Chapter 52

After registering the Undead Kobolds at the guild, I decided to return to where Reinhardt and the others were conducting drills in the Demon Forest. When I went back to the place where I had made the Kobolds my followers, I couldn’t find Reinhardt and the others.

"Where could everyone have gone...?"

"Master, someone is coming."

"Huh? Everyone, hide in the shadows."

Noticing what Malt said, I instinctively hid in the shadows, but then I realized that I wasn’t doing anything wrong, so there was no need to hide. However, since I had already hidden, I decided to observe the situation from there. Peering from the top of a tree through the shadows, I saw a group of five people approaching.

"Hey, are you sure you didn’t see wrong?"

"There’s no way. I definitely saw someone."

"No, no, this is the Demon Forest. There’s no way anyone would be here..."

"But I definitely saw someone, over here..."

These adventurers must be skilled, given that they were active in the Demon Forest. The short man with a bandana leading the group walked cautiously, keeping a wary eye on his surroundings. The four others who followed seemed relaxed at first glance, but they occasionally cast sharp glances around.

"Look, this tree didn’t fall naturally."

"Hey, look over here!"

"This isn’t a normal cut...”

Yes, that was the result of my followers either punching or cutting it down for practice. But what are these people doing here?

"Malt, go find everyone and let them know there are adventurers here. It would be awkward if we ran into them."

"Understood, Master."

As Malt ran to the others through the shadow world, Reinhardt quickly returned.

"Lord Kent, is something the matter?"

"Yes, after finishing the registration and returning..."

"Hmm, it seems to be an adventurer party."

The five adventurers were investigating the area, each in their own way.

"Look, there are claw marks at a very high position."

"Yeah, and there are a lot of footprints here too."

"What kind of footprints? They look like Kobold footprints..."

"Look, there are Lizardman footprints too."

"No way, here?"

"But look, are there any other creatures or wild animals with such footprints?"

The adventurers’ gazes focused on one man. He looked to be in his early thirties, with hair that appeared orange in the light and a long tuft of fur at the tip of his tail.

"He must be a lion beastman, and quite skilled..."

"Is he the leader?"

"Probably..."

The man, who seemed to be the leader, looked around once more before speaking.

"This is too strange... From what we can see, it looks like Kobolds were fleeing from Lizardmen, but the traces only remain in this area."

"What do you mean?"

"I don’t know, this is the first time I’ve seen something like this."

"Maybe the Kobolds were wiped out by the Lizardmen?"

"If that were the case, there would be blood. The footprints are so fresh, but there’s no blood."

Reinhardt and the others were training in a deeper part of the Demon Forest, closer to Volsaard, to make the drills more realistic. They had been hunting groups of Orcs, and the magic stones from the defeated Orcs were shared and used for enhancement. When I thought about it, Alt and the others looked more determined when they returned.

"Reinhardt, how’s the coordination going?"

"Well, we just started today, so it’s not perfect yet."

"How many days of drills do you think it will take to be ready for actual combat?"

"Three days at the shortest, but five days would be better, and a week to be fully prepared."

Given Reinhardt’s experience as a squad leader in the knights, his estimate should be accurate, but I also wanted to hear from those who were actually participating.

"Zae, how did it go with Alt and the others?"

"Well, it’s the first time working with other monsters, so I’m a bit confused."

"Is it difficult?"

"No, if it’s a royal order, I will overcome any obstacles and complete the task."

"Thank you. How about Alt?"

"The training was fun, Master."

"Huh? Wasn’t it hard?"

"We hunt in groups, so moving as a group isn’t a problem."

"Hmm, so Lizardmen don’t usually hunt in groups?"

"That’s right. They usually hunt alone near water, and only form groups when their numbers increase or during prolonged rain."

"So, the Lizardmen must have increased in number?"

"Exactly, my king."

The Demon Forest must be more active now.

"Reinhardt, can we thin out the monsters near the road as part of our drills?"

"What do you mean?"

"We’ve had two rescue missions, and both times we were attacked by monsters."

"Yes, the first time by Orcs and Gigawolves, and the second by Lizardmen and Orcs."

"When we were attacked by Lizardmen, the weather affected it, but it was quite dangerous."

"True, without your efforts, it could have been much worse."

"The next mission will have more people, and with more followers, it will be harder to protect everyone."

"I see, so you want to reduce the number of monsters beforehand."

"Exactly. If we’re going to train anyway, we might as well make the mission safer by reducing the number of monsters."

