CH 52

Unexpected uproar

***---***

After completing the registration of the undead kobolds in the guild, I decided to return to Reinhardt and the others who were practicing in the Devil's Forest.

I went back to the place where the kobolds were, but I can't see Reinhardt and the others.

"Where did everyone go ...?"

"Goshujin-sama, someone is coming."

"Alright, everyone dive into the shadows."

When Mart informed me, I dived into the shadow, but when I think about it, I wasn't doing anything wrong, so I didn't have to hide.

However, since I was hidden, I will take a look at the situation.

As I entered the shadows and looked down from the top of a tree, a group of five people approached.

"Hey, isn't it a mistake?"

"It shouldn't be that way, I could see people."

"No, this is in the Devil's Forest, there shouldn't be anyone in such a place ..."

"No, I'm certain I saw it, this way ..."

Since they're active in the Devil's Forest, they are probably adventurers with appropriate skills.

A petite man with short hair and a bandana on his head walks on the road while being alert of the surroundings.

At first glance, the four people who follow him also seem relaxed, but occasionally they will glance around them.

"Look, this tree didn't fall down naturally."

"Hey, look at this!"

"This isn't an ordinary cut ..."

Yes, that's what my genus broke or cut down to test their strength.

But what are these people doing in a place like this?

[ Mart, go look for everyone, let them know that there are adventurers here, I'm afraid they might attack us. ]

[ Okay, goshujin-sama. ]

As soon as Mart dove into the shadows to go find the others, Reinhardt returned.

[ What's wrong, Kent-sama? ]

[ Yeah, when I came back after completing the registration ... ]

[ Hmm, it looks like an adventurer party. ]

The five adventurers are exploring the surroundings as they please.

"Look, there are claw marks left at a very high position."

"Oh, it's the same here, and there are quite a few footprints left."

"What's this footprint? It's the size of a kobold ..."

"Look at this, isn't it the footprint of a lizardman?"

"Don't be stupid, at a place like this?"

"But look, are there any other monsters or wild animals with such a footprint?"

The eyes of the adventurers gathered at one man.

Perhaps he is in his early thirties, depending on the lighting his hair has an orange color, and he has a tail with a long bundle of hair at the tip.

[ I think it's a lion beastman, he seems considerably strong ... ]

[ Is that person the leader? ]

[ Probably ... ]

The man, who looked like the leader, looked around again and then opened his mouth.

"It's too abnormal ... looking only here, it doesn't look like the kobolds chased by the lizardmen ran away, but traces remain only around here."

"What do you mean?"

"I don't know, this is the first time I've seen this situation."

"Weren't the kobolds annihilated by the lizardmen?"

"If so, there should be traces of blood. I don't think that the traces of blood should have disappeared since the footprints are so new."

Reinhardt and the others were too close to Volzard here, and they were actually practicing by hunting orcs in the deeper forests to get used to actual combat.

It seems that the defeated orc magic stones were taken in separately by everyone and used for strengthening.

Having said that, I feel that Art and the others who have returned have a fearless look.

Art brought magic stones for Mart and the other two, so while they were taking them in, I kept imagining that the cuteness wouldn't be lost.

"What should we do, Bartolo?"

"That's right ... We could go a little further, or if we go in this direction, we should reach the road, from which we can return to Volzard from the road."

Apparently the leader is named Bartolo.

The other two seem to be the same as or slightly weaker than Bartolo, and the last two seem to be even weaker.

"How is it, does it look profitable?"

"Chezari, we're just getting started, how could we tell so easily?"

Bartolo exasperatedly admonished the petite man who was walking in the lead.

"Chezari, if you intend to deal with the Gigawolf, we need to take the initiative, it's up to you, Seeker."

"Well, is it okay to depend on Chezari?"

"Well, isn't it okay if in the worst case we use Chezari as the decoy and run away?"

"Gahahaha, the Chibi Chezari may not be able to earn much time before he's swallowed."

The leader is Bartolo, a lion beastman, Chezari a small seeker, a beared dog beastman with a spear, a slender man with a bow, and a shaved-headed giant with a large shield.

Apparently, this party is aiming for a Gigawolf.

