The Monster Parade is a phenomenon that has occurred multiple times in this world’s history. Its exact cause hasn’t been properly explained, with various theories like angering the boss monster of the area or trespassing on a cursed ruin. However, the Monster Parade at this Gallar Blue Temple is said to be unprecedented in scale. I wonder what could have happened.
They say that the Hodgkin Federation is a country formed when several small nations united as a federation to counter invasions from other countries. The small nations changed their names to states, and now one country is composed of six states. As a remnant of the small nation era, each state capital has a main temple, and one of them, the capital of Durham State, was called Gallarblue.
“I’ve been thinking… Is it possible for both of us to raise our levels?”
“Our levels, you say?”
Although Kimijima had stopped me this morning, I still thought it was important for both of us to raise our levels and increase our base strength to make this escape safer.
“With my current magic power, I can only draw my sword twice in quick succession. If we end up in a situation like when we were surrounded in town the other day, it would be quite tough. I was wondering if we could increase our magic power by raising our levels.”
“…You were trying to go this morning too, weren’t you?”
“Uh… I guess I am a bit impatient.”
“I understand what you’re saying. But I can’t defeat the monsters here.”
“If… if we end up fighting, try to use some kind of attack. Wood magic or water magic, it might give you some kind of experience points.”
“I see… I’ll try.”
Actually, when we first fought that giant, Kimijima had participated in the battle by making vines grow. Although only I had leveled up afterward, maybe she had gained experience points too. It’s just a guess, but if the ability increase from leveling up is a gift from the gods, it’s possible.
Eventually, the uphill slope ended, and we emerged onto a flat area on the high ground.
As we reached the top of the slope, a long wall stood before us. Although it wasn’t as tall as a city wall, it was still high enough that we couldn’t easily climb over it.
The wall was crumbling in places, so we carefully approached and peeked inside.
…Inside was a vast farmland. I suppose it’s natural to have walls around farmlands in a place overrun by monsters. And although it was quite overgrown, I could see many wild plants that were probably once crops.
And I guess that’s what they’re after. I could sense the presence of quite a number of monsters inside the wall. Kimijima also looked at me with a slightly panicked face and shook her head. Understandable.
We decided to go down the slope a bit and move along the wall while hiding in the bushes.
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…Hm!
As we were about to go down the slope, I noticed a monster coming up from below. It’s one I’ve never seen before. It had a frog-like face and was about the size of a large adult. It walked on two legs, of course.
Right behind us was the wall of the farm where many monsters were. What should we do? We have no choice but to go…
“Kimijima…”
“Let’s go!”
Kimijima was already starting to cast wood magic while answering. Leaves began to grow with a rustling sound, hiding our figures. I was amazed at Kimijima’s quick decision-making as I sheathed the short sword I had been using as a machete and put my hand on my long sword. Behind me, Kimijima was also taking out her spear from her bag.
The monster came straight up, ignoring the fallen leaves and bushes. I guess its goal is the crops inside the wall… If it’s a herbivorous monster… No… I shouldn’t make such naive assumptions.
Kimijima turned towards the monster and concentrated on something. Then a water ball appeared in front of her. Water magic, huh? I hope we can gain experience points to level up just by launching an attack.
I lowered my stance and took a quick-draw posture while concentrating. I held a small stone in my right hand and waited for Kimijima’s signal. As soon as Kimijima gave a slight nod, we started moving.
First, to distract the monster’s attention, I threw the stone I had picked up towards the opposite side of us. The thrown stone drew a large arc and passed over the monster—
Ugh. Are you serious!
The stone thrown in an arc suddenly disappeared. I barely saw the monster reflexively catch the flying stone with its tongue. The frog immediately spat out the stone and turned towards us.
This is bad.
It must have seen my figure through the leaves. As I took my quick-draw stance, I sensed the monster’s initial movement to extend its tongue towards me. Wasn’t a frog’s tongue supposed to move at speeds of kilometers per second? Even in my concentrated state of mind, I desperately tried to discern the movement of the tongue.
