The Wasteland of Negesta
“This vast wasteland, as far as the eye can see, is a remnant of the Demon Continent War. According to records, our nation suffered a glorious defeat, which is why this land still belongs to Negesta.”
Before me stretches the barren land, a blend of brown and red soil, filled with the forces of Noibranz from Midgards. Soldiers mounted on monsters resembling lizards or flightless birds fill the area. They are all monsters I’ve seen before, yet they seem strangely unfamiliar. Each soldier hides their face behind a purple iron mask, adding to the eerie atmosphere. With flat horns protruding from their foreheads like demons, their dark eyes make them appear as if they are armored fiends. It’s easy to believe there are indeed monsters lurking among them.
At the forefront, an uncle of sorts enjoys this unsettling scenery, the only one without a mask. There are hundreds of them, though I can’t tell the exact number. But it’s not just soldiers; monsters are present as well, drooling and waiting hungrily, as if anticipating a meal. I wonder how Baran will handle such a situation.
“Allow me to introduce myself; I am from the Nation of Negesta—”
“Ah, yes, the renowned Fist Saint Baran, right? Your tales of valor are well-known even in our land. I am Gaster, the captain of the 177th Ground Forces of Noibranz. So…?”
“So, what?” Baran replies, his tone steady.
“I’m asking what you intend to do bringing such a girl into the presence of this massive army.”
Gaster, the captain, wears a sarcastic smile, his demeanor dripping with disdain. Here stands Baran, myself, and alongside us, Balbus and Nice. Baran has strictly warned us not to act recklessly, but I can’t shake off the unease. Balbus is already showing his fangs, claws clicking in anticipation of a fight.
“What you are doing is a blatant act of invasion. Do you understand the gravity of the situation?” Baran questions seriously.
“What nonsense are you spouting…? Is there anything more abnormal than being overrun by beasts?”
Even in the face of Baran’s earnest inquiry, Gaster merely scoffs. Laughter erupts from the soldiers behind their iron masks, mocking us with their bravado. They possess the strength to have repelled Beastkin before, and that confidence allows them to laugh at us.
Despite the anger boiling within him, Balbus remains still. But then, he starts to tremble, as if on the verge of exploding. With Nice beside him, he manages to hold back, but without her, he would surely charge forward.
“Listen well, you yellow monkeys… Nearly half of this continent now belongs to our Noibranz. This means you are merely surviving on this land. If we gather the Ground Forces of Midgards, we will number in the tens of thousands. How do you plan to escape this threat?”
“Does Noibranz truly possess such power now?” Baran retorts.
“What did you say…?”
Now it’s Baran who wears a malicious grin. I can feel Gaster’s irritation radiating from him, and oddly, it feels satisfying. But tens of thousands is indeed impressive. Even the forces of the Wizard Kingdom number only in the thousands. Considering that, it’s easy to see why Noibranz is regarded as a great nation. If they were to invade, it would indeed be dangerous.
“Rua and Kurinka, take a look at the armor they wear. Do you notice anything?”
“Huh? I think it looks like pretty good equipment…”
“I don’t have much experience with armor, so I can’t really say…”
“Indeed, it’s excellent gear. Likely made entirely of mithril or better. Not only is it resistant, but it also boasts exceptional breathability and comfort.”
Why is he only looking at Kurinka? Armor is just heavy; as long as I can avoid attacks, I’ll be fine. Or if I train my body to endure, that’s not a problem either. Yet, I find myself letting out a small sigh.
“In other words, the cost of that armor is considerable. Where does that funding come from?”
“…!?”
“It comes from the people, doesn’t it?”
Gaster grits his teeth. The soldiers, their expressions hidden, seem even more unsettling. I can’t tell if Gaster is frustrated or laughing at the accusation. All the soldiers remain mounted on their beasts, their spines straightened.
“Did you think I wouldn’t know? The people are suffering in poverty, gnawing on tree roots. Yet they maintain their faith in the royal family. If they don’t, they face charges of treason and execution. The result of such exploitation is the very weapons you see.”
“Shut up! How dare a weak nation insult us, Noibranz!”
