CH 32

Rescue

“Oz, just in case, keep a lookout of the surrounding area.”

“Roger that!”

While heading toward the students of the Hero Course, who seem to be in trouble, I give instructions to Oz through the [Communication Paper]. The enemy shouldn’t be pursuing us this time, but just in case, we should keep a lookout.

“T-tweight-san, where are those of the Hero Course…?”

“Yeah, they’re…”

Right before I could answer Mize’s question, we finally arrive at the place Oz indicated.

Straight ahead, at the end of the passageway, a large hole had appeared on the floor.

“…down here. I see, it seems that they’ve been injured.”

Rather than being stranded, it is more accurate to say that they’re in no condition to move.

From the looks of it, the students of the Hero Course fell to the edge of the Second Layer. The holes in the floor seem to be recently made. They probably fell down before they had time to use <Rage>.

As I peeked into the hole in the floor, I saw four male students of the Hero Course. Among them, two were crouched down, clutching their feet.

I had a vague premonition, but…these are the guys who gave various complaints during the time we acquired our Adventurer’s Licenses before. Sieg also seems to be included among them.

I take a glance at Mize’s profile.

At that time, Mize should have been considerably discomforted, but…there was no change in her intention to help them.

“It looks like they’re injured and can’t move…Mize, do we have any surplus of medicinal herbs?”

“We have enough for four people’s worth.”

“Alright. Cast <Rage> before going down.”

After Mize nodded, we used <Rage> to jump into the hole in the floor.

As soon as we landed, the four boys who were crouched down let out voices of surprise.

“Wha-!?”

“Y-you guys are–”

“We’ve come to help. Those who are injured, raise your hands; we’ll give you medicinal herbs.”

Before they could make a fuss, I inform them that we are on their side, and convey our intentions.

The four were bewildered for an instant, but sullenly raise their hands.

The potion-making techniques that we learned from Magical Pharmacy class were helpful at a time like this.

I take two pieces of stone that were scattered around from when the hole in the floor was made to use them as a substitute for mortar and pestle.

“Is there anyone besides us who can make potions?”

In response to that question, no student came forward.

Instead, Sieg explained the situation.

“The Hero Course hasn’t taken the Magical Pharmacy class yet.”

“I see…then it’s going to take some time.”

The effects of the potion are to heal external injuries and to relieve pain. It cannot instantly treat fractures and internal injuries, so they need to be transported to the city as soon as possible.

Mize seems to have some knowledge on how to make Level 2 Potions, but unlike that time in class, the materials are limited now, so we can only make Level 1 Potions.

While making potions, I check on the boys’ conditions.

“Sieg, do you have any injuries?”

“Yeah, I’ve gotten some scratches, but the other three can’t move…I would have gone to call for help, but…there are large Demonic Beasts lurking nearby. I can’t even hope to be their opponent by myself.”

“What kind of Demonic Beast are they?”

“Orcs, three of them.”

Orcs are pig-faced giants. They are slightly taller than Hobgoblins, but unlike the slender Hobgoblins, they have thicker flesh, and give off a heavier impression. They move slowly, but their physical strength is several times greater than that of Hobgoblins.

Because Orcs are slow and heavy, if we were to fight in a spacious area, getting away would be possible, but the interior of the Labyrinth is narrow. This time, the Orcs themselves are numerous, and furthermore, there are injured people here. A battle would be inevitable.

I strain my ears and hear the sound of footsteps.

Those loud footsteps, probably belonging to the Orcs, gradually draw closer to us.

“…They’re getting closer.”

“Hiih!?”

“T-that’s a lie…”

The resounding footsteps terrify the students of the Hero Course.

Together with Mize, I give them the finished potions, along with the stones we used as a temporary mortar.

Then, I got up– and took a stance while waiting for the Orcs.

“I’ll handle the Demonic Beasts.”

When I say this, the injured guys raise their voices in anger.

“D-don’t fuck with us! You couldn’t possibly hope to be a match for them!”

“That’s right! Damn it…if only someone better had come instead…!”

The male students voice their complaints.

However, surrounded by them, Sieg spoke differently.

“…Will you help us?”

I don’t understand the intent of that question.

But I nod my head.

“That’s the plan.”

“I see…then, I’ll leave it to you. Please help us.”

The surrounding guys were dismayed at Sieg, who had bowed his head.

“Oi, Sieg, don’t be ridiculous!”

“If that guy makes a move on his own, then we’ll be the ones in danger–”

“– You guys, shut up.”

Sieg says with a forceful tone.

“You’ll understand when you see…Isn’t that right, Tweight?”

“Yeah.”

What Sieg said is correct.

Honestly, I don’t want to be conspicuous. But in this situation, trying to fight off 3 Orcs while hiding my true abilities…would be impossible.

The figures of 3 Demonic Beasts appeared at the entrance of the room.

