'Phew, half a day more and this request is almost done.

　I take a breath as I watch over the students collecting the experimental materials.
　Since then, I haven't had any problems.
　As long as today's collection time is over, it's as good as done with this escort request.

But you can't let your guard down!　Even if nothing happens here, there is still a way back!　A field trip is a field trip all the way home!

'In terms of walking farther, yes, but not in a playful way, Nole, you don't mean that in a playful way, do you?'

That's not true, sir!　.........Oh, here's another delicious-looking fruit.

　Preachy to me, Noll is busily taking the fruit from the tree and stuffing it into his bag.
　I don't know if he's looking forward to collecting them or eating them afterwards, but he's doing it with a grin on his face.
　........I don't want Nol to be the only one to say that. Estelle's also putting her hand on her cheek, looking dumbfounded.

''Even if you say it while collecting fruit alive........''

'But this fruit is really good. I can see why Mr. Noll is so eager to take it. I'll have to take a few of them home for Luna to take home as souvenirs.

I don't mind taking it, but just make sure the students are safe.

I know what I'm doing!

　Sisha is also in sync with Noor and is ripping off some fruit.
　What are we, who are here to escort them, going to do when we're so busy collecting fruit.......
　If it comes down to it, they'll react immediately, and I'll be checking the map app to make sure we're not in trouble.

　After giving them a heads up, we all scattered and decided to each look around at the students.
　Estelle follows me, so we walk around together, talking.

'She's not coming to us today, is she?'

'Oh, yes. Are you dumbfounded by yesterday?

What do you think?　You don't seem like a bad kid, but you've been strangely hard on me.

'Ummm, not so much for me or anything else, and a possible cause is...'

Annelie. What on earth did we talk about?

　Since that contact yesterday, Myra hasn't come to Esther's place.
　I only saw her a little in the morning today, and now I look around, but I don't see her. She doesn't seem to be around here.
　Estelle also responded with a relaxed attitude yesterday, but she's been restless for a little while since then, as if she's worried about what Annelie-chan was saying.
　It's no wonder I'm curious.... Well, now that I've thought about it, I don't think I can figure out why.

''Hmm?''

Is your brother in trouble?

'There's a student trying to get a little farther away from you. I've got to go pay attention.

Oh, I don't blame you for not leaving.

　As I was making my rounds and looking at the map app, I saw four blue dots moving a little further away.
　Four students seemed to be moving farther away.
　I can't just leave them there, so I follow them with Esther.
　The blue dots were moving somewhat strangely, as they suddenly moved quickly and then suddenly stopped.
　What on earth is it doing........

　Walking a little faster to the spot, I saw a foursome of four people, two boys and two girls.
　Two of the boys are running around impatiently, chasing a small white object that is also running around.
　That's.............grass like the running around radishes I saw yesterday.

''Alright!　They're going that way!

Whoa--I mean, whoa!

　One of the boys chased him around and led him toward where the other was.
　As he approached within arm's reach, the one waiting for him tried to grab him.
　But just before he was caught, Radish turned at a right angle to avoid it.
　Then, with some distance between them, he turned towards the boys and raised and lowered what looked like one foot to agitate them.
　........What is that grass?

''What is it doing?''

'It's like chasing that strange grass...'

　It looks like I've followed that grass all the way here.
　As I walked closer, I could see the two girls who were watching it from the side making reluctant faces. I could also hear them talking to each other.
　Hmm?　That's Myra, one of the girls.

"Hey, let's go back now. If the teacher or the adventurers find us, they'll be mad at us, right?

'Yes. We'll just have to look for the kakekon over there again.

Because it would have been so frustrating to get away with it, wouldn't it?

Yeah. And I'm not afraid of being away from them for a while.

　As they were collecting, the students were divided into groups.
　Listening to the conversation, I wondered if those two guys got involved in the boys' group.
　Even though Myra and the others told me to go home, they don't seem to have any intention of leaving at all.
　Huh, I'll have to warn them and ask them to come back.

'I'm sorry, but that's not going to happen.

"Oh, my God!

