Chapter 23

It seems that a two-day interval will be the standard.

This time, I think it’s all over the place because I was so sleepy. I’ll revise it later…

"――――What are you going to do to Alize!!"

"Hey, big brother!?"

Seemingly angered by my actions towards Alize, Armer’s older brother drew his sword and lunged at me.

"St-stop, Laumer!!"

"Haahh!!"

I easily dodged the sword swing and observed his technique. His movements were better than I expected. Even in a village in the middle of a forest, the soldiers’ level seems quite high. …No, maybe it’s because it’s in the forest that they can become so strong. Forests are, after all, the natural habitat of monsters.

"Stay back, Alize!! I will protect you!!"

"No, that’s not it… If you go against that person…"

Hey, disciple, what do you think of me? And Armer’s older brother is saying such cheesy things. Yeah, he looks more like a hero than me.

Well, I feel bad for making him say such lines, but the sword he swung with all his might didn’t even touch me.

"Here"

"Ugh!?"

I punched the unguarded torso of the man who had just swung his sword. Of course, I held back as much as possible, making him fly only a few dozen meters.

"Ah… I should have known."

Seeing Laumer roll and fall silent, Alize muttered. Armer, his sister, also looked exasperated. It seems that the older brother is in love with Alize, but I might have made him look bad. I should apologize when he wakes up.

"Why did you suddenly make a villager combat ineffective…"

"That’s not fair, Levi, I did contribute to the village, after all."

When Levi, who had just arrived, asked, I ended up making an excuse. Well, he did attack me, so I’m not that bad.

"Big brother, I’m sorry?"

"I apologize, Master, for the village soldier."

"Don’t worry about it, it’s fine."

I replied sincerely to the two who apologized with a look of regret. Well, if someone you like is treated like that, you’d probably snap too. I would too. But I had something I wanted to ask.

"Anyway, can we go to the dragon’s nest right now? Is it okay to go now?"

"! So, the help Armer called for was you, Master."

I see, Armer had told the village that she was bringing in help. This way, I don’t have to explain things awkwardly.

"Then, can you come into the village first? Setsu and the others don’t know the way, right?"

"Oh, you’re right."

Now that you mention it, that’s true.

"Then, let’s go to the village first. The lizards will probably attack again in a while…"

"Yeah, the lizards… I can put up a barrier around the village."

By "barrier," I mean placing the monster-repelling stones I use for camping at the village entrance…

After that, Armer was shocked and fell over when she saw my monster-repelling stones, but I’ll skip that part. The highest-grade potions are one thing, but Armer is a bit too surprised.

Oops, I almost forgot. I need to take care of Armer’s older brother too.

◇ ◇ ◇

"For now—Master, welcome to my village. It’s a great relief to have your help this time."

"Well, I’ll help you today, but in return, give me some honey wine."

If that wine is still safe, I’m good. As long as I have that, dealing with a group of lizards is like sweeping up garbage. …Well, even without the wine, it wouldn’t change much…

"Ugh…"

"Big brother, you shouldn’t glare at Setsu like that?"

This is the living room of Alize’s house, where I, Levi, and Armer and Alize are sitting in chairs. And on the floor, tied up with a rope, is Armer’s older brother, Laumer.

Laumer has been glaring at me ever since. The chest plate he was wearing is dented from my earlier punch, but he has no external injuries. I did cast a healing spell on him, after all.

"I’d like to welcome you with the whole village, but unfortunately, we’re busy tending to the injured…"

"Don’t worry about it, a village-wide welcome would just be a hassle."

Besides, for me, dealing with lizards is just a job. I’d be uncomfortable if they revered me for that.

"Then, Alize, show me the way. Let’s get this over with quickly."

"Yes, I’ll prepare to leave immediately."

"Um… Can I come too?"

As Alize stood up to prepare, Armer spoke to her. Hearing this, Alize’s face twisted as she tried to stop her.

"Even a single lizard would be tough for you. You’re C-class, and I’m A-class. It’s too dangerous."

"But… It’s not often I get to follow such an amazing person… I want to become a great adventurer too!!"

