The dark night sky is colored by the vermilion of the sunrise.

The fact remains that there is a sun everywhere in the world. Few things in common with the original world. While looking sideways at the scenery, I was in front of Mr. Nea's house, preparing for the morning training.

The reason why we train early in the morning is that we basically go to bed early and wake up early for the convenience of traveling, and we have the idea of doing training in the morning that we would not be able to do during the trip.

 

「...... Okay."

 

After completing a few preparatory exercises, I approached a nearby tree and looked up at a leg-thick branch about three meters high. Then tap it lightly with your fist to see if it is sturdy.

yes, it looks okay.

 

"Whew......"

 

Kick up the trunk lightly, grab the branch above your head, lift your body at once, put your legs on the branch, and turn upside down. And from there start the sit-ups.

This is the training method that Amako saw after thinking that strengthening the muscles of the torso is essential, but in the end, I don't know if it will be effective. But it's not pointless.

Besides, even without Amako's foreknowledge, there was certainly a reason why she had to put herself into training.

 

"Help me...... Please...... How?"

 

As I repeat my sit-ups, I think about last night.

The mastermind behind what she said and how we decided on the matter.

 

●

 

"Village, us...... Please help me."

 

She said this with tears in her eyes, and the first emotion I had was confusion.

But that doesn't mean I'm surprised that the people who live here are in such a desperate situation, and I don't know if I can take her word "help" lightly.

We're not on a trip to help people. They are traveling the country for the people who live on this continent. If I help everyone on the street and fail to achieve my original purpose, it will not be a matter of me alone taking responsibility.

From the point of view of me, who is entrusted with the letter, I have to refuse her request for help.

But as a lifesaver -- part of a group that was responsible for saving lives, I had to help her and her villagers.

 

"Let me talk to you first, and then then."

 

When she says that, Nea wipes her eyes and nods.

 

"The zombies suddenly appeared about two years ago, and they came out of a cemetery on the outskirts of the village...... The people of the village who were buried were suddenly turned into zombies and revived."

"What about the resurrected zombies?"

"After messing up the village and injuring a lot of people...... I'm gone."

 

He suddenly appeared two years ago, or rather, it was around the time that the Demon King was resurrected. It may also have something to do with the awakening of the Demon Lord.

Besides, the zombies originated from people who died in this village.

It's in bad taste. No matter how much the corpse is needed, it can only be said that it is in bad taste to use the corpse that the villagers must have buried generously, and to make a mess of the village.

 

"They have been attacking us and passing merchants and travelers indiscriminately for a long time, so that almost no one stops in this village...... The fear of when they would strike took away our smiles."

"What is the principle of behavior of zombies......

"I don't know."

 

Nea shakes her head at Aluk's words, who crosses her arms thoughtfully.

However, she spun the words, "It's just ......," and turned her head to the place where the window was.

 

"I know that there is a mastermind who is manipulating them in a Western-style mansion a little away from the village."

 

Beyond her gaze, the darkness of the pitch-black night spreads out, but beyond that is the Western-style building she mentions.

 

"But there are a lot of zombies roaming around the mansion day and night...... You can't beat him."

"He?"

 

Is the man who created the zombies?

Nea, who knew the person he was calling him, looked around at the three of us and then opened her mouth as if she had made up her mind.

 

"Necromancer, the king of the dead, a demon that collects corpses lives in a mansion."

 

Necromancer.

Also known as Necromancerer, it is a demon that is infinitely close to humans. Their racial ability to resurrect and use the dead is not only human beings, but also subhumans, beasts, and dangerous monsters that can control everything if the corpse is a condition.

The main characteristics of the Necromancer are its powerful magical powers and the ability to manipulate the dead at will.

As I briefly summarize Aluk's explanation in my head, I let out a sigh that I don't know how many times I've done it today.

 

"If you're dealing with a Necromancer, it's natural that the people here will be tough, and the zombies that are currently roaming under a set order will be extremely troublesome if they are led by a leader called a Necromancer."

"Mr. Aluk, how strong is the Necromancer himself?"

"The main body is not very strong, but the strength of the Necromancer is in group battles. Zombies are pawns that can keep moving as long as they work, so to speak, and it's hard to deal with anyone other than those who specialize in physical abilities like Usato. As someone who deals with fire magic, my magic power is not infinite, so I am sure that I will be at a disadvantage if it becomes a long-term battle."

