After I finished the first battle after leaving the guild, Elitia told me that when there are demons in the town, I can keep track of their location by displaying a map on my license. In the labyrinth, you can't know the location of the demons unless you enter the search area, but in the town, you can know the location of the demons in the entire area. Due to privacy concerns, the locations of people other than party members are not shown.

　The total number of demons that have appeared in the town due to the Stampede is about fifty - about half of them are following the 'named'. The named are glowing as if they pulsate, and even the displays on the license feel like a disaster.

　As I look at the map, I notice something - a few demons are circling above Falma's shop in the box store.

(We have to sweep them out of the vicinity first. The largest number is in the east, where the mercenary agent's office is located.......will the mercenaries go out and intercept them......?)

　The level 3 and above explorers were out there besides us, but in some cases we were stuck unable to engage them because the enemies moved at a whim. You can't even shoot them down because they're flying at an altitude that magic and normal projectile weapons can't reach.

(It's hard to intercept them when they're coming from the air, but you have to wait for them to attack you.......no. Wait.........maybe that skill.......)

　Using a 'backstand' on a flying doom in the air - even if it was possible, it's just suicide. What I came up with was that if you have the effect of making sure your arrows hit the target, then even if you can't reach the range, you can still be assisted to some extent.

　However, the 'heaping salt' was draining her magic power, although it was slight with each use. I've asked her to spread the salt on a regular basis to increase the area that demons can't get to, so it's not desirable to have it depleted even more in everyone else - then.

''Elitia, is it safe to have the enemy attracted to you!
No problem!　I can't take that different color in one hit, but I can take out the others no matter how many of them come!
''Alright Igarashi-san, please use 'Decoy' for Elitia!
'Alright my brave warrior soul, draw the fighting spirit of the fierce one 'Decoy'!

　Current Situation

　Kyoka activates "Decoy" → Target: Elitia
　Three "Flying Doom" and "Demi-harpy" change their targets to "Elitia".

What kind of attacks are they going to make...?

"Guys, we have a new enemy!　'Watch out for it!'


　Current Situation

　Arihito activates 'Support Elevation 1' and the party's morale increases by 11.

　When I unconsciously called out to them, I realize - the morale boost should not be effective until 24 hours after the morale release, but now everyone's morale has risen.

(After one night... no.

　Flying Doom's strength is such that it can be defeated by a level 3 party, so as long as you can catch and attack a flying opponent, it's not too tough. That 'named' would be weaker than the strongest enemies we've fought so far, but even with the excessive firepower, we'd still want to use the 'War Spirit' to launch an all-out attack. It's much better to do that than to let the fight drag on and risk someone being attacked.

　The 'decoys' worked on the demons that were flying over the box store, and one after another Flying Doom swooped down the street a short distance from the store.

''No matter how many of them come in, it's the same ... too late!

　Elitia used her bare agility to evade the tackle of the mass of tentacles with ease. After evading two or three of them, Igarashi-san and Theresia, who were coming from behind, are evaded by Elitia, and with the same momentum, they crash to the ground and intercept the one that leapt up.

(This place is still 'Support Attack 1'.......we should aim for stability with fixed damage.......!

Here we go ... "Double Attack!
Huh...!

　Two unseen blows from Cross Spear stabbed into Flying Doom. After the invisible attack continued with two consecutive blows, Suzuna's arrow sticks out to stop it.

　The effect of 'Decoy' continues, and Elitia, whose entire body is wrapped in a yellow light that looks like a warning color, draws the remaining two bodies tightly together - after the attack is avoided, it bounces from the floor to the wall, and the Flying Doom tries to bite it from above. But by that time, Elitia had her hand on her sword and was about to unleash a deadly blow.

''--Fall away!

　With a single voice of spiritedness that is more emotional than usual, Elitia swings her sword out in succession while intermingling with the two approaching Flying Dooms.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Elitia activates "Rising Zapper".
　One level hit on Flying Doom A. Support damage 11
　The second level hit on Flying Doom B. Support damage 11
　Defeat two Flying Doom

(Jumping up and attacking more than one, that's a horrible body technique... no wait, there's still Harpy... where the hell is he...)

　--Then a chill runs through me. There's nothing wrong with remembering this feeling.

　Just as I expected, I hear a song coming from somewhere in the street - I don't know what the words are, but as I listen, my consciousness is shaken and I'm reaping the benefits all at once.

　◆Current Situation ◆

　Demi-harpy invokes the "Song of Sleep".
　Elitia, Kyouka, Suzuna and Misaki are sleeping.

Uh..........back there, boy.......
The song is..........
My brother, my brother...
"...everybody get a grip!　You'll die if you sleep here!

　I'm not joking, if we can't locate Demi-harpy, even us - if he uses the Song of Sleep again, we will be annihilated without waking up.

(The dangerous demon that makes us sleep........I didn't think it was this guy.......what are we going to do, if we don't do this.......!

"--Peeeeeeeee!

　Current Situation

　Demi-harpy invokes "Call to Arms".
　Two "sweetbirds" respond to each other.

　--with a bird-like chirp, calling out other demons -- if we don't do this, our sleeping companions will be harmed.

(Can Theresa and I do this alone... even if I support Theresa, it's bad if she comes around... dammit, if I'm strong enough individually, this won't happen... ...)

　We hear the sound of wings from a distance - a bird-type demon. As soon as the two appeared from the sky and found us, they began to turn and sing as if they were chasing each other.

　Current Situation◆

　Two Sweetbirds invoke the "Winged Banquet".
　The attack and defense of winged demons have been temporarily increased.

(I didn't know the enemy was going to load up on support (buffs).......these guys aren't like the demons we've seen before.......!

