We wanted to stop by a bookstore, so Yumegen dropped us off in town and we said goodbye.
　The big bookstore in front of the station would have a variety of useful books.
　There was almost no time left until Hitotsutsuki. I had to do what I could.

　I bought the books I wanted at the bookstore and quickly returned home.
　I crossed from the mirror to the other world and opened the vocation board to check the guidance.
　There are not a lot of guidance currently out there.

...... It's the only one that looks like it's going to clear up quickly, right?

　There are a few key items in Hitotsutsuzuki.
　It's a mass monster outbreak event, and more like a war.
　Strategy is necessary, but supplies are also important.　
　The most important items are weapons and spirit stones.

"Let's make a business deal with the purveyors ....... I wonder if it's too late to call Efta now.

The "doing business with the customer" was a guidance that came out a long time ago.
　I was lightly thinking that I should sell something expensive to Efta eventually, but it's just the right time. The more spirit stones we have, the better, and I want to clear it here.
　He's supposed to be in a town called Marischera, but how far away is it?
　It wouldn't be close, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't as far away as the Imperial City .......

　I left the mansion, ran a bit, and came out to Hetty-san's place.
　It's a good idea to be able to have a good time with them.
　However, it was the type of silly thing where they gathered in the square and talked in a chatting style. As the knight squad has grown, there is an increasing pattern of having a review meeting and chatting after training like this, and then going out for a drink.
　However, today's was different from the usual, and there was a hint of seriousness in the air.

''Oh, what's the matter, Jirou-sama? Didn't you go to see the great mage of the dream vision today?

　Mr. Hetty notices us and speaks to us.

'Yes, that's already done ....... What was the meeting about?'
It's not a good idea. The guild seems to have informed us that only a few of us will be able to send support to the Hitotsutsuki this time: ......
'A few people ......?　Oh, no, that's impossible. Because you--

　The one I experienced in the mountains of Luclaera, the monsters are dispersed in each tunnel and almost sealed off in the mountains with Shamash-san's magical beasts, but still, that's it.
　Of course, as far as this place is concerned, there's plenty of room in terms of numbers with the knights, but that's not the same thing as this.

''If this place falls, both the village and Elishe will be in danger.
''Yes. Therefore, I heard that Shero Roth naturally protested, but apparently a large number of hunters have been hired in the imperial capital and are absent, so the only way to get rid of them is to use those who are there. It seems we have to make do with those who are there: ......
It's a little out of control.

　Hitotsutsuzuki is like a war, so you have to have the right number of people in place.

'But this place is good, but there must be several other monster spots around Elishe, right?　A few people can't do it, can they?
''We've got Shero Roth here, you know. That man is a Hunter's Rank S.
It's S-rated. ......
''An S-class hunter is considered to be more than ten B-class hunters. That's why the number of people must have been narrowed down. Since the other springs seem to have kept more than a dozen or so.
'I see. ....... Well, we actually have a knight squad, so I guess it's okay ...... but it's troubling. At a time like this, you're working for the imperial capital ......

　Well, I guess even hunters have a life, and if you have a paying job in the imperial city, you can't afford to go out ......?

...... no. Hunters who belong to a guild are obligated to participate in the Hitotsutsuki in their area. That's a requirement of guild membership.
Hmm?　Then why did you all go to the Imperial City?
That seems to be under investigation now: ....... We're working with MyaMiyah at the moment, so I'm sure we'll have more information soon.

　So you're experiencing a problem.
　I'll do my best in my spot, but in the other spots, I'll have to ask the mayor and the guild to do their best.
　I'll do what I can to help.

Well, that's all for now, anyway--Mr. Hetty, can you get in touch with Efta? Can you get in touch with Mr. Efta?
'What?　Why?　That's true, I could get it if I wanted to, but--

　Ms. Hetty is Efta's own sister.
　If my sister called me, I wouldn't have any choice but to respond. I have an older sister too, so I know what I'm talking about.

I've been instructed to 'do business with the Imperial Merchants' for quite some time now, and I want to clear it and secure the spirit stone before the Hitotsutsuki begins in earnest: ......
'I didn't know you had that kind of guidance!　But then, there's no more daylight until you get to the Hitotsutsuzukis: ...... from Marischera.
I just wish it had moved a little faster.