 

...... In short, the king general in shogi is a necromancer, and the infantry that never falls is a zombie.

He's a troublesome opponent. I don't even know how many zombies there are.

I could have done as much as I wanted against thugs and thieves, but I never imagined that I would be dealing with a dangerous monster called a necromancer. If you want to focus on long-term battles, you can kill the zombies little by little, and finally the Necromancer, but we can't stand still for long. It is unlikely to be solved in a short period of time.

 

"That ......."

"Hmm?"

 

Mr. Nea, who had remained silent, called out.

 

"After all...... It's good."

"Are you sure?"

"We're fine, Usato-san and the others have helped us in a dangerous place once, but ...... brazenly asking for help again. So, it's good."

 

She said this with a somber look on her face, and I could feel her cheeks twitch.

You can't leave it alone...... If you say that with such a desperate look on your face and say yes, you'll be crushed by guilt.

I was about to speak to Mr. Alc to ask him to make a decision, but he spoke up before I could.

 

"You have the right to decide, and I'll follow it."

 

I ...... decide.

It's only natural that this would happen from the standpoint of Mr. Aluk, who is an escort, but it's difficult.

 

"Do you have any odds?"

"For the time being, but the success of Usato-donor and Amako-dono...... is indispensable."

 

Me and Amako?

I don't know why it's that combination, but if you have a good chance of winning, you might want to try it.

But before that, I ...... need to confirm Amako's intentions.

 

"What do you think Amako should do?"

「...... Follow Usato's decision. But I want to help."

 

You say you're going to obey and you want to help .......

He receives glances from both sides and sighs.

If you look ahead, you can see that Nea is anxiously waiting for my words. Abandoning it here is not an option. Rather, if I abandon this girl now, I will regret it for the rest of my life.

　

"Mr. Nea, does that necromancer have any effect on physical attacks?"

"What!? Well, it's substantial, so it works...... I think."

 

The only concern has also disappeared.

I make eye contact with Nea, raise my hands to chest level, and clench my fists.

 

"If you can beat him up, this is it, let's get rid of that annoying necromancer and make this village peaceful."

 

It is also disgusting to use the buried people as puppets to degrade the village into danger and leave the evil demons unchecked.

Mr. Nea suppressed his mouth at my words. Perhaps the situation in the village was so dire that I was so overwhelmed with emotion that I was worried about what I was watching.

 

"Thank you, sir...... Tsu. I've always been anxious...... I'm scared......

"Oh, don't cry, don't cry."

 

It's okay to be happy, but don't cry.

With a trembling voice, she calls out to her in confusion as she holds her face with both hands to hide her face.

 

"I've heard the story."

「......! Mr. Tetra."

 

Tetra came into the room while wiping her hands.

Nea's eyes were red and swollen, and she looked at Tetra who was sitting next to her.

 

"It seems like the story was going on while I was gone, but I got the general idea, thank you. They tried to help not only this child, but also us strangers...... But we can't just leave it up to you."

"What do you mean?"

 

I thought it would be with the support of Alc and me, as well as Amako and Burlin, but Tetra doesn't want us to do it alone.

When I asked, Tetra looked up and smiled softly.

 

"Tomorrow I will call the village chief and advise him to defeat the monster that lives in that pungent mansion with the young men of the village...... Haven't you had a lot of people?"

"Yes, the more you have, the more successful the operation will be."

 

If you can get the cooperation of the people of the village, the success rate of the operation that you think will increase even more.

However, necromancers, to zombies? It's a very dangerous trip for an event in a village where you stop.

 

●

 

After that, they went back to their respective rooms and rested.

As for me, I was able to rest in a soft bed for the first time in a long time, so I was able to take a lot of the fatigue off the trip, and Amako would have been able to rest in peace without worrying about her status as a beastman, so to be honest, I was right to be spoiled by the kindness of Nea and Tetra.

Inwardly, he is grateful to the two of them, but he continues his training.

 

"Huh...... Hydrofluoric...... Whew."

 

I'm going to have to deal with the awkward necromancer, so I want to be as prepared as possible.

For the time being, it's muscle training.

