MV – Chapter 121: Weeding and the Minor Villain

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A few minutes before the assault on the botanical garden…

The heavy armored infantry carrier, Snow Rabbit, had stopped in front of the sturdy walls of the botanical garden. People around were buzzing, wondering if it was a new model of the national military, but the Snow Rabbit was illegally parked without concern for their comments.

“Hey, is it really necessary to storm the botanical garden?” (Lanpeach)

“Yes, there are numerous life signs inside the garden. The only way to rescue them is to break in with the Snow Rabbit. I know you would prefer to take things slow and easy, Pla-san, but this is urgent.” (Mira)

Sitting in the driver’s seat of the armored vehicle, which looked like the bridge of a spaceship, Lanpeach nervously surveyed the scene while asking the girl standing beside him, Mira. She answered with her usual touch of sarcasm.

In fact, when Mira had contacted Lanpeach to board the Snow Rabbit, he had found her already inside, waiting for him.

“Soldier, there are so many flowers. The petals flying everywhere are so pretty! Are we going to have a flower viewing?” (Libra)

“Those petals are slicing through the stone briars and machinery like paper. That’s a Blade Flower, right? Why’s it so powerful?” (Lanpeach)

They saw complete chaos after hacking into the Tateno family’s security cameras to view the interior of the garden.

The flowers scattering their petals were Blade Flowers, monsters with windmill-like petals. They were supposed to be low-level monsters, yet they were effortlessly slicing through soldiers equipped with high-performance spirit armor.

The Blade Flowers Lanpeach knew shouldn’t have been that strong. What on earth had happened?

“Those are real monsters, created by the Harkein Corporation’s Devil Seeds. They produce terrifyingly powerful creatures. Their degraded versions pale in comparison.”

“Analysis initiated—whoosh!” (Libra)

[Blade Flower: Level 6]

[Claymore Sunflower: Level 6]

The analysis results displayed on the screen when Libra pointed at the monsters on the monitor. Lanpeach’s eyes widened after seeing the levels, and he leaned forward in his chair.

“Level 6?! Level 6, like those Spirits we encountered before?! Isn’t that way too strong?!” (Lanpeach)

“Indeed. At Level 6, defeating even a few of them would require the entire military force of this region. This is the level of power we’re dealing with.” (Mira)

“Just say it outright! They don’t stand a chance! Do you see how many there are?!” (Lanpeach)

Mira casually explained, but Lanpeach started to panic, realizing the gravity of the situation. That way of panicking was fitting of a minor villain.

This is natural since, on the monitor, the monsters were swarming as if to overwhelm with numbers. It looked like a premonition of the Surface District’s end.

“That’s why we will solve everything-usa! The Rabbit Cannon will— We will do it seriously-usa.”

Admiral Bunny, being held by the ears and dangling from Mira’s hand, reluctantly adjusted its commands.

“Prepare for unit deployment-usa! Magyo squad, get ready for deployment!” 

“Roger that-usa! Everyone, suit up in Rabbit Armor and load up on magazines-usa!”

“Operator, confirm the density of spirit dust inside the garden and share the terrain and enemy positions with all units-usa!”

“Got it-usa ne. This and this, and…I will eat carrots in my break-usa.”

Admiral Bunny tapped away at the monitor with its fluffy paws. When serious, this rabbit was a surprisingly capable admiral. It is not an admiral for nothing. Its small rabbit hands moving around was cute, which doesn’t look militaristic though.

The soldiers put on their gear, while the operator bunny munched on a carrot stick as they manipulated the panels. Other operators, enviously eyeing the carrot, took bites from the side, starting a small squabble.

The sight of the bunnies hopping around, busily preparing, created an atmosphere entirely devoid of tension before the upcoming battle. 

Meanwhile, Libra casually flipped through a manga, and Mira checked the item list, both displaying a suspicious degree of calm.

However, the operator bunnies soon reported back even as they were bickering.

“The concentration of spirit dust is high-usa. Also, breaking the wall might activate emergency defense sensors.”

“Hmm, that could be a real nuisance…” (Mira)

“Right, that could definitely complicate things… You know, that thing.” (Lanpeach)

“Exactly, that thing. This could get tricky.” (Libra)

Mira frowned in thought. Lanpeach and Libra, eager to look knowledgeable, nodded along, despite having no idea what she was talking about. 

