horse instead.

"It's not that! You were the one who annihilated the demon right!"

That was dangerous, if I didn't have poker face skill, it would have appeared on my face.
Even if she had witnessed the demon's destruction, the distance between us was several kilometers, even though the magic organism (Raka) had see-through skill, I couldn't believe that he could see me.
However, based on their conversation with Arisa earlier, it might have way to judge truth from lie. I have to be careful as to not have my wit overtaken.

"I remember that it's said that no normal human could defeat a high-ranking demon though?"
"That's right desuwa, that's why you're hero-sama. If that's not true, then say it."

I confirm the title on my status. Yup, I've taken off the title of hero. Of course, the title column on the exchange menu is alright too. Right now, I'm not a hero.

"I am not."

After receiving my answer, the tiara on lady Karina's forehead blinks. So the silver ornaments she's wearing like that tiara are the true form of the magic organism (Raka) huh. They look like reinforced arms.

"Raka-san?"
"Truth."
"...No way."

The lady is shocked after hearing the voice from the tiara.

"There is no mistake Karina-dono, he is not the hero."
"Then, just where has that true hero with golden sword gone to!"

Since she's throwing a tantrum, I'm moving away.
Looks like she's not so well educated. Considering it's that baron, she probably has been brought up indulgently.

"Karina, the silver masked person with golden sword appeared from the mansion's top floor and disappeared in the direction of the city you know?"
"Is that true, onee-sama?"
"It's true Karina-sama, I've seen it too."
"I didn't ask you."

She frankly believes the words of her older sister, lady Soruna. She's cold against the fake hero. Live strong.
It doesn't seem like lady Karina is going to go after it to the city.
She apologizes for attacking me by mistake, even though it's partly because the older sister has reprimanded her. Her gesture is so ladylike to the point that I'm thinking if the battle-junkie manner earlier is an illusion.

Since I've enjoyed the wonderful shaking in close proximity, and the peanut gallery around us should have been too, I accept the apology without complaining.


◇


We're being guided to the audience hall inside the stronghold by lady Soruna. Somehow, lady Karina who has sulky looks on her face is also following us. Of course, the duke's knight captain also follows.
It's fine that they do but--

"Even sir Zotol wasn't able to defend half of my attack, I couldn't believe that he could even avoid my surprise attack."
"However, he's not a hero, no mistake 'bout it."
"But, those moves didn't look like a beginner."
"Those moves were certainly amazing. I'd like to be taught at least once."
"Someone like you won't even last a match. Stay out of it."
"Karina!"
"But, Soruna ane-sama."

Not only was the the lady complaining by while muttering, even the hero asked me to teach him. I'll talk to the fake hero, so the lady won't bother me.

"I'm only good at avoiding. By the way hero-sama, what happen to that face?"
"Ha ha, please stop calling me hero. I was just set up and used by the demon to be one, I wasn't up to the caliber. The bruise on my face is the proof. There were people hired by the consul, no the demon, mixed in with the people who got inside the castle gate. I was hit when I protected baron-sama."
"I see, it's a honorable injury is it."
"That's right, the reason why I wanted to be a hero was to protect someone. The demon made use of that feeling, but my desire to protect hadn't changed."

Fake hero, what the heck are you talking about?

"I'm going to be the knight of Soruna-sama."
"Ufufufu, that's wonderful desuwa. Since the family's peerage will be inherited by my little brother, I could marry anytime you know?"
"Soruna-sama, I will be your knight without fail!"

Since the two have begun to get excited without minding the place, we leave them alone. A maid steps forward as a substitute for the guide.


◇


In the audience hall, there are a woman of around thirty lying on a simple bed and also baron-san, hayuna-san and her family. The woman is Nina Rottol, a viscount. Her cheeks have been drained, but the light of will on her eyes are strong. From the story before, she should have been locked in the gaol for more than a year, she's probably quite a resilient person at heart.
I don't know the reason why the demon didn't kill her, but it was probably nothing decent.

"I'm sorry for this look. I'm the new consul, Nina."

Her voice is powerful and husky.
The duke knight captain and me return the greeting.

"It looked like you were able to see through the true form of the demon."
"Yes, I had got various informations from my fellow merchants, and then I confirmed it with fathoming crystal."

Today, the deception skill is having its field day too.
Raka which can see-through lies is with Karina who's having reunion with the baron, so it's not paying attention here.

"Furthermore, on top of eradicating that demon, you've also exterminated the monsters which have gotten inside the city right."
"It was my companions who did that. Moreover, according to lady Karina's story, the demon's real body was annihilated by a mysterious silver mask."
"Companion? Ah, achievements of your slaves belong to your achievements you know."

What kind of reasoning is that.
In addition, captain-san also praises Liza and the others.

"Nina-dono, his companions also did another deeds. They protected the people who were running away from flocks of demon on the highway outside the city, and no one was hurt. We were also assisting them, but without their leadership, we would have not been able to prevent some deaths."

Since that's the first time I've heard it, I listen to his story carefully.

The three have did wonderfully.

Even baron-san who starts to listen to the story midway lets out exaggerated surprise. It feels like listening to a bard rather than a knight captain.
After the captain has finished telling the success of Liza and the others, Nina-san is whispering something to baron-san. Baron is nodding up and down. Somehow, Nina-san looks to be the superior here.

