CH 101

A dinner party

***---***

"Thank you very much for gathering tonight despite the short notice. It's true, I should have set up an opportunity to have a good time with the people who took care of me in Volzard earlier, but I couldn't think of it because I have had almost no experience with gatherings like this. From now on, I would like to seize the occasion and have a good time with everyone. Cheers to the development of Volzard and everyone's happiness!"

Amanda-san closed her shop temporarily.

If there are other people you want to call, please reach out to them ... I accepted Amanda-san's words and asked Donovan-san, Kartz-san, Otto-san, and Marcel-san to come.

Muell-san, I gave up because her master Corey-san's pharmacy was closed and I didn't know her contact information.

Of course, I didn't plan to invite Gilik from the start.

"Hey, Kent, come over here and drink!"

"Eeehh ... tonight, just a little alcohol ..."

As soon as the dinner party started, Klaus-san called to me.

Hey, you can take your seat however you like ... but when I said that, only old men gathered, it's a pity that I was the one they called.

"What are you talking about, tonight is a party to thank the people who took care of you, right?"

"That's right, but ..."

"Even if you get drunk tonight, you don't have to worry about getting home."

"No, even Donovan-san ..."

I wonder if Donovan-san has a grudge due to half-forcingly luring him out when he was working alone even though it's rest day.

"Ara, ara, that's no good. I have to get Kent-san to be his new mother's partner ..."

"That's right, come over here, Kent-san ..."

"Kent! Don't dawdle, come over here!"

"Yes ... I'm on my way ..."

Klaus-san and Donovan-san are two tops in Volzard, but if I have to compare the power relationship against that of Marianne-san, and Noela-san, the head of Manon's family, and if Amanda-san, who has a hold on my stomach, calls me, I can't say no.

Most of the food is ready, and Meline-san is in charge of the finishing touches, so Amanda-san also sat down and started drinking.

"You don't understand it at all. When you first came to our house, you were unreliable, and I was really worried about whether you would be okay. Seeing as how you came to play a central role in saving Volzard. It's still incredible to me now."

"I can't believe it either, but it can't be helped."

In fact, when I came to Volzard, I was an indoors person and was pale, had no muscles, my stomach was flabby, so it was only natural to be worried about.

Since then, I've become a little stronger ... I should have.

"I'm really glad Kent-san came to Volzard. Otherwise, my Rise wouldn't be here by now."

"I'm glad I was able to help you. To be honest, I didn't know how far I could go."

"Ara, ara, what are you talking about?"

When Marianne-san talked about Beatrice's treatment, Noela-san's eyes widened in surprised.

At the same time, it seems that another person, Hamill, was also surprised.

Yeah, but why is Meisa-chan boasting about it?

The chairman is helping Meline-san bring food and alcohol.

As expected of the chairman, she can tactfully deal with old men.

"Really, Yuika is wasted on Kent, but if you can stay with Kent in Volzard, I'll be really grateful."

"Oh, I'm not that good ..."

At Klaus-san's words, the chairman is frozen by Donovan-san's gaze.

It's okay, chairman, Donovan-san is a little ... no, he's a good person despite being overpowering.

"No, his treatment skills are really great, but since Yuika and Manon started helping out in the infirmary, the young guys in the garrison have been bothering me with pointless complaints about their injuries."

No, no, Kartz-san, don't think that I haven't noticed that you've been looking only at Meline-san in the kitchen since a while ago.

"Well, you have to appeal that both of them are yours, Kent."

"Right. Just like Otto-san says, you should go appeal to them as soon as possible at the start of the week."

"Oi, oi, Kent, I'm begging you to be gentle. It would be a problem if the young people in the garrison got disappointed and lost morale."

"It's okay. There are about 100 female classmates in the garrison's temporary dormitory, so Kartz-san, 'You have no time to look down!' If you say such, it will be resolved."

"Hmm ... is that true ..."

So, even if you get dumped by Meline-san, don't look down and do your best, Kartz-san.

