Chapter 671: Silver Appears
"So? Where do we start?"
"From the west. There seem to be some monster issues there."
"Then I'll take the east."
Jack says so, shouldering his bow. But...
"What are you talking about? We're going together."
"Huh? Isn't it a waste for two SS-rank adventurers to handle the same area?"
"I'll just show up. You handle the monsters."
"...You think I'm not tired?"
Jack says, grimacing, but I quietly nod.
"You're less tired than I am, right?"
"You're just too tired. Is your magic power recovering?"
My magic power is gradually recovering. However, it's not enough for full combat. Especially if the enemy is a demon, I need it to fully recover, but that's uncertain.
"Please... the number of SS-rank adventurers has decreased."
"I wonder? I can't imagine those monsters being taken down easily."
I reply seriously to Jack's words. Linares and Egor are missing after Asmodeus's attack. But there are no bodies. They might actually be alive. They're both tough, suspiciously so, even for humans. ṚÀŊȫ𐌱Ę𝙨
"Alright, Henrick. I need a magical tool."
"I have only one left, is it okay to use it?"
"Tools are meant to be used."
Saying so, we flew to the west using Henrick's magical tool.
In the western part of the Empire, in the Duchy of Kleinert, Duke Kleinert is fighting monsters. They're facing a giant centipede-like monster. Knights are charging and stabbing it with spears, but it's not enough.
"Father!? We should retreat for now!"
"Don't whine! The lord's duty is to protect their territory! If we can't hold here, there's no point in being a lord!"
Normally, monster subjugation is the job of the Adventurer's Guild. Knights are for fighting humans, not monsters. But...
"Rally! Because the Adventurer's Guild can't move, it's our turn to stand up! They've always been fighting monsters! We can do it too! Continue!!" Thɪs chapter is updatᴇd by noveⅼfire.net
Duke Kleinert leads the charge. He's an admirable man. If all nobles were like him, things would be easier. But they're not, which makes him a rare species out of the rest. And we can't afford to lose such a rare person. Before Duke Kleinert, the centipede-like monster is pierced by a magic bullet and falls.
"I apologize for my late arrival, Duke Kleinert."
"...So you've come, Silver."
The knights cheer as I descend. Duke Kleinert hesitates before asking.
"...If you're safe, Silver, does that mean the Emperor and the allied forces are also safe?"
I tell him the truth.
"The allied forces are trapped in a barrier. The Emperor is severely injured but alive so he is probably safe. But there's no way to break the barrier from the outside. We have to wait for them to break it from the inside."
"Thank God... Thank God..."
Duke Kleinert mutters, relieved. He must have been prepared for the worst. Then, arrows from Jack rain down from the sky, splitting and falling all around.
"SS-rank adventurer Jack is here too... I'm grateful."
"It's originally the job of adventurers. You should focus on other matters, Duke."
"...You understand the situation."
The Duke orders his men to retreat and leaves. But he stops and turns back to me.
"How do you see the First Prince in the south, Silver?"
"It's not for me to judge."
"True... The First Prince loved his family. It would be like him to settle the Empire's chaos... but if it were him, he would go to check on the Emperor and Prince Leonard, even if others tried to stop him."
"That's one way to see it."
"Yes, it's my subjective view. I don't plan to label him a fake for not acting that way... but I can't feel any pride in the current First Prince."
Saying so, the Duke leaves. A truly rare man. His daughter Finne's good nature must be thanks to his upbringing. I nod silently, and he leaves, satisfied.
"The monsters around here are done."
Jack calls out from behind. The west is vast. Even Jack can't attack the entire area from here. If only my magic power would recover a bit more, things would be easier. But that's wishful thinking. I overexerted myself in the battle against Asmodeus and used up too much magic power, relying on the Imperial Sword for backup. That's why I'm now. Of course, it's not just me. Leo and Elna are far from perfect too. It won't get better soon. Time is needed. But the more time we take, the more the enemy's advantage is confirmed.
"Let's move on. We don't have time."
Thinking so, Jack and I started moving again.