"Good idea. Moving is easy, so we’ll prepare the ground before the mission."

"Then, let’s aim for a week. Reinhardt will supervise the coordination drills, and Fred and Basten will gather the necessary information for the mission."

"Lord Kent, this is a crucial point. Let’s take our time and prepare thoroughly."

"Got it, everyone, thanks!"

When I was summoned to Reisenburg and left alone, I had no one, but now I have such reliable companions. With them, I’m sure we can rescue our classmates safely. All we need is a solid plan and to execute it.

As the day grew dark, we decided to return to Volsaard. To avoid stress for Zae and the others, I let them spend time freely around the training ground. I returned to Volsaard with Reinhardt, Malt, Milt, and Murt. Fred and Basten went to investigate Lastock.

I was curious about what had happened to our classmates who had gone shopping after registering, so I decided to visit the guard barracks. When I stepped out from the shadows, the air was tense. I asked a girl from a different class who was nearby.

"Hey, what happened?"

"Oh, Kunitomi, nothing happened, it’s terrible, come on, Kunitomi was here!"

"Wait, what, what happened?"

Since we were in different classes, I didn’t know her name, but she dragged me to the guard station where I saw my classmates with serious expressions. As soon as they saw me, Kobayashi-san ran over.

"Where were you? We were looking for you!"

"Well, I went to the forest to get more followers, but what happened?"

"It’s not just that. Takayama and the old-new pair, along with Gase Megane, started a fight, and it’s a mess."

"Wait, what were they doing? What about Kondo?"

"Kondo was also involved and is injured and can’t move."

"What about Takayama?"

"They were caught by the guards and are being questioned."

"Seriously? What did they do to be questioned?"

According to Kobayashi-san, while shopping for daily necessities, they got into an argument with local boys in Volsaard, which escalated into a fight. They used weapons and magic, causing injuries and burning down half a store.

"Are you kidding? Is this true?"

"Do we look like we’re joking?"

"Are the girls okay?"

"We wouldn’t do something so stupid."

"What about the boys?"

"They’re all restrained and most are injured..."

"Are they really that stupid... Can’t they just behave?"

"So, what do we do?"

"What can I do..."

Just as I was feeling good about the progress of the rescue mission, I had no idea what to do. As I was at a loss, Kaltz-san came out of the station and noticed me.

"Kaltz-san, I’m sorry, it seems our classmates caused trouble..."

"Kent, this might get a bit messy..."

Kaltz-san explained that Volsaard, being close to the Demon Forest, often attracts various people, and sometimes fights break out. However, there’s an unwritten rule that weapons and magic are not used in fights, which usually prevents major incidents. But this time, the newcomers from yesterday used weapons and magic, causing a backlash from the townspeople.

"We know you saved the town from the Rock Ogres, but the townspeople don’t. Even if we told them, it’s your personal achievement and won’t excuse the troublemakers."

"Yes, that’s true... Are the other people injured too?"

"Well, they have minor bruises and cuts, nothing serious. But the shoe store is half-burned, and most of the merchandise is ruined."

"Kaltz-san, can you take me to the store?"

"What will you do there?"

"Apologize and offer money to help with immediate expenses. I’ll also pay for the damage to the store and merchandise."

"Hmm... Is that something you should do?"

"But the others don’t have money, and the store owner will be in trouble..."

"I see... Alright, I’ll go with you."

"Thank you, I’m really sorry for all this..."

Kaltz-san patted my shoulder, but I couldn’t look up, feeling guilty.

The scene at the shoe store was terrible. The front of the store was burned, and the air was filled with the smell of smoke. Inside, burned building materials and charred shoes were scattered, and everything was soaked with water. Kaltz-san spoke to the middle-aged man standing in shock outside the store.

"Marcel, are you okay?"

"Kaltz, I’m not okay. What do I do from tomorrow?"

"Kent, this is Marcel, the owner of the shoe store."

"Kaltz, who is this kid?"

"A friend of the kids from earlier..."

"What? One of those brats!"

As soon as he heard my identity, Marcel’s eyes narrowed, understandably upset by the situation.

"I’m so sorry! I’m really, really sorry!"

"Hey, what are you doing..."

I knelt on the wet ground, pressing my forehead into a puddle in a deep bow.

"I’m so sorry for the trouble. I will definitely compensate for the damage, I’m really, really sorry."

"Can a kid like you really compensate? You just got here from somewhere else."

