Gearing Up and Setting Out to Subjugate the Bandits!

"Marlow-san! I'll do something!"

I grabbed him by the shoulder and shouted those words.

The Marlow Trading Company's caravan had been attacked by bandits and wiped out. Apparently, his only daughter, Primula-san, had been left behind while fleeing.

For him, fleeing while leaving behind his beloved only daughter must have been agonizing.

Apparently, the guards had dragged Marlow-san back to the city when he tried to turn around and go back.

But as a caravan, they had no choice if they were to protect their client.

The people walking down the street looked at me as if to say—What on earth is this man talking about?

Naturally. What could a complete amateur who wasn't even a veteran adventurer possibly do? That was surely what everyone was thinking.

"But how...?"

Even Marlow-san, hearing my words, looked as though he could hardly believe them.

From his perspective, he desperately wanted to grasp at any straw to rescue his daughter, but apparently I wasn't even a straw.

But if a princess was kidnapped, it was a knight's duty to go rescue her. If I did nothing here, I would definitely regret it later.

I had to smash the villains infesting this other world. If I didn't do it, who would?

Still, if I really had no power at all and was saying this, I would be nothing but a fool rather than a Man of La Mancha. Fortunately, I had Shangri-La.

"Marlow-san, I need some start-up money. I can make it up to you later with merchandise, so could you arrange it?"

"Then please use this money! I won't spare any expense to rescue my daughter!"

He offered me a bag filled with gold coins. I had no idea how many it contained, but once I accepted it, I began charging the money to Shangri-La.

I deposited fifty gold coins (10 million yen) in total.

First, I needed some way to transport our forces near the bandits' hideout. Few adventurers or city residents owned horses.

Keeping horses was extremely expensive. That was why people rented them from stables when they needed to travel far.

I didn't need to buy a horse. I could just search for a vehicle on Shangri-La. I'd gone this far, so I might as well throw caution to the wind.

I searched Shangri-La. For transporting things across rough terrain, a four-wheel-drive truck seemed like the way to go. A so-called four-ton truck should be able to carry twenty or thirty people.

"Yes, this will do."

Once I found what I was looking for, I warned the spectators around me.

"I'm going to use summoning magic! Something huge is about to be summoned, so please clear some space!"

"Summoning magic?" "Was he a mage?"

"Kenichi-san, what on earth are you...?"

"Marlow-san, I'm really going to summon it, so be careful. Come on out! M○tsubishi K○nter 5.2 Wide Long Diesel 4WD, three-way drop-side, 170,000 km, 2.1 million yen!"

I pressed Shangri-La's 【Purchase】 button.

A four-ton truck appeared in midair and dropped to the ground. The frame and suspension groaned loudly as it landed—and bounced.

I had wanted one with a crane, but I could think about that later. For now, all I needed was something to transport people and supplies.

It was a used truck with 170,000 kilometers on it, but for a truck, 100,000 kilometers was still within the break-in period. They didn't really hit their stride until after 200,000 kilometers.

"Whoa!" "What the hell is that?!"

People fled in all directions from the enormous iron monster that had suddenly appeared.

"Don't worry! This is an iron vehicle that moves without horses and listens only to me!"

"It moves without h-horses?"

A man who had failed to escape and fallen on his backside looked up at the truck and muttered.

I opened the door and climbed into the driver's seat. My license allowed me to drive medium-sized vehicles, including trucks, so there was no problem.

Of course, a driver's license hardly mattered in another world.

Still, I never expected to drive a truck in a world like this. I turned the key, and the diesel engine roared to life.

Modern trucks apparently came with automatic transmissions too, but this one had a manual transmission. When I shifted into neutral, the engine revved rather dramatically.

The roaring engine must have sounded like a monster's bellow, because the people gradually began backing away.

I shifted into first gear and released the clutch. The roaring mass of iron began moving smoothly forward.

