Twilight Alchemist 13.2

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13.2. If You Have A Purpose, You Can Fight, Isn't It?

Approaching the marshland, I decide to scout alone first, using the [Far Sight] magic to find a route with fewer Hydras. 

Returning to my companions, I draw a picture on the ground, explaining the invasion route.

"Listen up. If we can avoid it, let's avoid combat. Persia, even if you have techniques that make a loud noise, try to use them sparingly."

"Got it."

"Leafan, you take the lead. There's no need to defeat the enemies. While holding them back, Persia will strike. Jitaro, don't immediately join the fight. Stay alert to the surroundings. If the enemies increase, provide support."

"Yeah."

"Leave it to me."

"I'll support with magic, but I'll refrain from using flashy spells at first to avoid attracting enemies. Once we reach the destination, we can also collect herbs."

"Alright. I'll definitely protect everyone."

"Reliable. ...Okay, let's go!"

With the stamina potion's effects working perfectly, we don't need to worry about fatigue from consecutive battles. 

In this way, we lower our stance and advance through the marshland. The main reason for avoiding combat in the marshland is the terrain. 

If you walk, your feet sink into the water up to your shins. 

Fortunately, the grass is thick, so we don't sink into the swamp-like quicksand, but it's still difficult to walk. 

However, Leafan, who I was worried about, is moving more smoothly than I thought, so it seems there's no problem.

"Hydras...!"

Hydras scattered over a wide area noticed our intrusion into their territory, and nearby individuals appeared to block our path.

"Surprisingly big, huh?"

Snakes as thick as logs. Yeah, they're big.

"Shall we go back now?"

"No, no! Stop joking! I can handle this!"

"Leave it to Leafan for now."

Perhaps sensing our hostility, the previously slow-moving Hydras suddenly rushed towards us, blocking our path vigorously.

Four heads!

Quite strong!

Thunk!

Leafan, with his small body, stops the charging Hydra with a forceful push.

"No fear, huh?"

Jitaro exclaimed in surprise.

I was surprised too.

He's probably using some technique. For a production-type emblem holder to learn combat techniques, it would require an unbelievable amount of training!

"Alright! Keep holding it down! Take this! Whirlwind Phoenix Slash!"

The technique Persia unleashed is an advanced version of the adventurer-favored [Swift Swordplay]. 

She could probably cut off one of the Hydra's heads with that.

Swish!

As if cutting through the air effortlessly, Persia's sword cleanly sliced off all 4 heads of the Hydra. But it didn't stop there. She went on to cut the thick body into pieces.

"Huh?"

"Uh?"

The one most surprised seems to be Persia herself. Wide-eyed, she alternated between the mountain of Hydra steaks and her own sword.

"I thought it could cut, but... it felt as easy as slicing through butter."

"That's... good."

Truly, a legendary-quality Sharpness Oil.

"Craft-san, I've collected the magic stones!"

"Alright, let's move on!"

Jitaro had somehow managed to collect the magic stones without us noticing. He seems more like a bandit with each passing moment!

"Heh... hehe..."

"Hm?"

Raising my head at the mysterious laughter, I see Leafan, grinning with a twisted smile.

"With this... with this!"

"Oh! Hey! Leafan!"

"Hehe! Ahahaha!"

"Whoa!? Let's go after her, Craft! Jitaro!"

"Don't mind us! Persia, stick with Leafan!"

"Got it!"

With a linear movement but incredible speed, Leafan charges into the group of hydras. 

Persia hurriedly follows, trying to keep up.

"Jitaro! We're following too!"

"Roger!"

Underestimating the endless stamina of the vanguard, Leafan charges headlong into the Hydras, and once he stops their movements like a battering ram, Persia gracefully finishes them off.

I don't quite get it.

All I could do was follow along, picking up magic stones, on the path strewn with snake parts.

"Hehehehehe! Ahahahahaha!! It's our revenge! Snake bastards!! For everyone... for our families' revenge!!"

"Hehahaha! Whirlwind Phoenix Slash! Thunderous Assault Slash! Radiant Flash! Shadowless Combo! I can unleash as many techniques as I want! 

I don't feel tired at all! How much fun is this!!"

The two of them, produce a spray of water as they mass-produce Hydra corpses.

At some point, the Hydras began to flee at full speed, but the two relentlessly chased them down and delivered the finishing blows.

Watching their figure, Jitaro and I could only tremble in amazement.

"Don't get too close."

"T-that's... amazing, big sis..."

"Ah, found some herbs."

"Me too. Let's make sure not to upset those two."

"Yeah."

And so, within the visible range of the marshland, all the Hydras were exterminated.

"Sorry, I ignored the plan."

"No problem at all! Leafan-sama!"

For some reason, we all salute together.

"Well, Leafan was running wild, so what could we do? It's not our fault!"

Hey, you! You definitely enjoyed it, didn't you!?

Maybe he's a problem child, and that's why Kyle assigned her to us!?

While harboring some suspicions, we obtained the herbs we needed.

"Thank goodness... Now Kyle-sama will..."

"It's too late to make it a good story now, right?"

Well, better damp than dull.

Former adventurers are quite something.