"Magician Satou-dono, do you have someone whom you serve?"
"No, there is none."

I inadvertently answered frankly, but I had a bad feeling from this flow.

"Then, would you like to serve this territory's baron?　You'd be only given honorary knight title at first, but there's no one like that among generation of Muno-sama's vassal. He's surely a baron for now, but he's a respectable lord. It has been determined that he would be promoted to be an earl before he gets a grandchild. Depending on your work, you could advance your rank as you please you know?"
"I'm really sorry but--"

Of course, I refuse Nina-san's offer. My purpose is to go on a sightseeing, not becoming a noble and succeed in life. Afterwards, Nina-san continues to aggressively solicit me for about half an hour.

While evading her, the story about the annihilation of baron's army and the clean-up of the demon outside the city by the giants get mixed in.

"Apparently, you really helped this baron's territory which had been in the brink of ruin to survive. It might be better if you marry with baron-sama's daughter and join the family."
"You're overestimating me."

The second daughter over there comes out with an explosive statement.

"Then it's fine for him to be my fiancee. Then his achievements would become baron's family achievements right?"

This woman!　She absolutely spoke that only to harass me.

"How about it? Are you going to be the fiancee of a beauty or a honorary knight, you could also take both you know?"
"Umu, it might be fine to leave Karina to Satou-dono."

Even baron-san is agreeing while nodding. I have a feeling that if I'm to marry lady Karina, he thinks that Pochi and Tama would follow along too.
I like her looks, but judging from her action and speech, I don't think that we'd lead a satisfactory life.

"N, no, something like fiancee."
"No."

After hearing the problematic remark of lady Karina, Arisa and Mia who had been grinning and looking as if spectators intruded.
Liza has been spreading intimidating aura on her surrounding behind me since awhile ago.
I don't know since when, but Pochi and Tama are being fed by the maids with baked sweets on the corner of the room.

In the end I lose to their forceful push, and take the route of becoming a honorary knight. I will have no duty but in return, I won't get salary or pension.
Even though I would become a noble, even if it's of the lowest rank, Arisa doesn't assist me as if agreeing with it. Looks like her stance is that of 'as long as he doesn't become lady Karina's fiancee'.

When Liza, Pochi and the others are offered to become the baron's vassal for their achievements, we refuse it but in exchange we ask for the like of Totona and the others and also serfs who have ran away to be promoted to become commoners. We also get the permission for the development of the reclaimed lands to be handed to their villages. Of course, it was Arisa who was negotiating.

In the end, we had to settle various affairs, and we could only leave the baron's territory after two weeks.







Previous Chapter

6-33. End of Turmoil

 

Satou's here. There's a saying that, "There is no younger brother who surpasses his older brother.", but a "Younger sister who surpasses her older sister." does exist you know.


◇


Well, now that the demon has been dealt with, let's meet up with Liza and the others.
Lulu and Nana are remaining in the village, so they're probably fine. Both of their HP haven't decreased, and also Nana's MP and Lulu's stamina are at no-problem level.

"Now then, Arisa, Pochi, let's get out of here."
"Yes, nano desu."
"Okay."

What's wrong Arisa, you look awfully tired.

"Are you tired?"
"Yeah, I really am."
"I'll piggyback you nodesu~."

It looks like she's not pleased with the instant-kill of the demon with the holy bolt earlier. I should have not taken Arisa's turn to shine after all.
Since Pochi seems to want to carry Arisa on her back, I leave it to her. When Pochi is running down the the stairs, Arisa shouts, "N, No, I'd rather master to carry me instead~". Looks like she's unexpectedly energetic.
Before I knew it, she had started to call me, "Master" again, instead of "you". Since I don't particularly care, I let her call me whatever she likes, but that Arisa obstinately calls me "Master" only when she's exhausted.

I lift off the silver mask costume that I've forgotten to.
Of course, I also clean-up the wooden holy sword and the remains of holy-bolt creation without leaving any trace.

>[Evidence Destruction Skill Acquired]

It's a skill reeks of crime, but after I activate it, I perfectly clean-up the traces once again.

I feel like I could do perfect crimes now.


◇


When I'm joining with Pochi and Arisa who are in front of the deserted mansion, I notice that the second daughter of the baron is coming here quickly.

Even though the destruction of evidences takes time, she has just been at the wall, she's really fast. She likely have used magic.

The lady appears from behind the tall hedges.

Demonic.

"You people there, where are hero-sama desuno?"
"Hero-sama had gone with baron-sama to the castle's stronghold."
"It's not that imitation. I'm talking about hero-sama with the golden sword desuwa."

Demonic.

"The hero-sama I know is only that one. I don't think there's anyone else inside the mansion?"
"Karina-dono, this girl seems to have said the truth. Let us go upstairs."
"Where's that voice coming from nodesu? I can't see the jii-chan nodesu."
"Don't tell me, it's an intelligence item?"
<TLN: Jii-chan means gramp, with chan.>

Demonic.

Yes, those are somethings that only exist in 2 dimension (Fiction).

"I understand, young ladies, thank you for the information desuwa."

