Chapter 672 - First Story: Miana's Training ②
When we went to the site in Wilson-san's medium-sized bowl, the Earth Dragon welcomed us.
"Ho ho. This challenge is quite glamorous."
This challenge is only for women. Even including the support group, the only men are Henry-sama and Wilson-san. Moreover, he's usually dealing only with bandits. It's no wonder.
At Mary's suggestion, everyone dressed up as if for an audience with the Earth Dragon. We heard we could change on-site. Including Beowulf, it's women's Green Marble. As usual, Matilda wore sleeveless, Lyudmila wore farm work clothes, and Miana wore an apron. Matilda wears armor, but the other two will challenge the training as they are. By the way, I wore priest clothes.
"Is it not possible to provide such opportunities occasionally? I am a dragon, so I have no interest in human women, but even so, always, always having the same kind of people in the same kind of clothes is..."
At the seat of the toast after the presentation of the souvenir honey wine and the greetings between those meeting for the first time, he suddenly made a request. The Earth Dragon is glancing next to him, where the Dragonewt instructors are. There's a pair of a man and a woman, and the woman is nodding greatly. Since she heard female soldiers were coming, but they were almost all old men, she must have complained.
"As I informed you beforehand, last year we ended up sending only Paratroop Jaegers where no female soldiers are enrolled. However, thanks to your efforts, the Paratroop Jaegers have mostly finished. From this year, we will include a certain number of Light Infantry and Light Cavalry where many female soldiers are enrolled."
We are apparently the vanguard. I wonder if they'll be a little easy on us.
"By the way, how many people have received the Silver Badge so far?"
I try asking just in case. I heard there are about a thousand Paratroop Jaegers. As someone about to take the challenge, I'd like at least a hundred to have received it.
"Four people. I feel it's a bit too many."
The Earth Dragon glares at the two instructors.
F-Four... where is that too many?
"N-No, we are by no means slacking off. Besides, three of the four winners are current heroes... if we were to fail these three, not a single person would pass..."
The instructor is desperately making excuses. No matter how you look at it, the Earth Dragon is the one who's strange.
"I see. Well, fine."
"Thank you for your understanding."
The three heroes are Roberts-sama, Gladys-sama, and Hughes-sama. Evans-sama is the State Chancellor, so he's basically not a soldier. Is the only other one Lewis-san? How did Lewis-san manage to get it? But, only one person out of the virtually strongest Paratroop Jaeger unit passed?
"Wait a minute. Even from the Paratroop Jaegers, only one person could get it?"
"That's right."
When Beatrix asked, Eleanor-sama answered.
"Then, isn't there no one left who can get the Silver Badge?"
"That may be so."
The Earth Dragon smirked at the conversation between the two. The Dragonewts are breathing a sigh of relief.
"As the Royal Army, we'd like to produce at least double-digit winners."
Six more people. Isn't it impossible? Just let them off with the Silver Badge already.
"Until now, within the Paratroop Jaeger units, the Royal Capital Paratroop Jaeger Unit was considered the highest-ranked unit. However, following the results of this training, we have repositioned the Nakanohara Light Infantry Corps, of which Lewis is the captain, at the top of the Paratroop Jaeger units and revised the order. Now Lewis is the commander of the entire Paratroop Jaeger units. We'd like to expect the other units to be inspired."
We couldn't help but look at each other. Is the Silver Badge that heavy?
"If it's such a difficult training, it might be said that for us, there is meaning in participating. We'll do our best and go as far as we can."
The finisher was Mary. She says good things. The two Dragonewts are thanking the speaker with their eyes. The Earth Dragon also improved his mood. The strategy to make a good impression seems to have succeeded.
Even if the Dragonewts' mood improved, what we do doesn't change. We had a separate room prepared and changed. Since we were told any equipment is fine, we wore the equipment from the Demon Lord subjugation battle. The three in the vanguard wore Eleanor's armor and helmet, Lindwurm's shield, and silver weapons. The rear wore autumn/winter Green Marble over clothes lined with Lindwurm feathers. However, Lyudmila wore farm work clothes and Miana wore an apron. Lindwurm's hat and neck guard. For weapons, I had a silver staff, and Bonnie had silver arrows.
Keira returned to her original Demon Race form and borrowed a visor and a Magic Defense Ring from Wilson-san. With this, she can block mid-level holy magic and Light.
Unlike last time, the restriction on the number of attacks and such was gone. Any attack can be used any number of times. However, it seems multiple opponents will appear simultaneously. The reason two Dragonewts were attached as instructors might be related to that.
