Volume 8 Chapter 33 The Battle Begins
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Oraaa!!”
One soldier swung his one-handed sword in a wide arc. The charging beast took the slash full-on, its body rolling across the dirt. The heavy blade bit halfway through flesh, stopped by bone and muscle, yet still tore across with brute force.
”Fff—!”
An adventurer woman loosed her arrow. Her bow creaked under strain, sending a silver streak into the air. It curved just slightly before piercing the beast’s throat. The shaft slipped past bone, shredding vital organs. The monster dropped instantly, no sign of struggle.
”Mr. Klock, you okay~?”
”Hah? I’m fine over here.”
”Really~? Then take this!”
A shadow leapt at him from below. Too late he realized—small monsters. He fumbled for his knife, but there was no time. He cursed—then the thing exploded into scraps.
The monster hadn’t burst on its own—it had been cut. The weapon’s blade was thick enough that instead of slicing clean, it smashed the creature to pieces.
”Damn, thanks. Didn’t know you fought with a hand axe.”
”Of course. A cute girl like me using something wild—doesn’t that gap make your heart skip?”
She flashed a mischievous grin. The small-statured girl wielding the brutal weapon was Alice of the Little Rabbit Tribe.
Seeing a girl cheerfully swing an axe that big was more frightening than charming. Before Klock could answer, he heard pounding footsteps from ahead.
A large monster barreled straight toward them.
Cianie readied her knife to intercept, but Alice darted forward first. She spun like she was dancing, crouched low enough to skim the ground, and leapt up at the beast’s legs. From there she swung her double-edged axe in a wide arc.
The monster’s head flew clean off.
”Sei-yaaa!!”
But it wasn’t dead yet. Its eyes rolled wildly, locking onto Alice. A massive claw crashed down from above, seizing its skull. Knife-like talons pierced its eyes, while another talon slit its throat.
”Heh, figures. Harpies hit like hell from the sky.”
”Right? So you’d better spoil me while you can~. Might be a reward in it for you♡”
The beast collapsed in gore. Athena, wings spread, landed lightly with a teasing kiss of her lips. Klock’s gaze, drawn despite himself, followed her swaying chest. So that was the “reward,” huh?
Noticing, Athena twisted her mouth into a sly smile.
”Oi, oi, don’t forget—I saved you first,” Alice pouted, pushing between them. Even here on the battlefield, she clung close, chirping, “Obviously I’m the one worth pampering.”
”This isn’t the damn time!! Wipe out the monsters already!!” Klock barked.
This was a battlefield—life and death. What the hell were they doing? Stepping over the fresh corpse, he pushed forward.
”Go on, don’t slack. Or I’ll punish you.”
”Eeh~? What kind of punishment?” Athena trilled.
”Fufu, sounds fun,” Alice chimed.
Even with his order, they only laughed, teasing him instead of obeying. Their spirits for flirting outmatched their fear of war.
Klock’s brow twitched. He slipped an arm around Athena’s back, hand sliding under her ribs. His other hand reached toward Alice. In one bold move, he grabbed both their rears and their breasts.
”Kyaa♡!”
”Waa, you’re such a bad man~♡”
Soft flesh filled both palms. He kneaded without restraint. If they wouldn’t listen, then he’d give them an excuse—sexual harassment as punishment.
”Now move! Get to work!”
”Aww, but you started it~,” Athena sang.
”Heehee♡ You just want to get closer to us, don’t you? Be honest!” Alice giggled.
Instead of slapping his hands away, the two leaned in closer, eyes upturned and coy. They weren’t resisting. It was deliberate. With these two in the troop, any innocent man would be ruined in seconds. Truly dangerous comrades.
Klock nudged a dog-sized beast’s corpse with his boot. Heavy, bloated flesh sagged like jelly beneath the touch. Its face, bloodied fangs still bared, was frozen in death.
”Damn… what a mess.”
He looked around and exhaled.