Lanpeach’s ignorance was understandable, but even Libra seemed clueless. Was that really okay?

“Spirit ore bullets might trigger the defense sensors. Tete, give instructions to the troops.” (Mira)

“Roger-usa. Sergeant Maa, collect all the magazines from the troops-usa.”

Mira acted as the commanding officer with a swift motion, and the Admiral Bunny immediately adjusted the orders for the Magyo squad.

However, the soldiers of the Magyo squad, who had just finished gearing up, squealed in protest.

“We’re heading right into enemy territory! If we give up our magazines, we’re gonna die-usa yo!”

“Yeah, yeah. We’ll be fine as long as we avoid any reactors-usa yo.”

“Mimi is just gonna nap in Boss’s hoodie.”

“No. This botanical garden is too close to the Harkein Base underground. If the sensors are triggered here, it could wake the soldiers sleeping in the Harkein time-stop capsules.” (Mira)

Mira’s face was uncharacteristically serious. This must be actually dangerous.

“Yeah, we can’t afford that. Triggering the sensors would be… You know, that thing.” (Lanpeach)

“Uh-huh, that thing. It would be really dangerous.” (Libra)

The two idiots continued their empty agreement, not comprehending the seriousness of the situation.

“Pla-san agrees as well. I authorize the use of flamethrowers for this mission. Use them to deal with the threats.” (Mira)

Mira’s stern expression left Sergeant Maa with no choice but to collect all the magazines from the soldiers, storing them in a Dimension Pouch. 

However, after handing over the gear, one of the bunnies shrugged and grinned mischievously, secretly distributing spare magazines to the others behind Mira’s back. They had no intention of following her orders.

Even though it was plainly visible on the monitor, Mira calmly ignored it. They are distributing them in order and are so innocent as to give some for the sergeant as well, so there’s no timeline where it wouldn’t be discovered.

“Uh, Mira-san? Is that…okay?” (Lanpeach)

“I’ve issued the correct orders as a support character. I trust the soldiers to follow them. If anything irregular happens, it will likely lead to a new quest, so I’m not too worried.” (Mira)

Looks like Mira didn’t mind the enemy detecting them from the very beginning.

“That’s a trick to slip through the strict regulations on support characters, right?! The rule is that support characters aren’t allowed to interfere with their Master, but by making the Master ‘want it’ with actions such as showing a glimpse of one’s chest while eating or lounging around in bed with one’s skirt flipped up, you can avoid triggering the restrictions.” (Libra)

“Couldn’t you come up with loopholes that sound a bit cooler? The way you put it makes me sound like a total pervert.” (Lanpeach)

(I see. So that’s why Libra, despite being a support character, is always lazing around and eating and sleeping whenever she feels like it. She’s been using a loophole like that all along. Fine, please continue slacking off as much as you want from now on.) (Lanpeach)

“This is the Magyo Squad. We’re all set-usa!” 

“Alright, let’s charge! Everyone, grab onto something and make sure not to hit your heads!” (Mira)

Mira forcefully pushed the lever, and the Snow Rabbit shot forward. It slammed into the wall of the botanical garden, which was supposed to be solid, but shattered through it with a violent tremor and stormed inside.

The thick magical wall crumbled like blocks. The armored vehicle crushed the debris beneath its wheels as it entered. 

A shower of blood-soaked petals whirled through the air inside the botanical garden, where many people were already injured.

“Charge towards those soldiers. Become their shield!” (Mira)

“Yes, be the shield!” (Lanpeach)

The minor villain echoed Mira’s command in an attempt to maintain his authority.

“Full speed ahead-usaaa!”

The rabbit at the wheel stomped on the accelerator, and the Snow Rabbit charged toward the soldiers, who were on the verge of being sliced apart. The Snow Rabbit intervened just before the blade-like petals could strike the soldiers, using its armor to block the attack.

“Alright, Magyo Squad, deploy!” (Lanpeach)

“Boom! Let’s go!” (Libra)

Lanpeach shouted at high speed before Mira could even give her orders, and Libra pointed forward.

