Published: September 2, 2025
Note: Some corrections were made on 4/21.
Note: Typographical errors corrected on 8/16.
This is Satou. Satou, a corporate worker with a tendency toward workaholism.
I can somewhat relate to ants, often the epitome of hard workers, but I definitely don’t want to be friends with ants as big as medium-sized dogs.
◇
Even on the radar, I could see a single flying ant approaching. The speed difference was significant, so it was only a matter of time before it caught up.
“Lulu, take cover by the coachman’s seat. Arisa, do you have confidence in casting the stun-type magic you mentioned earlier?”
“The range is about 20 meters, but I’m fine.”
From the shadow of the coachman’s seat—I actually took out a long staff from storage and handed it to Lulu, asking her to relay it to Arisa.
“Hmm, it’s plain but quite a nice staff.”
I didn’t say it out loud, but it was more expensive than Arisa’s, after all.
“If you miss the stun, don’t bother with a second shot. Fall back immediately and let Liza take over. Pochi and Tama, cover Liza.”
“Okay~”
“Understood, Master.”
Pochi and Tama’s responses were a bit delayed.
“Nyu~?”
“Aren’t we throwing stones?”
Right, I forgot about the stone throwing. This time, since we want to confirm the stun-type magic, let’s conserve the stones.
“No need to throw stones this time. Focus on dealing with ants that fly into the carriage.”
“Aye-aye~”
“Roger~.”
The distance closed to under 100 meters.
The other ants were chasing the Rat Cavalry, heading toward the hills.
50 meters. Lulu, probably uneasy, gripped the hem of my clothes tightly.
30 meters. The buzzing wings grew louder.
20 meters.
“Psychic Shockwave!”
“Did it fall?”
“Arisa, that was amazing!”
The ant stunned by Arisa’s magic lost speed and fell to the ground. Checking the map, it was still alive. As expected of insects, it wasn’t fragile enough to die from the fall.
“The magic hit, but it doesn’t look like we knocked it out. Hopefully, it stays unconscious long enough to lose interest...”
I agreed that once it woke up, we definitely want it to just go back to the nest.
“There are a lot of ants!”
“Ugh, no way we can link attacks at this distance~”
Shortly after Pochi’s voice, the radar showed about a third of the ants breaking off from the group and heading toward us.
Four formations of eight ants each were approaching.
“That’s a bit too many.”
“Right. Even if we manage to hit three with the psychic shockwave, that might be the best we can do.”
“Can you fire repeatedly?”
“No way. I can chant quickly, but I can’t skip the magic power release time.”
“Pochi, Tama, throw stones at both ends of the enemy to keep them at bay. Once they enter Arisa’s range, swap with her.”
I wish I could also fight as an archer, but it’s tough to entrust the reins to Lulu, so I’m not sure what to do.
“Tama’s turn!”
“I won’t lose!”
I glanced back at the rear seat. Tama and Pochi had started throwing stones. Liza supported them when their stance faltered after throwing.
“Did you hit?”
“Missed.”
“All right, good job, you little ones! Psychic Shockwave!”
It looked like the first wave of four ants was shot down, and the radar showed only four targets remaining.
Of those who caught up to the carriage, two tried to leap from the rear seat. Liza skewered one with her spear, and Pochi and Tama efficiently finished the one that got inside with their daggers.
This was an inference based on the noisy voices from behind and changes in the radar blips.
I had no time to look back.
I shot one ant flanking us with rapid fire from my magic pistol, and kicked another unfortunate one that lunged at me from the opposite side mercilessly.
The kicked ant shattered into pieces and disappeared from my view alongside the flowing scenery.
◇
The second wave of ants was dealt with in almost the same manner.
But the ants seemed intelligent enough, as the third and fourth waves changed their flight path to attack from the shadow of the thicket on the left side of our direction.