Chapter 51

"…I know this is sudden. But, please."

Faced with our stunned expressions at the unexpected turn of events, Zieg must have thought we would refuse, and thus pleaded with us. However, his worries were unfounded.

"No, it's fine! We were about to ask you the same thing!"

In the next moment, I smiled at Zieg and said these words. I hadn't expected Zieg to invite us to slay the Phoenix, and I froze for a moment. But I wasn't opposed to his request; in fact, it was something we had been hoping for. To be honest, the Phoenix was a difficult opponent for Narseena and me.

...After all, the Phoenix primarily uses long-range attacks and has a nightmare-like quality for front-line adventurers with its fiery armor.

For Narseena and me, who fight at ultra-close range with daggers and fists, the Phoenix was a tough opponent.

"I was just thinking that we should take a desperate gamble, so having someone like you join us is really a great help, Zieg!"

That's why, as Narseena said, having a powerful fighter like Zieg join us was a huge morale boost. Zieg is also a front-line fighter, but judging from the large sword he carries, his reach is long.

With Zieg leading the attack against the Phoenix, our chances of winning would increase significantly. I smiled, filled with hope.

"I see, you also realize how dangerous that Phoenix is. ...No, it's no surprise that you, who defeated the Hydra, would recognize the danger."

Seeing my smile, Zieg smiled as well. I realized from his words that he shared the same concerns as us.

"Did you notice too, Zieg...?"

I asked hesitantly, and Zieg nodded silently. It was the best proof that he shared our concerns.

The concern Narseena and I had about the Phoenix was the possibility of it mutating.

For a super high-difficulty monster to mutate, it usually takes a considerable amount of time, even when it is in a state where it can easily absorb magic power due to its wounds, it would take several months. Given that the Phoenix had only appeared a few days ago, there was still time before it could mutate.

...But, knowing that the Hydra had mutated in less than a month, I couldn't feel at ease.

It might be that the Hydra was an exception, but we couldn't leave the Phoenix alone. If it mutated and appeared on the surface, the damage it could cause was unimaginable. Narseena and I knew the danger because we had fought the mutated Hydra.

...Winning against the Hydra was a miracle, and such a miracle wouldn't happen again.

That's why, despite the disadvantage, Narseena and I had decided to fight the Phoenix. No matter how threatening the Phoenix was, we had to slay it before it mutated.

That's why I felt an even greater sense of relief when I decided to fight alongside Zieg.

Zieg seemed to sense my feelings from my demeanor and smiled.

"...There's something I need to say."

However, the next moment, Zieg's expression darkened as he began to speak, as if he was about to say something difficult.

"Actually, my party's mage isn't feeling well, so the only ones who can move are me and..."

"Zieg! I finally found you!"

...But, Zieg's words were interrupted by a girl's voice.

For a moment, I was taken aback by the voice. Recognizing it, I turned to look in the direction of the voice.

"...Huh?"

...And then, I was shocked to see the former Lightning Sword mage, Armia, standing there.

◇◆◇

"I told you I'm fine! I'm also going to participate in the Phoenix hunt!"

Armia, who hadn't noticed our presence, shouted at Zieg.

"Do you know how much harder the Phoenix hunt will be without a mage!"

Armia, emotionally shouting at Zieg, seemed to have no understanding of the situation around her. However, I didn't feel any discomfort from her attitude.

...Her state was so disconcerting that it overshadowed any minor issues.

Armia, who was emotionally confronting Zieg, had changed dramatically from the Armia I remembered.

The Armia from Lightning Sword was very particular about her appearance. She had a wide variety of clothes and wore makeup. Even though she was still a child at the time, I found it strange that she cared so much about her appearance.

But now, I felt an even greater sense of unease with Armia's current state compared to when she was in Lightning Sword.

Currently, Armia's hair was messy, and she was wearing cheap, wrinkled clothes, a far cry from her former self.

...Moreover, what shocked me the most was Armia's eyes.

Despite her emotional outburst at Zieg, her eyes remained hollow.

Even as she acted emotionally, her eyes seemed cold and distant, as if they were looking at something else. This disconnection between her actions and emotions created a jarring image of Armia.

"!"

I couldn't remain indifferent to Armia's state.

To be honest, I didn't have particularly good feelings towards Armia. Compared to the Margulus group, her attitude towards me was much better, but I still felt a strong aversion to her blind loyalty to them. I wouldn't say I disliked her, but I couldn't help feeling uncomfortable around her.

...But even I, who felt uncomfortable around her, couldn't help but feel a sense of pain at her current state. I could guess why she had become this way, which made it even more poignant.

The fate of the former top-tier Lightning Sword was now well-known throughout the labyrinth city. The fact that Lightning Sword had tried to sell off party members, who then became mine slaves, was all public knowledge.

With this information, I could understand the general situation. Margulus and the others must have tried to sell Armia. Realizing this, I couldn't help but grimace.

"No matter how strong Zieg is... huh?"

The next moment, Narseena noticed my reaction. Armia, who was about to argue further with Zieg, finally noticed our presence and froze, staring at me.

"...Huh?"

Her unexpected reaction made me let out a bewildered sound.

"─────!"

...At the sound of my voice, Armia's face drained of blood, turning pale, and her eyes showed unmistakable shock.

"...I'm sorry for interrupting."

In the next moment, Armia turned and ran away, leaving these words behind.

Staring at Armia's retreating figure in a daze, I couldn't understand what had just happened.

"...What just happened?"

And in the next moment, my bewildered mutter received no response...