Demonic breasts (Manyuu)--an existence that has surpassed explosive breasts (Bakunyuu)--Supported by silver locket-shaped ornament, they're hanging, the girl with proportion that looks like a joke runs up the stairs.

"What happen, you've hardened like a stone since awhile ago."

Thanks to Poker Face skill, my glances weren't exposed.
It was too kyonyuu, I had stopped thinking. Even in my wildest dream, I didn't think that there was an existence that surpassed that girl's big sister.

It'd be hard to oppose if such human approaches you.
In a sense, she's more dangerous than the demon.

"I'm sorry, I was surprised to see an Intelligence Item for the first time."
"You're lying. You were probably ●ＲＥＣ-ing that manga-like kyonyuu right?"

Looks like Arisa could see through my lame excuse.
Oh right, rather than that.

"Arisa, can you create figure of my cosplay earlier with your magic?"
"I could do it if it's just an image seen from eyes."

I see, an image huh.

"Then, create the illusion on the window of the mansion's top floor and have him jump around like a flea toward the castle wall, to the urban area."
"Like that, it'd be out of the range of my magic--Is it really necessary?"
"You don't want the kyonyuu beauty from earlier to follow us along right?"

Her appearance is totally in my strike zone, but I feel like the personality is the type I'm not good with.

"Okay. I want to avoid that with all my power."

Violet magic circle appears on Arisa's surrounding. It's Arisa's unique skill, [Over Boost].
I've made sure that there's no one in the vicinity already, even though there's no one in sight on around 2 meters away from the hedge, it may be a bit careless of her to use it outside in the middle of the day.

The illusion of silver mask appears on the mansion's balcony, and casually jumps out from the window. While carrying the golden sword on its shoulder, it's jumping around like pyon-pyon, in straight posture, and then disappears in the city.
The movements were a bit disgusting, but it seemed that the people in the stronghold had properly noticed it, it was a good performance.

Slightly after the illusion goes to the city, the lady shows her face on the balcony.
I've thought that she would come out a bit faster, but the inertia of those breasts are probably really great indoor making her unable to run with all her might. I've hoped that she would witness it when the illusion is out of the see-through skill range, but since there are other witnesses around, there's probably no problem.

Arisa who is exhausted after using Over Boost tries to coerce me to drink her stamina potion mouth-to-mouth, but I pinch her nose and thrust the potion bottle on her mouth.


◇


Now then, before I meet up with Liza, there's one final work that I have to do.

With Remote Arrows, I crush the zombies who are coming out of the passage that the companions of fake hero have used and litter the road with corpses. And of course I also close the entrance near the castle by bending the iron bars near it and tie them to it.

Even though the fake hero's companions are badly hurt, it seems that there's no one who dies, they're moving toward the territory's border using the side road.

For some reason, knight Eral--It's the guy who's tried to stab Hayuna-san--is also moving behind them. When did that guy escape. His health and stamina are in critical condition too, but this type of guy is usually hard to die, so he probably would live.

Looks like the giants and knight called Zotor are blockading the front gate. Liza and the others are taking care of the zombies inside the city while heading toward the castle gate.
Since the zombies who have invaded the city are consisted of thieves and goblins, they're weak on the whole. I've not fired any support shoot since awhile ago since the opponents are too weak for Liza and the others.


◇


There aren't only soldiers on the top of the castle gate, but also several servant-like people, they are shouting something to the people outside.

Liza and the others are going to arrive soon. The three's levels have been raised. As expected, they would after that many battles. Pochi has become the lowest leveled one among the beastkin girls. Next time, I guess I'll take Pochi to a monster hunting date at midnight.

I lead Arisa and Pochi to climb up the tower beside the castle gate. There's a door that goes toward the castle gate halfway through the tower.
I wonder what is this smell spreading inside the tower. It really stinks. Pochi put both her hands on her nose as if it's really painful. It's quite a cute gesture.

"Ugeh, what's this kendo's guard-like smell."
"Stinknodesu."

We get out of the dark tower to the top of castle gate. The light is dazzling.

"Oh! she's defeated the last one."
"Yer' amazing, demi-human knight-san."
"Now, people who've bet on the scalekin knight-san for defeating the last one! Receive your share."

Air of delight is dominating the top of the castle gate.
It seems that Liza has just defeated the last zombie. They're about 300 meters away from the castle gate.

"Liza! Tama! Mia!"

I call the three of them while waving my hand.
Liza who noticed me lead the other two to come here while riding the horses. About 10 Oyugock knights are following them from behind.
What's with the subordinates-like movement.

"Are they subordinates of magician-sama?"

The one who ask is wearing soldier-like clothing, but it's actually one of the maid that I've met on the mansion. Since she had rolled up her hair and wears a helm, I did not noticed.
When I affirm it, she says, "I'll make arrangement immediately", and conveys something to an important-looking man. It seems that he's one of the few survivors of the regular soldiers.

With his instruction, one of the door for horse riders is opened, and Liza and the others go inside the castle.

"Satou."

Someone jumps from the unsaddled horse, it's Mia. I catch her and holds her sideway. She's as light as ever.

"Tama."
"Pochi."

Beside us, Pochi and Tama firmly hug each other. Since the two of them were always together, they might had been lonely.

However, Liza is still cautious even after she gets inside the castle. She's moving her line of sight vigilantly.