[ I wonder if the fur of the Gigawolfs that Kent-sama defeated were put up for sale, or if there was a rumor. ]

[ Hunting Gigawolfs and aiming for a lot of money? ]

[ There is that, but Gigawolf is a monster that you can boast about just by killing it, so it may just be for fame. ]

[ Hmm ... that's right ... ]

[ Buhahaha, and there's Kent-sama, who has killed nine Gigawolfs alone and didn't boast to anyone. ]

[ Hmm ... Isn't it just more troublesome if I brag? ]

[ Well, that's right, but some people think that it's the adventurer's style to have trouble come at them. ]

[ Hmm ... well, I'll refrain from doing that. ]

After leaving behind Bartolo and the others, we moved to the Devil's Forest training ground.

Since this is deep in the forest, Bartolo and the others will not come this far.

Three skeletons, five undead lizardmen, thirty-three undead kobolts, my genus are all in the training ground.

"Reinhardt, how is working together going?"

[ Well, we're just starting today, so it's not perfect. ]

"How many days do you need to practice to be able to participate in an actual battle?"

[ The shortest is three days, but five days will likely be necessary, and if we take all possible measures, it will be a week. ]

Reinhardt, who was the leader of the knights, says so, so there is no mistake, but I will also listen to the story of the side that is actually training.

"What did Zae think about Art and the others?"

"Well, it's my first time to fight alongside other monsters, and I'm honestly confused."

"Is it quite difficult?"

"No, if it's My King's order, I'll get rid of all the troubles and get it done."

"Thank you, how about you Art?"

"Training is fun, goshujin-sama."

"Well, isn't it difficult?"

"We hunt in groups, so it doesn't hinder us to move in groups."

"Hmm? Don't the lizardmen hunt in groups?"

"Yes, it's rare to have a group battle."

The lizardmen usually hunt things that come close the waterside alone, and it seems that group battles are only held when the number of individuals increases and it rains for a long time.

"Then, does that mean that the number of lizardmen has also increased?"

"That right, My King."

After all, the Devil's Forest may be revitalized.

"Reinhardt, it's a training for cooperation, but can we thin out the monsters near the highway?"

[ Why do you say that? ]

"I've done two rescue operations so far, but both have been attacked by monsters."

[ Yes, the first time was orcs and Gigawolfs, the second time was lizardmen and orcs, surely ... ]

"When we were attacked by the lizardmen, I think it was quite dangerous, although that was affected by the weather."

[ Sure, it would have been quite dangerous without Kent-sama's help. ]

"In the next operation, we will have more people and more genus, but I think it will be difficult to protect everyone."

[ I see, that's why you want to reduce the number of monsters first. ]

"Oh yeah, if you want to train anyway, I think it's better to create a foundation on which we can safely proceed with the operation."

[ It's fine, it's easy to move anyway, let's clear the area before the operation. ]

"Then, for the next week, Reinhardt will supervise the cooperative exercises, and Fred and Basten will proceed with the preliminary research necessary to carry out the operation."

[ Kent-sama, it's finally coming to a close, let's do our best without being impatient. ]

"Yeah, I'm counting on everyone!"

Immediately after being summoned by Resenburg, I was the only one who was thrown out, but now I have made such encouraging companions.

If we are together, we will surely be able to rescue my classmates safely.

All I have to do now is make a solid plan and put it into action.

As the sun went down, I decided to return to Volzard.

I decided to let Zae and Art spend their time freely around the training ground because it would be stressful if they were sitting in the shadow world.

I returned to Vozlard with Reinhardt and Mart, Milt and Murt.

Fred and Basten went to explore Lastock.

After completing the registration, I wondered what happened to the classmates who went shopping, so I decided to stop by the garrison's dormitory, but when I came out of the shadows of the dormitory, a noisy atmosphere surrounded me.

I asked a female classmate who was nearby.

"Hey, what happened?"

"Oh, Kokubu-kun, somethinghappened, it's tough, come with me! Kokubu-kun is here!"

"Hey, what happened?"

Since the class is different, when I was pulled by a girl who I did not know the name of, I saw classmates with serious faces in front of the garrison station.

As soon as she saw me, Kobayashi-san rushed over.

"Hey, where did you go, I searched for you!"

"No, I just went to the forest to increase my genus, what happened?"

"Something happened, because fake glasses caused a fight between Takayama and the old and new duo, it's really tough."

"Eeh ... wait, what about Kondo?"

"Kondo-kun was also involved and was injured and couldn't move."

"What about Takayama?"

"He's being interrogated by the garrison people."

"Eeh ... being interrogated, what did he do?"

