Inma no Hado Chapter 86

Monster Musume chapter 46: And the war begins

At the school back entrance where the wagons stop, the same amount of people as yesterday came over with their baggages. People who have big weapons put the baggages on the carriage and board. Ruu flies with Lime on her back, while I travel side by side with the carriage with Rin. 

As soon as the preparations are over, the carriages departed immediately. Because whether a decision may be shaken, there is no seeing off. Did everybody finish it during yesterday? Because there is not a single person looking back towards the academy.

Even if they drive the carriages fast, it takes one week to the north castle that is the meeting place of the military. If we are attacked by robbers on the way, it wouldn't be a problem if it's a small group. However, when we become tired because of the long journey, it is not possible to fight without getting injured. To be on a safe tile, it is supposed that we stay at a town neatly at night. 

If I'm not attacked by devil beasts, I can move freely. Because I shake plenty on Rin, I can't write talismans and it takes time to recover when my magic is consumed too much. So I decided to continue training my devil hands from the time of summer vacation.

Yes, I have understood that this skill evolved, because the skill seems to grow and to increase. After the heroes returned, there was a check of my magic amount and skills, at that time, a new skill has been acquired and its effect has strengthened the skill that has already been acquired. Of course it's a matter, where nobody is surprised. About the skill, I checked what kind of effect it has and well I knew that the devil's hand gradually strengthens the control of magic. 

The skill that I acquired newly is talisman art. For combat I used weapons and attack magic for a long time, so how will it be with talisman art. Do I have the talent....? Well, recently only talismans are used, because they are more convenient.

The amount of my magic has increased considerably, too and has expanded up to the average extent of my age group. There is an awareness in this place that my usable magic increased obviously. Rather it would be dangerous if it didn’t increase.... If it didn’t increase, I wouldn't be even able to use a diamond.

My current skills are devil's hand, caress and my support magic, which seems to have developed fairly. Since I understood that I grew up, I want to strengthen it steadily. 

Let's get back to the current story. With the training of the devil hands that I perform, I feel the magic included in the atmosphere and I can manipulate it. Well, the point is even if I come to feel it at last, it isn't a thing which can be understood several years later how to handle it....

The ability of the devil's hand, let me handle the magic power of whichever I touch directly with my hand. Then can I also handle the magical power in the air? With this idea, I challenge it. I don't know the atmospheric composition of this world, but the composition of the atmosphere certainly exist here, because I can recognize it clearly. The atmosphere seems to be filled with the magic which is the energy of the earth and I thought because I found out that the ability of the devil hands was also rising, it could be done surprisingly easily...I think that my view was fairly too optimistic.

I have begun to grasp it first from the place where the atmosphere is. Even if it is revealed that it exist in my brain no matter how much, the sense of its existence is thin. The first time to grasp it, needs approximately 1-2 months. It went well even here and although it took time, I understood that it was certain that the sense of its existence was thin and possible to touch. The next problem is to feel magic in the air.  

I always feel Ruu’s magical power, because the magical power that a creature has, has a considerably big density. Even as for me who was still poor at using the devil hands can feel it usually. 

But the atmospheric magical power is a different story. Its density is low and more overwhelming than the one inside of a body. 

Well, I expected it to some extent. Since it is the energy of the earth, it is natural that it is thin because it spread all over the world. 

That's why, I needed several months to feel the magic in the air. And now, I can feel the thin magic in the air. Exactly like the feeling that I grip the clouds, surprisingly, this sense resembles the magic of the creature. Because I'm able to feel it, I intend to use it this time. 

That's why, I try to feel the magic in the air while riding on Rin...uh, and it is absolutely more difficult than feeling magic! With the magical power of an creature, I shouldn't think that it is a complete different thing.... 

Without being attacked by devil beasts and robbers, we arrive at the departure point of the army according to schedule. A large number of tents are pitched and people with various appearances are coming and going. Everyone was wearing an armor and polishing their swords with a heavy face. 

"I meet the person in charge of this army now. Everybody please go to the given place with the teachers. And teachers, please take care not to make a commotion" Principal 

After she said so, the principal walked away with a person who came to pick her up. As for us, we followed after the teachers who guided us. 

