Chapter 164: Assault! The Flying Orcs

“Orcs attacked flying in the sky!”

The report from the adventurers who rushed into the Adventurer’s Guild in a battered state was something I couldn’t immediately believe.

“Umm, Rex? Have you ever heard of flying orcs?”

“No, I don’t know either. What about you, Liliera?”

“It’s my first time hearing of them too.”

To Liliera, who asked in a small voice, I convey that I don’t know even after recalling the memories of my previous life and the life before that.

An orc is a pig monster just as it looks, and I’ve never seen an orc fly in the sky with flight magic.

Perhaps they attacked riding flying monsters, but considering the ecology of orcs, I think they would eat them rather than keep them.

Above all, because orcs are heavy, it’s impossible for half-baked monsters to carry them and fly.

“Calm down, there’s no way orcs can fly.”

The adventurers who seemed to have thought the same thing as me try to calm down the adventurers who are pleading almost deliriously.

“It’s true! Orcs really attacked flying in the sky! We were also surprised, not understanding what was going on. But we were actually attacked!”

The battered adventurers plead desperately, in a manner that makes it hard to believe they are lying.

” ” ” “…” ” ” “

However, everyone was skeptical of the words ‘flying orcs’ and just watched from a distance, wondering how to react.

True, even if they can fly in the sky, I can’t imagine adventurers making a blunder against mere orcs.

“Please calm down. Where exactly were you attacked by those… flying orcs?”

At that point, Erma interrupts.

“Regardless of the credibility of the testimony, it is a fact that these people were attacked. Then sharing information should be the top priority first.”

“A-Ah…”

“R-Right.”

“You, go to the church and bring someone who can use healing magic!”

“Y-Yes!”

Erma calls a staff member and instructs them to call someone from the church.

“Ah, I will treat them!”

Norb, brought back to his senses by Erma‘s words, casts healing magic on the injured adventurers.

“…Saved. The pain is gone.”

“You’re welcome.”

“Thank you, Norb. Now, could you please tell us the story of when you were attacked by the orcs?”

“A-Ah. Where we were attacked is a plain located about an hour west from here.”

“An hour!? In such a close place!?”

At the attack in an unexpectedly close location, Erma widens her eyes.

“Yeah, even we never thought we’d be attacked in such a place. And from the sky with no trees or high ground around, at that.”

“And did you tell that story to the guard corps at the town entrance?”

“Yeah, of course. We fled to the town covered in blood, after all, they immediately asked about the circumstances. They said they would gather people and head out for subjugation right away. Our comrade was seriously injured so he’s receiving treatment at the guard station. I came to report to the guild because my injuries were the shallowest in the party.”

“…I suppose so. In the worst case, travelers and merchants walking on the highway could be attacked, so the guard corps must have been surprised too.”

Showing signs of thinking about something, Erma turns her face to the adventurers again.

“To confirm, you were attacked from above by orcs in the plain an hour’s distance to the west, correct?”

“Yeah, that’s right. Because it was sudden, even we don’t really know by what method we were attacked. However, that pig face and cry undeniably belonged to orcs.”

“Understood. I will go report this matter to the Guild Master. Everyone, as you heard, it seems orcs making unknown attacks are prowling the western plain. Also, since the guard corps is heading there, those without business, please refrain from going to the western plain to avoid trouble as well.”

“Got i~t.”

“Well, guards aside, I don’t wanna be glared at by the Knight Order.”

At Erma‘s instruction, the adventurers reply unenthusiastically.

And when Erma disappeared into the back of the guild, the adventurers stood up all at once and headed toward the request board.

“Woah!? What’s with the suddenness!?”

“Eh? Eh?”

At the adventurers who suddenly started moving, Jairo and the others are wide-eyed.

Or rather, I was surprised too. What on earth is happening?

“Because everyone is going to the western plain.”

The one who answered our question was Liliera.

“Eh? But she just said not to go to the western plain…”

“Yes, she said that. Those without business. In other words, it means it’s okay to go if you have business.”

