Chapter 56

In the town of Dorkness, a large horde of monsters was about to descend. Inside the barrier that the monsters could not penetrate, the duke spoke calmly.

"There's still a little time before the monsters appear. In the meantime, I'll tell you the other reason I came here."

The first reason the duke came to the Dorkness territory was because he wanted to summon monsters in a place with minimal danger. If I were there, nothing much would happen, but it would be a real nuisance.

Seeing my bitter expression, the duke laughed happily. This guy is just plain mean.

"The other reason is the main one."

"Huh, just get on with it."

"Hahaha, don't look at me with such a scary face. It ruins your cute look."

"Huh?"

At that moment, I snapped. I think I've been patient enough.

That barrier is a defensive wall that rejects dark attributes. I was the only one who was repelled by the church, while others could pass through it. The barrier is effective against monsters in general, dark magic, and humans with dark attributes.

In other words, physical attacks that don't use my body can get through.

I picked up a suitable stone from my feet and aimed it at the duke's face, throwing it with all my might.

With a "thud," dust rose. Oh no, the duke might be dead.

"I thought I was going to die..."

Fortunately or unfortunately, he was alive. I thought I had done it for sure because the stone turned red from friction with the air.

"Huh? Why are you still alive?"

"By making the barrier smaller, it can also provide physical defense... Didn't I explain that at the beginning?"

"Sorry, I didn't hear it because I was shocked to see the barrier again."

"...I give up."

Isn't this barrier too strong? As expected, it's worthy of being my rival. I feel proud myself.

Snorting, the duke groaned, holding his head.

"Ugh, was it a mistake to set my sights on this guy?"

"I don't really understand, but tell me why you came here."

When I urged him, the duke's mood dropped significantly, but he started to speak.

"I've already explained the role of the ducal family, right? I thought about what the kingdom will become in the future. If the nobles who hold a grudge against the royal family start to act independently, chaos that hasn't happened before will surely occur. So, I searched for someone to succeed the ducal family."

Looking for someone who can unite the radical nobles who are full of ambition and openly oppose the royal family? No one would do that, and no one could do it.

...I have a bad feeling. I don't want to hear the rest of this.

"That's where I set my sights on you. The Dorkness family can be a noble family that matches the ducal family and stands alongside the royal family."

"No, thank you. I'm just a count, you know. There are marquises, right?"

"Marquises? They are just the royal family's dogs. They don't have the power to stand up to the royal family."

I don't have that power either. Isn't he overestimating me? It's wrong to expect anything other than physical strength from me. I feel sad just saying it.

"I can't do it. I'm just a normal person with a high level."

"Your level is overwhelmingly powerful. And you might be hiding it, but you're quite smart, right?"

Oh, he's misunderstanding. Unlike usual, this misunderstanding is leading to a bad situation.

Moreover, the role of the ducal family is a long-term one that spans generations. My children might not be high-level... I had to use a lot of mental strength to make that statement, considering Patrick is about to reach level 99.

"...Even if I could replace the ducal family, I have no obligation to do so."

"Yumiera Dorkness, you have affection for the town behind you, don't you?"

"Well, yeah..."

"It must have been different in the past. You didn't care about the town, but when you realized it, it had become something irreplaceable. ...The same goes for the country. Don't worry, it's from my experience."

"I'm different from you. I don't have such feelings."

"...Then I'll change my approach."

He paused and then showed the worst smile of the day. Oh no, he's planning to do something really nasty.

The Duke of Hillrose laughed maniacally and declared:

"Monsters will soon attack your precious town! Naturally, the strong lord will head to defend the town... and I will remove the barrier. I will surely be killed by the monsters!"

The duke declared his suicide with genuine joy. What's going on? I still can't see the full picture of his plan. Asking me to do something by dying is not something he would actually do, and I wouldn't be swayed by it.

"Yumiera Dorkness will never forget. I will die because your power was not enough. You will let me die!"

"What!?"

"Superhuman physical abilities, dark attribute magic specialized in wide-area destruction, they are indeed powerful. But they have weaknesses. Like light attribute, they are weak in coordinated combat with others and in base defense. It's hard to fight while protecting something, right? You might be able to defend one place, but not two."

He is trying to commit suicide on his own. He is loudly declaring that if I can help, I should try to save him.

It looks ridiculous, but I felt it was more effective than I thought. He really knows my research well. Maybe he separated Patrick and Ryu for this reason.

If I let the duke die, I will regret it for the rest of my life. Maybe, as he plans, I will try to control the dissidents by opposing the royal family.

...But that's only if I leave here and head to defend the town.

"Is it okay? They're coming soon, you know? The monsters are about to attack in large numbers?"

"I'm staying here. The moment you remove the barrier, I'll knock you out and carry you to a safe place. After that... well, I'll think about it later."

"What are you saying!? Which is more important, me or the townspeople?"

"Of course, the townspeople. Look, they're coming soon. The second strongest person in the world and the cutest dragon in the world."

I turned around and pointed to the sky. A shadow was gradually growing larger.

I don't want to admit it, but since Ryu is classified as a monster, he would be interested in the monster-summoning flute. I was sure he would come if such a loud sound was made.

Besides, Patrick said he would come when the flute was blown. I need to assert my innocence before I get scolded.

Even though the distance was still far, I could hear Patrick's voice in my ear. He was using wind magic skillfully.

"Yumiera, can you hear me? What happened?"

"The Duke of Hillrose blew the monster-summoning flute. The big one the merchant brought, not me, I swear."

"...I see. What should I do?"

What's going on? I was thinking of my own safety, but he was also doubting me in this tense situation.

As the duke pointed out, I am not suited for base defense, so I will ask Patrick, who is perfect for the job, to take care of the town.

"Please take care of the town. I think the monsters will start appearing soon."

"Understood. Ryu, I'm going down first."

At the same time as I heard his voice carried by the magic wind, Patrick jumped off Ryu, who was hovering over the town. For someone who is afraid of heights, this is quite a feat. I need to support him too.

I picked up the staff I had thrown on the ground and threw it to Patrick. Taking a few steps as a run-up, I threw the staff like a spear. It flew straight toward him, slicing through the air and bending as it flew, and it perfectly pierced Patrick's abdomen as he descended.

"Sorry!"

The staff reached him, but I'm not sure if my apology did.

Patrick, who was using wind magic to slow his descent, fell freely after grabbing his stomach. Oh, he's not slowing down, he's falling. The staff also pierced the ground next to Patrick on the outskirts of the town.

The duke's comment stabbed the back of my head.

"Wasn't that a bit too much?"

"He's standing up. Patrick is amazing."

"He's the son of a border lord. A dragon is a threat, but what difference does it make with him added?"

What is the duke saying? Maybe he didn't call Patrick to the capital but Ryu?

If that's the case, it's a rude thing to say. There's no one who can perform better than him in this situation.

"Are you misunderstanding something? Patrick is strong, second only to me."

Staggering, Patrick stood up, pulled out the staff, and raised it high.

I couldn't hear his voice, but I could see his magic clearly. I had to be this far away to see the full extent of it.

"What... is that..."

An impromptu wall was formed in the town of Dorkness, which had no city walls. It was so high and thick that it couldn't be called impromptu. Patrick had surrounded the entire town with an earthen wall.

To the stunned duke, I said proudly, though it wasn't my doing.

"With this, the monster countermeasures are complete. Now, let's continue my duel with the barrier."

Yumiera vs. Barrier, how will the battle end...?

Next time, Chapter 2, Episode 28: "The Barrier Breaks"

Stay tuned for next week!