Chapter 260
The Felt Presence
Translator : PolterGlast
After finishing our shopping, we returned to the Guild
Master's office. I thought adventurers would be gathered during this time, but
the inside of the Adventurer's Guild hadn't changed much.
「Oh, you're back, huh. Are you ready
to depart anytime?」
「We can depart anytime on our end.
How about the adventurers? Does it look like you'll gather enough people?」
「A certain number has already
gathered, and including the soldiers, I've already had them head toward the
monsters led by the adventurer who brought back the information.」
「They're already heading there? You
act quite fast.」
I was also so surprised by their quick action that I
involuntarily nodded at the Guild Master's remark. So the reason the
Adventurer's Guild hadn't changed was because they had already made their move.
「Not to brag, but we're used to being
attacked by monsters. The soldiers are also specialized against monsters, so we
might not even need your power, Graham. I had you prepare, so I'd feel
bad if that ends up being the case.」
「No, it's best if I don't have to
fight. However, you never know what might happen. Let's head out immediately
too.」
「Well, that's true. Can you ride a
horse? I've prepared some exceptionally fast horses.」
「No, I'll be fine without a horse.」
At that remark of mine, Spencer tilted his head with
a dubious expression. I'll be matching pace with the two of them anyway, so
riding a horse would probably be the safe bet, but it's difficult to manage one
with one arm, and it would put a burden on the horse too. In that case, it's
better if I run. It'll also be easier to deal with any trouble that occurs.
If the monster army turns out to be the Demon King's Army,
it wouldn't be strange no matter what happens.
「It's fine to leave Graham-san's
matters to Graham-san.」
「I don't get it, but if Dwayne
says so, I guess it's fine. Well then, let's head out.」
Cutting the conversation moderately short, we also decided
to head toward the monster army. The Guild Master and Spencer rode
horses, while I traveled by running.
「Hey, hey! You can run at the same
speed as these horses!?」
「That's why I'm telling you. Graham-san
is not normal. If anything, he's suppressing his speed to match us.」
「Are you serious!? He's a monster,
isn't he. ...I've already caught a glimpse of one of the reasons why Dwayne
uses an honorific.」
The two of them were having such a conversation, but I had
already focused my consciousness on the monster horde up ahead. They're
speaking leisurely because they haven't grasped the enemy, but things might be
worse than expected.
I can definitely sense the presence of monsters from a place
where I felt absolutely nothing just a few hours ago. Furthermore, a few of
them have quite strong presences, and the possibility of it being the Demon King's
Army has suddenly emerged.
I'm most curious about where they appeared from, but first
and foremost, getting through this situation safely is the top priority. I
haven't grasped the strength of the adventurers and soldiers sent from Flimble,
but if there are no S-Rank level humans among them, it wouldn't be strange for
there to be casualties. Since we haven't pinpointed the location or method of
their appearance, we must consider that further reinforcements might arrive.
It seems best if I head on ahead alone here. Judging so from
the situation, I decided to leave the Guild Master and Spencer behind
and hurry toward the monster army ahead of them.
「Guild Master, Spencer. It
smells like a stronger enemy than I thought. I'm going ahead. You two hurry over
as quickly as possible as well.」
「Going ahead? Are you sensing the
presence of monsters that strong?」
「If Graham-san says so, it
means they are quite the monsters! I'm truly sorry to leave it to you, but it
would be a huge help if you could head ahead and deal with them.」
「Rather than the threat of the
monsters, it's more about preventing casualties. Well then, allow me to go on
ahead.」
I briefly conveyed the situation to the Guild Master and Spencer,
and hurried ahead at full speed. It doesn't seem like they're engaged in combat
yet so I think it's fine, but it wouldn't be strange for the battle to start at
any moment. While staying vigilant of other locations, I kept my legs moving
anyway.
And, about thirty minutes after parting with the two. Partly
because I ran at full speed, the figures of the adventurers and soldiers
advancing ahead came into view.
I can agree with why Spencer was confident. It seems
a decent number of capable people have gathered, but... judging their level at
a glance, a few are A-Rank class, and the rest are about B-Rank class. The
average value is high, but with this fighting force, they could easily be
scattered.
「Stop for a moment. There's a monster
army ahead.」
There wasn't an optimistic atmosphere, and they seemed to be
braced for it, but their vibe was similar to the Guild Master and Spencer
I left behind. They had no assumption in their heads that they would lose,
appearing to think they could at least put up an even fight.
「Hm? Who are you?」
「I am... someone who has been
entrusted with this battle by Guild Master Spencer. The monster army up
ahead is a formidable enemy, so from here on, I will lead the fight.」
「Is that story true? He did say he
was calling in a helper, but...」
The two individuals, one seemingly the leader of the
adventurers and the other seemingly the leader of the soldiers, thoroughly
observed my entire body. One-armed, middle-aged, lacking aura. They probably
couldn't sense any strength from me. The two directed suspicious gazes at me.
In reality, I wasn't completely entrusted with it, so it
can't be helped that I'm suspected. That being said, to prevent meaningless
casualties, I need to take the initiative and defeat the strong monsters
beforehand.
「It's not a lie. If you doubt me...
let's see. If you designate any of the monsters up ahead, I'll defeat it in an
instant to show you.」
「That's hard to verify. Wouldn't it
be faster if you simply sparred with me?」
「We're about to fight a monster army,
yet you say we should fight among allies? I don't mind if you absolutely
insist, but I want to reduce our fighting force as little as possible.」
If I hold back, I can't show my true ability. If I show my
true ability, there's a possibility I'll injure him. With a battle coming up, I
don't want to do something so foolish. However, having one injured person is
better than having casualties, and it's also a fact that making them understand
through power is faster.
「What amazing confidence. I've faced
numerous monster armies and――」
「Stop it, Valkyra. What he says
is correct. There's no need to fight among allies, and the point is you want to
fight first, right? There are no disadvantages for us.」
In the midst of this explosive situation, the one who interjected was the person wearing soldier's equipment. While still directing skeptical eyes at me, I'm extremely grateful he settled things peacefully.
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