Chapter 37

"Alright, I understand. Alma isn't suited for the rear guard role."

Alma sighed at Reisha's unmitigated analysis. Despite being a beautiful blonde elf and an archer, Reisha showed no mercy, even to a friend.

"You're so blunt."

"Compliments won't help, will they?"

"That's true, but—"

After parting ways with Noelle and the others, Alma joined Reisha and they were conducting a technical exchange in the forest near the capital. It was the same place where Noelle had once ordered her to capture an iron-horned rabbit. They showed each other their skills, engaged in mock battles, and had a very productive time.

Reisha, though still at C-rank, is an extremely skilled archer. Not only is her skill proficiency high, but her judgment and mobility in combat are also close to B-rank.

In the five mock battles they conducted, Alma lost twice. Although she won more often, the two losses were in the last two battles. In other words, Reisha had completely figured out and outmaneuvered her.

However, this doesn't mean Reisha is stronger. In a real battle where lives are on the line, Alma would have ended it in the first encounter. Moreover, Alma had also figured out Reisha's movements. If they had a sixth battle, Alma would definitely win. The same goes for the seventh and beyond.

However, Reisha was definitely faster at figuring out each other's movements. Reisha explained that this is a crucial element for a rear guard.

"The role of a rear guard can be roughly divided into three parts: command, wide-area attacks to disrupt the enemy, and support for the front guard. What do you think these three have in common?"

"Manipulating the battle situation based on situational awareness."

"Exactly, manipulating the battle situation. Since there are few people who can act as a precise command center like Noelle, the main roles are usually disruption and support. Of course, it's important to create favorable conditions for an offensive, but when the team is losing, it's even more crucial to quickly create a situation where the team can regroup. Whether it's a counterattack or a retreat, it's meaningless if everyone can't move properly. And only the rear guard can do this. The front guard, who are engaged in direct combat with the enemy, can't manage it."

Reisha's explanation was clear, which made Alma's weakness stand out even more.

"Well, you have Noelle for that, so you can leave all the details to her. But what if Noelle falls? Can Alma properly fulfill the rear guard role?"

"No problem."

"Why are you lying!? There's no way you can! After all, Alma gets heated up easily! You can't fulfill the rear guard role if you can't control yourself!"

"Ugh..."

Alma's weakness, as Reisha pointed out, is that she tends to get heated up easily. When she was restrained by Alcor, she was as cold as a machine. But after breaking free from that restraint, she became more emotional, perhaps as a reaction to her past.

Indeed, as she is now, she is not suitable for the rear guard role.

"Even if I concede 60 million steps, let's assume Reisha is right."

"No, no, it's correct without conceding. By the way, 60 million is a lot but it's a bit arbitrary. It's like going around in a circle and ending up back at the starting point."

"If I don't become a rear guard—pursuer, there might be an excess of front guards. That wouldn't be good."

There are various types of abilities that people can manifest, but the ones that are easier to manifest in combat are usually front guard roles like warriors or swordsmen. Therefore, it would be better for the team's flexibility if Alma switched to a rear guard role.

"As Alma said, an excess of front guards is not good. However, it's important to consider that if you force yourself into an unsuitable rear guard role, you might end up dragging everyone down. Once you rank up, there's no going back."

"...That's true. Maybe being an assassin is better?"

"I think so. Besides, as an assassin, you can avoid the problem of an excess of front guards. For example—"

Alma clapped her hands in admiration at the tactic Reisha proposed.

"Amazing! That's revolutionary!"

"Right? It sounds good, doesn't it?"

"Sure, I'll discuss this tactic with Noelle. Thanks, Reisha. You look like you're just playing around, but you're surprisingly smart. I really appreciate it."

"Hey, do I really give that impression!?! I'm actually very ladylike! And I don't want to hear that from someone who's half-exposed!?"

"Reisha, it's not good to judge people by their appearance. Be ashamed."

"But you're the one who started it!?"

Suddenly, both of them tensed up. They sensed the presence of multiple armed individuals. As scouts and archers, their sharp senses were probing the identities of the distant figures.

"There are four of them. Two front guards, two rear guards. One is an archer, the other is a mage."

"The front guards are a swordsman and a spearman. They're all very skilled, B-rank."

"We probably can't win in a fair fight. But I don't sense any hostility."

