Chapter 72

This is the last time from Marnel's perspective!

The hobgoblin's large sword looms before me.

"Damn!"

To avoid it, I roll on the ground, exposing a large opening, but I'm determined to survive. A moment later, the sound of the large sword hitting the ground from a distance reaches my ears, and I realize I've managed to stay alive. I figure I have enough time to regain my footing before the large-sword-wielding hobgoblin reaches me.

"Are you here to be killed?"

"No way... Another one at this moment!"

...However, the relief I felt at that moment vanished the instant I raised my head and saw the scene before me.

In front of me, with my stance completely broken, stood a hobgoblin wielding an axe. Yes, in my desperation to escape the large-sword-wielding hobgoblin, I had rolled right next to another hobgoblin.

"Shit!"

Realizing this, I try to stand up instantly, but it's clear I won't make it in time. The hobgoblin laughs mockingly at my futile struggle and raises his axe.

"Grgh!"

"Are you okay, Marnel!"

A roar accompanied by the sudden appearance of Gods, who had returned to the battlefield, interrupts the hobgoblin. The hobgoblin's actions are momentarily confused by Gods' sudden intrusion, and Gods doesn't miss this opportunity.

"Take this!"

In the next instant, Gods' large sword crushes the axe-wielding hobgoblin's neck and decapitates him. Seeing this, I finally realize I'm out of immediate danger. However, I know there's no time to catch my breath.

Ignoring the pain in my body from the sudden movements, I turn around and stand up, readying my large sword. As expected, the large-sword-wielding hobgoblin who had been chasing me was there, now aiming his large sword at the vulnerable Gods, who had just finished his swing.

"Your opponent is me!"

I swing my large sword at the hobgoblin. Just as my sword is about to reach his torso, the hobgoblin realizes my attack, but it's too late.

"Grgh!?"

With a large sword that can't be maneuvered quickly, the hobgoblin can't block my attack, and my sword penetrates halfway through his torso.

"Human, I must kill you!"

Even in this state, the hobgoblin is still alive. In a final struggle, he reaches for my face, but before his hand can reach me, his head is pierced by Gods' large sword.

"Saved!"

"Likewise."

In response to Gods' loud thanks, which can be heard even amidst the battlefield, I briefly reply. Honestly, in this situation, I should be the one thanking him, but now even that time is precious.

"More importantly, the people in the town!"

I tell Gods and a few other adventurers to evacuate the people in the town and leave the battlefield. This means that Gods' return to the battlefield indicates that some kind of resolution has been reached, even if it's not a complete one. I ask Gods for a report.

"...Evacuation has been abandoned. They are now with the injured, at the rear."

The news from Gods is not good. I bite my lip in silence at his words. The possibility of not being able to evacuate was not unimaginable. Given the chaos around us, something is happening not just here. Moreover, the town is filled with rough adventurers. In the current uncertain situation, it makes sense that they judged it better to stay and protect the town rather than entrust the people to them. Understanding this, I stop holding Gods back.

"Understood. Go ahead."

"Sure, leave it to me. You just focus on fighting the hobgoblins you were just dealing with."

"I know. I won't engage in a full-on fight in this state."

Hearing my words, Gods runs to the front line without another word. Watching his back, I realize that as long as Gods is on the front line, the people in the town won't be immediately harmed, and a small sense of relief crosses my face. However, this relief is quickly replaced by anxiety.

...I knew that this safety was not something to be trusted.

Seeing my comrades still engaged in intense battles with the hobgoblins, I realize this again. The hobgoblins we are fighting now are abnormally strong.

They are clearly intelligent, probably stronger than mid-level orcs, and there are many of them. Fighting these hobgoblins, our defeat is only a matter of time.

The return of Gods, who had been trying to evacuate the people, will improve the situation somewhat. The fact that I now have the leisure to look around is proof of this. Still, the situation is deteriorating.

"...If only we hadn't lost so many people at the beginning."

At the start, due to not knowing the hobgoblins' strength, many of my comrades were severely injured and rendered combat ineffective. I can't shake this thought, and I bite my lip hard. If all of us had been here, the situation would have been much better, I am certain of this. My regret goes beyond this.

"...No, at least if I had my full armor on."

Looking at my exposed hands, I mutter these words. I am not currently fully armored. This is because I was giving orders to my comrades at the beginning and didn't have the time to put on my armor. As a result, I couldn't take the front line as a tank. I was only able to stop the hobgoblin who had slipped through my comrades' defenses. If I had been fully armored, I could have done something about this stalemate, I think resentfully as I glare at the hobgoblins.

"...Wait a minute."

...At that moment, I noticed something odd.

The battlefield seemed to be in a state of paralysis. Seeing this, I open my mouth in astonishment.

"...Why is the situation not changing at all from before?"

Indeed, the battlefield before my eyes seemed unchanged, despite the return of a significant number of adventurers, including Gods.

It was as if someone was controlling the battlefield to keep it in a stalemate.

"Hey! Something's wrong..."

Realizing this, I open my mouth to warn my comrades.

--But it was already too late.

"Ookonerenai. Sokoni Ooku no Ningen ga Iru."

"What!"

The words spoken by the hobgoblin in the back. I can't help but exclaim, and at the same time, I finally understand the hobgoblins' plan.

The building behind us houses the injured and the people of the town. The hobgoblins had been stalling the battle to buy time and search for them. All to kill more humans.

"Absolutely don't let them get to the back!"

Realizing this, I shout and run towards the hobgoblins. It's not the time to worry about the danger of not having armor. I must stop the hobgoblins at all costs. My comrades, realizing that the people and the injured are being targeted, also attack the hobgoblins.

...But their efforts were in vain.

The hobgoblins, with a momentum far greater than before, started advancing towards the building at the back. The attacks from the adventurers, including myself, only managed to kill a few of them.

"Damn!"

There was no way to stop their momentum, and the hobgoblins ignored us and continued towards the building. Imagining the massacre of the people in the building, I grimace.

The building contains mostly the injured and healers, who are almost unable to fight. The moment the hobgoblins enter the building, there will be definite casualties. Even if we eventually defeat all the hobgoblins, if the building becomes a battlefield, many of the injured and the people of the town will die.

...Even though I understand this, there is nothing I can do.

My outstretched hand can't reach them, and the hobgoblins continue to approach the building.

In my mind, the image of the boy I had restrained with my sword this morning flashes. He was my first disciple.

...But I can't even save him.

"..."

Realizing this, despair covers my face--and at that moment, an explosion accompanies the appearance of something.

"..."

Something that crushes the leading hobgoblins and lands on the ground. For a moment, I can't recognize that it's a person.

"...Just in time."

I finally recognize it as it says these words.

The familiar voice and the person standing before me, I stand there in shock.

This person--Laust, with a serious face unlike his usual self, opens his mouth to me.

"Thank you all. I'll take it from here."

At that moment, I realize we are saved.

As I have already reported in the activity report and summary, the book adaptation of the healer who was expelled from the party has been decided! This is all thanks to the readers who have supported my work! Thank you very much! Additionally, I plan to reveal the cover in the activity report, so I hope you will check it out!