"Thank you for your hard work too Liza, there's no enemy inside the castle, it's alright."

After I assert so, she finally removes her vigilance, and dismounts.
However, her tension is still high. She's probably tense since this is inside the baron's castle.

"You don't have to worry, baron-sama and his peers are open-hearted good people. Pochi was loved too."
"I've received baked sweets nodesu~."

Pochi takes out baked sweets from her pocket and shares it to Tama and Mia. Come to think of it, she was fed on something when she was sitting on the daughter's lap.

"Master, it is most reassuring that you're safe."
"Un, I'm glad that Liza is safe too."

Since there's a small wound on Liza's arm, I heal it with the magic that I've just learned today. Fumu, it uses 10 MP for such small wound huh, looks like potions are more efficient.

Liza is apologizing for leaving her position and coming to the city that has resulted in exposing Tama and Mia to dangers.
It seemed that her action was because she was anxious that I would be imprisoned by the noble. Looks like she's worried about me, with different reason than Arisa.

I'm thankful for the worry, but tonight, I will tell Liza that it's just an imaginary fear.




Previous Chapter

6-32. Mortal Combat with the Demon?!

 

Satou's here. For my work, I had put together a bit of disposable scripts once, but when I got accustomed to it, I could make one in less than 10 seconds.
New recruits were surprised when they see it, but they became able to do it themselves 1 year later. That is if they're still around after a year.


◇


"Where are those girls now?"
"They're right outside the city's wall. Looks like they're surrounded by zombies."
"Really? We have to help them!"
"Ah, we won't make it even if we run. I'll support them with Remote Arrow."

I tell Arisa so, get out to the balcony that faces the city and use the magic. I change into silver mask costume as a precaution if there are any witnesses.

"Uwah, transform? Transform skill?"
"It's just a skill for changing clothes fast."

I wonder if quick clothes-changing skill is rare?
While feeling slightly weirded out with Arisa's bizarre tension, I set up a short cane. I'm fine even without using one, but I'd probably look more like a magician with one.
I fire 3 successive shoots with 50 arrows for each shoot.


For some reason my head is tapped from behind.

"What's wrong Arisa."
"Magic isn't something that you can rapidly fire. When you're in front of people, keep around 10 seconds gap for each shoot."

I see, I've learned new things from Arisa-sensei.

For now, I have to get Liza and the others out of their predicaments. I'll let Liza and the others to finish off the lower 20s-leveled monster, so that they would gain experience, but their safeties come first.
I'm worried about the knight from duke Oyugock near them witnessing it, but they probably wouldn't think that the magic is shot from here, so it's probably fine.

There doesn't seem to be anyone who hang around in the city. Although, it looks like there are thieves around, I mark them for now. I'll leave them alone even if they're in danger.

It seemed that the people who weren't rushing to the castle gate were taking refuges in their houses.

Zombies who get into the city are heading straight to the castle gate.

Looks like the baron and the others have somehow able to move into the castle's stronghold. Even though the fake hero and Ossan seem to be hurt, since they're alive, there's no problem.


◇


"Hey hey, what is that clothes? Cosplay?　If you just had said it, I could had made cooler costumes than that unfashionable one!　Something like cosplay of red comet, or black noble troupe, I want to make you wear many things~."

I'm fine as long as it hides my identity, but I don't want to become Arisa's plaything. She's saying something like, "Mask is romantic after all right.", but I ignore her.

"The forest is strange nano desu."

Pochi pulls the hem of my clothes.

That's right, I had put them off since I was worried with Liza's and the others' safeties, but the giants in the forest were in a pinch.
Fortunately, since giants who are affected with confusion are few, it doesn't seem to have ended up in friendly fire. As expected, It's probably easy for the high-leveled ones to resist the magic.

Now then, while I finish off foes which give Liza and the others hard time with Remote Arrow, I take out the wooden holy sword from the Item Box.

I'd like to try how usable this is against the demon in actual combat. In truth, I wanted to try it against the small fry demon like the Splitter, but since this weapon is too conspicuous with many people watching inside, I gave up.
Even if it doesn't work, I could just use another holy sword.

"You, don't tell me you're going to use that wooden sword?"
"That's right?"

I return Arisa's give-up face with a straight face.
If I say that I do have other trump card, she'd surely scold me with, "Fight with the strongest one from the beginning."
I've used the strongest holy sword when I was fighting Wagahai-kun, however, since the enemy this time is not the type who fights straight, but one who plays dirty, I'm scared to think of the counter if I attack with something that's too strong.


◇


I ask Pochi to watch the urban areas and the castle gate, while I go to the balcony that faces the forest.
Arisa was also going to come along, but I stopped her.

"What?"
"There's someone who has see-through skill in the forest. I don't know how powerful the skill is, so I want to avoid situation where we can be seen."
"Are you fine yourself?"
"Yeah, I've hidden my name so it's fine."
"Wha"

After the incident with Zen I was checking the skill and took the opportunity to investigate the menu further, then I noticed that I was also able to alter my name in the exchange column.
I couldn't do it freely without limit though, just like with Title, I could only change it with names that I owned. In my case they're, [Satou], [Ichirou], [Ichirou Suzuki], [(Namae Nashi)], one among four of them. I've decided to use, [(Namae Nashi)], when I change into silver mask.
<TLN: Namae Nashi means no name, and there's a reason why I don't translate it directly.>

"Your menu is really a cheat huh."
"That so?"

