"What is this..."
The Ojou-sama mutters dumbfoundedly at the sight in front of her.
After somehow slipping through the hordes of monsters and returning to the camp, what was spreading before us was a battlefield.
From the depths of the forest, countless monsters rushed in, trampling the campsite while trampling the tents that had been built.
They follow their instincts and attack the students in front of them, trying to hunt their prey with whatever means they have.
On the other hand, it's not like the students are just being silent.
When one of the students clad in magical light jumps into the midst of a crowd of monsters, he chops up the surrounding monsters in an instant.
Countless magic bullets were fired from behind it, wiping out the remaining monsters.
To be called such a battle, a one-sided trampling drama takes place all over the camp, and monsters disappear, but monsters newly appearing from the forest quickly fill the void.
The situation had reached a stalemate.
"It's strange..."
"What?"
While observing the situation from the side, I remember something incomprehensible about the monster's behavior.
"There are quite a lot of types of monsters that attack us for a mere monster attack. Moreover, none of them attack each other, they only aim at us humans. "
The monsters attacking the camp range from small fries like goblins to powerful monsters like ogres.
Even though monsters are creatures that attack humans, it's normal for monsters of this kind to gather in the same place and attack each other.
Anyway, this situation is unusual.
"... a"
When I was thinking about that, the Ojou-sama next to me raised her voice as if she noticed something.
"Ojou, do you have any idea?"
"Gikuu!?
「...」
I involuntarily make white eyes.
Do you think you can't react in such an easy-to-understand way?
Or rather, it's the first time I've seen someone reacting like ``jerky'' in reality.
It reminded me of what happened before I left.
The Ojou-sama had received some kind of report from the male students who were members of the group.
I couldn't pursue it at that time, but if...
"Come to think of it, Ojou-sama, did you give any orders to the team members before leaving?"
"Well, that might have been the case..."
When I questioned it, the Ojou-sama turned her gaze toward the day after tomorrow with greasy sweat on her forehead.
This reaction is definitely black.
Girl, you did something wrong.
"Ojou-sama, please be honest. What did you order them to do?"
"Ah..., ah... Huh..."
"Ojou. It's important."
"Oh, I understand. Should I just talk?"
I grabbed her by the shoulder so as not to let her escape, and when I questioned her while staring at her eyes from the front, the Ojou-sama groaned for a while, but before long she seemed to have given up, dropping her shoulders and opening her mouth.
"Um, you know... I ordered you to put a demon trap in that little girl's luggage..."
"Ojou!?"
As if confessing a small prank, the content of what the Ojou-sama told me unintentionally made my cheeks twitch and scream.
Bring in the monsters! ? Is it that monster gathering that is strictly controlled at the national level and, in the worst case, accused of treason if used without permission?! ?
"Wh-what's wrong with you!?"
"On the contrary, I'd like to hear what you thought wasn't bad!"
Why did you bring such a dangerous object with you!
Or rather, stop those students too!
I know it's useless, but I can't help but take it out on the boys from earlier.
No, rather than that, I have to do something about this situation now.
"I see, then I can understand this situation. Perhaps Ojou Maria somehow succeeded in scattering a horde of monsters. I was drawn to the lingering scent of the monster gathering..."
I try to analyze the current situation calmly, but the more I think about it, the worse the situation becomes and I want to hold my head in my head.
It really sucks.
Even though it's a lingering incense, the effect of gathering monsters is powerful, I have no idea how many monsters will gather in this place.
"Anyway, we have to do something as soon as possible."
"W-why?
Just as the Ojou-sama said, the students have been able to deal with the attacking monsters without any problems so far.
But that's only for now.
"Because we don't know how many monsters will attack us due to the effect of demon gathering, we need to be prepared for a long-term battle. If you keep fighting for a long time, you will accumulate fatigue, and if your judgment is dulled by fatigue, you may get injured. will fall apart, and we will all be run over and killed by hordes of demons."
Moreover, the students are currently dealing with each one without being able to take leadership.
Since these nobles have absolute confidence in their own power, there are many individual actions especially in battle.
Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but in this situation, it would be difficult to overcome the situation without everyone's cooperation.
