I took a step back from the monsters with the boy.
The basilisk is extremely fast.
If the boy were to accidentally become the target of an attack, it would be a disaster, so I positioned myself on the opposite side of the basilisk, with the leaders Cyril, Curtis, and Fabian in between.
...Well, this is a tactical move, right?
It might look like I'm using them as a shield, but it's a tactic.
I took the boy's hand off my waist and firmly held it with my non-dominant hand.
I made sure we could move and draw our swords at any moment, ready to join the battle.
The boy's hand was trembling, so I patted it with my free hand to calm him down.
While doing this, I kept my eyes on Cyril, Curtis, and Fabian, who were facing the monsters at close range.
I was worried if they would be okay, but even from a distance, they all looked very calm.
...As expected, they are capable knights.
If you think about it normally, two B-rank monsters, which require 30 knights, are completely outnumbered, but the fact that they can remain calm is impressive.
The three knights were facing the basilisk from a distance of about five meters.
Cyril, who was on the left, stood with a light grip on his silver sword, giving instructions to the two monsters without taking his eyes off them.
"Curtis, Fabian, please hold down the basilisk on the right."
After entrusting the smaller basilisk to Curtis and Fabian, Cyril focused on the basilisk on the left.
A quiet time passed.
However, it was a tense time, like sweat dripping down my back.
The basilisk is very aggressive and will attack immediately when it spots prey.
It's unthinkable that it would remain still, but if it's because it can sense Cyril's strength and can't move, then this monster is indeed impressive.
Because Cyril looked as calm as a still wind.
There was no killing intent or pressure, and his strength was not apparent at first glance.
...But, this lack of apparent strength is the strongest form.
The basilisk spits venom, so it's correct not to approach it recklessly.
And since it can't spit venom continuously, the most effective way to fight is to close the distance when it spits venom.
The time passed tensely, but the basilisk was the first to lose patience.
In just two steps, it closed a distance of two meters and spat venom from its mouth.
The liquid flew straight at an incredible speed, aiming directly for Cyril's eyes.
I think it would be impossible to dodge if you didn't predict it in advance, but for some reason, Cyril tilted his head slightly and avoided the venom with certainty.
"Amazing..."
I couldn't help but say.
As I watched in amazement, Cyril closed the distance in one swift move and thrust his sword straight into the open mouth.
The sword sank into the soft mouth.
Cyril quickly pulled the sword out of the basilisk's mouth and, without hesitation, stabbed it vertically into the left chest of the basilisk, which had risen on its hind legs in pain.
Despite being covered in hard scales, the sword sank deep into the basilisk's body.
Is it the speed and angle?
The depth to which the sword penetrated the basilisk was beyond what could be expected from the force applied.
Or rather, this depth...
As Cyril pulled the sword out expressionlessly, fresh blood splattered, and the basilisk collapsed to the ground.
Yeah, that depth is a fatal wound.
Cyril, without wiping the blood from his sword or paying any further attention to the fallen basilisk, turned to the remaining monster.
The second basilisk, thanks to Curtis and Fabian, had not moved from its initial position.
Cyril muttered something under his breath, and a blade of wind sliced through the basilisk.
"Hey!?"
I wasn't the only one surprised by the sudden event; the basilisk took a step back.
However, Cyril closed the same distance as the basilisk retreated and, after a few more steps, thrust his sword straight into one of the monster's eyes.
"Kya-kyakya-kyakya!"
While screaming and rearing up on its hind legs to threaten, Cyril thrust his sword vertically into the left chest of the basilisk, just as he did with the first one, and pulled it out.
Blood splattered from the basilisk, and it collapsed to the ground even before the blood hit the ground.
Cyril shook the blood off his sword and silently sheathed it.
...Eh, is it over?
I was staring at Cyril, amazed by his strength.
Um...
Cyril?
Normally, you can't get that close to a basilisk, right?
A basilisk will definitely aim for your eyes, and its accuracy is certain, so it's difficult to approach without the help of a mage, right?
And those hard scales don't let a sword through, right?
Even if you had a chance to attack, the basilisk's strength and bite force are so great that an ordinary knight would be blown away or have a part of their body torn off, right?
...So, normally, a basilisk is a very strong monster that can't be defeated alone.
But because of Cyril's skill, he defeated it in the shortest possible way, making it look like defeating a basilisk is very easy.
Wow, the downside of being a master.
Because he's so strong and defeats them so cleanly, the strength of the monster doesn't come across.
But today, the children were with us, so this downside is actually helpful.
Yeah, there's no need for such young children to experience unnecessary fear.
By the way, I didn't know Cyril could use wind magic...
I walked with the boy, holding his hand, towards the tree hollow where the other children were hiding.
When I greeted Fabian, who was confirming the basilisk's death, he replied, "I didn't even have time to get tired."
Ah, yeah, that's the downside of working with Cyril.
The children, who had been watching the entire scene from the gap in the hole, timidly came out when I called them. They cautiously looked at the fallen monster.
"It's okay. It won't get up again."
Cyril reassured them, and the children nodded silently.
They still seemed tense and stiff, but upon closer inspection, they were holding small yellow flowers.
"...Furifuri grass? Furifuri grass is a medicinal herb with fever-reducing properties, right? Is someone sick?"
When I asked, the children looked up in surprise.
"N-no! No one is sick!"
They all denied it and hid the hand holding the Furifuri grass behind their backs, looking down.
A very obvious lie, typical of children.
Cyril muttered, "Just like Fia," but I pretended not to hear.
...Well, to be honest, I'm fundamentally honest and don't lie.
However, when the situation calls for it, I make sure to say things in a way that makes them seem true. I find it unfair to be compared to a child's lie.
While muttering to myself, I carefully checked each child, but none of them were injured.
Moreover, none of them seemed to have fainted or been frightened, and all of them could walk on their own.
"Kids are so energetic," I said, holding the hands of two different children with my right and left hands.
Then, a third little girl grabbed my shirt near my stomach. Not having a third hand, I looked up at Cyril.
Cyril, looking a bit hesitant, crouched down and spoke to the girl.
"Are you tired? If you want, I can carry you."
The girl glanced at Cyril and said timidly,
"I'm tired, so I can't walk anymore. But knights are very scary, so I can't get close to them."
"I'm not scary. I don't make loud noises or get angry."
"Even if I fall in a puddle, you won't get angry?"
"If I carry you, we'll jump over the puddles, so you won't fall in. No one will get angry, and I won't get angry either."
The girl hesitated for a moment, then let go of my shirt and reached out to Cyril.
Seeing Cyril's gentle smile at that moment, I felt relieved.
Cyril is a brave and kind knight who cares for the residents.
See, if the residents get to know the leader, they won't reject him.
When Cyril picked up the girl in a way that cradled her in one arm, she seemed delighted as her view rose and started pointing out things to Cyril.
"That yellow fruit is very delicious. But birds eat it, so we have to pick it while it's still green. ...And that big tree..."
Oh, the reaction is better than I expected.
While watching Cyril's polite demeanor, which even works on small children, I smiled, and we soon arrived at the entrance of the forest.