Even though she's said that it's plain, it looks like the evaluation is getting better.
I think that you could do it with magic art anyway, and there are probably skills like, [Conceal Name], or [Alias] out there too.

Reflected on the radar, indicators that denote demons are suddenly rushing out of the forest quickly.

Don't tell me, surprise attack?

I immediately make Remote Arrow to stand by.

"W, what."
"It's the demons, they're jumping out of the forest."

Hearing that word, Arisa readies her cane from the middle of the room.

No, looks like that's not it. The demons are not jumping out, but blown away by someone. As a proof, the split bodies (Splitters) are annihilated the moment they've gotten out of the forest.

The demon's real body who's gotten blown out of the forest is floating in the air while facing the forest.
I can't see it since it's too far, but it's probably floating with magic power. When I look hard at it, some skills become available. Might as well activate them.

>[Distant View Skill Acquired]
>[Bird's Eye Skill Acquired]
>[Seeing at a Distance Skill Acquired]

What's the difference between Distant View and Seeing at a Distance skills?　Later when I ask Arisa, it seems that distant view lets you see far away things while they're still looking small, and Seeing at a Distance lets far away things look to be closer. Looks like the former narrows your view, while the latter let you see details in far away things.

"Uh, my magic could had reached it if it was closer."

I guess it's about 2 kilometers away.

"Won't it reach if you you use Over Boost?"
"Nope, nope, it would reach, but if it's that far, the power would be too thinned out."

A little idea hit me, I take out a bolt and a crossbow from the Item Box. About the crossbow, I tried dissembling it once to understand how it worked--since it was boring to reassemble it back just like that--I remodeled it. Liza wasn't able to pull the bowstring since I went too far with the remodeling.

"Wait, if you're using normal arrow, even if it reach it won't deal significant damage you know?"
"Is it like that?"

I cut the bolt in half using the Troll Slayer dagger. I feel that Arisa would scold me if I casually use a holy sword for that, so I use this one instead.

I engrave the same pattern as holy sword on the remaining half of the bolt and pour the blue liquid that I've used to make the wooden holy sword. Since I've stored it in the Storage, it's still fresh.

After I've finished pouring the blue liquid, I put it on the magic bestowing stand and complete the process. It may be the result of me doing it once that I've done this far without even taking 30 seconds.

"You, you're making it as if you have production skill related cheat huh."

I put glue on the bolt and attach a thin piece of metal on it.

Alright, holy bolt is complete.
The cost is about 20% of holy sword. This might be more usable than that.

I put magic power into the Holy Bolt.
Since Arisa has had put 100 MP into the the holy sword just fine, first I'll put around 50 MP.

It's fine.
Continuing on, 100 MP.

The demon seemingly has noticed the light leaking from the window, it turns toward here.
In order to restrain it, I make the standing-by Remote Arrow to encircle it.

"Demons aren't something you can defeat with beginner class magic."
"It's just for restraint."

Oh?

Even though I've said that it's for restraint to Arisa, the demon's health is gradually decreasing from the remote arrows that hit it. Looks like it doesn't have instantaneous recovery like No-Life King. It might be unexpectedly beatable with rapid firing of Remote Arrow.

When I put 200 MP into the Holy Bolt, it begins to shake. It's the same pattern like with Liza's spear. It would probably explode if I put more.

Now then, I wonder how much damage will it incur?

Since the restraining Remote Arrows are encircling the demon like a cocoon, the demon is already doing everything it could just to avoid the magic arrows.

I've decided on the aim, and shoot the holy bolt.



And then, several hundred meters away after the shooting, the holy bolt causes a small explosion--

"Aah."
"I guess it's impossible for a such hastily-made thing."

From there, it rapidly accelerates and flies.

Drawing blue tracks of light, it sucks up the demon--

"Huh?"

--It flies away beyond the empty sky while leaving several circles that looks like black mist.

It was too anticlimactic of an end, but since the log displayed, [Short Horn Demon is Defeated!], I did have properly defeated it.

I watch the black mist disappear while tapping the golden wooden holy sword that doesn't get its turn.

"Hey, what about the demon? Is it coming here?"

From Arisa's point of view, it only looked like a small explosion.

"I've beat it."

I clown around for a bit, but it doesn't fit my character. Arisa is befuddled. Good, it was really good that I didn't attach, "Tehee."

"Holy weapons really work well against demons huh."

I deceive her with a straight face.

"Wha!? This cheat guy~~ what about my turn~."

Arisa flops down on the carpet exhausted, but I won't say to her that, being a reincarnated person with unique skill that she is, we're the same kind.

The giants are dropping off a person who looks to be the young lady on top of the passage of the city wall. I can't see the magic tool with the see-through skill called Raka-san or something. It probably could either becomes small or transparent.

I'm getting a hunch that this will be bothersome. I lead Arisa and the other away from this place quickly.




Previous Chapter

6-31. The Girls' Battles (4)

 

◇Liza◇


There's no end to this.

