Chapter 9 …
Expedition Force
A second summer had arrived since Yuta and Hoshi Akari-san came to Tokura Village.
Although we were no longer struggling with language and life had become stable, there was still no prospect of returning to our original world. Every day felt like we were just growing more anxious.
This village did not have anything like a school, but a few times a month, children gathered at the village head’s house. Elders rotated teaching practical skills such as reading, writing, arithmetic, self-defense techniques, and herb identification. It was like a private school.
Both Yuta and Hoshi-san had been participating for the past six months.
Honestly, it felt a bit embarrassing for two adults to sit among small children learning basic education, but since it was actually useful, we didn’t mind.
Both of us had also become very popular among the beastkin children. Humans themselves were rare here, but Yuta had gained a reputation for hunting achievements and swordsmanship, while Hoshi-san taught games from our world like origami and ayatori.
That day, after writing practice, Yuta was in the village head’s yard training boys in swordsmanship alongside Prune, while Hoshi-san was playing hopscotch with Melon and other girls nearby.
Since the “one-year reincarnation prank,” Hoshi-san had become emotionally stable and rarely had nightmares anymore.
Suddenly—
“Makari-toooo-ru!”
A rider on a fast horse shouted as he rushed toward the village head’s house.
Hoshi-san and the children quickly moved aside, startled. The messenger entered the house immediately.
“Fast rider… how unusual. I wonder what happened,” Prune said anxiously, looking at Yuta.
Yuta noticed that Prune had become increasingly close to him recently, almost like a younger sister. In some ways, she even reminded him of Akari.
Soon the village head came out and shouted:
“Hey! Prune! Tell Barua there is an emergency summons from Imenzi!”
(Imenzi means father, referring to Barua.)
Sensing something serious, Yuta and the others quickly returned home and informed Barua.
The Crisis Report
That night, Barua returned late, looking exhausted.
“Sorry to keep you waiting. Thanks.”
“No, we were just kicked out of our beds by Melon and the others,” Yuta replied.
Barua then spoke seriously:
“Yuta… this is bad.”
“Is it about the fast rider?”
Barua nodded.
“A beastkin settlement beyond the next mountain ridge was destroyed by a large group of goblins. They will likely use it as a base for a while… and once they consume everything, they will move again. If we are unlucky, this village could be next.”
Yuta asked:
“Goblins move like locusts?”
“Locusts? What is that?” Barua asked.
Barua explained that goblins move based on instinct, and in years with little spring rain, they tend to mass-produce.
War Preparations
Barua continued:
“Reinforcements have been sent, but it will take over a month. Until then, we must defend the village ourselves. I need capable fighters.”
Yuta agreed.
Barua described goblins:
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Small demons about the size of children
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Individually weak
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Even Prune could likely defeat one
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But their numbers are overwhelming
“It’s not about defeating them… it’s about surviving them.”
The next day, the village began full-scale preparation.
Enemy Numbers
A few days later, scouts returned.
“Approximately 5,000 goblins.”
They were expected to finish consuming nearby food and begin moving within days. If they headed toward the village, they could arrive in about ten days.
Villagers began building defenses—fences, trenches—but farmland had to be abandoned.
Women and children were ordered to evacuate into the mountains with food supplies.
The destination was the same mountain hut where Yuta and Hoshi-san had first camped when they arrived in this world.
Battle Formation
A combat unit was formed:
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Yuta
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Barua
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Okiya
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And 20 other men
Prune wanted to join, but Barua refused, telling her she might be needed if stragglers reached the mountains.
Yuta thought:
“So that’s 250 goblins per person…”
Okiya lent him two fine swords. Yuta kept one as backup.
The Battle Begins
The goblins arrived as predicted.
They began by devouring crops on the outer farmland.
Barua ordered:
“Do not move until we confirm their full spread!”
Okiya reported:
“All 5,000 have appeared.”
Barua shouted:
“Then we strike from the nearest group! Yuta and Sodon, guard the retreat!”
“CHARGE!”
The fighters rushed out.
First Engagements
Yuta and Sodon held the rear. Goblins were weak individually, and Yuta could cut them down easily.
But—
Sodon was suddenly overwhelmed by multiple goblins grabbing him at once.
Yuta realized:
This is what numbers mean… one mistake and you’re dead.
After about 30 minutes, the fighters returned safely.
“We didn’t even kill a thousand… but we’ll rest and go again!”
But the goblins continued consuming farmland, slowly surrounding the fortress.
Second Wave
Barua ordered another attack.
This time, even more exhaustion was visible.
During the fight, Okiya suddenly shouted:
“Something is wrong!”
He reported:
“There were definitely 5,000… but now only about 1,500 remain!”
Barua realized:
“The rest… don’t tell me—!”
A decision was made:
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Split forces in two
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One group continues extermination
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The other rushes to the mountain evacuation camp
Barua and Okiya immediately left for the mountains.
Collapse of the Battle Line
Yuta and the remaining fighters continued fighting desperately in the village.
Hours passed.
By midday, around 1,500 goblins had been eliminated.
Yuta wanted to chase after Barua, but Holma stopped him:
“Yuta. Rest first! You can barely stand.”
“Barua and Okiya are veterans. They won’t fall so easily.”
Yuta calmed down, recovered slightly, then prepared to move again with Sodon and others.
Toward the Mountains
They entered the mountain path.
Goblins’ corpses began appearing along the road—evidence of Barua’s group advancing.
Sodon said in despair:
“If over a thousand are here… then maybe the rest attacked the camp!”
Yuta replied:
“Let’s hurry. Barua will hold them at the river.”
“Yeah…”
They pushed forward toward the ridge.
