Attack Operation (2)

Despite the buildup, the battle line itself was stable.

Magical Beasts gather

↓

Wipe them out with an all-target attack

↓

Pick off the leftovers individually

That was about all that happened, sporadically, roughly once per hour.

All nine forts were defending without trouble.

Thanks to that, Himeno's leveling was coming along well.

Light Bind especially was at a level where it could be used as ordinary combat power.

"You've grown strong, huh…!"

When I praised Himeno, she looked very happy.

"… Honestly, at this level I can't imagine anyone failing… It won't stay this way, right?"

I tried consulting Ursula.

"Indeed… So far it doth feel quite tame…"

Ursula shared the same impression.

"Like, it intensifies day by day?

If it doubled each day, so day seven was seven times the strength and seven times the volume, that'd be bad, but…"

"Hmm, would it intensify that fiercely?

… Still, 'tis well never to let one's guard down. Best to brace for at least one of those two."

"Seven times the strength, or seven times the volume. Even that, we could manage."

"… Indeed."

Day one ended without particular trouble. Apparently the Magical Beasts basically don't attack at night.

Magical Beasts ordinarily sleep at night.

So we could rest peacefully, and even if a night raid came, the knight order stood watch and would wake us.

"Then I'm going to make rounds at the other forts."

I told Kanan and the others that much, then headed first to Fort 1.

"… Oh."

What surprised me on arrival was that the castle wall had already been constructed far past the horizon.

"Eh, this much already? Amazing…"

The horizon is more than 4 km away… and if this planet is larger than Earth, maybe even farther.

In any case, the castle wall was already built far into the distance.

"This is the art of Crafting. Two from each fort, twelve in all, encircle three countries' worth of castle wall in but seven days. Truly skilled."

So Ursula commented.

Some 1500 km of vast castle wall, twelve people in just one week…

Modern Earth's construction techniques manufacture parts at factories and assemble them on-site, letting large buildings go up in short order.

I'd thought that was amazing, but as expected of magic. Even more impressive.

There's the magic-vs-science axis of debate, but if magic exists, science doesn't stand a chance.

… Or rather, if magic exists, researching magic becomes a science, so it isn't really an opposing axis.

Well, never mind. Leave magical research to the smart people at the university city Unitia.

I can just go around thinking, "Wow, amazing."

"Ursula, Libera, Luna. How's it going?"

"Mn, none have been wounded, no trouble at all.

… If this pace continueth, 'tis indeed too easy a victory, anticlimactic…"

"Ursula, you've got attack-operation experience, right?"

She knew Reida-san, and she'd said something about her mother before.

"Mn. Mother conducted an attack operation at the brink of her death.

… Magnificently, she succeeded. I beheld it close at hand.

I wished to taste that splendor myself, and that is why I spent five years in preparation."

"Ursula…"

To offer up all that preparation to me…

"What sayest thou. There is no greater joy than being of use to thee.

I am far happier sharing joy with thee."

"Ursula…"

I kissed Ursula.

Of course it didn't end at kissing — I went one round each with Ursula, Libera, and Luna.

"I love you, Ursula…"

"And I thee. I love thee, Naoto…"

"Libera, do your best too…"

"Yes, Naoto-sama…"

Chu, chu…

"Luna, are you all right too? Are you getting along with Ursula?"

"Y-yes… I'm all right. I'll be of use too, I'll show you."

Chu, chu…

Alright, on to the next.

To Fort 2.

"Yuria, Mikoto, Colette, how's it going?"

"Naoto. We're fine. The offensive so far isn't all that fierce.

… Honestly, at this level it's a breeze. But it sounds like plenty of times a night passes and a great offensive comes, so…

We can't let our guard down."

"Yeah, that's right. Let's stay alert and not get complacent."

Next I talked with Mikoto.

"I too watched the mothers' attack operations alongside Ursula.

Ursula counted personal records, but attack operations are conducted over long spans, so success is normally counted by family line.

On that score, the Belzebute family has attempted attack operations twice before, and both apparently succeeded.

This will be the third… I absolutely will not fail."

