"Retreat with your friends while you still can!

　The one who blew up the cat-man was one of the Lasse's messengers, Misiganebic, who carried the Lizardmen.

I'm sorry, thank you!

　Geld finally gets to his feet, thirsty for strength, and gets up in a hurry.

"Whoever can move, get your friends on us!

　The Sea Serpent takes the blown-up Lizardmen in its mouth and dexterously puts them on its back.

"Hurry up, hurry up!　He's coming back!

　How far the cat-man was blown away and there is still no sign of his return, but Missiganebic and his friends rush the lizardmen and carry them on their backs.

You're the only one left!　Get in!

　Rushed by the Sea Serpent, Geld climbed on his back, pushing his aching body.

Let's get out of here!　Hold on tight!

　The Sea Serpents run away as fast as they can.
　The lizardmen on top of them hold their motionless companions and desperately cling to them to prevent them from being shaken off.

I was supposed to avenge my ...... father's death.

　Only Geld's frustrated words were left behind on the battlefield of defeat .

　.

That's why I say .......

　Then the serpents finished explaining the whole story of what happened in the swamp at Jujiki.

"I see, a cat person with tremendous strength.

　After listening to the story, Lasse closes his eyes and organizes the information.

Yeah, it was crazy strong. We were blown up so lightly that the Lizardmen's attacks were completely ineffective.

"We managed to blow it up with a surprise attack, but I don't think we could have beaten it with that thing, it was so bad,

　The Sea Serpent and Michigavinek are confident men who take pride in their power.
　They have come to recognize the strength of their opponents. There's no doubt they're not alone.
　No, Lasse has already figured out who they are.

It's something with the head of a cat, but with overwhelming power that isn't a beast. ......

　There was no need to bother. Because he had only recently seen his kind of being.

I guess it's a demon thing again: ......

　Deep, sighing.

"Is it so unusual to fight demons, Master Lise?　In the last demon slaying in the demon forest, we fought against demon apostles, and in wartime you have fought against demons summoned by other countries.

　Lasse's annoyance caused Lamia to shake her head.
　In fact, Lasse had fought demons multiple times before.
　Using the most powerful demon dragons, he has often been forced to fight dangerous enemies that ordinary people can't even deal with.
　That's the main reason why the army's budget provides for many demons, including dragons.
　So why is Lasse bothering you?

That's because the demon was summoned by the enemy's summoner. Normally, the chances of a demon being spontaneously summoned are small. A series of spontaneous demon summonses in not too distant lands in such a short period of time is a normal level of coincidence.

　That is, what Lasse wanted to say was that this was really a coincidence.

"That's not all. If the enemy is a demon ...... or if it's so difficult to attack properly, why did Geld fight it without a plan?　You had the information, right?

　That was also a factor that troubled Lasse.
　Why was Geld going to take the fight to a previously trounced opponent without any countermeasures?

That's because Master Geld and his men have never fought the demon directly.

　Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice joins the conversation.
　When he turns around, he sees a bandaged and painful-looking lizardman.

You are ......

I am Vivota of the Jujiki swamp. I was an assistant to the chieftain, Avoda. I apologize for being quiet.

　Vivota comes to Lasse's side, using a stick as a cane.

"Lamia, give him a chair.

　When Lasse gives the order, Lamia holds out a backless chair for the subhuman monster with a tail to sit in.

"Oh, I'm sorry about that,

　Vivota thanked him and slowly sat down in a chair.

"So, how do you know that Geld and the others aren't fighting?

　At Lasse's urging, Vivota spoke up.

The chief, Master Avoda, was one of the first warriors to fight that monster that suddenly attacked the village. The result was a disastrous defeat and the clan was forced to flee, abandoning the settlement. Master Avoda sensed the danger from the enemy's fearsome strength and hatched a plan to keep her clan alive.

　Vivauder sees her companions being laid up and cured.


It was determined that our young and inexperienced warriors were no match for the monster, so I left Master Geld and the other young warriors behind to protect the women and children of the village. If they did not return, he told them to flee from the Jujiki swamp to protect the children.

　Vivota concluded that Avoda and the others did not return.

"So Geld and his men went into a reckless fight because they didn't fight?

"Yes, no matter how much I tried to remonstrate with him, he said I had lost the battle and had fled, and he could not persuade me that I had been blown away by the wind of cowardice, and he could not stop Master Geld and the rest of the young men from losing their temper.

　As if to apologize to someone, Vivota nods and tells the story of that moment.

It's no exaggeration to say that it was a miracle that we all made it back alive after this battle. Lasse, I would like to thank your demons for making it happen.

No, don't worry, it's just a matter of my demons helping out. It's just my demons helping out on their own.

　In fact, it was Lasse who deliberately got him to cooperate, but he didn't mention it.

Well, I'm off to preach to Master Geld. Now, the old man's warnings will be taken care of.



　With that, Vivota returned home, her scarred body swinging back and forth.
　Seeing her back, Lasse let out a sigh.

"For now, I should just call Mitic-san.

　Somehow, it was an irresistible Lasse who felt like he was being swept along with the flow of something.