I just finished gathering information at the trading post.

　On information, the threat level of the plains is low until the remnants of the hunt is done. However, considering the affinity between the Kagaro Clan and the Ulm Clan, I don't think they will be able to last too long. After the remnants of the Cagaro Clan and the Ulm Clan are finished hunting, the Ulm Clan will probably turn into bandits.

　But the Ulm Clan is not a big threat to us. They can't protect themselves from bullets with the amount of wind that would warp their bows. Surprise attacks can also be taken by heavy cavalry with plenty of time to take refuge in armored vehicles. The attack is limited to a few minutes, and if you start running, you can easily shake off the heavy cavalry.

　At any rate, both armored vehicles and self-propelled vehicles at the ruins are off-road capable of reaching 70km/h on the plains. And it's virtually unmanned. The fact that there's no risk of personal injury means that they may be faster than the roads.

　And if there's enough fuel and cooling, the vehicle can last until the driver becomes aware of it.
　The level of maintenance means that there would be no breakdowns.

　On the other hand, it's more troublesome to be ambushed by the Cagallo clan during a break. Although it is a bullet-proof, blade-proof suit made of woven steel threads, the level of cutting and puncture resistance is lower than its bulletproof nature. If it's a sharp, high penetration arrow, you're a little nervous, and there's also the possibility of poisoned arrows.

　It's also possible not to get off at all, but the stress on the group members is indeed severe.
　The high level of body armor will increase the weight and reduce mobility.
　There are some products that use a new material that stiffens under pressure, but they have no proven track record in operation, and their reliability is uncertain.

　As a countermeasure, is it thorough drone reconnaissance during breaks?　While gathering these thoughts, we discussed them tonight at the inn. Our departure is scheduled for the next morning.


★ The next day / Outside the wall.

'Even though there's still a road, there's nothing but grass for the central plains... only the occasional bush or creek, and then there's just a hill in the distance. It looks like we won't be able to pick up firewood, maybe we should pick up some horse manure.

''Cattle dung is the fuel of the nomads, Ryota-sama has always been very rich in miscellaneous knowledge. It didn't help you get a job, but........

　It's called trivia because it's knowledge that isn't valued!　Besides, an old man who was in the Manchuria military can't possibly have any useful knowledge of where he came from in Japan. On the other hand, if that's the reason he's employed, I'm afraid he'll be sent overseas!

　Well, I do work in another world, but....

'I've heard there are a lot of wolf-shaped magical beasts in the central plains, though I've heard they come out at night. Also, no feces allowed in the car!　If you want to load it up, it's on the back rack.

　You've been treated badly.

''Quite an erudite one, my Lord. Herba Haider also uses herbivore dung for fuel, but it's not well known in Ares. Don't worry about the magical beasts. They are a must see and kill, and the potter's men will not be left behind in the grasslands.

　Does that mean you'll be watching?

"Mister, I brought you a hat, a basket, and a pair of scissors. I put the tea in a plastic bottle and chilled it. It's a quarter-hour break, though, because heat stroke can be dangerous.

　Anya is the opposite of what's on the outside and what's on the inside, she's actually very caring. They don't really need fuel.

　But I'm just collecting them for everyone else to use for camping at night, since it would be cramped in the car all the time. I don't want to do this, you know?

　Aside from that, I didn't know that the rice cake tea I bought at the trading post could be sweetened by the way it is brewed. It's a good thing that Anya is attentive, but I'm also surprised that she's as versatile as ever, saying it's delicious even though she shouldn't know anything about tea.

Anya, do you think there is still some tea left?　If you have one, ask Pina for one.

Yeah, I just finished handing them out. Pina is taking a nap in the air-conditioned room, I think she's on the cushions so she won't get a chill. I've bet a few towelettes on it. I'm also ready to help you collect horse manure.

　Pina has completely missed Manya. It's helpful because it's hard to reach her with a man's hand. Although she has a Yankee look, Manya is the most attentive person, and she comes up with a menu with me every day... Can't Midia and Hasty also learn from her?

　It was a tense move like this. But on the second day, we encountered the cavalry people.


