"What is that?"
There was an old man wearing a dubious robe in the direction Zena was pointing at.
"In order to overcome the apocalypse, people must have 'wings of freedom' in their hearts!"
He's talking about things that I don't understand well, but the surrounding villagers just look at him with annoyed eyes, and it feels like they're not really listening.
"Aren't he just a weirdo? Let's eat instead."
"Concur"
Agreeing with Lou's random remark, I urge Zena and Iona, who are still worried about the weirdo, to head to the dining room.
Everywhere, there are many strange things in early spring.
Rather than that, They would be in trouble if we ran out of food while dealing with weirdos.
"B-but..."
Zena seems to be worried and looks back many times.
"You heretic! What are you doing there!"
A man in priest's clothes came out. Are you from Zaikuon Temple?
I have a feeling it's going to be kind of complicated.
Zena and Iona stopped their feet.
I meet Lou's gaze.
I shrugged my shoulders towards Lou, who asked me with a glance.
As expected, if I abandon my colleagues and prioritize food, I would not be able to taste the food because I'm worried about it.
"I'm preaching to the foolish people how to live in the end of the world!"
"You heretics! What is the end of the world! As long as there are gods, the end of the world will never come!"
He is talking about complicated things.
――Oh, he hit him.
Mr. priest, you have a short temper.
"Don't stop!"
"Mr. Zena!"
Zena jumped out without thinking about it.
Iona interrupted and cleverly parried Zena who was about to be hit for intervening.
She is a completely reckless young lady.
"--Help me, you two!"
Iona asks us for help.
"Shhhh"
"Shall we go"
Me and Lou split the work and apprehend the heretic old man and the priest.
I was in charge of a cultist old man who seemed to lack exercise.
"Let me go!"
"Why are you even detaining me! I am the deacon of the glorious Zaikuon Temple!"
Which also bustle Yakamanew.
"What is that fuss!"
Bacter has arrived.
The old man who is with him is probably the village chief.
"Oh it's you again!"
"Don't come out, you fucking old man!"
The cult uncle seems to be the village chief's son.
No wonder, the people in the village should have done nothing but look at him with annoying eyes.
"Let go"
The old man scratched his beard
When I turned my gaze to the village chief he said, "Please let him go."
There won't be any more rampage, and both me and Ruu will release the restraints of the two of them.
"What are you here for?"
"If they say that my stupid son is causing a disturbance, I can't help but come."
"You're always treating me like a half person!"
The old man reacts like an underage kid.
He had not reached maturity.
"You guys, you guys! You're making a fool of me! Even if you meet a miserable experience in the end of the world, you won't be saved!"
After pointing at us, he fled to the forest like a frightened rabbit.
That speed though. Why are you so fast with that body shape?
"Should we chase?"
If we start now, it's quite possible.
"No, it's useless. He doesn't have the courage to leave the village anyway."
"OK"
I can't let my guard down because that kind of guy can do stupid things when cornered.
"He went outside the barrier pillar, is it okay?"
Zena is just a young lady, so she's too nice of a person, isn't she?
"Worrying is a loss of effort"
"Yeah. He is local, so he knows about dangerous places."
"It's as Lilio and Lou say. Let's go, Zena-san."
We passed through the gate and headed to the dining room.
The food served in the cafeteria was a very ordinary country dish, but it was a feast compared to the crappy portable food rations.
The noble ladies seemed to like it well enough, and Zena and Iona were eating it deliciously just like us.
◇
"Hey, Lilio! Why don't you guys go out for a drink too?"
When I left the dining room, I was invited by some male colleagues who were sitting outside.
"You know that we should not, right?"
"Its okay, let's go."
"What would you do if you were drunk and there was a night attack by monsters or pests?"
"No problem no problem"
"Hey, let's go.
He is awfully persistent today.
I noticed it in the boy's gaze.
Their target is the beautiful Iona and the young lady Zena.
"Invite the person you want to invite directly."
I feel utterly sick.
"Eh, no, that's what?"
"Its impossible"
I leave the indecisive men and head to the dormitory.
"Lirio-san is popular, isn't he?"
"Lirio"
"--Huh?"
"I don't need for 'san.'. Lilio is fine."
What would the people around you say if you were given san to the name by a noble lady?
"Ok then, Lilio."
Zena said so and smiled embarrassed.
It's s innocent and cute.
Is it because she was raised well?
"So what are you talking about?"
"It's a misunderstanding that Lilio is popular."