The smell of burned meat filled the air. Voices crowded the ruined village—groans of pain, cries for loved ones, shouts of orders. Villagers ran frantically about what was left of their homes.
Polet Village had been trampled by the monsters’ army. Casualties were countless—numbers still unknown. The monsters were nearly all exterminated, but the village itself was shattered beyond repair.
”Hey. How many wounded?”
”Captain! The whole village’s full of injured. And we don’t have enough healers. Treatment’s taking forever.”
Villagers lay in rows on the ground, being tended to. With no medical supplies, people had torn clothing from houses and tied it as makeshift bandages.
”Should’ve run last night,” Klock muttered bitterly.
”That kind of hindsight is useless,” Suzette’s voice cut in firmly. “We acted as best we could, from the moment we realized.”
”…Yeah.”
His words had been half a whisper, but she had answered anyway, a faint comfort hidden in her tone. She knelt nearby, helping with treatment. She looked as calm as ever, though a thin sheen of sweat dampened her brow.
He already knew the situation was grim.
The battle itself had ended quickly—Cianie had led the first strike, and their troop finished the rest. Adventurers pressed into the village, cutting down what remained. From the reports, only a handful of their own had been injured.
But the villagers… the sight was unbearable.
”Captain, those monsters were crazy,” one soldier reported. “They wouldn’t run. Even when they were wounded, they just kept attacking. Gave me chills.”
”Yeah,” another added. “I saw a giant snake breathing fire. Thought it was rare, but the flames torched its own allies. And even then, they kept charging at us, burning alive.”
The accounts were grim.
These weren’t normal monsters. They were brainwashed, death-soldiers in every sense.
The might of the Demon Lord’s Army left them no choice but to grit their teeth.
The monsters under their command were nothing like ordinary war beasts.
They weren’t human—no matter how many fell, it didn’t hurt the demonkin in the least. Worse, these creatures obeyed without question, throwing themselves at the enemy until their heads were severed.
Fearless, unyielding, beasts of slaughter who cared nothing for their own lives. For the Demon Lord’s Army, they were the perfect soldiers.
And if such creatures came in endless waves… it was unbearable.
”Ah…”
”Hm?”
”S-sorry!!”
Kaitney had approached Klock but bolted as soon as their eyes met.
The sisters had been freed after last night’s capture. Holding them any longer served no purpose, so once the monsters were driven back, he had let them go. Gratitude was out of reach—after being thrown into this chaos, who could think of thanking anyone?
And those two in particular probably never wanted to see his face again.
”Sorry, no time to spare.”
”We’re swamped too! Please, stay back!!”
It was Rachel this time, running between adventurers tending to the injured. She was pale, her jaw tight with frustration. Kaitney was at her side, both sisters calling for help, their faces clouded with desperation.
Clearly, someone close to them had been hurt.
They pleaded with anyone who would listen, begging adventurers for aid. But with wounded lined up everywhere, there wasn’t enough help to go around. They weren’t being ignored—just turned away, one after another.
”Please!! Mama’s going to die!!”
”Is there no one here who can use healing magic…!?”
Their voices cut through the crowd. Klock’s expression twisted.
That kind of cry tore straight into his chest.
…Damn it. He hated this sort of thing.
”Oi.”
”You—don’t come near us! We don’t have time for—”
”Shut it. Where’s the one you want healed?”
Rachel glared daggers at him, pure rejection in her eyes. No surprise, after what he’d put them through. He could still picture her worn out, limp from the night before, barking at him like a cornered pup.
”…Wait. Can you… use healing magic?”
Of course he couldn’t. Her eyes flickered with desperate hope, which only made it worse. He scratched his head hard.
”Cianie!!”
Rachel flinched as he suddenly roared the name.
A breath of wind stirred—then she was there in front of them, so quick Rachel stumbled back in shock.
”What is it?”
”Help this one first. Heal her family.”
”Understood. Did something happen?”
”…Just can’t stand watching.”
