...... I can hear people screaming and demons screaming ...... 'ambush' ......?

　Rita is staring down the street with her animal ears perked up.

'Cecil. "Cecil, can you do the 'magic detection'? Do you sense any magic in the air?

　I asked Cecil.

'I don't know ...... yet, since it's at this distance ....... But if you can't sense it, then I don't think any powerful magic was used.

''You mean it's not on the level of 'Ancient Language Magic' or that ice golem you met in 'Sea Dragon Sanctuary' or something like that?'''

'Yes. If it was used, it was usually just magic.

　That means it was most likely an ordinary demon that attacked us.

　As I recall, the wagon that Dolgor-san arranged should be running in front of us. It's not surprising that it's slow enough to catch up with us because it's packed with goods. Or rather, I have no idea what else to expect.

　So, the other side is being 'ambushed' by a demon, right?

...... It can't be helped.

　We're just going to have to wait and see and nothing will happen to us.

　But eventually we'll be on the road, and along the way we'll see a tattered adventurer or Mr. Cutlass or ...... possibly a dead body.

　...... I'm not kidding.

　I can't afford to add that kind of trauma to my 'life of not working'.

Cecil, Rita and Reggie. We're going to go on a 'normal' wagon rescue mission. Okay?

Okay. Nagi-sama.

Just being a natural adventurer. I get it!

'Humph! Fools, remember the power of the Lord!

　Let's check the situation.

　The perimeter is forest. If we're going to be ambushed, it's only natural to assume that they're coming from that direction.

　We don't know the enemy's strength. So, we'll hit them, causing damage to them, and use that time to rescue the adventurers.

　In order to do that, we need to increase our own strength.

''Cecil. About the 'Fire Spirit Summoning 《Summoning Elemental》 that we used before.

Yes. Mr. Nagi.

　Cecil comes in front of me with a bounce, as if he's been waiting for it.

　He looks like he's expecting me, so I ask him while stroking his silver hair.

''I don't know how many demons there are, so I want to increase my strength here too. But we can't run out of magic power here, can we?
　So, the ancient language magic 'Fire Spirit Summoning 《Summoning Elemental》', I wonder if I can reduce the number of salamander summonses to reduce the magic consumption?

''Yes, ...... the maximum number of summonses is 18, so ...... up to a third, we can manage without asking for Nagi-sama's supply of magic power.

　You're a quick study, Cecil, you're a quick learner.

　It seems that he understands what I'm trying to do.

The first thing that comes to mind is that the general magic of 'fire spirit summoning' can summon up to three of them, so if we fight while hiding the rest of them, I think our secret won't be exposed.

　Also, the merit of the ancient language magic 'Fire Spirit Summoning' is that it can give detailed instructions.

　Normally you can only give a salamander instructions like "everyone do your best" or "aim at that guy", but the one summoned by the ancient language can set parameters and give commands for each turn.

　Make use of them. It's a good idea to use it as a surprise attack.

Well then, horses...unfasten the harness that connects Pickle, Pocle and the carriage.

　I give instructions to Cecil and Rita.

　Since this is a world where demons are running rampant, the harnesses that connect the carriage to the horses are easy to remove, just in case of an emergency. It seems that the saddles on the horses are the wisdom of the merchant that in the worst case scenario, they will be able to quickly escape even if they abandon their luggage.

'Does Rita ride a horse too?　Or...

'Do not underestimate the speed of the beastmen!　I'm not going to let a horse beat me!

　Rita puffed out her tail like, "Pfft.

'Yes, sir. Then I'm sorry, Pocle, but would you mind giving me and Cecil a ride?

"Riddle me this.

"Sir!　What about me?　You have no use for me?

'Pickle has another role to play, you know. Of course, if you're in danger, you can run away. ......

　I told the three of them and the two heads of the operation.

　Well....

　We're just starting our journey, so let's just go for a normal rescue.






We are going!　"Shield Charge!

　bang

　The goblin rolled onto the street as he was pushed off by a right-handed shield.

　Breathing heavily, Cutlass readied his shortsword.

　He resented his small body. Not enough weight. How could he not be decisive, even with his full force assault skills?

　Behind Cutlass is a wagon. I was asked by the merchant Dolgor to 'protect' it. But its top has been torn off by repeated attacks, and some of its cargo has been destroyed. In front of it, two of his companions were lying on the ground. They were taken by surprise and knocked unconscious by the wagon.

　Surrounding Cutlass are goblins with rusty swords at the ready.

　A short distance away, near the forest, warriors and orcs are fighting. Arrows are flying from the forest, the work of goblins hiding in the trees.

　It was a mixed squad of goblins and orcs that attacked the wagon.





　A few minutes earlier, goblins from the forest had fired arrows at Cutlass and his team's wagon as they traveled down the road.

