Volume 2 Chapter 36 The Sisters' Torment
'...It seems that the Stampede has started to move south along the streets. There's no sign of it heading north, so I figure all the monsters are heading this way.'
"Understood, you can come back now, Suzu."
'Mm.'
After about a minute of communicating telepathically, Suzu, who had been perched on her staff, descended from the heights.
She had used her flying ability, 'Flight,' and the long-range viewing magic, 'Telescope,' to check on the situation with the Stampede.
Incidentally, both are advanced forms of magic.
Reporting the current situation to His Excellency Duke Hoffman, who is standing in for the less-articulate Suzu as the supreme commander of the defense forces.
His Excellency is visibly concerned about the deteriorating situation.
"As expected, they've arrived. I had sent troops to the northern Marquis Roilbrow's territory as a precaution, but I didn't think they'd come here."
As His Excellency points out, they had also deployed troops to the north in Marquis Strauss's territory and Marquis Roilbrow's area, but in the end, there was no sign of any activity behind them.
Although troops were sent to Marquis Strauss's territory as well, due to the sheer scale of the Stampede, the unit commander seems to have split the company in 2 for the purpose of regrouping, and moved south with the evacuees.
"Finally, the Stampede is on the move..."
The army of monsters is likely even further beyond the horizon, but I sent my gaze that way and let out a sigh.
I can't tell how many monsters there are, but it's not going to be an easy fight.
Sacrifices are inevitable, I suppose.
Well, since we decided to join the fight, we've been checking in with Suzu every day about the situation above the camp we've set up at the north entrance of town.
Today, on day one, I could tell that the tension around us heightened as soon as I conveyed that there had been movement.
"Do you have any idea about the scale?"
"...Suzu, do you know?"
When I tossed His Excellency's question to her, Suzu, unusually, changed her expression to one of contemplation.
She was probably struggling to figure out the best way to communicate it.
"...The vanguard consists of about 100 fast-moving monsters... like dogs or deer, any 4-legged animals? They'll arrive in 2 days at this speed. After that, there are around 300 Goblins, Orcs, and humanoids. That should be in 3 days, I think?"
"...That's a lot."
"It really is..."
Hearing Suzu's words directly, His Excellency frowned, and I followed suit.
Our troops number less than 200.
It's troubling that we'll each have to face more than one enemy from the start with the animal-type foes, and then there are 300 more...
"However, we have this. It's paying off to have fully activated the smithy to prepare it in time."
His Excellency said that, reaching for the Alchemist's Gun in hand to check its feel.
Thanks to Lene and the blacksmiths like Mr. Galdun, we managed to prepare 50 Alchemist's Guns.
Although only about a quarter of our troops have received them, they are powerful weapons.
Even though ammunition is limited, as long as we use them wisely, we can turn the battle in our favor.
It has been confirmed that even this Alchemist's Gun cannot penetrate the barrier of the Great Absolute.
Therefore, as I currently possess the Great Magic Stone of Diamond, Minori, Suzu, and other squad leaders, including His Excellency, would remain unscathed even if accidentally shot.
...The soldiers on the front lines, however, are feeling anxious.
"Well, for now, we wait. That said, starting tomorrow, you'll be assigned to your posts. Make sure to rest up today."
"Understood."
"Got it!"
"Don't forget the reward, Your Excellency."
My sisters and I responded to His Excellency's orders in our own ways.
...Of course, it was Suzu who said something particularly bold.
* * *
The next morning, we gathered again at the north gate of the town, ready to be assigned to the elite unit on the front lines.
I thought His Excellency Duke Hoffman, or rather the Steel King, would be at the front lines, but as expected, he was positioned a bit further back, as he was part of the crucial command structure.
"Hey, Big Bro Ryuuji."
"What is it, Minori?"
"What happened with Lene?"
As I was pulling out what I needed from my magic bag, I almost dropped the magic stone.
When I turned to look, my sisters were lined up with piercing gazes.
"A-Are we really talking about this now?"
"But you got a send-off from us, yet Big Bro Ryuuji, you didn't get a word from her. What did you do?"
Minori glared at me, questioning my flustered state.
It's strange; I feel like I'm being looked down upon by the much smaller Minori?
Well, that was pretty blatant, wasn't it?
Lene didn't show any shyness in front of my sisters and Belle, but she didn't say anything to me when she saw me off today.
"Did I do something?"
"Yep, no doubt about it."
Even Suzu was mercilessly berating me.
This is messed up.
My sisters are brutal.
Out of nowhere, I ended up telling them about the incident ten days ago, and my sisters let out huge sighs as if they were making fun of me.
Minori had never seen Suzu like this before.
"Big Bro Ryuuji, the scaredy-cat"
"Hey, scaredy-cat!"
"No mercy..."
My mental state is completely wrecked by my sisters' verbal attacks before even the stampede arrived.
What should I do?
"Hey, Big Bro Ryuuji. You like Lene, right? Just tell her that. It's not that complicated. You're overthinking things."
Minori proclaimed as such and poked my chestwith her index finger.
I never thought I'd be lectured by my sister.
"...But, if I die, it'll betray her, and it'll hurt Lene's feelings. That's what scares me."
Yeah, my feelings are consistent.
I don't want to betray someone or hurt them.
But my sisters didn't care about my feelings and kept attacking me.
"Big Bro Ryuuji, that's not what you should worry about! It's Lene's decision!"
"Big Bro Ryuuji, girls aren't that fragile. That's disrespectful to girls."
Ugh, they're so right it's hard to argue.
...In the end, I'm just running away using that as an excuse, aren't I?
I know that deep down.
Yeah, I'm such a pathetic and cowardly guy in these situations.
"Apologize to Lene when you get back and give her a straight answer! You got it!?"
"...Understood."
I'm not going to fight with my sister here, so I just followed Minori's words.
The looks from the surrounding soldiers hurt.
However, when I get back,
I just hope I can return safely.
Really.
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