"Whoa!" "It's really moving without horses!" "Is it magic?"

As I listened to the astonished cries, I backed the truck into its original position.

I climbed down from the truck and onto the cargo bed, then shouted at everyone.

"I'll use this to transport anyone willing to fight to the bandits' hideout. I'll also provide weapons and shields! This is your chance to make a fortune!"

Everyone was murmuring among themselves, but so far no one had stepped forward.

Then I heard a familiar voice.

"What kind of weapons, nya?!"

It was a beastwoman looking up at me in the truck bed, her tail swishing.

"Myaree. Come to think of it, you said you were good with a bow."

I bought the strongest compound bow available from Shangri-La, a 75-pound model. A compound bow was a bow with a compound pulley system.

Its frame was made of carbon, making it a piece of completely advanced technology, but this was an emergency.

A 75-pound bow was difficult for even a man to draw, but beastfolk were strong. She should be able to manage it.

"Nya! What is this?! I've never seen such an amazing bow before, nya!"

After receiving the compound bow from me, Myaree stared at it wide-eyed, then immediately nocked a carbon arrow.

Shangri-La sold hunting arrowheads as related products, so I would replace them later. Our opponents were scum, so there was no need to hold back.

I took a wooden board from my Item Box, jumped down from the cargo bed, and propped it against the wall of a building.

But Myaree apparently didn't understand how to use this unfamiliar compound bow.

"Myaree, draw it farther. It gets easier once you pull it all the way back."

"Like this, nya? It really did get easier, nya!"

"Now you can take your time aiming."

When she released the carbon arrow, it split the board cleanly in two, sending splinters flying.

"What power, nya!"

"But it takes a little time to draw, so it isn't suited for rapid fire."

Three beastmen stepped forward from among the spectators watching us. They were the three beastmen who always ate at my house.

Their leader, Nyakero, stepped forward.

"We can get weapons too, right?"

I handed them 150-pound compound crossbows. They cost 55,000 yen each and had optical sights mounted on top.

An ordinary person would have to step on the ring at the front with one foot and pull the string up with both hands, but the beastmen drew them easily with one hand.

"What's the round tube on top of this crossbow?"

"Look through it and line up the crosshairs with your target, and the arrow will fly there. Of course, the arrow travels in an arc, so you'll need to adjust your aim according to the distance."

"Oh..."

Right where Nyakero was looking, a white bird was perched on the edge of a roof.

He took aim and pulled the trigger. The black carbon arrow pierced the prey, scattering white feathers.

"What the hell is this?! It's unbelievably powerful! At this size, it's about as strong as the ballistae used by the army!"

"Then it could easily pierce armor, nya."

"Kenichi, I want a sword."

"A sword...? There aren't many large swords available."

But I couldn't afford to be picky. I searched Shangri-La again and spotted a large machete.

This one was fairly big. Related products included models with handguards. The product name was Cutlass.

A cutlass was the sort of weapon carried by the villainous captain in pirate movies, wasn't it?

The largest machete was eighty centimeters long. I wondered whether that violated Japan's sword-control laws or whatever.

I bought two machetes with handguards and a one-meter battle-axe. All three cost around 10,000 yen each.

The axe had a sharp, pick-like point on the opposite side from its blade. If someone was struck by that, it would easily pierce light armor.

The machetes and axe I had purchased fell onto the ground in front of me.

"This is all I have in stock. If these won't do, you'll have to buy something from a weapons shop in the city..."

"The blade's awfully thin. Won't it break?"

Two beastmen picked up the machetes and suddenly began sparring. They weren't fighting in earnest; it was only a light practice match.

Even so, their speed was incredible. Every time the blades clashed, they produced metallic ringing and sparks.

"Heh! I thought it would be soft because it's so thin, but it neither breaks nor bends. I like this thing."

"It's been reinforced with magic."

A complete lie.

"Seriously?"

"Then I'll take this axe."

