CH 77

In the midst of a misty, light rain, the party resumed its movement.

The setting sun had almost set in the west, and we were finally approaching our target lodge when suddenly a strong headwind blew.

“It’s a monster. Be careful.”

Merylou’s voice, walking at the front of the wagon, suddenly echoed around the wagon.

At the front, Merylou stopped.

“Oh, that was …… Merylou-san’s voice reverberating, wasn’t it?”

“Peryton-san, this is the Wind Whisperer, a spirit art that transmits sound through a narrow acoustic range. It looks like Merylou-kun has encountered something …… Rams-san, please stop the wagon.”

When Souya instructed the coachman Rams to stop the wagon, he picked up a large stone on the side of the road with both hands and began chanting magic.

“–Stone lump. Become a soldier and obey my command. [Rock Golem].”

Souya finished his chanting, threw the stones in his hands, and transformed it into two rock golems.

“Orders. Rock Golem A and B, protect the wagon.”

When Souya ordered the Rock Golems to defend the wagon, he pulled out his Mithril Saber and headed forward where Merylou stopped.

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“Merylou-kun, what kind of monster is it?”

In the direction that Merylou pointed, about fifteen meters away, there was a two-meter-long bronze monster with a reddish-black sword in its hand, blocking the mountain path.

There are eight winged demon imps around it.

“…… I didn’t think that it would be a bronze demon. This is unexpected.”

“Souya, we’ve been seeing a lot of demons lately …… Do stray demons often show up?”

“No …… In order for the “colored” to come from the demon world, there must be some means. But is this …… blocking the way?”

The colored ones were the senior demons above the Bronze Demon. The bronze demon is the lowest level of the colored demon, but it still has enough fighting power that it can’t be called a sure victory unless several adventurers of the silver-class or higher hit it.

In addition to the three bronze-class adventurers in the current party, there were also adventurers with no combat power, so it was not an opponent to be taken lightly. Even a small demon imp with little fighting power can be troublesome when there are so many of them. 

“…… Souya-san, Merylou-san, is it an enemy?”

Mia called out anxiously from behind. Aisha, Tat, and Peryton were also on alert beside the wagon.

“The Bronze Demon is blocking the way. Also, there are eight Small demon Imps. It’s not like they’re going to try anything …… Mia-kun, prepare your sacred arts. Aisha-kun, if the battle begins, can you throw the lighting magic into the center?”

Aisha’s eyes swam behind her glasses and her hands trembled a little as she clutched her cleric’s staff. Maybe she doesn’t have enough experience in actual combat.

“Tat, can you at least stall the small demon imp?”

“That much is fine. I’m not sure I can handle a bronze demon, though …… So scary. I’ve never seen a colored one before.”

In response to Merylou’s question, Tat smiled and held up his slingshot. There was no sign of nervousness in his movements, and he seemed to have no problem stopping the small demon imp. 

When Peryton heard the name of the Bronze Demon, he did not hide his surprise. The colored demon is a different level of existence than the monsters called goblins and pig orcs. It was no wonder.

“They are blocking the mountain road. This means that in order to get to Lingen, we need to push through here …… Peryton-san. What should we do?”

“What? …… S-, Souya-san, you’re a demon slayer, so you can win, right? You even said that Merylou-san is close to being a gold-class adventurer …… I’ve come this far so there’s no way I can leave …… or I’ll end up losing a lot of money.”

Peryton was dismayed, but he confirmed Souya’s ability as a demon slayer. In his mind, he may be working out a money account between paying adventurers and procuring wine.

“I can win. But if the Bronze Demon is blocking the mountain path on someone else’s orders, we can’t deny that there may be more danger ahead. It’s also possible that it’s a stray demon that’s blocking the way on a whim.”

While explaining to Peryton, Souya glared at the Bronze Demon in front of him. There’s no indication that they’re going to make a move. But he didn’t seem to be retreating. 

“If you’re going to push your way through, Peryton-san, we’ll attack first. If you want to retreat, we’ll use my Wind Spirit Sylph and Souya’s Rock Golem as decoys and you’ll retreat from this place ……. I’d like you, the client, to decide what to do. “

Merylou asked Peryton to make a decision.

She’s still got her eyes on the bronze demon, and ready to chant her spirit arts. I’m sure she’s going to summon the wind spirit Sylph anyway.

“…… Merylou-san. I want to go to Lingen to get some wine. I have no idea why the Bronze Demon is blocking the way, but …… that is no reason to retreat …… So can I ask you to get us out of this mess?”

Peryton indicated the choice to move on. If that’s the case, we’ll need to meet the client’s request.

Souya and Merylou looked at each other for a moment and then gave a small nod.

The battle began in the dim light of the drizzling rain.

“–Oh, demon snake, pursue your target and devour him to death. [Tracking Magic Bullet – Homing Missile]”

Souya completed his magic chant and fired a preemptive attack with magic bullets from his five fingers at the Bronze Demon and the group of Imps.

“–Oh, demon snake, pursue your target and devour him to death. [Tracking Magic Bullet – Homing Missile]”

The Bronze Demon began chanting the same technique a little later than Souya, and a magic bullet was released from his free hand a little later. Apparently, it’s the troublesome type of bronze demon who can use magic.

The only thing is, Souya fired five magic bullets, while the Bronze Demon fired three. The difference of two shots was the difference in magic ability. And the two magic bullets that could not be canceled out exploded on the two small demon imps and shot them down.

“–Spirit of the wind that blows in all directions. Manifest yourself in the name of Merylou! [Wind Spirit Summoning – Summon Sylph]!”

In addition to Souya, Merylou completed her chanting, and along with the whirlwind, the wind spirit Sylph appeared in the form of a translucent maiden. 

“Demons, If you want to die, come at me! Me and the wind spirit Sylph will be your opponents!”

After the summoning of the Wind Spirit Sylph, Merylou put an arrow in her short bow and shouted bravely, and the Bronze Demon and the six little demon imps fly toward her all at once.