Published: September 10, 2025
Satou here. I remember when I was in elementary school, there was a slogan that said, "Don't eat roadside grass," and I was curious about what kind of plant "roadside grass" actually was. I went around asking my parents and teachers. I remember their troubled expressions clearly, but I can't recall what they answered.
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"... ■■ Photon Laser"
Sera’s intermediate light magic pierced through the swarm of soldier ogre ants, but was deflected by the barrier of the general ogre ant who was commanding them from the rear.
This place is a monster territory between the Makiwa Kingdom and the Weasel Empire — inside the huge nest where the hive queen ant, the ruler of the territory, resides.
Since the monster population was so saturated it could have triggered a stampede while moving toward the Weasel Empire, we came here partly to level up our companions by thinning them out.
Currently, only the later group is fighting while the regular members watch from behind.
We were supposed to meet the "Weasel merchant" by now, but that merchant hasn't returned to Dejima Island yet, where we promised to reunite.
So, we decided to tour the Weasel Empire’s border while waiting for the merchant, but for the reason mentioned earlier, we ended up wandering underground like this.
"... ■■■■ Air Hammer"
Zena’s magic repels the giant soldier ogre ants that creep closer.
“As expected, intermediate magic is resisted by stronger enemies, huh... ■…”
“That’s right—”
"... ■■■ Wind Protection"
While Sera began chanting her next spell, Zena had already finished casting a second one.
Her speed is abnormal even for short, low-level spells, thanks to the “chanting reduction” skill she recently learned from Sera.
The wind protection deflects arrows of crystal shot by the enemy’s rear, and Zena cancels the fireballs used by magic ogre ants with the Anti-Magic Rifle held at the opposite end of her long staff.
Meanwhile, Zena had already started chanting a third spell.
It seems Zena has established a unique position as a “magic shield” user, heavily relying on low-level magic.
Though, compared to Nana’s standard “physical shield” or ninja Tama’s “evasion shield,” her paper-thin armor makes watching quite nerve-wracking.
"... ■ Photon Laser"
Sera’s advanced light magic sweeps through the soldier ogre ant swarm and slices through the barrier of the general ogre ant commanding from behind.
Perhaps due to the dark underground corridor, the shimmering spectral light above the barrier looks quite beautiful.
“Now!”
“Lady Karina, it’s too early!”
Miss Karina activated instant movement toward the ant group.
Laka, an "intelligent magical artifact," hurriedly tried to stop her, but Karina had already leapt right in front of the enemy.
Two knight-armored ogre ants pushed their shields forward to protect the general ogre ant from Karina.
“Annoying!”
Karina kicks the upper part of the shield with her beautiful leg, topples the opponent, then uses them as a stepping stone to leap elegantly over the ant’s head.
Arisa, who was just spectating, shouted, “She used ants as stepping stones!” but since Arisa’s shrieks are usual, nobody reacted.
She seemed a little lonely, so I’ll pay her some more attention later.
"... ■■■■ Air Hammer"
Zena’s wind magic blows away a claymore ogre ant aiming for Karina’s landing.
Unfortunately, the heavy soldier ogre ant beyond resisted the gale Zena created and endured.
“Laka!”
“Understood.”
Laka took over controlling the magical equipment worn by Karina, generating a spiraling vortex of light at the tip of her arm.
“Karinaaa, Break!”
Karina screamed as she smashed through the heavy soldier ogre ant with her fist wrapped in the light vortex.
At the very back, the magic ogre ants and archer ogre ants, who made noisy disturbances, assumed attack postures.
“Lady Karina!”
“Yes, Laka.”
Karina spun once horizontally on the spot, creating a glowing residual image like a spinning top.
Her vertically curled hair shimmering with light danced beautifully.