　As if teasing the adventurers, they shot at them from a distance, hid in the forest, and shot and shot again. If you chase it, it will run away. If I gave up and went on, he would shoot again. It was extremely annoying.

　The leader of the devastated adventurers said, "Do it! The decision to do so was made more than ten minutes ago. Our leader is impatient. He even left town without waiting for Souma-sama and the others to accompany him. Cutlass ...... really wanted to say, "We should wait for them". But he had no right to talk to Cutlass, his guest. And even now.

　In front of Cutlass' eyes, the party was divided into two squads, and if the vanguard, led by the leader, charged into the forest...


　I was caught off guard by an orc that jumped out of the forest.


　The orc is a demon with a body bigger than a man and a face like a wild boar. They have a large axe in their hands.

　By them, the adventurers were pinned down. From the front, goblin arrows, and from the left and right, close range attacks by orcs. And they don't mind fighting each other. Even in a mixed battle, the goblins would shoot arrows without a care in the world, and the orcs would attack the adventurers without question, using their subcutaneous fat to block the arrows.

　Furthermore, if it was a direct attack on the wagons by the lighter goblins after attracting the vanguard, that's not the way demons fight anymore. It was no wonder the party was panicking.

''I've never heard of ...... demons fighting like this before,''

　While looking at the goblins surrounding the wagon, Cutlass gripped his sword.

　The strength of this one is seven people, including Cutlass.

　Four of the vanguard were wounded in various parts of their bodies, yet they continued to fight.

　Of the three in the rearguard, Cutlass managed to get only graze wounds. The remaining two were knocked out by the goblin's surprise strike.

　There were three goblins around Cutlass.

　There are four orcs fighting the vanguard in front of the forest. The number of enemies hiding in the forest - we don't know.

What should we do, sir...?

　Thoughts are spinning around in Cutlass' head.

　My job is to assist in combat. The only remuneration is for food and safety during the journey. I'm told not to push myself.

　So, if everyone but Cutlass is rendered incapable of fighting, then running...

That is not chivalry!

　Cutlass shouted.

　Watch out.

　The 'I'm not supposed to be here' in me was about to come back to life.

'Where is a knight who abandons his friends!　Even if I become a berserk, I will protect you all!　This is f*cking awesome, Goblin!　Even if this body is shattered, it will crush my knightly spirit: ────!

　Cutlass was about to charge in, screaming, when



Fumuuki ────!



　A very commonplace kick that flew in from right beside him blasted the goblin in front of him!

　The goblin receives an unorthodox spinning kick and bends his body into a crooked shape and crashes into a standing tree. As it is, the goblin snaps several branches and tumbles down to the ground, but it doesn't move.

Wow, what a surprise!　Looks like you got a critical mass by accident!

　Fluttering her golden hair, the beastly girl looked at Cutlass.

'It doesn't usually work out this well, you know. Don't get me wrong!

Oh, yes.

Nod your head. Look at me. Okay, attention.

I'm sorry. That's all right, sir. I understand.



"Fuyu-kiri. Aye.



　The moment the beast girl was distracted, another goblin was plopped right next to Cutlass.

　The one who saved me was──.

　You mean the gentleman we met yesterday in Dolgor's house? Oh.

　He's a knight in shining armor, riding a horse, just like a knight in shining armor.

　I'm going to give you a vision of a knight in shining armor. The ideal of justice.

　He's got a very long sword. And it seems to have grown quite suddenly.　...... That's right. I'm also tired, so my vision is blurred. I'm not used to this kind of battle.

　The last goblin is on fire. Salamander... ...... relieved.

　Totally.

　Distracted, Cutlass fell to his knees on the street and cowered.





'You made it in time ......'

　It's the first time I've ever ridden a horse, but I guess I managed it.

　If the horse wasn't a talking pockmark in the "Food Negotiation" - if Cecil hadn't adjusted his running with the "Animal Empathy" skill, he might have fallen. Horses are surprisingly shaky, aren't they?

''It was an excellent reins handling!　Nagi-sama!

　Cecil, sitting in front of me, said.

　I didn't deal with them. He just had a slave and a horse that were too good for him.

　I reassessed the situation. The vanguard of adventurers are fighting orcs near the forest. And they're being hit by arrows. The goblins that were fighting the rear guard have been defeated. All we have to do now is defeat the orcs and spurn the ones shooting arrows in the forest and we're clear.

Rita, get Cutlass and the others out of the way of the arrows. We'll leave the fighting to the salamanders. Please, Cecil.

　I - with some difficulty - got off my horse.

　I reached out and picked up Cecil and lowered him to the ground.

''Thank you. Then ...... as per Nagi-sama's words──I will go on.

　Cecil closes his eyes and swooshes in a breath.

　The chanting of the ancient language magic "Fire Spirit Summoning 《Summoning Elemental》" has been completed by the time I get here.

　The window displayed in front of me shows the parameters of six bodies. Their abilities are as adjusted. What the salamanders are looking at is displayed next to the parameters. Let me know where they are in my head and I'll figure out where they are.