What a surprise...

See? Now they've found us.

Oh, Okura-san...

　When we approached and called out to them, two of the boys screamed in surprise.
　One of the female students was also surprised, but she seemed more relieved that we were here.
　Myra looked at me, then shifted her gaze to Esther.
　She responds to it with a smile, but Myra-chan silently removes her gaze. She doesn't seem to have any particular intention of reacting.
　Ignored, Esther is frozen in place with a smile on her face.
　She looks miffed inside..............................I'll soothe her later.

''Everyone, let's go back. We can't bother the adventurers any more.

Hey, I get it.

'Huh, good. It's kind of spooky and we should get back to it.

'At least let me magically shoot that kakekon at the end!　And it's frustrating to keep this up!

Oh, no!

　The boys nodded in reluctance as Myra also told them to leave.
　However, one of them is not sure if it's a shame to leave like this, so she takes out a short wand and points it at Kakekkon.
　She stopped it as a no-no, but the boys didn't stop and uttered the magic name.

'Wentus!'

　I looked at the tip of the wand held by the screaming boy and saw that nothing was sticking out.
　I thought he had failed, but suddenly the kakekon he was pointing his wand at moved to the side with a whimper.
　Then the palm-sized pebble behind it blew up and hit the tree behind it.
　An invisible invisible attack........wind magic? Dodging that........that grass is amazing.

''Ouch, I missed!

Ha-ha-ha, what are you trying to do?

'What are you doing?　I can't wait to get back!

Hey, uh... that tree... um, is it moving?

...What?

　When the female students looked in the direction of the direction they were pointing with trembling fingertips, the tree that had been hit by the stone that had been played by the wind magic earlier was shaking.
　The branches also began to undulate and move, and the soil at the roots began to rise.
　.........Trent, you're here.

　I tried to move out to protect the students, but before I could, Trent extended a tentacle-like branch toward the boys who sent the stones flying.

'Whoa!

'Ugh!　It's not safe for you to be down here in the back--oh.

　I slipped in front of the screaming boys and knocked the branch off with a crowbar.
　But a new tentacle began to grow out of the branch that had grown halfway down and entwined itself with my arm.
　I tapped it off with the crowbar and tore it off too, but when I looked forward, I saw countless more tentacles stretching out.
　Ahhhhh that's why I don't like this guy.

''Eh!''

　Immediately after, I heard Esther's usual shout and a fireball flew towards Trent from behind me.
　When it landed and exploded, the tentacles that had been extending until a moment ago all returned at once.

''Oh yeah....Esther, we're saved.''

'You're welcome. But still ... it really doesn't do much for your magic.

　The explosion smoke cleared and Trent could be seen, but the surface was only slightly scorched.
　Almost no damage has passed through it, and as usual, its roots have begun to walk out of the ground.
　Estelle looked at it, her eyebrows raised and a troubled expression on her face.
　This guy really is strong against magical attacks.

''Nah, what the hell was that........''

Well, demon!　A tree that big is a demon?

Shit!　That's why I told you we should have gone back early!

'Trent, huh? I didn't expect such a demon to be here...

　The students were scared when they saw Trent and froze, their buttocks clenched and their faces tightened.
　Myra also looked calm and seemed to be holding her hands tightly together with goo in fear.
　It's not good if she continues to panic and we need to calm her down.

''Everyone, please calm down!　There's only one body, so don't panic, just step away from it for a bit and stay zit!

　I called out to them, but the students are still afraid or unable to move.
　

''Don't be so scared. We're still a B grade in this, right?　A demon of this caliber, it's so easy to take it out. You guys are going to have to stay there and be quiet.

Well yes. Everyone, let's calm down. She's right, Okura-san and the others are B-ranked. If it's only Trent, they can hunt with no problem. Let's stay away from them and keep quiet.

　Maybe it was because Estelle told me to, but Myra also got excited and called out to the other students.
　Maybe it's because of that, they also got up and got up and zipped away from us.
　Huh, I wondered what would happen at one point, but thanks to Esther and Myra-chan, it looks like we'll be able to make it.

