Volume 7, Chapter 22 – The Assault

After buying plenty of spices, we stopped by a dried fruit shop and picked up some dried figs, dried dates, and pistachios, which were said to be a local specialty.

Just as we were happily munching on grilled meat skewers, our guards suddenly sprang into action.

“Huh? Did something happen?”

“I don’t sense any bloodlust nearby, but…”

“Onee-sama! These dried figs are delicious! Here!”

“Oh, you’re right. They are delicious.”

I popped the dried fig Lu-chan offered me into my mouth, and as I chewed, a blend of sweetness and a hint of tartness spread across my palate. These might be perfect for snacks.

“Fiene-dono…”

Shizuku-san was looking at me with a deadpan stare.

Eh? I mean, they’re delicious.

“Saint-sama, I apologize for interrupting while you’re enjoying your shopping, but we’ve received word that a swarm of monsters is approaching the town. I’m sorry, but we must ask you to evacuate.”

“Eh? But if it’s monsters, we could—”

“Fiene-sama. We also have Sara-sama with us. I believe it would be best for you to evacuate for the time being.”

“No, while I am not on the level of Saint-sama, I can at least fight well enough to protect myself! Please, do as your heart desires, Saint-sama!”

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“Sara-san… In that case, let’s head to the city wall. I should be able to cast Healing Magic from there. Please lead the way!”

I made the request to the guard who had come to report.

“No, but…”

“Haha. It is best to let Saint-sama do as she pleases.”

“Even Khalid-dono! Oh, honestly. Very well. I will guide you. But listen, you must absolutely not go outside the city walls, understood?”

“Thank you very much.”

And so, we headed toward the west side of the town where the attack was occurring—the direction of the desert.

◇ ◇ ◇

“Hmm. That’s quite a number.”

“Indeed it is. With a scale like that, could it be a Monster Stampede that struck without warning?”

“For a stampede, aren’t there too many different types of monsters mixed in?”

“True enough.”

Shizuku-san and I looked out over the desert stretching to the west from atop the city walls.

Rеaⅾ оո ΚαtRеаdіոɡСаfе

To my eyes, in addition to those Yellow Scorpi, lizard-like things and mouse-like things were approaching, and cacti were running toward us.

Now, when I say cacti were running, I don’t mean it as a metaphor. They literally had two legs and were sprinting toward us with perfect form, like athletes running the 100-meter dash.

It was a truly surreal sight.

“Saint-sama. You can see them from this distance?”

Sara-san asked me, looking surprised.

“I can. I’ve always been confident in my eyesight.”

“I-I see. As expected of Saint-sama.”

Yep. I am a Vampire, after all.

“Khalid-san, do Monster Stampedes in this country usually consist of various monsters attacking together?”

“No. Normally, a Higher Species of the same lineage leads them, but…”

“Hmm. In that case, is it the same pattern as Airoll? Was there any report of the monster population increasing?”

“I have heard no such thing from the guards.”

So it’s a different pattern from Airoll. Then, is it possible that the Demon Race is pulling the strings behind the scenes this time, or perhaps the Black Rainbow Empire has invaded?

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While I was thinking about this, the figures of the monsters gradually grew larger.

“However, according to the reports, there are 700 Yellow Scorpi, 600 Desert Mouse, 400 Poison Lizard, and 300 Paralysis Cactus.”

Hmm, so that’s roughly two thousand monsters. That’s quite a force.

This town isn’t that large, and there probably aren’t that many soldiers defending it.

As I watched with that thought in mind, the city gates opened and the soldiers began their charge into the monster swarm.

Now, I wonder how this will go?

Since they aren’t my personal guards, I doubt they’d resort to a suicidal strategy…

…

…

…

…there was a time when I actually thought that.

Oh, for goodness’ sake!

Why are they charging into all those Yellow Scorpi?!

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Sure, they’ve got their shields up, but are they seriously thinking, “If the Yellow Scorpi’s tail hits the shield, great. If not, I’ll just take it with my body”? What on earth are they thinking?!

“That’s not going to work.”

“Indeed it is not.”

“Then let us go, Fiene-sama.”

With that, Chris-san swept me up into a bridal carry and leaped off the city wall, while Shizuku-san followed right behind with Lu-chan on her back.

“Sara-san, please stay there!”

“Eh? Saint-sama!?”

“Please wait! Saint-sama! You cannot go to the front lines!”

I could hear Sara-san and Khalid-san calling out to stop us, but we had already landed in front of the wall.

“Now, let’s go.”

“””Yes!”””

And so, we headed toward the front lines.