　I crave from the bottom of my heart for a way to wake up my sleeping companions - if only there was something in 'support' to restore the state of affairs. I knew the hole in the party from the beginning, but I've come this far without finding a way to plug it.

　Being put to sleep was a direct result of death - I had to be prepared to prevent all the state abnormalities that would make me unable to act before they happened.

''Kuaaah!''

　Two sweetbirds are attacking - wrapped in green feathers and holding a flaming red tussock, which thrusts forward like a spear...!

　And it wasn't us that the two animals were aiming at, it was Elitia with the 'Decoy' still in effect.

　-- The only way to protect her at this distance is to transition with "Backstand" and take a stand. But if I did that, I would--.

(.........as long as I don't die, even if it's only 1 strength......rather than letting Elitia die......!

　Theresia uses an accelerated dash, but I can't get to Elitia. I activate 'Backstand' and try to shield Elitia.

　-- Immediately after the transition, I see two birds approaching with a roaring wind noise. It was at that moment that I tried to protect Elitia, praying that even 1 of my physical strength would remain.

''--Wow!

　Current Situation

　Aricht activates Backstand → Target: Elitia
　Theon's "Covering" is activated → Target: Aricht

Theon!

　The huge shadow that leaps out of the air comes between me and the enemy with a speed like lightning. And Sion, who has gained the effect of 'Support Defense 1', is hit by the sweet bird's collision - but.

''Aaaaah!''

　Current Situation

　Zion's Tail Counter activates, hitting Sweet Bird A. Support damage 11
　Defeat one of the sweetbirds.

　One hit is all it takes - but the Sweet Bird is already one piece left. Even though it is flung off by the 'Support Defense 1' barrier layered on top of Sion's defense, it still flaps its wings in the air and tries to break away.

　But at that moment, another huge shadow flew out from the street where the box store is located.

''Galluoosh!

　It was no longer a dog, the roar of a giant beast. Sion's mother dog pounced on the sweet bird and finished it off with one punch of her paws.

(Too awesome.........isn't this dog the strongest vanguard in this eighth district.......?

Lady Atobe, are you all right?

　Falma-san - yes, with the two Silverhounds, she would not be in danger..........................no.

(If she gets hit by Demi-harpy's state malfunction, even Zion and the others.......then I'll have to do it......!

'Mr. Farma, I need a mate!　I'll get the last one!
Mr. Atobe, which one of them is that one...?

　I don't know the answer either - but it's probably a blind spot on the roof. You'll have to bet on that skill to get around there in an instant and catch it...!

Even if you can't see it, you can use it if you're in a combat situation... please, let it be that way...!

　Current Situation

　Aricht activates Backstand → Target: Demi-harpy

　After lacking sensation for a moment, the next moment - I was standing behind a demon that looked like a girl, with arms turned into wings.

''Peep...!

　After all, it's on the roof. Without regard to the unbalanced scaffolding, I assemble with all my might with Demi-harpy.

"--Theon!　No, mom, I don't care if it's a dog!　Take it!
Wham!
Peeeeeee...!

　Even I, who's not a close combatant, can at least stop the demi-harpy's wings from moving and fall - and.

　In the middle of my fall along with Demiharpy, Sion, who kicked the window frame of the building and jumped up, catches me brilliantly with his fur-covered back.

''Whoa...!

　I landed on the ground with an impact and was thrown off Sion's back - and yet I never let go of the demi-harpy that was struggling so badly.

'Oh my goodness........such a cute little thing, but you've embarrassed everyone. You're a bad demon,
Bleep.............................

　Demi-harpy suddenly became quiet - and that was not unreasonable. He was surrounded by Falma-san, Theon, his mother dog, and Theresia with her dagger at the ready.

　And on behalf of the representative, the one who visited Demiharpy to stop him was the mother dog who was angry at being attacked by Sion.

''--Grrrrrrrr!

　It opened its huge mouth to threaten Demi-harpy, as if it could eat him in one bite. I could have been afraid of it, too, but Demiharpy really thought he was going to be eaten, so he stopped lashing out - or rather, he fainted from fear.　

'Did you manage to get through........te, Theresa...?

　I pick myself up, careful to make sure Demi-harpy doesn't wake up, and Theresa hugs me from behind. She's trembling - I must have made her worried because I jumped down.

'I'm fine, Theon took it in, you know. I'm sorry I scared you, that was the only way I could think of. You can't take him down just by coming at him from behind, you know.
..........

　Theresa shakes her head, not saying anything. 'There's nothing to apologize for, I suppose,' she says.

''Atobe-sama, if the demons are in town then there is a stampede going on.
'Yes. Mr. Falma, this demon called Demi-harpy sings a song that puts people to sleep. It is dangerous if you don't have a way to prevent them from sleeping, so please stay hidden in the shop. We will keep our enemies away from this neighborhood.
"Atobe-sama, we have several accessories in the shop that prevent 'sleep' caused by demon attacks. We were buying them in the shop when we found the same ones in duplicate...
...Really?
'If it were true, I would wholesale it to a specialty store, but I think it's necessary now, so please take it with you. I'll also get some of the restorative medicine to wake you up from your sleep from the nearby apothecary. Ashtarte, carry you all to the shop.

　We need to get into position once to fight 'Named' and the group of demons. I worked with Theresia to carry Demiharpy, who was unconscious with his friends, on Ashtarte's back. Demiharpy's near-human appearance makes it hard to stop - I don't have time to be so naive, but he's not a threat as long as he can block the song.

　We were almost wiped out by this little harpy - it was a battle that showed us the horror of the state of affairs in a very real way. We'll have to be far more cautious if we don't want everyone to get hurt.

　Theresia looked worried and stayed with me the whole time. I've caused her to worry as well, so I'd like to keep the abandoned suicide attack as little as possible in the future.