Seiryuu City, DesuMachi Planet…
Sora's sudden strike only stalled the invading flying insects for a few seconds. Before long, they regrouped and surged forward again, screeching as they resumed their charge.
"Hmmp! So stubborn!"
Seeing them advance once more, Sora's expression tightened. She exhaled, planting her feet.
"Fine. I'll do it myself!"
She swung her hammer to her side and spun like a top, the massive head carving through the swarm and smashing several ants out of the air.
[—Air Hammer!]
A compressed burst of wind exploded outward, knocking the rest off balance.
From a distance, Zena immediately followed up with her signature magic, hitting the ants Sora had missed. Lilio and others stepped forward as well, Lilio raising their crossbows and firing, picking off the rest while both Iona and Ruu moved at the front, protecting both Zena and Lilio.
Above the houses' roofs, a streak of purple lightning flashed through the air, slicing multiple ants in one slash. With the group near her side cleared, Mei didn't waste a second and dashed in the other direction. Her katana was shining with pure electro elemental energy from her emblem as she cut down those still struggling to stay airborne.
Seeing so many of their kin fall in moments, the remaining ants slow down. Wary of Zena's magic and the relentless pressure from Mei and Sora, they abandoned their attempt to fly and dropped toward the ground instead.
While a ground-based battle was more advantageous for the defenders, the sheer number of ants was still a problem. A dozen or so slipped past the main line, skittering between shields and boots as they lunged toward the soldiers—and the civilians cowering behind them.
"They're breaking through!"
"Protect the rear! Don't let them reach the people!"
"Shields up! Hold the line!"
"They're inside the city!"
"Someone help—!"
"Get the children back!"
"Medic! Over here—he's bleeding!"
The frightened cries of civilians mixed with the strained shouts of soldiers struggling to hold formation.
Mei, seeing the breach, immediately halted her charge and turned to assist—but stopped when she saw Liza and Fran already stepping forward.
Without hesitation, Liza thrust her black spear forward. Lunge, parry, strike—her movements were sharp and efficient. Each thrust pierced cleanly through an ant's head or thorax. When one tried to corner her, she pivoted on her feet, the spear shaft knocking it aside before the blade snapped forward again, ending it with a single blow.
"Stay behind us!" Liza called firmly to the civilians without looking back.
Fran, meanwhile, advanced with heavy but firm steps. She raised her greatsword and brought it down with overwhelming force, cleaving an ant straight through its armored shell.
Another leapt at her from the side—
Fran twisted her stance and swung horizontally, the sheer weight of her blade sending the monster crashing into a nearby wall. The stone cracked from the impact.
"Master said… protect," she muttered, fighting spirit present in her eyes.
Two ants rushed her together. Fran met them head-on, driving her shoulder forward to shove one back before spinning her blade upward in a powerful arc, splitting the second midair.
Liza moved in sync with her, spear flashing in tight circles to keep the remaining ants at bay. When one tried to slip past toward a fallen soldier, Liza extended her spear to hook its leg, yanking it back before finishing it with a swift downward stab.
Within moments, the breach had been sealed by the two of them alone.
Mei allowed herself a small smile. Pride appeared in her eyes as she watched the two girls hold the breach on their own.
'Hmph. This is a little too easy.'
The Herrscher within her finally stirred after being silent for quite a while.
'Oh? Look who decided to wake up,' Mei replied inwardly, her tone lightly teasing as her eyes scanned the battlefield, searching for any ants they might have missed.
The other Mei rolled her eyes at the obvious jab.
'Whatever.'
And just like that, she fell silent again.
As if in a last-ditch effort, a cluster of ants suddenly broke away and rushed toward the Gatefront Inn—the very place where Hachiman and the others had first stayed.
"We won't let you pass, nanodesu!"
"No entryyy!"
Pochi and Tama planted themselves firmly in front of the inn's entrance, small bodies standing tall against the incoming swarm. From inside, frightened screams echoed as the civilians caught sight of the monsters closing in.
"Take this, nanodesu!"
In one smooth motion, Pochi drew the two short swords at her waist and dashed forward, cutting down the leading ant in a single clean strike.
As soon as she landed, two ants jumped from either side, serrated claws crashing down toward her—
"Your guard's dooown!"
Tama sprang forward and planted a foot on Pochi's back, using her short sword and buckler to catch both strikes at once. Metal screeched as chitin met steel.
"Thank you, Tama!"
"Don't worry—be happyyy!"
The ants recoiled to reset their swings. In that heartbeat, Tama twisted midair and drove her blade straight through the one on the left.
The impact knocked Pochi off balance and sent her skidding across the stones, but she rolled with it, popped back to her feet, and dashed in—her sword punching cleanly through the head of the ant on the right.
