The Beginning of Nightmare

After Chigi, the representative gave his greetings, and the festival began with each representative announcing the start together.

Since management duties had been taken care of, currently the three of us, me, Shar, and Chato were participating in the opening program in the plaza.

Tama, the female sheep cat wore strange attire while hopping on a ball, at the same time, a young female high ogre showed her sword skills.

「Both Tama and the high ogre are equally skilled.」

That kind of dexterous performance was too much for a human like me. No, I did recall in my vague memories that a certain human could accomplish the same performance.

「According to Org, the only one who can accomplish such a performance is a female ogre, the body of male ogre isn't flexible enough for that. Well, that should be the same as us.」

Said Chato as his line of sight was locking on Tama who was performing a dance.

「Hee, does that mean the woman of your tribe are also more skillful than the men?」

「Well, at least such acrobatic feat is impossible for me.」

Here I thought that Chato could perform such a feat too with his nimble body but, I guess it was an overstatement.

「And yet, why I couldn't do that at all?」

Shar asked with a dumbfounded face but,

「Well, it's simply because you're too stupid.」

Chato replied in a teasing manner.

「Buu~, objection!」

When I caressed the head of the pouting Shar,

「There's a martial arts tournament on the side, right?」

I decided to change the topic of our conversation. I mean, though the pouting Shar was so adorable, she wouldn't speak at all in that state. All her redeeming features were overshadowed by that pouting.

「Oh right. The one who fights right now should be the master of Cyclone and Org. Shall we go to watch their match?」

「Yeah.」

We headed toward the nearby huge building while raising our right arm toward Tama.

Amidst the chorus of yells that shook the air and ground beneath my feet, an ogre and a one-eyed giant fought fiercely on top of a round stone arena in the center of the building.

「Oooh, they're already starting.」

Looking at those two, it seems they were almost equal in terms of abilities. And seeing the feverish atmosphere in the stadium, it was a completely heated match for sure.

We sat on the spectator seat and started to see the unfolding match.

「Just as expected I guess―― It really is low-level fight.」

The moment I heard those out-of-place remarks for this situation, I turned my head toward the direction of that voice, I saw the figure of a red-haired woman with pair of wings on her back, and standing by her side was a black-haired freckled youth, his forelocks were long enough to cover his eyes.

　――THROB!

My head was assailed by a sharp pain akin to a pile driven into it. At the same time, I felt that the scenery around me was distorted,

I saw the figure of eight years old freckles youth chasing after my back and then,

――I have no need for incompetent knights. Kill him!

The figure of me as that lowlife in my dream was linked with the scene that I saw a while ago.

「――Tle」

「GUH…」

I pressed my head, desperately enduring the head-splitting headache,

""

「Gil?」

Shar who sat beside me was looking at me with a worried look on her face.

That moment, my headache vanished as if it never existed, and my field of vision cleared up again.

Those winged pairs should be members of the Garuta tribe. Just like sheep cats, some of the members of the Garuta tribe had the head of a human instead of a bird. Well, I guess it was just a mere coincidence that they had the same face.

And yet, I felt a strong sense of deja vu the moment I saw the face of the freckled youth. Rather, he seems to be a dear person to me. Though it felt like a deja vu, let's try to call him to clear up the situation.

「I'm okay.」

I caressed Shar's hair to calm her down and just when I stand up to call the pair,

「Excu――」

And just when I was about to call the pair of boy and girl from Garuta tribe――

――KANKANKAN!

The loud sound of chime reverbrated in the air.

Many people stood up at once, looking in the direction of the northern gate. When I matched their gaze and looked to the sound, from the communication magic tool installed on the ceiling,

『ALERT! ALERT! IT'S THE RAID OF THE DEMON KING ARMY!! THEY'RE COMING!』

The impatient scream from the youth of Garuta tribe who happen to be on look-out duty resounded in the building.

That announcement caused a huge uproar in the entire building.

「GIL!」

Chato called me wth impatient look that I had never seen before.

「Cyclon and Org, go and gather the other chiefs to gather in the war room ASAP!」

『Right away!』

『...』

The duo nodded and ran amidst the chaotic situation.

「Chato and Shar, please guide the citizen of this city to the shelter!」

「Roger!」

「Okay! Do your best too!」

After the two of them nodded,

「EVERYONE, ATTENTION PLEASE! FOLLOW ME, WE WILL HEAD TO THE SHELTER!」

Chato shouted loudly.

「WE WILL GUIDE YOU TO SHELTER!」

Shar swinging her hands above her head to gain the attention of the people in the building.

The rest is up to them. Now I had to go do my own duty.

First, start by trying to understand the situation. With my running speed, it wouldn't take few minutes to arrive at the north gate if I ran from this place. I should use this moment to understand the situation.

Thus, I ran at full speed toward the north gate.