Chapter 76

### Summary

Craft and his party set out to investigate the forest west of Golden Dawn, where they encounter the supposedly extinct Lizardmen. They discover that the Lizardmen's village is under attack by a giant frog!

### The Battle Begins

We must defeat the Titan Duke Frog!

The Lizardmen's village is being attacked by a horde of giant frogs, and we have come to their aid. The reason is unclear, but it seems that the Titan Duke Frog is attracting a large number of frogs.

The frogs become less active at night, but fighting in the dark, swampy area is highly disadvantageous. Therefore, we let the Lizardmen handle the night, and we rested.

At sunrise, we decided to take on the Titan Duke Frog. Initially, I planned to use a wide-area fire or ice spell, but Raidock vetoed it. It turns out that there were specific reasons for banning attack magic.

During our journey to explore this uncharted territory, we were attacked by monsters multiple times. While Raidock and the Casper sisters defeated them, I also participated in the attacks. Seeing me cast powerful attack spells, Eva raised a question.

"Craft, isn't the mana consumption of spells from the Mage Emblem significantly high?"

"Huh?"

"Probably, the Twilight Alchemist Emblem is so efficient that it's hard to notice, but it seems to consume more mana than the Mage Emblem. While alchemy can be done consecutively, it's difficult to cast attack spells repeatedly, right?"

Eva's advice was a shock. I had felt that my mana consumption had drastically decreased. However, this was in comparison to when I was a mage. Back then, I could barely produce a small amount of water in a cup with a large amount of mana, despite having abundant personal mana. After considering Eva's words, I carefully compared the mana consumption of alchemy and other spells. Eva's speculation was correct.

In conclusion, the mana consumption for Mage-type spells is high. It's likely impossible to cast such powerful spells repeatedly. Therefore, Raidock strictly ordered:

"Craft, you are forbidden to use attack magic."

I resisted at first, but he convinced me to focus on alchemy instead.

### The Plan

For this "Let's Beat the Annoying Giant Frog" operation (named by Jitaro), I am not counted as a frontline fighter. However...

"Rending Heaven and Earth Gale!! Soaring Strike"

"Instant Darkness Strike"

"Take this!"

After dawn, as the swamp began to brighten, we launched a special attack on the Titan Duke Frog.

Bathed in sunlight, the giant frogs were being sliced one by one by Raidock and the others. Cheers came from the Lizardmen village behind us.

"Wow! Look at those humans! They're taking down the Paralyze Baron Frogs like toads!"

"What is that technique!?"

"Indeed, humans are terrifying..."

"But they are our allies now!"

"Are they really allies?"

"They are... incredible."

Hehe, you're surprised, aren't you? Raidock has improved his skills again. Even Jitaro is doing well, cutting through the massive frog horde like a knife through butter. However, the target, the Titan Duke Frog, is still far away. Despite the easy slaughter, the Baron Frogs are not weak.

"Listen up! Our job is to safely bring the mage to the Titan Duke's eyes! Craft, you focus on support! Don't use attack magic until I give permission!"

"I know that without you reminding me!"

I said that out of impulse, but I was thinking that a little support attack would be fine. Raidock's reminder was perfectly timed. Damn, he sees through me.

Even for small attack spells, Eva and Bardack are holding back, showing the severity of the situation. We need to conserve our strength, as the power of the Titan Duke Frog is unknown.

"Raidock! I'll leave the path clearing to you!"

"Got it! Leave it to me!"

To preserve the priestess Marilyn, I heal my comrades with healing potions as soon as they are injured. The mana required for the potions is minimal, so this is not a problem.

As we progressed, the casualty rate among our allies suddenly increased. We were gradually stepping into deeper parts of the swamp, and the water level reached our waists. If this were ordinary C-rank adventurers, they would be overwhelmed by the frog horde. Our ability to maintain our combat efficiency in such conditions is abnormal.

"Ugh!"

"Jitaro! Don't push too far forward!"

"But, Miss Reifan!"

"I'm fine! Fall back! Craft!"

"Jitaro! Fall back! The enemy is blocking the path, and I can't throw the potion bottles!"

"Got it!"

Camille quickly switched positions with Jitaro to maintain the formation. Blood was gushing from Jitaro's shoulder. Despite his excellent archery skills, the difference in coordination between a hunter and an adventurer is too great. I immediately threw a healing potion at Jitaro.

"Thank you!"

"Jitaro, stay by Craft! You're trying to take down enemies in one hit too much! Focus on suppression!"

"That's..."

Jitaro is being reprimanded by Raidock but seems unconvinced.

"Jitaro, your bow is reliable, and you can take down frogs in one hit. However, running around to position yourself disrupts the formation. Stay here and provide support with your arrows."

"Got it. Here I go!"

The difference in fighting styles between a hunter, who aims to take down prey in one hit, and an adventurer, who prioritizes safety while dealing fatal blows, is natural. During our journey, both Jitaro and Raidock were nearly always able to kill monsters with one hit, so this issue was only just noticed.

"Alright! We've cut through the enemy! Let's push forward!"

"Alright!!!"

We cleared the Baron Frogs that were gathering from all directions and opened a path to the Titan Duke Frog. We need to hurry before the distant Barons cross the bodies of their fallen comrades to reach us.

"Sir Raidock! I'm attacking!"

"Got it!"

The water level, which had reached our waists, now reached our chests. As we had been told by the Lizardmen, if it were any deeper, we would have been easily wiped out. Our movements were restricted, but Raidock's ability to take down enemies in one hit was reassuring.

Finally, the enormous and disgusting boss frog appeared before us.

Even with half its body submerged, its massive form was larger than the Barons. Its mouth, like a bottomless pit, extended multiple tongues. The Barons' split-tongue attacks were surprisingly troublesome.

"Here goes... 'Inferno Crimson Spear'"

"Take this! 'Inferno Bullet'"

Eva and Bardack's fire spells exploded, enveloping the whip-like tongues. Eva's 'Inferno Crimson Spear' was a powerful attack spell. The slow-moving frog had no chance to avoid it. The air around us turned scorching, and the Titan Duke was engulfed in flames.

"Got it!"

Jitaro cheered. Stop it, Jitaro! That's a flag!

The inferno dissipated, and the smoke cleared, revealing the Titan Duke, barely damaged, glaring at us in anger.

"Jitaro, you idiot!!"

Yeah, Reifan. I understand your frustration, but it's not Jitaro's fault. Probably.

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I apologize for the long break. Things have settled down, and I believe I can resume the serial. I'll do my best, so please support me!