The battle-axe was solid iron and fairly heavy, but the man swung it around effortlessly with one hand.

If that hit me, it would cleave me in two. Dangerous, dangerous.

"All right! I'm in! I was just thinking it was time to make some serious money."

The other two nodded at Nyakero's words. Myaree seemed ready to join in as well.

"So you'll do it?"

"Yeah!"

The three beastmen raised their swords and axe, crossed them, and shouted to show their determination.

That made five, counting me.

"Then I shall join you as well."

The person who had arrived was a regular customer from my stall—Sir Northpole.

"Wonderful! Having Sir Northpole join us is a huge relief."

"You must have been forced to reveal your magic, but I had no idea you could produce things like this as well..."

"I've gone too far to turn back now."

"More importantly, my Wolf Fang is finished."

Sir Northpole raised a silver blade about one meter long. It was probably a sword forged from the steel I had provided—A○S-34.

"Wolf Fang...?"

"Of course, that's this sword's name. But the old blacksmith apparently had a terrible time working with this steel and was reduced to tears."

He gazed at the sword with a dreamy expression. Apparently, he was a little unusual too.

"It isn't ordinary steel, after all."

"Indeed. Hunting Shaga is a fitting first battle for my Wolf Fang. I intend to let it drink deeply of those villains' blood."

"We appreciate your help."

That made six. Having Sir Northpole join us really was reassuring. No matter what happened, he could serve as a witness.

Having a public official with you made all sorts of things easier in this world.

But we still didn't have enough fighting power.

"Ho ho, you seem to be planning something quite interesting. It's certainly no place for the faint of heart."

An old man with a white beard and dark green robes was standing there. He was the old man from the tool shop where I always bought items.

"Don't tell me you're planning to come too. Don't overdo it at your age."

"What are you talking about? I used to be an adventurer myself, you know. Watch this."

The old man moved his hand from bottom to top, and a small pillar of flame rose from the ground, scorching it.

"Whoa! Old man, you really were a mage?"

"I'm retired now, but it wouldn't be bad to make one last grand showing. Besides, I'm interested in the magic you use as well."

"Having a mage would greatly strengthen our forces."

If the beastmen handled the front line, the mage could use powerful magic from the rear. It was standard RPG strategy.

"Ho ho, exactly."

That made seven...

But then another man stepped forward. He was the muscular man I had helped carry a bed to his house.

"You too...? Are you a former adventurer or something?"

"I'm still registered, technically. I even took part in the Black Wolf hunt."

"But you're newly married, aren't you?"

"Yeah, I am—but I bought a bunch of things at your store, and my wife got angry at me."

"Did you spend too much money?"

"She said that rags were good enough for living in, and that we didn't need anything new..."

"What? She's an incredibly good wife!"

Was this bragging? Was he bragging about his wife?

"That's right. She's almost too good for me. That's why I want to give her a good life."

Hold on.

"That takes money, doesn't it?"

Stop it. Don't raise some weird flag.

"Are you really going to do this?"

"Of course! I'm going!"

"I see. So you're doing it."

It felt as though a dangerous flag had been raised, but that made eight. I was desperate enough to welcome even a cat's paw, so I was extremely grateful.

"Hey! It's cruel to leave me out!"

The person who appeared was Amana, the owner of the shop next to mine, wearing flashy clothes and jingling with accessories.

"What are you talking about, Amana? This is a battle!"

"Even if it's a battle, you'll still need to eat, won't you? I can at least prepare the food."

"Hmm, I suppose you're right."

"But if things get dangerous, I'm running away."

"Understood."

Amana had joined us, but I couldn't expect much from her as a fighter. I wanted a little more firepower.

I climbed onto the cargo bed again and shouted at the spectators.

"I'll use a combat summon too—a super-powerful iron magical beast! Watch this!"

I chanted a spell from atop the cargo bed.

"Yumbo, summon!"