　With that relief, I looked at Trent in front of me and saw that the tree behind him was also shaking.
　I didn't think it was possible..., I displayed the map app on my monitor glass, and red dots appeared one after another, twelve of them.
　There were 12 of them, 5 were heading towards what looked like an orchard where Nol and the others were, and the remaining 7 were coming towards us.

'Geez, Esther........this might not be good. Seven torrents are coming this way........ Moreover, some of them are heading towards Nol and the others as well.

Well that's not exactly a funny joke.

　With Trent in front of us, there are 8 of them.
　If me and Estelle worked together, we could easily defeat one of them.
　But with 8 of them, it's not going to be easy. Moreover, even the students we need to protect are behind us.
　There are a few of them heading towards the Noles, so we can't even call out to them.
　Even if I try to escape with a beacon, it's impossible because the students aren't recognized as a party.
　What should I do.........

''It can't be helped. Brother, I'll use my skills here.

Yes, but...

The Noles are gone, and I don't have a choice.

Well yes. I'm sorry, can you do it for me?

Yeah, I'm on it.

　Estelle said with a smile, and a purple aura enveloped her. It's proof that the skill has been activated.
　Seeing this, the students are making a little noise, wondering what's going on.
　In the meantime, I took out my phone and called the walkie-talkie so that the students wouldn't see me, in order to contact Noll and the others.

'Okura-dono?　Is there something wrong, sir?

I'll make this quick. There are five of them coming out of Trent's body and they're headed your way. Noll and the others take them down.

"Wha--

　I hung up the call before I could hear a reply.
　Now I have to focus on the guy in front of me.
　Now we can leave that one to Noll and the others, so we won't have to worry about it.

Now, let's just get this over with. Okay!

　In addition to the red grimoire, blue, yellow, and green objects also float and unfold around the esters.
　Then she shoots a fireball at Trent, who was there first.
　When the fireball lands, it explodes as it always does, but the fire doesn't spread around it, but instead burns all the way inside, covering Trent's surroundings with a sort of wind.
　When that wind stops, the Trent that was inside has begun to crumble into a blackened charred mess, and it quickly turns into a particle of light.
　........It's still an egregious use of magic.

''Hey, what was that........''

'Oh no..... I've never seen anything like that before....

'Oh no!　What?　What the hell?!

Oh, please calm down!　That man is on our side, so please calm down!

　One of them is about to panic at the sight of Esther's magic, but Myra is calming them down.
　But she's acting a little strange, as if she's confused too.
　If possible, I didn't want to show you Estelle's magic but in this situation it can't be helped.

　Then I use the map app to let Estelle know the direction I'm coming from and have her intercept it with her magic.
　After firing a fireball, I cover Trent in a dome of dirt and blow it up, or cut it up with a blade of water and wind combined, and a wide variety of other methods of annihilation.
　The students watching them were now trembling at the sight of Esther rather than Trent.
　She's very reliable as a companion, but she's still scary.......

''Brother, is there any other Trent around?''

Yeah, I think I'm okay.

Yeah, good.

　I finished dealing with 8 torrents with quite a bit of time left to use my skills.
　I was really in a hurry to see what was going on, but we made it through without anyone getting hurt.

'I'm sure they'll be fine, but let's get back to it. I'm worried about the other side.

''Yeah. Huh, it's depressing to think about what happens after my skills run out...

Thanks for the ride. I'll carry you on my back and you can get a good night's sleep.

'Oh, I'm so glad. If you can sleep on your brother's back, it's worth the effort.

　Since the skill was activated, Esther wouldn't be able to move properly anymore today.
　Perhaps that's why she sighed as she put her hand on her cheek.
　But when I said I would carry her on my back, her dark expression changed to a smile and she looked happy.
　I don't think I'm rewarding Estelle's work to the extent that I'm carrying her on my back, but I'm glad if she's happy, even if it's just a little bit.

●

　After finishing defeating Trent, I hurried back to the orchard-like area with the students.
　Myra and the others looked apologetically at Esther as her skills ran out on the way and she went down with a pale face.