She nodded, grasping his intent without needing more words.
Rachel, still reeling, guided them hesitantly to a half-collapsed home. Clearly their own. The monsters had even forced their way inside.
Klock stayed outside, leaning against the wall. Before long, Cianie was back—far too quickly. His heart sank. But she said simply, “It’s done.”
Footsteps thundered. Rachel came running, eyes wide. She had seen it—the miracle of Cianie’s magic. Limbs restored before her eyes, wounds knitting shut as if time rewound. Anyone would be struck dumb.
”Y-you’re…”
”She’s my woman,” Klock cut in. “Don’t pry. And don’t tell anyone who saved her.”
He placed a hand on Cianie’s shoulder, almost boasting, before waving them off and walking away.
Healing drained magic power. If Cianie were seen treating people openly, they’d never stop coming to her. That was why she had been on standby. This time was an exception. Rachel had every reason to hate him, but maybe—just maybe—this would wipe the slate clean.
”…Those girls. You felt sorry for them, didn’t you?”
”Huh? Ah, well…”
”Klock, you’re weak to that sort of thing.”
Her lips curved in a faint smile. She saw right through him—how easily his sympathy could be drawn out. The sting of being exposed made him feel cornered.
So he retaliated the only way he knew—by grabbing her rear.
Cianie blinked once, but didn’t react. Even with people around, she remained calm. That was just her way. Unlike Suzette, who would at least pinch him in return, Cianie never resisted.
Her perfect, unreadable face betrayed nothing. He sighed, raising his hands in surrender. Against her, he never stood a chance. She chuckled softly at his defeat.
”Klock. Over here.”
That night, Brigante spent the entire day tending wounds and gathering supplies, forcing them to stay in the ruined village. With homes destroyed, most slept rough under the open sky.
”Seems the village head’s gone. Witnesses say he was caught in the attack. Likely didn’t make it. This old man here… he’s the eldest survivor.”
”So you’re the leader. Younger than I expected. Still—we owe you thanks. You saved us, and we are grateful.”
Boit had summoned Klock to the village square.
It wasn’t much—just an open patch of grass where they’d lit a fire. Villagers sat on broken beams for seats.
An old man awaited them, with several others behind. Boit sat to one side, and Boston was there as well.
”If we could, we’d welcome you with wine and meat. But we have nothing to offer.”
”Forget it. You folks are the ones who should be given aid. Not that we’ve got anything either.”
They exchanged such words, a gesture of courtesy more than anything.
They were already at the edge of survival.
It was clear there would be no reward from this ruined village—there was simply nothing left to give.
”For the attack upon you, I will apologize in place of our fallen village head. We opposed dealing with bandits at first, but in the end we allowed it. To be saved by the very people we once wronged—it is beyond shame. If blood must pay for this, then take my head.”
”Hell no. After saving you, why the hell would we hang you?”
Klock waved off the elder’s offer with a scoff. Thanks to Suzette and Meina’s swift handling, the bandit incident had ended without casualties. There was no desire among Brigante’s ranks to demand retribution.
Most likely, no one in the village cared about bandits anymore. They had seen the terror of the Demon Lord’s Army—nothing else mattered. The ringleader was dead, and killing this old man served no purpose.
”…So even men like us are shown mercy. We’ve heard tales, even in this backwater, of the Brave Knight. To meet a living Hero before death… what fortune.”
The elder’s gaze shifted past Klock. He turned.
Gray hair glowed crimson in the firelight. Without his noticing, she had taken her place at his back, standing guard—Cianie.
”You rose to defeat the Demon Lord. What will you do now?”
”Tomorrow we cross the river and head west. We can only watch over you today—”
”Then allow us to join your troop.”
”…Hah?”
The unexpected request pulled a dumb sound out of him.
”As you see, our village is finished. Barely a hundred survivors remain. Thirty of them young, thanks to your mercy with the women. But even if they bear children, the line ends here. There is no future.”