Constant discipline never betrays oneself.

Deep, fast, hot, and continue to train your body for the results that lie beyond fatigue and load.

 

"Am I too immersed in training, ......?"

 

Well, it's too late.

Repeating abs and healing magic without a break, tens of minutes.

My body warmed up just right, so I climbed down from the tree and slowly stretched out.

　

"yes...... It's a lot brighter."

 

Before I knew it, the surroundings were completely bright, and I could see the whole village, which I hadn't paid attention to until yesterday.

 

"It looks like a peaceful village......

 

A nondescript village with no rough spots.

However, there is someone who is degrading such a peaceful village to the point of endangerment.

...... No, any more thoughts will become violent.

 

"Well, let's do it."

 

After taking a deep breath, he jumped to the branch above his head again, this time with only one arm, but he saw a figure peeking at him from the shadow of the door, so he landed on the ground.

Who could it be from such an early hour? Tilting his head, he turned to face the door, and perhaps noticed that I was noticing, so he hesitantly opened the door and appeared.

 

"Mr. Nea?"

"I'm sorry......"

 

It was Mr. Nea who came out.

Why did she ...... at such an early hour?

 

"Oh, I'm sorry, I think I woke you up."

"Oh, no! I always wake up at this time, so I noticed that Usato-san wasn't in the room...... That's why ......."

"Hahaha, calm down, I understand the situation."

 

Did he notice me training outside and watch me?

Based on her personality, I don't know when to talk to her, so I guess I couldn't get out.

She took a deep breath and calmed herself, then looked at me and spoke to me curiously.

 

"Are you always training?"

"That's right."

"Um, I'm sorry if I'm wrong, but Usato is both exercising and using healing magic at the same time?"

"Hmm, I think it's a little different."

 

That's what I used to do in the beginning, but it's different these days.

After the Demon Lord's army arrived, he changed his policy a bit and decided not to use healing magic while he was training.

 

"Healing magic can also cure fatigue, so it's good that you don't get tired at all, but if you use healing magic from the time you put the load on, the magic power is not efficient, and it's not worth training."

"Then ......?"

 

He doesn't use healing magic in normal training, but when he reaches his limit, he recasts healing magic and repeats the process.

It's like a cycle of destruction and rebirth. It's a little too cool, though.

 

"When you feel like you're at your limit, you're going to do healing magic, and when you're at your limit, you're going to do healing magic, and so on."

"I never thought I'd use healing magic like that............ It's dehumanizing...... isn't it?"

"Hmm?"

 

When I asked her about the disturbing words, she panicked and waved her hand and said it was nothing.

I heard her voice that I shouldn't have heard. Is it the one you just had? Does he look mature but actually have a tough personality? ...... Try not to think about it.

I feign calmness so that I don't realize my inner turmoil.

 

"Speaking of which, what country are you from?"

"What? Where are you from?"

 

It's a different world, but I can't say that.

Unlike Kiriha and the others, who had a relationship with whom they could trust each other to some extent, it would be better not to tell her about me, who I had just met yesterday, because I was caught up in the summoning of another world.

 

"It's the Ringle Kingdom."

"It's not far from here, ...... why travel?" I know that he is on his way to Samarian because he tried to pass through here, but he doesn't look like a merchant ......."

"Hmm."

 

I don'...... know how much to talk about.

For the time being, I don't think I need to talk about Amako's foreknowledge and her mother. Suffice it to tell him, then, that he is on a journey to deliver a letter to warn him of the danger to the Demon Lord's army.

He briefly explains the battle with the Demon Lord's army, and the subsequent assignment to hand over the letter, as well as what happened in Luqvis.

Of course, I have omitted my story.

 

"It's a tough journey...... isn't it?"

"Yes, but we still have to do it. After all, if we don't do anything like this, not only the country but the entire continent may be endangered by the Demon Lord."

"Demon Lord, a being who was defeated by a hero long before I was born......

 

Before I was born...... It's hundreds of years ago, so it's natural that it wasn't born.

However, I wonder what kind of person was the hero before Senpai and Kazuki. I only know that he is a legendary person who defeated the Demon Lord, but how strong was he?

Now that it's a fairy tale, I guess there's no way to know about it anymore.

