The next day, early in the morning. The five of us got into a carriage and headed west to the village of Altaat. Altart. It's a small village located just west of the imperial capital. It's a place that can be reached in a few hours by carriage, but it seems that it's now a hellish battlefield.

　Furthermore, according to Clarice's information, the Scorpions will be appearing this evening.

''You should read this. All three of you.

　After Clarice said that, me, Fee, and Monica received a document. It was detailed information about the "Scorpion".

　The Scorpion 《Scorpion》. A demon with a danger level of B. Unlike spiders, there are no small ones in the Scorpion. The Scorpion has been evolving since the past, and even the smallest individual is about the same size as a person. They are mainly found in the tropics, especially in the deserts, but some have adapted to colder regions. The outer shell is red. However, I heard that there are some that are very blue in cold regions. I didn't know this information. I knew that demons also change according to the environment.

　Fighting is basically crushing their heads. The outer shell is quite hard, and it's not easy to break through it. Therefore, it is written that you should prioritize crushing the head intensively. However, there are some that use alchemy to defend against it, and that is not always the right way to fight.

　Also, the Scorpion can spread the poison from its tail around. This is quite effective on humans with soft skin, and the area touched by the scorpion will become sore and red. After some time, it will turn bright blue, leading to death. The information was summarized as such.

　The last sentence should be handled flexibly accordingly. That's what it's all about.


"If it's the Scorpion, why don't you just freeze its legs?

　I skimmed through the material and asked that question. But the answer I get is that it's not that easy.

There are quite a few of them, and there is a possibility that they will involve the people around them. Moreover, there are individuals who use reflectors. Basically, the front line is the white army. The rest of the time we use alchemy to back them up from behind.
"....Reflectors... It's tricky.

　The Reflection Formation 《Reflector》 is an alchemy that returns the opponent's alchemy exactly as it was. There are many alchemists who use it, and I can use it too. But if a demon can even use the Reflector, this is finally... strange.

　It's an anomaly. Obviously, something is causing an oddity in this world, starting with something.

　The matter of the labyrinth, and this time, the Scorpion 《Scorpion》. A demon that uses alchemy, a demon that appears in a place where it didn't appear before. It didn't seem to me that this was a complete coincidence.

''So, how can Elle, Fee, and Monica have a white army battle?　I'd like to see those who can go to the front lines.
It's just me.

　I'll answer Clarice's question. If I keep quiet, Fee and Monica might say they're going too. Fighting on the front lines is definitely hell. It's going to be a hell of a close call with death. If that's the case, I have no choice but to go. I'm not a blue star class "Bluesteller" alchemist.

''........Can I go?''

　Rafe stares at me quizzically.

''Ah. I'm essentially just a farmer, but lately I've gotten used to fighting white knuckles in a labyrinth attack. Besides, there's this.

　I thump the thin-winged dragonfly that I'm holding at my waist. Then Rafe reaches for it, as if he's curious.

''........can I look at it?''
Yeah. I don't mind.

　With a swoosh, Midori's sword blade is exposed. I sharpened it before I came here, and I used alchemy to make it harder than before. Probably, it would be easy to cut through the outer shell of the Scorpion, too.

　Based on what happened in the Sixth Labyrinth, I had strengthened the Thin Feathered Dragonfly and I didn't expect to make use of it here.......

''You're........thin. But it's not bad. I'm sure it's very sharp. And it's also quite hard. The outer shell of the Scorpion should be no problem. Now, the magic sword?　But I don't know of any magic swords that are green, thin and thin, and even more specialized in cutting. Did you get it in the Sixth Labyrinth?
No, I made it myself.
...ingredients?
Cucumbers.
''...I see.

　Crop-crazed, crazy genius, or so the rumor goes. Well, I am aware that I have a point, so I won't argue with that. I know I'm not going to argue with that, because I know that my work is being judged fairly, and I shouldn't complain.

I'm going to use this. It's a magic sword, Levatain.
"...Levatain?　A magic sword of fire?
'Ah. I got it in the deepest part of the Third Labyrinth.

　The Demon Sword Levatain. Unlike my Usukane Kagerou, it is a true demon sword. It has a red exterior and a thick blade. My Hatsuha Kageru specializes in cutting, and it has a sword form, but this one is different.

　This thick and heavy demon sword feels like it will crush everything. Moreover, when it comes to the demon sword Levatein, it can be covered in flames.

''Um... what's the difference between a demon sword and an ordinary sword?''

　Monica says that, so I decide to answer her. Leif seems to be basically silent.

''A magic sword is a sword that cannot be reproduced by modern alchemy. As a type of lost technology, this magic sword Leavatein can be clothed in fire.''
Couldn't you have done it by using normal alchemy to wear flames?
''No, the demon sword has alchemy applied to this sword itself. You can carve an alchemy formation on the weapon, but it always requires the alchemist's magic power. But the magic sword is complete with this one. In a way, it is the ultimate sword.
'Wow....that's amazing...'

　I handed Leavatein back to Leif, and he grinned at me.


　◇


A field ward....this is a mess.

　When we arrived at the village of Altaat, we found ourselves in the field ward. It was a simple tent with many beds laid out in a simple tent. Also, the houses in this village were no longer occupied. All of them had already been evacuated, apparently. The only people here were either soldiers or alchemists.

　Some had no arms, some had no legs, some had no eyes, and many others were missing. There were all sorts of people from mild to severe. They seemed to be groaning and holding still.

　The Empire was a rather large country, and it would take days for a large army to arrive in this Altart village. It seemed that the soldiers guarding this neighborhood had been fighting until then. There are alchemists as well, but many soldiers were driven out because there are few that specialize in combat. The result seems to be this.

　There has never been a large scale battle with a demon before. Even if there was, we were well prepared, and the other demons do not leave the territory. It was very easy to handle.

　Yes, until now. But it seems that the people who dealt with the sudden appearance of the Scorpion 《Scorpion》 were hit across the board and this field ward was born.


''Wah, I'm going to go treat them!
I'm coming with you.

　Fee and Monica are good at healing alchemy. It's a good thing that you're a good friend of mine.

'Elle, you don't do anything. You'll be on the front line in a few hours, save your ass. Besides, your presence is the only hope these guys have.
?

　I was making a face that said I didn't understand, when Rafe began to speak in a hushed voice.

'Listen!　Elweird Willis, a blue star class 《Bluesteller》 alchemist, came to me. Now I can find a way to make a living!　Your injuries were not in vain. With us and this one, we will definitely hold the front line and round up all the Scorpions!

Oh... that...
"If you say so, Master Leif...
Oh thank goodness this is....
Will we ever get out of here alive...?

　The gloomy field ward came to life as if it had been brought back to life.

'Hey, are you sure? You weren't exaggerating, were you?
It's fine. You can't afford this level of performance. It's good for morale. Okay, we're going to the Ops Room.

　And I would follow Rafe.