"It's not a misunderstanding. I'm popular!"
Regardless of now, in the future I should be popular!
"Amazing, Lilio."
Zena looks at me with respect.
She is not mocking me, right?
"Well, it's true that I'm popular--"
"Is that right?"
Rude to tilts your head.
There! You don't know much, do you?
"--You're the ones the guys were looking at earlier."
"Me?"
Zena makes a strange face.
I see, are you the type with low self-esteem?
"Yes. They wanted to invite you and Iona."
"Putting aside Iona-san, It could not be me."
Zena laughed hahaha.
Iona follows, saying, "That's not true."
It's been a long time since I've met this kind of girls.
"Yo, Lilio. You know—"
A different man called out to me.
It's troublesome, so I treat it appropriately and leave the place.
"Everybody and this guy..."
Why me?
Are you saying you look like you're going to thick me like that?
"Well, don't be so angry."
Lou is acts familiar and pats my shoulders.
She's a very irritating.
◇
"--Hmm?"
I woke up in the middle of the night.
It seems that someone is making a noise outside.
I quietly slip out of bed, push up the window and look around.
I can't see it from here. It's like the other side.
Let's go take a look.
Just in case, I put a short sword on my waist, while wearing leather armor.
The diary I had written before going to bed was sticking out from under my pillow, so I stuck it in my backpack.
"--My son hasn't come back."
I heard an old voice with a rushed tone.
It was the village chief's voice earlier.
"He is not a child, so I'm guessing he's drinking in the next village or next town."
It seems that the village chief and the villagers are talking.
"Speaking of which, I saw him going in and out of a cave in the middle of the mountain."
"Isn't it a suspicious ritual of a heresy?"
I see, so the heretic old man who ran away just now hasn't come back yet.
"Come to think of it, the mountains are noisy today..."
A bald villager muttered something disturbing.
"Miss Lilio, what happened?"
Iona and the others came out of the dormitory after preparing their equipment.
Iona and Zena are fine, but Lou isn't properly wearing armor and clothes.
If you look slovenly, you won't be popular with a good man.
"The village chief's son--the old man heretic hasn't returned."
A fierce beast's bark was heard as if it covered my explanation.
"What was that, just now?"
When I listened carefully, I heard the sound of grass breaking and someone's scream in the distance.
"That is my son!"
The mayor runs out.
It's dangerous to go alone, and the villagers chase the village chief.
"Let's follow too!"
Zena immediately ran out.
Iona chased after her, and after I looked at Lou, I chased after them reluctantly.
"Guooooooooooooo"
An oji heretic rushes in, breaking through the fence on the border with the forest.
I could see several red twin lights chasing him from behind.
"Zena-san, stop!"
"Lou, the villagers."
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
Iona stops Zena, I pass the village chiefs and throw the torch I borrowed from the bonfire into the forest.
I'm afraid of the fire spreading, but it should be fine in this season.
"Monsters, sighted! Three! Ant-type monsters!"
I tell the following people the identity of the pursuer illuminated by the light of the torch.
Because that's what scouts do.
"When you say ants around here..."
" Large Hill ant, I think. It is said that it uses formic acid at medium range, bites and rams at close range, and claws at close range."
Zena talks about detailed monster information.
As expected of a magic soldier. No, is it because you're serious person? Even though she's a new recruit, she seems to be as knowledgeable as a veteran about monsters around here.
"Lilio, do you have your whistle?"
"There is--"
I take out the whistle as soon as Iona remind you.
I blew it in an emergency rhythm.
Seriously, I'm disqualified as a scout to forget until I was told.
"Incoming!"
Lou cries.
"Two of them went after the villagers! ■■..."
"Zena-san! Magic is useless!"
Iona stopped Zena who started chanting, and she cut herself in between Hill ant and the villagers.
For some reason, the other one came towards me.
Maybe I looked small and weak. Annoying.
"Lou! Hit your shield with your sword to draw attention!"
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
When Lou struck the shield at Iona's instruction, one of them turned to her as it headed towards the villagers.
With this, one each for Iona, Lou, and me.
Honestly, this will hurt.
Leaving aside the heavily armed Iona and Lou, if I get even one shot, my movements will slow down, and after that I'll be tortured to death.
Even so, it's impossible to let Zena, who is a paper-armored magic soldier, take charge.
I hit my face with my free hand and regained my spirit.
Come on. Ant bastard!
The first formic acid flies sideways and I try to avoid.
