Proofreader: DreaMing
Eri, Neria, and Ophelia accepted Cloud's proposal.
The reason they accepted the proposal was, of course, because he said that this dungeon would be their last time together.
Eri wanted to be recognized.
Not only by Cloud, but also by her family whom she hated and loved, and even by the whole world.
Neria wanted to be by Cloud's side.
Even though their relationship was a little awkward right now, staying by his side, she had the hope that someday they will be able to go back to the way they used to be.
Ophelia didn't want to go back to the church.
She didn't want to waste her life locked up in a closed and cramped building.
Although different, they had reasons why they didn't want to be separated from Cloud.
So they followed Cloud's plan…
– Bark! Bark!
– Barkk!
The kobolds blocking the way were barking loudly. As loud as bereaved dogs! If the girls were in their normal condition, they would have easily solved it, but unfortunately, they weren't.
The reason was simple.
It was already the eleventh time today that they were dealing with a kobold horde.
Their stamina, mana, and divine power began to trickle down to the bottom little by little.
Despite this, the kobolds kept appearing anew, and there was no path to escape.
Why? You may ask.
Because, the place they were standing at was a dead end.
Of course, it was Cloud who drove them into a dead end. It was Cloud who made them fight the kobolds without stopping.
Why the hell did they have to keep dealing with these kobolds?
These things that don't give much experience points because of their low level?
The three women could not understand what he was thinking.
They were just following what he told them to do.
However, no matter how hard they willed to, they had a limit.
“Hero, I don’t have the divine power to maintain the buff anymore!”
The first one to reach her limit was Ophelia.
Having exhausted all her divine power, she was unable to maintain the buffs she gave to her party members.
“You have consumed all your divine power? Then pray.”
Cloud replied as if it was a simple question, but Ophelia was terrified.
“Here?!”
They were fighting kobolds. Not to mention sword and spears, even the crossbow bolts were very deadly.
How do I pray in such a situation?!
"Why? You cannot? Even if you cannot, do it!”
Cloud didn't compromise.
"…all right."
In the end, it was Ophelia who made the compromise.
Yes, she was a member of the Hero's Party that will eventually have to defeat the Demon King.
She will surely experience the lack of divine power in a crisis someday.
So, think of it as an experience beforehand.
She would be lying if she said that she wasn't afraid, but she had teammates to trust…
Just when Ophelia closed her eyes and knelt down to say her prayers.
"Hey, Ophelia! What're you doing!"
Cloud grabbed Ophelia's wrist and lifted her up.
“Why are you sitting and resting if you have to recharge your divine power?!”
"Uh? Well, to gather divine power, you have to pray to Goddess Iris…”
“Do you have to sit and pray with your eyes closed? When everyone else is fighting to death, you're saying you'll be resting alone?"
“It’s not that I want to rest…”
“Noisy. Go grab the mace! You can even pray while smashing kobold skulls!"
“Hell, how do I do that?! I'm not a paladin…"
“It’s not my business, no way your faith is so cheap, to be swayed by just a posture. So hurry up and break kobold bones!”
Cloud took the mace tied to Ophelia's waist and made her hold it in her hand.
“Ah, no. Wait for a moment…"
“Trust yourself, you are strong. Charge!”
Cloud pushed Ophelia's back.
“Huh, Hero?! I really can't. I can’t..!”
“Eri! What are you doing?! Don't be slow with your magic skills!"
Ophelia begged, but Cloud was not the one to accept her objection, he turned his attention to Eri.
Dodging a burning arrow that suddenly came for her, Eri was startled and started making excuses.
“I have almost ran out of mana. We don't even have a mana potion, so what should I do..!"
“That staff was given to you for what? Team up with Ophelia, get along and bash those two legged dogs!”
"W, What?! I-I'm a wizard, a magician! I am not a warrior!”
"Shut up! I have no intention of raising you as a mage. From today onwards, you are a battle mage. Understood?!"
“Wh, What!?”
"Cloud..! Come back here soon…”
“Neria, you idiot!!! Why are you looking back?! Look damn straight! Are you going to kill us all?!”
“Ah no, I didn’t mean to..! I was just starting to get pushed back…”
“Aah, not again, you can say that without looking back!”
"Ah. Sorry…"
Neria swallowed her tears.
. . . . . . . .
"Sorry, guys. Working with adventurers has made my mouth rough. Sorry, I hope you understand.”
“…”
"…yes."
"…yes."
* * *