Thanks to Pauline, we succeeded in rescuing a hostage from one of the huts.
We took the rescued girl and looked for another hut where people might be imprisoned. Then, suddenly, a shout could be heard from above.
“Hey! What are you doing there!”
Looking up, a soldier was looking down at us from the roof. Our covert operation had finally been discovered.
I told Piyo and Pauline to take the girl and go ahead. The Hunter Harpy on the roof was preparing to attack, raising the blades attached to its wings. But as the opponent bent its body, it let out a pained groan and fell behind the roof.
With a thud, Cecilia’s face peeked out.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and go!”
Urged by her, I thanked her lightly and hurried on. After a short distance, we found another large hut guarded by a sentry, just like before.
This time, it seemed to be an animal hut. The sound of horses whinnying could be heard from inside.
The back door was locked with chains, and the front was bolted. Should I set it on fire like before… but if I did, not only people but also animals would have to be evacuated.
“How is it? Is there anywhere that looks like it can be broken into?”
“Hmm, it’s a bit difficult. Ah! There’s a window over there.”
Poline pointed to a window that had been installed for ventilation. But could the people inside reach it?
“Ah, brother, you were here?”
Suddenly, Karubene appeared from somewhere.
“I want to rescue the people captured here, but can everyone get out through that window?”
“Hmm, that one? You’ll need a rope, wait a minute, I’ll be right back.”
Saying that, she stepped onto a nearby abandoned cart and jumped out of the window.
After a while, children began to emerge from the small window. I caught the people who came down one after another and told them to evacuate. But perhaps sensing our presence, the sentry noticed us.
“Hey, the Dark Harpies are escaping! Hurry up and come here!”
One of the soldiers ran towards me to stop me. I let the child I was holding go and immediately reached for my sword. I didn’t think I could last even a second against an opponent like a rugby player, but I could at least create an opening for Piyo and the others.
Just then, a stray dog suddenly jumped out from the side and bit the soldier’s leg.
“What is this? Let go! Damn it, you filthy thing, huh? Whoa!! It’s rotten, AAAAAAH!”
The stray dog that bit the man had dirty, hairless patches, and maggots were writhing in its head, where flesh had peeled away. Another soldier who came to see what was happening noticed the bizarre sight and fled.
“Hey, wait! Take this off me, damn it all!”
“Don’t come near me, it’s a zombie, I’m infected, I… I don’t want to become a zombie!”
He tried to stomp on it and peel off the corpse, but only the skin on his leg came off, dangling loosely. I knew who was doing it, but I decided to focus on the rescue efforts for now.
