*This is a story about a year before Satou's arrival, when Zena, who had just come of age, enlisted in the territorial army.
"I am Zena Marientail, who completed the training course and was commissioned as a magic soldier as of today. Looking forward to work with you!"
An out-of-place young lady appears in the barracks filled with rude soldiers.
"Hey, Lilio. What is that?"
"Well? Did you go to the wrong place?"
Gayana, who was munching on hard black bread next to me, called out to her with a dubious look on her face.
Well, the bread crumbs fly, so don't talk while eating.
"Zena-san, this is the wrong place. The captain's barracks is next door."
"I'm sorry, Iona-san."
From behind the young lady came a shy aristocratic woman.
It's not that I'm being mean, but I'm not good at it. She's beautiful, has a good figure, and doesn't put that on her nose--that's what I like about her because she's just a normal nice person.
"I'm sorry, everyone."
The young lady bowed her head with a frustrated face and left.
I feel like I can't hate it. Magic soldiers are an elite, so they probably don't have a connection with low-level soldiers like us.
◇
"Lilio, I'm so sorry."
"What, suddenly?"
The next morning, when I headed to the dining room, Gayana said with a grin on his face.
"The next squad has been announced. You're Bactor's squad."
"Gee, are you serious?"
That old man is incompetent, but he looks great.
"No way, even Knight Pincaro is with you, right?"
"It seems that the knight will not accompany you this time."
I'm glad I wasn't with you until the lost knight.
Moreover, the fact that the knight is not with us means that we are not in the mountainous area where wyverns appear, so there seems to be little danger to our lives.
I headed to the meeting place with a large amount of breakfast from the barracks in my stomach.
Three groups are formed. About 50 people in all?
"Assemble the Bactor team here!"
Bactor's veteran command echoes at the meeting place.
Well, only the loud voice is suitable for the group leader. Incompetent though.
"Listen carefully, you guys! We will be patrolling villages in the hilly area over the next three days."
Next to the boastful Bactor veteran soldier, there was a young magic soldier and a noble woman that I had seen recently.
I see, so this patrol also serves as a break-in for the young lady.
This group seems to have 15 people.
Zena seems to be able to use wind magic.
The magic soldiers in the other groups are more like fire magic and earth magic, so it seems easier to search for enemies than over there.
"Lilio, go ahead~"
Gayana, who became another group, said so and got into the wagon.
Gayana is an engineer, so he's going to the Mining City with the Earth Magic Soldier.
"Don't fall behind the other teams! We're leaving too!"
Veteran Bactor rushes us into the wagon.
We also traveled in a wagon.
There are no knights, but three light cavalry on horseback run side by side.
Iona seems to be a light cavalry as well as an aristocratic woman.
Wearing sheet metal armor for a woman seems to be a noble, but the two-handed sword on her back is a bit unusual.
To be able to use such a heavy weapon, contrary to her beautiful appearance, she must have a bear-like body inside. You can bet on the dried meat for lunch today.
"Lilio, you have good eyesight, so please stand in front of me."
"Yes"
Another scout--an old man soldier told me to go up to the coachman's stand.
Yeah, I like the coachman's stand because it has a nice view.
"Zena Magic Soldier! Watch your surroundings with search magic!"
"Yes, leader!"
A magic soldier ordered by Bactor uses search magic as soon as he departs.
--Isn't it too early?
My impression was correct, the magic soldiers complained that they were running out of mana by the time they reached the first village.
"Group leader, since the remaining magic power has been reduced to half, is it okay to stop the enemy search magic according to the business procedure?"
"What? Is your magical power dangerous low already? Are you're training enough, Zena Magic Soldier!"
"Excuse me, chief."
Shifting his own mistakes in instructions and complains to the magic soldiers.
"It can't be helped. Scout team, follow up on the incompetency of the magic soldiers."
"Yes"
The old scout answers lightly.
"Lilio, that's what you're saying."
