Interlude 13
Soldier Leader Usman Part 1
Translator : PolterGlast
Graham-san, the Grand Mage who headed toward the monster
army alone after unleashing an unbelievable spell. I had come out to the
battlefield like this in order to prevent casualties, but all I could do was
stare at Graham-san's back as he headed out alone. I felt incredibly pathetic
as a soldier leader, but after being shown that magic, it was obvious that even
if we went together, we would only be a hindrance.
...That being said, considering who the opponents are this
time. Ogres, possessing overwhelming power, making it difficult to stop even a
single one. Trolls, possessing a terrifying regenerative ability, requiring
attacks from about ten humans to finish off. And now, monsters with such
atrocious abilities have formed an army. Even if he is a Grand Mage, the
possibility of winning is infinitesimally low. That was the assessment of
myself, who has served as a soldier leader for many years, but...
Graham-san denied my words, saying he "is not a
mage." I don't know the true meaning behind those words, but if he is a
legendary magic user who surpasses even a Grand Mage, he could repel even an
army of Ogres and Trolls. It's close to wishful thinking, but Graham-san was
clad in such an indescribable aura that it made me harbor such illusions.
I explained about Graham-san to the adventurer coalition led
by Valkyra as well, and quietly waited for the battle situation to change. The
moment the monster army becomes visible, it means Graham-san's defeat, and it
will mean that we have to fight.
「Damn it, are the monsters not
visible yet? That middle-aged man, stepping out of line all by himself... If we
don't get a turn, it'll just be a wasted trip!」
「Valkyra, you'd better pray that we
don't get a turn this time. Since you've been acting as an adventurer for many
years, you should understand the danger of an army of Ogres and Trolls.」
「I understand that, but... unlike you
soldiers, we get no reward unless we achieve results! We've even mentally
prepared ourselves! You guys can fight, right!?」
「「「Yeah!!!」」」
It is somewhat reliable that they can maintain this
mentality even when facing formidable enemies. However, it's strange to direct
eyes of blame at Graham-san. Just as I was about to say a word to Valkyra, I
saw horses approaching from the direction of Flimble. The man advancing at the
front was an unfamiliar face, but behind him was Guild Master Spencer.
「You guys, what happened to the
monster army?」
「They're up ahead. However, a single
idiot headed towards them alone, but is it true that you gave permission, Guild
Master?」
「Alone... you say? It's true that
he's the person I requested for backup, but are they opponents and numbers that
can be subjugated alone?」
「It's an army of Ogres and Trolls,
and the number is around one hundred in total.」
「One hundred Ogres and Trolls!? You
guys let him go alone!?」
Guild Master Spencer showed a look of sheer astonishment at
my report. It seems Guild Master Spencer truly did issue a backup request to
Graham-san, but it appeared he didn't know he would be fighting alone. In the
midst of that, the only one wearing a seemingly relaxed smile was the
mysterious man who came with Guild Master Spencer.
「Fufufu, there's no need to worry.
Because Graham-san will scatter them with ease.」
「Hah!? I understood that he was
certainly strong, but... it's impossible for one person to annihilate a total
of one hundred Ogres and Trolls!」
「Because he pulls that off,
Graham-san is Graham-san. Or rather, two hundred... no, even three hundred,
Graham-san would annihilate them.」
Everyone directed eyes like they were looking at a fool
toward the mysterious man who spoke with such confidence, but I hold a similar
feeling. I've only seen a fraction of his magic, but he is clad in an aura that
makes it unsurprising for someone to say that. ...Well, as expected, three
hundred would probably be impossible, though.
「Speak of the devil, as they say.」
Because the man muttered that, I turned my gaze in the
direction where the monster army had been, and I could see Graham-san returning
looking nonchalant. He returned far too quickly, and on top of that, his
clothes were so clean it was hard to believe he had fought monsters. I had
opened my mouth so wide today out of astonishment that I thought my jaw would
dislocate, but as for the adventurers including Valkyra, perhaps thinking
Graham-san had fled back, they were watching with smirks on their faces.
No, not just the adventurers, but the majority of the
soldiers had similar expressions. Partly because the mysterious man had made a
big boast just a little while ago, a mocking mood was drifting in the air. If
Graham-san had indeed fled back, the monster army would be closing in right
before our eyes, but there was an overly relaxed atmosphere showing they hadn't
even imagined that far. Honestly, just being able to flee back alive is an
amazing feat. More than that, I felt a sense of crisis regarding the extremely
bad atmosphere drifting on our side.
「Hm? Graham has returned, hasn't he.
What happened to the monsters?」
「Did you really manage to escape
safely? Just... who in the world are you?」
「That's why I told you. Graham-san is
fine. Besides, saying he 'escaped' is far too rude. Since it's Graham-san, he
must have finished them off, or at the very least driven them away... he should
have!」
The mysterious man retorted to my muttering like that. As for me, they were words meant to defend Graham-san, but that single remark caused even more snickering and mockery to erupt. However, among everyone here, I am the only one who has seen Graham-san's magic. And, precisely because I have seen that magic, I was faintly sensing that this mysterious man's words weren't just him blowing hot air.
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