On the way many eyes are fixed on us. The most have surprised and pitiful eyes. For a child to participate in a war, it is nothing else than a tragedy.... 

We are taken in front of two big tents, where we were ordered to wait according to the guards here until there were other instructions. Ruu and the others are waiting outside. What shall I do...shall I write some talismans? If I don't have some at the time for battle, it will be a big problem. Perhaps, after this, the strategy might be explained. Till then, I will write as much as possible. 

After approximately one hour passed, the principal came back. She is accompanied by the person who came to receive us a short while ago. That person, will he explain the strategy? 

“Everyone assemble! I will explain our strategy now!" 

It seems that he has already told the girls somehow. Entering the tent one after another, the tent was full in no time. By the way, what kind of strategy is it? 

"This time, I have you participate in this strategy. As for me, I'm the kingdom's first knight adviser chief Linkrudo. Now, I explain the strategy to everybody" Linkrudo

"All members, hear it carefully. If you don't understand the strategy, we will fail in the succeeding of that strategy!"

All faces are tightened. Well, what kind of strategy is it.... 

"This time, the mixed military unit of adventurer and the employed mercenaries attracts the enemy, while we, the knight`s order and the heroes go through the gap that they made and defeat the boss of our enemies. Because the demon beasts excel in numbers, a long war is disadvantageous and because there are few chances of victory even if we prolong too much, we need to fight it out with a short-term decisive battle” 

Well, it is a proper judgment. Reinforcements from other countries doesn't seem to have come and even if it's judged from the side of goods, a short-term decisive battle will be best. With the heroes and their weapons for the final battle, the problem of firepower can be settled. The problem will be the main enclosure. 

"Is there a question?" Linkrudo

"Yes, what is it?" Principal

"If we defeat the main enclosure of the enemy, I heard that more than one demon will appear according to some information. If there are several bosses, how do you deal with them?"

"At that time, other corps buy time until the heroes knock them down” 

In short the hope lies in the heroes. It became uneasy at a stretch.... 

"For every one of the academy, you will be in charge of guarding the magician corps. Although the adventurer and mercenaries units try to knock down as much as possible, I think that the devil beast which aren't knocked down try to break through by all means. The magicians are here to try to protect the other military units, while they protect the magicians when they cast large-scale assault magic. Please obey the instructions of the teachers in charge of your unit" 

Uuh, is this strategy going to be okay. I'm worried variously.... I mean I admit that this plan is good, however in this one month, did the heroes become stronger suddenly? Well, that won't be the strategy if it isn't so and otherwise they wouldn't use it. 

Carrying out the strategy tomorrow, the demon's troops already seem to have occupied the fortress and are going to invade the capital straight. Although there seems to be great numbers and the speed isn't very fast, they can't be left alone. It will be an urgent situation and there won't be time to wait for reinforcements at all. 

And after the allocated place is told to every teacher, Linkrudo returned. In preparation for tomorrow, I will sleep early today. 

In the early morning of the next day, the military leaves the camping ground and towards the north where the demons are.  Even when we advance for about several hours, the adventurers who are going to scout visually recognizes the group of demons. Setting our headquarters at this place, we take out battle formation and confront the demons on the plains.

The devil beasts greatly open aside and gradually come close. We on the other hand, take our wedge-shaped battle formation to break through the center at a stretch. When the battle starts, the heroes and knight corps crash into the enemy lines center, the adventurer and mercenary corps attracts the enemy and try not to be circled. The magician corps at the back tries to protect the center. 

My unit is arranged around the rear left of the wedge and we try to guard the magician corps as planned. The adventurer and the mercenaries are taking a stance at the center, while the academy teachers and students are placed where the enemy doesn't comparatively come. The principal and the teacher for magic seem to be in charge of the magician corps. 

“...Finally"

“Although the battle begins soon, you need to calm down very much"

"Is that so? Even if this is considerably tense, this is my first battle"

"I have participated in a large-scale subjugation of the guild, but this is also my first battle.... The atmosphere isn't much of a difference from a large-scale subjugation. Aren't you afraid of war?"

"I´m scared. However, I'm visible afraid and my revelation doesn't stick to my familiars. They feel scarier than me. In such a place, I can't be afraid”

"I see...do you fight on the back of your familiar as usual?"

