It seemed that they had no real intention of causing harm.
At least, not in this place.
However, once a fight broke out, things wouldn't be so simple.
Even if they didn't intend to kill, in a battle where weapons were swung, anything could happen. Aiming for a non-vital spot, only to have the enemy dodge and hit a fatal area, was a common occurrence.
Then, just as the four enemies attacked, two more leaped out from the opposite side.
Appearing after the four had already engaged in battle would cause more confusion. This was the tactic of those skilled in close combat.
Such tricks left inexperienced fighters helpless. However, the four members of the 'Red Oath' were not shaken and did not easily fall into chaos.
Against the four enemies from the front, Myle and Mavis each took on one, ignoring the two front-line fighters and targeting the two rear magicians, Reina and Pauline. Reina used fire magic, and Pauline used ice magic.
The enemies, thinking that Reina and Pauline would be flustered and unable to do anything because they showed no signs of casting spells, were confident that the fire magic Reina had been holding back would hit at close range. One enemy was hit in the abdomen by a ball of flame, and the other was struck in the abdomen by an ice spike from Pauline, both flying backward.
Fortunately, Pauline had rounded the tip of the ice spike, so the enemy did not suffer serious injuries. However, the one hit by Reina suffered severe burns to the abdomen. It seemed that the beastman was not wearing any metal armor or leather equipment.
...It seemed that, being a beastman, he relied too much on his own skin.
By then, Myle, who had blocked the enemy's axe-like weapon with his sword, had swung his sword to knock the enemy's weapon away. Mavis, too, had deflected the enemy's weapon with a swift and powerful strike.
The enemy's weapons, designed for one-handed use, could not match the power of Myle and Mavis's two-handed swords.
However, for the beastmen, it was unthinkable to be outmatched by humans. Especially when facing a young, seemingly weak girl, it was even more unthinkable.
But it was a complete defeat.
Perhaps they had no intention of facing a sword-wielding opponent unarmed, or perhaps they were too shocked, but the two whose weapons were deflected stood there in a daze and were knocked down by the flat of Myle and Mavis's swords.
The two enemies who attacked from behind a moment later tried to attack Reina and Pauline, but Reina and Pauline ran behind Myle and Mavis, stopped, and began casting spells.
In front of them were Myle and Mavis with their swords drawn, and behind them were Reina and Pauline casting spells.
The eight allies were now just the two of them.
The remaining two enemies were shaken and anxious, but they could not abandon their fallen comrades and flee. With desperate expressions, they tried to face the four members of the 'Red Oath,' but...
"Let's run!"
"Ooh!"
The four members of the 'Red Oath' fled.
They were not surrounded by the enemy.
The remaining enemies stood there in shock for a moment, then, with a start, hurriedly helped their fallen comrades to their feet, thanking the gods for their good fortune.
Supporting the seriously injured, they managed to retreat with their comrades.
"...As planned. Let's go."
"Understood!"
The four members of the 'Red Oath' whispered and began to move quietly.
Of course, they were tracking the beastmen.
They didn't think the beastmen would answer honestly if captured and interrogated, and bringing a large number of captives would hinder their actions. However, they couldn't leave them in the forest, nor could they kill them.
In such situations, they had several standard procedures, and this was one of them, the "Let them run and track" pattern. ...It was a straightforward name with no twists.
Normally, it would be difficult to secretly track beastmen, whose senses of smell and hearing were superior to humans.
If they tried to track them in the forest without losing sight of them, the beastmen's keen senses would inevitably detect them.
However, now, the beastmen were injured, anxious, and emitting the smells of blood and burns, as well as making various noises and moving clumsily, losing the ability and composure to be aware of their surroundings.
With Myle's detection magic, they could track them from a safe distance, but Myle chose the normal tracking route for the party's benefit, and thanks to the current situation, they managed to track them without being detected.
"...What is that..."
Reina muttered in amazement.
It was no wonder. What she saw from the shadows of the trees was the 'Red Oath' attackers leading their injured comrades into one of five shabby huts.
That was fine. That was fine, but...
The problem was the scene beyond that.
A half-collapsed ruin made of what seemed to be quarried stone.
And numerous beastmen working with tools like hoes and shovels.
What Myle thought of when he saw this was an 'archaeological excavation site,' and it was likely that it was exactly that.
"...What do we do?"
"What do you mean...?"
Pauline answered Mavis's question with a troubled expression.
Reina, too, was at a loss for words at the unexpected scene.
"We need to scout this area!"
Myle's words rang out.
"Bringing this information back quickly is important, but if there are any clues about the missing investigation team or hunters, or if they are directly involved, we might still have a chance to help...
Moreover, if the missing people are being held captive, bringing a large force might result in them escaping, being taken hostage, or being killed as a warning..."
"Let's scout tonight!"
Reina's eyes changed when Myle mentioned hostages.
After observing for a while, someone ran out of the hut the beastmen had entered, and there was some commotion with people coming and going, but it soon subsided.
It seemed they had no intention of pursuing the 'Red Oath.' Probably, they considered the party just inexperienced adventurers who had ventured too far into the forest and fled in panic, not realizing that the 'Red Oath' was a group of experienced hunters on an investigation mission, or that they were following their comrades.
"...So, about the plan..."
To avoid being discovered by the beastmen, the 'Red Oath' moved away from the excavation site and began planning for the night while eating.
There was plenty of time, but to reduce the risk of discovery, they couldn't use fire for cooking. Their meal consisted of hard bread, dried meat, and water.
It was too early for dinner, but they ate a little early to avoid acting immediately after eating.
"There are five huts in total. If there are any captives, where would they be?
Observing for a while might reveal suspicious activity based on people's movements, but the risk of being discovered, the lack of time, and the uncertainty even if something seems suspicious, and the fact that observation won't help if there are no captives, all rule this out."
Everyone nodded at Reina's words. The risk of being discovered in a place with many normal beastmen was too high.
"Besides, sneaking into all the huts would be far too dangerous. We would definitely be discovered."
"..."
"So, Myle, it's your turn."
"Huh..."
Suddenly called upon, Myle was flustered.
"I know. I know you're thinking about us...
But lives are at stake. Please give it your all.
I'm going to use your 'detection magic' to the fullest!"
"......Okay."
It seemed that Reina and the others had already figured it out.
Myle had been holding back on using her overly convenient abilities for the benefit of the 'Red Oath,' using only minor conveniences that wouldn't hinder the group if she were to suddenly disappear.
And even though they knew, they hadn't said anything...
Myle made a decision.
This time, she would lower her guard a bit.
But only this time. For the next job, she would return to her usual cautious approach, providing only the level of convenience that would allow the three to continue working without her. To ensure they could excel as hunters even without her...
...Except for storage magic.
To all our readers,
Today, Earth Star Novels announced the following three things:
1. This work is being reprinted again, following an emergency reprint! (^^)/
2. The release date for Volume 2 has been set! (^^)/
3. And, what a surprise! 'I Said I Wanted Average Stats!' is being adapted into a manga!
So fast! Too fast!! (>_<)
All of this is thanks to all of you who have been reading this work.
Thank you!
For more details, including the release date and the manga artist, please visit the Earth Star Novels website! (^^)/