Chapter 69

After thoroughly enjoying Jitaro's slapstick comedy, we set out from Golden Dawn.

"Reidock, which route are we taking?"

"The west would be good."

Indeed. I agree with heading west.

The north of Golden Dawn is a vast river where the opposite bank can't be seen, and we have a general idea of the situation to the east and south.

Incidentally, the old Golden Dawn, the Zayed settlement, is located to the southeast.

"Right, I think that's best too."

"It's settled, then."

The granary area is slightly to the west of the south, and since that area is open, there's no need for an urgent investigation.

Based on the above, we decided to head straight through the forest that extends to the northwest.

In other words, we would be advancing through a forest where there is still hardly any human traffic.

"I'll take care of the forest! Hey! Camille! Let's walk at the front together!"

Jitaro immediately called out to Camille, the second daughter of the Casper sisters, a quiet swordsman.

Whether it's because he doesn't learn or because he's tough, I'm not sure.

Eva, the eldest sister, gave Jitaro a cold stare, but Camille nodded silently and moved to the front with Jitaro.

...She's a girl whose emotions are hard to read.

"Then, let's take the rear with Reifan."

Soral, Reidock's lover and a ranger, invited Reifan.

"Sure!"

As Reifan responded enthusiastically, Reidock called out to the remaining members.

"Alright, Moda and I will take the front, so let's move with the mages at the center."

"Got it."

We started moving, but Eva soon called out.

"Hey! Hey! You're going too fast! Please slow down a bit!"

"Huh? You won't get tired with a stamina potion, right?"

"There are limits! If we run at the speed of a galloping horse, it's really tough!"

"Ah, right. You haven't been in Golden Dawn long enough to build up that stamina."

"Are you always moving at this pace!?"

"Of course not."

"Oh, right, that makes sense."

Since the mages were clustered in the center of the formation, I, who was near Eva, answered. It seems the pace was a bit too fast for her.

Eva looked relieved, but I wanted her to understand the standards of Golden Dawn, so I added:

"Usually, we move even faster."

"Wh-what!?"

Stamina potions allow you to move without fatigue for regular exercise or moderately strenuous activities, but if you continue with near-maximum effort, you will eventually feel tired.

Additionally, it has recently been discovered that at Reidock's level, the potions are less effective. Specifically, the recovery power of the potions can't keep up with the fatigue from their advanced techniques.

"If it's just Reidock's party, they move even faster."

"Are you kidding?"

"No, I'm serious."

Leaving Eva speechless, I asked Reidock to slow down the pace. Even then, it was still a bit fast for Eva, but this level of continuous exertion would help her get closer to the standards of Golden Dawn adventurers more quickly.

"Still, at this pace in the forest, won't we miss any enemies?"

"Jitaro's here, so it's fine."

"Wait, him?"

"Yeah. I admit his first impression isn't great, but he's reliable in the forest."

As I said this, I looked at Jitaro.

"——So, it's not an exaggeration to say that my bow finished off the dragon!"

"......"

"......"

Unaware of Eva's icy gaze, Jitaro continued to passionately sell himself to Camille as he led the way.

Sorry, he really is reliable. Probably. Definitely. Hopefully.

I was wondering if there would be a chance to clear his name when Jitaro suddenly stopped.

"Enemies ahead."

With Jitaro's single word, the relaxed atmosphere we had been in suddenly turned tense.

Reidock immediately instructed everyone to gather.

"Jitaro, it's up to you."

"Leave it to me."

Jitaro disappeared into the depths of the forest alone.

"Is he going to be okay?"

"Just watch."

After a while, Jitaro quietly returned to report.

"There are six orcs ahead."

"Orcs!? We haven't even been a day away from the city... Oh, right, we've traveled quite a distance. ...My senses are getting skewed. What do we do? Should we avoid them?"

Orcs are dangerous monsters with a demonic appearance and bulging muscles. While not as strong as cyclopes, they often form small groups and have a violent temperament.

Their magic stones are of good quality, but since they don't provide other valuable materials, they are not popular targets for quests.

For novice adventurers, they are undoubtedly formidable enemies that must be avoided.

Eva looked anxious, but Reidock shook his head slightly.

"Huh? We just need to defeat them. Orcs, no big deal."

Reidock's casual response made Eva's expression turn serious.

"Then, let us handle it."

"Three of you?"

"Yes. You should know our strength, right?"

"That's true. But..."

"Besides, if you're that confident, you'll help us if we're in danger, right?"

"Of course."

Reidock nodded reassuringly, but for some reason, Eva's expression became even more serious.

"Understood. We'll show you our strength. Camille, Marilyn, let's go."

"Three of you? Wouldn't it be better if we all go together?"

Marilyn, the priestess, stood calmly in front of Eva.

"The adventurers in this city might be a bit overconfident because they defeated a dragon. Teammates who can't gauge their own strength will just be a burden."

"Hmm..."

Eva was clearly laying out her thoughts, even though she knew we could hear her.

Reidock and I exchanged glances but just smiled wryly.

In fact, it would be helpful to know their strength at this stage.

"Alright. The orcs are yours, Caspers. Is that okay?"

"Yes. Let's go. Both of you."

"Let's do our best."

Marilyn was the only one who responded, but Camille nodded and took the lead.

It seems she also serves as a scout.

She's a swordsman, but more of a ranger type. She wields dual short swords.

"Craft."

Reidock whispered to me.

"I think they have the strength, but it's a bit risky. I'll step in if anything happens."

"Got it. Leave it to me."

I held a new potion bottle between my fingers and followed behind them.

◆

"Flame Bolt!!!"

The first attack came from the mage, Eva.

A scorching fire bolt struck the largest and strongest-looking orc.

Eva's magic was indeed powerful. That single hit inflicted enough damage to render the orc combat-ineffective. Indeed, the rumors about the Casper sisters seem to be true.

"Huh!"

The one who lunged forward was, of course, Camille.

She delivered a powerful silent attack to an orc that was confused by the sudden magic, from behind. However, orcs are tough. It didn't knock it down, but it inflicted a deep wound on its neck, though not a fatal one.

"Hmm, 'Dark Dance of the Twin Blades'"

An unknown sword technique created numerous cuts on the orc's body, which was roaring wildly. It was a flurry of attacks, but each cut was deep. It was a very powerful technique.

The orc, hit by the attack, rolled on the ground. Camille ignored it and moved to the next target. Her movements were very practiced.

Orcs are not weak enemies; they are formidable.

Her ability to handle them without fear shows that her strength exceeds the rumors.

The next target, an orc, noticed Camille charging in despite its confusion and raised its massive club.

Eva immediately cast a spell.

"Thousand Needles!!!"

Hundreds of magical needles rushed to the orc's face.

The power wasn't great, but it was a fast-acting spell that could cover a wide area.

Camille didn't let the orc off.

"Leaves of the Swift Stream"

She immediately followed up with another technique, inflicting deep wounds on the orc.

However, the orc's club, swung wildly, hit Camille's left arm.

I was about to throw a healing potion, but a spell flew even faster.

"Rapid Healing"

Marilyn, who bore the emblem of a priestess, immediately cast a healing spell.

It was incredibly fast!

I was impressed by Eva's magic, but to cast a difficult healing spell so quickly shows considerable skill.

The power was sufficient, and the bleeding from Camille's left arm stopped immediately.

Indeed. These are the Casper sisters!