Chapter 49

DeGard, who had been entrusted with the command of the central unit from the Adventurers' Guild, was anxious.

The army of Cockatrices had finally reached the town.

No, if that were the only issue, a seasoned warrior like DeGard wouldn't be flustered. The problem lay in the coordination among the adventurers.

The width of the unfinished section of the wall that DeGard was responsible for was wide.

With 100 adventurers, if they didn't hold their positions, gaps would quickly form. DeGard, with his long experience as a mercenary, had been through both siege and defensive battles.

That was precisely why he was anxious.

This world was a bit unfair.

The strong could become even stronger.

The emblem of a warrior carved on DeGard's left arm was a testament to this. With innate talent and effort, one could become as strong as they desired.

And what was causing DeGard to wring his hands now was the very adventurers who had been chosen for their strength.

Due to their high capabilities, they were gradually moving forward without realizing it.

While it might seem that the enemy was being eliminated more quickly, the areas where the adventurers advanced became gaps in the human wall.

For now, the surrounding adventurers were managing to cover for them, but the semi-circular defensive formation was already showing signs of strain.

"You guys! You're pushing too far forward! Fall back! No, that's not right! Not you guys!"

"Damn it!"

DeGard and his partner, the tiger beastman Tygar, who had the emblem of a martial artist, were struggling to maintain the battle line, but without a proper command structure or unit names, it was extremely difficult to coordinate.

"The main body of the Cockatrices hasn't arrived yet. With the current situation, we should be winning easily."

"What do you want to do, DeGard? Should I go and support them?"

Tygar, who had the emblem of a martial artist, was nearly the strongest in terms of individual combat power at this point.

DeGard was hesitant to use his trump card so early. If he sent Tygar to support the chaotic adventurer party, and the party on the opposite side collapsed, it would be a terrifying situation.

Sweat was pouring down DeGard's forehead when a shadow suddenly fell over him.

Someone was on the completed section of the wall.

Looking up, he saw a silhouette that resembled a maid. Yes, it was a maid.

"A maid?"

"Ah, it's Craft's maid."

"Yeah, he hired her recently. Why is a maid on the wall?"

"How should I know?"

The out-of-place maid floated down gracefully.

"!?"

From the two-story-high wall, the green-haired maid threw herself into the air and landed beside them as if gravity didn't exist. It was impossible not to be shocked.

"What!?"

"Are you in command, Mr. DeGard?"

"Y-yes."

"Then I will report. The completed section of the wall is sturdy and does not need to be considered for destruction by the Cockatrices. They have wings and can fly high, but they won't be able to clear the wall. Please rest assured and defend this area."

The maid bowed.

DeGard's thoughts were momentarily halted, but he realized the information about the wall was crucial and forced a smile, which looked more like a scowl due to his intensity.

"R-right! Thanks for the information!"

"Then, can we recall the party that is patrolling inside the wall?"

"Let's do that."

Just adding one more adventurer party would significantly boost their strength. That alone was good news.

"If this area is breached, there's a high possibility that Master's workshop will be damaged."

"Ah, right."

DeGard almost pointed out that the concern was about the workshop, but he swallowed his words, thinking that was just the nature of maids.

"Hey! That party over there! Don't push forward! Hold the line!"

DeGard was irritated by the adventurers who, due to their overwhelming strength, couldn't coordinate with others.

"…It seems you're having a tough time."

"Just a little. Damn it. We should have assigned numbers to each party."

Having been away from the battlefield for a long time, he had neglected such basic preparations. He couldn't help but regret it.

"Then I will convey the unit numbers to everyone."

"No, that's impossible. There's no time to explain to the parties while they're fighting."

"It's fine. I'll hold off the enemies while explaining."

"…What?"

"Shall I start from the back? Here, I'll borrow these. Excuse me."

Before DeGard could stop her, the maid rushed into the chaotic battlefield, grabbing two of DeGard's reserve axes.

"Hey, hey, hey. She took my axes."

"DeGard, when did your reserve axes become one-handed axes?"

DeGard lifted his heavy two-handed axe, which would be difficult for a normal person to even carry. The maid, however, had grabbed one in each hand and ran off like the wind.

"What is that maid?"

"I'd like to know too."

DeGard and Tygar exchanged wry smiles.

◆

The adventurers were fighting well.

"Heh! We have unlimited Craft-branded stamina potions! I can take down as many Cockatrices as I want!"

"Don't overdo it! You need to sleep at some point!"

"Shouldn't they calm down at night?"

"Not in a stampede state! We need to keep the bonfires burning!"

"Damn! If we fly too high, it might suddenly hit us."

Taking a Craft-branded stamina potion reduced fatigue significantly, allowing one to move endlessly unless they were doing extremely strenuous activities.

However, using techniques beyond one's capabilities or pushing the limits continuously would eventually lead to fatigue.

And even with stamina potions, sleep couldn't be eliminated.

DeGard had warned them about this, but with the Cockatrices attacking their town, adrenaline was boiling, and they were putting in too much effort.

Especially the more capable adventurers were overexerting themselves and gradually moving forward.

The semi-circular encirclement was wavering and distorting.

A green gust of wind swept through.

"!?"

It was the maid.

She held two blood-soaked giant axes in her hands.

The head of a Cockatrice that had been charging at the adventurers suddenly flew high into the sky.

The headless, chicken-like giant body continued to run for a moment before collapsing to the ground.

The adventurers saw it. The maid had decapitated the Cockatrice with a single swing of her axe.

"W-What…?"

"Now we can talk calmly. Mr. Raktan, your party is slightly ahead of the defensive line."

"Huh?"

Raktan, who was suddenly called by name, was confused but finally realized his position.

"This is a message from Mr. DeGard. Your party will be the First Squad. Please pay attention to the instructions given by squad numbers."

"Ah, okay."

"I will provide support, so please fall back to the designated defensive line, First Squad."

"Wh-What? Support…?"

Raktan didn't need to ask. The maid was cutting through the advancing Cockatrices, gradually moving forward. Seeing this, Raktan realized the danger of pushing too far forward.

"Hey! Fall back a bit! Stay in line with the others!"

"Ah, okay!"

Raktan's party members responded. As they fell back to their designated positions, the adjacent party looked relieved.

"…Sorry. You were adjusting to us."

"Don't worry. We knew Raktan's party was strong."

Raktan apologized to the adjacent party.

The maid returned smoothly.

"Mr. Azifira. This is a message from Mr. DeGard. Your party will be the Second Squad. Please pay attention to the instructions given by squad numbers."

"O-Okay… Maid? How do you know my name?"

"I know the names of all the residents of this town."

"Wh-What!?"

"What do you mean?"

"Isn't that something to worry about now? Everyone, good luck. I have more messages to deliver."

The maid bowed politely and moved to the next party, cutting down Cockatrices as she went.

"Hey, that maid."

"What?"

"There wasn't a single drop of blood on her."

"Is that what you're worried about?"

Raktan and Azifira looked at each other and let out a dry laugh.

◆

"…Now the situation is under control."

The green-haired maid, Ryuuko, muttered softly.

Ordered by her master to check the wall, she had found the precarious central unit. Realizing the risk of the Cockatrices overwhelming them, she took it upon herself to reorganize the central unit.

"It should be fine for a while."

At least, the risk of the Cockatrices reaching her master's location had significantly decreased.

"Next, then."

Ryuuko didn't return straight to her master but disappeared into the back alleys.

A maid appeared on the brutal battlefield!

It's just part of a maid's duties (´ω｀)