“The people who aren’t even given weapons have no chance to rebel. Everything is poured into military strength, clinging to the glory of the Demon Continent War, under the current King Braamd. Gaster, stop pretending to be strong.”
“Pretending to be strong?! Do you still speak such nonsense in the face of our overwhelming power? And to insult King Braamd… that is unforgivable!”
Baran shakes his head repeatedly, eyes closed, a gesture that only serves to infuriate Gaster further. It feels as though that massive army is about to advance.
“You didn’t participate in the recent battle at the Garden of Beasts because you wanted to conserve your forces, didn’t you? This is a rare opportunity to showcase your nation’s strength. If successful, the threat of Noibranz would be recognized across the continent once more.”
“It seems you’ve truly come here seeking death…! A gathering of weak nations is nothing to us!”
“The Kingdom of Avangarde boasts many A-Rank Adventurers. They have withstood two assaults from the Demon Lord Army. Thus, to conquer Avangarde, you must possess a force greater than that of the Demon Lord Army. Gaster, I ask you again: do you understand what this invasion will bring to your nation?”
Baran’s presence alone overwhelms Gaster, who is beginning to falter. Though he’s still trying to retort, his face is flushed with anger. Given this situation, we might truly avoid a fight. If only these two Beastkin could remain calm. They seem ready to pounce at any moment, fangs bared.
“A-Rank, you say? While Avangarde may have Special-class Adventurers, we already have ten Special-class Adventurers on our side.”
According to Baran, the Nation of Noibranz has ten S-Rank Adventurers. Normally, S-Rank Adventurers are treated more lavishly than nobles or royalty, with only one allowed per nation. Tiferia, for instance, is usually free-spirited, but when given orders, she responds immediately. I think she’s no longer just an Adventurer, but due to the contract between the Adventurer’s Guild and the nation, there are complexities I don’t quite understand.
Still, the thought of having ten individuals with Tiferia’s level of power is somewhat intriguing.
“I know of them. The Ten Destroyers of Noibranz, right? But your enemies are not limited to just Avangarde. Rua, show that ring.”
“Huh? Oh, right. I should show this, right?”
“Th-th-that is…!”
For the first time, the soldiers behind the iron masks show signs of agitation. Gaster stands there, mouth agape, utterly stunned. I reveal the Detect Ring. No, it’s more accurate to say they are terrified of the nation that created it. The Midgards squad is transfixed by the silver-winged relief.
“This was a gift from the Kingdom of Metallica as a token of friendship to these two. They are A-Rank Adventurers, but it seems they are quite trusted.”
“B-b-b-b-bullshit! That iron nation would never concern itself with a mere Adventurer!”
“Looks like I’ve made quite an impression on Tiferia and Platiu…”
As Kurinka mentions their names, the Midgards soldiers freeze even further. The Kingdom of Metallica, the most powerful nation on the continent, can instill fear even in Noibranz. It dawns on me just how significant that nation is to the world. Sweat pours down Gaster’s face as he desperately wipes it away with a cloth.
“This ring is quite handy. It reveals the strength of any opponent. For instance, Uncle here is…”
Gaster Level: 46 Class: Squad Leader Rank: None HP: 389
“Hmm, hmm, the other soldiers average around level 30. That one over there, named Ko, is level 31.”
“Class… Private? What is this?”
“Perhaps it’s a soldier’s rank? Does Avangarde have something like that?”
The panic of the soldier named Ko is palpable, even through his mask. He seems ready to leap off the back of his beast. As I point the ring at other soldiers, accurately naming their levels and classes, more and more of them begin to touch their masks in disbelief. Even though their faces are hidden, I can sense their reactions.
“Even the soldiers of Avangarde are around level 15; that’s impressive.”
“W-why?! What kind of skill is this?!”
“…In other words, for the Kingdom of Metallica, gathering information on individuals like you is a trivial matter. Do you still wish to make an enemy of such a nation?”
“Gaster, Captain of the Squad… I think we should retreat here.”
A soldier nearby, who seemed a bit more authoritative than the others, suggested this to the trembling Gaster. I heard he’s the assistant captain, but what exactly does an assistant do?
“Retreat, you say?”
