Chapter 68: Eliminating Harpies
"It's a shame. Five minutes have passed."
From the moment Kakero moved for the first time since the mock battle began, the outcome was already decided.
Gyle lay on the training ground, his eyes rolling back.
The commotion on the training ground grew louder. After all, no one present at the training ground understood what Kakero had done or why Gyle had fallen.
"...This is frustrating. I don't even understand."
"Huh, couldn't even the Guild Master see it? Weren't you an ex-A-ranked adventurer?"
"Well... I did manage to see the moment I punched Gyle in the stomach..."
Naturally, Alisa, being one of the adventurers, didn't grasp that unexpected blow, and Gyle probably had no idea what had happened either.
Given Gyle's abilities, the shock for the adventurers was significant.
Frankly speaking, you could say they were shown a difference greater than that between adults and children.
"Ugh... Did I... lose?"
Water splashed on Gyle's face as he woke up.
"Yes. Gyle-san, I've won. But don't worry about it. I'm planning to become the strongest in the world."
Gyle was momentarily dumbfounded, then burst out laughing loudly.
"Oh, I lost! I lost completely. There's no way I can beat the world's best!"
"Oh, and let me be clear, Chloe is important to me, so give up."
"I see... got it, big brother. I lost the match. I'll give up on Chloe like a man."
Big brother... You're the one who's eight years older, aren't you?! I was going to complain, but...
"Master Brother, Master Brother! Are you hurt? Chloe is delighted. A confession of love in front of so many people... Chloe belongs to Master Brother, of course. Please, feel free to fluff as much as you like! Fluff, fluff, fluff, fluff!"
Chloe, who was waving her tail around wildly, interrupted.
C-Chloe, you're too close! Don't cling like that when everyone's watching!! I'm the one who's going to hold her tightly.
"Wow... Chloe, doing that. Truly my big brother."
"Your Lordship... wonderful."
"Troublesome, Your Lordship is becoming tempting."
"My Lord, I'm yours too..."
"Well done, big brother! But it's unfair that it's only Chloe-neesama."
Well, it's a good result, but I was asked by the guild members what "fluffing" means, and that was embarrassing.
While observing that scene from a distance, Alisa fell into contemplation.
(...What is it? When I look at Kakero-san, it feels like I'm about to remember something... Elder Brother... Master Brother... Brother?)
* * *
After that, with the guidance of recovered Gyle and Cruz, they arrived at the road where harpies appeared.
"This... indeed, it's tough without being able to fly."
The road was sandwiched between steep cliffs, and climbing seemed difficult. If they were attacked by harpies while climbing, they would likely sustain severe injuries.
"Cruz-san, how many harpies have been confirmed?"
"I think there are at least a hundred. There have been incidents on other roads as well, and it's suspected that there's a large colony."
Alright, it seems like the numbers won't be a concern for now. If there's a colony, they might even find eggs.
"By the way, Master Brother, how many harpies do you plan to contract?"
"Hmm, I want to send them to various places... maybe around thirty in groups of three."
When I answered that, everyone looked puzzled.
"Your Lordship, counting harpies as one each feels a bit strange..."
"Why is that, Silphy? Harpies are birds, aren't they?"
"Well, rather than that, they are closer to bird-like beastmen."
Really? I'm getting my hopes up.
"Harpies are individually ranked as D, but since they usually attack in flocks, it's better to consider them as a C-rank upper-tier monster. However, what makes harpies really troublesome..."
"...is their beauty, Your Lordship! They deceive humans with their beauty. Like this."
Sara interrupted Cruz's explanation and clung to me.
"But you see, it's true that they're beautiful and charming, but they're flat-chested."
...What!? Is that so, Gyle?
"Chloe... Let's contract a hundred! There are still plenty of spots available. We have to make good use of them."
"...Master, why did you suddenly increase the number?"
"...Well, you know, if we put them in each town, we can teleport anywhere instantly!"
"Flat-chested, huh..."
"Flat-chested, indeed."
"If you're into flat-chested, then I..."
"Big Brother... I'm flat-chested too."
"Huh, Master, do you like flat-chested?"
"I think it's too late now, Gyle."
"...Can I cry, Cruz-san?"
* * *
"Well then, I'll go exterminate the harpies from the sky."
With Cruz's guidance, I temporarily parted ways with Gyle and ascended to the sky above the canyon to search for the harpy colony.
Immediately, I received responses from my detection skills.
"Sonia, create a sound-blocking barrier."
"Yes, Your Lordship."
Harpies are sensitive to sound. I deployed an intermediate dark magic sound-blocking barrier around Fruigel.
"Obfuscation."
Next, I used basic dark magic to obfuscate. Harpies might not have the best eyesight, but I didn't want to take any chances.
"Master, there are harpies there."
For Fruigel, who could sense wind patterns, detecting harpies was easy.
Without letting my guard down, I approached cautiously. I spotted a group of harpies perched on the edge of the cliff, singing.
(Are they really monsters?)
With their dazzling beauty, multicolored hair, and wings, the harpies looked more like angels than monsters. It was hard to believe they were wicked and cruel. If I met them for the first time, I'd undoubtedly be fooled...
"Your Lordship, there's a nest over there."
It seemed they were using a lateral cave in the cliff as their colony. Silphy discovered the harpies coming in and out of it.
"Be ready, harpies! I'll exterminate all of you! (With the help of my allies and summoned beasts!!)"
Seriously, I'm asked to cut down a flat-chested beauty... What kind of impossible game is this? I'm leaving everything to Fruigel!