"Got it, nanodesu!"
In the blink of an eye, all three were down. From inside the inn came a few stunned voices—
"T-they're just kids…!"
"Amazing…!"
But the relief was brief. A group of ants changed direction and went toward a nearby general goods store. Inside, the woman hiding behind the counter went pale as their shadows fell across the doorway.
"Nadi!"
"Boss!"
A lone young boy at her side shouted, stepping in front of her despite the tremor in his hands. He had green hair tied into a single long braid like a hero from a kung-fu tale, and wore a simple tunic and pants that hung a little loose from his frame.
[…■ ■■ ■■■– Ivy Control!]
He cast the spell, and the decorative ivy inside the store shuddered before springing to life. Vines twisted and shot outward, weaving together into a thick protective net that shielded the woman and the boy.
"Shine… Excalibur."
Before the ants could crash through, a slash of blue light swept past the storefront.
In a single attack, the monsters were erased.
Not far from the shop, Hachiman lowered his holy sword after murmuring one of its inscriptions. The fading glow reflected briefly in his eyes.
He spared the pair a quick glance, gave a small nod as if to reassure them, then turned and rushed back toward the gate, his sword cutting down every ant that dared cross his path.
"...Blue light? Was that the rumored Hero?" the boy whispered, his eyes following Hachiman's retreating figure until it vanished into the crowd of soldiers.
In less than half an hour, nearly all the ants in the plaza had been wiped out.
—--
"Zena! Everyone! Are you all alright?"
The moment he reached Zena, Iona, Lilio, Ruu, Pochi, Tama, Fran, and Liza, he quickly looked over each of them, checking for injuries.
"Hachiman-san!"
Zena spotted him at once and hurried over. Unused to running in a skirt, she caught her foot on the hem just as she reached him and stumbled forward.
He reacted instantly, catching her by the arm before she could fall.
"I'm sorry…"
Zena apologized softly, still holding onto his sleeve for balance.
"I don't mind. But… are you hurt?"
Unable to trust her voice, she simply shook her head. Her cheeks warmed as she realized how close they were.
Hachiman deliberately ignored the teasing smirks from Iona, Lilio, and Ruu—as well as the sharp, observant looks from the nearby soldiers.
"…I'll go check the situation outside the gate."
He gently helped Zena steady herself.
"We will accompany you," she replied at once.
Like a switch being flipped, the flustered maiden disappeared. In her place stood the disciplined soldier, eyes sharp the moment he mentioned the gate.
Hachiman gave a small, wry smile and nodded, then turned toward Liza, Fran, Pochi, and Tama.
"The four of you, head back to where Ruan Mei and the others are. Stay with them and protect them. No more heroics."
"Roger, nanodesu!"
"Ayee, ayee~."
"Rhojer!"
"Understood, Master."
Pochi, Tama, and Fran saluted enthusiastically, though Fran bit her tongue slightly as she stumbled over her reply, while Liza answered readily, switching into guard mode.
—--
By the time they stepped outside, the battle at the gate had already ended. The monsters that had attacked the city lay scattered across the ground, and soldiers, along with a few brave townsfolk, were beginning the unpleasant task of clearing away the ants' corpses.
Hachiman's eyes immediately scanned the area, searching for Mei and Sora.
"Oya, if it isn't the lad."
The familiar voice broke his focus. Turning, he found Knight Thorne approaching them.
"Good afternoon, Knight Thorne. How is the situation?" Iona greeted him respectfully.
"No serious casualties from either the civilians or military," the old knight replied, giving a small shrug. "The injured suffered only minor wounds. Priests who heard the alarm rushed over and had already begun treatment."
"That's… a huge relief." Hachiman let out the breath he had been holding.
Knight Thorne smiled faintly. "These monsters aren't particularly strong. Their only advantage is their numbers."
Hachiman simply gave a nod. The ants' levels ranged around three, with the strongest barely reaching seven. Considering the average soldier of the Earldom stood at level eight, the outcome had never truly been in doubt, only the damage they might have caused if left unchecked.
"Still… my heart nearly stopped when those monsters slipped past the gate and entered the city," the old knight admitted with a weary sigh. "Thankfully, the Hero and his companions were there to deal with it."
"Please don't think too much of it," Hachiman replied, looking straight at the old knight. "We only did what we could."
Knight Thorne chuckled and gave his shoulder a firm pat. "Whether you downplay it or not, lad, you saved our city again. If you and your companions hadn't moved when you did… perhaps there would've been no deaths—but the damage would have been severe."
Hachiman simply shook his head, a faint, wry smile on his lips.
"Hachiman-san! It's Mei-san and Sora-san, they're back!!"
