Chapter 71

Guild Master Act was providing reconstruction support in the demon realm.

At that moment, he discovered Water Hero Mizuki, who was being attacked by demons in the forest.

He protected her and returned to the northern wall.

In a room at the inn.

"Lord Act, I am deeply grateful for saving my life this time."

Mizuki sat on the bed, bowing deeply.

She had deep blue hair tied in a ponytail, exuding the dignified presence of a female warrior.

However, a shadow could be seen on her beautiful face.

"You are a hero from the Far East, aren't you? What were you doing there?"

Mizuki told Act everything without holding back.

"I see. They are blind fools."

"...No, it was inevitable. I had... a fatal flaw as a hero and a swordsman."

What Fire Hero Kagi pointed out was...

...her inability to cut people.

"Why can't you cut people?"

"Blood... I'm afraid of it. When I was young, my mother was eaten by a monster right in front of me."

She was attacked by a monster while out.

Her mother protected her and was eaten by the monster.

"The smell of blood, the slimy feeling... I was so scared, I couldn't bear it."

This trauma made her extremely afraid of the blood that would come from cutting enemies.

She trained hard to overcome her fear and learned various techniques to be useful even if she couldn't cut people.

"But... it was all in vain. In the end, peace won't come unless I can cut enemies. I... was an unworthy hero. All the time I spent building up my skills was meaningless..."

Tears streamed down her face at her own inadequacy.

"That's not true."

"Eh...?"

Mizuki looked up.

The young man who called himself Act looked straight at her.

His left eye was gone, wrapped in bandages and talismans.

But his remaining right eye did not look down on her; it simply met her gaze.

"What you've done is not in vain."

"But... I'm useless..."

"Those incompetent fools who kicked you out just said that."

"M, incompetent...?"

"Yes. They are big fools who couldn't recognize your true value."

Act took Mizuki's right hand.

"Look at this hand. It's clear that you've made blood-soaked efforts to compensate for your flaws."

"A..."

Tears welled up in her eyes.

No one had ever acknowledged her efforts before.

'Embarrassment to the Water God School!'

After being expelled from the hero party, her father at home belittled her.

'Can't even cut monsters? You're a worthless swordsman!'

She was mocked by other students.

No one understood the efforts she had made behind the scenes.

"You are a great person."

"But... I can't cut people... I'm a failure as a swordsman..."

"Mizuki, look up."

Act took out a handkerchief and wiped Mizuki's tears.

"Don't underestimate yourself. You are much, much more capable than you think."

"But... but everyone said I was... incompetent..."

"Don't listen to the nonsense of fools. It will only hurt your heart."

Act extended his right hand.

"Mizuki, come to me."

"To Lord Act...?"

"Yes. I want you."

B...! Mizuki's cheeks turned red.

"D, do you, do you... like me...? D, do you mean... a p, p, proposal...?"

Blushing, Mizuki shook her head, saying "No, no!"

But Act remained calm.

"You are the last piece. You are the final member of the strongest hero party I envision."

So, Act had scouted Water Hero Mizuki to join the Lawrence Hero Party through the guild.

But Mizuki didn't seem to hear.

"What will you do?"

"I've made up my mind... I will dedicate myself to Lord Act, body and soul!"

Mizuki bowed deeply, kneeling on the bed.

"I will devote myself to Lord Act!"

Thus, Mizuki joined the guild "Heaven's Raw Stone."

★

The scene changed to a training facility in the northern wall.

"Are you a magic knight?"

"Yes. Your water sword is better suited for the middle guard, protecting the front and back rather than fighting at the front."

Act handed her a large shield.

Until now, she had used only a sword for attack, defense, and support. The shield was a new experience for her.

But when she held it...

"It's not as heavy as I thought."

"It's a magic shield. It creates a defensive barrier in response to your magic power."

"I see, it's not made of metal, so it's this light."

"You are fast. A heavy shield would hinder your mobility. You will run across the battlefield and protect your allies."

This way, she wouldn't have to cut enemies. Instead of overcoming her weakness, she would be placed in a position that capitalized on her strengths.

"But... if I only defend, won't the enemies remain unharmed?"

"Idiot. What do you think allies are for?"

"Allies..."

Then, the Lawrence Hero Party entered the training facility one by one.

"Hey! Mizuki! You look much better!"

Lawrence approached with a smile.