A hundred souls left alive. Rebuilding houses was possible, but people could not be replaced.
”You don’t need to come with us—”
”To the city, you mean? No. Barreith would only jail us as bandits.”
Right—he slapped his forehead. These were the very raiders who’d plagued Barreith’s outskirts. Their faces would be known. If they sought shelter, they’d find chains instead.
”I get it, but think before you leap. We’re marching to war with the Demon Lord’s Army. You follow us, you walk into hell.”
”We know. If you were mere mercenaries, we’d never ask. We’d flee to the Empire. But with a Hero among you—the story is different.”
That word—Hero—made Klock mutter, you’ve got to be kidding me.
He’d hoped to use Cianie’s charisma carefully, but even unwanted, it was already taking root.
”Our folk are hard workers. We will serve you well. Before you arrived, we felled thirty monsters ourselves.”
”That is impressive,” Suzette noted calmly. “There were about a hundred total. Nearly one-third were slain by villagers.”
Astonishing. Monsters were faster, harder, yet the villagers had stood their ground with poor weapons. Their struggle had been fierce indeed.
”…Seriously.”
”Please. We know this land’s geography. If we can’t keep up, we’ll leave at Conro to the west.”
That was tempting. Geography meant survival—knowing water sources, safe routes, dangers to avoid. Even that alone was value.
”Klock. Why not take them? Saves trouble.”
”What? It ain’t that simple.”
”Maybe. But leave them here, and the Demon Lord’s Army will return. Isn’t that worse?”
…He couldn’t argue. This village had been attacked once because it lay in the army’s path. The hundred beasts they’d faced were only scouts. A larger horde was surely coming.
”Fine. Pack your things. Tomorrow, everyone comes. We’ll pass Conro anyway—those who can’t go further can drop there.”
”Hoho! Our thanks. I’ll speak to the villagers. They will accept it.”
So the matter was settled.
The next day, every survivor chose to follow Brigante. Thus Polet Village was abandoned forever.
At first, confusion had spread. But once word spread that a Hero walked among the troop, and that another battalion of monsters was near, their will unified quickly.
Klock had once feared stones might be thrown at the Hero. But here, in the hinterlands, she was still a beacon of hope.
”Sir Klock. We are in grave trouble.”
The morning of departure, with Brigante gathered to move out, ill news reached him. He had been looking for Boston since dawn.
”Boston’s body has been found.”
”…What?”
The words struck like a hammer.
”Wha… what do you mean…?”
”Adventurers discovered him. A half-naked man lying where none passed. His garb matched the guard unit. They reported at once…”
He couldn’t grasp it.
They hadn’t been close friends, but Klock had relied on Boston greatly.
”His lower body was exposed. And… it wasn’t normal. His flesh was drained, like a husk—almost a mummy.”
A cold wind cut through.
The world fell soundless.
Suzette’s face twisted with quiet anger.
”It was a succubus. There is no doubt. One infiltrated Brigante, slipping past Lady Cianie’s notice.”
Notes:
• Alice – Rabbitkin adventurer; appears at the same Barreith gathering, playful and mischievous, interacts with Klock, part of recruited volunteers
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Athena – Harpies adventurer; appears alongside Alice at Barreith gathering, flirtatious, joins Klock and volunteers for upcoming battles
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Clea – younger dog beastkin sister who also serviced Klock previously.
• Boit – A merchant involved in human trafficking, with a villainous face and a loud, obnoxious voice. He is pragmatic and willing to help Klock escape the country in exchange for something. His relationship with Klock is business-like, though both are aware of each other’s illicit activities.
• Boston – Adelina’s father, who holds a position of power within the church hierarchy. He has a dark secret regarding the death of his wife, Adelina’s mother.
• Meina – She is a golden-haired catgirl employee of the beastman (Larana the cat woman) Inn, appeared performing fellatio, desperate and tear-streaked, with an inexperienced yet earnest approach to her work.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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