　Back in the orchard-like area, the students and teachers had gathered and froze together.
　And with the sword Noor had drawn in his hand, they were scurrying around as if wary of their surroundings. Sisha is doing the same with her staff in one hand.
　.........That guy, he didn't think he was fighting against Trent?　The students' impressions of the priests are going to be strange.......

''Okura-dono!　Are you okay!

Oh, I'm fine!

　Nol found us when we returned and waved and shouted at us.
　I'd checked the map beforehand, but it looks like we've handled this one safely too.
　After meeting up with Noll and the others, I laid a sheet on the ground and let Esther down there once she was there.
　Perhaps because she's not feeling well, she just sat down and slumped over.

'Esther-san, you don't look well. Did you get hurt anywhere?

No, you used your skills and it's a reaction to that.

Okura-dono and the others were fighting, weren't they? I received a call out of the blue and wondered what was going on.

But I'm glad to hear that everyone is okay. Thanks to your advance notice, none of us were injured.

　Even if I hadn't contacted them, I'm sure Noll and the others would have stayed here and been on guard.
　But was it right to contact them just in case........

　As I was patting Esther's back in an attempt to feel a little better, I heard the teacher shouting at me.

''Hey!　Don't go that far, I warned you in the beginning!

I'm sorry, I'm sorry...

　Those four, including Myra, were pissed off and dreading the fact that they had gone so far away.
　I feel a little sorry for them because of the way they were involved..........................I hope the boys will be very sorry.
　I know it's inevitable at that age, but I hope they don't do anything dangerous.
　I'm going to apologize to the teacher too, after telling Esther I'm going to apologize to the teacher in a nutshell, I leave.

''I'm really sorry. We were there, and I put your students in danger.''

'No, no, no, not at all!　If it wasn't for Mr. Okura and the others, we would have been in real danger!　That knightly lady is truly an amazing person!　And ... a priest?　was fighting like a priest, too!

'Ah, haha... well, it would be nice to hear you say that...'

　I understand Noll but what kind of fight did the guy from Sisha have in mind?
　The teacher guy is a priest?　That was a questionable system!

　As I finished talking to the teacher and was going back to Esther, I was called out from behind.

'Okura-san,'

Oh, Mr. Myra. How can I help you?

Um, is she...Esther, Miss...is she okay?

　Myra-chan looks at Esther and asks me with an anxious expression if she's okay.
　Oh, apparently she's worried about it.

''Yes, I'm fine. I've been using a little too much magic power and I'm not feeling well, though.''

'Well I'm really sorry it was our fault.

'This is what we do, so don't worry too much about it.

''Thank you very much. Also.........may I have a few words with Esther?

Uh, uh ... no problem.

　I can't believe Myra-chan wants to talk to you....
　If she's acting like she is now, she won't be as perturbed as she was yesterday, and she should be fine.
　As she goes towards Esther, Noor and Sisha look at me.
　I motioned with my hand for them to come over here, and the girls moved over here, leaving Esther behind.

'Um, do you have a minute?'

...Oh my God, what's wrong?

Thank you for your help earlier.

Hmm, don't worry about it.

　When Esther, who was called out to her, looked up, Myra-chan bowed her head and thanked her.

''I'm sorry for earlier and.......and for behaving like that yesterday.

'I don't care about that anymore. Don't bow to me so many times. It makes me feel sorry for you when you do that to Annelie's friends.

　Myra-chan bowed her head again, and Esther forced a smile at her and replied that.
　Seeing that, Myra-chan suddenly reddened her face and started to rush out in a panic.



　Myra-chan, who looked like she wanted to say something, but was acting suspiciously, just ran off.
　Estelle tilted her head and looked away, wondering if she had said something wrong.　He looked as if he was going to say, "I'm sorry.

'He's gone running, sir.

'That was kind of nice. That one looks like you won't have to worry about it in the future.

Ummm, yeah, but...

　Maybe this won't give me that competitive spirit anymore....
　I wonder, is it just my imagination that I have a feeling that this is dangerous in a different way?