"Are you okay now? Is your injury healed?"

"A, ah. Yes, it's fine."

"Good! I'm glad to see you're better! It looks like there are no scars left!"

The hero from the Far East only thought about himself and never showed any concern for his companions.

But Lawrence was different. He had the capacity to care for others, which was a sign of his strength.

She understood immediately. The young man in front of her, radiating a strong soul, possessed an unfathomable power.

"So, Act, what's the matter? I'll do anything you ask!"

"Add this girl to your party."

"Okay! Welcome, Mizuki!"

Without any hesitation, Hero Lawrence accepted Mizuki into the party at Act's request.

"Is it okay...? I'm a stranger, after all."

"Act vouched for you! You must be a great person!"

Who was this guild master that Lawrence trusted so completely...?

"Hey, hey, guild master. Are you serious? Adding a new member at this time? I'm against it!"

A handsome man with long silver hair, the spear user Ulgar, approached Mizuki.

"We've finally established coordination with the current members. Won't adding a stranger disrupt the harmony?"

Besides, Ulgar looked at Mizuki.

"Can such a delicate girl really handle the role of a shield? If she gets seriously injured, it will put a burden on our healer Luna."

Ulgar was making a valid point. Mizuki almost agreed.

"Are you afraid of being outshone by a new member, Ulgar?"

"D, different! I just can't entrust the protection of my important comrades to such a weak girl!"

"Don't worry. Mizuki is top-notch in defense. She can easily block even your spear."

"H, huh... If you say so, I'll accept the challenge."

Ulgar readied his spear.

"A, Act... I don't have the confidence to block the spear of the party's best spear user..."

The exceptional strength of this party was well-known even across the sea.

Ulgar's strength was acknowledged. Still, Act spoke with confidence.

"Don't worry. If you use the skill I taught you, you can easily defeat this spearhead."

"Who are you calling a spearhead!?"

The other party members nodded in agreement with Act's assessment.

"B, but... I just learned that skill..."

"Don't worry. Trust me."

Encouraged by his strong words, Mizuki nodded and readied her magic shield.

"Miss, can you block my spear with that flimsy shield? This spear is made of divine iron, the hardest metal in the world, and it will never break."

Mizuki flinched but didn't back down.

"I beg you... Ulgar."

"Hmm... You have a good spirit. I accept your challenge. I will fight you with all my strength!"

Ulgar took a step back and thrust his spear forward.

"Take this! My ultimate move, [Thousand Piercing Spear]!"

Ulgar's ultimate technique, a rapid series of thrusts that could tear the ground and even space itself...

Mizuki read the attack and swung her shield.

"[Parry]"

"Ughhhhhh!"

Ulgar's rapid thrusts were deflected by Mizuki's shield.

The divine iron spear shattered into pieces, and Ulgar himself was sent flying into the air, spinning like a top before crashing to the ground and losing consciousness.

"Wow... Ulgar is the second strongest, but..."

"Blocking Ulgar's spear... That's amazing!"

"Hey, everyone, let's worry about Ulgar more!"

The mage Ira hurried to the unconscious Ulgar and cast a healing spell.

"Not bad for a first try."

Act placed his hand on Mizuki's shoulder.

"It felt... so natural."

The skill of reflecting attacks with a shield was all Act had taught her.

But this defensive skill was the most suitable for her. He had used his discerning eye to identify her strengths.

"I'll teach you various defensive skills. But for the most part, use this parry to protect them."

Mizuki looked at Lawrence and the others.

"Ulgar, are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Don't worry, Lawrence... She's amazing. She completely read my Thousand Piercing Spear."

Ulgar approached Mizuki and bowed.

"I'm sorry, Mizuki. I apologize for my rudeness. I misjudged your strength."

Then, the other party members also bowed.

"I'm sorry. He's a fool, but he's not a bad person."

"Stop calling me a fool! That's rude, you!"

Mizuki was taken aback. The atmosphere here was completely different from her previous party.

"Can you make it here?"

Mizuki smiled and answered Act's question.

"Yes!"

Act must have chosen the perfect party for her. This was the Lawrence Hero Party.

She thought she could work well with them.

Mizuki bowed deeply and said,

"My name is Mizuki. I am young and inexperienced, but I will do my best to ensure that everyone can fight with peace of mind. Please take care of me!"

【※To the Readers】

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