The mood that had been filled with hope of avoiding a fight shifted dramatically, and Gaster’s tone changed. In the next moment, the assistant captain who had spoken was seized by Gaster and thrown off by a Servant. The other soldiers looked down from the back of the beast, stunned by the sudden turn of events.
“Narcus, assistant captain. Once we return to the homeland, I will relieve you of your duties. You will face a court-martial for treason against the kingdom and for suggesting a retreat.”
“Wha…!”
“To put it plainly, this is an act of rebellion against King Braamd. Not a single one of us here is considering retreating!”
That was the signal for battle. The beasts charged forward, shaking the very earth beneath them.
“W-What should we do, Baran?!”
“What else can we do? We have no choice but to fight. One against a hundred, perhaps?”
“I’ve been silent until now, but it seems this is how it will be. I’m disappointed in you, Baran.”
Nice stepped forward before the advancing army. Balbus stood ready to engage, as if he had been waiting for this moment. Baran, who had been caught off guard, took a stance but calmly retorted to Nice.
“That’s not it, Lady Nice. What I mean is the limits of control through power. No matter how strong one is, there is always someone stronger. Even the forces of Noibranz, who defeated the mighty Beastkin, have foes they fear. Even if we overwhelm them with strength, we will eventually be repaid in kind. This cycle will continue for eternity, and do you intend to pass this on to your children?”
“…That is…”
Unlike the already enraged Balbus, Nice seemed to be deep in thought. Meanwhile, Balbus had completely tuned out, letting out a terrifying roar as he charged into the ranks of Midgards.
“That’s the same for Noibranz. A nation that neglects its people cannot endure. Even without weapons, those who have nothing left to eat have nothing to lose.”
“How brazen you are to stand there so confidently! Let my Servant, the Poison Salamander Pompy, crush you!”
A large lizard, smaller than the Poison Salamander that appeared on the Strange Plains, raised its front legs as it aimed to stomp on Baran. Despite its cute name, Pompy, the scene was anything but adorable.
“In Noibranz, a man becomes a full-fledged adult only when he possesses a Servant. By the way, women are expected to serve men, and fighting in the military is out of the question. Lua and Kurinka, please show them the strength of women!”
【Baran’s Rising Wave Fist! Dealt 1765 damage to the Poison Salamander!
The Poison Salamander has been defeated! HP 0/1210】
“Just like that.”
“Hyiiiiiiyahhhhhh!”
With just a single swing of his hand, the front half of the Poison Salamander was obliterated, and the soldier riding it was thrown off. Should I respond to Baran’s grin with a smile? Either way, I had no choice but to fight.
“Do not kill the soldiers; focus solely on the Servants. This battle must be an overwhelming victory, or it will mean nothing.”
If we can show overwhelming strength without killing any soldiers, Noibranz will likely refrain from attacking us for a while. That was added as an afterthought. For me, who had no intention of killing humans, it was a welcome suggestion. But I couldn’t help but worry about that thrown soldier; I hoped he wouldn’t be crushed by the other Servants.
“Kurinka, let’s unleash some chaos like we haven’t in a while!”
“We just need to take down the Servants, right?”
“Yes, but I want to try something…”
“What is it?”
Following my instructions, Kurinka waved her staff, scattering flames not at the enemy but into the air, which I then caught with my sword. The heated Disballade became even sharper, now imbued with fire attributes.
“I call it… Fire Swing!”
【Dealt 8120498 damage to the Reptile! HP 0/752】
【Dealt 6520119 damage to the Red Salamander! HP 0/1374】
【Dealt 9812788 damage to the Scary Dog! HP 0/943】
【Dealt 8548120 damage to the Sleep Horn! HP 0/1065】
This was the combined attack I had always wanted to try. The red arc melted the beasts, incinerating them from the cut surfaces. The soldiers’ armor seemed quite sturdy, as they merely tumbled off their backs, despite being scorched. I had wanted to try that combined attack ever since I saw the Five Elites do it.
“We did it!”
“We nailed it on the first try without any practice!”
“Yeah, because I’ve been watching Lua-chan’s movements all along. It’s often too fast to see, though…”
“Keep watching me from now on.”
“Uh, uh? Yeah.”
