Volume 3 - CH 24

Up until now I’d done my best to avoid any topic regarding ogres. Though I spoke about a rescue, I didn’t actually have any specific plan in mind after all.

It might be unfair, but I’d been putting it off by not talking about it. But with yesterday’s gacha, I was able to come up with a plan.

“Let’s leave the topic of magic tools there for now. I want to hear more about the ogre’s base.”

“Ogres huh. What about it do you want to know?” Vanya’s eyebrow twitched slightly, and her expression turned serious. This was a plan to rescue her companions, so of course she would be serious about it.

“About how many captured vampires do they have?”

“There are nine in total.”

“…Nine huh.” With that many it would be hard to just sneak them out. It would be easy to sneak in with the assassin skill. That’s why I thought maybe I could just secretly take them all out of there, but that would be difficult with those numbers.

As I was devising various strategies in my head, Vanya continued, “Also, there are captives from other races.”

“What?” Vanya said something I didn’t expect at all.

“What other races are there?”

“When I got out there were also dryads and golems.”

“Do you know how many of them?”

“There were ten golems I think. And dryads… there were so many there I’m not sure.”

“…Any idea if there are other’s like you who escaped, or are from the same races who are hostile to the ogres?” if there are, then I might be able to bring them in as allies by explaining the situation to them. If we could form a cooperative relationship we might be able to face the ogres. However, Vanya shook her head.

“I heard that there were none. It was from the leaders of the golems and dryads so there’s no doubt.”

“…I see.” I guess it is what it is. When we attack, we have no choice but to do it on our own. But I’d like to make sure of the situation of the golems and dryads first. Whether they hold hostility with the ogres or not.

If they do, then we might be able to have them help with the vampire rescue. That should raise our probability of success by quite a lot.

“Whereabouts is the ogre base located?” I’d heard that it was somewhere to the north, but I don’t know the exact location. I wanted to check out the location firsthand before carrying out my plan, and also thinking about the future in general.

“It should be directly north from here.”

“…I see.” I also wanted to ask about the general state of the ogres’ living conditions, but I could figure that out by seeing it directly. “I’m thinking we check it out from a distance tonight, is that alright?”

“Y-yes, I understand.” Vanya was a bit lost for words. Her face was a little bit pale. Her body too, was she scared? It was shaking. I don’t know what sort of treatment she’s gotten up until now. I couldn’t understand everything, but I could imagine it must have been terrible.

“Are you worried?”

“…Rather than worried, I’m a little scared. But it’s still necessary for the rescue.”

“Yeah, it is.” I feel bad to be making her feel scared, but she’s the only one who knows the ogre base. I have to rely on her cooperation for this. I’m not saying any of this to be mean to her.

But to get her help, I’ll at least need to get rid of some of her worries. “Vanya, if anything happens we’ll protect you. Don’t worry.”

“…Crest.”

“You don’t need to fight alone anymore. You can rely on us.” When I answered with this, Vanya looked at me intently and then smiled.

“Thank you Crest. I understand why everyone admires you.”

“…It’s nothing. I’m just doing what I think is right.”

“Fufu, that’s right. I’m really glad I was able to meet you.” With that, our plans for tonight are settled.

“Make sure to rest up for tonight. We aren’t in a hurry for magic tools after all.”

“It’s fine. Vampires are a species that can survive on little sleep after all.”

“Is that right.”

“By the way,” Vanya broke off her words and looked at me seriously. “If something does happen, use me as a shield. I don’t have any regrets in this life. So even if I die… I want you to still save everyone.”

“…I understand. But I won’t let you die either. Everyone will return to a normal life, got it?”

“Of course.”

For now, we’ll go check out the situation at the ogre base. We can decide what to do after that.