Zena called out, pointing toward the front.
Mei and Sora were running toward the gate. But what caught his attention wasn't their hurried steps; it was the bundle carried carefully in Mei's arms.
'Of course… the moment I wish things to be normal, something else had to happen.' Hachiman's cheek twitched as he silently cursed himself for tempting fate just minutes earlier.
—----
"After we finished helping the soldiers clear the flying ants, Mei-nee said she noticed something strange on her minimap and went toward the forest to check. Buuuut since I can't just let her go alone, I followed her~." Sora explained, rocking lightly on her heels while Auna continued treating the person wrapped in the bundle of cloth.
Right now, Hachiman's group was gathered inside Knight Thorne's office as Sora and Mei recounted how they had met the one they brought back.
"Near the clearing at the forest entrance, we found a Ratman protecting this child. He called her his princess," Mei said softly. She let out a sigh, her expression darkening. "He had already sustained fatal injuries. Before he passed… he entrusted his princess to us."
Hachiman stepped closer and wrapped an arm around Mei's shoulders. She leaned into him without hesitation, returning the embrace. The rhythm of his heartbeat made her more relaxed than she had expected.
"…From what he said, it seems they are the real target of those giant ants and were actually chasing them," she added, finishing her explanation.
Hachiman turns his eyes to the child sleeping within the cloth bundle. The so-called "princess" the Ratman had protected was a little girl with pale skin, long light blue-green hair, and delicate, pointed ears.
"…An elf, huh." He exhaled slowly.
'And I just happened to save an elf earlier too… seriously, universe? Am I your punching bag or something?! Or is Aha messing with me?!'
Before long, the office door opened. The same green-haired young man—well… young-looking elf—that Hachiman had saved earlier stepped inside, escorted by Zena's group.
"Ah… it's the Hero," he said calmly.
"Hello, Manager-san. We meet again," Hachiman replied.
"Hmm." The elf's gaze lingered on him for a moment. "What matter requires the Hero's attention with me?"
"Well… my companions brought someone who might be an acquaintance of yours." Hachiman gestured toward the little girl.
The elf followed his line of sight.
His usually unexpressive expression changed as surprise came over him. His eyes widened.
"…Mia."
'Just as I thought. The 'princess' the Ratman protected wasn't random at all.' Hachiman mused inwardly.
"How did this happen?"
"We found her being protected by a Ratman wearing a red helmet," Mei explained.
"…I see." The elf nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving Mia's face.
As the glow of Auna's healing magic faded, signaling the end of the treatment, both Mei and the elf thanked her. Auna stepped aside, allowing the elf to move closer and carefully check on Mia.
Soon, Mia's eyes fluttered open. She blinked slowly, gray eyes unfocused as she tried to take in her surroundings.
Her eyes went around, then stayed on Hachiman for a moment.
"…Pretty…" she murmured drowsily.
"Mia, are you awake?" the young man asked softly.
"Who…?"
Still hazy from sleep, she didn't seem to recognize him.
"It's me. Yusaratoya."
"Yuya's…?"
Her voice was as youthful as her appearance suggested, slightly husky from just waking up.
"Where…?"
"Seiryuu City, Shiga Kingdom," Yusaratoya answered gently.
Before the moment could settle, Sora—who had been visibly vibrating with excitement—couldn't hold back any longer and hopped to Mia's side.
"Yahallo!!!! I'm Sora, the universe's best sister!"
Startled by Sora's overwhelming energy, Mia quickly pulled the cloth up over her head, peeking out cautiously through a small opening.
"M-Mia…"
She lowered the blanket just enough to reveal her eyes and shyly introduced herself in the smallest voice possible.
Sora couldn't hide her shock when she saw Mia's bashful little face. She clutched her chest dramatically, as if an arrow had pierced her heart.
"What the—? S-so… so Cuuuuuteeee!!!"
Before anyone could react, Sora lunged forward and hugged Mia with all her might, showering the poor girl with rapid-fire praise. She started with "You look like a princess!", "Your hair's so prettyyyy!", "Your ears are adorable!" until "And your voice is tiny and cute too!"
Before Hachiman and Mei stepped in to stop her.
Hachiman even grabbed Sora by the back of her collar and pulled her away like an unruly cat.
"Sora, calm down for a bit."
"Sora-chan, please stop. You're overwhelming Mia-chan."
"Nyahahaha… S-sorry!"
Sora scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"You… Spiritmage?"
Before Hachiman and Mei could apologize on Sora's behalf, Mia's green eyes changed, turning faintly silver as she stared straight at Hachiman.
"Excuse me?" He tilted his head, clearly caught off guard.