"They're probably returning from an expedition."

"Meeting them would be troublesome, so let's move away."

Explorers are generally rough. Even if they start without hostility, they might suddenly turn aggressive if they realize there are two women. In the city, it might be different, but it's best to avoid contact with other explorers in places where the constabulary can't reach.

Moreover, the other archer has already noticed them. If they suddenly attack, it would be disadvantageous. It's better to move away quickly.

However, Reisha stopped and tilted her head.

"Hmm? Maybe I know them."

"Really?"

"Yeah, let me check."

Reisha whistled rhythmically, and a similar sound came back from a distance.

"Yep, it's them. Hey, Ophelia-senpai!"

Reisha called out and waved her hand. Soon, an elf woman appeared from deep in the forest. Like Reisha, she was lightly dressed in a skirt and leather chest guard, with her strawberry blonde hair braided and flowing as she ran.

"Hey, it's really Reisha! Long time no see, what are you doing here?"

The elf woman, whom Reisha called Ophelia, stopped in front of Alma and the others, raised her hand, and smiled.

Elves are generally beautiful, but Ophelia was particularly well-featured. Her facial features were as good as Reisha's, but her eyes were different. They had a beauty like a clear lake.

"We're doing combat training. Are you back from an expedition, Ophelia-senpai?"

"Yeah, I just got back. It's faster to cut through this forest than to go through the main road. I haven't seen your friend before. Is she a new party member?"

Alma, who was being looked at, shook her head.

"No, I'm—"

"Oh, this girl is from another party! Her name is Alma, and she's just become an explorer."

Reisha answered for her. Alma was suspicious but decided to trust her, as there seemed to be a reason.

"Ah, a new explorer. Since Reisha is a senior, you should take good care of her. It's really tough for new explorers to grow."

"I know."

"You two seem to get along well. Are you from the same hometown?"

When Alma asked, the two of them laughed and nodded.

"Yeah, Reisha and I are from the same village."

"We're about the same age, too. I became an explorer first, though."

That's why they have a similar scent. Looking at them side by side, they seem like sisters. Alma nodded in understanding when Ophelia's companions appeared.

"Ophelia, don't just run off like that. You scared us."

The leader of the group, a swordsman, laughed in a troubled manner. He was immediately recognized as the leader because he exuded the strongest aura.

However, he didn't look particularly strong. He was wearing a rugged silver armor, but his face was gentle and kind. His tousled blonde hair further emphasized his friendly appearance.

In contrast to the leader's gentle demeanor, the other two men had a fierce aura. The spearman, clad in leather armor and carrying a large spear, had sharp eyes, and the mage, wrapped in white cloth, was a stern-looking wolf beastman.

Regardless of their actual personalities, they didn't exude the superficial kindness that the leader did. They were typical explorers.

"Sorry, Leon. I saw an acquaintance, so I couldn't help it."

Ophelia stuck out her tongue and apologized, and Leon smiled.

"Well, I can't blame you. By the way, you're Reisha, right?"

"Yes. This is my friend, Alma."

"A new explorer? I'm Leon Frederic, the leader of the 'Heaven's Wing Knights' party. Though, the others are so excellent that I'm just a figurehead leader."

Leon scratched his head with a smile, and Alma inwardly sighed. Leon wasn't being sarcastic or modest; he was genuinely saying it. However, it was clear that Leon was head and shoulders above the others in strength. In other words, he was an unconscious powerhouse. Alma didn't like that kind of natural man.

"Since we're here, let me introduce the others."

Ophelia first pointed to the spearman.

"This scary-looking spearman is Kaime."

"Hey, the scary part is unnecessary."

Kaime touched his spiky black hair and smiled wryly. His demeanor made the sternness he exuded soften. He didn't seem like a bad guy, despite his tough appearance.

Ophelia then pointed to the wolf beastman.

"This furry one is Vlakav."

"...Yeah."

Vlakav didn't say anything, just nodded slightly. He could speak, but he seemed to be the type who didn't talk unnecessarily.

"And I'm Ophelia. Nice to meet you, Alma."

Ophelia pointed to herself and smiled, showing her white teeth.

"Ophelia, nice to meet you."

"Sure, if you have any problems, feel free to ask for help. We're quite strong, you know. Reisha knows our contact information."

"You're so kind."