"roger that"
I also raise my hand to convey my understanding, and observe my surroundings more carefully than before.
I saw the shadow of an animal beyond the hills. Most of them are rabbits or foxes, so I'll let them go.
Foxes are also pests, but they help get rid of rats, so they aren't actively hunted even in farming villages. If we mess with the livestock, the people in the village will have to deal with it before we even have to go on a business trip.
"I'm bored~"
Around the time I left the second village, I became sleepy because its peaceful.
"Don't go to sleep, miss."
"You know—"
When I was having such a conversation with the coachman, I felt a sense of incongruity at the edge of my vision.
"What happened?"
Silence the coachman with a gesture.
"--There it is. It's a wolf! Over the hill to the right of the direction of travel!"
Hearing my warning, my friends who were relaxing stood up with warrior look in their eyes.
"Really? Where?"
"Hey, it's over there. How did you find it? It's so far away."
One of the veterans taps me on the shoulder and praises me.
"Is that what the wolf is aiming for?"
Some veteran pointed out where the pack of wolves was heading.
There is a flock of sheep.
Perhaps the shepherd didn't notice the approach of the wolf yet, since the shepherd was relaxed.
"horn--"
"Don't blow! Now we can make a surprise attack."
Veteran Baktor interrupted his hand reaching for the horn.
"Listen! The wolf's aim is the sheep! Bowmen, keep the wolf in check!"
Apparently, Bactor prioritizes his achievements over the lives of the shepherds.
"Are you going to stop the carriage?"
"Don't mind, keep going full speed."
"Stop! If you shake like this, you won't be able to aim."
"Tch, it can't be helped"
Bactor reluctantly stopped the carriage after being told by a veteran of the Longbow Troupe.
"Zena! Don't be dazed! Kick the wolves away with wind magic!"
"Yes!"
Bactor tells the young lady of the magic soldier to start chanting magic.
"You too, little girl."
I was poked by Bactor, and I also take aim with a light crossbow.
If this happens, the shepherds will be in danger if they don't hit as many wolves as possible.
Because of the distance, you can't aim in a straight line.
Aiming well above the wolf--at the signal of the veteran of the Longbow Troupe, he fires.
"... ■■■■"
The magic soldier who finished chanting looks at Bactor's face.
"What are you doing! Shoot now!"
" hammer air hammer! "
As if Bactor's yelling had disturb her, the magic soldier hurriedly chants the magic phrase.
――Oh, you idiot.
The arrow that was about to rain down on the wolf was scattered by the magic soldier's wind magic at bad timing.
"You idiot! What are you doing?"
Bactor yells.
No no, it's just that your instructions are bad right now, aren't they?
I put it in my mouth unintentionally, but I need to reload the arrow first.
Take aim—ah.
The light cavalry, who had closed the distance before they knew it, was literally kicking the wolves away.
I could see the unfortunate wolves being knocked off by the two-handed sword that the noble woman swung from horseback. After a while, the wolf quickly curled its tail and ran away.
Some of the wolves still chased the sheep, but the longbow team took them down.
You hit that distance well.
"That princess, don't do it."
A red-haired woman holding a huge shield muttered behind me.
"I agree"
As a result, no sheep or shepherds were harmed.
I'm a little annoyed that you prepared for us to fail first.
I don't think it's a bad instruction for that incompetent Bactor.
"I'm back"
The light cavalry returned, led by a noblewoman carrying a large sword on her back.
"Iona! Who ordered the charge!"
Bactor yells at the noble woman.
I thought it was an accurate order for an incompetent Bactor, but it seems that the assault just now was an aristocratic decision.
"I didn't receive the instructions that should have been given, so I acted."
Ahaha, I kind of like this noble woman.
It's very ironic.
Bactor, who had his negligence pointed, groaned.
"From now on, listen carefully to my orders!"
Spit out the sorrow.
"Also, Zena! When using magic, make sure to check your surroundings!"
"Yes, sorry!"
Bactor shifted the blame to the young lady of the magic soldier.
