Chapter 550

Repulsion Operation
“… For now, let’s set aside what to do about the children. First, I would like to explain the situation… if that’s alright?”
“Ah, yes. Please!”

Felix-sama cleared his throat, shifting the tense silence that had fallen over the area.

“Very well, I shall explain.”

According to Felix-sama, there wasn’t just one wyvern, there were multiple.

The witness was a merchant who had departed the royal capital heading west. After spotting the wyverns, he panicked and turned back immediately. He couldn’t say the exact number, but since he possessed the Far Sight skill and was the one who noticed them, there was no doubt they were wyverns.

“At present, I have sent others who also possess the Far Sight skill, along with those equipped with long-range magic tools, to gather more information.”
“Ah, someone’s coming back~”
“They’re riding a horse~”
“Hmm? Has the scouting party returned?”

Right then, it seemed the scouts had come back.

“Your Highness, we’ve confirmed it!”
“Five wyverns. They are unquestionably heading this way.”
“F-Five!?”

The number was apparently higher than expected—people all around were struck speechless.

““Ohhh~ that means lots to eat~””
“““““…………”””””

Once again, the children’s completely tone-deaf comment left those around them stunned, exasperated… some were even glaring.

“Allen, Elena, I told you not to say things like that, didn’t I?”
““... Sorry?””

They apologized, but clearly didn’t understand why they were being scolded.

“Well, children will be children. However, this does pose a dilemma…”

The dilemma was this: if they fought defensively near the city, there was a risk of damage to the capital. One option was to move the forces toward the direction the wyverns were approaching from and intercept them there.

However, the enemy was airborne. To attack monsters in the sky, magic users and those skilled with long-range weapons were essential. While flying dragon units were also on standby, forming a defensive line at the city gate, where attacks from atop the city walls would provide far greater volume,was another option.

They seemed to be weighing these two strategies.

“Umm… would you like us to handle shooting down the wyverns?”
“Hm!?”

At my words, Felix-sama faltered.

I had strong companions capable of flight, Feat and Bolt. Even if we couldn’t finish the wyverns off midair, we could at least knock them to the ground. And once grounded, the other forces could finish them.

“Well, I do have my contracted beasts, after all.”
““Ah!””

Felix-sama and Andy-san exclaimed at the same time.

Felix-sama definitely knew about my contracted beasts. As for Andy-san… I believe I told him directly. And if the Adventurers’ Guild shared information with other countries and cities, he would know anyway.

It seemed both of them had simply forgotten.

“Well then, I’ll summon them for now.”
“Yes, please.”

With Felix-sama’s approval, I summoned Joule and the others, whom I had just sent back when we exited the dungeon.

(Oh? There are a lot of people here!)
(My, oh my, has something happened?)
(It does feel rather tense, doesn’t it?)
(A monster, right! It must be a strong monster!)
(If it’s a monster, then it’s our turn!)
(Radian will do his best~)

For the moment, I summoned everyone, not just Feat and Bolt.

The surrounding crowd immediately began murmuring.

Joule and Feat were about the size of puppies, and Vector was the size of a large dog, so I briefly wondered if there was really that much to react to. But then I reconsidered, Thunderhawk was an A-rank monster, and even if Scarlet King Leo only looked like a large dog, his presence alone could certainly be startling.

“It seems wyverns are coming. Will you help subjugate them?”
(Ohhh~ wyverns!)
(Delicious meat!)

At the mention of wyverns, Joule and Vector perked up happily.

“So this is why the children treat wyverns like ingredients…”

Felix-sama looked exasperated that even upon hearing “wyvern,” my contracted beasts remained utterly carefree, and even categorized them as food.

… My apologies for the complete lack of tension.

“That may be part of it, but it’s also because Andy-san is the one who taught them that wyvern meat is delicious.”
“M-Me!? Ah!! Now that you mention it… I do recall saying something like that before…”

I tried shifting a bit of responsibility for the children’s innocence onto Andy-san.

After all, there were far too many looks directed at me that practically screamed, “What kind of upbringing is that!?” I just wanted to reduce those a little!

Andy-san, clearly remembering, looked startled before sinking into visible regret.

“Well, that’s a joke.”
“A joke!?”
“Half a joke?”

I’d like him to share some of the responsibility, but I’m not about to dump it all on him!

“Felix-sama, may I first send Bolt to monitor the wyverns?”
“Yes, please do.”
(Aniue, what should I do?)
“Five wyverns are approaching from the west. I’d like you to observe them from a distance. Make sure they don’t change course or move elsewhere, and check for any unusual developments. Absolutely do not make contact.”
(Leave it to me.)

First, I decided to have Bolt monitor the wyverns for any change in movement.

If they suddenly altered direction, that would be serious.

“Alright, I’m counting on you.”
(I’m off!)

After hearing the explanation, Bolt immediately took flight from my arm.

(What about me? What do I do?)

Once Bolt had departed, Vector eagerly asked about his role.

“Umm… the one I’d like help from next is Feat.”
(Eeeh~ I want to defeat a wyvern too!)
“Well, Vector, you can’t fly, can you?”
(Um, umm… what if I shrink down, ride on Feat’s back, fly over, then jump down from above the wyvern while turning big again and, boom?)
“… Huh?”

Vector had just proposed something outrageous. That would mean jumping from a high altitude, wouldn’t the impact on landing be dangerous?

(Oh my, that might actually be possible~)
(Yeah. I think I could manage it too.)
(For Vector… that’s actually a good plan… maybe?)

Feat and Joule sounded intrigued, while Mile seemed puzzled but was seriously considering whether Vector’s idea was feasible.

“That would… probably leave a pretty catastrophic landing site~”

If it just dented the ground, fine… but if someone were standing at the landing point, or if there were rocks or other hazards, it could turn disastrous.

(I’ll be careful about where I jump!)
“……”

He spoke as if it were already decided.

“There are other people here, so that plan is on hold! Don’t go carrying it out on your own!”
(Eeeeh~~~)

Vector let out a very dissatisfied whine.

Well, even if Vector tried to act on his own, Feat wouldn’t cooperate. She’s good about stopping him properly.