"Well, even so, as expected of Kent. Just by calling out, this many big-shots gathered, so it's a big deal."

"Umm ... Marcel-san. About my classmate who burned down the shop, he's now changed his mindset and goes to the ramparts construction every day. If a little more time passes and he's able to live a proper life, he'll look for the timing to apologize. I would like to set it up ... but what do you think?"

"Fumu ... well, to be honest, it's not that there's nothing I'm still angry about, but I've been compensated for the damage, and if you think about it, it's like building a new store. That guy really regrets it. If Kent sees such, I don't mind."

"Thank you very much. I will look into it thoroughly and ask you again."

To be honest, I don't think I know anything about Takayama's personal evaluation.

In the future, I have to think about how to avoid lowering the evaluation of people from Japan while I live in Volzard.

In other words, it might be better to bring Celia in sooner and let her hold his reins.

The chairman and Manon must have been helping out at home on a daily basis, and they are doing flawlessly at serving meals and helping Meline-san.

I don't think Beatrice usually serves food, so it's obvious that she's doing things like carrying food with unsteady hands.

Even so, she never spilled food or dropped dishes and broke them, and occasionally passed by me while never forgetting to show me that she was doing her best.

"Kent-sama, do you have enough drinks?"

"Yeah, Rise and the others should also sit down and have a meal."

"Yes, it's okay because I've eaten in between helping out ... Chu."

She pretends to whisper in my ear and kisses me casually on the cheek.

She seemed to think that she wasn't noticed by the people around her, but soon after, Manon and the chairman approached me and also kissed me on the cheek.

Hmm ... Today is a really good day, isn't it.

It's a good day for me, but it looks like it's going to be a bad day for Hamill.

He sits far away from me and glares at me with a terrible look on his face.

He seems to be talking to Meisa-chan, but he seems to be depressed there as well, and seems to be getting stepped on and kicked.

Yeah, really, why is Meisa-chan so proud?

As time passed, the situation started to become more and more chaotic as the alcohol started to circulate.

However, with the exception of Hamill and Klaus-san, everyone was continuing to smile from the beginning to the end.

I feel sorry for the people who lost their lives as a result of the summoning, but I feel glad that I was summoned.

And at that time, Fred called out to me.

[ Kent-sama ... Minotaurs are approaching Lastock ... ]

"Eh, Minotaurs?"

With one word I leaked out, the conversation stopped from inside the shop.

"Minotaurs! Kent, how many are there?"

Klaus-san asked in a sharp tone, and Donovan-san and Kartz-san also looked like they were ready for battle.

[ One hundred and fifty to two hundred or more ... ]

"The number is about 150 to 200, but the Minotaurs are heading to Lastock, not Volzard."

"Is that so, will it have any effect over there?"

"Reinhardt, what do you think?"

[ I sent the kobold squad for reconnaissance, but it doesn't seem to have any effect on Volzard so far. ]

"Okay, just continue the reconnaissance. Klaus-san, the reconnaissance of the Kobold Corps shows that it has had no effect so far."

"Is that so ... but it seems that Lastock is in danger ..."

Kartz-san and Donovan-san also nodded at Klaus-san's words.

"Are Minotaurs really that dangerous?"

"They're dangerous, because they have more charging power than rock ogres. If it's not done well, they might break through the wall of Volzard."

"But there's a river in front of Lastock ..."

"They are also good swimmers. There is a high possibility that they will use their huge horns to destroy the river wall and attack."

"Fred, how far have the Minotaurs come?"

[ They've already left the forest ... they're about a third of the way through the wasteland ... ]

"I understand. I'm sorry, everyone. I'm going to Lastock for a little warning and scouting. I'll be back soon, so please continue the dinner party."

"Wait, Kento, be careful. I don't want you to get hurt."

The chairman who stopped me came running over and gave me a big hug.

"Kent, please come back soon ..."

"Kent-sama, be careful ..."

