episode_0007

About 6 hours after setting up an outpost in the Great Forest of Fleeminim.

Late morning.

“Keee!”

A loudly crying goblin lunges at me with a crude stone knife.

The guy, who was a little taller and bigger than me, rushed towards me, spewing out ferocious murderous attacks, but I felt calm as I watched him.

No, more accurately, it is a half-asleep dream.

“Kyaaa!”

“It’s noisy…let’s get some sleep.”

I don’t know how many times I have realized how strong the Delheim family’s swordsmanship and training have made me. I narrowly avoided the obvious attack by moving just half a step, then put all my weight on the sword and swung it diagonally upward from the bottom.

“Kiaak…!”

The goblin, who was split from the top of the pelvis to the opposite shoulder, died on the spot.

“Phew…damn.”

Looking around, I saw that the group of goblins that had attacked were being quickly cleared away by the knights.

How many times did this happen… five times? Six times? Anyway, the monsters’ enthusiastic greetings made me lose my senses.

The monsters in this world had little intelligence and only had unconditional hostility towards humans, literally being ‘enemies of humanity’.

But I have some doubts about that. This is because, in the world of the ‘Other World Beautiful Girl Training Program’ that I did, many monsters talked and communicated with humans.

“Master! There’s a monster there again!”

“What the fuck…!”

In my mind, I just wanted to watch the knights’ slaughter show, but I couldn’t because these damn things were secretly releasing monsters in my direction.

Even though I clenched my teeth and tried to get stuck in the tent or carriage, the knights also gritted their teeth and released monsters, and they didn’t actively protect the maids I brought, so I had to move desperately. Even though I wouldn’t let them die, I had to keep swinging my sword to avoid seeing the maids get hurt.

At first, I was not able to cut properly due to tension and fear, but from the third attack, I swung the sword with evil, and now, during the sixth attack, I was able to move coolly and calmly without even losing my breath, so it can be said to be a huge improvement.

“Ha…fuck.”

It just makes me curse.

It is said that if you go deep into the Great Forest, terrifying monsters that cannot be compared to goblins or orcs appear, but I wonder if the Cloud Holders who live in these places are sane.

“…Xenia. Can’t you use magic to keep monsters from coming?”

“Ah, that’s…”

Xenia, who was next to me, shook her head with an apologetic expression.

“I’m sorry. You can set up alarm magic or simple traps, but magic to prevent monsters consumes too much mana…”

“Really? Well…I can’t help it.”

I quietly gave up and returned to my tent with my exhausted body. It was a regular tent, a little wider and taller than other tents, but nothing special.

“Umm… Master. Are you okay…”

“You have to wipe off the blood first…”

“Master. First, I will clean the blood.”

Erica and Tyra moved their bodies in a half-asleep state, and Elberman quickly wiped my body with his clear eyes.

“Ugh…please let’s get some sleep…”

Thanks to Elver’s quick hands, I removed at least a small amount of the dirty stuff, threw myself onto the cot where the three women were lying, and closed my eyes amidst the soft skin and scent.

“Umm…”

As I massage Tyra’s voluptuous breasts, I quickly become dazed and distracted.

Did I sleep like that for about three hours?

When the morning sun was about to rise, an unwelcome cry woke me up.

“It’s a monster! Everyone ready for battle!”

“Bring the master!”

“These fucking bastards…”

My teeth just grind together.

***

About two days had passed.

As for sleeping, I just… gave up halfway.

As a result of observing how the other knights endured, I found out that they also got minimal sleep and recovered their fatigue through mana exercises, so I also sat down and calmly used mana.

As I repeat intense consumption and recovery, I can feel throughout my body that the passage through which mana travels is becoming clearer and the amount of mana is rising steeply. In addition, I had no choice but to admit it as I saw with my own eyes that my sword skills were also improved through repeated battles.

“…Sheesh.”

I hate to admit it even if I die, but it seems my father was right in sending me here to grow. You have to admit what you have to admit.

“Ko…”

“Cool…”

I’m just jealous of Erica and Tyra sleeping peacefully.

“…But Elver, don’t you have to sleep?”

“Young master isn’t sleeping…I can’t sleep.”