“Roger that. Magyo Squad, move out-usa!”

“I can just burn down everything, right?”

“Where’s the nozzle for the flamethrower-usa?”

“Good luck out there~.”

The Magyo Squad popped out of the roof hatch, carrying flamethrowers, and pulled the triggers, unleashing flames in every direction. One of the rabbits was waving from inside Lanpeach’s hoodie though. Does that mean Mimi isn’t part of the Magyo Squad?

“Usa! Torch all the plants-usa yo!”

Sergeant Maa twitched its nose and continued spraying flames, burning everything to ashes. The flurry of petals turned into a storm of fire, and the Blade Flowers, which hadn’t even been scratched by the soldiers’ attacks, were effortlessly consumed by the flames, turning to ash.

“Today, I’m Lanpeach the Weeding Hunter. If you want to evacuate, I’ll be taking an escort fee. What do you say?” (Lanpeach)

Lanpeach stepped outside, showing a sly grin as he addressed the bewildered soldiers with a creepy ‘ukekeke’ laugh.

“You can’t just omit things. I’m Mira, a galactic bounty hunter that achieves requests cheap and safely, and a weeder today. Just for today, we are running the cheap price of all the money you have in your pocket and your cards, and we will make sure you get out safely. How about it?” (Mira)

The rear hatch of the Snow Rabbit opened, and more rabbits rolled out, joining the fight.

“Good grief, I’ll have to think about the contract details later, but for now, I will let you board. Abandon all your equipment and get inside the armored vehicle!” (Lanpeach)

Mana was the first to take action, rushing in with the researchers. The soldiers looked at each other, then glanced at the rabbits who were effortlessly burning down the monsters that their own weapons couldn’t even scratch. 

Then they nodded to one another and made a break for the vehicle.

“Retreat! Everyone, retreat!” 

The soldiers hurried aboard the armored vehicle, and just as Lanpeach was about to step outside, thinking it was his turn to shine……

“We’re pulling out. After we move the escorts to safety, we can make another attack. Plus, it looks like we can collect a contract fee from them.” (Mira)

He was suddenly yanked by the scruff of his neck.

“And shouldn’t you be leaving the little girl on your feet?” (Mira)

“My feet?” (Lanpeach)

“Kyaaa~, Papa-shan caught me.” (Koume)

Koume gave him an innocent ‘tehehe’ smile while clinging to his leg.

Koume had stuck herself to Lanpeach’s feet. It seems she followed along somehow.

“You little troublemaker. It’s dangerous, so you can’t just come along like that.” (Lanpeach)

“I wanted to be with Papa-shan.” (Koume)

Lanpeach gently patted her head and Koume giggled happily. Papa Lanpeach couldn’t get angry at his cute daughter.

The Snow Rabbit backed up, shot out of the botanical garden, and escaped the academy premises.

[Rescue the people from the botanical garden: Cleared. Gained 20,000 EXP.]

A notification popped up, declaring the unexpected completion of a quest. Why, though?

“We did it. Retreating counted as a separate quest, it seems. We got 50,000 —ahem, 20,000 EXP, Pla-san.” (Mira)

“As expected of Mira. Thank you for using your tricks. But… didn’t you just say something weird? Libra, do you know anything about that?” (Lanpeach)

Did she say something outrageous just now?

“Forget about that. We should launch another attack right away. Look at that!” (Libra)

A long, tissue-like monster emerged from the hole they’d made in the botanical garden and started scattering small seeds as its body ruptured. The scattered seeds sprouted immediately, quickly growing into a lush, green carpet. The speed of growth was shocking.

“This definitely gives me a bad feeling. Alright, let’s prepare for a second attack—” (Lanpeach)

“Woah there, that would be troubling.” 

“…What are you trying to pull?” (Lanpeach)

Just as Lanpeach was about to give instructions, disturbed by the abnormal growth of the plants, Yoroizuka Toko, the thunder protagonist, stepped forward from among the evacuees, pointing his gun at them.

“This is a matter for the Surface District. From now on, the noble houses will act to settle the situation. We ask you to refrain from interfering.” (Toko)

Toko directed his words at them with a wicked grin that didn’t suit a protagonist.

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