Chapter 24

Novels

Kurokata (Author): The first half is from the Maou armys point of view while the second half is from the protagonists point of view .

Plains area .

Near the boundary line .

In order to cross the other side of the large river from Maous Territory, many soldiers were constructing an enormous bridge .

This group was the Maous army with thousands of troops that would invade Lyngle Kingdom .

The Commander of the Third Army, Amira Belgret, raised her voice as if trying to inspire herself for the approaching war .

The bridge is close to finishing! We are the Maou-samas arms, well offer the strength of our bodies!!

As her voice spread across, the surrounding soldiers responded by raising their voices .

Amira nodded as if content while a knight in black armor gave an exhausted sigh .

Commander, you overdid it a little . To be honest, its annoying .

Even if you say that… It cant be helped that they would get worked up . Leaving that aside… You! How dare you use the word annoying towards your superior!

Haah, Im truly sorry . Im just irritated Ive been sent out to a battlefield with nothing interesting to do .

Hearing her subordinates lack of motivation, a vein appeared on Amiras forehead .

However, she didnt reproach the black armored knight who showed disrespect towards her .

……Well, its fine . But formally, you are my subordinate . Youll listen to instructions right?

I understand, you know .

The soldier in black armor replied as if it was bothersome while turning around and walking away .

The remaining Amira held her forehead .

Haah… Its good that theyre capable but why are they so difficult to handle… But since the war is just beginning, theyll have to obey even if they dont like it .

Looks like youre having quite a bit of trouble .

Hyululurk… Is it fine? That is, not babysitting your favorite pet .

Walking towards her was the demon Hyululurk who had a frivolous smile .

As for the favorite pet, it was a monster that he created, [Balzinack] . It was a strategic weapon in this invasion .

Dont say it so sarcastically… Well, how are things progressing?

Exactly as it looks… We should be finished in a few hours .

Amira muttered so as she gave a glance at the bridge construction .

Half of the bridges materials were from trees that were cut down—

The remaining ones were from substances made using magic .

Although it couldnt be said to be a strong bridge, it was sufficient for a large number of troops to cross over .

But you know… If this bridge were to be demolished right now, there would be various problems right? For one, the morale would drop .

Well regarding that, isnt that why we have people watching day and night? …Dont say such ominous things .

Hahaha, sorry—

Commander!! Something in the front is flying towards us!!

Ha?

After a moment— A thick, cylinder object appeared in front and fell towards the bridge, giving it a direct hit .   The cylinder object that was piercing through the bridge was a big tree .

As the bridge made crackling sounds, the pierced portion collapsed and sunk tragically .

W… What! What just happened!? The bridge is…

The soldiers were understandably in a daze as they looked towards Amira and Hyululurk . However, before Amira could come to her senses, a figure of a person from the opposite shore could be seen in the distance .

Although it was faint, she could see the figure had green hair— Hearing from her teacher, Amira knew only one person with that hair color .

ROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOSE!!!!!!!

Towards the angry war cry on the opposite shore, the person gave a laugh which resembled an Oni .

*

Really, whats happening…

Inside of my head, the image that was shown to me by that fox girl wouldnt go away .

…Would I have to see the scene of my friends in a bloody mess every day?

Was that girl trying to tell me something?

It was necessary to repay this favor?

What was their intention for approaching me?

I remember Rose mentioned that some of the beast kin had special powers . If thats so, could that girls magic be to induce illusions on people? Or…

Let people see the future…

Was there something like that? Well, there was still the fact that I had only recently arrived to this world and there were still a lot of things regarding magic that I didnt know . I cant deny the possibility that there isnt magic to see the future .

But why did they show me? If that scene was really going to happen, then Kazuki and Inukami-senpai will—

Thats no good . Thats no good, no good!

Jumping up from my bed, I shook my head . There was still no proof that set it in stone .

Giving a long sigh, I laid back down on the bed as I looked at the ceiling .

… . With so many things that I dont know, Im just getting irritated .

Why would they sell a favor in this way where I cant help but worry…?

Since I cant get an answer no matter how long I sit here thinking, I should ask directly .

… . . Alright, first of all I should catch them and see if I can get them to tell their story .

Just where is that little girl!?!?

Was what I suddenly exclaimed .

I changed my way of thinking as I thought that the little girl mightve held a grudge or placed a curse on me . After thinking so, I dashed out of the lodging house and came into town .

First, lets head towards the place where she first grabbed my hand .

I suspect that my current actions and expression made me quite the eccentric person or even a pervert . But the townspeople really didnt seem to mind it . After all, I was in my training uniform which essentially was a permit for eccentricity .

Or rather, if I acted normally, they would treat it as strange .

—Not here!

The girl from before wasnt here .

The next spot would be where I first saw the girl on the street stalls . Maybe I could ask the owner of that stall—

Its closed!