” ” ” ” “I see.” ” ” ” “

“But she said there are dangerous monsters, and not to cause trouble with the guard corps, right? Then is there a need to go out of the way to accept a request going to the western plain? I would think we’d receive a severe warning if something happened.”

At Norb‘s question, Jairo and the others nod un un. Honestly, I’m questioning it too.

“Hahaha, you’re an honestly stupid brat.”

At that point, an adventurer holding a request form joins the conversation.

“That’s a secret code from Erma-chan to us, telling us to go gather information while being careful not to cause trouble with the guard corps.”

” ” ” ” “A secret code!?” ” ” ” “

“Yeah, in times of major events where the Lord or the country makes a move, it’s common for troublesome requests to come to the Adventurer’s Guild. To avoid being conveniently used against the unreasonable demands of big shots who don’t know the field, we want information that can be used as bargaining material. That benefits both the guild and us adventurers.”

” ” ” ” “Heh~.” ” ” ” “

I see, so it had that meaning.

“Besides, an adventurer’s actions are entirely their own responsibility. Originally, the guild has no right to hinder an adventurer’s actions, you know? Well, excluding Forbidden Zones where entry is prohibited by the country, though.”

“That’s how it is. By the way, even if we report the information obtained in this matter to the guild, it’s not like we get an extra additional reward, but there’s a chance the purchase price rate of materials might happen to rise, or it might affect the assessment for rank-ups.”

Saying ‘might’, but it means it practically affects the assessment, huh.

“Well, for upper-rank adventurers, their degree of contribution to the guild also affects the assessment. Take Rex, for instance, because he performed the great feat of opening a highway traversing the Demon Beast Forest, that practically guaranteed his promotion to S-rank. That is normally a lifelong project.”

“Ah-, I see. Now that you say it, I feel like I understand.”

“I see, normally it’s standard to rank up by accumulating unflashy achievements like this.”

“I understand the reason why everyone stood up all at once.”

“Yeah, a chance to reliably contribute is important.”

At that point, Jairo and the others look at me.

“Therefore.”

“For us to rank up too.”

“The job in the western plain.”

“We accept!”

“Ah, yeah, I guess that’s fine.”

“…”

Everyone is fully motivated to go for the sake of ranking up.

Thus, we also ended up searching for the mysterious flying orcs in the western plain.

◆

“Then shall we try to find the rumored orcs?”

Having accepted the request in the western grassland like the other adventurers, we immediately left the town and headed toward the location of the monster sighting information.

“Dammit, there are rivals everywhere. Even though we flew here.”

Jairo looks frustrated that other adventurers had already arrived.

“It can’t be helped. Because we were delayed in the reception line at the counter.”

“Those people have horses with them. I think they moved immediately after hearing the receptionist’s words.”

“In that respect, we are also one step behind our veteran seniors.”

Meguri and Norb honestly praise the efficiency of the people who had already arrived here.

Certainly, their power of action, no, the speed of their decision-making is amazing.

“Well, but isn’t there no need to worry?”

However, Liliera seemed completely unbothered.

What does that mean? Even though I think we’ve already gotten quite a late start?

“You see, we flew here in the sky, right? Thinking normally, flying is faster than coming by horse.”

Saying so, Liliera points to the adventurers visible in the surroundings.

“In other words, there isn’t as much of a gap between us and them as everyone thinks.”

“Now that you mention it, certainly…”

“And you see…”

Liliera says while looking at me.

“If we use Rex‘s detection magic, which can investigate an absurdly wide area, I think we can grasp the position of the flying orcs in a flash.”

” ” ” ” “Now that you mention it!!” ” ” ” ” “

“Therefore, could I ask you to, Rex?”

“If that’s the case.”

I check the monster reactions in the surroundings with detection magic.

Then…

“Ah, there’s a reaction of a monster group at a distance of about thirty minutes in the southwest direction.”

” ” ” ” “Fast!” ” ” ” ” “

“Plus there are several human reactions too. The adventurers might have already made contact.”

“I knew it, but the range of Rex‘s detection magic is truly wide…”

“Gunununu, with my detection magic I still only know about 300 meters around me…”

“Mina, comparing yourself to Rex is the problem. Mina is sufficiently amazing too.”

