At a spot near the center of the village, I had deployed Porter's shield overhead like a roof.
I set up a table and sketched a simple map on paper.
That way, I could work out where to reinforce the village and where to set traps.
I drew the map, marking down the locations and types of traps one by one.
It was after breakfast, and Miranda was nearby.
Luka sat beside me, watching as I worked.
The village chief of Geoni Village looked at the map in astonishment. But above all, Clark's shock was even greater.
"Laiel, did you come up with this overnight?"
That was the village chief.
"Reinforcement and trap placement... no, but with this many people..."
The chief was deep in thought about whether what I'd written down was actually feasible with their resources.
Norma, who had been watching this exchange, spoke to me.
"What's there to be so surprised about? Anyone could think of something like this. If it were me, I'd add traps here and here, and reinforce this spot."
Norma said this brimming with confidence, but the Second Generation, hearing her words, burst out laughing.
*What's with this one. Utterly incompetent.*
The Third Generation was howling with laughter.
*Sure, anyone could come up with that. But whether you can actually pull it off is a different story entirely.*
Clark shook his head and explained to Norma.
"Captain, we don't have enough hands. We need to accomplish at minimum this much in just a few days. There will likely be Hippogriff attacks in the meantime, and we need this much reinforcement and trap placement before the Griffon shows up."
The village chief looked at Norma with a displeased expression on his face.
"...I'm sorry, but I really can't have you placing traps in your current location. Even if you were to restore everything afterward, there are homes right there."
Norma took a step back, frustration written across her face.
(Well, I did consider placing more traps, but oh well.)
The Fourth Generation spoke up.
"I've thought through various placements and set them accordingly. But I think this is about the limit."
The Fifth Generation pressed me to give the next set of instructions.
"Rael, stop standing there in silence and move things along. From here on out, it's a race against time."
I decided to issue instructions to the assembled group.
"Then Norma, please remain on standby here. If you have someone run here with a report, I'll issue orders from there. Clark, please begin soldier training. Village chief, handle the village reinforcement. Miranda—"
Miranda responded as though to say she already knew what was coming.
"Traps, right? I think I can manage, but given the scale, you'll mostly just be directing. I did bring my tools, but the preparation alone will take a day."
I told her I had already factored that in and there was no problem.
"This will be the second round of trap placement—just need to finish before the Griffon shows up."
They had been using Hippogriffs to launch raids on the village with the Monsters.
First, the Hippogriffs would lead the Monsters in an assault on the village.
This gradual, squeezing approach reminded me of someone thoroughly unpleasant.
Of course, if this were a Dragon or something of that caliber, the village would be destroyed in an instant.
The Griffon's relative inaction might mean it was biding its time, building up its strength as well.
"For the reinforcement work, I'll have Novem and Clara participate too. Monica will help with field kitchens, so let's rotate meals and rest on a shift basis. Any objections?"
As I looked over everyone, one of the knights present spoke up.
"Ah, well... whose orders are we following exactly..."
The knight kept glancing over at Norma, but I cut in with a clear declaration.
"I'll be issuing orders as acting commander. All reports come to me."
The knight nodded, looking somewhat relieved.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"...Isn't this guy unsuitable as a commander?"
The Seventh Generation agreed.
"Well, he's exceptional in a different sense. A troublesome asset from the perspective of whoever has to use him, though."
Norma, standing there, averted her gaze.
(She really is exceptional in a different sense. But she doesn't seem to be handling things well.)
She could have advanced her career through some other method entirely...
With those thoughts running through my mind, I continued fielding questions.
Some were trivial, others showed a complete misunderstanding of the situation.
As I answered them and was then asked to explain the actual work procedures, things naturally shifted toward a hands-on approach at the site.
Watching this unfold, the Second Generation spoke.
"Wow... that's worrying."
Why did she sound so cheerful despite saying she was worried? That was the thought that crossed my mind from the Second Generation's bright tone.
Having borrowed a horse, I used my Skills to survey the entire village.
My approach was to watch over the village as work progressed, and rush in whenever a problem arose.
It would have been fine to wait at Central for reports, but since things had just gotten underway, there were more problems than anything.
Whenever I spotted a dispute, I would ride my horse to the scene.
Outside the walls they had built by driving in logs, they were digging trenches to create a difference in elevation.
The dirt was piled up against the wall side, also serving to reinforce it.
It was grueling manual labor, and the person causing trouble there was Novem.
The villagers had seen Novem's magic and were making a fuss.
"Why won't you do everything for us! We're in a hurry, the least you could do is that much!"
A scrawny man in ragged clothes was shouting, while those around him wore expressions of exasperation.
Novem explained.
"That is precisely why I cannot use my full power. I need to remain on standby for healing duties afterward, and I must conserve my mana—"
"You're just trying to slack off while everyone else does the work!"