HOT! It seems that I couldn't avoid it and took a little bath. White smoke is rising from the shoes I just bought this year.
Damn, this guy will definitely make me cry.
Even while I was cursing, the ant bastard approached me and started ramming me.
--fast.
"Sh*t"
I roll over to avoid it.
Seriously? The ant bastard skidded and pounded the ground with his toenails, trying to tear me apart.
Die, die, die, die.
"-- Air hammer! "
The ant was blown away.
I am also caught up in the aftermath and roll on the ground.
Right now it's wind magic.
It seems I was saved by Zena.
Ant is tough and still alive.
But I still can't seem to be able to move well.
I dropped the stiletto I was holding somewhere, but I still have the knife on my waist.
I ran up to the ant bastard and thrust a knife into the joints.
--shallow.
While sprinkling green blood, the ant bastard shakes me off and rushes towards Zena.
" Foot cutter Iron Maw! "
A large sword mowed down the many legs of the ant bastard.
"Mr. Iona!"
"Zena-san, get down."
Iona stands in front of Zena with her great sword ready.
The Hill Ants that she was dealing with until just now, both seem to be dealing with Lou. One is covered in blood, but the other appears to be unharmed.
"Iona, I cannot last long."
"I know! Lilio, we'll defeat it together."
"roger that!"
My attacks won't work on the ant bastard.
Then there is one thing to do.
"This way!"
I throw the stone I picked up to draw the attention of the ant bastard, creating an opening for Iona's greatsword large swing attack.
"Hurry up! I can't keep my shield!"
"... ■■■ Entwined air flow Entangle Air"
The movement of hill ant, who fights Lou, has slowed down.
"Thank you, this will work out"
The other side seems fine.
--there were. You are my short sword.
"Iona! Together!"
I jumped in from the ant bastard's blind spot and slammed into the base of his hind legs.
It doesn't do much damage by itself, but the angry ant bastard's attention turns to me.
" power sword strike! "
Iona's blow knocked off the head of the ant bastard and exposed his weak point.
Done with this one. All you have to do after that is defeat them in order.
"--You must be kidding"
A number of disturbances register in my sense of presence.
"Lirio?"
"Oh no, it's reinforcements over there."
A new Hill ants comes from the other side of the forest.
Not one. A group of 5 or more and 10 or less.
"Let's withdraw"
"I totally agree, but these guys are a nuisance."
"Zena, do you have any good magic?"
Ask while helping Lou with Iona.
"I'm sorry, I just ran out of magic."
"Then run away first!"
"But! I'm will be the only one running away!"
Zena said something incomprehensible.
She passed as a companion to entrust my back, but at this rate, she'll die in vain.
"Zena-san! Please go and call the group leaders!"
"--understand"
Good job, Iona.
Zena seemed to have noticed Iona's intentions, but she immediately turned her back and started running.
We'll fight hard, manage to defeat one of the ants, and it looks like we'll be able to reduce the mobility of the other one.
"Hey, it looks like we're running out of time."
"Mr. Lirio--"
" trailing edge Then leave it to me."
Iona probably wanted to tell me to run away first, but I have a higher chance of surviving than the slow-footed, heavily-armored duo.
Struggle at the most――.
"Well done"
Comrades from the territory army came from the village.
I cheered up as my my hips that were about to buckle, and took turns with my companions to step back.
"Well done, Lilio!"
Zena hugs me.
She seems to have done a good job.
"It looks like it's okay to leave it to you."
"Haa, even if you tell me to do it, I can't move."
Iona hits one knee, and Lou sprawls and falls down.
Both of them have their heavy armor full of scratches, and even Lou's shield seems to have a broken handle.
"I have to take care of it!"
"It's not a big wound. You can do it after you return to the village."
I returned to the village with my comrades from the territory army who got rid of the swarm of Hill ants.
"This guy, are you serious..."
Just when I thought he wasn't among the reinforcements, Bacter fell asleep with his entourage, drunk and snoring.
"Wake up, motherfucker!"
I stepped on Bactor's face and knocked him up.
"Wha, what's going on?!"
"It's a monster attack."
"What? Where is my sword! Bring me my sword!"
We left the veteran soldiers to deal with the noisy drunk, and we went to bed after giving first aid.
◇
The patrol, which had been extended for about three days to clean up the ant nest, ended successfully, and we were able to return to Seryuu City without missing a single person.