At this rate, they will only be defeated individually.
And what brings them together is──
"Ojou, please give everyone instructions."
"Wow, I'll do it!?"
"The leader of this group is the Ojou-sama. Right now, only the Ojou-sama can bring them together."
Currently, the only one who can follow them is Isabella, the daughter of the Duke.
If it's a Ojou-sama's instruction, the students will probably obediently follow it.
"Th-that's what you said... It's my first time commanding a battle!"
However, the Ojou-sama has a bewildered expression on my proposal.
That's also true, because until now, even if the Ojou-sama didn't do anything, the people around her would move on their own and do something about it.
Combat wasn't a problem as long as the students around me fought on their own.
The Ojou-sama was just a decoration to look at.
However, that common sense does not apply in the current situation.
Only a Ojou-sama can overcome this situation.
──But if the Ojou-sama says it's impossible, it can't be helped.
"Is that so... Then it can't be helped. Shall we run away?"
"...fart?"
To my words that are completely different from before, the Ojou-sama has a dumbfounded expression as if she can't catch up with my understanding.
I can't force a Ojou-sama to fight against her will.
In that case, I have to at least fulfill my mission to protect the Ojou-sama.
"From here to the outside of the forest, if you run with all your might, you should be able to get there in half a day."
"a little bit..."
If you want to move, you better hurry.
The more time passes, the less likely the Ojou-sama will be able to escape.
"During that time, monsters are expected to pursue us, but if we leave that to them, there will be no problem."
"Wait..."
All the students will probably die, but if I can protect the Ojou-sama, there is no greater honor than this.
And it's probably the same for me.
"If they are not enough, we will take care of the monsters. It's okay, I'll put my life on the line and try as a decoy—"
"You're telling me to wait!"
While I was giving the final explanation with such determination, the Ojou-sama suddenly raised a loud voice and forcibly interrupted my words.
"...Lady?"
"Who's permission did you decide to do such a selfish thing!? world!"
The Ojou-sama who grabbed my chest and pulled me towards her had an angry expression that I had never seen before.
I can't help but be pressured by the spirit.
"However, if you can't command the battle..."
"Who said that when?! There's no way I can't do something like that!? Look! Like a monster, I'll splendidly kick you out!"
"Ojou!"
The Ojou-sama who unilaterally threw her words at me and violently pushed my chest, went straight to the middle of the battle.
I was fascinated by the appearance of such a Ojou-sama for a while, but when I regained my senses, I panicked and chased after her.
"Listen! From now on, I, Isabella Variers, will take command of the battle. Everyone, follow my instructions!"
The voice of the Ojou-sama standing on the roof of the only house made of magic that was safe was delivered to all the students who were fighting with the magic of the wind.
"First, we'll build a fort. Those who can use earth-attribute magic should retreat to my place! Students of the knight department should stop the monsters coming out of the forest and set up a defensive formation with the river at their back. In the meantime. The magic department retreats behind the knights and prepares for large-scale annihilation magic!With the signal, the monsters stopped by the knights will be annihilated at once!」
"Oh, oh! Did you hear that, you guys!"
"Oops!"
"I'll do it!"
This must be the innate charisma of a Ojou-sama.
That powerful voice completely changed the movements of the students who were fighting in various places.
Until then, they had been moving separately, but following the lady's instructions, they gradually gathered together and began to move in a coordinated manner.
"Everyone, show me the spirit of the royal aristocrats. I'll let the vulgar monsters know who you picked a fight with!"
"""Whoa!"""
Awakened by the Ojou-sama's encouragement, the students let out a roar and exterminated the monsters more vigorously and efficiently than before.
"Is everyone here?"
"Ha, here."
Despite them, I will do what I can do.
If I call out to the void, ten maids, led by Ains, will appear around me and kneel all at once.
They are the most capable members of my subordinates, and they are all of the pawns I can currently use.
This is not the time to be stingy in this situation.
"Ains, Zwei, and Dorai should stay here. Everyone else, scout the surroundings and keep us informed of the battle situation."
""Ha"""
The maids immediately disappear when given an order and are scattered all over the place.