I probably have defeated dozens of zombies already. Even though I could defeat many with just a swing of my spear, their number is beyond expectation.

We've reached the place where I can see the city's gate after some struggling, but there are still more than 100 zombies infesting the area until the gate. It's easy to deal with goblins or thieves zombies, but it's a hard fight against bear or other monsters zombies that sometimes get mixed in.

On top of that, there's even such thing!

The multi-headed snakes that appears from behind the zombies, it's most likely not just big. It spits out fireball as if a dragon.
Thanks to Mia's magic, we're narrowly saved, but it's probably not something that could be defended for many times. I have no choice but to make the first move and take care of it quickly. For that to happen, I have to cut the distance to the multi-headed snake.

"Mia, the road!"

Mia should understand that. Mia uses the magic that she has used to push aside the soldiers earlier to push the zombies away and make a path among the zombies.

I load every ounce of the small magic power I have into the magic spear--


◇Lulu◇


I could hear noises from the direction of Muno city.

I wonder if Liza-san and the others are alright?

We've gathered 100 pebbles just a bit ago. No, it's nearly 200. Everyone seems to have been really eager for the risotto.
Right now I'm learning cuisines of this region from the housewives who have helped me. I will surprise master later.

"Was it okay to have offered so much food for us?"
"There is no problem."

When I was tasting the finished food, the tall and thin village chief came. Nana-san is supporting me. I'm really still not good with other guys beside master.

"Chief!　It's terrible, refuges are rushing here from Muno city."
"What'd you say!"
"For now they've stopped in front of the village, but there are more than 100 people."

It seems that Arisa's worry has become real.
What should I do.


◇Knight◇


The scalekin nee-san begins her assault followed by red afterglow.
What great courage.

"Oy, let's widen the path the elf lady has opened."
"Righto."
"Vice-captain, go assist nee-san."

At any rate, that's the magic that we have got struck by, but I have no idea that you could use water magic like that. Some secret arts of elves huh.

"Donovan, there might be other hydra around, search for it with magic."
"Yes, captain."

Hopefully, it's just an unfounded fear.


◇Liza◇


I pierced the body of the multi-headed snake with an attack that used my whole body accompanied with roars.
I had the spiral spear attack that master had demonstrated to me once in mind while performing the attack, but as expected, I couldn't do it overnight.
Even so, looks like I've succeeded in neutralizing one of the multi-headed snake's head.

However, I cannot be discouraged.
My magic power has been depleted, my forged body body is the only thing remaining.

Pierce.

Parry.

When I see a chance, I deliver a heavy blow.

I was dubious since the attack from the snake was few, but before I knew it, a soldier wielding two sword was handling two of the snake's heads.

Some rotten goblins jumps out from under the flank of the multi-headed snake, but stones that flies from behind hit their heads, crushing it. Seems that Tama is also covering me firmly.

The two-swords soldier is quite skillful for a human.
Of course, he's still far away compared to master, but he wields those swords like he's dancing.

"Liza, here."

Mia who gets down from the horse passes me a bottle of potion. I still have no use for health recovery potion though?

"Magic power recovery."

I see.
I gulp down the bottle, and swallow the slightly sweet liquid. Is this how it feels when you recover your magic power. It feels a bit different from when you recover your health.

With my magic spear, I parry the multi-headed snake that has attacked after seeing the chance. One of my arm feels slightly hot sensation.

Looks like Mia casts balloon magic from my side. Green mist bursts out from below of the multi-headed snake's abdomen, toppling it down. It seemed that she made use of the multi-headed snake's blood that was on the ground.

Magic blade--wrapping the magic spear with red light.

While shouting with spirit, I drive the magic spear to the weak spot of the multi-headed snake that Mia has exposed, its stomach.

That big body wriggles for several times, and then it stops moving. This powerful enemy was not defeated with my power alone. Friends' power are great aren't they.


◇Mia◇


As expected of Liza nano. Liza is great right.

She could defeat such big multi-headed snake.
It's alright even without Satou. It's alright.

Yes, I was thinking such thing.

But reality is terrible. It's terrible!

Three similar snakes have appeared from the other side!　What should we do? What should we really do. It was that hard just to beat one of them!


◇Knight◇


"Although vice-captain did great too, that nee-san defeated the hydra hey."
"Let's work hard until we reach the gate."
"But those swarms of zombies are continuing until the opposite side of the outer wall."
"Good grief, just where are they coming from."
"It can't be that No Life King has been revived right."

However, the room for our mundane chattering is over.

"Captain, three of them are coming from the interior."

I grimace at Donovan's report. Why does my bad hunch have to be proven right like this?
Three hydras come out from the interior.

"I, when this job is over, I will marry Pina-chan from the kitchen."

The fool is already escaping from reality.
There's no choice but to retreat here. Since Donovan is already tired of firing Air Hammer, we have to retreat in one stretch.


◇Liza◇


Those are impossible indeed.
Even though I could have reached to where master is in just a bit more....

I have force myself here as to not let Mia and Tama get injured.

I'm worried whether the human soldier earlier has escaped far enough, but we have no choice but to withdraw here. However, I wonder if we could get away safely with such enemies?

Let's preserve magic power for now.
The red light on the magic spear that I've stopped supplying with magic power grows dim. As if reflecting my weakness, I feel unpleasant.