　Ready for battle.

Vanguard. Align!

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh!

　In front of me and Cecil, three salamanders lined up in front of me and Cecil.

　They were about the size of human children. They are bipedal lizards with bat wings on their backs. Their entire bodies are surrounded by crimson flames. It's very hot to the touch. Or rather, it burns.

　The adventurers and orcs fighting in the vanguard have noticed us.

　As I recall, an ordinary wizard is able to call three salamanders. And neither the adventurers nor the orcs are here (・・・・・・) and I haven't noticed ...... the salamanders. I don't know about the goblins in the forest, but the fact that arrows are flying towards the wagon means they're paying attention to us.

　...... This might work.

'We're headed to the rescue of the adventurers. Salamanders of course!　Normal progress!

　With the command, the salamander begins to advance. I say, "I'm on your side! The natural adventurer has come to cover you!" and then I crawl my finger on the window and start operating the salamander.

　Cecil is in charge of maintaining the magic. I'm in charge of maintaining the magic, but I'm in charge of operating it.

"──Operation begins!

"Ow, ow, ow, ow!

"BUO? BUOOOOOOO!

　Towards the charging salamander, an orc - a boar-headed demon swung its axe down.

　But that only cut down on the salamander's fire.

　The salamander managed to dodge the orc's attack and struck the tip of its nose.

''BUOOOOOOOOOO!!!!''

　The orc screams at the fire and heat that assaults his face.

'Evasion routine first. Focus on speed. Engage - let the flames slam into the opponent.

　I fly my instructions to the salamander.

　While evading the orc's attack, the salamander - a lizard covered in flames - claws at the orc's chest, back and neck. Their attack power is superior. This one's weapon is speed and hands. The rest is the fire that surrounds the body.

　...... It's hard to control 6 (...) of them at the same time. I'm afraid my fingers are going to get caught if I continue for too long.

　Let's just get this over with.

The orcs are right-handed. The Orcs are right-handed, and they use their big axes to slash vertically with gravity. I'm going to focus on lateral evasion!　It's going to hurt when they cut you, so don't push it!

"Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!

"BUUUUAAAAA！！！！

　There are four enemy orcs. Two of them are now engaged with the Adventurers. I'm up against the rest 3-2.

　The salamanders are flying around the orcs. They're stronger than us, but I've boosted my speed and fire parameters to the limit. We cling. We hug. I transfer the fire to the fat-looking orc body!

"BUOOOOO！！！！　BUO! VUOOOO!!!

　An arrow strikes an orc in the belly.

　It's an errant shot from someone in the forest. Because of the flames surrounding his body, the salamander will not be hit. Only the Orcs will receive a wound.

"Oooh-ooh-ooh-ooh ────!

"BUOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAGYAAAAA!!!!

　Salamander embraces the stunned orc.

　Fire burns into the enemy. And screaming. The enemy is starting to get scared. Let's get this over with.

"Speak up, demons!　You're already under siege!　Can't you see our people in the woods, setting fire to them!

　I yelled.

"BUO!

　The orcs have stopped moving.

　Smoke is rising from the forest. Even the goblin arrows have stopped before I knew it.

'BUO? BUO? BUOOOOOOOOOO!

　The orcs start screaming. Seeing the smoke rising from the forest and the companions held by the salamanders, and just like that -.

　He turned his back and ran off.

　Okay, it worked.

　I made them think (・・・・・・) that they were surrounded (・・・・・・).

　It's not true. It's just the three remaining salamanders that Cecil called out to rampage.

　The salamanders, who bypassed and sneaked into the forest, are lightly scalding the grass. Just enough not to start a fire. Pick a damp spot. Take Cecil's advice... pick grass that smokes well. I also tried to intimidate the goblins hiding in the woods.

　And then the goblin archers ran away in a huff.

"BUOOOOOOOOO!

　But the two salamanders and the two in battle couldn't escape.

　They were clinging to the salamanders, burning up in a mass of flames.

　It was now. We've taken the enemy's strength and let's get out of here quickly.

'Sir!　Sorry for the wait!　I've found them.

　There is a voice that can only be heard by the average person as a "hi-hi-hi" and our horse - Pickle - comes running. Behind him, two other horses follow. They are the horses that were pulling the wagon. While we were fighting, I asked Pickle to search for the horses. We can tell where the horses are likely to run away, and we can talk to each other. That's the Carriage Horse of the House of Ilgafa. Very talented.

Wow, that's a coincidence.

I think our horses have found the horses in the wagon. Nagi-sama.

I didn't know this could happen. It's amazing.

............ Oh, oh.

　The leader of the adventuring party has his eyes on the ground, but we go through with it for now.

　We hustled them and had the horses hitched to the wagon, and we went to our own wagon.

　And then - before the demons came back, we left quickly.