I was hugged by Manon and Beatrice, and I went into the shadows while being sent off with everyone's lukewarm gazes and Klaus-san and Hamill's resentful gazes.

I headed to the commander's office at Lastock garrison.

As usual, Camilla was left alone, but something is strange.

She rests her elbows on the desk, supporting her head and shoulders and breathing roughly.

"Camilla!"

"Wha ... oh, Maou ... sama ..."

Camilla's face turned pale when she answered the call, and dark circles were floating under her eyes.

She looks like a sick person.

"What are you doing on rest day even though you're not feeling well."

"I'm sorry. The construction schedule has progressed significantly, so ... ah ..."

"Watch out!"

When I reflexively hugged Camilla, who was dizzy and about to collapse, her body was clearly suffering from a high fever.

"You can't even manage your physical condition, you fool!"

"I, I'm sorry. Un, Maou-sama, ah ..."

"Stay still. I will pour the power of darkness now."

"Ah ... this is ..."

I cast healing magic while holding Camilla in my arms.

I've done this method many times with the chairman, so I'm used to it, but I tell Camilla that it's the power of darkness, like a chuuni setting, so as not to let her realize it's healing magic.

"As expected, I am no longer of this world ..."

"If it's for the sake of protecting the people, didn't you care what happens to yourself?"

"That's right ... if possible, I would like to hold my child with these hands."

"Hmph ... that's up to you, Camilla ..."

"Eh ... that, what does it mean ..."

"There's no time to be dumbfounded. A herd of Minotaurs is leaving the Devil's Forest and approaching Lastock. Get ready to intercept!"

Camilla's relaxed expression tightened when I finished pouring healing magic and I said it while pushing her away.

"Minotaurs, are you serious?"

"The number is around 150 to 200. If you think 'Instant Slash' Fred's assessment is wrong, keep doing paperwork like this! I'll be on the front lines!"

"I'm sorry, I'll prepare for interception immediately. Is anyone there!"

As Camilla ran out of the office, she seemed to have forgotten that she had only just recovered.

[ She's already gone ... Kent-sama will make Camilla's dream come true ... ]

"Eh, Camilla's dream is ... no good, no, if I do that, I'll be hanged by the committee chairman."(TN:Sentence starts with single bracket, ends with double, probably a typo. I don't think it shifts to telepathy halfway through.)

[ The other side is Volzard's harem ... this side is Resenburg harem ... ]

"I see, there's a Devil's Forest in between, and they can't find out ... I can't do that. I can't do that ... so it's not the time to play around. I'll go meet the Minotaurs."

[ It's okay ... for us, they're small-fries ... ]

"Fred, don't let your guard down."

[ Roger ... tighten your mind and exterminate them ... ]

I decide to move to the riverbank with Fred and watch from the shadows.

I have about 10 kobolds staying behind to monitor Volzard, and the rest of my genus are gathered.

[ Kent-sama, the Minotaur is certainly a troublesome monster, but with our power, there is no way we will fall behind. ]

"Yeah, I think so, but I want to see how Lastock's interception stance is this time, so I want to wait until the last minute to help."

[ I see, if that's the case, there's no time to feel to relaxed. ]

"Yeah, it looks like the battle in the water will be the main focus this time, so I'll have Zae and the others do their best."

"Leave it to us, King. We have an advantage in the water. The cows will be chopped into small pieces and slaughtered."

"Yeah, if possible, I'd appreciate it if you could collect the magic stones and horns."

[ Leave the collection to me ... everyone else concentrate on attacking ... ]

Minotaur horns are said to fetch high prices.

Around the time we prepared for the interception, the knights of Resenburg gathered at the river wall.

"Set up the magic light machines. Archers, get to your posts!"

"Squad 1, ready!"

"Squad 2, preparations are complete!"

"Squad 3, we have arrived at our post!"

Even though no one had confirmed the presence of the Minotaurs, the knights flew to their posts with brisk movements.

Under normal circumstances, skepticism would probably hinder their actions, but the reason why they don't appear to be like that is probably because Camilla's control is perfect.

