Christine returned as Orietta and I were resting in the inn’s beds. I was startled awake.
“Whoa! I’m awake, I’m awake!”
That morning wake-up call really worked wonders. If only it were a morning coffee or a morning kiss, though.
“It’s, morning~”
Orietta, who had been sleeping next to me, hugged me and still looked sleepy. Before I could embrace the adorable Orietta, my heart rate was already near its limit from the godspeed heart massage.
“…Please wake up.”
Christine had gathered a group of about fifty daredevils at the North Gate. The castle gate had been repaired, but it seemed they lacked earth mages, so the castle walls remained in their damaged state.
However, among those daredevils, the *true* daredevils were apparently slacking off from their work and trying to pick up Christine.
“…There are only five of them.”
Five precious individuals! They are valuable people fighting against monsters of unknown strength! Harpies attack from the air, Trolls charge the gate and then flee – these are the five who will fight alongside me in this utterly incomprehensible battlefield!
“…Was it necessary?”
Of course it was, you idiot! Don’t kill them just because they tried to chat her up! …Did she kill them? Did she really kill them? No way, you’re kidding, right?
“It wasn’t necessary. I can handle five people by myself and do more.”
I want to say that! I want to scream it! …Ah, maybe I was just agitated from being jolted awake by that heart-stopping shock this morning.
Rest in peace, five heroes. Leave the rest to me. After all, none of you could perform a heart massage on yourself, right?
Christine’s report ended there, and she looked down at us lying in bed with a languid expression. I actually kind of liked being looked at like that.
Her report didn’t mention anything about the Koatotemites’ command, so I wanted to ask more, but she completely ignored me. Am I even reflected in those condescending eyes of hers? Can she hear my voice?
Out of frustration, I thought about touching Orietta, but my heart stopped. My self-administered heart massage had already consumed godspeed. Oh, heroes, if only you could have done this.
“Ko… Co… Cock-a-doodle-doo…”
This morning heart-stopping shock is too much! If I had known, I should have tried to charm Christine instead of Orietta.
It seems the Koatotemites’ commanders are giving their troops a rest and tending to the injured, while also reorganizing their forces. They apparently don’t expect an attack before dark.
I never imagined a war against monsters would be so incomprehensible. My memories are fading, and I can’t recall clearly, but I feel like it used to be more straightforward. It’s strange to call it a “normal” war, but is this also a trick of the gods?
Christine came seeking combat rewards to replace Orietta, but I have something I need to do. I want to meet this place’s Lord and hear firsthand about this inexplicable war.
But first, I need to pay the rewards.
I had Orietta make room in the bed so I wouldn’t be unfair, and then asked Christine for a swimsuit… Wait, there isn’t one!
It took until near noon to pay out the rewards, and I was worried about whether there were other guests in the surrounding rooms. Usually, I wouldn’t care, being in a soundproof tent or in the middle of an open field, but I was worried about waking up the neighbors with Christine’s moans. Of course, my heart was the biggest concern.
The summons should still be fine time-wise. As I walked alone through the town, I passed by people who had started to flee, which was a clear sign of the Koatotemites’ end.
“A kind person…”
When I turned around, it was a Dark Elf. No bracelet on the right hand. Visually confirmed! No bracelet on the left hand. Finger pointed confirmation! This is the third one.
“You’re not Niina-chan, are you? Um…”
“I’m Shiina. I’ve returned from Rothfar.”
I asked her name deliberately, but was it too obvious? I’m more worried if shops are open to buy presents in this state than hearing about Rothfar.
As Shiina and I walked, I listened to her story about Rothfar, but it wasn’t much different from the previous two. This time, I didn’t let her probe too deeply. With regular replenishment of bodily fluids, it’s important to get her back quickly.
The thought of her getting stuck and her body rotting makes me shudder. Or rather, makes me feel like it would be a waste.
“Did you come through Sandrine’s Great Forest? That one path?”
From the Koatotemites to Rothfar, there’s a single, well-maintained road that cuts through Sandrine’s Great Forest. They say a renowned earth mage built it long ago. It’s nice to leave behind work that has a lasting shape. I’m all about destruction, after all.
“Yes. Even though the Koatotemites are in this state, I didn’t feel any danger on that road.”
That’s strange too. Attacking the strategically important Koatotemites and not securing the road? What on earth are the monsters thinking? But, since Shiina arrived safely, let’s consider it good. I can’t figure it out by thinking any longer.
What I need to think about now is… I’ll buy Shiina-chan some earrings.
I went around to the back of a shop that had already put up its “Closed” sign and forced them to open so I could shop. I bought two pairs of earrings and two rings. Being a timid person, I ended up paying almost double the price. Please use this money to escape the town.
I gave Shiina the earring for her right ear. This way, I’ll be able to tell when we meet again. It was a relief that both Yuina and she were at the Shadow Inn.
“Yuina-chan, how was Zivil Village?”
“It was peaceful. They were just farming. I passed on the message to Priscilla-san.”
Now Priscilla-san should understand our situation. It’s probably farming for food supplies to ensure their escape. If the Koatotemites fall, they’ll likely evacuate to Raltoonka, a town closer to the Imperial Capital. Neighboring villages will become deserted, but lives are more important.
“I will give the orders again. As soon as the fighting begins, the three of you will exit through the South Gate and assess the situation at Koatotemites. After that, Yuina-chan, you will go to Zivil Village. Niina-chan, you will go to the Imperial Capital after the fighting ends. Shiina-chan, you will go to the rear city, Raltoonka, and secure a base there. Our planned retreat destination is Raltoonka.”
I’ve conveyed what needs to be said. Now it’s up to the enemy’s moves. If it’s like yesterday, the White Lily Corps will launch an attack. Fighting outside the castle walls is worrying because we can’t expect much rear support, but if it’s an even match, we can do it.
Something was behind the monsters attacking the castle gate, and the movements of the Harpies… Thinking about it, unsettling factors keep surfacing. Is it because I’m timid?
The timid me hugged the Dark Elf, Shiina, to forget my loneliness. …Actually, it was so her body wouldn’t rot. I had the other two leave the room to prepare. It feels a bit late, but it’s not something to be seen. I’m just timid.
I completely forgot about the Lord. I told myself that forgetting means it wasn’t that important. Shiina-chan is more important than the Lord. There’s a mole on the side of her navel.
I parted ways with the three and headed for the East Gate. Christine is heading to the North Gate with her troops, and Orietta is heading to the East Gate. My steps are light; I feel like I could defeat a dragon right now.
The streets are still filled with people fleeing. I passed by people with large luggage and carriages. Some are even taking up arms to fight, but I want them to flee, it’s too dangerous.
If the people are gone, it’s the same as Koatotemites falling, but we can gather people again then. Once you’re dead, it’s over.
When I reached the East Gate, I looked for Orietta but couldn’t find her. At the East Gate, there are over a hundred adventurers and townspeople armed with weapons. Everyone else is radiating a sense of despair, but I alone am cheerful. Perhaps it’s because I’ve done good work.
Climbing the castle wall, I see a dark plain stretching out. With yesterday’s numbers, I feel I could charge out and fight. I’m confident I could take down half of them, but if I get surrounded or have no escape, I don’t think I could fight for long. And I’m not into being surrounded by men.
I wish I could send Doron to Orietta to check the surrounding situation, but where did she go? Did she get lost?
Night deepened, but there was still no sign of the enemy or Orietta, and I was starting to get worried. It’s a real pain not having a way to communicate at times like this. I wonder if Orietta can do something about it.
Putting my worries aside, “they” arrived. The ground rumbled from the direction of the North Gate.
