kscans

Chapter 47 - Aiming for the Clan Stone

As Hayato wondered what to do, Ash and his group began to fall back.

"We're retreating for now. The fortress should be better for defense."

"Got it. Inside the fortress, I think we can create one-on-one situations. Fall back for now."

Hayato gave up on the idea that Ash and his group couldn't fight against the moderate faction dragons, assuming it was a restriction due to their character settings. Esha was the same. In the first place, it was strange that an NPC with such immense strength could fight without any restrictions. It was normal to balance things somewhere.

However, it all came at once in this Clan War. It would have been tough if either Ash's group or Esha couldn't fight, but with both of them unable to fight, it was extremely difficult. Furthermore, Mist was also severely weakened due to the location and weather.

At this rate, they would lose. However, the opponent seemed to be wary of their actions and didn't seem to be attacking immediately.

Hayato disabled the voice chat rejection and decided to send a request to Gardel himself. He wanted to buy some time. By talking, he could make them think he had a plan. And thus delay their advance.

Gardel immediately accepted Hayato's request.

"Hey, what's wrong? Retreating without even fighting?"

"Well, a bit of a problem came up, and we can't fight right now. The match has started, but can you wait a little longer until we're ready?"

"Are you an idiot? No one's gonna fall for such an obvious lie. You're trying to lure us in, aren't you? Well, we can't just carelessly attack now!"

(Well, he would think that. Alright, this has bought us some time. Let's figure something out in the meantime.)

Hayato decided to think about the tamers on their mounts. Ash's group couldn't defeat the dragons, and Esha couldn't defeat the Fenrirs. If they could separate the opponents and fight, they could have each of them deal with the enemies they could fight, but the opponent had no reason to fight separately, even if they didn't know their circumstances.

But what about just the riders?

It would put a considerable restriction on the battle, but he had heard that if a tamer was defeated, their pets would either carry out their last command or move on their own. In that case, they might be able to win the Clan War without defeating the pets, Hayato thought.

If they only defeated the players on the mounts, Ash's group might not be restricted. Hayato thought so and confirmed with Maris. If it was about tamers, it was best to ask a tamer.

"Maris, is it possible to defeat only the rider?"

"When you're attacked while riding, it's the pet that takes the damage. You can't just target the rider!"

"Is that so? Then it's no good."

(So it's impossible to target just the rider due to game mechanics. You can't ride double either, it's not realistic in strange ways. It's a game, so I guess that's natural. In that case, the only way to win this Clan War might be to destroy the opponent's Clan Stone.)

Just as he thought that, Ash came up to the roof. He and Ren, who was already on the roof, had apologetic looks on their faces.

"Sorry, Hayato."

"Hayato-san, I'm sorry."

The two of them bowed their heads. Hayato hurriedly told them to raise their heads.

"No, it can't be helped. But I have no intention of losing. Even if you can't fight, I want you to lend me your wisdom."

"Of course. So, do you have a plan? Like having Esha unleash Destroy? I'd prefer if you didn't defeat the dragons, though."

"Ash-sama, to be honest, I can't fight this time either. There's an honorable dog-sama on the other side. I'm confident in my shooting skills, but if I were to accidentally hit the honorable dog-sama, I might eat up all the food in the headquarters out of shock."

While thinking that would be a huge disaster, Hayato voiced his thoughts.

"I don't think Relic-san and Maris can defeat the opponent on their own. So I think we should aim for the Clan Stone. I haven't thought about how to target just the Clan Stone, though."

"Considering our situation, that's probably the best way. Then, the best thing to do is to lure the opponent into the fortress and have someone go destroy the Clan Stone while they're occupied."

"But, big brother. They have Fenrirs, you know? Even if we lure them into the fortress, it's over if they're chased, isn't it?"

Fenrir's movement speed was four times that of a person. Unless there was a considerable distance, they would definitely be caught.

"Now wait. Fortunately, this is a desert field. Even Fenrirs can't move that fast."

"I think that's the same for us, though?"

"Walking in the desert certainly slows you down. But Maris won't be affected."

As Ash said that, everyone looked at Maris. Maris and the Griffon, Lancelot, next to her, tilted their heads together.

"Um, why is that?"

"A Griffon can fly, right? It won't be affected by moving in the desert, will it?"

"Oh! That's right! I was only thinking about flying and fighting, so I didn't realize! Lancelot is amazing!"

When Maris petted Lancelot, Lancelot cried out happily.

Hayato was a little worried, but he understood that this method was the best.

"By the way, how fast is Lancelot? Faster than a Fenrir?"

"Um, he can fly at about twice the speed of a person! I haven't seen it, so I don't know for sure, but I think a Fenrir's speed running in the desert would be about the same, don't you?"

If their speeds were the same, they could somehow reach the Clan Stone first even if they were chased. Lancelot probably wouldn't take that long to destroy the Clan Stone, so it might work out.

Hayato thought so and decided to go with this plan. He couldn't think of any other good plan. However, there was one thing that bothered him.