"Is it okay to count Ursula's family record as my own?"

"Yes, that's right. Ursula is already yours.

Her experience, her career — all of it is yours."

"I see…"

"Of course, that includes me, too."

Chu… Mikoto gave me a kiss.

"Colette, are you all right?"

"Yes, I'll protect Yuria-san and Mikoto-san. Leave it to me!"

"Yeah, that's reassuring."

I kissed Colette too.

… I couldn't take it slow, so I quickly had ecchi with all three.

"… Do your best, everyone…"

"Yes… I've been amply granted courage. I'll do my best."

To Fort 3.

I'd been a little worried about the Yumi-Cellas-Lizalind combination, but their conversation seemed unexpectedly lively.

"What were you talking about?"

"A rather unsexy conversation. Combat methods and such. Attack technique talk, defense talk…"

So Yumi informed me.

Well, Cellas and Lizalind would have no shortage of such topics. All Yumi had to do was keep up.

"Fufu, I want to get stronger too. Their conversations are very instructive."

A good girl.

"How are things?"

"Well, as we were told beforehand, it's an easy spot. At this rate… honestly, anticlimactic."

"Yeah… but I don't think it'll stay this way. I'm counting on you."

"Yes, leave it to me."

"Cellas, Lizalind, I'm counting on you two as well."

"Ah, leave it to me. I shall fell them all."

"… It feels good to fight Magical Beasts to my heart's content. If it's going to be this tame, I'd almost rather be sent to a harsher battlefield."

"Fufu, that's reassuring. Looking forward to it."

… And I had ecchi with all three. Sorry I couldn't go slow and thorough.

"Haa, haa, aah… happy…"

"Naoto… I love you, love you…"

"Haa, haa, Naoto…"

The three who had been holding firm before the battle had melted completely into a daze. Maybe I let them relax too much.

To Fort 4.

"Haru, Patty, Irana."

"Naoto-kun!"

"Naoto-saa～n."

"Naoto-san."

The three clung to me. Soft… feels good…

"Are you all right? How's it going?"

"Yeah, so far we're all right."

"Yes～. Patty's working hard too～."

"I prepared items thoroughly this time, so I'm fine!"

Irana even gave me a crisp salute.

"Yeah, that's reassuring. Keep at it just like this."

I cuddled plenty with the three of them.

To Fort 6.

Suzanne, Saria, and Klara also seemed to be chatting along well.

"Onii-sama!"

"Naoto-chan."

"Naoto-san, good work."

They greeted me politely.

"I wasn't worried about you three, but… are you all right?"

"Yes, we're fine. Leave it to us."

"Suzanne, this is your first time taking part in an attack operation, right?"

"Yes. But Father has told me about it. Saria and Klara have experience too…"

"I was only watching, not directly participating… but Klara is experienced."

"Yes, rely on me. You two are very strong, so it's worth backing you up."

Klara let her confidence show through.

"Yeah, I'm counting on all three of you…"

And then I had ecchi with all three.

"Onii-sama… I'll do my best…"

"Papa…"

"Oh my, Saria, you sweet-talk like that when we have ecchi. Cute."

I was quick, but I enjoyed it thoroughly.

To Fort 7.

Seika, Setsuna, and Leone were at a relatively easy fort, and the three had decent chemistry.

"I wasn't worried since Seika and Setsuna work together, but you're holding up all right?"

"Mn. Seika-san is someone I respect. We're fine."

"I can't help getting a little jealous of Setsuna-chan's musical talent, though.

If I had as much musical talent as Setsuna-chan, I wouldn't have had to struggle so much～."

"Fufu, getting to hear the two of you in concert up close is the best seat in the house."

Leone got along well with everyone, so no issue. With these three I felt secure.

I'd been having ecchi with everyone, but…

I hadn't had ecchi with Seika yet. Was it really okay to casually go for it here?

That was the question, but…

Still, a serious match was about to begin. Layering our skin together at least seemed advisable.

"… Seika. Once this battle ends safely… I want to embrace you."

I knew it was a flag, but I still wanted to say it.

