Chapter 115 Monsters attack

Since more than a week ago, around Hornest were soldiers on scout duty, looking out for a monster attack.

Lookouts at the great distance from the town were to send a signal into the sky at the signs of the approaching wave. In other words, it’s not like monsters will be coming into the town five minutes later.

But what was frightening is what the signals were shot from every direction. It was the same in the past history, during the onslaught, monsters somehow would attack from all four sides. It’s terrifying because even monsters of the sea are coming.

There is no way for monsters to discuss and agree on the day of the attack. In that case, is there a monster in command? Otherwise, it’s impossible to explain how they can attack all at once.

Anyway, we dash at the full speed to the training area. Many soldiers were already gathered, Emma and others also were there so we join up with them. Surprisingly, everyone is calm.

The same was true for the soldiers, no one who would panic came to the training area. It was due to the everyday preparations. General Stay gives an order.

「Listen well. The day finally came. From now, we will be executing our strategy. Everyone, promptly get to your posts!」

Soldiers start moving. As we are a squadron, we are relatively free in positioning.

First, where is the largest road, we move to the commercial area that had a large population and perform evacuation guidance.

There are many people who are still yet to escape, such as stall owners for example, since people who keep their belonging outside won’t just run away leaving them.

We also help with the cleanup.

「Hey, there is a lost child, so I will go and search for her mother.」

「I leave it to you, Emma.」

There also were people who were injured in panic from the first sounds of the bell. Luna-san provides them healing.

A several dozen minutes have passed since the signal and the majority already took shelter, however, there also were those with physical impairments, so the number of people still remaining on the streets was a bit large. Also, a number of people run through the street as if escaping from something.

「Help us, harpies and other demons came over there!」

Flying monsters that guard towers could not stop, come into the town. Most likely outside of the town already began retaliation under the command of the general.

「Everyone, let’s go!」

「Okay! Good luck! 」

The five of us run in the direction of the enemy. Near the south gate, there is a person caught by purple harpies that’s about to be lifted into the sky…!

「I won’t let you!」

Without any delay, Luna-san fire the magic gun. The shot goes through the base of the leg and prevents the abduction of that man. According to our training, we swiftly perform our own duties.

Close combat types, move around while protecting people. I take out Leaping Magic Bow and adjust my vision a little. I pull the bowstring and aim for a flying harpy.

「Gyueh?!」

I knocked one down without any difficulty. I can easily hit them! Most likely it’s the results of going through Lyrica-san’s training. By no means the enemies were weak. On the contrary, their movements are even faster than those of the purple harpies from the other day.

「Ah, it’s too far so they avoid!」

Because of the distance, they almost never get hit by Emma’s【Wind Strike】.

「HAAAAAA.」

「GYUO?!」「GIE.」「GYah…」

But, as expected they are completely powerless before Luna-san’s【Speed Shot】 .

It didn’t take long to dispose of ten opponents. However, enemies still keep coming, flying over the gates. Even now, seven or eight hawk monsters flew past us, completely ignoring us.

「Let’s chase.」

We move swiftly. At that time, Laura-san uttered a question.

「Why monsters want to come inside…? They particularly often fly towards the center.」

「Do they have an aim?」

This presents us with an idea, that they simply attack humans on the way due to their nature or instincts.

「Help me, someone!」

A scream comes from the back street. What should we do, are there other monsters besides hawks…? But I don’t see any flying monsters in the sky over there.

「What will you do, Noir?」

「Emma and Luna-san keep chasing Hawks. Us three will go and help over there.」

Acting leader-like I gave instructions and we split into two groups. Layla-san and Laura-san alone would have a hard time dealing with flying enemies if there were any, so I go with them.

A back street with houses and old stores lined up, several soldiers are lying on the ground. Some even had their heads cut off and were spilling blood on the ground. Five, no, six people stand back to back with swords in their hands.

「Please, save us.」

「Where is the enemy?」

「It’s in the shadows! Several of them still lurking there.」

Shadows you say, but this whole area is covered in the shadows from the buildings… Carefully observing surroundings I get an idea. If I activate【Appraisal Eye】it will react if there is an enemy.

Name: Shadow ghoul
Level: 88
Skills: Shadow Weave, Sharp Claws

It’s really there! Moreover, it’s quite strong. It’s hiding using a skill. Bit by bit I close the distance… A scream comes from behind me.

「Kya.」

A humanoid monster appeared from the ground behind Laura-san. At first glance, it appears human, but it had pitch-black skin like it was burned to crisp, and blood-red eyes. Furthermore, it had three strangely developed nails, which it tried to use to cut Laura-san.

She tried to raise the hatchet of divine punishment that I gave her, but her opponent was faster. It’s bad, it’s bad…

「…Fuh!」

A short breathing noise is heard, and the head of the ghoul pops off With a smooth movement, worthy of a master, Layla-san hit it with her fist.

The reason for the outrageous destructive power was magic power put in【Magic Fist】, I guess. As expected of her. Then, she turned to me and shouted.

「Noir-kun, behind you!」

「Heh?」

Damn, I completely forgot about this guy. The claws that came at me with the horizontal swing I barely manage to guard with my sword. However, the power behind them was too much and I get blown away, crashing into the wall body first.

I’m overwhelmed by pain, but I have no time for that. A new ghoul floats up to me and tries to finish me off. So it was hiding, it’s going to get me…

「Hey, what are you doing to Noir-kun!」

With great vigor Laura-san rushed to the ghoul and swung down the hatchet on it in a straight vertical line.

「Guh…」

Ghoul leaks out a muffled shriek. It seems that being cut in two kills it instantly.

The one that hurt me was defeated by Layla-san using【Shukuchi】a technique that allows instantly close a distance with an enemy.

「Yo-you saved me.」

「Are you injured? You crashed quite heavily.」

「I’m fine. If Laura-san didn’t come to my help, I would be dead.」

「The enemy was scary and my body didn’t move as I want it, but seeing you in danger I’ve got an amazing power.」

Smiling Laura-san looks shining to me. In fact, even from a monster’s point of view, her power is scary.

The soldiers say that there were two or three more ghouls, but they aren’t showing at all. I can’t see anything with appraisal, did they ran away after realizing they cannot win? Unexpectedly, they also have some degree of intelligence.

Anyway, seriously injured people must be taken to a treatment center. The soldiers carry and we move while guarding them.

As we were walking along the main road, a huge shadow suddenly covered us, making me raise my head.

「…You kidding…」

I was almost ready to fall into despair. For the reason, that above us was an obviously powerful dragon.