According to Kobayashi-san and the others, when they went shopping for daily necessities, there was a quarrely between boys of the same age in Volzard, and from there it developed into a brawl, and they were injured because they used weapons and magic, and the store was half burned down.

"Are you kidding? Really?"

"Does it look like we're joking?"

"Are the girls okay?"

"We won't do something so stupid, right?"

"What about the boys?"

"Everyone is detained and most of them seem to be injured ..."

"Jeez, this is stupid ... I'll put an end to it ..."

"So what are you going to do?"

"I wonder what I should do ..."

I just came back feeling good about the prospect of the rescue operation, and I can't think of any countermeasures.

While I was at a loss, Kartz-san came out of the station and seemed to come find me.

"Sorry, Kartz-san, it seems that my classmates have caused trouble ..."

"Kent, it might be a bit of a problem ..."

According to Kartz-san, various people gather in Volzard, in order to enter the Devil's Forest, so sometimes it can lead to a brawl.

However, even if it becomes a brawl, there is something like an unwritten rule that weapons and magic are not used, and thanks to that, it seems that it is not a big fuss like this time.

Since a stranger who just came yesterday caused a brawl using weapons and magic, repulsion is beginning to spread among the people in the city.

"We know that Kent saved the city from the rock ogres, but the people in the city don't ... and even if we talk, it's Kent's personal achievement, so it won't help those who have caused the uproar.

"That's right ... That's right, the other people are also injured, right?"

"Well, the injuries are only minor bruises and cuts, and they aren't terrible things that hinder your life, but the shoe store is half burned down and the products are almost ruined ..."

"Kartz-san, can you take me to that shop?"

"What are you going to do?"

Kartz-san asks with a suspicious expression.

"Apologize for first, if the store is closed, they will need money for the time being, so I will pay the money I have and then pay for the damage to the store's products and buildings separately."

"Hmm ... but Kent, is that something you should have to do?"

"But my classmates don't have money, and the shop staff will be in trouble ..."

"Yes ... I see, let's go together."

"I'm sorry, this actually happened ..."

Kartz-san patted my shoulder, but I was ashamed and couldn't raise my face.

The site where I went with Kartz-san was terrible.

The front side of the shoe store is burnt down, and there is a burning smell around it.

Inside the store, there are many burnt-out building materials and burnt shoes that I think were the products, and they are soaked in water.

At the shoe store, Kartz-san called out to a middle-aged man who was stunned.

"Marcel-san ... are you okay?"

"Ah, Kartz-san ... I'm not okay, what should I do starting tomorrow ..."

"Kent, this is Marcel-san, the owner of the shoe store."

"Kartz-san, who is this child ...?"

"He's an acquaintance of the kids from earlier ..."

"Aah? A companion of that damned brat!"

As soon as he heard about my identity, Marcel-san's eyes, and his shoulders that were drooped in disappointment, lifted.

It's only natural since he was forced into such a terrible situation.

"I'm sorry! I'm really sorry."

"Hey ... what are you doing ..."

I knelt on the water-soaked road from extinguishing the fire and bowed my head to the ground forcefully plunging my forehead into a puddle.

"I'm sorry for the inconvenience, I will surely compensate you for the damages to the store, I'm really sorry."

"Is it really possible for a child like you to reimburse me for that? Rumor has it that you just came from somewhere else."

"I will definitely prepare the money, so please forgive us, we have nowhere to go if we are kicked out of Volzard. So please, please forgive us."

"Don't be foolish! How hard do you think it was to get this store to this point! Don't think I'll forgive you just because you ask me to forgive you!"

"I'm sorry, I'm really sorry, I'm still a kid and I don't know how hard it is to make the store bigger. I can only prepare money, but please ... Guu."

My head which is doing a dogeza is trampled and my forehead is pressed against the bottom of the puddle.

"Don't be stupid, Don't think you'll be forgiven just because you pay!"

"Marcel-san, don't be like that ..."

"Why, Kartz-san, are you on the side of such a kid? It's the job of the garrison to protect the outsiders and the people in the city!"

"Marcel-san, this Kent is a benefactor of Volzard."

"Huh? This kind of kid is a benefactor?"

"Ah, Kent is a dark magician, and it's the skeletons that Kent uses that repelled the group of rock ogres that attacked the other day ..."

"A child like this ...?"

"Believe it or not, this is the truth, without him, at worst the city of Volzard could have been overrun by rock ogres."

