After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 67

Episode 67: Engaging the Enemy

The next morning, Saya-san didn’t show any special gestures towards me, but for some reason, Beato gave me a sharp look, and during the march, Gretel’s gaze felt like a murderous beam piercing through my back. Women are really sensitive to these kinds of subtleties, huh? As someone who was constantly called “oblivious” in my previous world, I can’t help but be impressed.

We advanced to a position where we could flank the enemy on the front lines, but we continued to move forward through the forest. The Dark Clan had obtained information that the enemy had already established a large rear-front base and was planning a full-scale invasion. It wouldn’t do to just strike the front lines and then be chased around by them… Rather, I thought it would have a greater psychological impact on the enemy if we blocked their way back to their homeland.

But as we got closer to the enemy’s base, their vigilance extended into the forest.

“Lutz-sama, enemy reconnaissance units are advancing from the front. Seven infantrymen including the squad leader, four archers, and one mage.”

A woman from the Dark Clan named Natsu-san briskly reported the results of the forward reconnaissance. She was about thirty years old, with well-trained muscles. Did this woman also volunteer for this mission in hopes of “mating” with me? It would feel good to be embraced by such a lean body… No, no, this is already a real battlefield; the fun comes after the operation is successful.

“They’ve even deployed mages in their reconnaissance units.”

“They’re likely wind mages. The ability to sense the presence of people or animals lies within the attributes of wind and darkness. Since there are hardly any dark attributes in the Rubriana Empire, it’s almost certain to be wind attributes.”

I panicked a little. If what Natsu-san said was true, then even our group hiding in the forest could be easily discovered. With Gretel’s excessive combat power, we could win if we fought, but the commotion would surely spread to the enemy base, and that would be bad.

“It’s okay… Everyone, gather around here.”

In the center of our gathered group, Natsu-san clasped her hands together and muttered something, and the surrounding air seemed to change.

“I’ve hidden everyone’s presence. As long as you stay away from me, they won’t catch onto anything beyond basic wind magic reconnaissance.”

“Then, we’ll go.”

While Natsu-san explained to us with a dubious expression, Saya-san and another woman, Mifuyu-san, about twenty years old, dispersed to the left and right. It seems that all three members of the Dark Clan have the ability to conceal their presence. The more you learn, the more ninja-like they seem.

“If we crush the mage, there won’t be a way to convey the abnormality to the base, so I’ll leave that to those two. As for the melee with the infantry, that’s where our clan struggles. I’d like to ask Lady Margarete for help with close combat.”

“Leave it to me!”

Gretel, who had been radiating an atmosphere of violence, clenched her fists firmly in response as if she had guessed my thoughts. She had been so active on the Western Front; everyone would praise her for just being there.

“I want Lutz to watch me fight.”

Saying that, she blushed a bit, unlike her usual arrogant self, and looked quite cute. I shouldn’t be thinking things like “what if it’s always like this,” right?

“Well, let’s get started.”

The world the two of us had unwittingly created was interrupted by Natsu-san’s timid voice. I hurriedly focused on the direction the enemy was coming from. In my previous world, I had a double combo of nearsightedness and presbyopia, but ever since I intruded into Lutz’s body, I could see both near and far remarkably well. About a hundred meters ahead, an old lady who seemed to be a mage, protected by infantry and archers, walked towards us with a tired face… She eventually stopped and began to wield a staff that looked like a magical apparatus. Uh-oh, if she uses reconnaissance magic there, won’t our presence be completely exposed?

Just as I had that thought, the mage lady’s expression stiffened, and in an instant, it twisted into one of agony. By the time the surrounding soldiers noticed something was amiss, her head was halfway severed… it rolled off and tumbled to the ground.

“That was…”

“It’s a technique our clan excels in. We enhanced spider silk with dark magic and twisted it into an unbreakable, transparent thread. We simply wrapped it around the neck and pulled from both sides.”

What the heck, that’s terrifying. Come to think of it, in my previous world’s TV shows, there was a character who used such a technique. But I don’t think they cut through bones like this… Maybe it’s because it’s imbued with dark magic after all.

“Alright, let’s go!”

Gretel’s voice snapped me back to reality. That’s right, it wasn’t time to reminisce about TV shows. There are still plenty of enemies left.

“Haaah!”

But for my reliable childhood friend, facing about ten enemy soldiers seemed like swatting away mosquitoes. Draped in a platinum-colored aura, Gretel leaped out with a medium-sized sword in hand, swiftly cutting down two people. Then, she hurriedly kicked the one who drew his sword, sending him flying about ten meters with a blow to his abdomen. Recognizing her strength, the enemies attacked from three sides simultaneously, but after she elegantly spun around, three corpses with their torsos partly split lay there.

Meanwhile, a little further away, Saya-san and Mifuyu-san were accurately throwing short knives, burying one archer with each throw. The Dark Clan really are combat pros… Despite Gretel rampaging around selfishly, they still coordinate well and do what’s most helpful.

“It’s over now!”

With a brave declaration from my childhood friend, she swung her sword down like chopping bamboo. The sword of the apparent enemy leader snapped with a crack, and the man was split from head to buttocks.