“Thanks.”

The frustrated Mina is being comforted by Meguri, but I think Mina will also be able to detect in units of several kilometers soon if she trains a little more.

Things like this are quick once you learn the trick.

“Alriight! Then let’s go immediately!”

When we rise into the sky, we head toward the place where there was a reaction of monsters thought to be the flying orcs.

“Ah, that!”

Then right away, perhaps having discovered something, Meguri points into the distance.

“There are multiple flying creatures, aren’t there. Judging from their silhouettes, they don’t look like birds; could they be the right ones?”

“Just as Rex said, there are figures of people on the ground… yeah, they’re clearly fighting!”

“It’s better if we go provide cover quickly!”

We hurry to rescue the people being attacked.

“Wait everyone! They might not be struggling. In that case, even if our intentions are good, the other side might think their prey is being snatched. So the rule is to get confirmation with a word before attacking the enemies!”

Oops, that’s right.

Because it’s a disaster if it turns into a scramble for prey.

“Understood, Liliera!”

“Yeah! Got it! Anyway, I just have to say I’m gonna provide cover before attacking, right?”

“Yes, that’s fine!”

As we got closer to the scene, the situation became visible.

“That armor, are they people from the guard corps?”

The ones being attacked by monsters were the people from the guard corps who protect the entrance of the town of Togai.

“It seems it wasn’t the adventurers who went ahead.”

“Alright, if that’s the case, it won’t turn into a scramble for prey!”

“Excuse meee! Do you need… cover!?”

We were about to provide cover immediately, but there we saw a sight so bizarre we doubted our own eyes.

“Wh-What is that!?”

The ones attacking the guards were, without a doubt, orcs.

“A-Are those… orcs?”

However, they were bizarrely figured orcs with large wings like angels sprouting from their backs.

And they were filling the sky like a flock of birds.

“Orcs with wings grown!?”

“What is that!? I’ve never seen or heard of orcs like that!”

“Bumooooooo!”

The orcs with wings grown were flapping their wings and assaulting the guards directly below them.

They’re clearly flapping their wings, and they’re really flying with those wings!?

Their appearance is reminiscent of the Sky People we met on the floating island, but unlike their artificial wings, the wings of these orcs look real.

To think such orcs existed…

What those adventurers were saying was true!

“Hey, isn’t it bad if we don’t save those guys quickly!?”

To us being like that, Jairo calmly interjects.

Wait, that’s right! There are injured people too, we have to save those people quickly!

“R-Right! First, let’s subjugate those winged orcs!”

That being said, if we suddenly join the battle, as Erma also said, it could lead to trouble with the guard corps.

We have to properly call out first here.

“We’ll provide cover!”

Raising my voice anew, I kick away the orcs assaulting the guards using Body Enhancement Magic.

“O-Oooh!?”

“We are adventurers from the Adventurer’s Guild! We happened to be taking a request nearby, and seeing you all being attacked, we came to rescue! Was it unnecessary meddling?”

“No, you saved us greatly! We appreciate the rescue!”

Thank goodness, it seems it won’t cause trouble for now.

“There are many of them! First, we’ll drop those guys to the ground!”

I instruct everyone to drop the flying orcs.

Because dropping flying enemies to the ground first is the basics!

“GRAVITY FALL!”

I activate gravity magic and smash the flying orcs down to the ground.

” ” ” “Bumooooooo!?” ” ” “

The orcs, whose bodies suddenly became heavy, become unable to fly in the sky and fall to the ground.

“Wait, what’s that!? Even though it’s clearly area magic, the guards within the area are completely unaffected!”

As Mina says, the orcs that fell to the ground are still under the effect of the gravity magic, but the guards are completely unaffected.

“Yeah, the GRAVITY FALL magic is a magic that immobilizes targets within the initially specified range with gravity for a certain period. So if I specify them in the air and drop them, the guards on the ground are unaffected.”

“You clearly explained a complex magic smoothly!?”

It’s not that complex of a magic, you know?

“Alriight, here I go-!”