"No, because it seem to be dangerous this time, I devote myself to a long-distance attack. When I'm with them, everyone can't take out their full strength"

“If that's the case, please don't get away so much. With just you alone, they're too unreliable"

"I understand it, I don't intend to die here" 

The devil beasts gradually approach. When they’re seen from here, they are like wriggling black shadows. The next moment when I thought like that, 

『GAAAAAAAAA！！！！！！』

the devil beasts made a roar and begin to run at us at a stretch. We raise a loud voice so that the front-row soldiers jump out and oppose them, while the magician corps begin to cast their magic immediately. I also place talismans between my fingers and throw them out as always. As for Ruu she goes into an action posture. Yosh...I will survive absolutely.  

Author note: With battle formations, is it such a feeling? Because it's been written roughly, it may be strange in various ways.

War, Relative safety, familiars and separate action. There are many people who have already read the development, too.

Monster Musume chapter 47: Suddenly, Tsuchio in danger!

After the demon beasts collided with our military forces, hours have passed. Flame arrows, screams and the roar of the devil beasts flew around the area. This aspect describes exactly how chaotic it was.

We were placed at the back of the magician corps, where the devil beasts who slipped through will attack the center, and our job is to obstruct them. We can't let them come close to the magicians. Our battle formation may be too offensive. When the battle began, It started at an early time.

Everywhere devil beasts fight against soldiers. A gap-like space opens, rock and sticks fly out from the ground, a boulder lump lays oneself on the ground... So that you can see that it was an intense battle.

In the middle of that space, there are the silhouettes of two people. One of them was floating in mid-air while the other shadow grips the neck of that person with one hand. The person who was floating has his left arm bent outward, the flesh on his sides was scraped off and blood drips down from his clothes. You can see that he is covered all over with wounds, but his fighting spirit doesn't seem to have declined yet.

“...You're still opposing me. I'm not a guy who knows that it's hopeless" Demon

The appearance of the fellow who is lifting the person was strange but fits the appearance of a living being. He has dark red skin, like dried blood that hung on to something. From the wide side of his head, one pair of twisted horns like a demon sprouted. His upper-body is covered with jet-black bristles, which wouldn't be even cut with an ordinary sword. The lower half of his body are goat legs and his considerable power is kept a secret, though it is thin on the surface this is definitely a demon and its intelligence seems to be high because he can speak human language, which not many demons can.

"GohoGoho! ...Because there is no chance, without fighting, it wouldn't be a reason to kill you" demon

“Is this person as weak as a scarecrow? I don't understand” Demon

“You wouldn't understand your entire life, idiot!” Tsuchio

“What kind of person are you, to be killed by such a fool?” Demon

"It hasn't been decided that I'm dead" Tsuchio

Tsuchio who is lifted up as his neck can still talk. His internal organs are probably damaged because whenever he talks with the demon he is vomiting blood. And his figure doesn't appear that he is going to be killed soon.

“...I like your eyes. There is still a secret to your plan, so show it quickly. You're weaker than the guys whom I fought so far and those fights were entirely worth it. Hey, I can wait so do it already" Demon

When the demon includes the power to Tsuchio´s arm, the cervical vertebrae scream creakily and while Tsuchio´s consciousness is about to fade away, and goes back to the time when the war started.

＜Tsuchio´s side＞

In the place where the magician corps, several magic spells are cast at the same time and echo. Apparently, the unit wants to cast large-scale magic immediately. Well even if they want to, their opinion might not be wrong.

In the front, the battle seems to have started already and the devil beasts haven't broken through to our place yet. Because it's an oblong wedge, we must be careful about any attacks that will come from the side. But preceding, when we assume that they would attack....

"The devil beasts come!!!" Magician

When I look up at the sky, plural birds-like and insect-like monsters fly to our place. After all, they attack from the top. While the ground devil beasts seem to have gotten close to the center, it will be only a matter of time until they come here. The magicians already begin to cast magic, however, they can't strike them down. Those who have a bow equipped shot their arrows with the result that it isn't so fragrant. For now, I'll have Rin knock them down. She doesn't have any problem because they looked like small fishes in her eyes.

