The three idiots who couldn't become heroes are preparing a man's meal today as well. - Chapter 57

Crisis House -> Kreis House

Episode 57: Singing of the Night

“Master Owl, I have a report.”

“Again…”

The knight commander entered the tent at another inopportune moment. Could he be doing this on purpose? I sighed at the thought.

“The students who had advanced to a certain point have hurriedly returned… and, well…”

“What is it? Speak the results first.”

Without hiding my irritation, I left the half-naked Elise on the bed and stood up.

“A previously unknown monster appeared in the forest. Lady Iris’s party, whom you were concerned about, seems to be staying nearby. The teachers have entered the forest to investigate.”

An unknown monster? In a forest considered to have low threats? This is a forest used for student exercises, the only significant creature would be a king boar. If one ventured deeper, more formidable creatures might appear, but would they break their territory to invade?

“…What kind of monster is it?”

“They say it was a pitch-black humanoid, like a shadow. It might be a ‘demon’.”

Hearing that report, I couldn’t help but smirk. Today, we defeated a king boar. That alone was sufficient for a student, but this is an unexpected bonus. If I, a student, were to defeat a demon—a threat even to the nation—what kind of achievement would that be? Even Iris would have to bow to such a feat. The opportunity has finally come.

“We’re departing immediately. Wake all the knights.”

“You’re entering the forest at night?”

“Didn’t you hear? I said immediately.”

“…Understood.”

With a short reply, he left the tent. Despite it being a night forest, we have the knights. Plus, the teachers are scouting, and we have our magic. What is there to fear? We have the numbers. All I need to do is capitalize on that and deliver the final blow.

“Owl?”

“We’re leaving now, Elise. Tonight’s session will have to wait.”

“Oh… alright.”

She got out of bed, wrapping the sheet around her body. Even just her silhouette was enticing.

“No, perhaps it’s better to calm down first. The knights’ preparations will take a bit longer.”

“Geez… you really are hopeless.”

In the end, I embraced her and indulged my desires until the knight commander came to fetch us.

……….

“Commander, is this really okay?”

One of my subordinates voiced his concern. I understand how he feels. While the forest is considered low difficulty, its demeanor changes drastically between day and night. The lanterns alone don’t provide sufficient visibility.

“We have no choice. It’s the young master’s orders.”

“That brat… doing as he pleases…”

“Watch your words. Even so, he’s still a noble. Any misstep, and it’s our heads on the line.”

That said, I understand my subordinates’ frustrations. Yesterday and today, that fool has been fooling around with women in the camp. What is he thinking? This event is a gathering of nobles, without his high status, things would have gone differently. Normally, such behavior could attract beasts or cause other problems. Yet… enough, it’s foolish to dwell on it.

“But is there really such a thing? A demon that devours beasts indiscriminately. Couldn’t the sightings of a black shadow be hallucinations or mistakes?”

“I don’t know, but we need to investigate given the reports. It’s near the students’ boundary.”

As we conversed, we crossed that “boundary.” Beyond this point, stronger beasts roam. To refocus, I was about to address my subordinates when—

“Big boar and horned bison spotted! Engaging! Twelve in total!”

A scout returned shouting. Damn it, a herd of king boars and horned bison? Both specialize in charges, the worst opponents to face head-on. We could handle them alone, but we have nobles to protect. We can’t flee, and holding them off directly is tough.

“Damn! Of all times, those two! Spread out and flank—”

“Sorry, but those are our prey. No poaching.”

An unfamiliar voice from behind sent chills down my spine. Who was that? Definitely not one of my men. An unknown voice, calm yet instilling deep fear. Then, another voice came from ahead.

“Nishida! If you keep hiding, I’ll take them all!”

Before we knew it, a black-armored figure stood before us, gripping a spear in each hand.

“Ko-chan, I’ll attack from the rear! Six each, alright?”

“Got it!”

As they shouted, beasts appeared ahead. Each one charging at full speed. They’re not foes to face head-on, that much is clear. Yet, the figure before us didn’t retreat. Instead—

“Take this!”

“Here I come!”

With shouts, the black-armored figure wielded two spears, mowing down beasts. Another black-armored figure rampaged in the distance, seemingly running through the air. What is this? Magic can indeed create unbelievable scenes, earning praise and tales. Yet, these figures showed no signs of using such “things.” Knights use magic too, but they…

“Kuhahaha!”

“Too slow, too slow, too slow!”

He was taking down the magical beasts purely through physical force—without a single trick or magical assistance.

And not a single one escaped.

The man standing in front of us, facing the charging beasts, was an unshakable wall. Behind him, we could do nothing but stare in stunned silence at his back.

A true deadline—the ultimate defensive barrier.

Anything that reached him was mercilessly cut down.

There was no “beyond” that point. No possibility of passing through.

That was the kind of man he was.

“Dead Line…”

One must not go beyond him.

One must not stand against him.

The black armor rampaging before my eyes was terrifying enough to make me believe that.

Was he really human? Or… could he be a demon?

The thought crossed my mind, but I immediately dismissed it.

I know them.

From the moment this job began, I have seen that black armor.

