Chapter 56.1 : The Dragon Girl’s Rampage

「Since Stella-chan has her Dragonewt abilities and is equipped with the Mega Shield, I think she should be our〝Tank?.」

「Tank? What is that?」

「It’s vanguard position. It’s the most important role in the party because it’s the one who attracts the enemies’ attention. Also, since you have a greatsword, you can be both Tank and damage dealer - otherwise known as an attacker.」

Stella got a crash course on How To Be A Tank, thanks to Aria and Vulcan. After listening to their explanations about positions and the advantage of fighting as a team, she laughed.

「GUHAHAHA! In that case, leave it to me! So it’ll be okay as long as I’m rampaging in the front line, right? It’s truly the most suitable position for me!! 」

The knowledge that she’d be fighting in the front lines made Stella excited.

She still hesitated to fight unknown enemies but knowing that Tama would protect her kept her at ease.

“Looper? What’s that?” Such became a target killed on sight.

「Nya~~~!　In that case, thanks a lot nya~! 」

「Our party has no tank, so we’re actually being saved by you, Stella-chan.」

Both girls expressed their gratitude to Stella.

Until then all party members, including Tama, were attackers due to the absence of a Tank.

If push came to shove, Tama could fill the Tank role by using 《Iron Body》 and 《Divine Protection of Lion King》 in tandem with his orichalcum armor.

But Aria and Vulcan didn’t know that. Hence why the addition of (supposedly) a Dragonewt was so important to their life.

Vulcan would be able to swing around her battle hammer around without the worry of being attacked.

Aria would make full use of her speed to deliver sneak attacks, while All-Rounder Tama would freely move around the battlefield.

「Well then, you’ll head first to battle as our vanguard, Stella-chan… Fufufu, take a look. An appropriate enemy just appeared for us, you know? 」

Aria turned around while she spoke and stared ahead with a daring smile.

From beyond the dark passage, a new enemy headed toward them.

『BUHI………』

By sound alone, it was possible to identify it.

It was the bipedal pig, the Orc.

There were five of them.

Though it was quite rare to see several Orcs at once while in this shallow floor, they appeared at just the right time.

It was the best chance to test their teamwork with the addition of their Tank-cum-Attacker, Stella.

「GUHAHAHA! COME AT ME, PORKY!! 」

Stella taunted her opponents by beating on her shield with her greatsword.

The sound made by hitting the black iron equipment together resounded in the area.

Despite their initial interest in the three ladies being based on their preferences, the Orcs’ gazes ended up entirely focused on Stella because of the noise.

「BUHIIIIIIIIIIII! ! 」

「BUMOOOOOO!　BUMOOOO! 」

All of them went after Stella simultaneously.

Apparently, they got angry when Stella called them “Porky”.

Two of the Orcs held stone axes, while the other three came at her barehanded.

The first to arrive had a stone axe and it promptly swung it at Stella.

Orcs are huge and have extraordinary strength. Common armor would not withstand even one swing of that axe. The stone coupled with their incredible strength would destroy it.

However, this girl didn’t have common equipment.

「Hm, THIS IS WHY YOU’RE A PORKY!! 」

The Orc’s attack was blocked by the Mega Shield. Despite the violent clashing sound between the axe and the shield, she didn’t budge at all.

As expected of someone who could turn parts of her body into that of a dragon’s.

「IT’S MY TURN!! 」

The poor creature couldn’t comprehend how a small girl had defended its attack. The said girl couldn’t care less if it was shocked or not, she raised her greatsword and attacked the Orc.

A shower of blood followed the Orc’s agonized scream.

「BUBYAAAAAAA――!!??」

The source was the Orc’s shoulders.

Its hands were cut by Stella’s great sw—— no, it was more appropriate to say they were torn by Stella’s violent swing. In fact, her attack should have torn apart the shoulder all the way to its heart.

But she had attacked from a defensive position. Her attack power dropped considerably and managed to only tear an arm off.

In any case, the Orc that should have died painlessly was now suffering tremendous pain after losing an arm.

『BUGIII………… GIIIIIIII………! 』

The sword digging into its shoulder made the Orc scream in anguish.

The other four stopped moving and stared in awe at Stella’s display of strength.

『BUHIIIIIIII!! 』

The armless Orc screamed again and, to everyone’s shock, turned around and ran away. It did not seem to care about the pain it felt, the Orc focused only on escaping.

「WHA!? YOU’RE TURNING YOUR BACK ON YOUR ENEMY!? YOU’RE A MONSTER! LOOK AT YOU ACTING LIKE A PUSSY! WAIT UP RIGHT THERE!! 」

While she cussed the fleeing enemy, Stella conveniently forgot she was a former monster.

She ended up leaving the battlefield, abandoning her party as she chased after the escaping Orc.

「Stella-chan! You can’t leave your post! 」

「Just leave that pig who deserted the battle nya~!! 」

Aria and Vulcan tried to shout after Stella, trying to make her return.

It was a pointless effort. As a former monster, Stella wouldn’t heed anything that tried to control her hunting instinct.