episode_0039

The Gray Forest is one of the secret areas managed by the empire.

There is a legend that one of the twelve knights of Emperor Carolus defeated a rock dragon that had trampled on numerous villages and finally buried it in the ground.

It was a vast and rugged terrain with countless strangely shaped rocks sticking out between huge trees, mixing together to form two colors of green and gray.

Numerous caves that had once been used as hiding places for sub-races had become mere places for training at the academy, now that all sub-races had been disposed of.

I stood at the entrance to the forest and looked at the magnificent scenery that filled my eyes.

Between the huge trees that grew so densely that not a single ray of sunlight could penetrate, huge rocky hills could be seen.

There were holes that looked like caves here and there on the gray rocky hill, and small creatures were moving in and out of them.

A flock of crows soaring from between the trees filled the sky with their caws, and the sound of insects squeaking echoed in the forest.

It was a terrain optimized for hiding, surprise, and escape.

We released kobolds and trolls here.

Those who are unlucky or lack vigilance could really end up dying.

Before entering the forest, I briefly introduced myself with the group members.

Everyone needs to know what they can do with each other so that they can at least connect.

“Let’s start with me first. Hashar Ayshangiorda. Wearing a long sword, a short sword, and a bow. I have no intention of working particularly hard, so don’t count on it. I’ll help at least with the trolls.”

The atmosphere became a little colder when he openly said that he would do something roughly.

I had no intention of reversing it. If I fight properly in the first place, these guys will all be free riders.

So it doesn’t really help them.

It may be convenient and good now, but if you think about it later, you will ultimately need to increase your combat experience.

“…Milia. Wearing a rapier and a small shield. Please take care of me.”

Millia, who was looking at me indifferently, sighed and continued to introduce herself.

Perhaps because it was outdoor training, he was wearing his own armor rather than the academy’s uniform.

At best, it was just a layer of protective gear over a leather coat.

“It’s Hans. I brought a shield, an axe, and some torches to protect against trolls.”

This was the guy who had his fingers and ribs blown off at me.

The treatment must have gone well, and the finger was attached again.

The shield that was shattered at that time was reinforced with steel, and the ax also had a dagger-like sharpening point added to the other side of the blade.

He wore a crude breastplate over his quilted armor, and had a large backpack strapped to his back.

Did you say it was a torch? It seems like you are the type of person who is thoroughly prepared.

Perhaps because the memory of being treated by me remained a painful memory, he refused to look at me at all.

“La, it’s Lana! I am a trainee battle priest who serves Shaulithe. Healing skills are my specialty, so please leave the recovery to me!”

The pink-haired girl patted her chest in an exaggerated manner, as if trying to lighten the mood.

He was wearing an orange priest’s robe and had Shaulithe’s holy mark hanging around his neck.

Healing skills are not his specialty, only healing skills are his specialty.

A healing one-tool priest character.

Although it had almost no attack power, it had one healing blessing and later grew to a level that even surpassed that of a saint.

The only weapon he brought was a dagger.

Even if you give them something like a blunt weapon or a sword, they won’t be able to use it properly, so you’ll have to do it anyway.

Still, from my perspective as potions were ineffective, it was quite nice to have a healer in the party.

After a short self-introduction, I headed to the forest with a small amount of supplies provided by the academy.

The only things the academy gave me were five days’ worth of combat rations, a leather sleeping bag, and a small lantern.

Giving food…does that mean there’s nothing worth eating in that forest?

—-

Inside the forest, it was dark like early evening just before the sun sets.

There were rustling sounds here and there, and numerous insects were flying around.

I guess I should consider myself fortunate that the air is somewhat refreshing.

Hans, who had a strong shield, took the lead, with Millia and Lana lined up behind him.

Well, I was leisurely walking in the back.

Everyone must have been nervous, as they pulled out a weapon in one hand and looked around, licking their necks.

There was also a bit of cold sweat on my forehead.

You don’t have to be so nervous.

I said I won’t help you, but I plan to at least warn you when monsters are coming.

“So, I entered the forest first. What are you going to do from now on?”

“…Don’t just walk blindly, first set a goal and move.”

After answering my question, Millia looked towards Hans and Lana.

Hans thought for a moment before opening his mouth.

“First of all…water and a place to sleep. Something like a small cave would be best.”

“Wouldn’t there be monsters in a cave?”

Lana asked back, looking a little uneasy.

“If I choose a cave that isn’t too big, at least there won’t be any trolls, so just me and Millia will be able to deal with it.”

“Just trust your sister and this guy.”

Millia smiled and comforted Lana.

Man, you talk harshly.

You guys are probably at most 4 years apart. Although Hans is presbyopic.

Look at Hans’ expression, he has suddenly become glum.

“First of all, it’s water. Then you should probably go over there.”

He pointed in the direction where a wet smell and the faint sound of a stream had been detected.

