Hideout in Another World: I Tried Building a Secret Base in the Middle of Nowhere

Chapter 59: All-Out Battle

“Was that flash you? When we saw it, Kuro and Shiro went crazy and ran out, it was chaotic.”

“My secret weapon.”

“Are you a noble?”

“No, it’s not like that…”

“But that was magic, right?”

“Mmm… I’ll explain eventually. Let’s keep it a secret for now.”

“…Well, okay.”

As we move briskly, we confirm each other’s situation so far. After that incident, Marie and the others bought time until the last moment, then apparently made their way through the burning village. From there, they gradually retreated while reducing the number of black wolves without overexerting themselves. By prioritizing their safety and sticking together in a group of four, they managed to reduce each other’s burden. However, they were puzzled about which way we had fled. At that moment, a powerful flash burned the black wolves. Next thing you know, Kuro and Shiro dashed out, and Marie and Gisella desperately chased after them to prevent them from getting separated. By Marie’s estimate, the number of black wolves has decreased to about 20% of the original. Still, there are so many of them… How many were there in the first place?

We’re all exhausted and battered from staying up all night. There are too many minor injuries to count, but our stamina and focus are at their limit. The muscles in our legs are starting to disobey, twitching even when just standing. If we relax even a little, we’ll collapse. This isn’t just my problem; Marie, Azir, Mil, Gisella, and Zamza are all in the same boat. Surprisingly, only Kuro and Shiro seem to have some energy left. Honestly, they looked much more serious when fighting Elizabeth.

Marie seems to have been saved by Kuro several times, and she now speaks to her with a warm voice, completely different from usual. Well, I can understand her feelings. When you look into those clear, childlike eyes of her, you can’t help but feel something indescribable and want to hug her.

“Gyaaau?”

“It’s nothing. I just felt reassured with Kuro around.”

“It’s true.”

“Gyagyagyagaa~!”

Even in times like these, Kuro is carefree, and her presence somehow comforts me.

We’re still being attacked by black wolves frequently. However, now that we’re all reliable companions together, I feel like we have much more leeway than before. Still, the frequency of attacks seems to be gradually increasing. Can’t we outrun the black wolves with our speed?

Suddenly, I look around, and the sky is faintly brightening. Dawn is approaching. The breeze feels different now, nostalgic dry air. Maybe it’s finally over? But another concern arises. What if Kidanakemo appears…? There’s no point in worrying about it now. We’ll scrape through while giving it our all, run away, and then pray.

Finally, we can’t move anymore. It’s not because someone is injured. It’s because the black wolves have reached saturation. Shiro and Kuro are prioritizing protecting their comrades. In addition, everyone is at their limit, unable to fight efficiently, and the extermination can’t keep up. As a result, more black wolves are gathering than can be defeated. As a result, the encircling black wolves are increasing exponentially.

“Bonus! Can’t you use that magic anymore?”

“Well… it’s not really my magic. I’m still gathering some power. It’ll take about half a day.”

“Stay strong, Marie. We can do this.”

“I feel like I’ll pass out if I relax?”

“Don’t relax, Azir.”

“I can do it!”

“Well done, Zamza.”

Zamza is unusually praised by Gisella and looks happy. I think Zamza is really doing his best. He must be the one being attacked by the black wolves more than anyone else, but he never complains or shows dissatisfaction, not even once.

This guy, could he eventually be called a true hero?

“Zamza really saved me. He fought bravely and protected everyone until the end.”

“Well done.”

Even praised by Shiro, Zamza now has teary eyes, looking like he’s about to cry. He’s really cute.

“I’m reaching my limit. I’d like to step back for a bit.”

“Mil, you’ve done more than enough. Take a break.”

“Sorry. I wonder if the day will come when I can bake bread again.”

“Don’t worry. Once this is over, bake as much as you want. Mil is a good woman, and everyone will come visit. Right, Azir?”

“Yeah, definitely.”

