My name was Cokes.
I was a member of the Demon Race, but unfortunately, I wasn't blessed with much Magic Power. Consequently, I made my living as an adventurer who fought primarily with a Sword. My team was known as "Miagard's Axe."
While there were twelve members registered to the team, we usually operated in groups of five to eight, as others were often away on different jobs or sidelined by injuries. I prided myself on us being one of the leading adventurer teams in the Royal Capital of the Demon Kingdom.
Well, that was mostly just pride. In reality, we were probably somewhere at the top of the lower tier.
As proof of that, when word got out that a War Bear had appeared in the North Forest, the subjugation request never even reached our team. Honestly, it was frustrating. Part of me was glad I didn't have to face a War Bear, but once you become an adventurer, you can't help but want to aim for the top. The other members felt the same way; we spent our time discussing strategies for dealing with one, though we likely would have hesitated if the request had actually landed in our laps.
That was when a group of cheeky brats approached us with a request of their own. These kids were clearly students from the Noble Academy, and they didn't even bother to hide it. They were practically begging to be fleeced.
Full of concern for their naivety, I introduced myself and listened to the details.
"We are going to exterminate the Magic Beast that appeared in the North Forest," their leader said. "We would like to hire you as our Escort."
"Are you guys idiots?" the youngest member of my team blurted out before I could stop him.
I winced. You're the idiot. I was thinking the exact same thing, but what was the point of saying it out loud?
"W-W-Who are you calling an idiot!" the brats barked back.
Of course they were angry. They were Academy Students—Young Nobles. Their pride was predictably high. I really didn't want to waste time bickering over something so trivial.
"Ah, forgive my companion’s bluntness," I said, stepping in to smooth things over. "But look, if you truly have the strength to take down a Magic Beast, why do you even need an Escort?"
I had to get to the bottom of the request. Did these wealthy kids just want us there for show? Or did they intend to use the word 'Escort' as a cover to make us do the actual hunting for them? It wasn't the first time I'd been burned by taking a contract at face value. I felt like this should have been our leader's job, but for some reason, the responsibility usually fell to me.
"We have a plan," they replied, presenting a long, slender box.
"Is there a Sword in there?"
"It’s a magic tool. With this, we can defeat any Magic Beast. And that’s not all. We’ve prepared several other magic tools as well."
As one of them spoke, the others showed off various devices they held in their hands.
"We can kill the beast. However, Magic Beasts are masters of the surprise attack, aren't they? We don't want to be ambushed before we have a chance to activate the tools. That is why we want to hire veteran adventurers. Is there something strange about that?"
"…No, I see. You’re being cautious."
I understood. If they had magic tools specifically designed to counter Magic Beasts, their desire to enter the Forest made some sense.
"Assuming we accept the job, would you mind demonstrating the performance of those tools before we head into the Forest?"
"Fine. They aren't flimsy things that would wear out after being used once or twice."
And so, we accepted the request. From that moment on, these brats were our employers. We set out immediately, which was no problem for us—as adventurers, we were always ready to move.
"Cokes, those kids are connected to the Academy. I'll send word after noon," a fellow adventurer I knew mentioned as we were leaving.
Right, I remembered hearing something about that. I had no intention of crossing the War God.
"I’m counting on you," I replied. "If you see those rumored kids everyone's talking about, let me know what they’re like."
"If you're still alive to hear it."
"In that case, I’ll be fine."
We began our trek.
By the way, why did he say that to me specifically? My team leader was standing right next to me. He didn't actually think I was the leader, did he?
Our employers' magic tools were certainly impressive, but they were also… temperamental. I began to realize that we might actually have to join the fight ourselves. I secretly hoped that the other adventurers who had taken the official subjugation request would finish the job before we arrived.
That would be the best-case scenario.
We spent several hours moving through the Forest. A little after noon, we encountered it.
A War Bear.
The sheer pressure it exerted was incredible. To their credit, our employers didn't freeze; they did their best to hold their ground.
"We just want to show everyone that we can do it too."
That was the reason they had given for this reckless stunt. Apparently, one of them had someone they liked and wanted to impress. The sheer youth of their motivation was enough to make my entire team blush with embarrassment.
Still, I didn't hate the sentiment. I decided I’d give them all the support I could.
That was my plan—until a second War Bear showed up.
Wait, two of them? You’ve got to be kidding me.
We turned and fled, focused entirely on protecting our employers. I lost track of how long we ran. We managed to give the bears the slip, but I ended up with a nasty arm injury and got separated from my team and the students. I had been acting as the rearguard, so it was expected, but it put me in a tight spot.
Our employers had a magic tool that could completely hide their presence. However, you couldn't see out of it once it was active, and communication was only possible through a specific bell. Finding them would be nearly impossible if they had activated it.
Actually, they were definitely using it. I was the one who had screamed at them to use the thing and hide as soon as they escaped. I couldn't regret the advice, even if it made my life harder now.
I rang my own bell to signal them. No response. They weren't nearby.
Now what?
My arm was in bad shape. I did what I could to treat and stabilize it, but I needed proper Healing Magic as soon as I got out of the Forest. But could I even make it out alone? What about the students? What about my comrades? Was it right to leave and call for help? Could I even survive the trip? There were plenty of other Monsters in this Forest besides War Bears. If something found me like this—!