I said I didn’t intend to help too much, but I guess it doesn’t matter at this level.

It would take these guys, who don’t have proper scouting skills, all day to find a water source in the forest.

Rather than going through that hassle, it’s much more convenient to just perform a reconnaissance role.

Hans and Millia seemed to have no particular disagreement, so they calmly turned in the direction I instructed.

“What if other groups occupy it first…?”

Lana quietly asked me if I was a little worried.

Other groups?

“It doesn’t really matter, right?

“Well, that. They might try to kick out people who came to get good grades. If you are thirsty, it will be difficult to fight monsters.”

“Against me?”

Lana closed her mouth.

okay. If you’re someone who dares to tell me to go away even after looking at me, it’s either because his brain is too small or his liver is too swollen.

—-

On the way to the stream, I encountered something completely different from a person.

Footsteps too small to be human. Crackling breathing sound. The smell of animals and wet dirt.

Could this be the sign of a kobold? I think there are about ten of them.

It’s hard to figure out exactly because they’re all clustered together.

“Stop for a moment, monsters are coming from ahead. They are small and number about ten.”

“A kobold! Miss Millia, next to me!”

“Okay.”

Hans and Millia heard my warning and stepped forward with their weapons raised.

Lana, who was positioned behind them as if forming an inverted triangle, held her dagger tightly.

Not long after, small monsters emerged through the bushes.

Short as a child. A stooped, skinny, greenish-yellow body.

The long arms seemed to reach all the way to the calves, and the hands and feet were excessively large compared to the limbs.

A long nose protruded above the pointed chin and drooling mouth. The droopy ears hung down to the shoulders.

The bulging eyes, like frogs, kept rolling back and forth.

He was holding clumsy and crude weapons in his hands.

They were spear-like items made by tying broken stones or miscellaneous pieces of iron to wooden sticks.

When I look at trolls and ogres and see these, they look really pathetic.

Hans raised his shield straight ahead, and Millia lowered her posture and aimed her sword at the kobolds.

Lana, you were right next to me.

Eight kobolds rushed at the same time, cackling.

—-

Befitting its size, it wasn’t a particularly dangerous enemy.

Although his movements were quite quick, he was ultimately at the level of a wild animal.

“Happy!”

One kobold is crushed by the shield Hans swings, and another kobold’s upper body is torn apart by successive ax strikes, spewing out a fountain of blood.

The kobold, looking for an opening, threw out a spear and tore Hans’ quilted armor lengthwise.

Hans, who frowned slightly as if the spear blade had grazed his leg, struck the kobold with his shield.

With a sound like an apple being crushed, the kobold’s skull was dented as thick as the shield.

A kobold with bulging eyes died, with blood and bodily fluids spewing out from every hole on its face.

“Yaaah!”

When Millia, who had dodged the kobold’s spear, lashed out with her rapier, the kobold, pierced like a skewer, began to squirm.

At most, the crude spears he wielded did little more than tear his leather coat.

Perhaps convinced that it was nothing special, Millia smiled and moved cheerfully.

Avoid the kobolds’ attacks, and sometimes bounce them off with the buckler and nudge the kobolds that find an opportunity.

Every time the rapier flashed, the kobolds with enlarged pores on their bodies spouted bright red streams of water through the pores.

In an instant, five kobolds scattered their mayfly-like lives in vain.

Hans and Millia rushed towards the remaining three.

…These guys seem to have completely forgotten what I said.

There are ten.

“Kyaaaagh!”

From the bushes on either side of Lana, two hidden kobolds jumped out and lashed out with their spears.

“Hiik!”

Surprised, Lana shook her shoulder.

“Oops!”

“Lana!”

Hans and Millia, who only then noticed the surprise attack, urgently looked towards Lana.

“Idiots.”

He reached out his hand and grabbed one by the head, and kicked the other with all his might.

– Pow!

The kobold exploded.

The scattered blood and internal organs created a messy fireworks display.

The kobold held in my left hand was about to run away, so I gave its skull a little caress.

The kobold, whose head had become as small as a tomato, trembled and fell limp.

I threw it into the bushes.

“Are you okay?”

I lightly shook my hands off and looked at Lana.

“Yes, yes! It’s totally fine! Thank you!”

There was a tear in the corner of Lana’s eye as she hurriedly nodded.

Were you so shocked by the kobold’s surprise attack that you cried?

I’m so scared, I don’t know when it will be useful.

Millia, who took care of the remaining three, comforted Lana.

Hans was cutting off the kobolds’ thumbs one by one and collecting them.

There was a light cut on the calf visible through the gap in the quilted clothes, as if it had been cut earlier, and blood was flowing.

Thanks to Millia, the real Lana cast a healing blessing on Hans, and soon the wound healed without a trace.

Even the torn armor wasn’t repaired.