Vol 5 Chapter 2.1 (2/2)

An adult must have self-control.

So why is your tail moving more than usual?

Its to keep my b-balance!

When walking on two legs, the tail has almost no effect in keeping balance. In the end, Hibineko was just as excited as s.h.i.+n and Shadow.

Holly watched Hibineko with heartwarming eyes.

By the way, were at the place where the monsters will appear.

As for me being in high spiritsWell, youre right about that. A lot of wolf-type monsters should have appeared around here.

Holly was making fun of Hibineko, but she didnt forget to search for enemies in their surroundings.

While everyone had been having a playful conversation and moving at a high speed befitting of their status as Chosen Ones, they had already set foot in the area where monsters sp.a.w.ned.

However, not a shadow of monsters could be seen, even if they looked around.

That strange. Not one monster in my perception range.

Not even one, you say?

s.h.i.+ns perception range had been greatly expanded through multiple skills such as Search and Sign Perception. Therefore, he could perceive places where Shadow and Hibineko couldnt reach, but he still couldnt find a single monster.

Shadow and the others, who knew of his perception range, had puzzled expressions on their face.

Does something like this usually occur during the Flood?

No. Though I have experienced the Flood several times, even if the number of monsters may decrease a little, they didnt disappear completely.

The number of monster decreased?

The monsters sp.a.w.ned in the Flood indiscriminately attack other monsters. It is known that monsters will leave their territory when they sense danger.

I see. But something seems different this time.

Yeah, in the first place, even if I said their numbers decreased, it didnt suddenly decrease like this. This is clearly abnormal.

s.h.i.+n and the others expressions sharpened at Hibinekos remarks.

They had no problem dealing with the Flood, but now the monsters were mysteriously disappearing too. Everyone unanimously agreed that it was dangerous to be too optimistic.

Its not the time to train leisurely. Lets return at once.

Thats right. We dont know the cause, so it would be better to report it.

Holly agreed with Shadows suggestion. s.h.i.+n and Hibineko had no objections either, so they ran back to Balmel making full use of the speed of the Chosen Ones.

They searched for the presence of monsters all the the way back, but still didnt detect anything.

s.h.i.+n? Youve been silent for a while, do you have any ideas?

Yeah, a few.

s.h.i.+n replied to Shadows question with a bitter face. There was something that flashed in s.h.i.+ns memory.

There had been a war event in the game where hordes of monsters would attack a city. It had not been a particularly unusual event.

However, the sheer number of monsters had been a problem. The monsters in the surrounding area would temporarily stop sp.a.w.ning and a large swarm of monsters would close in on the city simultaneously like black waves.

Of course, the players stood up to it and succeeded in defending the city. Most of the monsters had been blown away by the magic skills of advanced level players like s.h.i.+n. However, due to the monsters that invaded the city from underground, the damage caused during the event was not small either.

Monsters had disappeared before the event had begun. If this was supposedly the same indication, would the same thing happen in the Flood? If so, the new surging wave of monsters would exceed the normal scale of the Flood.

Supposing its the same as a war event, we need to report it.

Indeed, I think Ill ask Schnee to do that.

s.h.i.+n answered Hibinekos words while nodding.

Schnee could explain the story as an event from the past. If she did that, s.h.i.+n didnt have to stand out.

Theres no sign of monsters, you say?

The four people who returned to the feudal lords castle got in contact with Taul immediately, and reported about the monsters. Everyone in the second group, Schnee and the others, also came to the reception room.

Taul who had listened to the report for a while, contemplated as he searched through his memory. However, he let out a small sigh, possibly because he could not think of anything.

Elgin and the others who were sitting together also shook their heads.

As far as I know, there should be no records of this kind of battle. An investigation is needed.

The monsters sensed danger and ran away, then it couldnt be explained with that.

Judging from their att.i.tude, they were very cautious about this matter circulating.

Does anybody have any ideas?

All members except Schnee shook their head at Tauls words.

Schnee-sama, do you have any ideas?

Yes, I recall something similar happened in the past.

Schnee nodded at Tauls question. The story had already been conveyed to Schnee by Mind Chat.

It was only a story of the game from s.h.i.+ns memory, but it wasnt strange to think that it could have occurred in this world.

Could you tell me? Even the smallest amount of information is necessary.

Of course. Though it happened quite a while before

Schnee explained while smudging the facts here and there.

Thatis

Everyone who heard the story had stiffened their expressions.

When they heard that level of monsters that would be attacking would also be high, Taul and Elgins expressions became heavy.

The current defense called for a specialized force composed of Chosen Ones and ordinary soldiers to kill off the enemies as they came because there were simply too many of them.

If the monsters hordes became too much for ordinary soldiers to handle, they could expect that total collateral damage would be astronomical.

Because the situation is only similar to what I know from the past, its not clear whether it will turn out that way or not.

No, it would be better to a.s.sume that it will. Now is not the time to talk about training and such.

Elgin replied to Schnees remark with a serious expression. It would be too dangerous if Schnees prediction was on the mark.

I thought it would be an easy win this time.

Good grief. Things have never gone smoothly.

Guile and Liege shrugged their shoulders as if they were saying Give me a break!.

Though they had non-serious att.i.tudes, it was hard to say that they had bright expressions, either.

However, theres no need to be so pessimistic. We have Schnee Raizar and two additional Chosen Ones with us as reinforcements. We should be able to survive these critical times as long as we dont make any mistakes.