"But ... I don't want to be paid by such a child ..."

"He can use such powerful monsters, he can defeat monsters and collect the magic stones, and I've known Kent since he came to the city, but he's a serious and reliable boy. Marcel, I'm asking you, please forgive him."

"Well, well ... It can't be helped if Kartz-san says so much ... but I'll get you to pay exactly what you should pay!"

"Yes, that ... this is an apology for the inconvenience, please use it for the time being."

With my head down, I handed out a bag containing the 10,000 Helts I had prepared.

"You, this ..."

"The reimbursement of the shop will be paid separately, please accept it."

"Ah ... I see, I see, if you look like that, I'll look like a bad guy, it's annoying! Go home!"

"Yes, I would like to apologize again, I'm really sorry."

Once again, I bowed my head enough to plunge my forehead into the puddle and then when I got up, Marcel-san was gone.

"Kent, go back to the garrison's dormitory and wash off the mud ..."

"Yes, I'm sorry, I'll be in your care ..."

"Marcel-san has just had such a thing happen, so he can't organize his feelings and I think he couldn't control his emotions."

"Yes ... I know."

"I think it's better to talk in the future when he's a little calmer."

"Yes, I will ..."

I sat down on the ground, and although I was dirty myself, I was sad and tears overflowed.

When I tried to wipe my tears, the mud seemed to get into my eyes, and I was shedding tears I didn't know since I was wet, but I couldn't stop sobbing.

"Uu ... Uguuu ... Uuuuu ..."

Even though I've been struggling to get my classmates accepted, I get the illusion that it burned down with the store.

Kartz-san firmly held and supported my shoulders, not caring if his uniform got dirty.

I borrowed the bath in the garrison's dormitory and changed into clothes taken out of the shadow storage.

I've washed away the dirt, but I'm not feeling refreshed at all.

Still, I couldn't help but head to the building where the boys were detained.

The boys in my class are placed in three prisons after being treated for wounds.

"Uuu ... ouch ... ouch ..."

"Damnit, don't screw around ..."

"Oi! Quickly let us out of here!"

From the voices leaking out of the prison, I can't feel any fragment of reflection.

When Kartz-san accompanied me and I entered the building where the prison was, everyone's eyes turned to me at once.

"Ah, Kokubu! What have you been doing!"

"Hey, tell them to let me out soon!"

"Kokubu, this happened because you didn't properly prepare ..."

Yagi, Furuta, and Takayama all say whatever they want, and it's okay for me to be angry.

"Noisy! Shut up, you idiots!"

While yelling as hard as I could, I kicked the bars of the prison with all my might, and the idiots became quiet.

"Don't saying anything without knowing how much I've bowed and how hard I've been struggling to get you accepted! Don't be foolish!"

I think it's the first time in my life that I've shouted so much.

"Your treatment is left to the garrison! I warned you to strictly adhere to the laws of Volzard here!"

"Oh, what are you talking about ..."

"Shut up! Shut up! I'm talking now, don't but in!"

Because fake glasses was about to say something foolish, I shouted at him and silenced him.

"I will compensate the shoe store that was burned by the fire. Instead, I will stop providing any assistance to the thirty boys here. The house you live in and the money you eat with are up to you. Do something about it!"

"That's ridiculous, how are we supposed to live?"

"Shut up! Think for yourself, there's no reason to rely on me for everything and take care of you! If you don't like it so much, put on the slave bracelet and go back to Lastock. Would you like to be used by Camilla and die in the Devil's Forest? You should be grateful that you were released form slavery and I created a situation where you could work and earn money!"

Once again, I kicked the prison bars as hard as I could before heading to the exit.

"Hey, wait a minute, wait ... hey, Kokubu!"

Fake glasses was screaming, but I went out of the building without listening.

I'm going to talk to the girls, then go to Donovan-san to apologize and report to the chairman ... I have to go to Klaus-san to apologize.

I wasked Kartz-san to go to the conference room where all the girls were waiting, but on the way I lost my energy and sat down against the wall of the dormitory.

Oh, I want you to forgive me.

"Goshujin-sama, are you okay ...?"

"Cheer up ..."

"We are here ..."

Perhaps they confirmed that there was no one around, and Mart, Mirt, and Murt came out of the shadows and licked my face.

Even though I unbearably shed tears, the three of them licked it.

I hugged Mirt in front of me tightly and had Fluffy heal me.

I think I can do my best a little longer.