The use of scrolls is up to three in total. Any type can be chosen, but it's few. So, the Paratroop Jaegers apparently challenged it with a formation including magic soldiers. What we'll bring this time was decided by everyone's consultation. By the way, the state will cover the tuition fee.
"Ahem. Then, we will begin the training. I wish you all good luck."
"Yes. We'll do our best!"
Receiving the Earth Dragon's encouragement, we open the designated door. We arrived at a stone room. It's a place for final checks and there are several lanterns. There's an iron door on the opposite side, and once we go out there, the training begins. The Dragonewt instructor gave us a pair of magic circles for sending letters. Practical.
I apply double layers of support magic and prepare.
When I signal the monitoring doll, the earth rumbled. We connected to the training ground.
"The lead is Lyudmila and Bonnie. The vanguard is Matilda and me. The third is Jeanne and Beatrix. The fourth is Miana and Mary. The rearguard is Keira and Will."
The team leader this time is Beowulf. After all, she's the only one with full-fledged field experience. Since the task in the training ground is a simulated combat training for a unit of ten people mainly consisting of Paratroop Jaegers, it was decided by unanimous vote to have Beowulf do it.
"Bonnie, at first, it's the forest path, right?"
"Yeah. It's a clear if we reach the destination while repelling enemy raids during movement. It's written in the walkthrough book."
A walkthrough book is given to one set if there are only first-time participants. It roughly describes the characteristics of the floor to be cleared. Since it must be returned, writing in it is prohibited. By the way, we went to ask Lewis-san, the owner of the Silver Badge, but he had taken a Vow of Silence. In fact, we also did it after receiving a simple explanation from the Dragonewts.
"Alright. Then, Beatrix, Lyudmila, Jeanne, please!"
Lyudmila makes a medium-sized bowl for movement. Beatrix is in charge of Camouflage and Mute, and I'm in charge of Magic Reflection.
There's no need to fight on purpose. We'll fly through to the destination at once in the hidden bowl.
"Bonnie!"
"Yes. I'm opening it!"
Bonnie opens the door, and the bowl sorties. Once Bonnie gets on, we depart.
We turn right and face sideways relative to the front. First is observation. Even if we are suddenly attacked, if we are sideways, everyone can counterattack.
Beyond the room, a forest spreads out. Apparently.
As usual, it's in the dark. The setting is a night with a new moon. The weather is cloudy and not even stars can be seen. However, we have Keira, Lyudmila, and the scout Bonnie. Keira, originally of the Demon Race, can see through the darkness. Lyudmila has become able to see in the dark to some extent since she awakened as a Vampire Quarter. This is very advantageous. Though, since even the scout Bonnie can't see well, the others can't see anything at all. Taking advantage of the fact that our forms are invisible, Bonnie and Mary decided to draw a map based on what the three people whispered while relying on the light of the lanterns.
"Even if you call it a forest, it's a fake. They've connected timber and dead trees and attached cloth leaves. But since they've reproduced even shrubs and undergrowth, it's enough as a place for something to hide."
Keira explains in detail.
According to Keira, there's a slightly wide area after leaving the room, and the ground is soil. From there, the forest spreads out. The height of the trees is about the same as normal trees. Above that is the ceiling of the cave. From what I can see from here, the ceiling is higher than the trees. In other words, although narrow, there is space.
In front, there's a path in the middle. The width is enough for a medium-sized bowl to pass through. It seems to be winding to some extent, and the end cannot be seen.
"The floor is dead leaves, I think. Those are real, aren't they? They're spread out just like in a real forest. If we were to walk there, it might be hard to silence the sound."
"Eh? Could it be, even the path?"
Beatrix asked.
"Yeah. Even the path."
That's no good. The bowl constantly emits wind from the bottom to float. If we fly along the path, the dead leaves will dance. Even though we're hiding our forms, we'll be exposed. Besides, if there's that much flammable material, we can't use fire or lightning. Everyone confirmed to use wind, ice, and earth. Probably, Cerberus won't appear either.
"Shall we see how it is above?"
Lyudmila asked, so I had her ascend.
"There are tall trees here and there. Also, soil pillars like icicles are sticking out from the ceiling."
"How is it? Lyudmila. Do you think we can fly above?"
"If we proceed slowly, we might be able to, but the leaves will shake."
As expected, our location will be exposed. Moreover, we can't gain speed. I see. A bowl-sealer. It's well thought out.