"… Eh, y-yes, yes! Gladly…!

Ah, in that case, no matter what, I'll finish this battle in overwhelming victory! Don't worry, you've got me here!"

Seika seemed to have worked herself incredibly fired up.

Under the moonlight, Seika fully nude was… very beautiful.

I embraced her. Thin waist. Plump breasts and well-fleshed bottom…

I stroked her body intently.

"Ah, aah…"

Seika let out a sweet sigh.

"… Feels good… I thought being touched by a man would only be unpleasant, but…

Being touched by you feels good.

… Surely because I… like you.

… I love you, Naoto… I'm happy I can fight for your sake.

From now on too, from the best seat… listen to my songs."

So she said, and the two of us, nude and embracing, kissed deeply.

Well, I'd had ecchi with Setsuna and Leone, so leaving just one platonic — not sure if that was a good thing or not…

But Seika too seemed fired up.

After this battle ends, with Seika…

Whoa, I got really fired up too! Let's do this!

To Fort 8.

"Kishilia, how's it going?"

"… Fine."

"Moruna-chan, are you doing your best too? Barlin-chan, Girolo-chan, Bumir-chan, thanks for everything."

"… Naoto, if I grow just a bit more, I can probably add one more companion.

… When that happens, I want to go to monster territory together to look for a good monster."

"Yeah, sounds good. Let's definitely go. It's a promise."

I made a pinky promise with Kishilia.

I had ecchi with Kishilia and Moruna-chan. Since it was just the two of them, I spent about 1.5x the usual time.

To Fort 9.

"Lyuka, Sawako, Mira. How's it going?"

"Yes, no issues so far."

"Yes, we have no trouble at all."

"That's right."

The three seemed to be passing the time peacefully.

"Lyuka and Mira are both smart, but normally you don't talk much?"

"Mira-san's intelligence is mathematical… I usually prefer the humanities, like history."

"Mathematical… mine is just being good at calculations. It's not real intelligence. On that point, hearing Lyuka talk is very educational. I want to talk with Lyuka more."

"Is that so. Then, from a book I like…"

I couldn't really follow.

I had fun ecchi with the three.

After that…

"Eve, how's it going?"

"Naoto-sama!"

A-Class 128th, the new Master Eve, looked at me with a tense expression.

"… Yes, I'm fine. So far…"

… Just five.

"Huh, what about the other three?"

"Those three just joined as hired help for the tournament, so… I had them go home.

These five are my original members."

So she really had just slapped them together on the fly. Winning like that was impressive.

"With Eve, even five could make it through the tournament, right?"

"That, honestly, was too few skill uses."

Eve laughed wryly.

The conversation flowed on.

"… You knew about me, huh."

"Of course! Came from another world, on an unstoppable winning streak… took the A-Class Tournament last year and climbed all the way to S-Class — Akai Naoto-sama! I-I'm… your biggest fan! I admire you…!"

So she said, cheeks flushing red, sending me a heated gaze.

Being at max affection from the get-go was a bit embarrassing… But I also got a slight feeling she was looking at something that wasn't really me.

"… A-about the other day, I'm sorry. Suddenly doing that… my feelings just sort of… spilled over…"

So Eve blushed.

"No, it's fine."

"… R-really! … T-then, may I do it… one more time…?"

So Eve asked with moist eyes.

Hmm…

"That's fine, but…"

Chu, chu, kuchu, chu…

Passionate. She extended her tongue into my mouth.

"Aah, Eve-only's not fair! We're big fans of Naoto-sama too!"

"Naoto-sama, Naoto-sama! I'm Holy Warrior Sanna! I have Magical Girl aptitude, so via Eve's power I fight as a Magical Girl alongside her! Please, kiss me too!"

So Sanna demanded brightly and energetically.

"Yeah, that's fine."

She latched onto my lips.

"I'm Tree-Curse Mage Sakura～! We're all fans of Naoto-sama! We admired Naoto-sama and made it here! Kiss us too～!"

So saying, Sakura kissed me without bothering to get permission.