 

"And when you think that the demon tribe will attack with a lot of numbers...... It's terrifying."

"Even the Demon Clan is not as scary as I expected when I meet them, right? Or rather, the demon tribe we have in our care is a stubborn scumbag who doesn't like to lose."

 

Come to think of it, I wonder how he will react when he meets Nak.

I'm going to blow the senior wind and snore...... Nak is also Nak and he's weirdly serious, so he's going to deal with it normally and get on with it. And I can imagine until Rose threatens me and my dignity collapses.

I smile wryly at the thought of such a thing.

 

"You know not only beastmen like Amako-san, but also demon people, I may be a little rude, but I thought it was unusual."

"I'm aware of this, from the moment I joined the leader, or rather the master, I've been like a rare beast."

 

I'm getting sad when I say it myself.

What a rare beast .......

 

"But I'm jealous."

「...... Are you jealous?"

 

When she is secretly depressed, Nea looks at the distant scenery with a somewhat troubled expression.

Hmm? What the hell, the clouds are getting suspicious.

 

"I've lived here since I was born, and I'm so used to seeing this scenery that I'm tired of it, and I know all the faces and numbers of the people in the village. Therefore, only people from the outside can tell me what I don't know. It satisfies my thirst for knowledge and curiosity......

"Didn't you tell me about it?"

 

He seems to have a lot of life experience.

She giggled at my words, looked at me with eyes that were not smiling at all, and opened her mouth emotionlessly.

 

「...... Tetra, who has picked me up without my parents for as long as I can remember, has taught me countless important things. But even that has its limitations. Knowledge is a treasure that continues to overflow ...... this world. You have an important mission, but you are free to live in the outside world. That's why I'm ...... you I envy you."

「............」

 

Oh, he's heavy.

Following Nak, Nair is also good. I'm not a counselor, so how do I get to know someone who has this problem?

For as long as I can remember, I was jealous of the fact that I didn't have parents.

Is it the state of mind of a young man who wants to escape from the countryside? What the hell do you want me to do? Healing magic can't heal emotional wounds, right?

 

"Oh...... Heh, sorry for saying something weird! There's nothing wrong with Usato......san."

"No, I was too insensitive, I'm sorry."

 

I apologize to her for bowing her head deeply while turning slightly blue in the face.

There's nothing more awkward than that. ...... It's also the Necromancer's fault, and the zombies he controls have stopped people from coming from the outside.

 

「...... Then I'll continue my training."

"Yes."

 

She seemed to have breakfast ready, so she bowed to me again and walked back towards the house at a brisk pace.

 

"Knowledge?"

 

I looked at her back and muttered something like that.

Certainly, there is no space in this village where you can study satisfactorily. For her, even the small talk spoken by travelers and merchants must have been information to learn about the outside world.

I didn't say lightly that I should go outside.

She's about the same age as me, she's a girl. It's too irresponsible for such a child to go out where he might encounter bandits and monsters alone.

 

"For now, the first problem is the Necromancer."

 

I muttered to myself, and then jumped up to the branch above my head again and resumed my training.

 

 

 

 

 

 

At lunchtime, Mr. Ark and I were invited to the house of the village leader, the village chief, at the instigation of Mr. Tetra.

Amako has to cover her head with a hood every time she goes out in public, so she and Nea are staying at home, and this discussion was decided to take place with a total of five people: me, Aluk, Tetra, the village chief, and a man who seemed to be a young man from the village.

I don't know if he had heard from Tetra beforehand that we were trying to defeat the Necromancer, but the story started without much explanation.

 

「...... We're both grateful for that...... Honestly, I don't agree to let you fight that monster."

 

The village chief, an old man with a magnificent beard, said with a grimace on his face.

 

"Why?"

"Because if you touch the Necromancer's scales in the wrong way, this village could be destroyed, and above all, I don't know how strong you are."

 

You don't want to make things worse by inadvertently messing around.

What are you going to do, Mr. Aluk? Shifting his eyes to Mr. Aluk sideways, he began to speak in a soft tone as he placed his hand on the sheath of his sword, perhaps anticipating the village chief's words.

 

"I'm good at fire magic, which zombies aren't good at, and Lord Usato, who is next door, has the physical ability to unilaterally overrun a group of zombies by himself, so it's safe to say that he surpasses a skilled wizard in terms of combat power alone."