* Encountered the remnants of the hunt.

"I'm guessing the one you're after is the Ulm clan and the one you're after is the Cagaro clan.

　Both sides seem to be confused when they see the self-driving car. Maybe many of them have never seen it before. If the self-driving car breaks down on the central plains, there is no way to call a collection agency. That's why the self-propelled car rarely passes.

The armored car and the ruins self-propelled car are well maintained because of the presence of Madoha and Manya.

　Now the elders, who know both sides of the self-driving car, are cleaning up the mess.

'Window flowers, how soon are we going to get a localized downpour?'
With the weather, we can probably get there in ten minutes.

　The central plains are inland and less humid, but this area is still very humid and cloudy. It is still very humid and cloudy. We may have to get creative in securing water in the more remote areas.

It's not too late because it's still a mess. Do it, window flowers.

　The lingering summer heat is also severe near the sea, so this local downpour was of the cloud type. The Urum tribe's spell makeup is made of grass juice and ore powder and is applied to their faces, so the rain makes it run off and if it gets in your eyes, it's a weakness.

　If the arrow-avoidance is gone, Ulm will also pull back once, and Kagaro will use the opportunity to escape and gain distance. It would be foolish to get caught up in it, so I hope so.

　Now, as soon as it starts to rain, many people from the Ulm clan suffer from holding their eyes and the person who seems to be the commander starts to give orders to retreat.

　I was relieved that we could avoid any trouble, but for some reason a representative from the Kagaro clan approaches. A young warrior with bright eyebrows who is still in his infancy, the son of the clan chief, I guess.

　But why aren't they running away?　The pursuers have only temporarily withdrawn, I think we need to gain as much distance as possible while we're still in trouble.

''I am the provisional chief of the Kagaro clan, my name is 【Karchi】. I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Mage Lord for the help of the rain.

　Geez, he said he was going to help us.
　That's called interfering in a war!
　This is a sour taste if we don't clear up the misunderstanding soon.

I am the owner of this self-driving car, my name is Ryota. We saw the conflict and tried to hide ourselves in the rain so as not to get involved. I'm not an aid, so please don't thank me for it.

　The young warrior who had just come forward and thanked me.
　Upon closer inspection, it was a Zuka-type girl.
　She appears a lot in ranovelas, but she was in this world too....

'No, whatever it was, it saved me!　We were defeated in the north and fled to the south, but a moment ago we thought we were done, but you have given us hope again. We will be forever grateful to you. Even if I cannot escape, I will honor Ryota-dono with my life.

　You sound very grateful, sir, but....

　In short, [If you've saved him once, take care of him to the end. Otherwise, when the enemy struck down, the one who interfered in front of me was a guy named Ryota, who was riding in a self-propelled car. You'll die for spouting that?] Is that a threat?　You are a terrible plague!

　He's a fine actor for such a young man.
　But, girl, I'm not going to be intimidated by that kind of threat.

"No, no, really, it's only for us. We are on an important mission to find the remains of the bugs that once attacked Ares, and we have received a tip from a source. There's no way we're going to get ourselves involved in an unnecessary conflict, so...

　The little girl's fluent western language shows her culture.
　She is definitely the daughter of the chief.
　Her parents must have died in the war.

　I understand the urge to miss the clan. But we are on an urgent and important search mission. Normally, we would be happy to help you if you offered us a reward, but we cannot afford to take on any other tasks right now.

　Besides, we are being pursued as a result of a battle. It was the result of the war that we were being pursued, and it was the clan's decision which side to take. It's self-responsibility in the Japanese way. I'm on the side that was cut down because of it, and I really think that's a cold rule. But that's the way the people chose it, and I hope you'll understand.

Please don't look so distressed, benefactor, please don't let us suffer. We are a defeated tribe on the run. There was never supposed to be anyone to save us. But there was someone who did, albeit by accident. And the rain was more than enough to cheer us up.

　This little girl doesn't lie at all in her words. Wow.....
　I just feel like we're not talking about it in a subtle way.
　Oh well, he seems to agree with me for now.