Looking at the shouting man, he didn't exactly seem like a reasonable person.
That was when a small-statured man stepped forward.
Was he a gnome?
"Hey, you've just been standing around causing a ruckus instead of working. Could you maybe lend a hand? Besides, if you don't work, you won't get paid."
Even as an adult, the small gnome was tall for his kind at around one hundred and fifty centimeters. The scrawny man saw the young gnome and raised his voice even louder.
"Shut your mouth, you little gnome runt! Know your place and get back to work! Don't you dare talk back to a human! If this woman finishes the job faster, I'll get my pay too—"
I rode my horse up to the scrawny man, who was screaming so hard he was spitting.
"You won't be getting paid. Let me make this clear — Novem is also serving as an overseer. Pay will be distributed according to work performed, and I may add bonuses for good results. But if you go the other way, your pay gets cut."
When the scrawny man looked at me, he suddenly quieted down.
Then the young man from Nome wiped off the saliva the man had spat at him, muttering, "How gross."
"I was being serious... but this woman... Nome..."
As the man grumbled under his breath, I raised my voice.
"If you've got a complaint, take it up with me! If you don't feel like working, then stay out of the way and keep to yourself! And while you're at it, this area is the farthest behind. If you keep falling behind like this, there won't be any bonus pay."
The moment I said that, the villagers who had been watching scrambled to get back to work.
I was pitting them against each other in a race to see who could finish their work the fastest.
Ideally, I would have wanted to keep an eye on work quality too, but speed was what mattered right now.
"My apologies, Lord Lyle."
I dismounted and went over to Novem to check on the progress.
"Don't worry about it. For this stage, it's more than adequate."
As I said this, I was looking at the young man from Nome. I'd heard he had nimble fingers and spent his time in the village doing carpentry work.
The dwarven blacksmith was over at Miranda's location, digging the holes needed for the trap installations.
"I do wish I'd managed to win over one of the blacksmiths."
When I made that quip to Novem, she wore a somewhat troubled expression.
"I'd really appreciate it if you focused on the trap installations rather than that. Besides, we still need to have weapons prepared for us."
Crossbow bolts.
Spears.
Those were also on the list to be prepared.
"If the enemy attacks, retreat inside immediately. There's been no movement so far, but according to the village chief, they'll likely be here soon based on his instincts."
"I'll be careful. You be careful too, Lord Lyle."
"I know."
Having said that, I mounted the horse and used my Skills to survey the surrounding area.
The next place causing problems was Clara's.
(Nothing but problems everywhere.)
As I urged the horse forward, the Third Generation's voice reached me. His snickering, amused tone only made my irritation flare.
*"Come on, do your best. This kind of thing is fun to watch, you know?"*
The Fourth Generation chimed in.
*"When you know you're not responsible, it's not only easier, but you gain enough composure to actually see what's going on."*
The Fifth Generation, too.
*"Oh, I totally get that."*
(You guys...)
Leaving my thoroughly enjoying ancestors behind, I headed for Clara's location.
I had started working, and by the time the sun began to tilt toward the horizon—
I returned to Porter's place, dismounted, and called out to Norma, who was waiting there.
"Has anyone come?"
I already knew no one had reported in, but I struck up a conversation anyway.
Norma, looking thoroughly displeased, replied curtly.
"Nothing. That maid Monica, the one with her head stuck in the clouds—she brought your meal, though."
She had apparently brought soup in a wooden plate.
Having finished eating, Norma settled into a chair, looking thoroughly bored.
The Third Generation spoke.
"How about we assign this kid somewhere?"
The Seventh Generation refused.
"We already decided to keep her in a roaming role — rejected. Besides, Lyle is more active than expected, so isn't having her as a stand-in enough?"
The stand-in for me, a stand-in, is the actual captain—
Things are getting harder to make sense of.
While that was happening, Monica brought my meal. She had a plate on a tray and came running over with a smile.
Looking worried that she might trip, I watched as Monica approached and said:
"You thought I'd trip? Too bad! We can't let food go to waste."
Annoyed by her see-through attitude, I took the meal from Monica.
Having ridden a horse around the village, my meal had been delayed.
Looking at my meal, Norma said:
"Hey, my meal has different contents!"
Monica, collecting Norma's dishes, scoffed.
"So what? The ingredients were our own contribution."
Ignoring the smirking Monica and the frustrated Norma, I quickly finished my meal. Seeing this, the Seventh Generation:
"Lyle... she used to be such a well-mannered child."
The Second Generation was exasperated.
"Think about the time and place. This is a battlefield."
The Seventh Generation retorted.
"Whether it's a battlefield or not, House Walt is a baronial family! Their conduct matters!"
The Third Generation had the last word.
"...But Lyle isn't even a noble right now."
I listened to my ancestors' conversation as I finished my meal.