Giants with the face of a pig– Orcs. Their vulgar, fattened bodies give off an unpleasant feeling to anyone who sees it, which could make them lose their fighting intent.

“Mize, stay where you are.”

“…okay.”

For a moment, Mize showed her intent to participate in the battle, but I silently stare at her to supress that feeling.

The 3 Orcs approach with a roar.

At that wordless roar, the students of the Hero Course shriek in fear.

In an instant, I activate <Rage> and close the distance with the Orcs.

The first one. After diving into the Orc’s bosom, I use its bulging belly as a foothold and run up to the Orc’s face. I thrust the dagger created by <Fixation> into the Orc’s eyeball, then I kick its hilt with the sole of my foot and push it in.

While jumping back– the second one.

As I flip in mid-air, <Bullet> shoots out both eyes of the approaching Orc. The Orc opened its large mouth to shriek, and again, I throw a blade created by <Fixation> into its mouth. The tip of the dagger deeply pierced the Orc’s throat.

— The third one.

As I land, I immediately search for the other one.

The bloodthirst that penetrated my body was thin– it’s not after me, but someone else.

“Uwagh!?”

The Orc was after the students of the Hero Course.

The boys fell on their backsides in fear.

However, as if to protect them, Mize stood before the Orc.

With the Orc’s vulgar smirk before her eyes, Mize’s face turned ghastly pale, and her limbs trembled like a new-born fawn.

But still, she pushed down her fear, and stared straight at the Orc.

Even though you know that you are no match for them, your body still moves on its own.

I have seen that scene many times on the battlefield.

If a person is filled with a sense of righteousness, they will move more reflexively, and then they will die.

I cannot live like them.

But I can take their place.

Ever since I was a soldier, that has been my way of life.

The Orc lifted its arm, which is as thick as a log, and swung it down at Mize.

Just before its arm could touch Mize’s head, I ran to her side and embraced her.

“ah—-”

The Orc’s fist is swung down, right beside the surprised Mize.

Amidst the shaking of the ground, I held up two fingers and compressed magic into their tips.

— <Flash Blade>.

This magic will surely kill an unmoving enemy.

But in this case, “unmoving” is solely just my subjective perception.

In other words– by exploiting the opportunity, an enemy that responds slower than me can be considered as “unmoving” if I want.

There is a slight stiffness after I swing my arm down.

Without overlooking this opportunity, I cut the Orc’s body vertically.

Amidst the violently scattering blood spray, I slowly let go of Mize, who I had embraced.

Behind us, the four guys are wide-eyed and astonished.

“…that’s a lie.”

One of the guys muttered.

As expected, it seems like they’re having difficulty understanding the situation. So, I address the only calm person, Sieg.

“Sieg, how did you get to the Labyrinth?”

“…We rented a carriage from the Guild.”

“Then, we’ll accompany you to the entrance of the Labyrinth. Will there be any problems after that?”

“Yeah. Thank you…”

I silently accepted the short words of thanks.

After that, we all moved together to the entrance of the Labyrinth. Fortunately, one of the injured, who took a potion, had recovered to the point of being barely able to walk, so Sieg and I carried the remaining two on our backs. We met up with Oz along the way, and so I asked her to help me secure the surrounding area.

When we returned to the entrance of the Labyrinth, we placed the guys that we carried into the carriage that Sieg’s group had rented.

Just before that, one guy muttered something.

“Are you…the Black Ghost?”

Come to think of it, I was given such a name during the entrance exam for the Hero Course.

“It’s just a name given to me arbitrarily. Don’t spread it around.”

When I requested so, the guy gave a small nod of the head.

“…I’m sorry.”

The guy finally muttered quietly and climbed into the back of the wagon.

The carriage carrying the four headed towards the Royal Capital.

After a short while, Mize, Oz, and I also got on our carriage and headed back.

“Tweight-san.”

After sitting at the back of the carriage for a while.

Mize uttered in a small voice that could not be heard by the coachman or Oz.

“I’m going to ask you this straight-forwardly. Have you ever worked as an escort before?”

“…Before I answer, may I ask the intent of that question?”

“In the past, I’ve had contact with people in that line of work. Earlier, when Tweight-san moved to protect me, you seemed like those people…Tweight-san, is there something that you’re hiding from me?”

I was deemed suspicious from an unexpected angle.

As the Second Princess, Mize was well-acquainted with the behaviour of an escort. That was the reason behind her conviction.

“I have never worked as an escort, and I’m also not hiding anything.”

“…Is that so?”

Mize nodded with an unconvinced look.

Deep in thought about something, Mize did not open her mouth a single time until we reached the Royal Capital.

Author’s Note:

We are now in the 200th place of the cumulative rankings!!!!!!

Since I was aiming at around that place, this is greatly appreciated! I will continue to keep up the good work!!