　I guess I'm not going to make it.
　I was going to sell Efta a bit of revolutionary technology for a very high price.

''Mr. Jirou. If you really want to make it on time, there is a way.
Do you have one?

　Hetty nodded coyly.
　'But does that mean it's an informal way of doing things?

'Are you sure you're okay?　If you can't, it's okay if you can't.

　The guidance ...... or rather the business meeting with Efta is just one of several "things" that I want to do. That's not to say that you can't have one of the genie stones, though.

''It's not impossible. Let's let them bring out their secret magic tools. With that thing, it should only take two days to get here.

　Two days is .......
　I thought Marichella was pretty far away.
　What's the secret magic tool .......

I'll discuss it with her immediately. I'm sure that if you allow me to use the priest's emergency communication network, it will be transmitted to Marischela quickly.
''Oh, you're going to use spirit communication ...... and tell them to bring me 100 spirit stones because I have a business meeting.
Wow, a hundred?
'It won't be a number we can't produce. Instead, we'll come up with something that will make permanent money here too.
...... Okay, I understand. I'll pass it on.

　Okay, now I'm OK with Efta ......, or rather the guidance.
　In fact, I don't know if Efta will be on board with this deal or not, but if I explain it properly, he'll understand.
　It's a good thing that you're able to have a good time.


　◇◆◆◆◇.


　The next day.
　I called the main members together and told them that the next Hitotsutsuki was likely to be the 'Konoishi Tour'.
　At first, everyone was skeptical, but if the hero of Elishe's "Great Mage of Dream Vision" had said so, it was a different story.
　A review meeting was started to discuss how to prepare.

　Basically, Shero-san and Rebecca-san take the lead. This monster spot is under Shero-san's jurisdiction, so it's only natural. We're just supporters.
　However, that doesn't mean we're somebody else's problem, so we're not going to refuse to help out as much as we can. You can interfere as much as you like, especially if it's something that can be solved with money.

　But there is one person who was not immediately convinced.
　It's Deanna.
　I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.　We haven't been here for fifty years, and maybe it's the circulation of the stars that's a possibility.

　Since it was already decided to fight the Hitotsutsuzuki, the team members were not particularly distraught, but Deanna seemed more upset than she had imagined.
　That's how powerful the "konoishi tour" must be.
　After all, it's number three.
　Anything above this is heaven or hell, so it's practically the greatest difficulty.

Well, I don't really know, but let's get ready for it. I heard that 16 people died during the pendulum drop, and now we're talking about a higher Hitotsutsuji.
No, it's impossible! We're all going to die!
I'm dying. ......

　Even though I admonished her, Deanna couldn't seem to stop being upset.

'Speaking of touring this shore, it's something that even the Great Mage of the Dreamscape could barely dismiss after being ripped to shreds: ......!　No matter how many knights you say there are: ......!
It's going to be difficult, but we have to do it. A monster will appear and if you don't stop it, a civilian will die, and we are the knights. If you run away here, you'll never be able to call yourself a knight again.

　As long as we've raised the flag of the Knights, there's no way we can do a ton of work just because Hitotsutsuzuki seems to be more strict than we thought.
　Of course, everyone is important. Of course, I don't want you to take on a reckless battle. But it shouldn't be impossible to clear if you prepare carefully and take on the challenge.
　The people of this world have been living with this system for a thousand years.

I'm sure you'll be able to see the faces of everyone at ....... ...... I'm not a knight and I don't care if I run away," he said.　But that's not going to happen anymore, is it?

　The Knights of Artemis are an all-female knightly group.
　But they were all certainly knights.
　They are quietly casting a sincere gaze on Deanna, filled with fighting spirit.
　Deanna is a 'princess'.
　Normally they are friendly with each other, but still, to everyone, Deanna is the object of their loyalty and protection.
　It would be counterproductive for such a Deanna to ask you to stop because of the danger.