Indeed, we dont know how many monsters there will be, but we are blessed with allies this time around. The battle may end unexpectedly quickly.

Hibineko and Shadow called out to Taul and the others who were only thinking about the enemy.

Their eager voices lightened the mood which was about to sink. They were composed because s.h.i.+n and Schnee were there. In a sense, s.h.i.+n and Schnee were far more dangerous than the approaching monsters.

Of course, Ill do whatever I can to help.

Thats right, I should be thankful youre here. Lets change the strategy, then. Schnee-sama, do you know which direction that the monsters will be attacking from?

No, I dont know to that extent

It was obviously dangerous to think the monsters would all attack from the same direction, so Schnee answered honestly.

Additionally, because they didnt know when the monsters would attack, they settled the discussion by agreeing to send scouts in the directions that were most likely to be attacked.

Each station was contacted when the discussion was over. This was done so the soldiers would be prepared in case the monsters from the war event sp.a.w.ned at any time.

Hey, Schnee, Im asking just to make sure, but have you ever used the large-scale magic for any anti-guild wars while I was gone?

No, I have never fought against such a large army before, since most enemies can be handled with a normal wide area magic.

s.h.i.+n and the others who had left the castle had separated briefly before meeting up again.

Currently, they were heading toward the guild to meet Tiera. Though they could not fight against monsters for cooperation practice, they had tested their cooperation with a training dummy at the training grounds in the castle.

Because they had to fight against a considerable number of monsters this time, s.h.i.+n wanted to confirm the power of anti-guild war magic skills with Schnee. But Schnee had not fought against a battalion since the Dusk of the Majesty, so she didnt know how strong they were, either.

Then, would it be bad to use them thoughtlessly? Will you try to use one during the first strike?

Yes, if I was to use it, that timing would be my only chance.

Depending on the numbers of the enemy and the scale of the magic, it was possible for everything to end with just that one hit. Because it was not a bad thing in its own right, he decided to take the opportunity to confirm the power of large-scale magic.

Schnee-chans large-scale magic, huh?~. I wonder if well get a turn.

If it doesnt cause any additional damage, then there would be nothing better than that.

Yea

Shadow gave his opinion and agreed with Hollys words. Hibineko did the same. s.h.i.+n was neither optimistic nor excited about it.

Well, we wont know what happens until the time comes, right? I have to be prepared just in case.

Did you do something?

There was perfect equipment to fight against numerous enemies, wasnt there? I intend to upgrade it before its too late. There shouldnt be any problem if I go on a rampage since my face will be covered.

s.h.i.+n answered Schnees question with a slightly wicked smile on his face.

Apparently, his blacksmiths blood was excited.

I wont have any problem even if multiple enemies come at me the same time.

I agree.

Shadow and Holly watched the exchange between s.h.i.+n and Schnee while smiling wryly.

Hibineko didnt say a word, but nodded in agreement.

When they had arrived at the guild, the party went to visit the training grounds after receiving permission from the receptionist.

The training grounds had various s.p.a.ces designated for different activities, such as s.p.a.ce where one could practice with the bow or with throwing knives, or s.p.a.ce where one could receive combat instruction.

s.h.i.+n had entered an empty training ground back in Bayreuth when he had fought Barlux the Guild Master, so this was the first time he saw others inside it.

Apart from that, s.h.i.+n looked for Tiera.

Oh, there she is.

At a corner of the plaza where a lot of adventurers did cooperation and individual training, was Tiera. She was doing one on one combat training with someone.

Is that Kaede-chan?

Its seems so.

Holly and the others also noticed Kaede and Tiera exchanging blows after s.h.i.+n had spoken.

Both of their weapons were daggers. They seemed to be using weapons rented from the training grounds. Kagerou was on standby as he sat down next to a nearby wall.

Its one-sided, huh?

Its rather a commendable thing for Tiera to keep up with her.

Ahead of s.h.i.+ns line of sight, Tiera was on the defensive even though it appeared as if she were exchanging blows with Kaede.

If you thought about the difference between Kaede and Tieras stats, it was a commendable thing for Tiera to be able to defend against Kaede, just as Schnee had said.

Though Kaede probably wasnt being serious, Tiera shouldnt have been able to keep up with her for so long. Schnees training seemed to have properly increased Tieras combat ability.

Kuh!

Tieras dagger was repelled before s.h.i.+n could call out to her. Looking at the dagger pointed at the scruff of her neck, Tiera stopped moving.

Having a match, huh?

Ah, s.h.i.+n-san, Sch, no, Yuki-san is here too.

S-s.h.i.+n?

Kaede, who noticed s.h.i.+n and the others, raised her voice. Tiera, too, turned her face toward the direction of Kaedes voice, but she couldnt move immediately because she was out of breath.

By the way, Yuki was Schnees name when disguised. Her guild card was also registered under the name Yuki.

Did you guys train together?

Yes, though we met by chance.

At first, Kaede had restricted her stats to train Tiera, but they decided to spar with their stat differences in the end. Then, s.h.i.+n and the others had arrived.

Are you alright?

YesImokay..

s.h.i.+n called out to Tiera, who was completely drenched in sweat, while handing her a towel.

He waited for a while until Tieras breathing settled down.

Your training seems to have paid off.

Well, Im going to cry if this was all for naught.

Is that so? For the time being, good work.

Kagerou also came near and showed Tiera some appreciation. Tiera laughed as Kagerou licked her face.