I felt embarrassed by the words that slipped out naturally. While I was captivated by Kurinka’s shy smile, soldiers continued to charge at us. I held them back with one hand, trying to suppress my embarrassment.
“W-What is that girl?! Is she really an A-Rank?! She must be a Special-class Adventurer!”
“Gaster, Captain! That must be the Flash Strike Girl we’ve heard rumors about!”
“What! The one who supposedly repelled a thousand troops and created a wind hole in the earth… a mere girl?!”
Rumors were getting out of hand. No, there was indeed a wind hole; it happened when I defeated Lafoule in the Kingdom of Normitz. It was fine for them to whisper whatever they liked about me being a child, but we had to be cautious; we weren’t the only ones they needed to worry about.
【Balbus the Beast King’s Beast Rush!】
【Dealt 3254 damage to the Sleep Horn! HP 1065】
【Dealt 2102 damage to the Scary Dogs! HP 943】
Balbus was smashing through soldiers and their armor without a care. The scattered fragments of armor flew into other soldiers, causing even more damage. There were definitely people who would die from taking that punch head-on. Heads were crushed, and half of bodies were obliterated; he wasn’t listening to anything Baran said.
Meanwhile, Nice was skillfully slashing only the Servants with her claws, but was this really okay? The only one who could stop him was Nice, so I wished she would.
“Balbus, focus only on the Servants. Even if we lose the Servants, there will still be humans who will turn their blades against us, but we can just throw them somewhere. We need to instill fear in them so they report back to the homeland.”
“Hmph… It’s troublesome, but it can’t be helped.”
“That’s the spirit, Balbus.”
She never forgot to praise him. I felt like even I could handle him easily, not just Nice.
“Still… those girls are strong.”
“Yes, and surprisingly, working together isn’t such a bad feeling.”
“Nice! What are you saying!”
“No, it’s just…”
Even while having this exchange, the two of them didn’t stop their movements, keeping their eyes fixed on the enemy. The forces of Midgards were dwindling one by one. Even with just Baran, we couldn’t handle this, let alone with this group. The Servants were indeed terrifying, but that was only when the opponent considered them a threat. Normally, they would target the humans riding them, but it seemed they hadn’t anticipated being attacked in reverse.
“Piiiiiiiiiiiiii!”
Suddenly, Gaster blew a whistle with his fingers. The troops began to retreat and scatter. As soon as the next whistle blew, the dispersed soldiers charged forward again with renewed vigor. They weren’t just coming from the front; they were attacking from the sides, and they weren’t just regrouping. The charge of the cows and lizards, synchronized yet scattered, made it all the more difficult to deal with. The timing of their approach was staggered, which could easily disrupt our rhythm.
“That whistle is the true essence of Noibranz’s troops. It allows us to give orders without revealing our intentions, effectively communicating with both humans and Servants.”
“Balbus! Watch out!”
A soldier on a lizard launched a surprise attack from Balbus’s blind spot. Balbus noticed just in time, but it was already too late. If I hadn’t kicked the lizard’s head away, he would have definitely taken a hit.
“What are you doing, you fool!”
“We’re allies right now!”
“…Thank you for saving Balbus.”
Baran nodded silently, and Kurinka smiled brightly. I felt a bit guilty for the people suffering in the Royal Capital, but right now, that was the least of my concerns. Besides, letting Balbus die here wouldn’t solve anything. I found Nice’s straightforward gratitude a little cute.
If I were to injure or kill someone, those Beastkin would go into a frenzy and might truly destroy the Royal Capital. I had a vague understanding of how important Balbus and Nice were to them. Even if I silenced Gorita through fear and violence, I was sure that Gorita and the others wouldn’t wish for Balbus to die. After all, he was the one they needed the most.
“Lord Balbus, I’m so relieved to see you safe.”
“Such an exaggeration.”
“No, it’s not an exaggeration. To me, you are… no, wait.”
“…Hmm?”
I thought of Kurinka as someone similar to that. Nice’s feelings for Balbus might be a bit different from my feelings for Kurinka, but there shouldn’t be too much of a difference in the essence of that affection.
“Pip! Pi! Piiiii!”