"It's only natural that I should repay this favor by any means necessary. But I'm the chief now. My top priority is to free the clan from the clan, and I am responsible for that. If possible, I would like to take you to the pollies' nest, but for now, please be patient with the livestock and other items I have on hand.

　A bug's nest?　Maybe you mean the remains of the home of the bugs!

'Um, Mr. Karch, do you know the remains of the home of the bugs?'

I think the pollies' nest is its headquarters. I was only six years old, but my father took me to see it once. This is a cursed place, that's the nest of bugs that attacked Ares, a secret passed down only to the children of the chief for generations. Therefore, you must not graze around here].

　Unfortunately, there is no map of the Central Plains, all we know is the direction. Furthermore, it seems to be cleverly mixed in with the terrain, making it difficult to distinguish between them. I didn't know they were saving such a hand....

　Gnnnnn, in a situation where we have no clue, it would be more reliable and definitely faster to help the Kagaro clan and have Karch-san guide us to it than to look for it in the dark.

　However, it's extremely frustrating, like losing a negotiation to the little girl at this point!
　I'm so frustrated I'm even confident I could chew off a handkerchief!

　But, well, it's important to do the work rationally. Compared with that, an old man's trivial vanity is like trash. Above all, I was able to establish a reputation for helping.

　I seek benefits for me. The interest I seek is guided by Mr. Karch, the means of gaining an advantage is trade, and what we offer is security by force. So we don't have to help anyone but the Kagaro clan, and since we have a conflict of interest with the hunting of the remnants, we will repel them.

　A very clear logic.
　With this, there's no need to let sentiment cloud your judgment.
　It's the mercenary's usual job.

In that case, we all have common interests. Shall we make a deal?　We will escort you to the Southern Knights Country. If we succeed, Mr. Karch will escort us to the pollies' nest. For a contingency fee, which also requires your life, I think that's a fair trade.

'If you survive, I will show you around without an escort. So it seems to me that this transaction is in my unilateral interest to do so...

You're wrong. If you die, you won't get a guide, so we have to protect you to make sure you get one. If we can hold off their pursuers, the fastest way out for the Kagaro clan is if we can hold off their attackers. That means they'll be spared and we'll be able to find the bugs' nest quickly and surely. It's a straightforward transaction that benefits both parties.

　I can still understand if you doubt it. But what is the point of refraining from profit?
　Even if you're the chief executive now, don't think about anything other than avoiding the destruction of the clan.
　If you're so worried about your credibility, then adjust your compensation after the clan's death.

''Well, you see, I actually fled to the southwest with no idea where I was going, and even if I could get there, I might get chased away by the southern knightly kingdom...''

　Huh?　You're suddenly looking like a feeble little girl. What happened to your initial actor-ness?　In this case, she's like a princess of a clan who ran away and got emaciated. You can change your character depending on the situation?

　He's been wearing a mask of stoutness for some time now, but when help arrived, it was removed, which is very likely... d*mn it, I don't have the leverage to tell him it's an act!　The inhabitants of this world are basically good people. But when it comes down to it, they don't stop at nothing.

　I've been beaten up again...
　I can't even switch from Zuka to Hime, it's a complete defeat.
　Oh well. I'll take you up on that.

"Don't worry, Princess Cagallo. I am in close contact with the king and will make sure he grants you permission to reside outside the walls. We'll also provide you with a moat and an earthwork on which your clan can shelter. Is there anything else to worry about?

　I won't waste time scratching my feet because I've admitted defeat. I won't even hold it against you. If it would make the tedious work a little easier, the company's employees will easily compromise, that they will.

The king and you are acquainted, you are a highly respected mage after all. Please, I beg you. I swear to my guardian god, the blue wolf, that I will certainly guide you when the clan arrives.　

　There were no additional conditions, it was practically a total surrender, so they went easy on us.
　That's why we had to bite off a sense of defeat and retreat to Certo.




*Email of Alliance Exchange

V
"Ryou!　I warned you all along, but you left me here!　I'm going to burn it.

leopard (Panthera pardus)
I'm not!　It's just a preview, I'll be right back!