'Do Personas count as spirits…?' he wondered silently.
"Can't see them?"
Mia looked genuinely puzzled.
"No, I've never met any spirits."
Hachiman glanced at Yusaratoya, silently asking for clarification.
"Only those with the gift of Spirit Vision can see them," Yusaratoya explained calmly.
Nodding slightly, Mei crouched down so she was at eye level with Mia and offered her a gentle smile.
"Hello, Mia-chan. My name is Raiden Mei. But you can just call me Mei."
"Mei…" Mia repeated softly, studying her face.
"Can you tell us what happened to you?" Mei asked, her voice was soft and careful.
Mia blinked, then looked around again as if searching for someone.
"…Where is Mize?"
Although the name was unfamiliar to Mei at first, she quickly connected it to the Ratman they had encountered.
"Is Mize the Ratman with the red helmet?"
"Yes."
Mia answered without hesitation.
Mei paused briefly, choosing her words.
"He protected you until the end. After entrusting you to us… he passed away from his injuries."
"It can't be…"
For a moment, Mei wondered if she should soften the truth, but lying would only make things worse later.
The color drained from Mia's face as the words sank in.
This time, Hachiman stepped closer and knelt so he was at the same level as Mia.
"Hello, Mia. I'm Hikigaya Hachiman, a professional busybo—"
"Ahem!"
The sudden cough cut him off. As everyone turned, Auna fixed him with a dry stare that clearly said, 'Please don't introduce yourself as a busybody, Hero-sama!'
"Hmm?"
Mia tilted her head, confused by the interruption.
Hachiman let out a sigh and tried again. "I'm Hachiman… a traveler."
"Arrgggg…."
Auna facepalmed and dropped her shoulders in defeat. Meanwhile, Zena, Iona, Lilio, Ruu, Yukel, Knight Thorne, Arisa, and Lulu all wore wry smiles at his stubborn refusal to use his Hero title. The only ones who didn't react were Pochi, Tama, Liza, Ruan Mei, Kagura, Mei, Sora, Patricia, and Yusaratoya.
Ignoring the peanut gallery, Hachiman returned his attention to the young elf.
"Mia, I need to ask you a few things. Is that alright?"
"What?"
"Why were those large swarms of flying ants chasing you?"
"…They came to capture."
"Capture you?"
"Yes."
She answered in short fragments, forcing everyone else to piece the meaning together themselves.
"Why did they want to capture you?"
Mei, Sora, and Yusaratoya exchanged glances at that. Hachiman's eyes, however, narrowed slightly. A quiet suspicion was already forming in his mind.
"Who is the one that needs you?"
"…A magician."
A brief silence fell over the room.
"Well, that's good news," Hachiman muttered with a small relief. "At least it's not the same type as Wagahai-kun."
Auna and the others visibly twitched at that comparison. Their expressions cramped, unsure whether they should be alarmed or laugh at how casually Hachiman referred to the Black Greater Demon from before.
"Do you know why you're needed?"
"For the maze."
Hachiman's brow furrowed as he ran through the possibilities.
"Where is this maze located?"
"…In the mountains."
"Near here?"
"Probably."
He glanced at the locals of Seiryuu City, silently asking if any of them had heard of such a place. Unfortunately, whether it was Auna, Zena, Iona, Lilio, Ruu, Yukel, or even Thorne, none of them showed any sign of recognition.
"What is that magician doing in the maze?"
"Making things… like ants. Or puppets."
That answer drew an immediate reaction from Zena and the others. Knight Thorne's expression hardened; he stepped toward the door and called for a soldier outside, likely ordering the scouts to be prepared.
"Do you know what they're made for?"
"…Don't know."
Mia replied as flatly as she could, but Hachiman noticed the subtle change. The color in her face faded again, and her fingers tightened slightly around the cloth.
'She knows something… but either she doesn't want to say it, or she doesn't want to remember.' Hachiman's expression darkened slightly before giving Yusaratoya a subtle side glance.
"Do you think that magician will come after you?"
"Surely coming."
A chill passed through the room. If that was true, then what happened at the gate earlier might only be the beginning.
Hachiman and Mei exchanged a look, understanding each other without a word. Then Mei turned back to Mia.
"Mia-chan… Mize-san asked me to take you either home or back to your clan. Which would you prefer?"
"...I want to go home."
"I understand."
Mei smiled gently and patted her head.
"Then get some rest. We're leaving tomorrow, and we'll take you back to your home."
"...Thank you."
With her decision made and the arrangements left in Mei's care, Hachiman rose to his feet, releasing a deep sigh. Taking out his holy sword, he turned and stepped out of the office.
'Now then… shall we remove the final obstacle before we continue our journey?'
======