Chapter 30

"Sleena!"

I couldn't help but stop in my tracks. The top-ranked Black Rank adventurer who accompanied us on this training mission appeared before me. She had climbed from somewhere and attacked from high above, stabbing both eyes of the target with her dual blades.

With a swift motion, the twin swords she had plunged into the eyes of Xeno Graybull were twisted and then pulled out. The sensation of the longsword in my hand changed, and it seemed like it could be pulled out. Thank goodness.

"Gr... Gru... Gah...!"

"...Tough, huh...!"

Even with his throat pierced and both eyes stabbed, Xeno Graybull didn't die. The best course of action was to pull out this sword and finish him off.

"Here I go!"

But before I could pull out the sword, Sleena moved again. She held a broadsword in each hand, and while the blades were still embedded in Xeno Graybull's eyes, she rotated her body, using centrifugal force to slash horizontally.

The vibrations of cutting through flesh, bone, and various materials were transmitted to my hands.

What incredible strength and skill. No wonder Black Rank adventurers are in a league of their own. Even if I had been in the same situation and stabbed the target, I doubt I could have transmitted the force as skillfully as she did. I was once again reminded of Sleena's strength. Maybe I wasn't needed after all.

"...Phew..."

I sat down, holding the longsword that had fallen out from the impact. The sword had been plunged deep into the back of the eye and then cut horizontally. No matter how special the target, as a living being, it couldn't avoid death.

"Thanks to the teacher's delay, I was able to take the upper hand easily. Thank you."

"No, no, you don't need to thank me. I couldn't finish it off myself."

Sleena sheathed her twin swords and thanked me. Honestly, I should be the one thanking her. I was able to stab the sword in, but I couldn't pull it out, and I was really prepared to die.

"...Huh?"

I was about to sheath my sword when I noticed that the weight in my hand felt unusually light and the balance was off.

"...Oh..."

It was broken. Cleanly broken in half.

My longsword was neatly broken in the middle.

I understood immediately. The blade must have broken inside Xeno Graybull, which is why the sensation changed and it could be pulled out.

"Sorry, teacher! It's probably because I got involved...!"

"No, no, you don't need to apologize. Sleena's actions were the best."

My sword must have been overpowered by Sleena's broadsword.

My longsword isn't of poor quality, but it's a plain, ordinary sword with no special name. On the other hand, Sleena's weapon looks like a masterpiece. Given the power she used, it's not surprising that my sword broke.

"Don't worry about my sword. More importantly, how is Porta?"

I shifted my gaze from the Xeno Graybull, whose face was a mess and no longer moving, to the cave. There, Nidori and Saricatz were looking at us with shocked expressions, and Porta was leaning against the cave wall.

"He's still alive. If we get him back and let him rest, he should recover eventually."

"That's good. That's the most important thing."

As an adventurer, risk is always present. Therefore, the best outcome for an adventurer is to return alive. At least, that's what I believe. I'm not an adventurer, but...

No one rejoices in a trade-off between life and honor. The most important thing is to return alive from unprecedented crises and uncharted lands.

In that sense, these three were both unfortunate and fortunate.

"Anyway, we're saved. Thank you, Sleena."

I'm really glad Sleena was here. I might not have been able to win alone, and if I had lost, the lives of these three young people with bright futures would have been lost. Just saving them is a big win.

"No, no, it's nothing. More importantly, the teacher's sword..."

"That's fine. This sword was meant to be buried here."

Sleena, who usually has a confident expression, looked down and said hesitantly. She's still worried about it, but it's okay.

I do have some attachment to it, but it's not a special sword.

"Gardnante! Rizandra!"

The threat seems to be over. Nidori, who apparently made the same judgment, ran over while calling out. Saricatz was carrying Porta. We can't just leave him here.

"Nidori, I'm glad you're all safe."

"N-no! T-thank you so much...!"

"Hehe, you're welcome."

Nidori, who was still trembling, said a shaky and hesitant thank you. I didn't protect them for the thanks, but it doesn't feel bad.

Well, the one who really worked hard was Sleena, not me.

However, it's not good to keep them tense. They must be mentally exhausted. We should get back to Baltrain as soon as possible.

"Alright, let's head back. ...Sleena?"

When I suggested leaving the Azalea Forest, Sleena was searching through the remains of Xeno Graybull.

"Since it's a special extermination target, we need to bring back proof of the kill. Fur and... these claws should do."

"I see."

That makes sense. The Adventurer's Guild designated it, so a verbal report wouldn't be enough.

"Huff!"

With a short cry, Sleena swung her weapon at the base of Xeno Graybull's claws. After a hard sound, the claw, cut off at the base, fell to the ground.

"...Quite hard. It could be good material."

"Hmm, that's true."

I've only heard about it, but some adventurers use the materials from the monsters they kill to make their own weapons. I've always used ordinary swords made from common minerals. But that sword broke in the battle just now.

Hmm, not having a sword is unsettling for a swordsman. I need to get a new one when we get back to Baltrain. Maybe I'll visit that blacksmith I went to with Alyssia.

"Maybe we can make a new sword for the teacher from Xeno Graybull's claws."

"No, no, that's yours. I'll pass."