In my experience, small-scale guerilla warfare combat tactics consist of two processes: “ambushing” and “hit-and-run”. The advantage we had right now was that the Goblins were on the defensive, allowing us to decide when and where to execute our “ambush”.

Simply put, we could choose to wait and ambush them when they were the weakest at night.

However, we could also choose “not to commence” an ambush. My former mercenary captain once said that one should not attack when the information about the enemy is unknown, and it was an iron-clad rule I still follow until today… I remembered this as I sat on the ground and swept my gaze over my companions. 

“Guruam woruooan?” (Chief, what are we doing next?)

“Wafuaaooan, gurua.” ( Boss, you’re thinking of something again, aren’t you?)

I do not want you guys to look at me with so much expectation…

“… gauruaguruonn.” (…Let’s join forces with the Werecat warriors.)

I spread out the map on the ground and pointed out where I estimated the Werecat warriors were likely to retreat. If they were forced to decide how to respond to a sudden Goblin attack, then they would not have enough time to bring out enough supplies. In that case, it was obvious that they would head to a place near a water source if they were to leave the village temporarily.

Therefore, if we headed from Lucua village towards the upstream river where we had refilled our flasks before, then there was a high possibility that we would meet the Werecats who had escaped. I beckoned Liz, who was staring at the map, to sit beside me, and I took out the slate pencil from my leather pouch and wrote on the ground.

“Liz, I would like to join forces with your brethren. I’m counting on you to explain the situation to them.”

“Sure, leave it to me. I hope my mother and father are fine, though…”

Although she looked anxious, her expression brightened up a bit as she responded. She was going to be reunited with her people after all, so it was natural that she would be happy.

“Wooonh.” (Let’s go.)

With me in the lead, and Buster in the rear, Dagger, and Liz, who had better hearing, took on the role of scouting the surroundings for any potential hostiles, we carefully advanced to the north of Easteria forest and returned to the tributary of the Sherna river, which was located northeast of Lucua village.

Liz’s gaze was glued to the river.

Well, it was natural that all that running and fighting would make one thirsty after all… it seems I did not go wrong with choosing to look for the escaped Werecats near the river upstream. 

It was easier than writing on the ground, so I sent her a hand sign to indicate the river.

“I’m sorry, but I’m a little thirsty…”

Dagger and Lancer followed her as she went to the river… there was water in my leather flask, but it was already lukewarm, and she probably wanted something cooler. Buster and I looked at each other and headed to the river as well. 

After a short break, we followed Liz from a distance as she headed upstream along the slightly winding Sherna river.

If a huge Kodold suddenly appeared near the frightened escapees, it would be a source of confusion after all… Or so we thought, however, the plan backfired.

Just after Liz made her way through the trees to navigate the big winding river, she spotted her father and her friends up ahead and impulsively ran up to them.

“Wafih!?” (What!?)

“Kuon!” (Big brother!)

And so, Dagger and I, who were clueless as to what was going on, followed her through the trees… And spotted the armed Werecats up ahead.

“Dad!”

“Liz!? We’re going to save you!!”

Her father reached for the weapon on his waist as he ran past his daughter, who was coming towards him.

“Eh?”

“Gua, garuh!” (Hey, watch it!)

From their perspective, it seemed like the Werecat girl was being chased by macho Kobolds, and as the screams of the evacuees were heard from behind, a roar rang out as if to drown it out.

“Uoooooooooo!!”

The slender, black-haired, and gentlemanly cat-eared man vigorously took a big step forward as he pulled the blade from the scabbard and pointed his saber at us.

“Guruoh!?” (Uoo!?)

*clash*

I managed to somehow make an abrupt stop and leaned my body backward as I blocked the attack with my Short War Hammer. At the same time, I moved my right foot forward and kicked my opponent in the stomach.

“Gahah!?”

The gentlemanly Werecat who had indiscriminately fired a series of slash attacks at me jumped back and maintained a stance to mitigate the impact he received from my block.

Furthermore, the Werecat warrior who rushed in as a follow-up confronted Dagger, who, while looking for a slip in her defense, readied the Buckler[1] on his left hand and pulled back the sword on his right hand and tipped it down… and from there, it seemed like he was trying to parry Dagger’s attack and then follow up with a sudden upward slash attack.

“Garuukuon!” (As if I’d let you!)

【Activated: Leap Enhancement】

Dagger, who got the better of him, crouched low and leaped forward, and delivered a full-body kick to her opponent who crossed his arms to block the attack!

“Naah!? Guuu!!”

“Wuonh!!” (Take this!!)

He bent backward, unable to withstand the attack, and my sister quickly sent a right uppercut to his jaw from close range and the Werecat warrior stumbled back with a groan.

Meanwhile, the spear-wielding Werecat warrior who was a little behind sped up and unhesitatingly rushed towards the similarly spear-carrying Kobold, but…

“Ruaku auooh!!” (You’re not fast enough!!)

The Goblin Spear in Lancer’s hand knocked away the Werecat’s Iron Spear and caused it to miss its mark as the tip of the spear stabbed into the ground, and the opponent, unable to resist the inertia of the assault, followed it.

“Uwah!? Gaah!”

Without missing a beat, Lancer kicked his oddly thrust-out chin with her white, furry legs, and sent the Werecat flying, he was knocked out cold.

And so, under the setting sun, facing the four of us were the gentle-featured, black-haired Werecat warrior, the unconscious Werecat Spear-user, and the Werecat warrior who glared at Dagger as he rubbed his bruised cheek while holding up his shield…… 

As the screams of the other Werecats behind them grew louder, and the other Werecat warriors who just came from patrolling the perimeter appeared one-by-one, Liz finally raised her voice.

“Hey, Dad! What the hell are you doing!?”

Surprisingly, the one who Liz had been calling her father since earlier turned out to be the gentle-featured Werecat.  Well, he just looked young, but he might actually be quite old.

Character Introduction:

Name: Wallace ()

Race: Werecat

Class: Werecat Fencer

Skill: Sword Drawing Technique, Improve Agility (Small/ Instantaneous)

Title: Liz’s Father

Weapon: Sabre (Main), Dagger (Auxiliary)

Armament: Black Leather

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Editor’s Note:

[1] Buckler – A buckler is a small shield, up to 45 cm in diameter, gripped in one hand. It was common as a companion weapon in hand-to-hand combat during the Medieval and Renaissance periods.