When the knights arrived at their posts, Camilla appeared dressed in shiny gold armor.

She seems to have regained her physical condition, and she looks sharp and toned as usual.

"Listen up everyone! The minotaurs heading this way are a herd of 150 to 200. Fortunately, the construction of the river wall is progressing, but it's still incomplete because it's just piled up soil. However, that's no excuse! Repel them with all your might, protect the city, protect the people! Show your pride as a knight!"

"Ooooooo!"

When they heard about the number of the Minotaurs, there was certainly some confusion among the knights, but after listening to Camilla's instruction, the morale of the knights was high, and it was as if the flame of fighting spirit was burning in every eye.

[ Kent-sama, after all, this person named Camilla is the owner of extraordinary talent. ]

"That's right ... the problem is how she can atone for her sins in a way that everyone can agree with ..."

The knights let out a roar, and after a while they scattered to their posts, I heard a rumbling of the earth.

"Boooooo ... Boooooooooaaaa ..."

Mixed with the rumbling of the earth, I can also hear something like a low groan.

It looks like a buffalo from Earth when it comes running while raising dust, but it feels like it's more than twice the size.(TN:So, not the humanoid Minotaurs you're used to, more like just a huge buffalo.)

It seems that there is a thick layer of skin and fat under the hard reddish-brown hair.

The horns growing from both sides of its head are about the size of an adult's leg, thick, and sharply pointed.

"Magic machine, shine! Archers, forward!"

"Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my hands and become the wind, cover, cover, cover my arrows and pierce the enemy!"

"Fire!"

Leaving behind a high-pitched bowstring sound, the arrows flew towards the Minotaurs approaching the opposite bank, but were repelled by their horns and blocked by their thick skin, so it seems that it was unable to deal effective damage.

[ Even if they enchant it, the arrows won't pass through unless they are at close range. ]

"They're so hard ... c'mon ..."

Selecting one of the Minotaurs that have started jumping into the river from the opposite bank, I try shooting light attribute attack magic at them.

The Minotaur, that was shot through the forehead, was trampled by the following companions adn sank into the river.

[ Buhahaha, as expected of Kent-sama, a clumsy archer shouldn't be a problem. ]

[ Kent-sama is ... a cheat ... ]

It seems that there is nothing that can compare to my magic for long-distance attacks.

I thought that if they entered the river, their speed would slow down, but the Minotaurs swam at a furious pace.

"Wow, how fast can they swim?"

[ Seriously, they are good swimmers. ]

The sight of the horde of Minotaurs rushing in waves is a tremendous force.

"Mage Corps, fire!"

"Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my hands and become water, dance, dance, dance oh water, and become a lance!"

"Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my hands and become the wind, dance, dance, dance oh wind, dance, and become a blade!"

The water spears and wind blades fired by the Resenburg knights were much larger and sharper than the ones Yagi and the others shot at the orcs, and blood splattered out as they pierced the Minotaurs' thick skin.

However, the damage doesn't seem to be enough to kill them, and it doesn't stop the horde's momentum.

[ Kent-sama, if they come to the shore, we will also go. ]

"Eh, but it seems that the knights' attacks are going through ..."

[ It's common sense to have five knights per Minotaur to defeat it safely. If they charge like an avalanche and rush in, the current knights of Lastock will be unable to handle them. ]

"Okay, I'll leave the decision to Reinhardt. Zae-tachi, start with those. Kill the momentum from behind."

"As you wish, King."

"Art-tachi aim for the legs of the Minotaurs that have climbed onto land, from the shadows, and attack them, stop their movement."

"Understood, Goshujin-sama."

Zae and the others slip into the water from the shadows, while Art and the others wait in the shadows of the riverbank.

"Then, is it fine for me to just observe?"

[ Leave it to me, Kent-sama. ]

[ Branch leader, please don't let the knights of Resenburg kill you. ]

[ Buhahaha, such a blunder would be annoying! ]

The Minotaur, who went up the river bank on this side, shook its body and raised a splash of water, and started rushing at once.