"Rin, I ordered you to go to the sky. Reduced their numbers after you're done, please go around to support Ruu" Tsuchio

“Bururuu!” Rin

Rin runs up to the sky and scatters a thunder arrow on the vicinity. The devil beasts which were going to attack at any moment received the thunder arrow and crashed to the ground. The decisive blow is given to the students. However, I didn't move. An enemy was coming soon, this is because Ruu and Lime sensed it. ...Yosh, the last confirmation.

"A larger number of monsters are approaching. If it is necessary to reduce the number even a little, everyone can act separately. If you meet a demon or a powerful enemy, I will know about it through our connection and I'll come to your aid" Tsuchio

“Gururu”

“...Koku”

Although everybody objected, they would understand that such a thing couldn't be opposed, seeing the quantity of our enemy. They accepted it immediately.

"Devil beasts come from the front! Everyone, hold your weapon! By all means, act in pairs or in groups!"

At last the demon beasts approach us and our battle starts. Sasha-sensei pulls out her sword, and she summons her Garm pack who were in attacking mode.

When I start the battle, talismans came out of my sleeve and fit between my fingers without my intention. After acquiring the talisman art skill, the talismans started to move on their own selfishly to my hand. It isn't necessary anymore to move my hand into my bosom purposely and because some of my openings decreased, it's a convenient and subtle function. Thank you.

And at this moment the adventurers and teachers who were in the front row started the battle with the monsters. The students follow behind with a bit of delay.

Still, our purpose is to guard because our duty is to defend the magician unit. Therefore only a part of us goes out to the front and fight, while those who remained behind the stick in front of the magicians and stop the enemy from passing.

I, in charge of the guarding role, while Ruu, Rin, and Lime belong to those who go out to the front and fight. Now while everything ahead is suppressed, they will come and attack here all at once. 

While thinking, several goblin-like monsters passed through the previous defense line and approach us. While I am wondering whether my fifth-grade seniors will move out, I throw out my talismans. They stick to the head of those goblins without aiming badly and immediately fell down on their places.

Huu, because they looked like small fishes, was the talismans with strengthened penetration power okay? Somehow, more than half of the devil beasts consisted of small fry. Even if their numbers are large and in the place where such 1000 fellows are gathered around Ruu, no wound was inflicted.

"When the enemy comes, those who needs to leave, move out! Those who should stay, defend the unit!" Sasha-sensei

"Un, Understood!"

Afterward, the devil beasts come over one after another. Small fishes like the goblins at the beginning were defeated, while gradually stronger monsters appear to attack us.

When I defeated the goblins with the talismans, big, fat and pig-like monsters approached. Orcs are stupid and have propagative power, but they're are strongly at the same power level as goblins. When they come as a group, they can be stupid for a moment and one of the most annoying fellows.

Such fellows came over in a group of ten. There is a fellow who seems to be stronger than the others, he probably will be a high-rank orc or something which evolved. Let's reduce their number with range attacks.

Several newly made talismans which I took out are thrown sidewise in front of the orc group. They just pierce the ground, while the ground upheaves suddenly like a pillar and encloses the orcs.

My newest talismans attack by raising the ground. I imagined it to be pillars, while this time they become spears. Purposely attacking them by using nothing other than talismans, reduce the consumption of my magical power to a little. The concrete image is alchemy and instead of putting hands together, I use talismans.

Being stabbed in the stomach and in the face by the rock pillars, the orcs writhe in agony because the spears have gone out of the side, they bear damage unless they retreated or exchanged it. The orcs whose number decreased were defeated by the students. As for that high-rank orc, I think that I could knock it down with no problem in particular.

Next big mantises came. There is one whose leg was wounded and while suffering such an injury he seems all right, therefore we shouldn't underestimate the vitality of insects. I attack it as if I didn't have any problem at all.

While dodging the sickles which swung around, I throw out talismans when I got the chance. I cut its leg, but it still has the vitality to continue fighting. This must be a joke, I can't neutralize it. It ís a waste of talismans, however, let's knock it down with one hit though it's a little troublesome.

An image is formed, while I select a talisman. Tentatively, I divide between offense and defense. The first talismans I made are an exception because they create a wall that can also be used for an attack. It is originally for defense.

The pattern of the offensive talismans are pentagrams, if I say onmyoji, it's that design because it shows the conflict between the five attributes tree, fire, soil, gold, and water, it is easy to acquire the image of the attributes. Well, even a talisman of the semantic domain can be done. The feeling of acceptance is difference than I intend to do.