◇Tama◇


I'm covering the last line of defense together with the horses.

It's another fire-spitting snake. This time there are three~?

If I'm not mistaken, it's said that if they're turned into kabayaki, it's delicious. What's kaba I wonder?
<TLN: See kemm's excellent explanation in the comment section.>

Haah, my stomach is hungry~.

The light from Liza's spear has disappeared, Mia is breathing roughly.

Pinch?

But, it's okay.

Toward the snakes that were going to spit fire to Liza and the others, lot, and lots of transparent arrows are descending.

See?

Whenever Tama and the others are in danger, master will always protect us nyan.

I want to eat meat quick~♪


◇Knight◇


"Am I dreaming?"
"Maybe it's support from baron's army."
"Stupid, one could fire at most three magic arrows right?　Just how many dozens of people would be needed for that kind of number."

Moreover, the arrows aim toward the zombies that are going to disturb the spearworks of nee-san, and this happens not only once. I think that it's probably a companion of nee-san, but just spare me from misfire okay?

Good grief, I've had enough of absurdity today.

"Please look at that, giants are on the other side of the outer wall."

Heads of giants could be seen on the other side of the city's wall, it looks like they're not destroying the wall, but attacking something on the suburbs. I'm not sure about it, but they're most likely defeating the zombies on the other side.

I've heard that baron Muno is a carefree happy-go-lucky person, but is he employing even the giants?　Impossible, story where giants helping humans only happen in heroic tales.

I'll say this again, I've had enough of absurdity already.




Previous Chapter

6-30. The Girls' Battles (3)

 

◇Knight◇


"Oy oy, dividing the forest like that, what the heck are they."
"Captain."
"I know. Oy, you guys, follow the ladies before the forest closes."
"""Understood."""

My subordinates answer with good spirit to my words.
I've heard rumor before that says elves are able to freely make paths on forests. I thought that it was just some stupid drunken talks, but looked like it was true. This is just right, I'll make use of it to slip through that crowd.

Still, what's happening to baron Muno's territory?　Looking at the appearance of those crowds, there's no mistake that they're people from Muno city.

Do hordes of monsters attack from the forest?
If it's that then they should have barricaded themselves inside the city, what actually happen anyway.

By the order of the duke, I've thought that this would be an easy job of just meeting his nephew couple, but feels like this has become an unthinkable military outing.


◇Tama◇


Nyu!

Path springs out of the forest~?

It looks like secret art of fairy, I'll ask Mia to teach me next time.

I'll be taking lots of prey freely~♪

When I stand on the horse to dance, "It's dangerous, sit down.", I've got scolded by Liza.

Could Liza see from her back~?

Huh?

Ahead, at the opposite side of the forest, I could see dark people behind the people who are running away on the highway?

Ah, an old woman fell.

A dark monkey-like thing bares its fang, bullying the old woman.

Don't bully the old woman.

I throw a stone from atop the horse.

Aah, the dark person's head disappeared.

Will master scold me?

Green blood are coming out of the dark person, looks like it's a monster.

Safe.


◇Liza◇


"Mia, to the highway."
"I understand."

Mia connects the path to the highway.
I want to quickly go to master's place, but I wouldn't want to show my face in front of master after abandoning people of the same race as master.
Master even gave mercy to thieves. He probably would not abandon innocent people.

I put magic power into the magic spear. After master reforges it, it feels like an extension of my arm. It feels as if my nerve is connected until the tip, I could wield it freely.

"With me holding this spear, I won't let you through."

A small fry which has passed through with its fast leg is already being dealt with by Tama. I'll leave that side to her.

The enemies are swarm of zombies.

"Mia, bow and arrow don't work on these things. Please support me with magic."
"Nn."

The magic spear slays the zombie which are swarming in group like it's mowing them. Normally, this is not how you should use spear, but thanks to the effect of magic blade that manifests when the magic spear is put with magic power as in accordance to what master has taught me, I could cut them as if they're dead trees.

If it was a normal spear, this careless handling would had broken it a long time ago.

"We're helping ya, scalekin nee-san."

Looks like the cavalries who have been following us from behind are going to participate in the battle.
It's fine as long as they don't get in the way....


◇Karina◇
<TLN: Sorry, I've mistranslated the part where 'arm is raised', it should've been Karina who does it, not the giant, she's going to hit the giant instead of the other way around. Really sorry about this.:(>


My fist was stopped before it hit Ishizuchi-san.

"Raka-san, why are you stopping me?"
"Karina-dono, it's an attack from the demon's magic. Come back to your sense."

When the magic tools of Raka-san shine blue, the hatred inside me disappears as if being washed away.
Besides me, it seems that young wood giants and sir Zotor are affected by the magic.

The giants who are affected by the magic are pinned down by other giants.
Sir Zotor is violently raging while being held upside down by his feet.

I'm a bit disappointed.

"Ishizuchi-dono, hit to the front left."
『Acknowledged.』

Ishizuchi-san hits a tree nearby hard.

It was surprising.

Several dark people who have bat wings emerged from the place that should had been empty. Later when I ask Raka-san, it's not that the demons become invisible, but they disguise themselves as trees. It seems that it's called mimicry. They're like insects desuno.

