When I Was Reincarnated, All the Heroines Were Stolen by the Fake Hero ~ The Guy Who Dominated With Original Story Knowledge, and Me Who Dominated With Talent. It Seems the World After the Ending Is My One-Man Stage ~ - Episode 10

Episode 10

Now that Freyja’s situation had reached a stopping point, I decided to return the conversation to the main topic.

“Well then, Freyja-dono. Let’s get back to the topic. I’d like to hear more details about the current damage caused by the monsters.”

At my words, Freyja nodded and returned to a serious expression.

“That’s right… Recently, the particularly troublesome one is a monster called Grim Bird.”

“Grim Bird…”

Hearing that name, I recalled the knowledge I gained during a past adventure.

A bird-shaped monster characterized by its large, glaring eyes. Its body is not very big. But its beak is hard and sharp. It has a habit of destroying buildings and bringing the materials back to its nest.

Freyja continued, as if to supplement the information forming in my mind.

“It attacks this town of Kanaloa every few days. Each time, it chips away bit by bit at the fort’s walls and buildings within the town.”

“What about interception by archers?”

“Of course, we do that. But there are too many of them, and they move quickly. So shooting them all down is difficult. We can barely drive them off, that’s the current situation. But if we leave them alone, the damage will only increase… The soldiers are getting exhausted. And it’s having a negative effect on daytime training and patrol schedules.”

Her words revealed her anguish.

“Do you have any idea where the Grim Birds’ nest is located?”

When I asked that, Freyja showed a thoughtful gesture.

“Yes. We’ve sent out investigation teams several times in the direction the Grim Birds always fly off to. And we’ve found what seems to be a horizontal cave… but…”

“But?”

“I’ve never faced it directly myself… but whenever the investigation team fights Grim Birds in front of the cave, a different, large, black monster appears from inside the cave. And they are always forced to retreat.”

A large black monster guarding the Grim Birds’ nest…

Hearing that, an image of a certain monster formed in my mind.

(Could it be… that monster?)

After thinking for a moment, I decided to make a proposal to Freyja.

“Freyja-dono, would you be able to guide me to that cave?”

At my sudden proposal, Freyja widened her eyes slightly in surprise.

“That’s fine, but… Yutaka-sama, could it be, you intend to raid the nest?”

Her voice seemed to be a mix of hope and anxiety.

“Yes, that’s the plan.”

I nodded firmly.

If we leave it as is, we’ll just be slowly worn down. That won’t solve the root problem.

Hearing my response, Freyja furrowed her brows even more.

“It’s a generous offer, but… are you sure it’s not too dangerous? As I said earlier, there’s a high chance a large monster is lurking in that nest.”

Sebas was next to us. He also interjected with concern.

“That is correct, Yutaka-sama. You are now the lord of the Vixel Domain. If something were to happen to you, it would be a serious issue. Shouldn’t this be left to the soldiers…”

Their concern was well-founded.

However, seeing the condition of the frontier town Kanaloa, I couldn’t just sit idly by.

I was sorry to Sebas. But I wanted him to allow me a bit of selfishness.

“No, I’ve come all this way. Let me at least help this much. Besides, I have some idea of what it might be. So there’s no need to worry.”

I spoke gently, trying to reassure the two.

Sebas still looked displeased. But he must have sensed that my resolve was firm. He finally let out a deep sigh.

“…Understood. But Yutaka-sama, let this be the first and last time. Please, don’t overexert yourself any further.”

“Yes, I understand.”

Sebas turned back to Freyja and made the request again.

“Freyja-sama. That’s how it is. Would you be able to guide Yutaka-sama to that cave?”

Freyja looked back and forth between my and Sebas’ faces. After falling silent for a moment as if thinking about something, she finally nodded with determination.

“…Understood. Yutaka-sama, Sebas-sama, please follow me.”

＊ ＊ ＊

The three of us each rode horses and headed for the cave, with Freyja leading the way.

She must be familiar with the geography around here. As she seemed to choose a safe route that avoided encounters with monsters.

On the way, Freyja looked at my equipment with concern and called out to me.

“Yutaka-dono, are you really okay with that kind of equipment?”

As usual, I only wore my favorite longsword at my waist.

I borrowed a shield from a Kanaloa soldier. But it was just a typical round wooden shield, not something you’d call sturdy even as flattery.

“Yes, no problem. This time, I plan to fight as a swordsman. I’m not going to act as a tank who takes all the enemy’s attacks. This shield is enough.”

When I answered that way, Freyja still looked uneasy and muttered, “But…”

Perhaps wanting to ease her concern, Sebas spoke.

“Freyja-sama, there is no need to worry. Yutaka-sama, on his way to Vixel Domain, defeated three Ogres he encountered along the road in an instant. I can vouch for his strength.”

“Instantly defeated three Ogres…?”

At Sebas’s words, Freyja’s face showed shock. And she stared intently at me.

In her red eyes, I saw disbelief and a hint of new hope.

As we were having that conversation, Freyja slowed her horse and warned us to be cautious of our surroundings.

“Yutaka-dono, Sebas-dono, we’re almost there. From here on, we’ll dismount and proceed carefully.”

We got off our horses. And following Freyja’s instructions, we slowly advanced while hiding in the shadows of trees and bushes.

—

Eventually, Freyja stopped and pointed ahead.

“Yutaka-dono, that’s the cave in question.”

Where she pointed, there was a cave opening in the rock face.

The entrance was sealed vertically with a messy but seemingly sturdy mix of tree branches, stones, and even debris that looked like it came from some building. It was like a bird’s nest.

That must be the work of the Grim Birds.

“What will you do, Yutaka-dono?”

Freyja asked in a whisper.

Staring intently at the cave entrance, I answered briefly.

“No problem. You two, it’s dangerous. So step back a little.”

Saying that, I stepped out from the bush where I’d been hiding and began walking toward the cave.

When I stood in front of the cave, as if sensing my approach, countless red lights floated up from within.

They were the large eyes of the Grim Birds.

The next moment, with shrill cries, a large number of Grim Birds burst out from inside the cave.

There must be several dozen, just at a glance.

The countless Grim Birds rolled their large eyes. They were locked onto me. And all at once, they let out sharp screeching roars and rushed at me.

But I didn’t flinch at all.

I gently placed my right hand on the hilt of the longsword still hanging at my waist.

Then, letting out a soft breath—*fuuu*—I swung my sword like a quick-draw slash.

The moment my blade cut through the air, a powerful gust erupted. It swept away the charging Grim Birds.

The invisible shockwave was like a blade of wind. It pierced and blew away the Grim Bird swarm with ease. One after another, they slammed down to the ground.

Some died instantly from direct hits, some lost balance and crashed, others slammed into the rock wall and stopped moving.

Their ends were varied.

Moreover, the invisible blade I unleashed also reached the barricade blocking the cave entrance.

With a *CRASH!!*, branches, stones, and building debris shattered dramatically. And the cave entrance opened up wide.

“Whoa…”

“Amazing…!”

From behind, I heard Freyja and Sebas’ mixed voices of astonishment and admiration.

However, I turned to them and quietly shook my head.

“It’s not over yet.”

Then, with a hand signal, I told them not to come any closer.

A creepy presence still wafted from the depths of the cave.

The real enemy… is coming next.