"...... those zombies!?"

"Such a child unilaterally ...... zombies."

 

Mr. Aluk...... I don't think it's a good way to say it. It's not wrong, but it's too bad.

You see, it's because the village chief and the people behind me are staring at me with their eyes peeled .......

 

"Tetra, is that story true?"

"I didn't see it, but I heard Nea was watching."

「...... I don't think he'...... lying."

 

The village chief crosses his arms and growls at Tetra's words.

 

"Well, you guys...... How are you going to defeat the Necromancer?"

"It's a diversionary battle."

"Diversion, strategy?"

"Yes, while I'm taking on the zombies as decoys, Lord Usato and one other companion will slip through the zombie guards...... That's the strategy."

 

It's a surprisingly simple strategy.

It's simple but easy to do.

 

"Is it going to be so easy to get into that mansion......?"

"That's fine, some of my companions have magic that excels at detection."

 

This is where the magic of amako comes in handy .......

She can quickly get out of the guard hole with foreknowledge, and she can grasp the movements of the zombies in the mansion to some extent.

And if I hit it from behind the necromancer who is eyeing the diversion, it will be solved.

 

"What do you think? I think it's a strategy that has a good chance of winning, ......?"

「......」

 

The village chief was silent for a while at Aluk's words, but after about a dozen seconds of silence, he spoke.

 

"We were helpless, we couldn't defeat even zombies, let ...... Necromancers, and even if we could defeat the zombies, we would be retaliated against by a large number of people next time, and many people would be injured ......."

「...... Retaliation ......"

"And the zombies...... There are also our parents and friends. It's hard to deal with them ....... But more than that, after I die, I am most frightened that my dead body will try to attack my grandchildren, my son, my wife, my friends, the villagers I have protected."

"...... the village chief"

 

At the sound of the chief's sunken voice, the villagers behind him have a somber look on their faces.

After his death, his body attacks people he knows...... It's pretty scary. And this person maybe...... He is holding a zombie in his hand that he would have known.

 

"I'm tired of it, I can't let that monster do what it wants anymore...... The dead must rest in peace. Lord Usato, Lord Aluk, I ask you a favor from here. Let me cooperate."

"I don't want to, but if it gets dangerous, please pull back."

 

The village chief puts his hands on the table and bows deeply.

That's right...... It must be quite tough to be treated like a doll by the corpses of people you know, and to have to fight. After all, the ability of the necromancer is too bad taste.

Now, if I can get the cooperation of the village, there is one thing that I am concerned about.

 

"Mr. Aluk, when are you going to sneak into the mansion?"

"No, it's better at night because the zombies are more active during the day, and it's easier for Lord Usato to sneak in when it's dark."

 

After dark? Even though zombies are less likely to find you, there's no guarantee that you won't find them.

And when I say Western-style houses, it's a horror classic. Even if you know in advance that the Necromancer is rooting for you, scary things are scary.

 

"So the raid is tonight?"

"Yes."

 

The village chief looked back at the villagers behind him when he saw that Aluk nodded.

 

"Call out to the men of the village, and tell them that you are going to kill that hated Necromancer tonight. But don't force it, call only those who are prepared to fight. Of course, you are no exception."

"Yes, but the village chief ......."

"As the chief of the village, I will witness their battle."

「............ I understand. I'm going to call out to everyone!"

 

The villagers nodded at the chief's words and bowed to him before running outside.

This will get the cooperation of the villagers. All you have to do is get ready by night......

Look out the window. From here, you can't see it because it's blocked by the forest, but there is a mansion where demons who control the dead live. There are a large number of zombies that stand in your way, all of them have strong arms and are very reluctant.

 

"Hold on, Necromancer."

 

The zombies are left to Aluk and the villagers. Amako and I beat up the dastardly necromancer.

While exuding a fighting spirit, he brushes his bangs while pretending to be calm on the surface.

 

「...... What a formality...... It's very reliable."

"You really look like Rose-sama, and that's what Usato is all about."

 

What did he think when he saw me, the village chief who gave up his voice as if he was frightened, and Mr. Aluk, whose voice bounced.

Why, she doesn't look like Rose.

I'm not supposed to be that frightened...... Probably.