Chapter 45

"Samu-chan, guide everyone!"

After confirming the full-body armor descending straight from the sky, I immediately called out to Samu-chan. The full-body armor would land between the pavilion and the gate. I asked Samu-chan to guide Mayor Thomas, Earl Gairal, and the three maids to move away from there. Then, I lifted Carrie-chan with a "heave."

"Reni!? Am I not too heavy!?"

"Don't worry. I'm strong."

That's right! I'm wearing the [Cat's Hand Gloves] and the [Hare Boots]. Even though Carrie-chan is taller than me, lifting her is no problem at all.

"Hold on."

"Y-Yes!"

It was a classic princess carry. After confirming that Carrie-chan had wrapped her arms around my neck, I jumped from the pavilion toward the mansion. It seemed that the red-haired knight was heading toward the full-body armor, and we passed each other on the way. The red-haired knight was surprised to see me carrying Carrie-chan, but without stopping, they continued running toward the full-body armor after I nodded at them.

"Wait here."

"Y-Yes!"

I set Carrie-chan down in front of the mansion. The people Samu-chan had guided also gathered there. The guard soldiers surrounded them. The red-haired knight and a few soldiers seemed to be heading toward the full-body armor.

"Samu-chan, can you hear me?"

"Yes!"

To avoid being overheard by others, I communicated with Samu-chan using [Telepathy].

"Should we keep my strength a secret?"

"Yes... The princess and the soldiers we saved know, but it might be best to avoid showing it directly to the mayor and the lord."

Before coming to this tea party, Samu-chan had told me a lot. Knowing my strength to those in power isn't always a good thing. I don't need any restraints or entanglements.

"So, I'll go and help secretly."

Right? As long as no one finds out, it's fine.

"Okay! Let's move to the shade of that tree first. I'll fight from there with my bow. I'll testify that I was with you the whole time, so your strength won't be revealed to anyone here. After we reach the shade, you'll hide your presence and head over there!"

"Okay. Thank you."

After finishing the [Telepathy], Samu-chan darted out from the gap between the soldiers. I followed and slipped out of the circle. Using [Magic Manipulation] to enhance my physical abilities, and with the [Hare Boots] equipped, I reached the shade of the tree next to the pavilion with a power that would be impossible for a normal human. Everyone will be surprised, but since they've already seen or heard about me defeating a dragon, this shouldn't be a problem. Once in the shade, I pulled my hood deeper over my head.

"Then, I'm going."

"Y-Yes! Be careful!"

After calling out to Samu-chan, I dashed out from the shade. My destination was the full-body armor. Just as I arrived, three soldiers were swinging their swords at the full-body armor. The armor couldn't be cut by swords, but the impact should make it stagger or lose balance. However—

"Ugh...!!"

"It's... so strong... Is this a human...?"

"What's going on...!?"

The full-body armor didn't flinch at all from the three soldiers' swords. Instead, it knocked the soldiers who had struck it with their swords away. The two remaining soldiers' slashes to the shoulder and back had no effect.

"Don't be afraid!"

Someone quickly moved in front to protect the soldier who had been knocked back. Their movements were light and graceful, and their red hair flowed beautifully.

"Sir Pio!"

The two soldiers, who had hesitated due to the full-body armor's strength, seemed to regain their courage with the red-haired knight's support. They parried the swords that had hit the shoulder and back and swung their swords again. Then—

"Here!"

The red-haired knight said briefly and thrust the sword they had readied straight at the full-body armor's neck. The rapier found the gap between the armor plates perfectly. This should have been the decisive blow. But—

"Damn it, everyone, back off!!"

The red-haired knight's stern face changed, and they pulled back their rapier while jumping backward. The other soldiers followed suit, quickly pulling their swords. However, the full-body armor moved faster. It swung its sword horizontally.

"Ugh...!!"

"Ah...!"

The red-haired knight, who had quickly retreated, avoided the slash. However, the two soldiers, though they managed to block it with their swords, couldn't withstand the impact and were knocked away.

"Dangerous."

One of the soldiers was about to hit a nearby tree, so I jumped between the soldier and the tree. I extended my hands, which were wearing the [Cat's Hand Gloves], forward.

"Meat cushion"

As I spoke, the soldier collided with me. Despite the high speed, the soldier floated slightly in the air upon touching my pink paw pads and then slowly landed on the ground.

"Wh-What...?"

The soldier, who had braced for the impact, was surprised and looked around. They might have thought someone was there, but of course, they couldn't see me, so the mystery remained unsolved.

"Are you hurt?"

"No...!"

Though puzzled, the soldier responded to the red-haired knight's voice and quickly stood up. It seemed they were fine. The soldier who had been knocked away also got up, though they might have some bruises.

Yeah, as expected of me! My support from the shadows is perfect!

Jumping between the knocked-away soldier and the tree would normally be dangerous, as I could be crushed. But the [Cat's Hand Gloves] have a shock absorption effect!

I watched the soldiers run back to the battle with the full-body armor and chuckled.

Then, I stared straight at the full-body armor.

"Monster."

That's right. It's not human.

The red-haired knight's attack had indeed hit the gap in the armor, and the depth and speed were enough to reach the neck. Given the structure of the full-body armor, there should have been a human body there.

The abnormal strength, the unflinching mind, and—there's nothing inside the armor.

"Living Mail."

—The writhing armor.

What's in front of me is a monster called that.