Ice lizard extermination I

After twelve days of daily sword training from Leo and Henry, I feel quite comfortable with August's old katana. I don't exactly feel great about losing my sickle, but it is kind of nice being able to cut with the entire length of the weapon instead of having to aim for the side of the tip. The armour makes my movements feel a little sluggish at times, but if it can save my life multiple times over, it's still a good investment.

As for August himself... He's also getting used to his new weapon. He traded two boar tusks for a unique sword, but it'll take about a month to be finished, so he got a temporary sword made from some class four bones. Apparently, that's also why Pierre's sword didn't break. He has some super rare magic beast sword as well. He doesn't seem to like speaking much, so that's all the information I got from him.

On our way there, I notice most parties just travel on foot. At least five different people have said something along the lines of: "I wish I were somewhere else, but it is reassuring that Thomas' party is with us."
I realised they were a lot stronger than me, but I just thought that was the gap between a farmer picking up a weapon and an actual samurai. It seems they are not the average samurai at all. Henry gives us a rundown of the plan again.

"The double evolved lizard seems to be mainly focused on magic and fortitude, so the plan is to have an elite group take out this lizard from up close, as it's very suited to supporting the endless horde of magic beasts. I would love to keep our party together, but for your own safety, I think it's best if you split and focus on taking care of the smaller magic beasts with the other parties. August, Pierre and I are in the advance group focused on the ringleader. If we're lucky, the weaker magic beasts will scatter once we defeat it."

Considering the other people were so full of praise about our party, I had a feeling that we were going to be among these 'elites' sent to fight the ice lizard, but I'm not sure how I should feel about being split off from the backbone of our party. It is slightly reassuring I'm not fighting a class six after seeing what a class five is capable of two times, but the only reason I survived these encounters with these class five magic beasts is going to be way out there, while we're supposed to fight together with people I have never even seen before?

Every time we reach a resting point, whether that's a village or just a camping spot, new parties join us from other directions. By now, we're already travelling with three carriages and about one hundred people on foot. At the last resting spot, the other aces of this extermination squad showed up. There wasn't enough space left in the two carriages for Mister Wolfe. Leo, Andy and I have to walk the rest of the way as it's more important for them to be in perfect shape than us. I understand why, but I'd be lying if I said I'm not at least a little annoyed about having to walk. It's only one more day of travelling, though.

Tonight we'll unite with the groups from the south and west as we camp about ten kilometres upstream from the city. We'll have a lot of guards deployed, of course. We need to be prepared just in case the lizard or some of the remnants move closer. There are also three advance scouting parties and the party of Shinobi that has been keeping an eye on the city, who will reunite with us.

As I sit by the campfire, unable to sleep from all the tension, I get startled by someone whispering right in my ear.

"Mind if I join you?"

As gentle as her voice may sound, I'm still scared witless by a sound right next to me when I'm on edge, knowing there are over a hundred magic beasts nearby!

By the time I process what the sound was, I've subconsciously jumped straight to my feet, with my hand on my sword. I slowly take my hands off the hilt and scabbard as I respond.

"I don't mind your presence, but please announce it next time instead of sneaking up on me like that!"

"Force of habit, plus I wanted to see what kind of person the new rookie from Thomas' party was."

"You mean the guy they're taking to Lionhead proper? I'm nothing special compared to them for sure."

"You sure about that? Currently, the rumour has it that instead of sending you to the capital as a trainee or guard, they plan to recruit you to their party. Seems you don't know anything about this? Rumour also had it that you used a big scythe instead of an actual sword or spear. Considering you instinctively went for your sword, and the absence of a sickle, I suppose the rumours are not that accurate."

"Oh no, the sickle part was true, until about three weeks ago. It was a simple farming sickle. Unlike Pierre's sword, it got obliterated in a single attack during our last hunt. If it weren't for August, I would have turned to dust along with it."

"Hmmm... And right after that near-death experience, you get sent here. If I hadn't been the one forced to look after our icy problem for the past week, I would've felt so sorry for you. For now I can't help feeling sorry for myself instead."

"So that's why you sneak up on people trying to rest up for a fight, you're a kunoichi? First time I've met one"

"I suppose kunoichi is one way to describe a female warrior who gathers information. Either way, I also need some rest before tomorrow. Nice to meet you and good luck tomorrow."

"Good luck..."

Damn, she already left. At least getting to talk about it has settled my nerves a little bit. Might as well try sleeping.

As I wake up, all three wind directions of the squad have gathered. The strategy has been fully worked out. The parties have been split into three groups. Our group gets to flank to the right in sync with the other small group doing the same in the west. We are to keep the magic beasts around the city at bay.

The small groups are both around one hundred strong. The main force has at least three hundred people. Our force mainly consists of frontliners. There are about 80 frontliners, seven medics and a dozen archers. Andy is the only one throwing knives, but apparently, he has a bow too.

The biggest group has to wait till after both the east and west have engaged. They're supposed to create a path to the lizard for the advance team to pass through without expending all their own stamina.

As we pass the woodline, about three kilometres from the city, we can see a few straggling magic beasts already. Mostly hares, rodents and other very low-class beasts. The dozen magic beasts class 2 or lower get defeated almost immediately by the frontliner, meanwhile, entire parties take out the three class three magic beasts quickly to save energy. Our party is one of those, but Henry and Andy don't even have to help out. As I charge at the earth fox from the right, it manages to create a rock to slow me down. As I go around the rock, Leo finishes it in one strike as he runs in from the left.

The class three magic beasts have probably caused enough of a fuss for us to be discovered. In the end, we are meant to be a distraction. Who cares if we get discovered a little bit earlier or later?
We make our way to the edge of the city. A few minutes after we enter the city, our shinobu informs us of the incoming wave of enemies.

"Over a hundred magic beasts inbound, mostly class two, about twenty class three, and four class four."

Leo calls out the basic battle plan again. "Leave the class fours to the experienced parties and don't forget to bring the injured to the field hospital here!"

Henry, Andy and I count as a full experienced party by the way... Leo is probably the strongest among the medics, so he will be focusing on retrieving wounded and preventing beasts that break through our ranks from reaching the field hospital, together with the two frontliners stationed as guards for the field hospital.

Let's get this show on the road!