episode_0046

The atmosphere became heavy.

I waited with bated breath for Milia’s sentence, feeling like a defendant standing in court.

Milia seemed to be deciding what to say, but just looked down at me with her mouth pursed for a long time.

I guess he must have been angry.

After forcing him to keep his mouth shut and leaving, he came back like this.

At first, I never thought it would get to this point.

Who would have guessed that Knut was a warrior god’s paladin or crusader?

In my strategy of pushing specs, Paladins were the worst opponents.

If you are a wizard, you can deal with it by reading magical omens with anti-magic power.

A simple warrior can be overpowered with swordsmanship and physical prowess.

If it’s a non-intelligent monster, it’s even simpler because you can just crush it with force.

However, Paladins are different.

They raise their specs through blessings, fight regardless of injuries, and the miracles they perform are not affected by anti-magic power.

On the other hand, I still can’t control my strength perfectly.

I’ve gotten used to swordsmanship, and I’ve also gotten used to using my strength and instincts.

I couldn’t even figure out how to deal with karma.

When emotions became strong, the level at which Hershela could unconsciously express the killing power she had built up was the limit.

Although the frost forcefully brought out its power… that weapon was too dangerous to use.

—-

“So, can you explain now what happened?”

Finally, Millia opened her mouth.

Even though the bonfire was burning and spreading warmth throughout the cave, it was a cold voice that made you feel cold.

It’s an explanation.

“I fought an opponent who was trying to kill me…he was stronger than I thought, so I barely came back alive.”

“Details.”

He had a stern attitude that seemed to have no intention of understanding my answer, which I had tried to ignore.

I confessed what I had done without realizing it.

“…Knut. Since he was a Dane, he couldn’t forgive me, a Ka’har. He was a man who kept looking for an opportunity to kill me.”

“So, did you kill him?”

It was a quiet interrogation.

“Maybe…I haven’t seen it with my own eyes, but I probably won’t be able to survive with those wounds.”

Because the warrior god’s blessing did not have the power to heal wounds.

Without encountering a saint from another denomination, it would be impossible to recover.

“…You had no choice but to kill him?”

Millia moved her head closer.

Green hair falls down my face and tickles my cheek.

The shadows flickered, and Milia’s grim, stiff face was revealed.

There was no longer any fear left in his unwavering eyes.

There are only unidentifiable emotions fluttering in the eyes that are as hard as minerals.

but. I’m like this now, so there’s no reason to be scared anymore.

“Well…”

Did you have no choice but to kill him…?

Me too, I don’t know.

“Probably so…the conversation failed.”

“…Really?”

Millia quietly closed her eyes.

I couldn’t tell what she was thinking when she looked at me right now.

Millia is weak, but a just person.

no. A person who wants to live justly. Like her friend. Like Damien.

till now.

So, will Millia despise me?

Or would you understand that I really had no choice?

Of course, I did not dare to hope that he would understand.

Because I also never showed her a particularly good side.

At the very least, I hoped that it wasn’t just an embarrassing idea, such as using this opportunity to get rid of a woman who would become a villain in the future.

“I see.”

Millia opened her eyes and muttered softly.

That expression was still difficult to understand.

“In that case. Okay. That’s it.”

Millia stood up.

Done…? Is that the end?

What does that mean?

Please explain.

“Aren’t you saying something to me?”

I couldn’t help but ask.

Are you not condemning me? Are you not criticizing me?

You are a just person.

“Yes. I won’t do it. Hashal, because you said there was nothing you could do.

Millia stroked my forehead.

Like comforting a sick child.

“If you’re saying that after fighting like that and ending up like this. That would be correct. At least for you.”

The warmth felt on my forehead was cozy.

I felt as if I had been forgiven, but my heart was clogged and I could not reply.

“Maybe, that’s just the way you live… So, that’s enough this time. I’ll trust you.”

Millia smiled softly.

That smile seems to be looking at something so far away from me.

My eyes are dazzling.

I probably cried a little.

—-

“That’s absurd.”

Hans, who returned shortly after, dismissed my idea with one word.

“But, that may be the only way.”

So the plan for the remaining three days was decided.

It was decided that Millia would take charge of the front line alone, Hans would carry me instead of carrying his luggage, and Lana would follow right next to him.

I decided to use my senses to avoid dangerous opponents in advance and only target and attack six or fewer kobolds.

Before going to bed, I received Lana’s healing once more.

Even though she was still young, her brilliantly shining divine light was comparable to that of the priestess she met at the Marquis Castle.

Unlike the priestess, I was the only one with serious injuries to treat, so she said she could perform this healing spell three times a day.

Perhaps by the last day, I would have no trouble moving.

“Well, if you carry it around carefully like this, your wound won’t burst!”

“That’s right? Good luck, Hashal.”

“Sure.”

And so the second night arrived.

All four team members fell asleep inside the warm cave.

It is said that Hans chopped down a tree with an ax, installed a barrier at the entrance to the cave, and laid a trap.

They said it would be impossible for two people to stay on guard all night.

He must have been born to lead.

—-

The day dawned.

After breakfast, I was carried on my back by Hans, who gave me his back.

It was a bit difficult to breathe when I carried him on my back, but it was bearable.

Hans cleared his throat and stood up.

I’ve taken off my armor, so it shouldn’t be that heavy, right?

This guy is going through a lot too.

I wandered around the forest all morning.

I stopped at a water source to refill water and also searched for a small group of kobolds.

