Chapter 25
What is she talking about?
That question was clearly written on her face.
Of course, I mean the face of the sister.
Speaking of Church sisters, they train day and night in the divine art of magic as part of their duties, and they are humans far more skilled in magic than the average adventurer.
Due to the Church's principles, while their proficiency in attack magic may be lower, their magical ability is roughly equivalent to a rank 5 adventurer.
As for the village chief, who knows I'm just a rank 1 adventurer, he's looking at me with a face that completely doubts my sanity.
The sister told us to run, probably because she couldn't understand Erika's reaction, even though Erika looks like an ordinary person despite carrying a sword.
Even so, for a young Church sister to be injured by an opponent like that?
What on earth is that thing?
I pondered this while listening to the roar of the monster echoing again.
"Village chief, what was really lurking around the village?"
I decided to ask someone who might know.
"What are you talking about?"
Even though he'd been heard talking about that thing right in front of us, he's trying to play dumb.
Well, fine, I'll find out soon enough.
I ignored the village chief and approached the sister.
The sister, unable to grasp the situation, couldn't hide her confusion at the exchange between the village chief and me, but she regained her composure and put on a serious expression.
"This is no time for idle chatter. Please flee immediately. I will definitely buy you some time."
"Erika."
"Yes."
Erika knelt in front of the sister, ignoring her surprised reaction, and abruptly tore a piece of her nun's habit.
The sister froze in shock.
"Your broken rib is protruding from your abdomen, isn't it?"
"Ugh."
Whether she didn't know her own condition or deliberately avoided checking, the sister groaned upon learning the details of her injury.
"In this state, no matter who the opponent is, if you try to fight, you'll die without even doing anything."
"Sister, what about healing magic?"
"Healing magic... I can use it a little, but... I'm not very good at it."
The sister, still looking pained, managed the deft act of showing embarrassment.
Since the Church prioritizes teaching healing magic above all else, not being good at it must be quite embarrassing for her.
"I see. Then you can use a little yourself. We're going to take down that 'thing' that's coming."
The sister shook her head.
"What are you saying? That thing, that monster is—"
The sister seemed about to reveal the identity of the thing I wanted to know about, but there was no need for that anymore.
Because I had caught sight of that thing.
"A Golden Ogre, huh?"
As I extended my gaze to confirm the opponent, the sister let out a groan, "Ah."
It was less a sound of agreement and more a lament at why we weren't trying to escape.
"Hey, you there."
I called out to the driver, a man who looked utterly annoyed because we weren't moving and he couldn't escape either.
"Tell the villagers who fled outside not to run too far."
"What are you talking about?"
That was the village chief speaking.
I ignored the village chief and nodded to Erika.
Somehow, I felt we understood each other with just that.
Erika nodded back at me, then slipped her hand under the sister's arm, ignoring the sister's confused protest, and sat her down against a nearby fence to rest her back.
It must have taken all her strength just to stand up from the cart; in a situation like this, being made to sit down makes it incredibly hard to stand up again right away.
I deliberately spoke to the village chief.
"This might not align with your plans, but I'm going to take that thing down. After all, I've accepted a request from a client who cares deeply for her father."
"Please don't blame me too much. From now on, I'll make sure to consult properly before accepting requests."
I wonder how we appear in the village chief's eyes?
As rank 1 adventurers who don't know their own strength?
Or as two crazy young people?
Well, considering he can't even gauge Erika's true ability, whatever he sees us as doesn't really matter.
Magical energy coursed through my body.
I put strength into my legs.
"Sister, please wait a moment. We'll take care of this quickly."
With Erika's words as the signal, we dashed forward.