To begin with they werent even opened, what a failure .

Next was the back street—

Its too wide, I dont know!

Am I an idiot . . ?

Still, even after searching almost everywhere, the fox girl wasnt there .

I asked people as I walked down the streets but they all said they didnt know . Whats more was they kept avoiding eye contact with me which hurt . It couldnt be helped… I already searched most of the main street so I headed towards the last location .

Its the gate that leads to outside of the Kingdom…

Of course, I didnt have much expectation .

But it was possible for something to be in places youd least expect it . No, I could even say that my last bit of hope was placed on this gate .

Nothing resembling a fox kin passed through here, you know?

I know right?

I knew it . I shouldnt have had hopes and dreams…

The gatekeeper Thomas telling me directly got my tension to fall as I started to trudgingly walk towards town .

… . In the end, I wasnt able to ask… .

Why was it that I couldnt find them after searching that much? I searched everywhere I could and in addition I did it while running at top speed… This was obviously odd .

Did they use foresight of the future and escape from my pursuit…?

Something as convenient as that, theres no way thats possible—

Whats theres no way thats possible?

Hiyo!?

Behind me, I hear the voice of the Oni leader that headed out last night .

But Im not afraid . Ive already gotten used to it so I slowly turned around— Rose was covered in dust from head to foot .

… . . What should I say? For now, I should comment on one thing .

A dust-covered leader, this is a great thing indeed!

Hohou, Im happy that you complimented me… Come here, lend me your face so I can crush it .

Gunuooo… . !

My face… it felt it was going to burst .

I was being held by the Iron Claw and suspended in the air .

No, Im really sorry . Thats why, please stop .

I need to report something to the castle . Incidentally, youre coming too .

Geez, please do something about this .

Being released from her Iron Claw, I was carried and transported away like a prisoner .

Doing it so easily like this, was I a stuffed toy or something?

Just before, you said something wasnt possible, or something like that… What were you doing?

Ah, I was searching for someone .

… . Haah?

Whats with that face? Well anyways, Im searching for a beast girl with blond hair .

That reminds me, this person should know a lot about this town . It couldnt hurt to ask .

… . Aah, that beast girl, it was from that time when you something I didnt comprehend… What about her?

It looked like a big misunderstanding as I was being held in Roses arms at the moment but since it would be troublesome I decided to not say anything about it for now .

Do you know anything regarding that girl?

……Two years ago, that beast girl suddenly arrived alone to this country . I was surprised as she was still only 12 years old… . Thats all .

Coming alone, a 12 year old beast kin or rather a child?

If that was true, this fox girl was really incredible . The confidence I had that I could catch them was now all gone .

Haah…

… . I have a principle to not interfere with other peoples hobbies but… . Um… Maybe you should stop that?

Right now, when you show such a gentle expression on the surface, it has the opposite effect but… . .

Ow… It really hurts to see you use such a rare and compassionate gaze to look at me!!

Return to the usual Rose! Not this gentle Rose!!

Although my mental state was taking a beating, I was taken to the castle as Rose held me in her arms .

*

While still holding me, Rose and I appeared before the King in the reception hall .

It seemed she was really pleased with this sensation of being able to easily lift me and had no intentions to let me down .

Rose? Why is Usato…

Reporting in . I have confirmed that the Maous army is marching from the boundary line .

As expected, theyve come! What does the situation look like for the Maous army?

It looks like the Maous army has finally come . Thinking about why Rose was smeared in dust, was it because she scouted by herself?

However, despite hearing that the Maous army was approaching, it still didnt feel real . Maybe it was due to the common sense from my previous world… Or it could be that I didnt feel a sense of crisis .

Those guys had no way to cross the stream and made hasty preparations to build a bridge—

What! Kuh… . If thats so, they should already be—

Before they finished, I destroyed it . With this, it should buy us a few more days of time .

……N-Nicely done .

I wonder if this person knows what it means to scout… . .

The King had an expression beyond admiration— Still its amazing, as expected of our leader .

Tomorrow, I will inform the nations people of the Maou armys advance . Truly, youve done a good job with the task Ive put you through . Im sorry for letting you bear the dangers…

You need not worry, then—

After saying so to the King, she left the reception hall .

Of course, she took me along with her as if it was a natural thing .

You understand right, Usato?

Well… . Yes .

Understanding as in knowing the state of affairs of the Maou army, right?

I didnt know what she was intending for but it was probably about something afterwards .

Before the war begins, there are various things you need to be aware of in order to survive .

Various things?

Aah, important things . Not here though, Ill tell you at the lodging house .

I wonder what I needed to be aware of .

But what I was concerned about right now wasnt that .

Leader, its about time you let me down, please .

… . . I forgot .

Thats cruel .

Kurokata: Its a bit late but thank you very much for the thoughts and impressions .