Mil, while catching her breath, closes her eyes and chuckles softly, an unusual softness in her expression. It seems like she’s loosening up a bit. She’s helped us a lot too. Of course, in terms of combat effectiveness, she’s probably inferior to the other members. However, she’s shown remarkable endurance and has been handling what she can do efficiently. I thought she would be reliable, but I never thought a mere baker would become such a strong force. While engaging in somewhat relaxed banter born out of exhaustion beyond our limits, the black wolves continue to mercilessly attack. Although everyone is at their physical and mental limits, they’ve become accustomed to dealing with the black wolves. They methodically continue their work, efficiently processing one after another. The sense of despair before we regrouped is no longer felt. Of course, there is no room for complacency. However, we’re blessed with such great companions, and we’ve fought to our limits. We’ve already made up our minds. We feel like we could die at any moment. Right now, we just have to make sure we don’t lose consciousness. While enduring drowsiness, we chat with each other and do odd jobs. However, our stamina is steadily being drained. Whether it’s our endurance or the violent numbers of the black wolves, honestly, I can’t predict which will win. I’m attacking with my staff within my limits, but my body is screaming in protest with every movement. If I relax, I feel like I’ll collapse. Every time that happens, I remember Kane’s face and manage to hold on somehow, fueled by my last bit of fear and frustration. In what has become almost a test of endurance, the first to fall to their knees was Marie. Despite her usual sharpness with the sword, she collapsed with rolled-back eyes the moment she struck down a black wolf.

“Marie! Oh no!”

I hastily grab her legs and pull her into the center of our group. She’s drooling from her half-open mouth, eyes rolled back.

“Damn, she’s quite heavy…”

Upon reflection, it’s not surprising. She started moving half a day before us. Furthermore, her fighting style requires considerable concentration. She must have been under an extraordinary physical and mental burden.

“Marie! Are you okay!?”

“…Mm.”

She doesn’t open her eyes, still emitting a strangely seductive voice. She seems to be breathing normally. She’s probably just passed out from fatigue.

“It’s no good… Sorry, I’m at my limit too…”

Azir also seems to be at his limit. His eyes are barely open.

“I’ve recovered a bit. Leave it to me!”

Mil takes up her weapon again. It seems she’ll assist Zamza again without pushing herself too hard. However, even Zamza is in bad shape. After joining Kuro and the others, new wounds have been added to his healing scars. His wounds are far from fully healed. Naturally, he looks in pain. Gisella is the same. With her body covered in wounds, she swings her mace with her shoulders, trying her best. Even Shiro seems to be slightly faltering in her movements. Despite maintaining her usual high firepower, her breathing has become rough, and she’s sweating like a waterfall. Only Kuro continues to slaughter the wolves relentlessly, like a precision machine. It seems the sun is rising. The intense Savoian morning sun pierces our sleepless eyes.

“Sorry, I lost consciousness.”

“Marie, are you okay!?”

It seems she regained consciousness under the morning sun. Marie immediately tries to stand up with her sword as a cane.

“It’s better to rest for a while. Now let Mil join in… Wait, what’s wrong!?”

“Ah… Ah… Why now…”

Marie opens her eyes wide and drops her sword. She stares at me with a tortured expression. Honestly, I don’t want to turn around. But I can’t just stay like this. Continuous sounds of impact reverberate, and I can feel a huge mass approaching from behind, causing goosebumps all over my body.

With determination, I turn around—.

And there, several black wolves are dancing in the sky.

For a moment, I’m so taken aback by the surreal situation that I wonder if I’m dreaming.

When I come to, in front of me is a huge white mass that covers my field of vision, sparkling in the morning sun.

That mass is incredibly fluffy, and with a familiar goat face, it looks at me and sticks out its tongue, panting.

“Baaaaaaah!”

“E-Elizabeth!! Uwaaaaah!”

Even at a time like this, I instinctively rush over and cling to her.

Ah, you’re so fluffy at a time like this.

Being comforted by this sensation after so long, I feel like my consciousness might just fly away.

It’s dangerous to touch Elizabeth in this state. It feels too good, almost like melting.

