Chapter 96

---

The other day, I remembered the existence of the Holy Water, an item that appeared in "Last Brave," as a countermeasure against the Demon King. However, so far, I haven't been able to find Holy Water in this world. So, I thought about trying to create something similar with our own hands.

For that, an "experimental subject" to test its effectiveness was indispensable. If we were to test the Holy Water (provisional name) against the Demon King, it would be best to use a similar existence—monsters—as the experimental subjects. I had this idea, but monsters are not something that can be used as experimental subjects so easily.

I was considering whether to ask the Shuvalia Knights or my childhood friend Lucius to capture a monster alive when I had a sudden realization. Or rather, I remembered something.

（Maybe I can ask Reinhardt and Diona for help...）

To be frank, they are unlikely to refuse my request. I don't want to think of relationships in terms of gains and losses, but the people of Rust have a debt to me. Moreover, we share the goal of defeating the Demon King. If we have the time, they might lend a hand.

With the thought that a good idea is worth acting on immediately, I asked Iris the next training day.

"Hey, Iris. Are Reinhardt and Diona still in the capital?"

"The teachers? Yeah, they're in the capital!"

I sighed in relief at Iris's answer. I had been worried that they might have returned to the town of Rust to prepare for various things.

"I have something I want to discuss. Could you introduce me to them?"

For some reason, Iris nodded with a happy smile. After a moment, she tilted her head in curiosity.

"What kind of thing do you want to discuss?"

"Well, you know, about the poison we worked on together... I was thinking of actually capturing a monster to test its effectiveness."

At my words, Iris's eyes lit up with excitement. Given her curious nature, I had expected her to show interest.

---

With the thought that a good idea is worth acting on immediately, after the training ended that day, Iris led me to a room in the inn. When we reached the room where Reinhardt and Diona were staying, Iris went in first, saying she would explain the situation. A few minutes later, the door opened with a bang, and Iris peeked out, beckoning me with her hand.

I took a deep breath and entered. Reinhardt and Diona greeted me.

"Ms. Laura, nice to see you."

"Good evening. I'm sorry for the sudden visit."

When I bowed, both Reinhardt and Diona shook their heads, as if to say it was no trouble. I felt relieved and looked at Iris, who gave me a thumbs-up.

Her gesture seemed to indicate that she had explained the situation. Trusting Iris, I got straight to the point.

"Um, I want to capture a monster. Could you give me some advice?"

"Capture, not kill, right?"

Diona asked for confirmation. I nodded, smiling wryly.

"Yes. Right now, I'm making a poison to counteract monsters, and I need to test its effectiveness..."

"Capture, capture..."

Diona seemed to be thinking. From her reaction, it seemed she had no experience capturing monsters. After all, there are rarely occasions when one needs to capture a monster.

As Diona fell silent, a silence fell over us.

"Find their nest, kill the adults, and capture the young. That's the surest way."

Suddenly, Reinhardt's lazy voice broke the silence.

"Though, I'm not really up for it."

Reinhardt frowned as he continued. Find the nest, kill the adults, and capture the young in the nest. It's indeed the most reliable and safe method.

The idea of proactively killing monsters that haven't attacked human settlements pains me, but we don't have the luxury of choosing our methods. We don't have the time or the leeway.

As I stared at Reinhardt, he spoke again.

"For a powerful poison that could affect the Demon King, a full-grown monster would provide more accurate data, but..."

It seems he saw through my thoughts. I smiled wryly at his probing gaze.

"As you said, I'm looking for ways to counteract the Demon King and want to try various things..."

"I see, I understand."

Just as I was deep in thought, a third voice, neither Reinhardt's nor Diona's, nor Iris's, interrupted.

"But capturing a full-grown monster right away is difficult. How about starting with a young one?"

I turned to see the silver-haired young man and the golden-haired young man—Zig and Leon—entering the room.

"Indeed, that's a practical and realistic suggestion."

Surprised by their sudden appearance, I nodded in agreement. Then, Reinhardt sighed and spoke again.

"We've never captured a monster alive, you know."

Reinhardt scratched his head awkwardly. Capturing a monster alive is not something one does casually. After all, what would you do with a captured monster?

The conversation was starting to take shape, but I was about to formally request their help when...

"We'll help too. Right, Leon?"

I turned again at Zig's words from behind. His amber eyes met mine with a warm smile.

"Well, that's about all I can do."

Leon also smiled, scratching his golden hair.

The conversation progressed so smoothly that I was momentarily stunned.

"I'll help too!"

Diona also nodded firmly, inserting herself between me and Zig.

Having the powerful light-wielder Diona, and her brother Zig and Leon, offer to help is a great relief. At the same time, I felt ashamed of my ulterior motives in approaching them, thinking they would be hard to refuse.

"Thank you very much," I bowed, and we shook hands.

"Once we decide, let's set a plan quickly. Since many monsters become active after dark, let's do it early in the morning—"

The conversation wrapped up quickly, thanks to Zig's thorough and decisive judgment.

The time was set for early morning, targeting nocturnal monsters that are less active in the morning. The location was the forest near the capital, which Diona and the others knew well. The date was set for the next day off, as soon as possible, but with necessary preparations.

---

Every Friday, the comic adaptation of "My Childhood Friend, the Hero" is updated on FLOS COMICS. It's beautifully drawn, so please check it out!