"...huh,"

　Ray, who looks around and exhales without thinking.
　That won't do. What we see all around us is a wilderness. And the thin snow. The sky is covered as if it had been covered with clouds, and there is a piercing cold wind blowing. a perfect winter scene It's Ray and his partner, Seto, who are in such a place. And...

"Don't let out a sigh, sir," I'd like to breathe out, too."
"No, I think it's no use crying out when I was forced to take over the punitive order by you."
"Gurgling".

　In the face of Ray and Rodos' eyes, Seto was running about in the wilderness of winter in high spirits.

(I thought that dogs and cats would be curled up in the snow, but in Seto's case it was a Gryphon, so you don't have to count them?)

　On the previous day, the leader of the Rank A party, Elk, proud of the town of Gilm, decided that Rodos and Ray were going to kill him, but they came to the wilderness a few hours away from the town of Gilm with Rodos because they were reluctant to accept the delicious killing request.

"Blue Caterpillar," Rank C Monster?

　Rei mutters the name of the monster to be knocked down by this request with her sigh again.
　a blue caterpillar As its name suggests, it is a caterpillar-like monster, but it prefers cold places and uses water and wind magic. They are also very fierce carnivorous monsters, especially because they prefer human flesh. It is equivalent to Rank D if you think purely of combat power, but it is treated as Rank C because of its ferocity. The proof of subjugation is the right antennae on the forehead, and the only material that can be peeled off is tusks. Despite the high risk, the taste is low.
　That's how I recall the knowledge of Blue Caterpillar that I looked into after I was forced to accept this request yesterday.
　Not many adventurers like to be commissioned at this time of year, and most of the active adventurers are looking for money to spend the winter. Under these circumstances, it is very unlikely that anyone would like to request the subjugation of monsters such as Blue Caterpillar, which are at high risk and have little flavor, or rank C, and which are relatively high-ranking monsters. For that reason, the guild could say that this proposal from Elk was a cross-border ship.

"Moreover, at least six of us have been sent to hunt,"
"Why, he has the ability to beat the Oak King, and a Blue Caterpillar would be no problem."
"Well, I'm sure," I have no problem with the cold."

　Ray says, turning his eyes to Rodos.
　There was Rodos wearing a coat over his usual leather armor and a robe over it.

"…To be honest, I envy you. As for the cold, but for me, it's a little slow to move because of my thick clothes, your equipment, which requires only one robe, is honestly a mouthpiece. ... by the way, that robe. Are you willing to sell it?"
"No, not at all,"

　Rey immediately shakes her head at Rodos' question.

"Well, I suppose," Even if I have it, I probably won't think of selling it. ...let's look for Blue Caterpillar earlier than that. Have you ever fought?"
"No, it's just the knowledge I've looked into in the book. What about you?"
"I'm not myself, but I've seen my father and mother fighting. That said, it's a battle as a Rank A adventurer. It was just like a clean-up, so it's not helpful."
"Then how can we find it?"

　While Ray and Rodos are talking, Ray turns to Seto, who was running around chasing the snow that began to fall again.
　Rodos nods silently, looking at such a set.
　You might feel insecure about one person and one of them and say you're looking for a blue caterpillar. And in fact, Rodos is one of the best adventurers in Rank C, and it's possible if you want to. Nevertheless, Ray and Sett were left in charge only because they knew their fighting power. Rodos has some confidence in his fighting power, but he still has to answer when asked if he can defeat the Oak King that Ray once defeated in the Oak village. The wall between Rank C and B is that thick.

"Seto, look for a Blue Caterpillar in the sky. It's literally a huge blue-colored caterpillar-like monster, so I don't think it's difficult to find."
"Roll-roll-roll-roll!"

　Rae's voice screams high, flaps her wings as she runs after the snow.
　Looking up at the situation from below, as the excellent scout, Seto, is gone, Ray takes his death size out of Mistilling and stands ready to deal with any surprise.
　Rodos also pulled his longsword out of the sheath of his waist and watched the surroundings.

"Well, how many small fish do you think I have to deal with before I see the Blue Caterpillar?"

　Rodos asks Ray with a long sword, but Ray shakes his head slightly.

"It won't take long to find a Blue Caterpillar as long as Sett goes on a reconnaissance mission. But that's the number that matters. Basically, they don't seem to act as a group, so it might be difficult for a set of six in a row."
"... Is Seto such a good scout? I seem to be hated as always."

　Perhaps his first impression of attacking the oak settlement was bad, but for a friendly set he would not approach Rodos. They ignore Rodos even if he approaches them. I guess it's all right not to take an aggressive stance.

"Well, you'll soon get used to it." We have no choice but to take time."
`... whoop,'

　Even Rodos was not happy to be hated so much, even though it was his own fault.
　When we're talking like that...

"Roll-rolling.

　Seto, the subject of conversation, flaps his wings and descends to the earth.

"... by any chance, have you found it.

　Rodos mutters, but Seto rubs his head against Ray as if he hadn't heard it.
　The gesture showed admiration and admiration.

"Well, well, Seto is excellent. And where is the Blue Caterpillar?"
"Glu".

　When asked, patting Sett on the back, he turned his gaze diagonally to the right as seen from Ray.