It’s both amazing and sad that he says that even though his eyelids are wide open to keep them from closing. You brought me here and made me suffer for no reason. shit. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn’t have brought it. It’s hard to protect just one person, but it’s a huge burden to take responsibility for all three.

“It’s harder for me to watch, so sleep quietly.”

“You can’t do that.”

“Ugh…I’ll give you a tip, so go to sleep. Huh?”

“You give me a tip in exchange for sleep? You’re saying something strange.”

“They say they will follow you if you give them money? So, just sleep quietly.”

Because I was so nervous, my tone of voice became sharp without me even realizing it.

“Even if I give you money, I cannot do anything beyond my duties.”

“Those two people over there are sleeping well?”

“That’s… hmmm, I can’t do that just because someone else does it. My role is to serve you, Master. I can’t fall asleep even though the master isn’t sleeping.”

“…Do whatever you want. You’re stubborn.”

“Yes. I think so.”

Elver nodded resolutely, hugged my back and held me tightly in his arms.

“What is it?”

“I want you to feel at least a little more comfortable…Do you not like it?”

I was speechless at her consideration. Certainly, my sensitive nerves seemed to calm down as I was held in her warm embrace.

“I don’t hate it, but…I wish my breasts were a little bigger?”

“……”

At the mischievous words, she rolled her eyes a little and pulled my cheek, but did not loosen her arms.

***

Third day.

“Whoop…!”

“Quite…!”

At the same time as I could barely split the head of the attacking orc, my patience reached its limit.

Although my physical and mental strength were at a loss, it was crucial.

“Ugh…”

“Erica. Are you okay?”

“Ahaha. yes. are you okay. young master. It’s just a little torn.”

On her right arm, which she raised as if it was no big deal, there was a slight cut from an orc’s crude axe, and blood was gushing out.

“…Plutz!”

A fire so hot and intense that even I was surprised was burning in my heart.

“Xenia! Xenia!!”

“Yes, yes!?”

“There is an injured person! Treatment!”

“Oh, yes!”

She rushed over, carefully inspected Erica’s wounds, and used healing magic.

Fortunately, Erica’s wound was healed completely without a single scar, but Weber approached her at the same time and scolded her.

“Master. A wizard’s magic power should not be wasted in this way.”

“…What? Weber, Commander of the 3rd Knights! What do you mean by waste?”

When I shouted without realizing it, he showed his palm as if he was in trouble.

“Just calm down for now. Also, monsters may come.”

“…Phew…!”

I swallowed the fireball that was about to burst out and lowered my voice, suppressing all the curses and accusations that came to my mind.

“Xenia’s mana should be sufficient. What on earth is waste? Aren’t there any injuries among the knights?”

“Even so, just bandaging a wound of that size is enough. Since you never know what might happen, it’s best to conserve the wizard’s mana as much as possible. In fact, other acolytes are also being treated that way.”

“……”

As I calmed down little by little, I realized that what he said was extremely reasonable.

“Phew…I’m sorry. Commander Weber. He must have been excited because the battle had just ended.”

“No. Anyone can do that. All you have to do is be careful from next time.”

“…I will do it. By the way, how is the reconnaissance work going?”

In response to my question, he looked around, put his face in his face, and lowered his voice.

Sensitive information is directly related to the morale of the Knights, so you must be careful.

“The reconnaissance was successful. However…”

“Just?”

“The size of the enemy’s outpost is larger than expected. We can’t do anything with our own strength right now, so we have to wait for support.”

“…Wasn’t it our job to wait for the main force to leave and then attack?”

“This means that even if the main force is missing, it will be difficult for us. The total number of Cloud Holder’s troops that descended this time is estimated to be about 500, but the number of troops that go out is always estimated at 250. In other words, about 250 are always stationed at the outpost.”

“Hmm… Are there really that many people left at the outpost? I guess you’re more cautious than I heard?”

“That is our question as well. To begin with, the enemy’s behavior this year is full of strange things. Even though we came down with a much larger army than usual, we are passive in attacking and plundering, we are not very active, and we leave a lot of people at the outpost… so we have to move even more carefully.”

“Phew…”

A sigh comes out of my mouth.

“When will the reinforcements arrive?”

“I think it will take about a week.”