Monica was saying something about "eating so heartily... even that side of you..." but I ignored her and used my Skills.
If I didn't take breaks in between, I'd get worn out.
I watched Monica's back as she carried the dishes and returned to her post.
I checked on the village and the nearby woods with my Skills.
Then I scratched my head and stood up.
"...You could at least let me take a break."
When I drew my Saber, Norma jumped up from her chair in alarm, keeping her distance from me.
I tapped the Porter, and Shannon came out.
She'd come out yawning, so I gave her a light smack.
"That hurt!"
"Signal flare, now! Move it!"
Shannon scrambled to light the signal flare device she'd set up near the Porter.
After I had a simple spell ignite it, thick smoke rose into the sky.
"Hey! This stuff is killing me!!"
Watching Shannon cough her way back into the Porter, I thought to myself.
(She really is the picture of a "beautiful girl who's a total letdown.")
Norma stood there looking bewildered, but there was no denying she was a knight. She had already picked up her weapon the moment preparations for the signal fire began.
"About thirty of them are coming. A Hippogriff is leading them."
The number of Monsters commanding the group had been growing.
He had heard it used to be around ten.
(Attacking humans and absorbing their power… come to think of it, I read something like that in a book once.)
There were many mysteries surrounding the habits of Monsters.
Their possession of Magic Stones inside their bodies was one such puzzle, and their eating habits were another.
They attacked humans and beasts alike, yet they seemed to go far longer between meals than their size would suggest.
(Now's not the time to be mulling that over.)
I called out to Norma and climbed onto my horse.
Then I began explaining the situation to the messenger soldiers who had come running over.
Where were they approaching from?
How many?
What kind of Monsters?
I gave them all the information and issued instructions on how to move.
This was a chance for the knights and soldiers to earn their keep.
Rather than being tense, they looked more eager for the enemy to arrive at their positions as quickly as possible.
"You won't be dealing with the Hippogriff. Everything else is fair game. If you're attacked, fight back. Or you can run if you need to."
Once I finished issuing orders, the messengers headed back to their respective units.
The expedition force had always carried plenty of uncertainty when it came to facing a Hippogriff, but things were looking somewhat better now.
And then Marcus and Bread came running toward me.
"Lyle! They're saying Monsters appeared!"
Marcus seemed intent on fighting with his spear.
Bread wore a serious expression as well.
Seeing that, Norma muttered under her breath.
"...Hmph. As if you lot could win."
Once the trio I'd rescued gathered around, I gave my orders.
"The Hippogriff will enter the village. If things get dangerous, evacuate to Porter's location."
Bread spoke up.
"I can't run away from here! I have to earn some kind of achievement!"
He looked desperate, so I didn't push any further.
I picked up the bow strapped to my back and drew an arrow from the quiver. I'd been carrying the explosive arrows myself since they were limited in number.
I had considered giving them to Clark, but there hadn't been time to test them with a crossbow, so I'd held off.
As I looked toward the grove where the Griffon was, I spotted the Hippogriff rising up from it.
Goblins poured out of the forest, following the Hippogriff.
"It would've been easier if they'd brought Orcs out too."
I'd wanted to thin out their forces here, but it didn't look like that was going to happen.
The village erupted into commotion all at once.
They'd apparently been skeptical about the signal fire, but now that Monsters were actually invading, everyone was scrambling to evacuate in earnest.
"With this, the real thing should go smoothly enough."
Marcus said, looking at me.
"This is the real deal, isn't it? This counts."
I shook my head.
"How well we win this fight will shape things going forward."
Hearing my words, the Sixth Generation spoke up.
"You've learned to talk the talk. But don't let your guard down."
I gripped the Jewel and watched the monsters' movements.
(From a location perspective, it's Aria.)
—The monsters that had attacked Geoni Village were blocked by the reinforced walls and couldn't break through.
Soldiers and knights attacked them with crossbows and spears, reducing their numbers.
But that didn't apply to the Hippogriff flying in the sky.
It dove into the village, sending one soldier flying as it searched for prey.
Its front legs had eagle talons.
It was clutching one soldier and refusing to let go.
The grabbed soldier, sent flying and squeezed with immense force, was coughing up blood as the talons bit into him.
Around them, knights and soldiers with spears were surrounding the Hippogriff.
Even though they stood to profit, the knights and soldiers were backing away from its form, which was a size larger than a horse.
It was then that Aria burst onto the scene.
Gripping a spear and having removed her buckler, she lunged at the Hippogriff.
"Show me you can fly properly while still holding on!"
She closed the distance in an instant and drove her spear straight into the Hippogriff.
But perhaps its eyes were sharp, because the Hippogriff was already pulling back, trying to take flight immediately.
It flung the soldier it had been gripping, and its companions rushed over.
Aria immediately hurled a knife, but without Miranda's level of skill, the Hippogriff easily dodged it.