I kicked off the ground and jumped to the right side where there were no concealing leaves, trying to keep the monster’s attention away from Kimijima. The monster had definitely spotted me and extended its tongue. The speed was so incredible that I couldn’t step in.
A quick draw of the sword. There are various types of sword-drawing techniques in Iaido, but basically, the number of techniques directly correlates to the number of situations envisioned. Of course, there are also small techniques for dealing with surprise attacks.
Tsute-otoshi.
A combination technique for when you can’t take the initiative. In human combat, it’s used to let the opponent’s sword slide along the top of your partially drawn sword, and when their sword stops, you complete the draw and aim for the arm holding the sword. It’s a delicate technique, but it’s almost a miracle that I managed to use it reflexively.
I dodged the extending tongue that was trying to catch me by slightly shifting sideways, and slashed upward.
Ugh! My concentration must have been lacking due to the sudden draw. I only managed to cut halfway through the tongue. But the frog was grimacing in pain. Without missing a beat, Kimijima’s water ball hit the frog from the side, momentarily snapping its neck.
In the gap where the frog’s attack stopped, I resheathed my sword and concentrated again. The frog was probably focusing its anger on me for cutting its tongue. That’s a good trend. Without even glancing at Kimijima who had shot the water ball from behind, it faced me and raised its hand with webbed fingers.
…Ugh.
Instantly, a water ball formed above its palm. It’s a dangerous size. It’s several times larger than Kimijima’s. While I might have techniques for dealing with weapon-wielding humans, I don’t have any for magical attacks.
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Should I try to dodge the magic, or… Either way, I’ve already used up half of my magic power. If I don’t cut it down next time… I’ll die.
Fight magic with magic? Damn it. But if I use that here and faint again… I glanced at Kimijima, who was desperately raising her short spear, about to swing it down at the frog’s arm.
The timing is perfect. No complaints. It’s a lifesaver.
Just as the monster was about to release the water ball towards me, Kimijima’s spear hit its arm. A hard sound rang out, indicating the lack of sufficient magic power. But a long object swung with all one’s might carries considerable force even if it doesn’t cut. The shaken hand disrupted the control of the water ball.
Cutting it’s mouth, my heart was already calm, in a state of clear tranquility. I wouldn’t miss such timing. I took a step forward and delivered a powerful sword draw. The speed at which I rushed towards the opponent, kicking up dirt, was no less than the speed of the frog’s tongue. The sword draw, concentrating everything in that instant, was unstoppable even for a high-level monster, and it cut the frog in two.
After the battle, we quickly fled the scene, wary of the noise we had made.
“Hah… hah… How about that? Did your level go up?”
“Huh? I still… don’t know!”
“I see… I used two sword draws. I won’t be able to use it for a while…”
“I understand… Sensei, we should slow down soon…”
Although we were trying to be careful, the faster we moved, the more noise we made. We slowed down our pace and returned to a careful walk once we had moved a considerable distance away.
Ah… As we continued moving forward, I felt my body start to heat up and flush again.
“Maybe we need to deliver the final blow to level up. It seems my level has gone up.”
“Hah… hah…”
“Hm? Kimijima?”
When there was no response from Kimijima, I turned around to see her following me unsteadily with a pale face. What’s wrong? I supported Kimijima, who looked like she was about to collapse, and we sat down.
“Are you okay? Did that monster do something to you?”
“I’m… fine… But… let me… rest… a bit…”
“Ah, sure… Take your time. Oh, right, water… I’ll open your bag, okay?”
I leaned against a nearby tree while holding Kimijima, who seemed about to lose consciousness. I opened Kimijima’s bag and took out her water bottle.
“Here, drink this for now.”
“Thank… you… Before I… lose… consciousness…”
As I tried to give her water, Kimijima, with her eyes closed, moved her hand searchingly and touched the tree. After a while, branches and leaves started to grow and cover us like a willow, hiding us. …Amazing. She seems to be getting used to it. But I don’t want to push Kimijima too hard in her current state.
“That’s enough. Don’t overdo it.”
“Okay…”
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