“I see…”

It meant that I would have to stay here for the next week.

For a moment, I felt so gloomy that I wanted to throw it all away, but I gritted my teeth and held on.

***

“You care about your maid very much.”

“Huh?”

It was the morning of the fourth day, with five days left until reinforcements arrived.

I mechanically chewed the hard beef jerky and bread and turned my head when I heard an unfamiliar voice.

A knight wearing full body armor except the helmet was looking at me with a stern expression.

The knight was a little shorter than Elver, had short-cut brown hair, and soft features, but with intense eyes, his chest armor had more prominent curves than the others.

There was a female knight in our knighthood. I get it now.

“…And you?”

“It is called Herriot of the 2nd Knights.”

“Hmm…so? What business is it?”

“I was just curious. The reason why I cherish my maid so much.”

“Why do you cherish it…? Isn’t it obvious? He is close and friendly to me. No, not only that, but they are those who work hard to serve me. You should be treated accordingly.”

She looked a little surprised by my words.

“…You’re surprisingly affectionate, aren’t you?”

“What a surprise. Are you saying it didn’t look like that?”

“Can I be honest with you?”

“…Try it.”

“That’s right. Most nobles treat maids as nothing more than servants and throw them away.”

“Hmm…I guess that’s how I saw it too.”

“Yes.”

“You say that so confidently? Reaching out to Dad?”

“Ahaha. That’s difficult.”

When I laughed and joked, she also smiled a little.

“But, did you really come here because you were curious about that? Do you have any other business?”

“Yes. That’s really it. What’s the problem?”

“No…you are the first driver to talk to me in four days.”

“Ah…”

She smiled bitterly at my words and sat down next to me.

“Don’t be too offended. This is also Helberg’s order.”

“Father?”

“They said they would treat me as harshly as possible. That’s why I try to avoid affection as much as possible.”

“Ugh, it’s not my father, it’s who I am.”

“Ahaha…”

She smiled awkwardly, probably having a hard time reacting to that joke, and looked at the faces of my maids.

“Hey…they’re all pretty kids.”

“Right? That’s why I brought you here. Although I regret it now.”

“Regret? Why?”

“It’s too dangerous. Those damn knights don’t protect them very well… Oh, of course I’m talking about you too. Damn knight bitch.”

Her expression becomes even more awkward as she harshly expresses her sincere complaints.

“Ah, ahaha…as I heard, you have a very different personality…”

“…Have you eaten breakfast?”

“Yes? Suddenly? Well, I did eat something.”

“Ah, yes…Heriot. I’m just asking this. Are you tired of the current situation too?”

“Of course. How could you not get tired of hiding in this gloomy forest and dealing with monsters all day? It’s not helpful for training, I can’t take a bath, the food isn’t tasty, and the equipment is worn out…ugh.”

“I see… then. Don’t you want to try a side job for a while?”

“Yes?”

“I wish you could protect our maid.”

She blinked for a moment and shook her head as if she was troubled.

“Uh…that might be a bit difficult. The master’s complete protection of the maid is also included in the ‘harsh training’ ordered by Helberg.”

“…Hey.”

“Yes, yes?”

As she lowers her voice, I can see her shoulders tense up.

“Are people’s lives a joke? Do you think it’s normal to sacrifice a maid for my training? And you want a nine-year-old to take responsibility for that?”

“Well, even if you get angry at me… Ah, something urgent came to mind, so I’ll just go…”

He placed his hands on her shoulders as she tried to get up and brought his face close to her.

“Heriot. Can you do it for me by looking at my face?”

“…Ahaha. You look really handsome. But I don’t like children.”

Sheesh. Doesn’t it work?

I had no choice but to give up, but after thinking for a moment, she smiled brightly.

“Ah! What if it were like this?”

“Huh?”

“I will sit next to you and give you a one-on-one lecture. I can’t help you directly, but if it helps you grow, I’ll do anything.”

After saying that and taking a quick look, she lowered her voice and whispered.

“I also protect the maids. Ah, but you have to speak kindly to Director Weber, right? Please protect me so I don’t get scolded?”

“…Ahaha. Leave it to me.”

She is a woman I quite like.

But with this, I can finally take a breather.