Chapter 528 - Chapter 470: Vs. Kobold Legion
Given it's Leda and Roy, they must be running at top speed. The Kobolds are numerous, but the Kijimunaa have their fort, and with Lupi, Leda, and Roy joining, they should be fine.
So... I approached the Kobolds from behind, still in Stealth, getting the Kobold at the very end just within Appraisal range.
[Kobold]
A bipedal dog monster. They sometimes form small packs to attack livestock. It is known that if bites are left untreated, the poison can lead to illness.
If they were cute, I might have hesitated, but their bloodshot eyes, dripping drool, and strong unhygienic smell were off-putting.
(That one looks like the boss...)
Near the center of the group, I saw [Kobold Slinger] and [Kobold Leader] nameplates. What's a Kobold Slinger? I wondered, but then I saw them holding leather slings with fist-sized stones, waiting. The Kobold Leader was two sizes larger than the other Kobolds, taller than me.
"Ugaaaah!"
"""Gaaah!"""
At the leader's cry, the attacking Kobolds briefly fell back. Then, the Slingers simultaneously swung their slings, launching stones at considerable speed. I held back from leaning forward and watched as most of the stones hit the fort's fence, seemingly damaging it. It looked like they were throwing stones to break the fence, so I wanted to stop them before they launched another volley.
""WoOOOooN!""
They're here! Leda's and Roy's howls echoed, and the Kobolds seemed flustered, starting to retreat step by step. I felt like our numerical disadvantage hadn't really changed, but perhaps Lupi, Leda, and Roy, being wolves, gave them a sense of something they couldn't overcome?
"Ugaah?! Ga-gah!!"
The irritated leader seemed to order another volley of stones from the Slingers. Mion and the others should be here soon. Now's my chance!
(Fireball!)
The Fireball launched at the Slingers hit one of them in the back, exploding. Not only the Slingers hit by the Fireball, but also the Kobolds surprised by the sudden magic attack, panicked and fled. The Kobold Leader also seemed to realize the danger and turned to run, but of course, I wouldn't let him get away...
(Knife Throwing!)
"Gah!?"
(Backstab!)
I struck the Ken-nata into his medulla oblongata!
[Stealth Skill Level Up!]
[Special Sword Mastery Skill Level Up!]
Yes! The Kobold Leader was defeated, but...
"Gah!"
It was inevitable that a Kobold who noticed me would attack. I knew Mion and the others were approaching, and I was about to try and buy some time when...
"Gah!?"
"Eh?"
The Kobold that had swung its sling and approached suddenly stiffened and collapsed. Others who were running to escape also started dropping...
"Uu~"
"Ah, Ato's group. Thank you."
Apparently, Ato's group was in the trees before I knew it, attacking the Kobolds with blow darts. Wait, paralyzing poison darts...
"Nya!"
"Shal. Where is everyone else?"
"Nya~nya~"
Hmm, Mion and Sweee's group are with the Kijimunaa. Some of them might be injured, after all. Shal's group came with combat-ready gear for guard duty, so they must have come to finish off the fleeing Kobolds. Looking around, I saw Kijimunaa and Cait Sith pairs systematically taking down Kobolds.
"Nya?"
"Ah, sorry. Please tell everyone not to chase too far."
"Nya!" "Uu~"
From a quick glance, it seemed Ato's Ghillie Dhu group was stopping them with blow darts, and Shal's group was delivering the finishing blows. It looks like I'm not needed anymore... I should Appraise them properly while I can.
[Kobold Leader]
The leader of a small Kobold pack. It has a body more than a size larger than normal Kobolds and commands its subordinates.
I see.
And for the Slinger...
[Kobold Slinger]
A Kobold that wields a sling as a weapon. It has greater arm strength than normal Kobolds.
Hmm, hmm.
That sling they used for throwing stones...
[Broken Sling]
A weapon that wraps stones and swings them for striking or throwing. Attack Power +10.
It looks a little interesting, but I barely use my bow anyway. It's dirty, so I won't bother picking it up. I dismantled the Kobold Leader, but only obtained a small Magic Stone. I left the other Kobolds alone.
"Nya!"
"Eh? You already wiped them all out?"
"Uu~"
Apparently, they'd eliminated all the Kobolds they encountered, though one or two might have escaped. ...Aren't my kids too strong after all?
"Thank you. Alright, let's go to the Kijimunaa's place."
I sent Ato's group and Shal's group ahead, taking up the rear myself. Oh, right. These Kobolds might be Uninhabited Island starter monsters, just like the Goblins I first defeated on the island.
...
...
...
"""Juju~!"""
As we entered the fort, the Kijimunaa greeted us with loud cheers. And then...
"Wafu!" ""Bow!""
"Thank you."
Lupi had quickly noticed the Kijimunaa's predicament and completely shut down the Kobolds that had approached the broken fence. Leda and Roy, who rushed over immediately after being contacted, also herded the Kobolds so they couldn't escape in strange directions. And now, um...
"Shou-kun. This way."
Following the voice, I saw Mion surrounded by Kijimunaa.
"What happened?"
"There were some injured children, so I healed them. Everyone's fine now."
Apparently, a few children were injured by the Kobolds' thrown stones, and Mion had cast healing on them. I was relieved to hear that no one was seriously hurt...
"Oh? Where are Sweee, True, and Pan?"
"Ah, I think they're talking with the Kijimunaa leader-kun."
After Leda and Roy joined, Mion and her group arrived a little later. While Mion was healing the injured children, Sweee's group and the Kijimunaa had apparently been talking about various things.
"Where are they now?"
"Ryu~"
Looking around... Pan was waving his hand, signaling us to come. Mion's healing was mostly finished, so I guess it's time to go say hello?
"I kind of helped them on a whim, but was this really alright?"
"Of course it was."
Well, if a goddess says so, it must be true.