"Dream Fantasist Maya… yes, I-I'm sorry, someone like me… but, a kiss… I'd like…"

This girl was quiet. But going with the flow, she did her best and kissed me.

"Ice Sculptor Helen… I'm not into this or anything! But it's not like I want to be left out either…

Just along for the ride, along for the ride!"

So saying, Helen kissed me.

… She was just bad at being honest. After kissing she looked happy.

For five beautiful girls to be after me out of nowhere like this. Too convenient — the fact that I thought that maybe made me low-class?

Well, I had worked hard up to now, so maybe there was something to be admired.

"Naoto-sama… w-well… if you don't mind, tonight… in our bedroom…"

Eve invited me.

Hmm…

"Right, Eve, do you know Ruria?"

"…"

Pikii…

Eve froze.

"… Ruria, you say?"

A little… her eyes narrowed.

"Yes, I know of her, but is there something about her…?"

Huh, kind of… cold, scary.

"Ah, yeah… I'm on good terms with her too."

"… Is that so…"

"You two are debut-year rivals, right?"

"… That's right."

… Whoa, what is this, super… cold! Where did all the sweetness from before go!?

"Yeah. Well, the rivalry between two beautiful girls is something to look forward to.

I wonder if you'll clash at the next A-Class Tournament."

"…! But she's still D-Class! I'm already A-Class!

True, Ruria's lineage is far above mine! But as a Garumon's aptitude and talent, I am absolutely not inferior to her!

She only has her sister Meifa, but I have four reliable companions like this, and she no longer has a father, while I receive full backing from my father!

My current A-Class versus her D-Class isn't just a result of my debuting first!

This unmistakably shows part of my and her real ability!

… Being put in the same sentence as a D-Class Master is offensive!"

… Whoa… heated.

No, but not bad.

I'd… taken a fresh liking to Eve. This girl was hot-blooded too. Her rivalry against Ruria was bristling fiercely.

Same nobility, same age. By lineage Ruria's far above. They must've been compared in many ways.

This year's newcomers are also the stage for deciding the contest between Ruria and Eve.

"I see… not bad. Rivalry. Splendid."

I praised her.

"What…"

"When Ruria becomes C-Class, I'll have her become my knight."

"Wh… why her! I can be far more useful to you, Naoto-sama!

As a warrior, and as a woman…!"

"Yeah, I'll have you serve me too, as an A-Class Master.

I'll give both of you all the support I can.

… On top of that, I want to watch the two of you decide it."

"… Wh…"

"Embracing you two comes after watching that resolution."

"…!"

I resolved that in my heart.

"… I'm far above Ruria! I'll… prove it. First, watch me in this battle!

… When you decide I'm the better one, please invite me to your bedroom anytime.

I'm always ready to offer everything to you, Naoto-sama!"

So Eve burned with passion.

She seemed fully fired up.

After that, I returned to Fort 5.

"Melvis, sorry. Day one was idle, wasn't it.

… But things were so tame I was at a loss where to dispatch you."

"Well, can't be helped… But likely… today was a portent.

… This attack operation is going to get rough from here."

So Melvis predicted.

"Kanan, Maika, Adelia. Good work today, too."

"Fufu, it's nothing… Being able to fight alongside Naoto without leaving his side is anything but hard."

So Kanan said.

"… Thanks. But tomorrow, if things get tough all over, I may have to focus on command. When that time comes, handle things with just the three of you."

"Leave it to us when that happens. Maika, you're the most level-headed, so you take command, all right?"

"Yes, understood. Let's do our best."

The three had been together a long time, so they read each other's minds. No worries there.

After that, I had thorough ecchi with the three.

Since we could just sleep right after, it got a bit elaborate. Sorry to the others for being so rushed.

"Haa, aah… Naoto… I'm happy…"

"Goshujin-sama…"

"Naoto-kun…"

I'd done it with these four quite a number of times by now… and of course, plenty more to come.

"I'm… happy too…"

I relaxed peacefully.

… Was this the last time I'd get to take it easy?

Well, that added a bit of stake to make it worthwhile. So I thought.