Chapter 95

"Let's goooooo!!!"

"Yeeeeah!!!"

First, the assault team, centered around Raidock, the most powerful force of the expedition, charged forward.

Splashing through the shallow water at breakneck speed, the sight was truly spectacular. The hydras, realizing that their territory had been invaded, rushed at the group of adventurers in a rage.

Hydras are mysterious monsters that grow more heads the stronger they become. The sight of three- or four-headed hydras, each several times the size of a cow, charging like a mountain wave was enough to make one's heart stop. Normally, if they were overwhelmed by the wave of monsters, not a single blade of grass would be left standing.

But.

"Wh-what...?"

Vahn, who was standing beside us as our escort, muttered, his mouth agape in disbelief at the scene before him.

"Rock Slash Collapse!"

"Sky Soaring Chain Strike!"

"Body Thrust Bombardment!"

"Powerful Arm Powerful Strike!"

"Vacuum Soaring Slash!"

"Flame of Sin Scarlet Spear!"

"Air Bombardment!"

"Ice Spear!"

"Scorching Flame Pillar!"

Led by Raidock, the adventurers unleashed their sword techniques and magic without hesitation, smashing the hydra wave head-on.

"Wh-what...?"

Vahn's eyes were wide open in shock. Hmm, he's definitely not from Golden Dawn, it seems. He pointed a trembling finger at the adventurers.

"Craft, are they all crest bearers?"

"Most of the selected team are, but not all of them."

Even in Raidock's party, not everyone has a crest. The adventurers participating are all skilled, so the crest rate is high, but it's probably less than half. It would be surprising if it were more than half.

"No, no, no. They're all using sword techniques or magic, aren't they!?"

"Even without a crest, you can learn to some extent through training, you know?"

"I understand the theory, but for someone without a crest to learn techniques or magic, they would need to undergo extremely harsh training for a long time, right!?"

The fact that he's bringing this up means Vahn is a crest bearer himself. And he doesn't seem to be using stamina potions in combat.

Then, Mr. Javir, who was standing nearby, shook his head and joined the conversation.

"Your Highness... cough! Mr. Vahn. I've explained many times that this stamina potion is in a league of its own."

"That's right. I only half-believed the story about how using legendary stamina potions in training could increase combat power tenfold."

"I've offered a considerable amount..."

"Yeah, I was using it like a super-effective nutritional supplement, Javir."

"Mr. Vahn, that's fine, but did you not use it on your subordinates... cough! ...your fellow adventurers?"

"That's why I said it was too much trouble, so I came here to investigate the situation."

"Ugh... Mr. Vahn, you should consider your position a bit more..."

From the glove on Vahn's left hand, which seemed to be hiding a crest, and his conversation with Mr. Javir, I could tell he was a noble. He even called the border lord by his name, so Vahn might be a very high-ranking noble.

However, since he calls himself an adventurer, there's no need to show him any special consideration. Vahn seemed to have been lectured by the teacher for a while but then waved his hand to change the subject.

"Still, they're too strong! Those guys!"

He was pointing at Raidock's party, which made me feel proud. He embodies the kind of adventurer I've always aspired to be.

"Right, right. The adventurers of Golden Dawn are all excellent!"

"Yeah, I admit it from the bottom of my heart."

Vahn nodded vigorously, which made me feel good. Mr. Javir also turned his gaze to the adventurers.

"Hmm, I've heard the stories, but it's truly amazing."

"They've all trained hard!"

This time, the soldiers and adventurers participating in the wetlands expedition are especially enthusiastic because it's Kyle's first real battle. Even the adventurers, who usually struggle with group actions, can now move in a coordinated manner thanks to Raidock. The soldiers, thanks to the rigorous training by Alphard, Degaard Bismarck, and Tygar Gaidar, have all become excellent soldiers.

Even now, the hydras are flying through the air, and Jitaro is collecting the magic stones.

...When did that happen?

He should be a significant force, but he's ended up doing the grunt work for the adventurer group.

As long as he's not in the way, it's fine, I guess.

Then, Reifan, who was guarding Mina with the Casper sisters, stood beside us.

"Jitaro is so free."

"Indeed. He should just support with his bow."

"Raidock and his team are so strong that they don't need support."

Each time a blue flash appeared, the hydras were torn apart and flew up. Vahn interjected.

"Isn't he overdoing it!? If he keeps using techniques like that, he won't last five minutes!?"

"Ah, that's only about 80-90% of Raidock's full power. He has a good sense of his limits and can keep moving steadily with the stamina potion."

"80%!? ...I see, the stamina potion..."

Vahn, who was surprised, started muttering to himself. I'll just leave him be.

"Brother Craft."

Kyle, who had been listening to the battle situation nearby, came over.

"Please instruct Raidock's team to split in two and surround the mongoose infestation in the center, and eliminate the surroundings."

"Got it. Should we split the lizardman team as well?"

"Yes... Let's split the lizardman team too. But tell them to leave the fighting to the adventurer team."

"Understood."

I immediately activated the communication magic tool and relayed Kyle's instructions to the two. Since it was part of the original plan, they immediately took action.

Then, Vahn, who had been watching our conversation, widened his eyes.

"Those rings you're wearing..."

Vahn was pointing at the mental resonance orichalcum rings.

"Hmm? Oh, these are the communication magic tools that are key to this operation. Don't even think about stealing them."

"I wouldn't do that, but using them in front of me is careless, isn't it?"

"Since I'm guarding Kyle, it would be too late if I hid it from you. The main reason is to prioritize my comrades, but I also confirmed with Mr. Javir that you're okay."

"Hmm. I don't know why Mr. Javir trusts you so much, but if he says you're fine, you're fine."

Hmm, I don't understand why Mr. Javir trusts him so much, but if Mr. Javir says he's fine, he's fine.

"Communication magic tools... When used in battle, they make the units move so organically."

"Huh? Vahn, you understand the function pretty well?"

"Hmm? Ah, yes. I knew that orichalcum had such a function."

Huh?

Isn't that generally unknown?

I whispered to Mr. Javir, who was nearby.

"Mr. Javir, isn't the nature of orichalcum generally unknown?"

"Yes, not only generally, but even magicians and alchemists don't have proper knowledge. It's only famous by name."

"Right, I only knew the name. But until I heard the whispers of the crest, I only thought it was a really cool metal."

"That's only because you were an adventurer. Generally, it's almost unknown."

"I see."

I scratched my head.

"Then why did he recognize it as orichalcum at first glance and even know about the communication function, which is generally unknown?"

"Ah! That's it! I remember talking about it in the past...!"

"Ah! I see!"

If Mr. Javir said it, it can't be helped. Mr. Javir knows everything.

"That's it! Let's put it aside! Anyway, he's not a bad guy, so try to get along a bit more."

From his attitude, he really seems like a rich kid.

But it's too late to start using polite language now!

At that moment, a signal flare from a magic spell rose into the sky.

"Brother Craft!"

"That color is Raidock! I'll check immediately!"

I immediately activated the communication magic tool. Since it consumes a lot of magic power, we use the signal flare to reduce the number of communications.

"Raidock, what happened!?"

"I found a survivor! He was near death, but he's stabilized with a healing potion. He's one of Zaid's private soldiers!"

Volume 2 is now on sale!

The manga adaptation is also serialized on MangaUP! Please enjoy both!

...And I wrote a new story, but due to the excessive number of characters, it couldn't be included in the book version and is now a special feature for the e-book version... I'm sorry.

Please also look forward to the e-book Volume 2!