As a start, we try cutting down one nearby tree. If it goes well, if we proceed while cutting them down appropriately, we might be able to cause confusion for the opponent.
"Then, here I go. Wind Cutter!"
When it comes to cutting trees, it's Beatrix. She cut them down like crazy during the construction of the highway connecting Regnentes and Sertoria. She fired one in the direction Keira pointed.
"Kiiin!"
Um, a strange sound echoed.
"That tree has a core."
According to Keira, a cut was made, but it won't fall. It seems to be using a metal rod as a support. In that case, it can't be cut with Wind Cutter.
If that's the case, it can't be helped. We decided to proceed while blowing away the dead leaves with Fivaral Wind. That way, at least our location won't be accurately specified.
Beatrix proceeds while blowing away the dead leaves. Under the dead leaves, it's full of traps. Surely, they're pitfalls. Without the bowl, we couldn't proceed properly. If this were done in the dark, heavy infantry or walking heavy cavalry would be wiped out in no time.
The path is winding, so we stop occasionally. The enemy's target would be there too. No reaction even after reaching the sixth curve. The opponents are dolls. It's painful that Sense Living can't be used.
"Wait!"
When we entered the seventh straight line and Beatrix was about to release wind magic, Lyudmila stopped her.
"Hey, Keira, what do you think?"
"Something seems to be ahead."
The two of them can tell.
"Let's try magic detection."
The opponents move with magic. Mary is an ultra-high-level mage. She might be able to tell.
"They're there. Before the curve ahead. On the left and right of the path. Surely, they'll pounce when we get close."
Mary's detection result came out. As expected, they were there.
"Alright. Then, let's go!"
Beowulf's policy is a single charge, like heavy infantry.
Lyudmila speeds up. There's no way she'd stop before the curve. Beatrix has attached one Wind Barrier to each side of the front of the oval bowl. When turning left, she releases the right, and when turning right, she releases the left, forcibly changing direction and pushing forward. Since the signal for the timing is given by Lyudmila, it should be accurate.
"Right!"
Lyudmila's signal comes. In other words, a change of course to the left. Of course, the forward speed is not dropped.
"Here it comes."
Beatrix rapidly deactivates the air board and forcibly changes direction to the right.
We are pressed against the right side of the bowl all at once. I was clinging to Beatrix to support her, but that Beatrix is pressing against me. Since I've cast Defend, I won't get injured, but it's quite painful. It's a good thing Beowulf's partner was Matilda. If it were me, I would have been crushed.
A gotton, a backlash came. We faced the straight line.
"Charge!"
Beowulf shouted. She intends to go like this. As expected of a charge specialist. No mercy.
As for the monsters, we managed to overtake them, and roars can be heard from behind. They probably never thought we'd charge in at this speed. Apparently, they are chasing us.
"Miana! Two wildcats. They're quite strong."
Keira shouts. Wildcats mean Chat-Palu. If I recall, they're D-rank.
The rearguard is Will and Keira. Keira illuminates the back with a lantern, and Will fires silver arrows to fight back. Miana, in the second row from the back, leans out from the side and fires Wind Cutter, and Mary is supporting Miana's body. She's working quite hard, isn't she?
"We're turning soon!"
At Lyudmila's signal, everyone crouches and supports each other's bodies with their partners.
"Left!"
"Here it comes."
This time it's left. I thought I'd be on top next, but as expected, I was pressed against. Before I knew it, we had moved. Next time I'll activate the cat stone.
As we proceed further, the roars from behind increased. It's about time we defeat them seriously, or we might be caught.
"Jeanne! Come to the front!"
Lyudmila shouts.
"What's wrong?"
"Many have come from the front too. There are six Chat-Palu."
Finally, we're sandwiched. And six D-ranks, they're really doing it. They've brought out all those who were waiting in ambush on the way.
They are monitoring us. I thought it would come to this eventually if we were flying. Perhaps Eleanor-sama is also participating. In that case, it might be harder than usual.
"Understood. I'll use Light for deterrence."
When I was about to go to the front.
"Lyudmila, stop the bowl. I'll go."
Matilda stood up.
"Alright, I'll go too. Will and Bonnie, you too. Jeanne, I'm counting on you for the light. Rearguard, fight back with magic."
Beowulf also stood up. Like heavy infantry, she chose close combat.
"Understood. I'll deactivate the bowl."
The three close combat members step forward. I fly four Fireflies each to the front and back to illuminate the path. There are ten Chat-Palu in front. Simultaneously, the three shouted and charged in.