I threw myself into hiding.
A War Bear? No, the presence was too faint. But it was undeniably strong. It had already noticed me. It was alone… no, there were two more above me. I was surrounded.
Was it another adventurer? Good, I was saved—or so I thought, until my eyes landed on a group of Beastman children.
"W-Why are there kids here…?"
It wasn't help. Dammit.
In the end, I made it out of the Forest safely. It was only because those children had been clearing out the Monsters and Magic Beasts along the way.
As soon as I stepped past the tree line, the military took me into protection. There hadn't been a soul there when I entered, but now there was a massive force gathered. Was this overkill? No, with two War Bears on the loose, this was probably the appropriate response.
I gave the military every piece of information I had.
"You have people who can use Healing Magic here, don't you? Fix my arm. I’ll guide you back to the site."
"Calm down," a soldier replied. "We’ll treat you, but a guide won't be necessary. The boys have already entered the Forest."
"The boys? You mean those Beastman kids?"
"That's right. Do you know them?"
"Hardly. I just ran into them in the Forest."
Gol, Sil, and Bron.
Not long ago, the War God Galf had visited the Royal Capital and placed a specific request with the Adventurer Guild.
"If anyone from the Academy tries to do something at the Guild, notify the three boys at the Academy. If those three try to do something at the Guild, notify the Royal Castle."
It was a simple notification request, yet the War God had paid a staggering sum for it. The Guild had happily accepted, using the funds to renovate their facilities. In exchange, every registered adventurer was essentially drafted into the task.
The point of the request was twofold: it established a cooperative link between the Guild and the trio, and it ensured those three were always under observation.
Who were those three to warrant such attention from the War God? I had sensed a strength in them that was far from normal. Were they his illegitimate children? I hoped for their sake it was just a case of extreme overprotectiveness.
I decided I’d ask them about it once they returned. After being healed, I stayed near the Forest. My employers and my comrades were still in there. I couldn't bring myself to head back to the Royal Capital without them, but I wasn't about to go back in alone either—especially not after the soldiers started whispering that a Lovers Beast might be lurking in there as well.
About two hours later, my team and the students emerged from the trees, escorted by a squad of soldiers. Lucky bastards.
I was relieved they were safe, but then I noticed one of the students was missing. He had acted as a decoy? I see. I had to admire his guts, even if I wasn't going to tell him that. I just hoped he had used his magic tools wisely.
As evening approached, other adventurers began trickling back. These were the ones who had taken the official subjugation request. Some were in worse shape than me. I recognized a few faces, but many were missing members. Like me, they likely had friends still inside.
They didn't leave the area after being treated. I didn't have much to offer, but I figured I’d go over and exchange what information I had. As I approached, a man who looked like a leader gave me a subtle hand signal used only by veterans.
Top Secret.
Was there really anything left to be secret about? I already knew about the Lovers Beast. I leaned in close.
"A Hybrid appeared," he whispered.
"…Are you serious?"
"Yeah. My team’s scout saw it. I’ve already sent a runner to the Guild."
"What about the military?"
"Not yet. It’s no use. Telling the military won't change the situation, and if word gets out the wrong way, the Royal Capital will fall into a total panic. It’s up to the Guild brass to figure out how to handle the army."
"I suppose, but…"
In that moment, I wasn't thinking about my team or my employers. I was thinking about those three Beastman children. I hoped they weren't doing anything stupid and were heading for the exit.
As the sun began to set, the last student finally came out of the Forest. He was being carried by a soldier and looked pathetic, but he was alive. Good job, kid. I wanted to go to him, but the Academy staff swarmed him immediately after his treatment.
Shortly after, the three boys walked out of the Forest.
They were safe. They looked exhausted, which made sense—they were still just kids, after all. But seeing high-ranking military officers go out to meet them made me realize just how important they really were.
"Five War Bears and three Lovers Beasts have been subjugated," the military announced. "While we will remain on alert, we hereby declare that the threat has been eliminated."
I was stunned. Five War Bears?
But more importantly, what about the Hybrid? Did the military really not know? Were they covering it up because of the proximity to the Capital? Should I say something? Should I shout it out right here?
"I repeat: the military declares the threat over. We thank the adventurers for their cooperation. We also extend our gratitude to the Forest Guardian and… to the Dragons as well."
Wait, what?
The soldier was smiling. If he was thanking Dragons, did that mean the Hybrid was gone? Who could have possibly defeated it? It certainly wasn't a Dragon—everyone knew there weren't any nearby.
Could it have been those three?
No, that was impossible. The chances were zero. And yet, they had to know something. I desperately wanted to talk to them. They had saved my life, after all.
"Excuse me! Can you pass a message to the three Beastmen?" I shouted.
That night, back at the tavern.
"I see, so it was Lord Foo? Hahaha, I get it now. As expected of the Guardian of the North. Hm? Do we ever hunt spider-types in the Forest? Never. They’re too strong and too fast, not to mention they stay deep in the woods. Killing one is basically impossible. We’re taught to run the second we see one. No adventurer is stupid enough to pick a fight with a spider. But seriously, I’ve got half a mind to file a complaint about how slow the Guild was to react. You have no idea how much I was sweating out there!"