In a certain Viscount’s territory within the Silveren Countship.
Upon arriving as reinforcements to exterminate monsters creating nests within the territory.
The Viscount was fighting alongside his private soldiers and volunteer soldiers.
The monster swarm was such a formidable enemy that the commander had to fight while leading from the front line.
They had been told they were medium-sized monsters.
However, by all appearances, they were classified as small monsters.
“Insects…”
Troublesome. It would be easy if they used fire, their weakness.
However, the burnt smell would attract other insect-type monsters.
The attacks of insect-type monsters were monotonous.
If one observed them carefully, they could be exterminated with only minor injuries.
But, at a rough estimate, there were hundreds of insects.
Even if they were monotonous, there were many of them.
Some of the villagers who had become volunteer soldiers were seen, driven by the fear of death, unleashing magic.
The insects were engulfed in flames, writhing in agony, and dying.
It was clear the volunteer soldiers rejoiced, saying, “I did it! ♪”
However, seeing the sounds of reinforcement calls from the insects and the rising dust clouds from afar, their faces turned pale visibly.
“I wish I could return to my wife and sons quickly…”
They would have to prepare for a long battle.
Three years and several months had passed since the reinforcements arrived at the Viscount’s mansion.
Insect-type monsters were still rampant throughout the territory.
“I am truly sorry, Count, and to everyone else (Viscounts, Barons)…”
The Viscount, acting lord of this place.
He was hit directly by the accelerated attack from the giant stink bug, the Chariot’s gas.
The front line fell into utter chaos.
Volunteer soldiers fled one after another, and private soldiers who tried to stop them were gobbled up by monsters.
Everyone took refuge in the mansion prepared by the Viscount, who fell while retreating.
They deterred the monsters attempting to cross the makeshift fence, which was only as tall as a child, with bows and arrows and stone projectiles.
The soldiers were fighting valiantly on rotation, but recovery from fatigue was minimal.
Eventually, a fatal opening would occur.
Before that, they decided they had to break through this situation and held a discussion in a room that had become a not-so-spacious infirmary.
“Reinforcements aren’t coming. Let’s retreat immediately to the Marquis’s territory!?”
“Are you kidding me!? If the insects proliferate in this territory, even if we manage to reunite with the Marquis, it will be no different from this situation!?”
They had requested reinforcements.
They had also sent a message to the Viscount, who had sent an acting representative here, asking him to rush over with his private soldiers.
But.
“Monsters have appeared within our territory as well, so we cannot extend our assistance. I apologize, but please seek help elsewhere.”
In the Marquis’s case.
It began with a stiff seasonal greeting, and similar to the Viscount, reinforcements were refused.
If this was the case, their only option was to have the King dispatch descendants of the Brave Warrior.
“I’ll go and call for them!”
“No, no, you must be tired.”
“Not at all. I believe this is the time for a lowly subordinate like myself to step up. ♪”
The period for reinforcements had long since passed.
They wanted to see their own territories and families.
This was a perfect opportunity to escape from such a dangerous front line.
They each argued their case to go first.
However, Baron Silveren, the highest-ranking person present, stated that there was a problem.
“Look out the window.”
Among the swarm of Army Ants and Giant Caterpillars, one could see a scorpion larger than an adult.
The Great Scorpion Sky Hunter.
It shoots poisonous needles from its tail.
Its pincers on both hands have their first joint extended.
It has 8 to 6 legs.
Its weight is 260 to 300 kilograms.
It is nicknamed the “moving ballista.”
It is a hunter of flying spellcasters and bird-type monsters.
Just being grazed by a poisonous needle causes gradual paralysis, and a second shot takes one’s life.
Its range reaches the highest altitude of spellcasters and bird-type monsters.
Rumor has it that if it charges up its attack, it can launch it all the way to space.
“What!? Sky Hunter!”
“Why is it here!?”
Its habitat is the northern wilderness.
It is far to the north from here.
If it were just one, it might be understandable if it strayed, but…
Outside the window… beyond the fence surrounding the mansion, at least ten of them could be seen gathered.
“This is bad!!”
The Baron shrieked.
If the vanguard of the insects fell, the Sky Hunter would turn its tail, from which it shoots poisonous needles, towards them.
In that case, the soldiers who were risking their lives outside to protect them would be in danger.
Regardless of armor or magic defenses, a barrage of poisonous needles would be fired without interruption.
With their fatigue not recovering, this was nothing short of a nightmare.
Rustle rustle rustle
The only escape route, the sky, was sealed.
Someone proposed digging a hole to escape.
“We’ll suffocate from lack of oxygen!? Or are you suggesting I’m expected to be the last one remaining?”
Due to their fatigue, they couldn’t even generate oxygen for breathing.
Someone would have to be responsible for sending oxygen into the hole.
No one suggested letting a soldier do it, as it could be used as blackmail material later. No, they couldn’t say it.
“Even the Duke cannot spare soldiers for reinforcements…”
As suspected, they speculated if another country was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
They had vaguely felt it, but never really believed it.
“Everyone, let’s make a decision.”
Even if they were to flee, colliding with that swarm would be unavoidable.
If they didn’t charge before it got dark, the insects, with their superior night vision, would have the advantage.
“Charge! We’ll break through this encirclement with a single thrust! Don’t stop! Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!”
“Yes! Uooooooohhhhhh!”
As they forcefully broke through the insect encirclement and retreated to safety, Baron Silveren was hit in the back by a poisonous needle from a Sky Hunter with a “Doshun” sound.
It penetrated his armor and pierced his physically strengthened body.
A knight standing nearby cast healing magic and retreated to the safe zone.
The person in charge was unconscious from the poison.
Taking advantage of this, they changed course towards the autonomous territory.
The private soldier captain of Baron Silveren called out to stop them, but…
“We pray for your speedy recovery!”
“If we stay together, won’t we be targeted by the Sky Hunter? I will be your decoy. Please tell the Baron, once he regains consciousness, that I played my part as the Viscount’s decoy! Adieu~~!”
They said whatever they pleased and disappeared without anyone stopping them.
“Selfish!”
“Hey. The Baron is more important than those guys!”
“That’s right. Everyone! Defensive formation, ‘Birdcage’! Protect the Baron!”
Thanks to the private soldier captain and the soldiers, Baron Silveren was able to rest in a safe place.
A few days later, a letter arrived at the Baron’s residence, reporting that he had been attacked by the Baron who had not sent reinforcements.
“Wh-wh-what in the world…”
The private soldier captain imposed a gag order and shared only the information from the soldiers present.
The soldiers waited for a letter from the Baroness to see if their families were safe, and the next day.
The journey to Viscount Dan’s territory.
They sent a letter asking Baron Silveren if he was safe.
“…It doesn’t say anything about the territory.”
With this, they couldn’t inform the other soldiers.
Even if the information leaked, it would cause great confusion.
“We will wait until proper information is sent.”
Fortunately, the insects did not pursue them.
However, as time passed, their numbers would increase.
For the poison in the Baron’s body to be completely neutralized and for him to recover.
The private soldier captain continued to cast detoxification magic today.
A powerful paralyzing toxin.
It mocked, claiming that complete neutralization was futile as it multiplied within the blood vessels.
“Kuh, not yet.”
He maintained his image, but a headache interfered.
With sheer will and a sense of duty, the private soldier captain cast detoxification magic until he collapsed again today.
A soldier, who was his relief for casting detoxification magic, took the private soldier captain to an available room, thinking, “Again?” Go, Private Soldier Captain. You are the only one who can save the Baron. Save him from his wife’s uterus being violated by her own son!