“Hunt quickly!”

“Kyu kyuuu!”

Jairo and the others who were waiting on the ground, as if saying “We’ve been waiting for this,” attack towards the orcs.

” ” “B-Bumooooooo!” ” “

“Hah-ha-! You guys fallen to the ground are just orcs!”

“Nn, not much of an opponent.”

“Kyuu.”

“Bumooooooo!!”

There was about one orc having its wings gnawed on by Mofumofu, but well, he’s reducing the enemies so I guess it’s fine.

Thus, the orcs whose movements were sealed by my gravity magic are defeated without being able to put up a decent counterattack.

“AREA HEAL!”

“Ooh, the wounds!”

“Sorry, you saved us…”

While we were dealing with the orcs, Norb heals the soldiers.

And by the time everyone’s treatment was finished, the subjugation of the orcs was also over.

“Good work, everyone.”

“Well, they weren’t much of an opponent.”

“Right, we were surprised by their appearance, but when we actually fought them, that was all there was to it.”

“Kyu kyuu!”

As if to say they weren’t much of a big deal either, Mofumofu is riding on top of the flying orcs and gnawing on their wings.

Those are for submission, but well, I guess Mofumofu‘s own hunted share is fine.

There are plenty of flying orc corpses, after all.

“Even so, Jairo was very calm earlier. Even though we encountered an unseen monster opponent, without getting upset at all, you proposed what we should do.”

I praise Jairo‘s calm judgment.

Then Jairo smiles bashfully and says this.

“Nah-, it wasn’t that big of a deal. It’s just that even if it’s a monster I don’t know, I thought Big Bro, who knows a lot, would know it. If that’s the case, rather than being surprised by what I don’t know, it’s better to fight and think after defeating it.”

“Ah, so that’s what it was…”

It wasn’t that you weren’t surprised by the situation, but a judgment of “It’s fine even if I don’t know,” huh.

That makes me worry about Jairo‘s future in its own way, but he has Mina and the others with him.

Perhaps entrusting roles to other people like that is what a party is.

“You guys.”

At that point, the people from the guard corps approach.

“Are your injuries alright?”

“Yeah. Thanks to you guys, we were saved.”

“That is better than anything.”

Thanks to Norb‘s treatment, it seems everyone from the guard corps is safe.

“But it’s quite something. To deal with those strange and troublesome flying orcs so easily…”

“Their appearance was strange, but other than being able to fly in the sky, they were just orcs. Once dropped to the ground, they were opponents we could defeat normally.”

“Even that doesn’t seem easy… anyway, you saved us. You are our lifesavers.”

Being told that much makes me feel ticklish.

“Thanks to that, we didn’t waste the dying wish of the Captain who risked his life to let us escape.”

Eh? What does that mean? Could it be someone is still being attacked by monsters?

“What do you mean by Captain?”

“Yeah, we came here to investigate whether there were any remnants of the Orc Empire still remaining, but earlier we were suddenly attacked by monster orcs we’ve never seen before. Just when we were on the verge of annihilation, the Captain himself acted as a decoy and ordered us to bring back the information.”

“What did you say!? We have to go rescue him immediately!”

“As much as we would like to do that, we must bring back the information about those monster orcs. Plus we must report about the flying orcs from earlier. Besides, against that monster, the Captain is probably no longer alive…”

“That’s not true! The Captain is a former A-rank adventurer!”

“Right! Besides, that person has armor from a dragon. With that, he can manage somehow even against that monster!”

When one of the guards mutters frustratingly, the other guards deny it, shouting that the Captain who stayed behind as a decoy is still alive.

Wait, huh? Those characteristics, I feel like I’ve heard them before…

“Former A-rank? And dragon armor?”

“Yeah, the Captain was an adventurer, but through harsh adventures, he obtained armor made from dragon materials and accomplished great feats like solely subjugating B-rank monsters, and was finally scouted as a knight directly by the Lord himself!”

“Umm… that person’s name is…”

Could it be…

” ” “Captain Og!” ” “

” ” ” ” “As I thought!!” ” ” ” ” “

It was about Og!!