"I will definitely, definitely get the money. Please forgive us. If we’re kicked out of Volsaard, we’ll have nowhere to go. Please, I beg you, forgive us."

"Don’t joke! Do you know how much effort I put into this store? I won’t just forgive you because you ask!"

"I’m sorry, I’m really sorry. I’m just a kid and don’t understand the effort it takes to run a business. All I can do is get the money, but please, please..."

My head was stepped on, and my forehead was pressed into the bottom of the puddle.

"Don’t think you can be forgiven just by paying money!"

"Marcel, that’s enough..."

"What, Kaltz, are you taking the side of these kids? Whose side are you on, the outsiders or the townspeople?"

"Marcel, Kent is a benefactor of Volsaard."

"What? A benefactor?"

"Yes, Kent is a dark attribute mage who used skeletons to repel the Rock Ogres that attacked recently. Without him, Volsaard might have been devastated."

"Really? A kid like this?"

"It might be hard to believe, but it’s true. He’s a serious and trustworthy boy. Marcel, please, I’m asking you, can you forgive them?"

"Well... If Kaltz says so, I guess... But I want full compensation!"

"Yes, here... This is a thousand hert as an immediate apology and to help with immediate expenses."

I bowed my head and handed over a bag of a thousand hert.

"This...?"

"The compensation for the store is separate. Please accept this."

"Alright, alright, with you dressed like that, I look like the bad guy. Get out of here!"

"Yes, I’ll come back to discuss this further. I’m really, really sorry."

I bowed my head into the puddle again before standing up, but Marcel was already gone.

"Kent, go back to the guard barracks and clean up..."

"Yes, I’m sorry for the trouble..."

"Marcel is just upset. He needs time to process this and control his emotions."

"Yes, I understand."

"We should talk about the future when he’s calmer."

"Yes, I’ll do that..."

I felt tears welling up, feeling embarrassed and helpless. I didn’t want to wipe my eyes and get mud in them, so I let the tears flow, unable to hold back my sobs.

"Ugh... Ugh... Ugh..."

Thinking about all the effort I had put into getting the classmates accepted, it felt like everything had burned down with the store. Kaltz-san, despite getting his uniform dirty, held my shoulder firmly to support me.

At the guard barracks, I borrowed a bath and changed into clean clothes from my shadow storage. Although I washed off the dirt, I still felt terrible. However, I had to face the boys, so I went to the building where they were restrained. The boys were divided into three cells after receiving medical treatment.

"Ugh... It hurts... It hurts..."

"Damn, what a joke..."

"Hey, let us out already!"

There was no sign of remorse in their voices. When Kaltz-san and I entered the building, everyone’s eyes turned to us.

"Kunitomi! Where were you?"

"Hey, get us out of here!"

"Kunitomi, this is your fault for not preparing properly..."

I couldn’t hold back my anger.

"Shut up, you idiots!"

I kicked the cell bars as hard as I could, and even the idiots fell silent.

"Do you have any idea how much I’ve had to bow and struggle to get you accepted? Don’t talk nonsense!"

I’ve never yelled like this before in my life.

"Your punishment is up to the guards. I’ve asked them to impose strict penalties according to Volsaard’s laws."

"What are you saying..."

"Shut up! I’m talking! Don’t interrupt!"

I yelled at Gase Megane, who was about to say something stupid.

"I’ll compensate for the burned shoe store, but in return, I’m cutting off all support for the thirty boys here. You’ll have to find your own place to live and your own money to eat."

"How are we supposed to live? This is a joke!"

"Shut up! Figure it out yourself. You can’t rely on me for everything. If you hate it so much, I can put the subjugation bracelets back on and send you back to Lastock. Would you rather be used up by Camilla and die in the Demon Forest? Or would you rather be freed and work to earn your own living? Be grateful!"

I kicked the cell bars again and headed for the exit.

"Hey, wait, wait... Kunitomi!"

Gase Megane was shouting, but I ignored him and left the building. I had to talk to the girls, apologize to Donovan, report to the committee chair, and apologize to Klaus. I asked Kaltz-san to take care of things and headed to the conference room where the girls were waiting, but I lost my will halfway and sat down against the wall of the barracks.

"Master, are you okay...?"

"Cheer up..."

"We’re here for you..."

After confirming no one was around, Malt, Milt, and Murt appeared and started licking my face. They even licked away the tears I couldn’t hold back. I hugged Milt, who was in front, and found some comfort in the softness.

I can keep going a little longer.