Before I knew it, Gaster was blowing a whistle arrogantly from behind us, starting something again. I wondered what he was up to this time when suddenly, the Servants all leaped into the air.
“Uh-oh! This is bad!”
“This is the Grand Slam of Midgards! There’s no way to escape!”
The weight of their landing caused a rumble that made me stagger slightly, and the two Beastkin fell hard. There was no way I could miss this opportunity. A large force charged in unison, and Baran, who was just regaining his footing, finally took a hit.
“Too easy! Come back when you’re stronger!”
【Baran deftly dodged!】
He rolled away from the collapsing stance, evading the enemy’s attack. This guy was pretty amazing; he might even rival Tiferia. I could feel the shock of the soldier who thought he could take him down through the mask.
“You useless bunch!”
“Do you need some elegant assistance?”
“It’s not your turn in this battle! My Servants are more than enough here! Arise, Dirty Core!”
Perhaps feeling anxious about the dwindling numbers, Gaster quickly clasped his hands together after speaking with someone. He chanted something that sounded like a spell, and suddenly, a pillar of light erupted from beneath him. When the light faded, he was mounted on a massive black lion, larger than a Poison Salamander.
“Here it comes… Gaster’s Servant, Dirty Core…”
【Dirty Core has appeared! HP: ?????】
A gigantic lion with unusually long whiskers and a dark mane. Its size surpassed that of the Poison Salamander encountered in the Strange Plains. Gaster, wearing his iron mask for the first time, seemed oddly fitting with it.
“Well, it seems a somewhat decent creature has emerged.”
Balbus was already eager to fight, so perhaps I didn’t need to step in. Since it was a monster I had never seen before, I decided to check it with the Detect Ring.
【Dirty Core: Unknown, No relevant data found, Unknown, No relevant data found】
“W-What’s this, Kurinka?”
“No relevant data… which means even the Kingdom of Metallica couldn’t gather information on that monster. It might be better to say it hasn’t been recorded.”
All the previous anxiety seemed to vanish, and now Gaster wore a defiant grin. It’s best to keep a distance from unknown foes, but Balbus was already closing in, almost nose-to-nose.
“So, you’re the leader? I’ll crush you without hesitation.”
“Go ahead, you beast.”
Sparks were already flying, creating an atmosphere that suggested I shouldn’t interfere. It was a good opportunity to see Balbus’s true strength, and I felt a thrill of excitement.
◆ Shin Report ◆
The ones from Noibrants say they are the Kizaru.
They are a troublesome type of human.
These are the humans that the Beastkin despise.
Even when the shadow of Metallica looms, they attack without thinking of the consequences.
Shin feels an overwhelming rage.
Shin absolutely hates these kinds of humans.
Whether they are human or female, it’s infuriating!
Rua is also fighting against a human, so she doesn’t need to hold back.
If it were all monsters, this battle would have been over long ago.
Enough already!
Wait, was Shin saying that because they were monsters too?
U-Um, umm!
This is… this is…
And Dirty Core?
Shin doesn’t know that kind of monster either.
Maybe the Demon Lord knows about it.
No, they must know.
They definitely know.
Because they are the Demon Lord.
Ah, I’m starting to feel a bit nostalgic.
Monster Compendium
【Reptile: HP 752】
A small bipedal dinosaur. It has a body well-suited for riding, but its temperament is wild, requiring skill and wisdom to handle.
【Red Salamander: HP 1374】
A monster of the same lineage as the Poison Salamander. It possesses such fire resistance that it can swim in lava.
Its stout body may deceive, but it is by no means slow.
It doesn’t breathe fire; instead, it devours its prey with fangs that reach a melting point capable of liquefying iron.
【Scary Dog: HP 973】
A dog monster larger than an adult male. It is said that anyone who hears its howl from deep within the forest will never return alive.
Unlike wolves, it doesn’t hunt in packs and seems to prefer solitary hunting.
【Sleep Horn: HP 1065】
It puts its prey to sleep with a special hypnotic wave emitted from its horn before devouring them.
Moreover, it possesses enough power to defeat even a charging Burst Boa, so if one only focuses on countering sleep, they may find themselves in eternal slumber.