The Kawasaki KLX230. After some hesitation, this is the off-road bike I chose.
I like cars, so I have some knowledge about them, but I’m not that interested in motorcycles. The only thing I’ve ridden before is a scooter.
At first, I thought about buying a military bike used by the Self-Defense Forces, but I don’t need that level of equipment. More importantly, I don’t have the confidence to handle it. So I decided to go with a standard model, but most 250cc ones were used.
I figured those were older models, and the 230 was newer. There was also a 125cc option, but considering horsepower, I chose the KLX230.
I don’t know if it’s the best choice. But since I’m not knowledgeable anyway, it wouldn’t matter what I picked. The base price is about 440,000 yen, and with a fifty percent discount, it comes to around 220,000 yen. It’s like buying a decent assault rifle. Even if I wear it out, I probably won’t feel too bad. Probably.
It uses a manual clutch, but it’s not like I know nothing. I understand how it works in theory. After about an hour of practice, I managed to handle it decently.
For gear, I added knee protectors, and since the VHS-2 and my backpack would get in the way, I left them in Home.
「Bisha, take the lead」
The road is supposed to be decent, but it’s not paved and not straight either. If she doesn’t guide me, I might end up flying off a cliff. For now, let’s keep it to a light run.
「Roz, I’m counting on you」
「Yes. Please be careful」
I nodded firmly and twisted the throttle.
I pulled the clutch and shifted into second gear with my foot, then followed Bisha, who was leading at around twenty kilometers per hour.
The road was about a meter wide, and it seemed well-trodden, probably due to frequent use.
Maybe it was for transporting hunted monsters, but there were tracks like those of a handcart, and fallen trees had been moved to the side.
After about an hour of riding, we took a break.
Since it was like a forest road, I was able to ride without much trouble, but it was still my first time, so I was tired. There’s no need to push myself when I’m already moving faster than on foot. We should be able to close in to within detection range of the goblins before sunset.
「No goblins around?」
「I don’t smell any other monsters either」
「They’re probably concentrating everything at Milond Fort. If it were a human army, they’d at least have sentries posted」
Well, it’s impossible to give detailed instructions to monsters that are basically beasts. Even if it were possible, the fact that they haven’t posted sentries says a lot about the quality of whoever is leading them.
「A type that relies on numbers and momentum to invade, huh」
Then we just have to take a strategy that kills their numbers and momentum.
I drank some water and stretched to recover from the fatigue.
「Bisha, are you tired?」
「This isn’t enough to tire me out. We’ve been going at an easy pace」
We had run at least fifteen kilometers. On a road with steep ups and downs. And yet, not a single drop of sweat. She even looked relaxed. Even with high physical ability, they can still be caught by humans. It really shows how important intelligence is.
After a thirty-minute break, we set off again. After another hour of riding, I sensed the presence of goblins.
「Bisha, stop!」
I cut the engine, laid the bike down to the side of the road, and called out the VHS-2.
「That direction, three kilometers ahead. Around a hundred. This direction, two kilometers, also around a hundred. Judging by the numbers, they’re probably detached units」
I brought out the sketchbook, checked the directions, drew the positions of the goblin units, and explained the plan to attack them.
「Do you smell any other monsters?」
「No. I don’t smell any beasts either. Even the birds aren’t chirping」
Now that she mentioned it, the surroundings were quiet. I hadn’t even noticed the absence of birdsong.
「I’m going into Home for a bit. Stay alert」
I set the KLX upright and entered Home while still straddling it. Inside, Ladarion was there.
「How’s your side?」
「It’s been a stalemate since late last night. They stopped coming within range of the guns. We’re taking turns resting now」
「I see. You’ve used quite a lot of ammo」
All the MINIMI box magazines were gone. The shotgun shells were nearly depleted as well. Assault rifle ammo was also running low.
…The reward has passed five million, but at this rate, we’ll easily burn through a million…
「Bisha and I moved ahead and are already nearby. There are two detached goblin units, so we’ll wipe them out. Have Mishinie and Mebi regrouped with you?」
「No. It feels like they’re on the south side」
As expected, they didn’t regroup and are hiding while waiting for an opportunity.
I can only vaguely sense their direction, so they’re still more than ten kilometers away. By the way, when it comes to contractors, if they’re over ten kilometers away, you can only vaguely tell the direction.
「How’s the situation at the fort? The morale hasn’t dropped, has it?」
「It’s fine. We have water and food, and I taught the adventurers how to use the Mini and the Bene. Reinforcements are coming, so morale is high」
「Was Miriel angry?」
「She was furious」
Yeah, figures… maybe she’ll forgive me after hitting me a few times?
「It’s fine. Miriel is only angry at her own weakness. At being someone who can only be protected. I’m not a woman who only gets protected either. I’m by your side by my own will, so you don’t need to worry about it」
So Ladarion saw through me. She understood my regret and the responsibility I felt.
「I’m Ladarion. I’m the fire spear that protects Takato.」
Before I could ask what that meant, she grabbed two fuel cans and went outside.
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