"Well done! Even Earl-sama praised us for destroying the monster's nest before the village was damaged."
After returning to the castle, we received words of praise from Kigori-sama.
I'm happy. If you're generous, Kigori-sama, I'm sure you'll be able to hold a banquet.
"I'll give you the medal at a later date, but--"
Kigori-sama's gaze turned toward us.
"Zena, Iona, Lou, Lirio, come."
Oh, we are named.
Is this a bundle of gold? Maybe a vacation?
Excited, I step forward.
"It seems that you played a big role in the subjugation operation of the monster's nest. It was highly praised in the report."
--Huh?
That Bacter praises others?
According to rumors, the bastard Bacter who takes all the credits of his subordinates for himself?
I couldn't believe it, and when I looked at Bacter, he also had a disbelieving face.
"Ki, Kigori-sama, I didn't write such a report, but..."
Right. You're not that kind of guy.
Even though I was just able to confirm that the motherfucker was a motherfucker, I felt a strange sense of security.
"Bactor, I don't remember allowing you to speak."
"I-I'm sorry!"
Bacter, who was scolded by Kigori-sama, broke into a cold sweat and took an upright and unmoving posture.
As expected of the strongest man in the territorial army, he acts differently from Bactor.
"Well, we got off topic."
Kigori-sama, who relaxed his stern face, looked at me.
"Zena, Iona, Ruu, Lirio, you guys will be the new Magic Soldier Squad."
Magic squad?
Can I join such an elite unit?
Seriously? It's a big success.
With this members, is Iona the squad leader?
The instructions when exterminating ants were also accurate, so I think it suits you.
"- Lilio-san."
When Iona told me, I realized that I was the only one who didn't salute.
I hurriedly salute with everyone.
"Well, next is Bacter"
"yes!"
Bacter steps forward with a creepy smile.
It is not convincing that our achievements become his achievements.
"You are released from your patrol chief position."
"Eh?!"
"Are you dissatisfied?"
"Ha, no! I—I commanded a patrol team and made achievements.
Looking at Kigori-sama's expression, he often come up with such remarks.
I wonder if Bacter's head is like a flower garden.
"Who said a thing about a promotion? Assist the next leader and relearn."
"No! That's too much!"
"Is it too much? You couldn't take command of the patrol properly, you drank alcohol every time you went to the night camp, and you were drunk and fell asleep when the monsters attacked, right?"
"Th-that's... that's a fabrication by my subordinates!"
Every time Bacter makes excuses, Kigori-sama's expression hardens.
Oh, how bad. This is the face that knows it all. okay, do more
"A fabrication?"
"Yes!
"You idiots! Did you think our eyes were knotholes!"
"I'm sorry, Bactor. I've told them all your folly."
During the patrol, a veteran who had advised Bactor on various matters came forward.
"You traitor!"
"I was entrusted with determining your eligibility from Kigori-sama."
The veteran soldier answered Bacter, who was angry, without showing any guilt.
"Please believe me, Kigori-sama. This is a fabrication of this guy who was jealous of my career! I'm—"
"Shut up, Bacter"
Kigori-sama kicks off the clinging Bactor.
Yeah, cold eyes are the best. Sake and rice are likely to go well today.
"Demotion. Take away the rank of non-commissioned officer and start over as a soldier."
Bacter continued to complain, but he finally calmed down after hearing Kigori-sama's sly words, "Or should I put him through a court martial?"
Well, I'm really glad that the idiot didn't continue as the patrol leader.
◇
Three days after returning from patrol--.
"Today, I'm Zena Marientail, appointed as the captain of the Zena Magic Squad. Thank you very much!"
"Huh?"
Seriously?
Not Iona, but Zena is the captain?
Even with a new unit, it seems that they won't let you take it easy.
"Nice to meet you, Zena-san."
"Yes, Mr. Iona! I'll be counting on you."
"I'm begging you, captain."
"Yes, Lou-san, please take care of me."
"I don't need a 'san'."
"Yes, Lou."
Iona and Lou don't seem to have any complaints about this.
Well, if I'm with these guys, I feel like I can manage somehow.
"Lirio, please continue to support me."
"Oh, let's do our best together."
Thus, we became the Zena Magic Squad.
◆◆◇◆◇◇
Of course, it took a while before they became the Zena Magic Squad in the truest sense, but that's another story.
Around a while before the boy came to Seryuu City?
"Lirio!"
Oops, looks like they called me.
I closed the old diary that I read nostalgically.