Chapter 93

When Kail showed a firm attitude towards Van, the old man laughed heartily and started pounding Kail's shoulder.

"You've been too familiar from the start!"

"Hahaha! I like it! I like it, Kail! Yeah, that's right. Are you willing to succeed Orthros? Alright! Then, show me that you can rescue Zaid beautifully!"

Mr. Jabeel, looking perplexed, interjected amidst Van's high spirits.

"Your Majesty... cough! Sir Van. It's not yet certain that Lord Zaid is in trouble."

Then Van turned his cold gaze towards Mr. Jabeel.

"Should I punch you?"

"Hmph! I just saw the data on the swamp at the Adventurer's Guild. There's no way his private army can handle it! If Zaid had understood that annihilating the enemy was a dream, he would have returned to the village long ago!"

While Van's outright rejection of Mr. Jabeel's opinion was annoying, it was undeniably correct. Kail, though he didn't say it, had reached the same conclusion, which was why he was rushing to rescue Zaid.

"In other words, Zaid couldn't judge the situation and plunged deeper into the swamp, either leading to total annihilation or hiding. Is there any counterargument, Jabeel?"

Mr. Jabeel only weakly shook his head. He must have known this all along. Kail tightened his expression and turned to Mr. Jabeel.

"We must hurry with the rescue, Mr. Jabeel. I have a request."

"What is it?"

"I'm heading to the swamp. I want you to take care of my sister, Mina. I intended to leave her with Zaid, but I didn't expect him to be gone."

"Hmm. I was thinking of joining you, Sir Kail, but..."

"Wait? Mr. Jabeel, you?"

Not just Kail, but I was also surprised. So, I couldn't help but speak up.

"Mr. Jabeel? The place we're heading to is a battlefield with monsters!"

Mr. Jabeel then showed a bitter expression.

"Yes. I'm not much help in combat, so I didn't plan to go to the site. However, with Craft and the others, I thought they would protect me if I joined."

Mr. Jabeel is coming!?

That's like having 100 men! He's a renowned doctor and an excellent alchemist! We should take him even if it means reducing our guard force!

"I'll absolutely protect Mr. Jabeel!!"

I said it with enthusiasm, but then I realized a problem. Van must have noticed it too, as he waved his hand dismissively at me.

"Wait. It's good news that the slow-moving Jabeel is willing to go. I'll take him even if I have to. However, if that's the case, I'm more worried about leaving Kail's sister, Mina, in the village."

You bastard! You're planning to take Mr. Jabeel by force!?

No, that's not it. Mr. Jabeel wants to come.

This is getting confusing.

Mr. Jabeel is saying he wants to come because he feels safer with us.

However, if Mr. Jabeel comes with us, the problem is who will take care of Mina.

It seems this old man knows something, so I nod to encourage him to continue. Van nodded, but for some reason, Mr. Jabeel's face turned pale.

"Just between us, the village's guard force is completely insufficient right now. The fence is made of wood and won't hold a siege."

I realize this when he says it.

With Zaid's private army gone, the village's defense is non-existent.

There are few adventurers based in this village. Most of the adventurers who use the Zaid Village Adventurer's Guild are from Golden Dawn, and they only stop by to gather valuable materials from the swamp.

Kail's eyes widen when he hears this.

"Wait? Then, how is the village's defense managed?"

"It seems they've hired a few adventurous adventurers, but they're not enough for more than maintaining order."

This is a big problem...

"Then, we should allocate some of the swamp expedition's forces to stay in the village..."

"Absolutely not."

Kail's alternative plan is cut off by both Van and me.

We're in sync.

For me, Alphard, and Van, who know a bit about combat with monsters, this is the obvious answer. I explain the current situation to Kail.

"Kail... The best we can do now is to rescue Zaid's unit as soon as possible and return to the village. We can retake the swamp after we regroup."

"But, during that time, the village will be defenseless..."

I understand Kail's concern.

However, no matter how well-prepared the unit, dispersing forces is a foolish move.

We can't leave any forces in the village.

"Akindo's caravan is staying in the village in large numbers. Their guards are mostly from Golden Dawn. As long as there's no stampede, they should be fine for a few days."

"Ah, that's true."

Kail seems a bit less anxious.

I understand his desire to protect the villagers, but that's Zaid's job, not Kail's.

I don't say it out loud, though.

"But, in that case, Mina..."

Alphard is conflicted.

"We have no choice but to take her with us."