''Princess. Marina will protect the princess. Even the Lord will protect you. Even the human crane will be safe. I've trained a lot of people and made some friends.
'Yes, princess. I'm not trying to be pretentious just because I'm a knight. It's impossible to live without a Hitotsutsuki, anyway, so let me protect .......
'So ...... but also ......'

　Marina and Rebecca represented by Marina and Rebecca convinced Deanna.

'But I ...... am worried about everyone. Marina is such an idiot, she's going to die so easily .......
Marina isn't the same as she was when we met.　Marina will not die. And if she does, she will be saved again by the magic of the princess.
' ...... stupid. That one needs a spirit stone, and ......, it's useless if it dies.
Is that so?　Then I will fight to stay alive!　Is that not good enough, sir?

　Marina stares straight at Deanna.
　Originally, this kind of persuasion is impossible for Marina. It's because she's really stubborn about what she decides to do like this(...).

'...... Then I want you to promise ...... promise me. Marina ...... everyone else will also ...... promise that you will never die.

　Deanna said, looking over to check each person's face.
　It's a rare word for Deanna, and it could be called an expulsion of emotion.
　That's how much she must have feelings for this Hitotsugi.

''For a princess to look like this, it will snow tomorrow.
"Maddie, Marina. You're here: ......
It's a joke. And it's ...... okay. Everyone - no one will die. The Lord and Tycho will come up with a plan to ensure that no one dies.
Well, as Marina says, I'll do my best to make sure no one else dies.

　I have to do my best.
　I'm going to clear this Hitozuki with enough time to blow away Deanna's worries.

　Otherwise, it's time to hit it out of the park.
　As the old saying goes. It's the old saying: "Do everything in your power to wait for your destiny.
　...... Isn't that a bit of a misnomer?


　◇◆◆◆◆◇◇.


　The squad members who were touched by Deanna's usually unseen weakness gathered under Deanna's wing, and it became a "Knight who swears not to die under the Princess" initiation competition.
　Some of the newcomers, for example, are even a little teary-eyed.
　These knights really like the ritual. Maybe it's because they've never been rewarded before, so their admiration is only amplified.

　After it was all settled, we resumed the review meeting.
　Maybe because of Deanna's incident, everyone's face might have changed a bit too.
　We will fight through this without dying. It's obvious, but it's good that a consensus has been reached. In a world where life is not so heavy, it is more important than one might think to place deathlessness above everything else.

''We are the only combatants this time. "We are the only combatants this time," he said, "and we've experienced fighting monsters before in Luclaera, but Hitotsutsuki is a long shot. You might want to think about that when planning your strategy.
We're not done yet. We have a decent group of warriors. It's probably going to be a tougher fight at the other springs. In case you need help, you might ask for it.
I'm sorry, Jiro. I'm sorry, Jiro, that the other monster spots took all the human quota. I'm going to take all the stones from the monsters to make up for it, so don't let that stop you. It's been a long time since I've been able to give it my all.

　I understand that Deanna is upset, and I'm not a brave man or anything. If I could run away, I'd want to run away too.
　But a pinch is an opportunity.
　If we can show the value of our knights here, we will be able to gain a firm position in this city.

　Hitotsutsuzuki will hit all those who can fight in Elishe.
　You'll also need to check out other locations (spots) and send backup depending on the battle situation.
　There will always be one elf on the scene, so the situation will be shared in real time via spirit communication.

''Anyway, it's preparation. Let's do all possible measures. You can collect the money later with the magic crystal, so you can spend it jerkily. Then everyone, please come up with ideas.

　Right now, Awasezuki has just begun, and there's still a week or so to go before the moons fully overlap with each other.
　In the meantime, we have to do what we can do in a rush.
　We can't increase the number of humans anymore, and it will be difficult to suddenly increase the combat power of our personnel.
　Although I'm gaining experience fighting monsters by fighting sequentially, it's not much of an experience, as I've only been able to see about skeleton warriors.
　Of course, it's still better than not doing it. It's better to experience that anomalous movement. Well, it's unlikely that the newcomers will be able to do a white army battle.

''Well then, can I start with you out of the blue?''

　Mr. Shamash raises his hand. That's unusual.

'If it's a tactic against monsters, I might be able to make a monster torch to control some of their movements. What can we do with it?