"Wow, you're pushing your own mistakes onto a newcomer."
That's what the red-haired big shield woman said.
"what?!"
It's a big voice, so it seems that it reached Bactor.
"Ah, I'm sorry. Your voice is too loud."
Even though Bactor complains, the large shield woman can't stand it at all.
"Leader Bacter, if we don't leave soon, we won't be able to reach the village where we plan to camp for the night before dinner."
Looking at the timing, other veterans called out to Bactor and departed.
It was a complete waste of time.
◇
In the early afternoon of the second day, we approached a place where a sparse forest was sandwiched between hills.
"There are beetle-type monsters around here. You should prepare archers."
"I know! Don't whine from the side!"
Bactor, who was told by another veteran soldier, reflexively bites back.
The archers silently prepare their bows while looking at him sidelong.
Of course, I also pull the string of the crossbow and fix it in place. All you have to do is set the short arrow and pull the trigger.
"Zena, look for the enemy!"
"yes!"
Bactor orders the magic soldier.
--e?
I felt uncomfortable with that order.
Well, until the beetle starts moving, it's hard to find with the naked eye, and I know it depends on magic--.
During the patrols so far, no other team leader has ever commanded a search for enemies with magic.
"... ■ wind search"
Right after the magic soldier's search magic was activated, the forest on the left front shook.
"Front left! There is a change!"
Hearing my shout, the surrounding soldiers looked at you all at once.
A beetle-type monster jumped out of the forest.
" beetle soldier..."
A monster that rarely comes out of the forest during the daytime.
"-Did you get lured by enemy search magic?"
I heard one of the veterans whisper.
"Tch, you're attracting monsters."
Bactor clicked his tongue.
What are you talking about? It's your instructions.
"I'm sorry, Chief."
The magic soldier apologizes profusely.
Why, you're not so bad
"Exactly. What did you learn in your drills—"
"Rather than that, give me the instructions quickly."
I unintentionally said to the complaining Bactor.
Bactor gives instructions after clicking his tongue.
"What are you doing! Archers, shoot!"
The archers, who had already set up and waited for Bactor's orders, aimed at the monsters and released them all at once.
--He was hit.
After all, the beetle body is hard.
No time to load the next arrow.
Hooking the crossbow belt on the coachman's stand, I pull out the stiletto from my waist.
"If you have provocation skills, shout! The large shield team will catch you!"
The provocation skill user jumped out of the carriage and shouted, pulling the monsters to the ground.
"Large shield team, Brace!"
"""YEAH!"""
Four large shield holders line up to catch the monster.
--Ah.
The two who received a direct hit were blown away.
It's small for a beetle-type monster, but it's still about the size of a cow. It seems that it was impossible to take it with momentum.
"Come your fly!"
The red-haired large shield woman rammed her shield with her body to attract the monster's attention.
"Well done, Lou!"
The large shield woman was immediately blown away, but in the meantime, another large shield bearer held down the large shield woman from the other side and stopped the monster's movement.
"Now! Do it!"
The spear-bearers and sword-bearers jumped at the monster all at once.
"Awesome"
As expected, I can't enter that melee.
If you enter such a place with a stiletto, you will definitely be injured by an ally's attack.
The large shield woman who was blown away wiped her nosebleed with her arm and rejoined the battle.
"Lilio! Don't forget to look for enemies around you!"
Another scout warned me and I remembered.
Come to think of it, there are times when other monsters appear because of the sounds of battle.
I give up on participating in battles and concentrate on vigilance around me.
"Zena! Use attack magic!"
"No! If I use it in this situation, everyone will get hurt."
As expected, in this melee situation, even the young magic soldier couldn't say "yes".
"Kuh, something excuse!"
"Bactor! Help us too!"
Bactor had an annoyed face when he objected, but it seems that he reluctantly joined the attacking side after being told by a veteran soldier who seemed to be in the same generation.