One talisman is thrown out and it blazes up in the air, before taking on the figure of a bee and flies to that mantis. Slipping through its sickles which were dumped to intercept it, it collides with the head of the mantis. That instant, a big explosion was caused and the head was blown off.

For now, the name of this talisman is fire-bee. Literally, it's is a bee made of fire who when in contact shines then explodes, making it a suicide attack. The image is slightly difficult, however, there is no problem if it doesn't work. I don’t have experience the imagination of a modern day Otaku, nevertheless, I only have that as a weapon!

For the time being, I let the talisman explode when it touch the target and I had no confidence that it would hit the head well. Even if the sickles are blown off or if its chest and abdomen are shattered, the mantis wouldn't die it’s because the fire bee aims by itself selfishly. It's a masterpiece. 

I think that Ruu is also fighting firmly because I see that the monsters in her surrounding are blown away. After Rin defeated the devil beasts in the sky, she seems to be firing magic blindly since coming down to the ground. Although all of it have a low power and low consumption rate, it's enough to stop our enemies. I don't know where Lime is, however she will fight somewhere too. By using the connection of our magical power, I understand that nobody is hurt. In a condition like this case, can we manage to come through...? 

Suddenly, a dense energy is gathered at the back. When I look back unconsciously, a big magic formation is generated under the feet of the magician unit and a huge fireball formed in the air. Is that a group magic spell...? The amount of magic used is extremely different indeed. What kind of attack will it make....?

The fireball that came out to the air fell slowly. Do they intend to open a gap for the heroes, I want them to think about this a little....

The vast fireball which fell to the ground released an enormous heat capacity that is hidden inward and an explosion that is only proportional to the long casting and magical power arises.

The earth trembles by the impact and the heat can be felt from here which should be far away. To the impact of an earthquake, all members who were at that place kneeled down on the ground... If there is such magic, can we win in margin?

Ah, most of the magicians are exhausted, it must be a quite high ranked magic spell. Although it is a considerable big number of people, everyone is running out of magical power... However, a road was opened. Now we only need to defeat the boss.

"The gap for the heroes is open! The flow is suitable here! Magician corps cut your present magic! And protect us!"

『Oooo!!!』

The flow is certainly here, but is it just my imagination to think that our enemies were too weak? Are the strong ones collected in the back? ...Uh, It will be surely so and it will prove that there's something very important in the interior. No wonder that they were missing out. the heroes can defeat the boss quickly and our damage will be suppressed. Will it go well...?

Just after that, something falls from the sky and drops between the magician corps. The ground greatly cracks and the magicians who were running out of magic sank down and were blown off by the impact. 

“Hey hey, I intended to welcome you because you guys wanted to release an extra-large magic with much effort... So what, are you already worn-out?"

The demon who looks like a devil with his twisted horns and red body kicks and complains about magician corpses while flying. That is a demon... bristled upper-body, strong arms and goat legs. If I judge it from its devil-like appearance, it's an all-around type who is good with magic and close combat. As for Ruu... It's useless because she is surrounded by enemies. Those devil beasts are trying to obstruct her...!

"Isn't there a guy who has the bone....? You over there”

“Hii!”

The demon points at a male student who was near me.

"Fight with me for a moment. You won't have to die if I am killed"

“A, A, Aaa..."

The demon walks towards that fellow. Whenever it moves forward with one step, he is overwhelmed by its force. It's magic isn't such a cheap problem. That male student is scared and seems to grow weak because of the demon approaching him. However, I have to move or he will certainly die. I'll die if I don't fight. Then... Let's fight.

“Hey, I'll do it"

"Hmm, is it so? You may go. Hmm, come here then"

“Aa”

I follow the demon. On this occasion, it seems that I guarded the other students and magicians.

"You may have the first move, come"

“...”

Obviously, there is a big difference between each other's ability, however, to be a match for the demon I need Ruu... however even if I howl to the moon, it's worthless. My purpose is to play for time, so let's do what I can do until Ruu arrives. Delay it with all my might... I can't die here!

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Author note: I wrote this chapter in recollection style, so how was it? It goes by the frame.

Chapter end