Without a doubt, they are human. I’ve even witnessed them speak.

Back then, he was rational—calm enough to laugh off the taunts of those noble brats.

And yet… what is this?

I have never seen a demon before, but I doubt even demons could be as overwhelming as this.

This was something else entirely.

The one standing before me was, without a doubt, a Reaper—a Death God.

A being that grants death equally to all who dare to challenge it.

There was no other way to describe it.

“Alright! That’s the last of them! Gather the corpses and move on!”

“Aye! We’re on a thirty-minute rotation! Let’s pick up the pace!”

With that brief exchange, they disappeared into the forest.

All that remained was a pool of blood.

Even the corpses of the magical beasts they had slain were nowhere to be seen.

“C-Captain…”

One of my subordinates spoke up, but I had no words to respond with.

What could I possibly say? Tell them to go after those monsters?

If I were ordered to do so, I would refuse without hesitation.

That was not something we should pursue.

If they turned their hostility toward us… I couldn’t even begin to imagine the consequences.

“Hey! What the hell are you standing around for?!”

A voice full of irritation rang out from behind us.

The clueless young noble, completely unaware of the situation, stomped toward us with an annoyed expression.

Hah… This is laughable.

We came all the way here as his escort, thinking this would be an easy job.

And yet, what we encountered was a Reaper.

This is absolute madness. I refuse to go any further.

“Master Owl, we are withdrawing for today. As your commanding officer, I cannot permit us to proceed any further.”

“Hah!? What the hell are you afraid of!? Are you even a knight?!”

“Precisely because we are knights. We cannot afford to die in a place like this.”

At my declaration, his face turned red with anger.

He must be furious that things aren’t going his way.

It’s common among young nobles like him.

Ah… When did I become so accustomed to handling fools like this?

“Don’t fuck with me! What about that black demon?! You’re just going to leave it alone?! Some knights you are—running away like cowards!”

“We have already confirmed the situation. That is neither a magical beast nor a demon. Which is precisely why we must not get involved.”

“The hell are you saying!? Then what the fuck is rampaging through this forest?!”

“Walkers.”

“…What?”

His face twisted in utter confusion.

Of course, it would.

“Walker” is a term used for outlaws—a ragtag group of misfits.

Most people think of them as nothing but a gathering of nobodies.

But among them… occasionally, there are true monsters.

Rare talents that could be called heroes, or perhaps something far worse.

“You were introduced to them just the other day—’Hearty Eater.’ They’re currently sweeping through the magical beasts of this forest with incredible efficiency. That’s all this is about.”

“Then all the more reason for us to act! How can we afford to fall behind?! They’re just Walkers!”

“Then go on ahead yourself, you brat! I refuse to send my men after that Reaper!”

I found myself shouting.

We cannot proceed further.

This territory belongs to them now.

If we set foot inside, they may turn their weapons against us.

There is no way I’m sending my subordinates against monsters who wield spears in both hands and casually cleave through charging King Boars.

That is not an opponent humans should be fighting.

If we ever had to cross swords, I’d want at least ten high-tier mages in the rear.

And even then… it might not be enough.

No matter how much magic we cast, no matter how many buffs we stack…

I swear, I can still hear that laughter from beyond the dust cloud.

“We are retreating. If you consider this a failure, we will withdraw from the academy altogether. You may handle the remainder of your ‘lessons’ yourselves. Regardless, we will not be going any further.”

With that, I turned my back to him and began walking toward our encampment.

Challenge them? Don’t make me laugh.

If this were a royal decree, I would have no choice.

But this is merely a request from a newly risen noble.

Like hell I’m risking my men’s lives for a few platinum coins.

No, worse than that—there is a real chance of complete annihilation in that forest.

They are Hearty Eater—those who hunt and devour magical beasts as if it were second nature.

And today, they have proven their power right before our eyes.

They are beyond reason.

They understand everything—the most efficient way to butcher their prey, the optimal strategy to wipe out an entire herd of beasts.

And if they are just as experienced in dealing with humans…

What would become of us?

Would we be reduced to mere chunks of meat, just like those beasts?

No way in hell. I refuse.

We’re leaving.

“You cowards! I’ll tell my father about this!”

“Do as you please. We will also submit a report. Now, what do you wish to do about our continued employment? I require an immediate decision.”

“…Tch! The contract remains! But I will report this!”

“As you wish.”

And so, our job continued.

For now, we would return to the encampment.

“Hearty Eater… I must admit, I am curious. I’d love to face one of them in a one-on-one duel.”

“Captain, isn’t that just forcing them onto our battlefield without consideration?”

“I suppose you’re right… But how would one even arrange such a duel?”

“If you want to, you could always charge into the forest—”

“That would certainly get me killed. Impossible.”

“Thought so…”

As we exchanged banter, we made our way back.

Tonight, I had seen something beyond reason.

And yet, for some reason, I felt like I would sleep well.

Even for those of us who had climbed the ranks to knighthood, that back was too vast.

That moment, filled with both hope and despair…

We would surely speak of it among ourselves.

Ah, damn it… If only this weren’t an academy event, I’d have a drink to go with it.

Clicking my tongue in frustration, I continued walking.