Fortunately, no additional monsters appeared, and my companions succeeded in subjugating the monsters without letting them fly.
"I never thought I would have a hard time fighting against a small opponent who is not even level 10."
"Don't say that, Bactor. More importantly, if we don't dispose of the corpse quickly, the sun will set."
"Noisy! I know! Collect the beetle's carapace, fangs, and tentacles."
"Squad leader, what are you going to do with the nails?"
"Judge by yourself"
"roger that"
A lowly soldier dismantles it while becoming muddy with monster blood.
"Lu-san, I'm here to treat you."
"It's no big deal"
"It's no good. If it festers, it'll be a problem."
A magic soldier is treating the large shield woman.
I thought it would be healed by magic, but after washing it with water, she just applied ointment and wrapped a bandage.
"Don't you use magic?"
"My magic is not very effective on deep wounds."
I instinctively asked, and the magic soldier――is it Zena? - replied shyly.
"Is that so?"
"Yes, sorry for being green."
"Don't worry about it.
The red-haired woman laughed heartily. She is sexy.
Well, there's no such thing as a weak woman who would become a soldier.
"Zena-san, are you injured?"
"I'm fine! Thank you, Iona-san."
An aristocratic woman took off her helmet and came to my side.
Her sweat-stuffed hair was lustrous.
The gazes of the surrounding men are following the noble woman.
A beautiful woman looks beautiful even when she is dirty.
When I was a little frustrated, a colleague called my name and threw me a water bag.
It was lukewarm water inside, but it permeated my body mentally exhausted from the battle.
When I tried to throw it back, he gestured to me to throw it in that direction as well, so I offered water to the large shield woman and the magic soldiers.
"I'm saved, my throat is parched."
The large shield woman gulped down the water bag with appreciation.
"I'll give it to those two over there."
"Oh, I almost drank it.
"Iona, thank you very much."
The noble woman drink the water bag that she received.
I was a little surprised because I thought it would be an elegant drink.
"Fuu, how about Zena-san?"
"I'll have some"
This feels as good as you can imagine.
Why is such a noble lady doing something like a soldier?
◇
"Despite being in a village, is there even a simple lodging house?"
It's the first time I've come to this village, but it's the first time it's not a night camp.
"It's a four-person room. There are about six women in this group, so I don't think it's possible to share a room with a man."
"Oh! Isn't that the scout from earlier?"
The first to enter was the large shield woman.
"I'm Lilio. Stop calling me a scout."
"Wow, wow. I'm Lou. I was born in Kainona and raised in Kainona."
"Hee, Kainona is famous for its beans and mutton dishes, right?"
"A famous product, that's all there is to it."
Lou says the meat on the bone is exquisite.
"Excuse me!"
The next one who came in was the young lady of the magic soldier.
"I'm Zena Marientail Magic Soldier. Please stay with me tonight."
"Zena-san, you don't have to be so nervous."
Miss――The one who entered from behind Zena was a noble woman. She used to call herself Iona.
"Are you guys in the same room? I thought you two were already in the same room."
She's a middle-ranking soldier about five years older than me, but unlike these two, she's a genuine downtown girl, so I expected her to be the same roommate.
"Those two seem to be on good terms with the group leader."
Iona says with a face mixed with contempt.
Ah, you're saying that you used a glamorous eye on the group leader?
The bed is probably better over there.
"--Ah, um."
Zena spoke to me with a tense face.
"what?"
"Can I ask for your name?"
"It's not a name that sounds like something you'd ask. I'm Lilio. I was born in the downtown area of Seryuu City and grew up in the downtown area."
I somehow remembered Ruu's name, so I ended up saying that.
"I--"
"I know. You're a Marientail magic soldier, aren't you? Rather than that, let's go eat."
It looks like I'll be able to have a decent meal that's not a carry-on meal today.
"- Gentlemen! The end of the world is near!"
When we left the simple lodging house, we heard an old man's squeaky voice.
Even though it's time to eat, please stop making strange noises.