Chapter 53 of 100

Chapter 53

16 min read3,998 words

---

"Phew... Finally finished."

"What are you doing, looking so refreshed like it's the last monster you've dealt with!"

I glared at Gates, who was lying on his back, and criticized him.

Gates, in response to my gaze, didn't seem particularly bothered and smiled faintly.

"…It was a good hit."

"Are you kidding me?"

After that, the goblin called for its companions, and a group of goblins, including some high goblins, appeared one after another.

I observed how Gates would fight against the group of ten goblins, but his action was to "call for help."

Fortunately, the carriage was nearby, and Rumba, sensing the disturbance, immediately charged into the group. Nord father also got into a combat stance.

With such a solid team, there was no way we would lose, and the goblins were defeated one after another.

However, this man, Gates, was different.

He was knocked down by a single attack from a high goblin.

High goblins are a higher-level type of goblin, with reddish-brown skin and slightly larger stature, but not as large as a big man, more like about 120 centimeters tall.

The high goblin, wielding a club, attacked Gates.

Gates blocked the clumsy sweeping attack with his circular shield.

I was watching without any sense of crisis, but suddenly Gates lost his strength and fell to the ground.

The opponent had a wooden club, while Gates had an iron shield. There was no way he should have been overpowered. The defense was successful, and the way he fell didn't seem like he was hit directly.

The high goblin, confused by Gates' sudden fall, tried to take advantage and swing the club down.

I thought, "If he hits Gates' chin, will it retract?" But this was during combat, so I quickly switched my thoughts and cast a Fire Lance.

While I was using magic to hold off the goblins trying to beat up Gates, Rumba came and finished them off.

According to Gates, who had a red chin, it seemed he had fainted because his shield hit his chin.

Probably because he deflected the impact strangely, the shield hit his long chin, causing a mild concussion.

It was really pathetic.

Now, Rumba and Low are stripping the goblins for materials and preparing to depart.

Gates, as the guard, is doing nothing.

"It's because your chin sticks out."

"It does stick out!"

Gates' anguished cry echoed across the grassland.

---

We need to hurry and leave because other monsters might be attracted by the smell of the goblins' blood.

Rumba, with tears in his eyes, loaded Gates onto the carriage like a piece of luggage, and we resumed our journey.

---

It's the seventh day, and we've passed through several villages and towns.

Since the first day, we haven't encountered any monsters and have been making steady progress.

According to the schedule, we should arrive at the capital by noon today.

I'm getting tired of being jostled around in this cramped space. At first, I would look at the scenery outside or go to the carriage to play with Rumba and Gates, but now I'm reaching my limit. I'm even tired of playing cards.

"What should we play next? Old Maid? Poker? Or Concentration?"

"I want to play Big Two."

"Ah, I'm already tired of playing cards."

Ignoring the two of them who were collecting cards, I dropped the cards in my hand and fell back.

A scene reminiscent of the Reversi game from before.

There are card games in this world, but they are completely different from Japanese cards.

I made my own cards using blank cards, which are a bit rough, but there's no choice.

Lying on my back, the blue sky came into my view.

Maybe I'll cast a spell for a bit to pass the time.

Since no one is around, I might as well make it flashy and launch it into the sky.

The most flashy thing would be fireworks. This would be useful for livening things up and is interesting.

Deciding on that, I got up with a lightness that belied my previous fatigue and pointed my hand at the sky.

"Huh? What are you doing?"

"Are you going to do something?"

Confused by my sudden action, the two of them asked.

Ignoring their voices, I visualized a fire spell for fireworks. I imagined the fireball floating to a certain height and then exploding.

It should be beautiful, like flowers blooming in the sky.

I infused a bit more magic power and launched the fireball into the sky.

It whistled as it rose straight up and then exploded with a loud "BOOM." The burst of flames and the scattering fire were beautiful.

"Wow!"

Rumba and Gates clapped.

"I can tell you used a fire spell, but it's really interesting!"

"It would be even better at night."

"Right, Gates! The sparks in the night sky are even more beautiful!"

Gates gave a thumbs-up and showed his white teeth.

"But, it feels a bit unsatisfying. I want something more flashy."

"Okay, I'll practice now."

I launched ten more in succession.

The loud explosions, the blooming flowers, the scattering blue and white flames, and the varying intensity of the explosions and sounds. I tried various things.

"Yay!"

If this were at night, it would be even more impressive. When we get back to the village, I'll show it to Thor.

Suddenly, the carriage stopped, and we tumbled and fell due to inertia.

"Ouch. I hit my butt."

"Ah, my chin!"

"…What the heck is going on?"

"It's not 'what the heck.' The horses are spooked and can't move!"

Nord father came to our aid, groaning.

Using magic in the carriage was banned, and we were brought back to the carriage.

"Al, don't you want to try burning through my dress with your magic?"

After taking a sip of tea, Elna mother suddenly said something outrageous.

Nord father, who was also sipping tea, choked.

"No."

Elna mother, who hadn't given up, continued.

"That fabric is thin and feels good, but it burns easily."

Elna mother smiled sweetly. Unfortunately, I'm not a pervert who wants to burn everything.

Since the first day when I used Fire Lance, she's been like this. Seeing the fireworks must have reignited her interest.

"If you do that, the carriage will burn too."

"I don't care."

"Elna, no! Without it, you can't go to parties!"

"Exactly."

"No way! There are a lot of cookies in there!"

"Then, you don't need the cookies here, do you?"

"That's a different matter! Give me some too!"

"……"

Sara, seemingly uninterested in the matter, sat elegantly and sipped her tea.

Then she took a bite of a cookie and smiled.

I saw a cute side of Sara.

She noticed my gaze and blushed, then calmly took a sip of her cup.

It seems she wants to be left alone.

Before the situation got out of hand, Nord father changed the topic. I think it's a good strategy.

"Still, Al, I'm surprised your magic has improved so much."

"Really! On the first day, and just now with the fireworks, it was amazing."

"True. What do you use it for?"

Under the expectant gazes, I answered calmly.

"It's an entertainment that uses color and sound."

"……"

The sighs seemed to say, "I knew it."

"…As always, you have unique uses, Alfrid."

"Ah, what do you mean, Sara? Is it a compliment or a criticism?"

"Al is consistent."

"Ahaha, exactly."

"But, it's interesting. It's beautiful."

What are they all thinking?

I want to know more about what everyone thinks of me.

"…Ah, if we have fireworks, we can use them to communicate. If we launch them and make sounds, we can indicate our location. Changing the color and type can convey other meanings! Like, 'I'm coming back now.'"

"Absolutely not."

"Why not?"

"It's a nuisance (It really is)!"

But it's convenient.

---