We received word from Window Flower that the bandits were attacking the village. Normally, Madoha could have operated the armored car alone.

　But I went out of my way to put a cover over the sensors and set off. Window flowers are still growing at heart. My failure to trust it not to harm people.

　The wooden vehicle stops can be stepped over. I can also remotely unlock the armaments. But the hoods are covering up the sensor array, blocking the view, even under false pretenses.

　Defending the village with this is like asking them to fight blindfolded. The armored car itself is sturdy, but the risk of getting the people of the village involved is too high.

　Perhaps they noticed the attack of the bandits by sound and flew only a drone to inform us.

　Driving an armored car with a drone's vision is too dangerous. In the future, I will try to create an indirect control system, but it's impossible to do so now. For now, I'll return the drone to the village, and ask window flowers to reconnoiter and understand the situation.

'Simon-san!　It's night and I can see lights and smoke from the village!

　I want to make it clear, but the drone is a secret. The only way to get them to pay attention to it is to get them to pay attention to it in a roundabout way so that Simon-san will notice.

'Huh!　This is a bandit attack, demons do not set fire to. We've got to get back here!

At night?　I'm a night visionary, but it's not safe for my dad to run in the woods at night!

　In my case, the night vision feature of the multi-purpose goggles makes them perfectly fine at night.

　The shape is similar to ski goggles, but it has multiple cameras and sensors on both sides, and the battery and computer are on the back. A composite image is projected even at night.

　Zoom, thermo, laser rangefinder, datalink, etc. A useful piece of tech. The only downside is that the battery won't last long if you don't select the necessary functions properly.

I can see at night too, Mr. Simon, take this one.

　Get out a mag light like a club and light it up. I give it to Simon-san. Simon-san is satisfied with the brightness and we all head to the village.

　After a while, we receive a reconnaissance information from the window flower.

　The residents are currently holed up in the chief's house. Just in time, there is iron for trade, preserved food, and food that can be used for throwing projectiles. Therefore, morale is high and the war effort is going well.

　The bandits are composed of a total of 15 men: 3 cavalry, 4 long spearmen, 2 archers and 6 infantry.

　The commander is on horseback and full body armor.
　The rest are leather armor and metal reinforcement.
　However, there is no uniformity.

　They don't look like regular soldiers, but they are well equipped for a bandit. Pretending that I could see them, I tell Simon-san about the state of the bandits while running.

'd*mn it!　They're the mercenaries I was telling you about!　Mixes don't make money, but young women's halves can be sold. The purpose is probably slave hunting and looting for supplies. I don't think we're going to set fire to the bastion because of the purpose, but the smelting and equipment is too different. Let's hurry up!


A break in the forest near the village

Mr. Simon, there are too many enemies in the forest, so we are going to take a shot at them. The forest is a good place for horses to run and we have the advantage. At worst, we can escape in the forest at night.

You're a quick study. But can you catch it?　If you use your house as a shield, you won't be able to do anything about it, will you?

　Unfortunately, it's tough to eliminate with a gun.

　Only 10 armor-piercing rounds left in MP5F in hunting practice. If the house is used as a shield or blindfold, it will leak most of them. The bulletproof armor is also only torso for visual considerations, and the opponent is stronger in close combat. The danger is too high with the P229 handgun for close range.

　I didn't leave any spare ammunition because I felt safe as the settlement approached. Too much attention to clothing and a loss of protection. Magazine was stored in an airtight storage unit because I didn't want my ammunition to rust, and I couldn't carry my window flowers. I was able to figure out my naivety early on, but at the same time, I'm in a quandary.

　I immediately make an alternative plan.

'In that case, Simon-san can simply draw the bandits' attention to it. In the meantime, I'll get into the self-propelled car and attack the bandits. If an unexpectedly large self-propelled vehicle appears, 15 bandits will have no choice but to back off. That way, we won't cause too much damage.

　Mr. Simon thought for a moment, and then agreed. But Midia disagreed. She was going to fight, but Simon-san instructed her to stay hidden...

　I understand the desire to help the settlement of Midia, but she is only a 16-year-old girl. As a parent, I think it's a reasonable decision. I encouraged her to hide, but she was adamant about it. In the end, Simon-san gave in on the condition that he would obey orders strictly.

I'm sorry to say that Ryota has no obligation to protect the village. And thank you for worrying about my daughter.

'I'll be safe once I'm in my self-driving car. The road to the car is in the shade and dark. It's a very powerful self-propelled car, so I'll jump the whole banditry. But more importantly, the two of you, please don't ever leave the forest!

　Maybe it was because I was too worried about the quicksilver, but Midia puffed up.

　I don't want her to be proactive but Midia's determination is firm. Besides, she's already being stubborn.

'Don't worry so much, I'll never find you from the forest!

'Don't be proud!　We're just trying to get your attention. Ryota, if the self-driving car moves, you'll leave it to me, right?

'Yes, no need for backup. Let's put out the Maglite for fear of giving away our position. The bandits are visible even from this position due to the fire in the village. Once your self-propelled vehicle is in motion, please stay safe and enjoy the Japanese technology.

　The two arrows are a bit insignificant, but the mission is decided. There is no one who can use magic among the bandits, as long as they can move their armored vehicles, the armed groups of the previous era without magic are not a number of things.

　The two of them are only in tow, and once the self-propelled vehicles start moving, they are arranged to flee to a safe place.

　It's a strategy that can minimize the danger if we proceed carefully. I proceed into position, arrive and give the signal. At the same time, the two of them start shooting. In the meantime, I head out into the night to the barn where the armored car is located.

　As expected of mercenaries, they hid in the house and other obstacles before the second shot came.

　Simon and his team's surprise result was 2 archers; they would win if they could take out their commander, but the quality of their armor was poorly positioned to shoot.

　Still, it was great that they were able to crush all the archers in their first attack. If the two of them escaped into the forest, the bandits would have no choice but to enter the forest if they wanted to counterattack, and the two of them would be almost certain to be safe. I can fight without worrying.


★We finally reach the armored car.

As you have been waiting for, Ryota-sama, the armored car is undamaged and everything is fine. However, I'm sorry that I was unable to do anything while I was aware of the attack.

No, thanks for the call and the reconnaissance. It was an error of judgment on my part that I couldn't move, not because of the window flowers. But we'll talk later. I'm going to take the covers off the sensors and slip out and put the RWS 7.62 mm machine gun in charge.

'Yes, sir, we've already identified it with a drone and there's no risk of misfire. We'll take care of it.

"Mog, help me get this off.
"Mog!

　Mogu was also frustrated that he couldn't do anything. Unlike the window flowers that can be moved by power, without me, they can't materialize without magic donation. I've given you a hard time.

　But there's no need to be patient now. We will attack the bandits!