"Kuhahaha, young lady, some unthinkable reinforcements you"

In the middle of the demon's talk, BAM, accompanying that sounds, the demon is sent flying to outside the forest.
Giants are short tempered. A female giant beside Ishizuchi-san hits and sends all the dark demons flying using an enormous club. It's as if the woodcutter beskyuu that comes out in the folklore.

Most of the dark demons have become dark rubbish after the attack, but one of them recovers and stands still in the air.

"That's the real body, Ishizuchi-dono, let's go!"
『Yeah』

However, the situation advances even before Ishizuchi-san moves.
Many little light that come out of nowhere are surrounding and bustling around the demon. It looks very beautiful, although my impression may be out of place.

"Ridiculous, it's impossible."
"Raka-san, what is going on?"
"That's a tactical level magic that belongs to advanced grade of magic art. Karina-dono, is there an exceptional magician working under the baron?"
"No, there's only one person who can use intermediate level magic, but there is no one who can use advanced level."

From the opposite side of the glittering light, a blue light dazzle for an instant. And then it immediately disappears to the horizon while drawing blue trace of light.

And then, the demon which should have been inside the glittering light is lost.

"Did it escape?"
"That's not it."

Raka-san answers with a voice that sounds as if it's squeezed out.

"Is it not?"
"The demon has been destroyed. No, it was destroyed from the attack of the holy sword just then. Ridiculous, unbelievable."

Holy sword?
Is the sword of that impostor really a holy sword after all?
No, that can't be possible. Or maybe, the real hero has rushed here?

"Maybe it was the real hero?"
"I do not know, but the problem is not about that, Karina-dono. The attack from the holy sword earlier wasn't normal. That was a forbidden technique of making magic tools ran wild by supplying it with excessive magic power in order to increase its attack power. It's unthinkable to make holy swords disposable. Just who in the world is it."
<TLN: Also known as broken phantasm in nasuverse :p>

I am bothered by the thing about holy sword that Raka-san has said, but more than that, it's about the hero-sama. There are two holy swords in this country, but there's only one hero in the entire world. I think it's important to know if the one who has used the holy sword is the hero or not. I wonder what kind of person it is?

"Can't Raka-san see it?"
"It's too far so the power to see through can't reach it, but it seems to be a person wearing a silver helmet. Moreover, he has a golden sword, that's probably a holy sword."

That impostor didn't wear something like silver helmet. Furthermore, the sword that he had shown was letting off blue light that didn't have the feeling of mystic. It was vague at that time so I got deceived, but that sword can't be the twisting Gjallarhorn. If it's about holy sword, I could easily talk for three days straight you know?

"Raka-san, let's find out his true identity!"
"Wait, Karina-dono. First, we have to eliminate zombies that have overflowed the city's outer perimeter."
『Don't mind it, we have no more duty after the demon is destroyed. You can leave the disposal of the zombies to us and the knight.』

I take advantage of Ishizuchi-san's favor and let him take me down on the outer wall of the city.

However, was there a holy sword with golden blade?


◇Knight◇


"Oy, that scalekin's spear is the real deal, the heck is that?"
"It's amazing eh, it's used like an axe even though it's a spear. Moreover, looks like that light is from the magic blade."
"Uhhya~, just like the duke's imperial guard huh."
"Not just that, look at the horse of that little one. What is that? The little one is throwing stones that always hit its target while standing on the saddle, and the horse moves on its own to near the zombies and kick them."
"Isn't that normal for a war horse?"
"There's no way that fatty a war horse right?　That's Gontsu species usually used for cart you know?"
"Oy, this isn't the time to be careless, something really dangerous has appeared from the interior."

My subordinates are properly defeating the zombies even though they're bantering, but we should brace ourselves since a dangerous enemy seems to have appeared.
If I remember right, that should be a hydra. Since it looks like a zombie, it'd be good if it could not use breath.

"Donovan, breath might come out, please use Air Shield if that happen."
"Understood, though I'm just saying that it'd be just a temporary measure against breath."
"I don't mind, better than nothing."


◇Mia◇


Mou!Just how many are they?　Even though Liza and the cavalries should have defeated around 100 of them, they're still coming. It's really coming.

"■■■　■　■■　■■■ Water Screen"

Dangerous. Really dangerous.
Behind the zombies, a snake with lots of neck was breathing fire. Surprising, I was really surprised.

But, but, I had wonderfully prevented it with water screen. Prevent you know. It'd break if I defended against it straight, so I had just warded it for a bit. I came up with it when I saw Pochi and Tama warded off Liza's spear. I had just put it into practical use you know?


◇Knight◇


The fire breath from hydra destroyed Donovan's Air Shield like it was crumpling paper, but a water screen casted from somewhere and formed in the interior repelled it.

"Oy, oy, yer' losing to that child over there."
"That one's an elf you know?　She has lived several times ours even though she looks like that, she's a proper lady even though she's small."
"You don't mind even if you lose huh?"

Even while they were bantering, they kicked the pseudo-goblin zombies which was attacking from below.
Even that girl's magic won't be usable indefinitely. It gradually declines every time it receives the attack. There's no choice but to use Donovan's Air Hammer to secure the gap before the Hydra.




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