"Fire! Fire! Don't let them get close!"

Even though the knights' magic and arrows rained down, the Minotaur didn't seem to care and rushed straight for the river wall.

Zudooooooon!

With just one blow, the river wall, which was just a pile of earth, collapsed and the Minotaur rushed up at once.

"Booooooo!"

The moment the Minotaur ran up to the river wall and raised its gigantic hooves at the knights who were crouched by the impact, its torso exploded.

[ Buhahaha, all those who are the enemies of Resenburg, this 'Grand Arm' Reinhardt will deal with you! ]

Reinhardt swung his blood-stained sword, Gram, and rushed into the herd of Minotaurs with a huge laugh.

[ Shiyaaaa! If you want to step on the soil of Lastock, defeat this 'Burning Fire' Basten! ]

Reaching the shore from another spot and about to start charging, the Minotaur was silenced by Basten's beloved spear, Gae Bolg, which pierced its head.

On the other hand, the Minotaurs swimming toward the shore were dragged one by one into the river, floating to the surface as headless corpses and being swept away.

"Aim only for the Minotaurs! The other monsters are the genus of the Maou, so don't mess with them!"

Camilla, who saw Reinhardt and the others, shouted out instructions.

There must be traditional tactics and movements of the Resenburg knights.

The knights attacked while avoiding Reinhardt and Basten, and Reinhard and the others seemed to be moving so that the knights could easily attack.

Minotaurs came ashore from places other than where Reinhardt and Basten were rampaging, but they were cut at their legs by Art and the others, and when they slowed down, they were attacked by the knights' concentrated attacks and died.

[ It's only a matter of time before annihilation ... Kent-sama, go back first ... ]

"Wow ... heavy ..."

Fred brought a cut-off Minotaur horn as a souvenir.

The heavy weight made me stagger unintentionally.

"Then, Fred, can I ask you to follow me?"

[ Leave it to me ... I wonder if the Branch Leader will be satisfied if he rampages like that ... ]

I decided to return to Volzard while looking at Reinhardt, who continued to slaughter the Minotaurs while laughing loudly.

When I returned to Amanda-san's shop, the adults continued the banquet, but the chairman and the others looked a bit out of it.

"I'm back ..."

"Kento!" "Kent!" "Kent-sama!"

Wow! What a paradise this place is to be hugged by three beautiful girls as if competing with each other.

"I'm sorry for worrying you. I was watching to see if Lastock could repel the Minotaurs, but it seemed difficult, so I had Reinhardt-tach back them up."

"Oh, Kent, how were the Minotaurs?"

"Yes, they were more powerful than I thought ...? Yuika?"

I was about to walk away to show Klaus-san the horns of the Minotaur, but the chairman stopped me.

"Kento, what is the smell of this perfume ..."

"Hiii ..."

Dangerous. I hugged Camilla and cast healing magic while hugging her.

I didn't think about perfume at all.

I suddenly burst into cold sweat.

"I wonder if a Minotaur is a monster with such a sweet smell ..."

"No, Manon, that's a misunderstanding ..."

"Kent-sama, I heard that you often negotiate with the Princess of Resenburg ..."

"Umm, that is, Camilla's physical condition was bad, so I had to use healing magic ... It's not a treatment like it was with Rise."

"Kento ... Seiza."

"Yes ..."

Aahhhh, even thought I was in Volzard, I was going to show that I was a man who could detect a crisis in Lastock and rush over, and show them a man that could solve it brilliantly, and get Hamill's respect, but why did it turn out like this.

Marianne-san and Noela-san's gazes are also cold, but Amanda-san, Meisa-chan, please don't look like you're sorry, it's a misunderstanding.

It took about 30 minutes to clear up the misunderstanding and gain forgiveness, but after that the Minotaur's horns and Reinhardt's fighting style became lively conversation, and the party continued late into the night.