A green power shovel appeared beside the four-ton truck.

I climbed into the seat, started the engine, and opened the throttle all the way.

Then I spun around in circles on the spot, raised the arm high, and brought it straight down toward the ground.

With a tremendous roar that shook the earth, the steel bucket sank into the ground. The spectators watching it nearly fell over in shock.

"Well? With this iron magical beast, I could easily mow down ten or twenty bandits! I'll say it again: this is your chance to make a fortune!"

"Are you a Tamer?"

The old man approached me with a surprised expression.

"More or less."

Perhaps the demonstration had done the trick, because seven adventurers stepped forward.

Honestly, if the rumors were true and we were facing fifty villains, the odds were still heavily against us.

But there was no need to attack them head-on like idiots. If we launched a surprise attack, such as raiding them while they slept, we might have a chance.

I bought ten compound crossbows and distributed them to anyone who wanted one. Some people wanted machetes too, so I bought three more.

"I should warn you that I'm only lending you the weapons. I'll collect them afterward."

"Weapons this incredible can't be bought with money. I suppose that's fair."

One of the adventurers fiddling with a crossbow muttered that. I felt bad, but these were completely advanced technological items. It would be bad if they entered general circulation.

――Though it might already be too late for that.

Once our members were decided, we went to the Adventurers' Guild and filed a request to subjugate Shaga.

The guild staff looked astonished, but we were completely serious.

If we succeeded, the guild's reward, the Marlow Trading Company's reward, and the country's bounty would all be combined. There was no doubt it would be a considerable sum.

Of course, that was assuming we made it back alive.

"Kenichi-san! I knew you were hiding something, but I had no idea you could use magic like this..."

"Marlow-san, I have a favor to ask."

"I-I'll do anything I can."

Shangri-La lacked many things suitable as adventurers' equipment. Armor and protective gear, for example.

I tried searching for armor and protective gear, but it didn't sell anything like that.

I had Marlow-san introduce me to a weapons merchant he knew, who supplied us with the weapons and armor we lacked.

Leather armor, scale mail, chain mail, and so on varied according to each person's preference, so we bought whatever suited them.

Some people wanted larger weapons, such as two-handed swords. But since they were going to be used in battle, used armor would be good enough.

Since the Marlow Trading Company agreed to pay for used equipment, the adventurers seemed to be taking the opportunity to replace all their gear.

Those using bows bought quivers, but I would supply the arrows myself.

The arrows sold in this world might not fit the compound crossbows.

I bought the lightest leather armor for myself as well.

Of course, I had never swung a sword, and I had no intention of joining a sword fight. If I used anything, it would be a compound bow or a slingshot.

"Oh, and you don't need to buy a shield. I have a good one."

"That shield of yours is probably an incredible magic-enhanced one too, right?"

Nyakero spoke to me.

"Something like that. I can't take it out here, so I'll show it to you after we leave the city."

"Heh, now I'm looking forward to it."

"Don't worry about food, either. I'll prepare everything. It's all in my Item Box, so you'll get to eat good food."

"Ohhh! Now that's something to look forward to!"

One of the adventurers' expression brightened.

"The boss's cooking is delicious, after all."

"Nyaaa!"

The beastfolk seemed to be looking forward to the food too.

"Expeditions always mean terrible food."

"A good meal makes all the difference to your motivation."

I climbed into the driver's seat and checked the fuel gauge. There wasn't much diesel left, but it should last for about fifty kilometers.

We would probably eat before attacking the bandits, so I could refuel then.

Fifteen adventurers and one woman, all fully equipped, climbed into the four-ton truck's cargo bed along with their weapons and other equipment.

Around noon, we left the city through the western gate and set out for the wasteland, with people seeing us off.

Some of the onlookers pointed at us and laughed mockingly.

They said there was no way fifteen people could defeat the enemy.

But even when a man knows he can't win, there are times when he still has to go.