Slime Reincarnation

Chapter 36: Handle a Pinch with Flexibility

"So, for real, what’s the plan? How exactly are you going to annihilate the enemy? Without leaving a single trace..."

While ignoring the persistent Guild Master Zoria who kept pressing him with questions, the protagonist marched in a grand procession with his 61 Wolf Fangs down the main street of Sorenarini town, drawing plenty of attention. They were currently completing the procedures to exit through the north gate.

"Still... I wondered what happened when you went to collect the tamed beast pendants, but this is an unbelievable number of them. You really are a first-rate Tamer, huh~"

One of the gate guards spoke to him in a friendly manner.

"Well, they’re all good boys."

"Yeah, they’re lined up so neatly and disciplined. They’re probably smarter than most rotten humans."

The guard laughed cheerfully.

He was always stationed at the town gate and had to deal with all kinds of people. There were surely those who complained, cut in line, or caused trouble. Yet he was laughing and saying that the Wolf Fangs were far better than those kinds of people.

Towns with kind-hearted guards like this made him want to protect them from the bottom of his heart.

"When I come back to this town next time, I’ll bring these guys around to all the gates to say thanks for the pendants. If there’s time, maybe we can set up some fluffing sessions?"

"Ohh! That sounds amazing. There aren’t many chances to touch such magnificent Wolf Fangs. I’ll be looking forward to it!"

The guard continued the procedures with a big smile.

"Alright, procedures complete. Take care out there!"

He waved with a grin.

"Oh, Guild Master, you’re heading out too? Please be careful."

"Mm."

Of course, the guard probably didn’t know where they were going, but since the protagonist was using his adventurer guild card for the procedures, the guard likely assumed they were leaving town for a request.

...Which wasn’t exactly wrong.

"Alright, let’s hurry and move to the interception point."

"Looking forward to seeing your skills."

They began moving straight north toward the labyrinth.

"Pi pi pi pi! (Boss! Reporting!)"

Three chicks came flying in. After a quick greeting to Chick Captain on Logan’s head, they delivered their report to the protagonist... Very efficient.

It had been about two hours since they left town. The protagonist, riding on Logan and matching the speed of Zoria’s horse, had covered quite a distance. Even if they fought here, the impact on the town should be minimal.

"Pi pi pi pipiyo! (The enemy is advancing from the north toward us!)"

"Pi pi pi piyo! Piyo! (As in the first report, the enemy consists of Goblins, Orcs, and large-type monsters! At our current speed, they’ll reach us in about 30 minutes!)"

"Pi pi pi piyo! (The enemy force consists of groups of roughly 100 units moving in a straight line. Since leaving the labyrinth, there have been no changes!)"

"Understood. Logan, Chick Captain. We’ll keep moving for about another hour to close the distance."

"Yeah, the farther we fight from town, the better."

With the protagonist riding Logan at the front, they continued advancing.

However, before they could complete the planned hour of movement, an urgent messenger from the chicks arrived.

"Pi yo piiiii! (Boss! This is bad!)"

Three more chicks flew in. Unlike the previous group, these ones were clearly panicked and looked exhausted.

"What happened?" freeweɓnovel.cøm

The protagonist stopped moving so he could calmly hear the report.

Zoria also noticed the chicks’ unusual behavior and waited with a serious expression.

"Pi yo yo yo yo~! (Part of the enemy has changed direction and is heading straight for Caso Village!)"

"Pi pi pi pii! (Approximately 2000 enemies—some Goblins and the majority of the Orcs!)"

"Pi pi pi~piyo! (The remaining roughly 8000 are still advancing toward us!)"

"What!?"

The protagonist jumped down from Logan and double-checked the chicks’ report.

"What’s wrong, Yabe?"

His reaction must have been quite intense, because Zoria asked in a flustered tone.

"Part of the monsters... some Goblins and Orcs have changed direction and are heading directly for Caso Village. About 2000 of them."

"W-what...!?"

Zoria was speechless. Caso Village had no adventurer guild branch and almost no defensive capabilities. If 2000 monsters were heading there, it was easy to imagine the kind of tragedy that would unfold.

Thud!

Zoria slammed her mage’s staff into the ground with tremendous force. Her eyes widened.

"Logan."

His voice came out with a heavy edge. He was having a bit of trouble controlling himself.

『Yes.』

"I’m entrusting command of all the Wolf Fang clan and all of Chick Captain’s squads to you. From now on, rush to Caso Village and annihilate every last monster approaching it. Chick Captain and your squads will operate under Logan’s command—perform diversions and prevent any more monsters from splitting off and heading elsewhere. I’ll come collect the corpses later, so wait there. This is perfect; we’ll use these monster corpses as proof for the Stampede subjugation. Any questions?"

『...Forgive me for asking, but what will you do, Boss?』

"I’ll stay here and wait for the remaining enemies."

『There are more of them over here.』

"No problem. I was originally planning to take on all ten thousand by myself. Your role was supposed to be chasing down any monsters that started scattering and fleeing anyway."

『To think...』

Logan had always sensed that his respected Boss was an incredible being, but he had never seen even a glimpse of that power before. However, the aura the Boss was giving off right now was truly that of a king.

"Go! Be sure to protect Caso Village to the end! Once I’m done here, I’ll head over too."

『Understood. We have received Boss’s orders. We may finish first, so we will send a chick messenger when the extermination is complete.』

"Got it. I’m counting on you!"

『As you command! Everyone heard that! We are heading to Caso Village at once to annihilate the separated monsters! Move out!』

『『『『Ooooh!』』』』

With great momentum, Logan and the others headed west toward Caso Village.

Only the protagonist, Irina, and Zoria were left behind.

Zoria watched Logan’s group rush off in a daze. If her expression could be summed up in one phrase, it would be "For real?"

In contrast, Irina didn’t change her expression at all. She simply stared at the protagonist with serious eyes.

Irina... when did you become so strong?

...Well, it’s a good thing.

He had planned to let Logan’s group handle the stragglers, but that was no longer possible. Time to do this properly with thorough preparation.