Volume 4 Chapter 41 Side Braver Xi
After defeating that giant armor, I lost consciousness once. My first time using the Holy Flame Blade of Destruction (Lævateinn) consumed my mental power to the limit.
I woke up almost half a day later.
While I was sleeping, Gabert's injuries were healed by Shion's magic.
However, the burns on his hand were serious, and although they didn't affect his ability to move, it seems that the marks couldn't be completely erased.
"Hahaha. If this injury is an honor wound earned while protecting Brave-sama, it just adds to the glory."
Watching Gabert laugh so loudly, I felt truly grateful to have such pleasant companions by my side.
From then on, we were faced with the choice of either advancing further into the cave or retreating.
During our battle with the giant armor, our equipment got all torn up. Even though our health and injuries have healed, it's hard to say we've fully regained our fighting abilities. Gabert's greatsword even melted and became half its size.
It seems like retreating would be the best option.
But then, Mayuri spoke up, putting a stop to that idea.
"That monster was probably here to block intruders from going further into this space."
The entrance to this space wasn't big enough for that giant armor to pass through. It's likely that it was brought here through some special summoning method from another place.
So, that monster being here seems deliberate.
"In other words, whatever lies ahead isn't favorable for whoever set up the giant armor here. If we take our time, they might try to cover it up."
While I thought Mayuri's point made sense, I was hesitant. Gabert, however, openly agreed with her.
"I also agree with young girl. But, let's not delve too deeply into it. If nothing comes out in about an hour, we should really retreat. Then, we can prepare again and explore once more."
If the two of them are in agreement, then I will accept the proposal and start investigating the cave again. However, there is a time limit, and if it passes, we must retreat for real. Hurrying things up could put my friends in even greater danger, which would be counterproductive.
As a result, Mayuri and Gabert's decision was correct.
In less than thirty minutes, we reached a dead end. However, upon closer inspection, we found that it was just cleverly sealed off by magic, similar to the entrance of the cave we had passed through. By using my 'Enchantment - White Flame Infusion' and Mayuri's magic to break the wall, bright sunlight poured in from outside.
It might have been about three days in real time, but because we hadn't seen any sunlight during that time, it felt like we'd been wandering in the dim cave for over a week.
After resting in that area for about a day, we set off. Luckily, Gabert seemed familiar with the terrain nearby, so we could figure out where we were. We headed toward the nearest town and contacted the royal castle to ask for a pick-up.
Being Brave came in handy at times like this. Normally, it would take over a week from contacting to returning, but we managed to get back to the royal capital in just four days.
The point where we broke through the wall and went outside was in a territory owned by a certain noble, where entry was forbidden.
In fact, we almost got caught by the security guards owned by the noble when we tried to leave. But thanks to Mayuri's calm negotiation, they quickly found out I was a Brave and let us go.
However, there didn't seem to be any dangerous monsters living in the forbidden area, nor were there any valuable plants or animals. The reason for the prohibition was the cave we came out of.
When we returned to the royal capital, we reported what happened inside the cave and after we came out.
Now, things got really hectic from there.
The place where we came out of the cave was actually a few hours away by horse, and it was the area where a lot of monsters appeared during that demon attack incident.
The lord who rules over that area was strongly suspected right after the incident. However, there wasn't clear evidence, and since he held a high position even within the royal castle, it was hard for the investigation to proceed.
But the exit of the cave we were investigating turned out to be inside the lord's territory, and moreover, it was a forbidden area designated by the lord himself. This was a big breakthrough, and finally, the kingdom's government managed to carry out a forced investigation.
Then it was revealed that there was a connection between the noble and the demon.
His role was to overlook the setup of a large summoning circle on the plain. And when the royal capital was attacked by demons, he was to lead the troops and rush to the rescue faster than anyone else. Even if he couldn't save the royal family, he intended to increase his power within the country by being recognized for saving the people.
...In the end, due to the actions of a certain person, the incident ended much earlier than the nobleman's troops could rush in.
Regardless, because we greatly contributed to the arrest of the 'dark shadow' lurking within the country, we received strong praise from the king. Our actions quickly became the talk of the country, and the dark atmosphere that had enveloped the royal capital during the incident was starting to lift.
After receiving words of thanks from the king, we left the throne room, and Gabert rotated his shoulders as if they were stiff.
"Well, I don't really fit in with these formal situations."
"Hey, Gabert-san. We're still inside the castle so maybe a little more――"
"Don't be so stiff, young girl. Weren't you also really nervous in front of the king?"
"Well, that's true..."
After Gabert's comment, Mayuri reluctantly agreed. Despite the significant age gap between the two of them, they sometimes looked like siblings when they were talking. That's how close they were.
"Come to think of it, Shion didn't seem very nervous, did he?"
"No, no, Relix-san. I was actually quite nervous inside, even though it didn't show on my face or actions. The last time I felt this nervous was when I was ordered by the Pope to accompany Brave on a journey."
In response to my question, Shion chuckled. And then a sudden question came to mind.
"Wait a minute... wasn't it said that Shion would ultimately decide whether to go on the journey himself?"
"Hey Relix-san. Do you really think a lowly priest like me can go against the words of the highest authority in the Church? Well, it was said in a much softer way, but to be honest, it's like an order."
Shion's expertise in support magic is said to be outstanding, according to Mayuri. However, she also mentioned that his blunt way of speaking was the main reason why he was marginalized.
As we continued our conversation, two men in noble attire approached us from the front.
"That face..."
I involuntarily stopped in my tracks.
Mayuri looked at me curiously as I stopped suddenly.
"Relix-sama?"
"Uh...yeah, just a moment."
The two men approached us. I recognized their faces.
I'm sure...it was when we stepped into the throne room during the incident.
Yukina stood in a posture as if to strike down the bisected evil dragon with a black spear, and the demon stood still. Among the mercenaries who were fighting around him, I remembered their faces.
'Their appearance is certainly different, but there is no mistake that those mercenaries were there, Master.'
Leiva's words eliminated the possibility of my misunderstanding.
The man stopped in front of me.
"Well, well, if it isn't Brave-sama. I have heard rumors about you. Your recent achievements have also reached my ears."
The man bowed politely. The man beside him also bowed.
"You must be... the mercenary who fought with Yukina in the throne room, right?"
"Oh, this is a surprise. I am honored that you remember my face."
There was no malice in his tone, but there was a deliberately light-hearted manner about him.
"I apologize for the delay. I'm
Rudel Jitania. The one next to me is my servant Gaddis. I would be delighted if you could remember our names."
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