Fortunately, the guys occupying the water source on the first day were nowhere to be seen.

As long as I’m like this right now, I’m going to be in trouble if we meet again.

Millia organized all the kobolds she encountered.

Unlike the first day, he must have gotten used to dealing with the kobolds, and he moved cheerfully as if he was dancing and killed him with a single blow.

I looked over Hans’ back and leaned against my injured, tired body.

It would be better to apologize to him too.

When I came to this forest, I never thought I’d be in trouble like this.

Still, you helped me without any complaints.

“…I was sorry for blowing off my finger back then.”

“In that case, I received much more, so it’s okay. My fingers also grew well. I guess it was a bit of a difficult request.”

Hans showed off his severed finger.

From my experience, this guy seems to be very capable and has a good personality.

It may be difficult to become an engineer, but if you guide, I think you will succeed.

“Rather than that, try not to wriggle behind your back as much as possible. I’m crazy.”

“Sorry. My posture is a bit uncomfortable.”

“…It’s not something to apologize for.”

As expected, walking around the forest carrying one person was difficult, and he looked a little tired.

Things like the sound of breathing, the color of the face, and the beads of sweat flowing down were quite different from the first day.

For three days, he hunted kobolds on his back, returned to the cave in the evening, received treatment, and fell asleep.

Even if the troll sensed a smell, it avoided it. The other guys will catch it on their own.

Damian, Ophelia, etc.

On the last day, his condition had recovered to the point where he was able to walk.

Blue smoke, signaling the end of practice, rose one after another from the border of the forest.

We also packed our bags and finally left this damn forest.

The final number of kobolds hunted was 52.

Surprisingly, it was a fairly high score, equivalent to 6th place.

First place was the group of Damian and Edgar, who hunted 3 trolls and 30 kobolds.

Ophelia Jo hunted one troll, but caught only 5 kobolds, so she was in 3rd place.

Perhaps, due to Ophelia’s personality, she first caught only one troll and then stayed away to rest.

The group members would not have been able to refuse the advice of a wizard who could catch a troll on his own.

For reference, the group that came in second place was the group that hunted 90 kobolds alone.

Although they all had decent skills and unfamiliar faces.

It is said that they could not defeat the trolls anyway, so they persistently attacked only caves where kobolds were gathered.

It was a method that could be evaluated as strategic.

With this, the first eventful outdoor training, which was long and short, came to an end.

140 participants. 126 people returned.

14 dead and missing.

One of the drivers in charge of management went missing.

…The names of those who died and went missing were not even given.

After some time, I finally returned to the academy.

—-

Nigel, who was waiting for me in the special officer’s quarters, was shocked when he saw the state of my body and armor.

“Knut Are you fighting with seven people?”

No, I was treated like this by one person.

“That guy was a crusader of Bölberg.”

“Ah…I see. If so, I can understand this.”

Nigel nodded and sighed.

“I will leave the armor for repairs for now… This will save me money again…”

As for money, there will probably be a chance to earn it once my body gets better.

Honestly, dealing with monsters is nothing.

From the beginning, I was planning on making some money.

No matter how much I think about it, I don’t think ordinary steel equipment will be able to withstand the battle ahead.

I guess I should diligently save up money and ask Asha to make equipment for me.

They’ll probably make it cheaper, right? Because we are friends.

“Anyway, for now I’m just resting until my wounds heal. Magic candles are also prohibited.”

As if everything went well, Nigel gathered up the cases containing magic candles and placed them in the corner of the desk.

No, well, even if it were me, I had no intention of smoking something like this in the first place.

Do you hate magic grass that much?

========[???]========

A dark room with only one bed.

The man who had been lying dead, coughing up blood in excruciating pain, finally woke up.

“Wow..! Big, big!… Is this…?”

I had no feeling in my limbs.

Every time I took a breath, my stomach hurt like it was being torn apart.

The man wriggled in pain and confusion, and only then did he notice the presence of a female knight looking down at him.

“Are you awake? Even when I told him not to do it, he didn’t listen and it was really nice to see him.”

Contrary to her cold tone, the woman was looking at the man’s miserable state as if she felt sorry for him.

“The Heavenly Palace…no…”

“Did you hurt your head too? Do you know how hard I worked to save you?”

The woman approached the bed and sat down on it.

One side of the bed was caved in.

“Using the potion like water, he barely managed to cling to his life, then escaped and went to the academy’s saint candidate and somehow cured her. A year’s worth of duchess money has all been lost, and now that things have come to this, I will have to give up this fake identity as well. Even so, this was the limit.”

The woman stretched out her hand and pointed here and there about the man.

“The arm was somehow restored, but the leg and internal organs were stained with a terrible curse. In addition, they used their power by burning their life force, so it is a miracle that they did not die. Thanks to the sainthood candidate, the internal organs were somewhat clumsily restored, but the eyes and legs were difficult. You will no longer be able to fight as a warrior.”

“I see…I am indebted to you.”

Indeed, was that the reason why I could no longer feel the warrior god’s blessing?

Now that I am no longer a warrior.

The man groaned softly, feeling like a lost child.

“…Please rest here for the time being. I have reported this to my home country, so a response will come back shortly.”

The female knight stood up and headed toward the door.

The man looked at her with his only remaining eye.

The woman holding the doorknob turned her head, looked at the man, and sighed.

“Still…I’m really glad you survived.”

Knut.

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