Two hundred rounds were spent in the blink of an eye.
「Guild Master, I’m counting on you!」
「Leave it to me!」
His head belonged to the modern age, but below that was pure fantasy. The Guild Master leaped straight into the oncoming swarm of goblins.
I wanted to see how he fought, but now wasn’t the time. Focus on swapping the box magazine.
「Gorg! You too, resupply your ammo!」
He should have run dry on the rounds in his dump pouch by now. This was the time to buy more.
Once the exchange was done, I raised the MINIMI again.
The headlight flickered, but I couldn’t see the Guild Master. Even so, I could tell the goblin presences were vanishing at a terrifying speed.
「…Amazing…」
Even an amateur like me could tell. The Guild Master was easily on par with a Gold Seal rank fighter.
But this was no time to be impressed. I cut down the goblins trying to circle around us.
When the ammo ran out again, I sent the MINIMI into Home and switched to the VHS-2 I had been carrying.
「Fall back! Guild Master, fall back! Please retreat!」
I shouted toward him while firing. I really should have used a whistle signal. I’m an idiot.
As I shouted and retreated, the veteran magic swordsman noticed and urged Gorg to pull back as well.
Just as we had planned, Gorg took the lead. The Guild Master followed, and I brought up the rear, shooting down the goblins chasing us.
After retreating about a kilometer, the goblins finally gave up and stopped pursuing us.
Panting heavily, I raised the VHS-2 and searched for presences.
「…A flute…?」
In the quiet mountain, I could faintly hear the sound of a flute. It was the same sound I had heard in the Marse district.
「…What? Does that mean someone is controlling them with a flute…?」
The Piper of Hamelin? Or was that about leading them away? I can’t even remember the story properly anymore.
「Damn it. So there really is someone controlling the goblins? What kind of conspiracy is this supposed to be!」
I’m just an ordinary guy who got sent here to exterminate goblins! I don’t have the brainpower to uncover conspiracies or anything like that! My head is average. My body is average. I’m just a regular guy in his thirties who can’t see through the truth! Cut it out!
No, calm down, me! There’s still no proof that some grand conspiracy is at work. This could just be my imagination. For now, focus on the pests right in front of you!
「Takato! What about the goblins?」
「They’ve pulled back. They’re starting to form ranks again」
The first and third formations were still attacking Kainzel-san and the others. This is what you call a war of attrition, right? Lives and ammunition are being burned away like water.
「The king’s command ability? Troublesome」
That would still be manageable. If there’s someone behind the scenes controlling them, that would be a nightmare.
「What do we do?」
「We attack once more, then move behind the king’s unit」
「No need to regroup?」
「They have full supplies, so we won’t regroup. We’ll act as a mobile force and harass the goblins」
For some reason, the goblins think that side is the main force and keep attacking it. If that’s the case, we use them as bait and strike the king’s unit ourselves. Well, that part is mostly up to Gorg and the Guild Master!
「Let’s take a short break before we move」
I pulled water from my apport pouch and handed it to the Guild Master. Sorry, Gorg, but you’ll have to buy your own.
After resting for about ten minutes, we attacked the second formation again, then withdrew after about five minutes. With Gorg in the lead, we moved toward the rear of the king’s unit.
「Takato, are you alright?」
Just answering was a struggle. I was too busy sucking in air. I mean, you’re buried in paperwork every day, so why aren’t you even winded? Do you have some kind of secret?
「I have both healing magic and strength magic. With blue and purple magic stones, I can fight all night, even two nights without sleep」
Both? Does that mean two attributes? I should study magic once things settle down.
「…I’m jealous…」
「You have more stamina than you think, Takato. In terms of endurance alone, you’re at Silver Seal level」
Is that so? Well, maybe a tiny bit of that useless goddess’s blessing is working. I can’t really feel it myself though.
After drinking a sports drink and resting for about twenty minutes, my breathing finally settled.
「Hm? Did the first and third formations pull back?」
When I focused my attention on Kainzel-san and the others, I could tell the goblins were retreating.
「Sorry. Please wait a moment──」
When I returned to Home, Ladarion was there as well.
「Ladarion. Are you hurt?」
「No. But we’re almost out of ammo. The guns are getting hot too. It feels dangerous」
We had been firing nonstop for over thirty minutes. The fact that we had to keep shooting like that meant the situation itself was wrong.
I immediately bought twenty box magazines, three new HK416Ds, and one SCAR-L.
I had used the 416 before, and its handling is similar to the SCAR. Ladarion should be able to teach the others. Have the three of them learn before the next attack.
「We’re heading behind the king’s unit. I don’t know if we can defeat him, but we’re going to engage the king. Also, there might be someone other than the king controlling the goblins. Watch the sky and your rear」
If they asked how they were supposed to watch out, I would be at a loss for words. But that’s all I can say right now. Please forgive me.
「Got it. I’ll tell gramps」
Well, Kainzel-san won’t let his guard down, and he’s already cautious. My amateur worries are probably unnecessary.
「When this is over, we’ll grill some high-quality meat again. Make sure you earn it」
「Yeah! I’ll kill lots!」
Ladarion was all smiles. Fully recovered, and clearly eager to fight.
「Miriel, I’m counting on you」
「Yes. Please be careful」
I switched from the VHS-2 to the 416D and headed outside.
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