Midoru let out a single high-pitched cry, then kicked the ground with its long, thick legs and charged at the knights. Due to its body being covered in hard, heavy scales, Midoru can no longer fly. This is the only saving grace.
However, the knights' vision, hearing, and sense of smell are being distorted, making it difficult to pinpoint the creature's location.
What does Zachary, the captain, intend to do?
I watch the knights and think to myself.
Does Captain Zachary understand Midoru's characteristics?
There is a world of difference between fighting a monster with knowledge of its traits and fighting one without.
While a Dream Bird can only create illusions, Midoru has a large body, hard scales, sharp fangs, and claws. Releasing such a ferocious monster into an illusionary space is a terrifying prospect...
The appearance of Zabiria as a black dragon has disrupted the behavior patterns of the forest's monsters, causing a Dream Bird to appear near the entrance, although it usually resides in the depths of the abyss alongside the Flowerhorn Deer. One would not encounter it unless venturing deep into the forest.
Perhaps, compared to 300 years ago, the number of monsters has decreased.
I only have the experience of slaying the Flowerhorn Deer to base my judgment on, so it might be premature, but... since the Demon King is sealed, it makes sense that the number of monsters has decreased.
If that's the case, the knights' combat experience is likely less than that of the knights from the previous era.
Furthermore, allowing Midoru to transform so easily suggests that this is Captain Zachary's first encounter with this monster, doesn't it?
If he had any experience in slaying it, he would have done everything to prevent the transformation.
Sir Cyril, the First Knight Captain, might say, "He should know how to fight, having read the 'List of Forest Monsters,' but it's not that simple..."
As I watch, the mages, under Captain Zachary's orders, begin to set up trap magic in a horizontal line from west to east on the ground. This is an initial magic that explodes when the monster steps on it, apparently to determine Midoru's position.
The knights stand in equal intervals about five meters behind the trap magic, swords at the ready.
The sight of the knights lined up with their swords drawn was impressive, but Midoru charged at them with incredible speed, seemingly oblivious to the knights waiting for it. The sight of the fearless monster caused several knights to tense up, their bodies stiffening with unnecessary force.
The vibration felt with each step Midoru took, the smell of the dust it kicked up, and the gleaming claws and fangs were terrifying enough to make the knights who stood their ground to face it tremble with fear.
Then, Midoru stepped on the line of trap magic. At that moment, the knights in front tightened their grip on their swords!
But, there was no explosion!
The knights, momentarily stunned, froze in place.
The lack of an explosion meant that the Midoru in front of the knights was an illusion, and the real one was elsewhere.
However, the knights seemed to prioritize their visual perception and began swinging their swords wildly at the illusion. The fear of not knowing where the monster was made them panic.
A moment later, the trap magic about ten meters east of the Midoru illusion exploded.
"Wh-what?!"
The knights near the explosion hastily readied their swords again. But...
"Whoa!""Gyahh!!"
The knights about ten meters further east were blown away.
It seemed that Midoru had leaped diagonally.
Without being able to form a correct image and determine its position, fighting as a group was disadvantageous.
There was a risk of accidentally injuring allies with wild sword swings.
As I thought this, the knights were being thrown one after another.
Captain Zachary tightened his grip on his sword but stood there, unable to move. He gritted his teeth.
...I remember being told to "stay put," but I couldn't bear it anymore and looked at the other knights' familiars.
There are five monster knights in my squad, and they have five familiars. Three of them have wings.
I made eye contact with three of them: two C-rank eagle-type monsters and one D-rank owl-type monster.
"Monsters have a strong survival instinct. Fia's ability to heal instantly is something they would want. Even without a contract, they might recognize Fia as a temporary master, hoping to earn her rewards, which include her healing abilities. Since they already have a master, they have no resistance to following humans."
So, Zabiria whispered, "They are probably waiting for orders."
...Yes, I think Zabiria's imagination is correct.
After all, the familiars haven't taken their eyes off me since the beginning.
However, even if I give them orders, without a contract, I can't communicate with them as easily as I do with Zabiria. Monsters are said to have much sharper instincts than humans...
I raised my hand, pointed at Midoru, and waved it toward the sky.
—Did they understand?
Sure enough, the three familiars completely understood my intention and took off toward Midoru's position the moment I waved my hand.
The illusion is only effective within the circle created by the flying Dream Birds. In terms of height, it extends to the altitude at which the Dream Birds flew to create the circle. Beyond that, the real form can be seen.
Therefore, by positioning the familiars directly above Midoru, I could show Captain Zachary and the others its actual location. Midoru would be directly below the familiars.
The problem is that Midoru can freely transform into a Dream Bird.
While transforming into Midoru takes time, transforming into a Dream Bird is instantaneous.
If it realizes our intentions, it might transform back into a Dream Bird, fly into the sky, and scatter the C-rank and lower familiars.
I raised my hand and whispered a spell in a small voice.
"Restrain. Then, ask no questions of the sin. —'Simple Prison'!"
Originally intended to restrain enemies, I use it as a cage to protect the familiars from external threats.
Since it's a B-rank Dream Bird, a simple version should be sufficient, so I lower the level.
"Cover this secret thing with malice and benevolence. —'Second-Class Concealment'!"
I overlay a concealment spell so that the magical prison can be seen.
"Hehe. With this, the Dream Birds can't touch the familiars," I said with a smile, but Zabiria made a displeased face.
"Isn't that overdoing it? If you create such a comfortable space, the familiars will get used to it. Familiars have no resistance to following humans and will be obedient to anyone who protects them. If Fia becomes their idol, they might stick to her like glue."
"Eh?"
"Zabiria, that's a problem!" I said, but by then, the familiars had reached Midoru's position.
Since Midoru is an A-rank monster, it has high intelligence. It instantly realized the familiars' intentions, transformed into a Dream Bird, and reached them with a single flap of its wings.
It tried to tear the familiars with its sharp talons, but a high-pitched sound echoed as it was repelled in mid-air.
Seeing this, I spoke to Zabiria with a smug tone.
"How about this? The invisible cage is like an illusion, isn't it? It's like 'Illusion Reversal!'—a stylish counter."
"Yeah, it's a shame the knights can't see it and give their opinions."
If only Zabiria would say, "That's great!" or something.
I shouted out loud, feeling frustrated.
"Captain Zachary!"
Startled by my shout, Captain Zachary turned his gaze toward me, and I continued to shout.
"The Dream Birds have moved outside the illusion range, so the position you see now is the correct one! Have the archers and mages hold it in place! The familiars in the air will guard themselves, so don't worry about them! While they are holding it, move away from the area! Once you are outside the circle the Dream Birds initially created, the illusion will disappear!"
Captain Zachary looked at me in surprise but, with no reason to doubt me, followed my instructions.
The knights efficiently divided their roles and escaped the illusionary space without further casualties.
...The scene was left with the familiars protected by the invisible, safe cage, the enraged Dream Bird, and the knights freed from the illusion.
—There, back to the scene from five minutes ago.
I looked at Captain Zachary and the knights again and smiled.
"Let's start over from the beginning."
Come on, Captain Zachary, you can't use the excuse of not having slaying experience anymore.
Please, let's work together to slay the Dream Bird...
Thank you for reading.
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