Spreading its wings and taking to the air, the Hippogriff let out a shrill cry from its eagle head, like a bird calling out.
Just as it locked onto Aria and moved to strike, Aria laughed.
"Don't underestimate humans."
The moment the Hippogriff tried to build momentum in the air, everyone evacuated from the area.
The net didn't make it in time.
But that wasn't the only option available.
They hurled stones tied to both ends of a cord at the Hippogriff.
Thrown using centrifugal force, most of them missed, but one struck the Hippogriff's head directly, and another wrapped around its left wing, dragging it down to the ground.
The Hippogriff quickly shook off what had entangled it, but Aria was not about to let that opening slip by.
Aria's Jewel glowed, forcing the use of a Skill.
She drove her spear into its head and pinned the thrashing Hippogriff straight into the ground, sealing it there.
That feat of raw strength was not something you'd expect from a girl.
She was truly a warrior.
"With that cute face of hers…"
"Stop trying to talk to her."
"She's drenched in blood, isn't she?"
Aria, who had impaled her spear and was now drenched in the splattered blood of the rampaging hippogriff, had everyone around her completely dumbfounded.
(Really, and they call themselves Central knights… bunch of softies.)
Aria checked that the hippogriff had stopped moving, then pulled out a towel and wiped her face clean.
Soldiers and villagers came to retrieve the tools she had hurled, each one asking Aria for confirmation.
"Um, um… what about our contributions?"
Aria answered with a smile.
And yet the soldiers all flinched, letting out startled gasps.
"Don't worry, I'll put in a good word with Lyle for you. Next time too, please."
"Y-yes!"
The tools were collected, and the knights and soldiers went to inspect the hippogriff's corpse.
Once they confirmed it was truly dead, one of them sprinted off as a messenger.
"Now then, let's see how things are outside…"
Looking around at that thought, she saw knights and soldiers who had been pressed against the wall dealing with other monsters had also gathered over to look at the hippogriff.
(Is it over? One injured person…)
A soldier was being carried away on a stretcher fashioned from a removed door.
Judging from the wounds that Novem could likely handle, Aria pulled her spear from the hippogriff's body.
Gazing at the creature — an eagle's torso fused with a horse's lower half — Aria felt satisfied with her handiwork.
(But stepping up to a Griffon would be a whole different beast, wouldn't it?)
Based on the feeling when the spear pierced through, if the skull had been just a bit harder—
Aria found herself lost in thoughts like these.
She couldn't very well call him "Miss" anymore.
Lael came galloping up on horseback to where Aria was checking her weapons.
Behind him trailed Marcus and Bread, who slumped their shoulders in disappointment upon confirming the fight was already over.
(Were there any injured, I wonder?)
Lael dismounted and offered Aria some words of praise.
"You don't seem to be hurt. Good — I'm glad you're safe. But still, that was practically a single strike, wasn't it?"
Aria wiped the blood away as she spoke.
It was a short reply, but her voice sounded pleased.
"R-really? Well, I have been growing stronger, you know."
Lael looked around and ordered the wounded knights and soldiers to fall back.
He then left the task of filling the gap to Marcus and Bread.
The two of them looked less than thrilled.
Watching them trudge reluctantly toward the wall, Aria spoke up.
"…Lael."
"Hm?"
"Was I really that bad back then?"
At that, Lael broke into a grin.
"Yeah, you were. You had this whole 'standing guard or doing easy jobs is beneath me' attitude, and it showed. You made it pretty clear you wanted more important work. Not quite as blatant as those two, though."
Aria glared at Lael, who was laughing.
"Don't spell it out like that! I've already reflected on it, you know!"
Lael's expression softened into a gentle smile.
"Well, then, isn't that fine? Right now it can still be brushed off as a joke. I mean, I can't say what'll happen with those two, though."
It couldn't be brushed off as a joke. That was the kind of situation where all that was left was the regret of "if only I'd taken things seriously back then."
Lyle—whose arm had been lost and body scarred by burns—came to mind, the second adventurer who had trained her, and Aria's expression grew serious.
Aria didn't miss the slightly lonely look on Lael's face when he admitted he hadn't signed on to educate both of them.
Then Lael spoke again.
"I've got hot water ready for the injured, so you should go wipe yourself down. Oh, and one more thing."
"One more thing?"
While she was wondering if there was still something else, Lael said, with genuine worry in his voice:
"...It's not just our group around here, so you'd better not wander around naked like Aramsass."
"I-I wasn't walking around naked!"
The knights, soldiers, and villagers watching the two flirt with each other commented among themselves.
"I can't get excited about a woman covered in blood."
"That woman's a beast, but that man's a beast in a whole different way."
"Adventurers, or women who are knights or soldiers—just not worth it..."
When Aria glared at the ones running their mouths, they bolted on the spot—