"Ash and Ren-chan, can you fly when you turn into dragons? I've never seen Ren-chan's dragon form, though."

"No, I have wings, but I'm not the type that can fly. Ren can fly, but—"

For some reason, Ren's face turned red, and she hid half of her face with the hood of her robe.

"U-um, I'm a little... hesitant to turn into a dragon in front of people..."

"Um?"

Ren gave off an atmosphere as if he shouldn't ask. Hayato was curious, but he wondered if it was something he shouldn't touch upon. However, if Ren could fly, it would broaden their strategic options. Just as he was about to ask a little more, Ash spoke up.

"When we're dragons, to put it simply, we're naked."

"...What?"

"Ren is at that age, you know. She's been trying not to transform into a dragon lately."

Ren was trembling, her face hidden by her hood. She was probably trembling with shame.

"O-oh, Ren-chan, I'm sorry. I won't ask anymore."

"No, it's fine. But, big brother, we need to talk later."

"I-I see. But why did you take out the straw doll?"

While hoping that asking something unnecessary wouldn't ruin the siblings' relationship, Hayato apologized to Ren once more in his heart.

"For now, we'll handle the defense inside the fortress. Esha, you probably can't fight in a narrow space, so please stand by on the roof."

"Understood. I will follow the instructions of the indelicate Ash-sama."

"...I'm counting on you."

Ash and Ren went down the stairs.

On the way, Ren was poking Ash in the side as if attacking him. It was somewhat heartwarming, but Hayato apologized to Ash in his heart, thinking it was his fault.

"So, what will you do, Master Harasser? Will you provoke them and lure them in?"

"Are you talking about me? For the sake of my honor, I'll make an excuse, but I really didn't know. Maris, you and Lancelot, stop whispering."

His credibility was dropping just because he said something unnecessary. While thinking he would have to give them some sweets later to get back in their good graces, he thought about what to do next.

Gardel and his group weren't moving much, perhaps because they were wary of them. They seemed to be gradually heading toward them, but they were still in their own territory.

If they could lure them in, it would be over in about ten minutes. There was still plenty of time. However, there was also a possibility that something could go wrong. It would be better to settle it quickly.

Hayato thought so and sent a voice chat to Gardel to provoke him further.

"How long are you going to stay there? We've set a trap and are waiting, so can you please come quickly?"

"No idiot would go knowing there's a trap."

"That's true, but that itself might be a trap, you know? Have you considered the possibility that we gain an advantage by dragging this out? And are you aiming for a draw?"

If both sides did nothing and time ran out in a Clan War, it would be a draw. In that case, neither side would get any points. It would be a draw in form, but considering the rankings, it wouldn't be wrong to say that both sides lost.

"Tch, can't be helped. I was getting tired of having a staring contest with small fry like you anyway. I'll attack from here, just as you wish. Please tell me there's a trap, okay?"

As soon as Gardel's voice came through, the opponent started moving.

The two Fenrirs were moving across the desert at a considerable speed. The remaining three dragons were slow. Despite their movement speed being slowed in the desert field, their speed was still much faster than a person moving normally.

The one Gardel was riding seemed to be the Fenrir with silver fur, and it was running at the front. He had a long spear and would probably swing it around.

(So they can normally fight at twice that speed. They seem to be using threats and stuff, but he's probably quite skilled as a player. Then this field is advantageous for us... but isn't it a bit too advantageous for us?)

It was a coincidence that Ash's group couldn't fight. Thanks to that, it was about a plus-minus zero situation, but it still seemed like a field that was too advantageous for them.

(Is someone's intention involved here... If there's a possibility, then Diite-chan, maybe? No, there's no way she'd favor a specific clan. It's a game, but there's prize money at stake. If she were favoring one clan, it would be a huge problem.)

"Hey, we've come all this way, and you're not even going to greet us? How far do we have to go before we find the trap?"

Hayato's thoughts were interrupted by a voice chat from Gardel, and he hurriedly looked at the field.

There was Gardel, who had come about halfway into their territory. However, it was only the two on the Fenrirs, and the dragons were just about to enter their territory.

"Oh, sorry. I have some tea snacks prepared, so could you come to the headquarters? I'm confident in my hospitality, you know?"

"...Damn you."

(He seems to be getting properly irritated. Will they all charge at once when they're all here?)

A few minutes later, the entire enemy team had moved to about the halfway point of their territory.

"Well then, let's see you entertain us. If it's a boring entertainment, you'd better be prepared, you hear?"

The Fenrirs and dragons started moving. But the Fenrir Gardel was riding didn't move. It seemed to be waiting at the halfway point of their territory and showed no signs of coming toward them.

"Aren't you coming? I want to entertain you, you know? It's hot over there, right?"

"Don't mind me, just entertain my men. Besides, I don't like sweets. If you had some booze, I might have gone."

(Was he calmer than I thought? Did he stay behind because he anticipated a trap... Crap. If a Fenrir stays behind, Maris won't be able to reach the Clan Stone first even if she takes off. Or has he seen through our plan? This is a pain.)

Hayato had to rethink what to do.