"Well, over there," What shall we do now?"
"What are you going to do?"
"So it's a way to knock him down. This request was originally made to get rid of what you call "the Seven Lights of My Parents." Then, I think it's worth trying alone? I'm not proud of it, but my fighting power is known to know. Even if you fight with me and accomplish your request, will there still be bad rumors in that direction?"
"Don't be silly. I'm sure I've been commissioned... I understand why I've been commissioned, but I'm not going to take risks even though I'm armed. We should make good use of our available military strength. And if there's someone to say something like that, I guess he's just that. Where do you need to be concerned about someone who doesn't speak his own ability and can only express envy toward others? ... Well, maybe that's why my mom and dad let me accept this request. Or perhaps there were very few adventurers who would accept the Blue Caterpillar's request to kill him, and that would be a good opportunity."Ray looks at Rodos with admiration.
　Contrary to her mother's mother Min, she was a little surprised to think that she could calm down in her adventurer's judgment.

"What is that eye?" I know what you're thinking, but I still have some experience as a Rank C adventurer. I don't think I'm trying to make a mistake in my judgment based on my humble personal feelings."
"Oh, I'm sorry. Honestly, you underestimated me."
"Well, then that's all right. I'll be right there."

　Rodos, slightly displeased by Ray's apology, snuffles and walks in the direction Seto was looking at.
　After Rodos, Ray and Sett follow him.
　Then I started walking for about 30 minutes. Eventually we find ourselves burying in the wilderness.
　It's the Blue Caterpillar, which is the goal of the Rays. It certainly looks like a caterpillar with a blue body color, as the name suggests. But...

"It's blue, indeed, but... blue is blue, but it's disgusting blue."
"I'm sure,"

　Rodos also agrees with a wry smile to Ray's words.
　Blue Caterpillar's body color was blue, or something of a biological blue, which I could describe as glamorous, which makes me want to refrain from touching just by looking at it.
　Maybe Blue Caterpillars have found the lays, but they quickly shorten the distance by stretching and contracting to eat the flesh of their favorite human being. Originally, caterpillars are generally slow to move around, but it could not have been communicated to the monster Blue Caterpillar, so it was very fast to shorten the distance. Perhaps the ferocity is clouding his eyes, or he continues without a trace of concern about the presence of Seto, a glyphon.

`You don't think you think Gryphon is your food,'
"Well, given his ferocity, there is a possibility of it said. And what about you?"

　When asked whether he would play avant-garde or avant-garde, Ray tries to open his mouth... suddenly turns his eyes to the death size he holds in his hand.

"Rodos, I'd like to give it a try. If everything goes well, we should be able to fight with a certain reduction in his danger. Is that all right?"
"Huh? I can only play avant-garde, so I don't care if his danger is reduced."
"All right, then wait a minute."

　Return it to Rodos and put his death size in a mistling. Instead, they took out a spear whose ear tip and handle were dyed dark green. Yes, it's a thorn spears I got paid for transporting relief supplies to Barr's city.

"...how many magic items do you have?"

　At a glance, Ray's thorn spears must have been recognized as powerful magic items of magic. Rodos muttered somewhat dumbfoundedly.

"I've only just got this one," It's a reward for the city of Barr. But don't miss the chance to cut me."

　Ray puts magic into the spear of a thorn while watching Blue Caterpillar approaching 10m.

"Well, who are you talking to?" Don't forget that I'm still ranked higher."
"Then shall I show you the ability that you deserve?"

　With his words, the thorn spears fired by Ray's monstrous powers flew like arrows fired by a skilled archer, cutting through the air... in the next moment they buried the tip of their ears in the body of Blue Caterpillar. And

"Gummoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

　Blue Caterpillar screams at his suddenly crippled body. Many layers of thorns had sprung up from the point where the thorns had pierced them, and they had completely stopped moving. The thorns that sprout from the body dive into the ground and become even more motionless. Rather, the thorns of the thorns hurt the more you move.

"All right!"

　When Rodos saw it, he saw it as an opportunity, and with his longsword in his hand he kicked the ground and made room for it. . . .

"Oh my gosh!

　The next moment the blue caterpillar's voice reverberates, Rodos leaps sideways. At the same time, something goes past where Rodos had been for a moment.
　Ray also reflexively evades Rodos's movements as he runs in front of him.
　Then I could see something thin and transparent passing by the ray and flying in the wrong direction.

(Wind Arrow's kind!)

"Be careful, I'm using the magic of the wind,"
"I know!"

　Responding to Ray's voice, Rodos had already caught Blue Caterpillar in the meantime.

"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!"

　Shake the longsword loudly with a shout of spirit...the next moment something transparent plays in front of the Blue Caterpillar, and Rodos' face is slightly distorted by the impact.

(Something transparent...or wind barrier?)

"Rodos! Windy..."
"I know! It's my first time fighting this, but I've seen my fathers fight several times. You did your job. It's my turn!"

　Screaming, he made a slight leap backward to avoid a blow to the foot that would be shaken even if he couldn't move. distance oneself out of the blue caterpillar interval And

"The wind barrier is vulnerable to point attacks, isn't it? Father would break it with all his might. . . . . . . . . . . . . . ."

　Rodos muttering, breathing and concentrating his magical powers.
　As long as his mother was an astute wizard, Rodos had a certain amount of magical power. Still, he takes the warrior style because the qualities of his father, Elk, were inherited higher. Rodos's inner hand, though magical, manipulative. That's...

"Fang Penetration!"

　The magic thrust that came with the words broke through the wind barrier that Blue Caterpillar had put up... and just to tear the body apart and scatter the fluid all around.