While helping the pack prepare, Fi glanced at the screen of his smartphone.
There was a live video of what Salia was watching. A village enveloped by fire. Some of it was due to Keita and Salia’s plan, but it was still difficult to watch.
“Ah…”
A pillar of fire rose up for the third time, and the sky beyond the forest turned white. Was it really alright to use such great magic over and over again?
As it was out of range of effect for the status checker, he could not monitor it in real time. However, based on Keita’s mental strength, which was the equivalent of MP, he should be nearing his limit.
“Fi! We’re ready! It’s time to go!”
“Ah, yes! Got it!”
Urak approached him awkwardly and peered at the smartphone. While the kobold boy was surprised at this tool, which should not exist in this world, he also scowled.
“Demon King Army. Burning villages. Horrible. So horrible.”
“No. This is how they are buying time to escape.”
“Oh… Just like us then.”
Urak smiled sadly as he slung a sack over his shoulder.
“We, run from village. And light the houses. Monster, surprised. They hate, the light. And so we escape.”
“But if you do that…you won’t be able to live there, right?”
“Once a village left, we don’t, return.”
Before Fi could reply, Urak took the children and started running.
“Will gather children over there! Large tree! You go too, Fi!”
“Oh. I’ll help you!”
“Thank you! Search outside the forest!”
Fi turned off the screen and started to run. The kobold pack moved orderly and with quiet footsteps as they prepared to escape.
“Hey! Is there anyone left?”
The fires had already been erased and the belongings packed. It was impressive how quick kobolds could be.
“…Brother…”
He heard a weak voice coming from somewhere. A child must have been sleeping and got left behind without being noticed.
But though Fi looked around, he couldn’t see it. Even with dragon eyes, the dark forest hid many things.
“Damn it. Alright then…”
Fi closed his eyes and concentrated on his horns.
Crunch. Clang. Crunch. Grind.
Strange noises reached him through the air.
“Wha…what is this…”
His sensitive senses heard the metallic sounds. It was something he had heard once. A long time ago.
Footsteps of metal boots. The sounds of metal armor scraping against itself. A unique sound.
“Brother…where…”
It was the sound that his once reliable companions had made. And now it was coming from the depths of the forest.
“…Ah, Fi… Where’s brother?”
A sleepy young kobold came tumbling out of the nearby bushes.
“Hey…over here.”
“Why?”
“Hurry!”
Fi grabbed the child’s hand and immediately started to dash.
“Fi!? Ouch! My hand hurt!”
“Nevermind that! Just run!”
Clanging blades. Swords being unsheathed. It wasn’t just one person. There were at least a dozen closing in.
And then…
“Everyone, charge! Wipe out all of the kobolds!”
The knights raised their swords and roared.