Chapter 9

Today, this is the fourth update.

"Isua-sama's advice was to be able to fight without using magic. The last resort is—to hit with the staff?"

Ridur held her staff and approached the lizardman.

Without any incantation, just as one wondered what she was going to do,

"Haahaaa—!?"

Ridur skillfully blocked the lizardman's slash with her staff.

"Smash Blow!"

Then, she switched to a two-handed grip and swung with all her might, sending the lizardman flying.

(No, no way...?)

Where did such power come from in the small girl?

A fighting style that was far from what a "Sage" should be.

"We can't keep relying on the Sage to be the frontliner, you know."

"Meteor. Are you hurt...?"

"I drank a potion and forced myself to heal. I can't die halfway through my journey."

"Right. I agree."

The two girls nodded at each other.

"Without Isua-sama's cheat, we're just like this. It's frustrating..."

"Really. But we managed to avoid the worst. We should be grateful to Isua-sama for advising us to be prepared for emergencies."

Despite being battered, the girls mentioned the name of their former party member.

The one supporting their hearts is not the hero, but him.

"Alan, we're retreating. No complaints, right?"

"Meteor, there's no need to ask for permission from someone like that."

Without waiting for my response,

Ridur started walking away.

"Wait! I won't allow you to leave the hero behind!!"

"We're not leaving you behind. It's different from someone else, you know."

Meteor jabbed at me.

It was true that I had tried to run away.

I couldn't say anything in response.

◆◇◆◇◆

On the way back from the dungeon,

Meteor and Ridur steadily progressed, struggling with the monsters that appeared.

"Even simple swordsmanship can be surprisingly effective."

"As a magic swordsman, half of you is a swordsman. It's only natural."

"That hurts. Until now, we've just been brute-forcing it with magic swords. I now understand how difficult it is to be a magic swordsman who needs both magic and swordsmanship."

(Pitiful)

(That's how a magic swordsman and a sage fight...)

I inwardly spat.

Meteor and Ridur's fighting style was a down-to-earth one without using magic.

Despite showing such an ungraceful side, why did they both seem to be enjoying it?

"O holy sword, heed my call—gahaaaaa..."

I tried to use the holy sword several times but was consistently plagued by sharp headaches.

"Damn it. What's going on..."

"That's because your magic is depleted. You have no choice but to fight the old-fashioned way."

"Are you kidding me? I could fight much better before! It's ridiculous to be hit by magic depletion now!!"

"Before, it was thanks to Isua-sama's magic supply."

"Shut up! Never mention that name again!!"

"...It's fine. I won't say anything if you don't interfere."

(What's with that tone? I'm the man chosen as the hero!)

(Why do I have to be looked at with such eyes!?)

When we get back, I'll recruit new members.

Not some brats, but humble people with real skills.

"...What?"

"You're probably planning something no good."

(But, it would be a waste to leave these two. They look good at least.)

(...If they beg me, I might keep them around.)

Such thoughts were almost a form of escapism.

Eventually, the long-awaited exit of the dungeon came into view.

We barely managed to escape from the A-rank dungeon.

Thank you for reading.

※ I would be grateful if you could do the following:

- If you found it interesting or enjoyable,

- If you think the hero deserves more comeuppance,

Please give a ★★★★★ [rating] at the bottom of the screen. Thank you very much!!