Although all of them have magical powers, their combat abilities are inferior to pure-blood nobles like the students.
This time, I should turn it around to support the young ladies.
"Ains, try to grasp the overall situation from the incoming information. Zwei and Dry should collect usable supplies from the surrounding debris."
"learn"
"I got it"
"Understood!"
I gave instructions to each of the remaining maids, and after confirming that each of them had gone to fulfill their role, I headed to guard the Ojou-sama.
"Damn, you left over there!"
When I stood by the Ojou-sama who was supervising the building of the fort using earth-attribute magic, I heard a voice of warning from the front lines.
When I turned to face the voice, three goblins passed through the front line and were about to attack me.
"Gugya gya!"
"No...!"
None of the students here were able to react to the sudden situation.
And there was a big gap on the battlefield where split-second decisions could make the difference between life and death.
After all, he's a student, and he's far from being a full-time knight.
"Tch, you incompetents!"
The decision was instant.
I cover the Ojou-sama behind my back and take out a knife from the cuff, enveloping the blade in magical light.
As it is, I confront the goblin that was heading straight for me.
"First, unite!"
"Gugya!?"
A flash of his head as he passed the leading goblin.
While catching the headless goblin falling to the ground at the edge of my vision, I turn my attention to the next target.
"Next!"
"Gah!?"
I dodge the club that the second goblin swung down on the verge of it, and hit its ugly face with a knee kick.
The goblin that lost its balance fell down and threw a knife at the third body that tried to dodge it.
"'Explode'!"
The knife stuck in the forehead explodes, blowing off the head of the third body and killing them.
"at last!"
"Gugya!?"
Finally, he unfolds the blade that was planted at the toe of his boot, cuts off the neck of the second body that was about to stand up, and stabs it with a finishing blow.
"Haa... haa... haa... Phew... isn't this equipment a problem for monsters of this level..."
When I made sure that the three goblins hadn't gotten up, I let out a small sigh of relief.
I wipe the blood lightly, check the blade for any nicks, and put the knife away.
I'm glad the monsters that attacked me were weak.
There are monsters that can't even be scratched by the magic tools I have, so I couldn't deal with them.
"Ojou, are you okay?"
"Eh, eh..., I'm fine."
When I finally regained consciousness from the battle, I called out to the Ojou-sama behind me.
The enemy was dealt with immediately, so I don't think there were any injuries, but just in case.
Perhaps the Ojou-sama couldn't react to the attack just now, so she tried to pretend to be calm with a stiff expression.
"I have eliminated the threat.
It's good that the enemy was weak this time, but maybe we need to borrow the help of the Ojou-sama.
At times like this, I feel ashamed of myself for not having magical powers.
"I understand... Even so, you were able to fight."
"Of course, I'm a butler."
Hearing the lady's voice, which seemed to impress me a little, I lowered my head, suppressing my face from becoming smirk unintentionally.
I am the lady's butler.
You can't put on a smirk in a place like this.
"Is that so?"
"Yeah, that's what it is."
Servants are the last stronghold when the escort is defeated.
It's only natural that they have a certain amount of fighting power.
I don't know about the other servants, but they probably are.
"Even though you're my butler, I don't know anything about you..."
「...!」
I was a little surprised by the words of the Ojou-sama who was mocking herself.
It's true that the Ojou-sama didn't even try to know about the servants until now, so it's only natural, but what kind of change in her state of mind is this?
Still, it would be nice to have a girl you like want to get to know you.
"I'll tell you as much as you want, Ojou-sama.
"I know, the first priority is to do something about this situation. Crow, lend me your strength for that."
"I'm polite, Ojou-sama."
At the Ojou-sama's life, I bowed my head respectfully.
Name: Albert Farland
attribute: light
Equipment: One-handed sword, shield
Paramater
Martial Arts: B
Magic: B
Charisma: A
Mercy: B
Dexterity: B
Mental power: B
An all-rounder type who has high overall status and can handle anything.
Since he has a high aptitude for commanding like a prince, he can raise everyone's status by encouraging him, protect other members with a shield, and heal with light attributes.
However, it is easy to become poor in dexterity, so care must be taken in raising it.