"We're all explorers, so we should help each other. Especially recently, there are some strange people around."

"Strange people?"

"A woman named Noelle Stollen."

The moment she heard the name, Alma understood the meaning behind Reisha's mysterious attitude.

"She's the leader of the 'Cyan Extraplanar' party, but she expelled all members who didn't follow her and turned the party into her personal property. Not only that, but she apparently sold them to slave traders. It's unbelievable, isn't it?"

"That's terrible."

"According to rumors, she's also connected to a gang and has them attack people she doesn't like. She's a very dangerous woman, so you should be careful, Alma."

"Got it, I'll keep it in mind."

Rumors can be scary. If Noelle heard this, she would definitely be upset. Of course, the part that would upset her is that the person is a woman, not a man. Alma could get angry on her behalf, but since more than half of it was true, she couldn't really get angry.

"Ophelia, it's not good to judge people based on rumors. You haven't actually confirmed it, right? It's not right to instill unverified information in a new explorer."

Leon scolded her, and Ophelia shrugged.

"O-Okay, I got it. Sorry..."

Seeing Ophelia become meek in an instant, Alma recognized Leon's leadership. He was not only strong but also had the ability to discipline his members.

"Well, we'll be going now. Sorry for the disturbance."

Leon smiled softly and started walking towards the capital. Kaime and Vlakav followed, and Ophelia waved goodbye to Alma and Reisha.

"See you both later!"

After the Heaven's Wing Knights were out of sight, Alma looked at Reisha.

"They were interesting people."

"Right? And I think you noticed, but they're really strong."

"Sure. Especially that Leon guy is scary."

"Leon is the strongest in the B-rank range."

"Figures."

"The Heaven's Wing Knights themselves are the strongest party in the B-rank range."

"Party? They're so strong, why aren't they a clan?"

Alma tilted her head, and Reisha laughed in a troubled manner.

"They're modest and steady. They have the strength to form a clan, but they prefer to take their time and do things carefully. But, they might become a clan soon."

"Wow, they're cautious. Very different from us."

What would Noelle think if she heard this? She would probably laugh and mock them. To someone aiming for the top, overly cautious people are as good as dead.

"Really, very different from us."

†

†

After finishing the night run, a man approached from the shadows.

"Hey, Captain Noelle. I've completed the job you asked me to do."

The man was the information broker, Loki. I adjusted my breathing and led him to a secluded place. It was already star time, but it was still too early for the city gates to close, so there were still many people around the city walls.

The envelope he handed me contained a bundle of papers. I went through each one. As always, it was a remarkable job. All the information I needed was there.

"Confirmed. I'll give you the reward."

When I reached for my wallet, Loki shook his head.

"I can't take it from you, Captain."

"But the debt from that incident is already settled, right?"

"Yes, but I still feel bad about the bad things I did..."

"I've accepted your apology. The debt has been repaid. So, take the reward."

When I insisted on giving him the money, Loki looked reluctant.

"Captain, you're unexpectedly strict."

"I just know that free is scarier than anything."

"What's that supposed to mean! Do you think I'll betray you again!?"

"I didn't say that. But a relationship based on one-sided goodwill can quickly go bad. That's all. If you're a professional, you should understand that."

"Well, that's true, but—"

Ignoring Loki's stammering, I flipped through the papers faster.

"Captain, what are you up to this time?"

"I'm not up to anything bad."

"Don't lie. No one who asks for information on all B-rank explorers in the capital isn't up to something bad."

I chuckled at Loki's confident words.

"Hey, Loki."

"What?"

"Is it true that the strongest in the B-rank range is the Heaven's Wing Knights?"

"Yeah, they're not a clan yet, but their individual abilities are the best. Especially their leader, Leon, stands out."

"See, just as the rumors say."

It was the page of the Heaven's Wing Knights.

B-rank spearman, Kaime the Spear.

B-rank archer, Ophelia the Hawk's Eye.

B-rank mage, Vlakav the Summoner.

And the leader, B-rank swordsman, Leon the Knight.

Despite being a small group, their abilities and achievements were on par with a mid-level clan. They were truly remarkable.

"Captain, you're denying it with words, but you have a really bad look on your face."

When Loki pointed this out, I touched my face. I hadn't noticed, but my mouth was indeed twisted into a cruel smile.