kscans

Chapter 10 - The Human Fortress

Hiding deep within a thicket of grass, we silently watched what lay ahead.

A fortress built by humans. High stone walls were stacked in layers, with soldiers armed with spears and bows on the watchtowers. Fields and a well could be seen around the fortress, and the faint sounds of people living their lives reached our ears.

"...So, what's the plan?"

When I asked, the immediate response was a hardline opinion.

"It's a joke to turn back now. The meat, seasonings, and pots are in there, right?" Defray's eyes were shining brightly. Needless to say, his targets were cooking utensils and ingredients.

"I want to see what human weapons are like," Amy said with a cool expression, twirling her spear.

"It's gross and scary... but there might be sweets inside," Koni-chan was also, unexpectedly, in favor of charging in.

In the end...

Hardliners: Defray, Amy, Koni-chan.
Detour faction: Just me.

...Hey, wait a minute, you guys. We look like monsters, you know?

I tried desperately to persuade them.

"This is a bad idea, think calmly, will you? It's a human fortress. Do you think we're in any state to negotiate properly?"

"We don't need to negotiate. Let's just sit in seiza in front of the gate and wait."

"That's the most suspicious thing you could do."

"I'm hungry already!"

With no agreement reached, we headed toward the fortress's main gate.

We passed through the cobblestone road and advanced toward the gate. Then...

Pyun! Hyunn hyunn hyunn!!

"Arrows!? Whoa!!"

Arrows rained down on us from above the gate. They stuck into the ground with thuds, and one grazed Defray's head, sending his hat flying.

"Looks like we're not welcome!"

"Hey! That almost hit my hair!"

"I don't wanna! I hate getting hurt!"

I yelled.

"Retreat! Retreat!!"

We ran back with all our might. We dove into the bushes, gasping for breath as we lay flat on the ground.

"...Well, of course. We looked super suspicious, didn't we?"

Amidst the mixed smell of dirt and sweat, I pictured our appearances.

A pig-like Orc charging from the bushes, a bug-eating beauty, a short, stout girl with horns, and me, a Hobgoblin with an ugly face.

Soaking wet, we all collapsed onto the mud, out of breath.

"...Who was it that said we should charge in...?"

"...That was... more intense than I imagined..."

"Arrows are scary... if one hit, you'd die..."

Everyone fell silent. After a while, Defray muttered quietly.

"Sorry... I was hungry, I wasn't thinking straight. I wasn't calm."

"Me too. I was too eager to see their weapons."

"I... might have gotten carried away... sorry..."

I slowly got up and looked at the three of them.

"...But you know, it's good that we failed. Because now, we're actually talking to each other."

A brief silence, then the four of us looked at each other and laughed at the same time.

"From now on... let's come up with a proper plan. We're Team Monster, after all."

"Yeah. Both cooking and tactics depend on preparation."

"Maybe we should try sneaking in from the back next time?"

"How about a snack operation!"

In the twilight thicket, the shadows of four monsters swayed. Comrades who had been hurt together, fled together, and reflected together.

We're monsters, but in our own monstrous way, we're becoming a team. And so we reflected on the day's events.

Well, this is a case of 'more haste, less speed.' We'll continue through the forest.