「──Branch Chief, it seems the Demon King’s army has surrounded Milond Fort. The number is around two thousand. About seventy percent goblins, twenty percent Mokudan, and ten percent Mogu」
「The Demon King’s army!? Are you certain?!」
「That was the report. Also, the one commanding them is said to be an intelligent goblin wearing armor. Bisha, take Roz and the others to the inn. Also, teach them how to use the contractor cards」
I headed to the town hall with the branch chief and the others. We gathered the key people and explained the situation at Milond Fort, reported that Cyrus-san had been informed, and that a mixed force of giants, dwarves, and adventurers would arrive as reinforcements.
「I’ll head to Milond Fort early tomorrow morning. I’ll leave everything else to you, Branch Chief」
「There’s no point in you going alone」
「Bisha and I will move ahead and wear down the Demon King’s army from the outside. Mishinie’s group has already gone ahead as well. If we can regroup, we’ll buy time until reinforcements arrive」
If the Demon King’s army has surrounded Milond Fort, then they haven’t joined up with Kainzel-san’s group yet. I don’t think the two of them would charge in alone, so they’re probably observing the situation.
「Facing an army of two thousand with just four people is reckless. Are you trying to die?」
「I have no intention of dying. My goal is to die of old age」
I’m not planning to charge in without thinking. I have a plan. That’s why I had them take photos of the area around the fort and discussed what to do if we get surrounded.
「Sorry, but I’ll rest first」
「Take care of Kain」
「I’m not the kind of person who would abandon my comrades」
More than anything, I have to save Ladarion. If she dies here, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. If I don’t take responsibility for making her a goblin exterminator without thinking, I’d be no better than that useless goddess.
The inn we borrowed was inside the town hall, and it looked fairly high-class.
When I entered the inn, Bisha came running from what looked like the hall.
「You should have been resting」
「I thought you might go alone, so I waited」
I’m not trusted at all. Well, I’ve given Miriel plenty of reasons not to trust me!
「When I go, I’ll take you with me. I’m not skilled enough or brave enough to think I can handle this alone」
If you want to call that pathetic, go ahead. An average person like me can easily ignore that kind of insult.
「We leave early tomorrow morning. Get some proper rest today. What about the rooms?」
「I got a nice room on the second floor. The guys are on the second floor too」
Just in case, I went to the counter and paid one silver coin in advance. I don’t want any trouble in the morning.
「Boss」
It seemed they had washed up, now dressed in pants and T-shirts.
「I’ll bring out some alcohol, so have a drink. What about the meal?」
「They’re preparing it now. The old lady put in a good word for us, so they said they’ll serve something nice」
Viva authority. I’m glad I kept on good terms with them.
We moved to the dining hall and brought out beer, Johnnie Walker Black, along with ice and soda.
「Drink only enough so it won’t affect tomorrow」
I grabbed a beer and downed it in one go. After enjoying the aftertaste, I reached for the Johnnie Black and showed the dwarves how to drink it. As for me, it’s highball all the way.
「Delicious! So this kind of drink exists in the world!」
The dwarves drank it straight without hesitation. They’re as strong with alcohol as Mishinie!
「You can only buy that because you’re contractors. Bisha, did you teach them how to use the contractor cards?」
「Not yet. I prioritized letting them wash up」
Well, their stamina is monstrous, but they were drenched in sweat. Bisha has a keen nose, so she probably couldn’t stand the smell.
When I checked their contractor cards, each of them had earned around 170,000 yen.
I first taught them by having them buy whatever alcohol they liked. It’s easier to remember that way. Mishinie already proved that.
「…If we defeat goblins, we can drink such delicious alcohol…」
I had explained it before, but only after actually buying it did it truly sink in.
「Tomorrow, Bisha and I will move ahead. Roz and the others, join up with Miriel’s unit and come to Milond Fort. Until then, fully recover your stamina and prepare food and weapons. Miriel’s unit will be the strike force. They will deliver the final blow to the Demon King’s army. We will act as decoys and buy time until you arrive」
「So we can’t go with you?」
「We’ll use a machine like the Pioneer. I’d like to take Bisha too, but it’s my first time using it. Just handling it will take everything I’ve got. Sorry, Bisha, but you’ll have to run on your own」
「I’ll be fine. If I lighten my load, I’m as good as the pioneers.」
Honestly, beastkins are incredible.
「Haha, that’s reassuring. But don’t leave me behind」
With my skill, I don’t even know if I can hit thirty kilometers. Honestly, I’m not even sure I can drive it properly on the first try.
「Here you go, sorry to keep you waiting. Eat plenty. Mizuho-sama told me to make sure you’re well fed」
A motherly woman brought in the food.
「Thank you. Alright, eat up for tomorrow」
Even though Miriel healed me, the best way to recover is to eat, sleep, and wake up feeling refreshed.
Ah, but while Miriel isn’t in Home, I need to buy an off-road bike.
Thinking about that, I shoveled food into my mouth so I wouldn’t lose to the dwarves.
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