88 Field activities (2/2)

We are wary against the wall.

That's when it happened. We feel a strong wind.

”It's coming!　Sizfe!

Nora shouts.

I hold my shield towards the wind.

And the next moment, I fall over with a strong impact.

When I look, I see a black dog-like demonic beast as big as a calf biting into my shield.

''Black Demon Dog (Black Dog)!　You've been magically distracting me!

Nora shoots an arrow at the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

The black demon dog (Black Dog) lets go of his shield and flutters back and ducks the arrow.

It moves fast.

''Konnyaro!　How dare you Sisyphe!

Kaina's sister approaches Black Dog with her quick movements.

She should be able to keep up with Black Dog's movements.

''Watch out!　Kena!　He controls the shadows!

Nora urges her sister Kayna to be careful.

But it's a step too late, and a black haze shoots out from the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

The black haze attacks the upper half of sister Kayna's body.

''d*mn! I can't see!

Having lost sight of the target, sister Kayna's spear pokes through the empty space.

''Look out, Kayna-san!

Ms. Leylia defends her sister, Kayna.

The Black Demon Dog attacked the blinded sister Keina.

The Black Dog hit Leiria and was blown away along with her sister Kayna.

''Magic Wind!　Be the shackles of bondage!

Maddy shoots a spell at the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

However, she doesn't seem to be particularly restricted in her movements.

''Lie!　They resisted!

Maddy screams.

Her strength, quickness, and magical resistance are high. She's a formidable foe.

But there must be a way.

Nora!　Please, lead them to the wall!

I exclaim.

'You have a plan!　I get it!

Nora fires a series of arrows.

The Black Demon Dog (Black Dog) goes to the wall, avoiding the arrows.

'Novice!　Go ahead and shove it!

Hey!

Novis raises his greatsword and lunges at Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

Naturally, Black Dog will try to avoid it.

But I'm not going to let him do that.

''Lady Raina!　Blessings!

I create a shield for Lady Raina in the direction of the Black Demon Dog's (Black Dog) escape.

The shield becomes a wall, blocking the Black Demon Dog's (Black Dog) escape.

''Gaaaaaaaah!

The Black Demon Dog (Black Dog) shoots a black haze at Novice, but it's useless because there's nowhere to run when you block your view.

As it is, Novis's great sword pierces the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

''Ooohhhhhh!

Novis lifts the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog) up with his sword stabbed into it and slams it to the stone floor.

Sister Kayna and Ms. Leiria get up and join them, raising their spears and mace.

The black demon dog (Black Dog) moves around, but the three of them attack him and he doesn't move.

'You managed to win: ......'

I say, looking at the alarm system.

It was a close call. I can't believe I'm cheating on Mr. Nora's ability to detect it.

If I hadn't noticed, we would have all been killed.

But even though he's a monster beast, he's still a beast. They didn't seem to notice the alarm system.

”There's this kind of hexenbiest. There could be more of them.

No, Sisyphe. Black Demon Dogs don't act in packs. And they're territorial, so there won't be any other Black Demon Dogs (Black Dog). If we defeated this one, then it should be safe in reverse.

Nora says as she looks down at the Black Demon Dog (Black Dog).

'That's what I'm talking about. Let's get some rest now.

Novice lies down as if nothing had happened.

'That's right, Sisyphe. It ain't worth worrying about, man.'

Sister Kayna yawned and lay back down too.

'How can you two sleep with the corpse of a monster beast?

Maddy says with a gasp.

'Yes, I'm jealous. But you're right, it's no use worrying about it. We should take a break too. 'Maddy,'

I said and Maddy nodded.

'And by the way, this is a black demon dog that can also be a witch's errand boy, I've never seen one before.

The witch's errand boy?

Maddie says something that's bothering her.

'That's right, Ciz. Witch's messenger. According to the book I read before, witches sometimes use black dogs as their messengers. They mainly use it as a guard dog. So when you go to the witch's house or castle, you need to be careful of the black dog.

Yes, they're used to guard dogs: ......

Hearing that they are going to be used as a watchdog is concerning to me.

That could lead to the heart of this case.

I rested again, thinking about that.

◆Sizfe again.

The next morning we leave the ruins of the giants.

We must proceed while there is daylight.

'According to the map, we're almost to our destination.

Nora, walking in the lead, says.

'We're closer than we thought. It only takes one night's camping to get there. The Harpies should have kept them in a more secluded area, but they're idiots.

Absolutely, my sister. But it's easy.

My sister Kayna and Novice's easygoing voice.

But me, Maddie and Mr. Leiria don't float.

Sister Kayna is right. A harpy would be able to catch them in a more secluded place.

This is so close to the Kingdom of Arum. This is just asking for help.

”Shizu-chan. This road is easy to walk on.

Well, you look like someone who's been there before.

I say, looking at where I'm walking now.

Without a doubt, someone had been here before.

And it seems that those people had camped at the ruins of a giant. There was an encampment before us.

And they didn't seem to have been attacked by the Black Demon Dog.

And why is that?

We walk.

Eventually, we emerge at the bottom of a sheer cliff.

A dead end?

No, it's not, Sisyphe. Look up.

Nora tells me to look up.

There is something made of wood in the middle of the cliff.

What is that?

Miss Leiria tilts her head.

'Perhaps they're being held there?'

I nodded at Nora's words.

Mr. Phineas!　Could he be in there?!

I shout out loud.

'Is there someone there?'

Then there is a reply from the wooden assembly. A small voice, but I could certainly hear it.

'It's from Mr. Salmula!　I've been asked to help you!

From your mother?

Then someone emerges from the wooden assembly.

It's far away from here, but it's definitely a human boy.

'I'm coming to help you!　Wait for me!

I say and look at Novice.

'Yeah, I've got the rope right here.

Novis takes the rope out of the pack on his back.

If it were this long, it would reach that far.

'Wait!　Sisyphe!　Something's coming!

Nora's panicked voice.

Then there is a gust of wind.

After the wind stops, something is standing on top of an object assembled in a tree.

It looks like a human woman, but its arms and lower body are eagle-like. Definitely a harpy.

”My name is Kellaiah. ”My name is Keleia, son of the great wind. The great wind goddess is trying to take our prince away. Who are you people?