Hearing this, Alize looked puzzled. She probably understands the feeling, as she used to insist on joining S-class quests when she was younger.

"But…"

"Well, I’m the one who’s going to fight, and I think Levi can protect Armer. Right, Levi?"

"Y-Yeah! Levi is really strong too!"

"…It seems I’m being left out, but I’ll say I can easily take care of one person. For my pride."

"…Is that so? Then, I’ll allow you to come, on the condition that you don’t take unnecessary risks…"

"Yay!!"

Armer, who got permission, started jumping with joy. Is it really that exciting? I’ve never been in a position to follow someone, so I don’t understand.

And now, even her sister is following me, making Laumer look even more dissatisfied.

"Wait!! I’m coming too, Alize! I don’t know if this guy will really help us!"

To show his intention to follow, he stood up while still tied up and casually doubted me. What a hassle this guy is.

"My master is not that kind of person, and you will remain on village guard duty."

"Aw!?!? No way!!"

Armer’s refusal to go with Alize and her whining are just like her sister… They are truly siblings.

After a long argument, they finally came to a decision when we were getting bored.

"Ha… Then I’ll stay in the village, is that okay?"

"Really!? Alize is staying in the village!?"

As soon as the compromise was suggested, Laumer’s face lit up with a smile. If Alize stays, Armer can guide us, and it might be better for her to stay in the village in case of an emergency. The remaining lizards might still show up. For Laumer, not going with me is probably a relief. His eyes are already filled with love, which is a bit scary.

"If Alize says so, it’s fine. Then, we’ll go."

"Alright."

"I’ll guide you!!"

"I’m sorry, I can only rely on your help, Master…"

"As long as you give me honey wine, there’s no problem. By the way, why don’t you tell me why you’ve become so weak later?"

"…You noticed, huh."

Of course, I did. You’re my disciple. Besides, your movements are slower than they used to be. You were supposed to be SS-class, but now you’re really at A-class level. At first, I thought you were holding back, but from the atmosphere, I can tell you’re being serious.

"I’ll explain it to you when the matter is resolved."

"…I see."

I couldn’t say anything more. It’s something I’m curious about, but it’s not that relevant to me. I’ll ask you if I remember.

"Alright, let’s go."

The three of us, fully prepared, left Alize’s house with high spirits. Wait for me, honey wine, I’ll come to save you soon.

◇ ◇ ◇

About an hour after we set out… We continued to hunt the few remaining lizards, and now there are none in sight. Finally, we reached the area near the dragon’s nest.

"Let’s go up from here, you can see the dragon’s nest from above."

"Got it."

Following Armer’s instructions, we climbed the side of a large hill. Beyond the hill, there were countless lizards swarming like cockroaches.

The large hole in the back of the lizard swarm is probably the dragon’s nest. Since they come out from there, it must be the right place.

"Hmm… You two can wait here, right?"

"What, you’re not letting me have some action?"

A slightly dissatisfied Levi, but your job this time is to protect Armer. I won’t allow you to go wild.

"Do your job. This time, it’s more efficient to go alone. I’ll take care of it quickly."

"Alright, do it quickly, please."

"Got it—"

Without much of a response, I ran towards the lizards who hadn’t noticed us yet and hit them with a black ball—

◇ ◇ ◇

"…"

"Is something wrong, Alize?"

"No… It’s nothing."

Laumer, who was guarding the village gate, was worried about Alize, who was also guarding the gate.

Alize hugged her shoulder, trying to stop the slight tremor in her body.

The reason for her fall from SS-class, it was due to a kind of trauma—

"Maybe you’re a bit cold, be careful."

"You’re right, we can’t have you catching a cold!"

Alize, who had a bad feeling since a while ago, gently traced the shoulder she was hugging.

The shoulder, which felt unusually warm, still bore the fresh scar from the cause of her trauma.

(I hope my worries are unfounded…)

After gently stroking her shoulder once more, Alize refocused on her duties as a gatekeeper.

—She couldn’t have predicted that the trauma would soon reappear before her.

Next time, a powerful enemy attacks.