　A monster torch is like a black flame torch that Shamash-san makes with magic, which has the effect of attracting monsters.
　Certainly, if the monsters are always coming towards Solé, the way we plan our strategy will change.
　I see, I can certainly use the monster torch.

'Hmm ......, then I think a simple wall is better then?　Depending on the size of the monster, it makes a difference if you can split the monster in two with a wall. Or you could make it a one-way street and only fight the first monster at all times. Oh, you could also use a ballista to annihilate the monsters in a straight line--

　Monsters will disappear when they die, leaving only magic stones behind, so there's no need to think about the corpse.
　You can use the ballista strategy!

Jirou-san. The way you think is very exemplary. Your way of thinking is truly mercenary.
'Really?　If they're willing to work so foolishly with you, wouldn't it be easier to use that to your advantage?
'Well, it's actually not that simple. There are all kinds of monsters.

　It certainly varies. Skeletons and Orcs would move differently, and Orcs, for example, have been known to throw stones at us. It may be dangerous to make uniform assumptions.

　Nevertheless, I've asked Yumegen-san for some advice.
　First of all, this is the side we have the advantage on.
　Originally, Hitotsutsuzuki itself was built from the player's (・・・・・) point of view, since it's a remnant from the game era. It's been tuned for people with less athleticism and better magical attacks, so the monsters are generally "strong in magic (・・・・・) and weak in physics (・・・・・)".
　There are almost no wizards here, the knightly corps is made up almost exclusively of flesh-and-blood warriors, so that alone is an advantage.

　The disadvantage of this one is that above all else, it is 'unbeatable'.
　Unlike the players, if you die, it's the end of the world.
　There's a chance I might be able to come back to life, but as expected, I don't have the courage to die and try.

'What about the pitfall?　It's the same with the walls, but if you make favorable terrain over here, you'll be able to fight to your advantage. Or maybe we could build a high wall and drop rocks on the monsters that gather below.

　I can probably make it in time for a rush.
　It's a lot better than slugging it out on the flatlands.
　There are other strategies that use gasoline and kerosene as well, so I'll just be prepared.

Also, the most important thing is the weapons.
Weapons?　Like a barista?
Well, yes. I brought some books with me, so I thought I'd ask the grand master to make them in a rush.

　Humans can play chanbara, but it's probably more efficient to use tools instead of playing against monsters.
　It would be difficult when the opponent is a human, but if you're dealing with a monster, I think it's a fool's errand.

　I'm going to ask the grand master to make a large crossbowl (ballista), a catapult, and a

What's this?　You can't make this stuff up!

　When the grand master saw the blueprints, he exclaimed in surprise.

He said, "In theory. I'll prepare the wire for the iron ball, so you just need to make the iron ball. Can you do it?
Oh, oh. I can't say that I can't do it, but I'd appreciate it if you could be flexible with the steel. But it would be nice to have a little flexibility with the steel.
Well, I'll get you that, too.

　I showed the grand master the blueprints for the ballista and the pitcher, and a schematic of the fishing-type destructive iron ball. The iron ball ...... is the one from the Asamasanso incident.
　I didn't have a blueprint for the iron ball, so I showed them my hand-made blueprint and a picture of the crane. You can use it again and again if you shake the ball and hit it, and its destructive power is amazing. It has the impact of hitting a car. We decided to prepare it because it would not be difficult to hit the monster if we could guide it well.
　The problem is the wire. There is a substance in this world that can support a super-heavy steel ball, but it's going to cost a lot of money, so I've decided to get the wire. According to my research, it looks like it will cost about 200,000 yen, but it's an amount I can afford. It's going to be rather hard to carry, but I'm sure I can handle it.

　There were several other plans that came up, and we had a rough idea.
　It's going to take a lot of preliminary work, so the burden is going to be on the grand master and Shamash-san to summon the golem. However, if we prepare properly here, I think we'll be able to fight at least in the early stages of the game with plenty of time to spare.

　I'd also like to meet with Yumegen-san at least once more if I can and ask her if she has any kind of strategy.
　I'd better make a list of things to ask her.
　I'd like to do everything I can to clear this Hitotsutsuzuki in one piece.