Chapter 399: The Battle to Repel 3

Handed the strongest large crossbow, Ortho and Kusala left the fort with faces that looked like they were about to cry. I believe they can get the job done.

“Now then, as for Arte’s puppet…”

Next after Ortho and Kusala is Arte’s puppet. So, I immediately used four Wood Blocks to try making it. What I sought was the coexistence of speed to avoid being caught by the opponent and attack power that couldn’t be ignored. As a result of pursuing that, an outrageously bizarre puppet was born.

“……U-Umm, Lord Van……?”

Arte called my name, looking bewildered. No, wait. Let me explain.

“……I know what you want to say. But, Arte. Please listen.”

After saying that, I looked at the newly made puppet. Setting aside its excessively thin body, its limbs were strangely long. In particular, its arms were nearly three meters long. Since its height was about three meters, they were long enough to almost touch the ground. And both of those hands had become bare longswords.

“While maintaining a humanoid body type to make it easy to move, the body has been lightened to the extreme. And thanks to making the arms long and attaching blades, both arms themselves can be used as swords. It might look scary, but in terms of toying with the opponent, it has become the strongest puppet……”

While giving various excuse-like explanations, I stole a glance at Arte’s reaction. However, her expression wasn’t very favorable.

“……A-Alright! Then, it’s simple, but let’s equip it with clothes and a cloak!”

I wasn’t told anything by Arte, but I voluntarily offered to improve it. I tried making clothes and a cloak with cute patterns, and also a wide-brimmed hat while I was at it. When I equipped them, I felt it became a little more human-like. I couldn’t help but be bothered by the overly long limbs and the hands that had become longswords, but even so, it should be better than before.

Seeing that, Arte nodded as if relieved.

“Ah, if it is like this……”

“Eh? Is it okay?”

Surprised by the unexpectedly positive response, I asked back, and Arte looked up at the puppet with a smile.

“Yes. Because it is not naked.”

Eh? That was the issue?

I thought that, but I didn’t say it out loud. As long as Arte was satisfied, it was fine. For now, I should just rejoice that we obtained an important fighting force.

“……Hey, Boy. That thing that looks like a slaughter puppet is……”

“Ms. Panamera! Shh!”

“O-Oh……”

Panamera, who had come down from the roof, was about to let out some disturbing impressions about Arte’s puppet, so I hurriedly stopped her. I didn’t want her to lower Arte’s morale.

Because Panamera obediently complied, Arte, who was test-driving the puppet, was moving its arms and legs without noticing anything. Glancing sideways at that, I looked at Dee, who had come down with Panamera.

“What about the Hydra?”

“Since then, we shot eight bolts with the ballistae and carried out multiple magic attacks. Thanks to that, it has fled into the sea. However, since the surface of the water right nearby is clearly dark, it is likely still in the adjacent waters, observing the situation.”

After Dee reported concisely, he looked up at the puppet Arte was operating.

“Oho. This looks strong.”

“R-Right? Anyway, Arte’s puppet and Mr. Ortho’s group are planning to draw the Hydra’s attention, so once you confirm that, could you attack again with the ballistae and magic?”

“Sir! Leave it to me!”

Saying that, Dee conveyed orders to his subordinates again and began preparations. I should prepare ballista bolts as well. If we run out of stock, our attacks will be delayed.

“After that, I guess we need a means to stop the Hydra’s movements underwater?”

When I muttered to myself while producing bolts, Till and Khamsin tilted their heads beside me.

“Is there a way to stop that Hydra?”

“……It is very big, you know?”

At their questions, I gave a light nod and stood up.

“It will require a bit of cooperation from the mermaids, though. Since the Hydra has temporarily hidden itself, let’s take action while we can.”

Saying that, I immediately headed to Dee to convey the plan.

I gently opened the double doors of the fort and checked the state of the sea. It was terrifying just to poke half my face out through the gap in the doors, but the sea looked quiet.

“……Is it okay?”

Muttering in a small voice, I poked my head out and checked my surroundings. I didn’t think the Hydra had landed on the ground, but I was still somehow worried about it.

It probably wasn’t watching that, but the sea surface exploded as if aiming for the exact moment I took my eyes off the sea.

It didn’t actually explode. However, a massive pillar of water erupted along with a violent sound that could only be described as an explosion. I jumped in surprise at that and returned my gaze to the sea.

I felt like I met eyes with all ten of its eyes simultaneously.

Was it because everyone had been hiding inside the fort? Having found its prey, the Hydra raised a roar toward us.

At that moment, one of the Hydra’s heads moved as if shifting to the side, and it immediately leaned back and let out a scream.

“Hey heeeey! Over here, over here!”

Kusala’s voice echoed from somewhere, and all of the Hydra’s faces turned in that direction.

“Th-This is bad! Time to run awaaaaaay!?”

“Idiot! That’s what you get for provoking it!”

The lively voices of Kusala and Ortho could be heard. Now is the chance. With Dee at the front, we all burst out of the fort at once.