"I understand. I'll allocate some of the guard force that was supposed to protect me to Mina. My direct guard will be reduced, but—"

Van interrupts abruptly.

"Alright! This Van will protect you!"

"Wh-What!?"

This red-haired guy! He completely cut off Kail's words!

Kail's surprised reaction is kind of cute!

"Sir Van!? That's—!"

Now Mr. Jabeel is panicking.

"Craft just said the same thing. It's safer to act together than to wait in the village with insufficient forces!"

"I understand the logic, but—!"

Ignoring Mr. Jabeel's desperate words, Van started pounding Kail's shoulder again.

"This Van will protect you! What? I'll carry you and escape if it comes to that! Guard! Alphard, right? Are you dissatisfied with my skills?"

"No... Your skills are... probably..."

Alphard stammers, but he's worried about something else!

Van, understanding this, continues without hesitation.

"That's right, that's right! Allocate half of Kail's guard force to Mina. That will balance it out!"

"But—"

It's crazy, but it makes sense.

No, if I think about it calmly, this might be the best solution.

A chill runs down my spine.

This guy... He looks like a musclehead, but he's pretty smart.

I nod to Alphard to consider Van's idea.

(Alphard, it's a good plan, don't you think?)

(Indeed... But, can we really trust this man, Van?)

If so, we should just ask him.

"Hey, old man Van."

When I call him, for some reason, Mr. Jabeel yells, "This stupid disciple!" but I ignore him and glare at Van.

"You. Do you really... no, do you swear to protect Kail?"

Van's smug smile disappears, and he turns to face me.

"This Van Vain. I swear to protect Kail with my life and this sword."

Van draws his sword with a steady motion and holds it in front of his chest. Alphard mutters, "What?"

Alphard and Van stare at each other in silence.

"...Alright. I'll entrust Kail to you."

"Are you sure?"

"That was a vow. I don't think it's something you can fake. Craft, I'll entrust Mina to you. I'll also assign the Casper sisters."

"Understood. Leave it to me."

I don't know what changed Alphard's mind, but it seems he trusts Van. So, I have nothing to say.

Originally, Kail's guard was supposed to be me, Alphard, Kail's private army, and the Casper sisters.

However, Alphard was also in charge of overall command, so I was effectively Kail's direct guard. There are other reasons, but I'll explain them later.

"In principle, Mina will stay with Kail. Only in an emergency, Craft, you and the Casper sisters will protect Mina with your lives."

"Understood."

When Kail and I seek his approval, Kail turns to Mina.

"Mina. We're heading to the battlefield. Are you okay? If you're scared—"

Kail pauses and swallows.

"I'll give up on Zaid and return to Golden Dawn with Mina."

It must have taken a lot of courage to say those words.

Kail showed his determination to prioritize his sister, but Mina shook her head.

"I'm... fine. Craft... is... with... me."

"That's right... Yeah. You'll be with Craft."

Van claps his hands.

"Alright! It's settled! Jabeel! I'll protect you too, so don't leave Kail's side!"

"Ah... What should I do!?"

"You're always too cautious. Alright, Kail! Give the order to depart!"

"Yes!"

We return to the main expedition force and gather everyone.

Raidock, who didn't know the situation, looked at Van standing next to Kail with a puzzled expression, but the situation was urgent.

Kail declared loudly.

"From now on, the swamp expedition's goal is to rescue Zaid and his companions! All units, move out!"

"YEAH!!!"

Despite the many questions, the expedition force responds with a loud cheer.

This is Kail's first battle.

To honor Kail's first battle, the soldiers and adventurers are highly motivated.

They are all skilled.

As long as we don't get complacent, we won't lose to a mere hydra.

I mount the Black Dragon with Mina.

Noticing Mina's tension, Jitaro rides up on his pony, Super Jet.

This pony, raised with legendary stamina potions, is stronger than most warhorses, but it looks the same.

It just looks like a gentle, dappled pony.

It's cute, so the details don't matter.

Seeing Super Jet's relaxed face, Mina's expression softens.

"Mina! Don't worry! The expedition force includes not only adventurers who have experienced dragon battles and overcome cockatrice battles, but also elite soldiers who have survived Alphard's hellish training! We'll win easily! Easily!"

Mina nodded, but...

Oh no!

Jitaro!?

Is that a flag!?

Is that a flag!?

I'm suddenly feeling anxious! Damn it!

And so, we set off for the swamp with Mr. Jabeel and the mysterious adventurer Van, with all our might.

Only 6 days until the release of Volume 2!