CH 45

“They really do spring up one after another. ≪Mist Slap≫!”

The white-furred, large-dog-like demon Snowdog is substantially blasted away with a single strike from me.

“I told you that, didn’t I! Tsk! ≪Small Shield Barrier≫!”

Tachikabe-san is the first to detect the long-range attack of the ice spirit and intercepts the attack with a small barrier generated on the back of his left hand.

“Well, let’s just regard it as a delectable treat since there are plenty of them. ≪Misty Arrow≫ x2.”

Aria’s ≪Misty Arrow≫ then strikes the Snowdog, who managed to evade it but has lost its stance, subsequently hitting the ice spirit, and sending it to its demise.

“Bauggh!”

“Tsk!” “Kuk!”

The Snowdog then slips through the gap between me and Tachikabe-san and makes its approach to Aria, presumably assessing she is the one who poses the greatest threat.

“Hmm. Chirito-kun, stop its movement, and Houki-san, put an end to it.”

“I understand.” “Y-yes!”

Despite this, Houki and Chirito block its path, with Chirito using the dagger and small shield he possesses to halt the Snowdog’s advance, followed by Houki thrusting a dagger into its neck with all her strength.

“Thanks for your efforts! You guys can take over while you have the chance!”

The substitute personnel appears to have arrived at this point, so the five of us momentarily fall back and rest.

By this stage of the day, we have destroyed roughly 30 demons of four different kinds, and yet, no one’s level has been elevated. Since we are outside the dungeon, this is inevitable.

Moreover, the eyes of the people around us seem to be somewhat cold, but I suppose that is to be expected considering this is our first day.

In addition, the corpses will be transferred to the people at the Northern Liberation Frontier Base to be processed into food and equipment. Apparently, there are individuals with skills such as ≪Weapon Creation≫ and ≪Food Conversion≫ at the rear of the base. Come to think of it, Tachikabe-san once commented that this situation reminded him of an RPG-type video game.

At any rate, this is our present state of affairs and this is the way we are battling on the Northern Liberation Front. And the goal now is to advance everyone’s level one by one.

Nevertheless…

“I never imagined that it would be so challenging to contend with the demons…”

That thought flows to me from the depths of my heart, and I end up uttering it out loud. How could Ichiko even compete with humans and goblins when it’s this arduous even against a dog?

I wonder if anyone heard my mutterings.

“Argh… I agree with you too, Miss.”

“Yeah, that’s true…”

“Well, it must be tough for someone who has been protected until now.”

“But this is only the initial stage, and their threat level is still minimal, so I suggest you familiarize yourself with the situation while you still have the opportunity.”

Each of them has a distinct reaction. Among them, I could only nod my head in agreement with Aria’s and Tachikabe-san’s words as they reflect the truth.

“But, you know, this is still better than a couple of weeks ago.”

“Is that so?”

I involuntarily inquire back. The circumstances are severe as they are now, but is it possible to get any worse than that?

“Yeah. After all, the opposition was vastly outnumbered, and the majority of the troops were unaccustomed to the fact that reinforcements would continue to emerge no matter how many times they were defeated. Furthermore, due to the incessant combat day and night, supplies and food were rapidly diminishing. Everyone is jittery.”

“It is amazing that the front line did not collapse under such a dilemma.”

“Well, that’s owing to the efforts of Otachi-san. Without his ≪Command≫ and successful negotiations with the residents of the towns and villages in the rear, the situation wouldn’t be where it is presently.”

“I see.”

Incidentally, I have been informed in detail that Otachi-san has been involved in recruiting volunteer soldiers in the area and organizing patrol teams for discovering and defeating demons that have slipped through the front lines, even though these practices are apparently prohibited under military law. Accordingly, these activities were ostensibly proposed and carried out by someone higher up in the chain of command.

Hence, it appears that Otachi Mamoru is someone who would rather be able to protect the residents than hold a position of honor or status. I can see why he is so likable.

By the way, we’re taking a brief break right now, but we’re still on the front lines, and our rest may be forced to end if something major arises. So for instance…

Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!!

When an alarm is triggered to warn of an emergency situation like this, our break will be forcibly terminated.

“Tsk, you guys! Let’s hurry up and go!”

“Yes!”

Upon returning to the front line, the sight on display for me is that of a few silver-armored humanoid entities confronting a group of military personnel. When I look at the scene, I ponder how to deal with this situation.

“A new species of demon!”

Tachikabe-san, who is standing next to me, raises his voice. If he has never encountered such a thing before, then it is up to me to find out what that demon is.

“I’ll examine it right now! ≪Personal Analyze≫! This is…”

My mind is taken aback when I discover who the opponent is. Because ≪Personal Analyze≫ indicates the following:

Name: Kushiro Shifuma

Class: Heavy Warrior

Race: Yukijin

“What’s wrong!”

“The enemy is a kin and a Yukijin! I can even detect that they are equipped with an occupation!”

As I deliver my report, tension prevails among everyone at once.

“Tsk, so that silver armor is like your ≪Fog Cloak≫?”

“It is likely. However, I can’t be so certain since my skill does not enable me to check the skills possessed by them.”

But I have no doubt about it. It is unrealistic to assume that there would be so many people in modern times who would like to don such armor, especially considering that the armor they are sporting seems to be exceptionally solid and bulletproof. Plus, I can see them utilizing other skills that are different from one individual to another, which is a definite sign of it.

“I don’t give a damn! All that matters now is saving my people. We’re all going!”

“Aye!” “Yes!”

With that, Ryo onee-chan proclaims, and Tachikabe-san and Houki nee-san rush to the scene. And I follow suit.