But why is she here?

—Ah, it must be because of Pink’s flash.

“Kyaaa! Gyaah!”

“Long time no see, Elizabeth.”

“Meeeh! Meeeh!”

Kuro and Shiro also cling to Elizabeth and bury their faces in her. Elizabeth seems delighted.

And then, Shiro jumps onto Elizabeth.

As picturesque as ever.

This is truly the figure of a hero.

Despite being exhausted and worn out, Zamza, on the verge of collapse, looks at Shiro and Elizabeth with sparkling eyes.

“Everyone, protect Bonus.”

Looking at Elizabeth, who is Kidanakemo, her majesty is truly evident.

The black wolves are of an entirely different caliber as living beings.

With overwhelming size, effortlessly moving like a mass of energy, they’re almost divine.

Now that I think about it, Kuro and Shiro challenged such creatures with their bare bodies…

With just a slight shake of her horns, the black wolves are blown away.

What’s more surprising is that those black wolves are terrified.

Even the black wolves who attacked relentlessly despite losing many comrades are now retreating in fear before Elizabeth.

“Hey… Bonus… What’s going on here?”

“Seriously…”

Marie and Azir are also in disbelief, looking dumbfounded.

Honestly, I’m surprised too.

I never expected Elizabeth to wield such power…

Mil, seeming to have given up on various things, sits down to rest her body.

Even Gisella, who should have known about Elizabeth, looks surprised.

“That’s… Elizabeth, my pet. Isn’t she cute?”

“…Yeah, well… I guess.”

Marie agrees tiredly.

With Shiro on her back, Elizabeth disperses the black wolves at a tremendous speed.

As if releasing all the stress accumulated until now, Shiro swings a club from atop Elizabeth and massacres the black wolves.

By the time I realize it, all the black wolves that were there have disappeared, leaving behind only scattered remains of what would have been black wolves.

“Well, I guess… the mission is completed for now?”

“Yeah… I’m really sorry.”

Marie remains seated, holding her forehead as if enduring a headache.

She was really dragged into a terrible job this time.

When Marie was drooling and rolling her eyes, I felt so angry that I wanted to take a picture and post it at the Savoia Mercenary Referral Office if I had a smartphone.

But well, in the end, all our comrades are safe.

And seeing her in this state, honestly, I’m not so angry right now.

More than anything, I feel a strong sense of camaraderie from having gone through the ordeal together.

“Well, we managed it! Looking forward to the reward.”

“Yeah…”

Azir’s expression fades, and he lies down as if collapsing on the spot, closing his eyes with a look of enlightenment.

Honestly, when I first met him, I thought he was a capable and trustworthy guy, but at the same time, I felt a bit of jealousy and dislike towards his seemingly attractive appearance and impeccable behavior that would surely appeal to women.

But now, I truly think he’s a good man.

But still, for our first mercenary job to be like this…

“Well, it’s clear that it’s not your typical mercenary job… But how serious is it actually?”

“I’ve experienced various tough battles, but this is the first time I’ve been prepared to face death like this. For now, my mind isn’t working properly. However, at least regarding the reward, I will make sure to provide something that matches the work you all have done.”

“Kuro, Gisella, let’s go buy everyone’s clothes after this is over~”

“Gyaaah! Gugyaaagyaa!”

“What should we buy~? I’m looking forward to it, Kuro. Ehehe~”

Shiro and Elizabeth return, kicking up dust.

“We’re back.”

“Good job, Shiro, Elizabeth. Well then, after taking a little break… shall we go to the hideout?”

“Gyaaah!”

“Wow~! It was tough, but I’m excited~”

“The hideout?”

Zamza looks at us with a curious expression.

Meanwhile, Mil is already fast asleep, snoring loudly.

“Our… secret base, I guess. Well, I won’t say don’t come along at this point, but we absolutely must keep it a secret.”

“Got it.”

Zamza seems strangely happy since earlier.

“—Um, can we come along too?”

Marie turns towards us and asks.