Episode 26: Assault

 

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On the way back to the capital, I suddenly stopped in my tracks.

 

"......"

 

"Rain, what's wrong?"

 

Milia, noticing my abrupt halt, called out to me with a sense of suspicion.

 

"Sorry, but can you keep quiet for a moment?"

 

Ignoring the puzzled looks from Milia and Lisha, I closed my eyes and sharpened my senses.

 

I usually keep an eye on the surrounding magic with 'Detection,' but today, since leaving the city, I had been aware of two sources of magic that had been bothering me.

 

Most likely, these two sources were humans. Moreover, they possessed considerably strong magic for humans.

 

At first, I thought they might be adventurers heading to the same location, so I didn't pay much attention. However, their consistent distance and behavior, neither approaching nor retreating, caught my interest.

 

While we were working on the request at the rocky mountain of Noble Mountain, they remained about a kilometer away without moving. It was as if they were watching us, and it felt eerie.

 

I stopped because these two sources of magic were closing the distance. In such a vast field, it couldn't be a coincidence that they were approaching us directly.

 

I wanted to ask why they were following us. Even if that was not possible, I at least wanted to confirm their identities.

 

By concentrating my senses, I could roughly determine their positions from their footsteps and breathing.

 

They're increasing their speed. In a few seconds—

 

At that moment.

 

A large surge of magic was accompanied by the sound of something cutting through the air.

 

"......⁉︎ Both of you, get down‼︎"

 

"Huh?"

 

"......⁉︎"

 

Almost simultaneously with my shout, Milia and Lisha crouched down as instructed.

 

Less than a second later—

 

BOOOOOOM!!

 

A small explosion occurred just behind us.

 

"What was that⁉︎"

 

"There was no warning at all⁉︎"

 

Milia and Lisha seemed confused.

 

I didn't have much time to explain in detail, but I shared the necessary information.

 

"That was probably an arrow imbued with fire magic. Since leaving the city today, there have been two people lingering around us. It's probably them. Stay alert."

 

"I didn't notice at all!"

 

"Who are they⁉︎"

 

As soon as Lisha spoke, the two individuals in question revealed themselves.

 

The moment I saw the adventurer holding the bow, I was left speechless.

 

"R-Raven-san......⁉︎"

 

"......"

 

As soon as our eyes met, Raven looked slightly uncomfortable and averted his gaze.

 

"Why...... ah, so that's it......!"

 

In the 'Sieg' scenario, there was a scene where Lisha, who left the clan, was attacked and defeated by the swordsman Lugas and the bow mage Raven under orders from the clan master, Jild.

 

In the original story, Lisha was obviously not supposed to meet me, so she was attacked while working solo. The situation was completely different from now.

 

I see...... My actions have changed the scenario.

 

"Raven! Lugas! What are you thinking⁉︎ If that hit, we wouldn't have just been injured⁉︎ It was dangerous⁉︎ Not only for me, but for Milia and Rain too! Do you understand what you've done⁉︎ Hey!"

 

Lisha yelled at them more fiercely than I had ever seen before.

 

After glancing at the silent Raven, Lugas began to speak.

 

"We didn't want to kill our former comrades out of choice. But we can't leave a traitor. It's unfortunate that the rookie got involved...... but if you want to blame someone, blame Lisha!"

 

After saying that, Lugas swung his sword towards me with great force.

 

At the same time, Raven behind him set another arrow on his bow, aiming at Milia.

 

I see. These two think Milia and I are just F-rank adventurers. They plan to take us out first and then deal with Lisha at their leisure.

 

Well, if it has come to this, there's no helping it.

 

I activated 'All Attribute Petrification.'

 

After reinforcing myself with the defensive magic that even nullified the attacks of the area boss 'Red Dragon,' I kicked off the ground and rushed to Milia's side.

 

"Fool! Even if you try to dodge, my sword—"

 

Clang——!!

 

The moment Lugas' sword touched my back, it bounced off with a high-pitched sound.

 

It was as if he had struck an unbreakable wall. Not anticipating this, Lugas lost his balance from the recoil.

 

"What⁉︎ What is this hardness⁉︎"

 

While Lugas was surprised, Raven's arrow had already been released towards Milia.

 

I could step in and take the hit with my high defense like I did with Lugas, but...... I have some leeway this time. I'll handle this more smoothly.

 

Standing in front of Milia, I confirmed the arrow's trajectory and reached out my hand.

 

I focused on absorbing the impact and caught the arrow with a soft touch.

 

"...... Huh⁉︎ You stopped an arrow with your hand⁉︎"

 

Without a word, I snapped the arrow in half and spoke to Raven.

 

"Good grief. Is that all you got? Is it over already?"