第５７４堀：久々の登場で張り切る (Part2)
It goes without saying that one should rest after childbirth. A week of quiet recovery is a must, and given the needs of the children, having someone by their side for a month is ideal.
"It’s fine. I’ve already asked everyone to help out with that."
"Yes. I can rest easy leaving the children in their care."
"……I’ve been pent up. It’s not good for raising children. This is necessary to alleviate stress."
"……I see. Yuki, are you sure about this?"
*“Ah, well, they’ve been cooped up at home for so long. Personally, I’d still prefer them to rest, but the other wives say that since they’re Doppelgangers, it shouldn’t be a problem…”*
"I see."
You’re soft on your wives, too, aren't you?
Well, I suppose if you’re stuck at home for nearly two months, you’d start to feel depressed.
Back when we were waiting in the Beastman village, I had the urge to just bolt out of there myself. I can’t say I don’t understand that feeling.
"The more people we have, the better."
"That’s true. In a way, they’re close to the original members who first came to this village, so it’s quite nostalgic."
As Raiya says, having the girls join us is a welcome development.
And as Curse pointed out, the members who were here at the start were us, the Beastman girls, Yuki, the Hero girl, and Zargis.
Man, that feels like such a long time ago.
Well, there’s no turning back now—if we’re going to do this, we might as well have some fun with it!
"Alright! Then, consider this our birth celebration—let’s go out there and raise some hell!"
"Yeah!! Mauve-san, you get it! I’m going to give it my all!"
"Riel. Don’t go too far."
"……It’s been a while since our last real fight. I won’t let my guard down."
Riel-chan is as prone to getting carried away as ever, but Tori-chan and Kaya-chan are as calm as always.
With them, there’s not much to worry about.
Perhaps reading my thoughts, Raiya and Curse nod in agreement.
"Alright! We’ll crush the vanguard scouts in the perimeter! You girls, dive straight into the main force in the back!"
"Leave it to us! Let’s go, you two!"
"Ah, Riel!"
"……*Sigh*. She never changes."
We take off the moment those words are spoken.
And from behind us, Steve shouts.
"Wait, what!? You’re too fired up! Do you guys even know what 'holding back' means? Hey! Damn it!! Calling all scouts! Riel-san and the others have joined the fray and are charging in! If you don't strike first, they’ll—"
That’s not my problem.
Well, actually, we *will* make sure to let some escape.
The girls will be the ones getting scolded, so it’s fine.
"Hey, Boss! At least try to talk some sense into your own wife!"
*“No, I already did, so it should be fine.”*
"What do you mean 'should be'!? Damn it!! Wait for me, Riel-san! Can you hear me!?"
It seems Steve is splitting off from us to charge into the main force alongside Riel-chan and the others.
We quietly peel away and run toward where the vanguard scouts are positioned.
"Is this really okay?"
"No, but could you even stop them?"
"Probably not. Besides, it’s a hassle if the vanguard scouts attack the village, so we might as well crush them properly. That’s a perfectly valid job, too."
"That’s true."
Exactly. As Raiya said, they aren't the type to be stopped, and as Curse said, stopping the vanguard is a proper job.
I am a model adventurer who fulfills his duties.
Yes, so I bear no responsibility for this.
*BOOM! CRASH!*
*Aaaah! Gwaaa!*
Sounds of chaos echo from the direction Riel-chan and the others headed, but we have our own work to do.
Beyond the path we sprinted down, we find some Beastmen staring blankly at the sky. They’re mostly from the group with dog ears and the like—the main Beastman contingent.
They’re still distracted by the explosions and screams, completely unaware of our presence.
Taking advantage of the opening, Curse uses his magic to bind three of the five, while I press my sword and Raiya presses his spear against the throats of the remaining two, sealing their movements.
"Y-you bastards!!"
"What’s the matter? Do you want to fly through the sky like those guys over there? Or would you rather I just finish this with a clean cut?"
"……Guh. Just kill us."
"You aren't going to say you came here to visit, are you?"
"……We came to liberate that village. For the future of the Beastmen."
"The future, huh. ……Fine. Raiya."
"Yeah."
At my signal, he lowers his spear.
I do the same, lowering my sword and stepping back.
"What are you planning?"
"Nothing. Just go back and think about it a little more. If you want to talk, we’re willing to listen. You should have learned that much today. We don’t exactly enjoy risking our lives in battle either."
"……What happens to the three over there?"
"They’re prisoners. If you come back properly to talk, we’ll release them. Don’t tell me you can’t trust us? The fact that you’re still alive right now is proof enough, isn't it?"
"……What’s the deadline?"
"I don’t know where your base is, so let’s say three months, including the time it takes to consult your people. We can’t guarantee anything after that. Is that too much to ask?"
"……No, that’s fine. Forgive me. You guys, we will definitely return in three months."
With that, the two disappeared deep into the forest.
Well then, Steve’s subordinates are probably tracking the others, so I suppose I’ll go suppress the rest of the vanguard.
*BOOM! Aaaah!*
Another explosion and scream rings out.
It doesn’t look like there’s much chance of them escaping over there.
Even if they tried, their spirits—and their bodies—seem pretty broken.
Mauve and the others are back in action... no, wait, it’s Tori and the others who have arrived!!
The talk about the children will be carried over to the next chapter.
And, it’s about time for a trap, isn't it?
I’m still agonizing over the details.
Look forward to it.