No Damage 29

Test

29. Because He's A Formidable Foe

The morning after Luca and the others departed.

"Are you all okay?"

I, along with Lilith and Alice, were having breakfast in the dining hall on the inn's first floor.

The results of the guild membership examination were still pending.

Until the results were out, I continued to stay at the inn.

Lilith and Alice were also waiting here, considering when the defense line was breached, and the demons invaded the capital.

Of course, I also intended to fight if necessary.

Honestly, I wanted to go with Luca and the others.

But the guild should have made a solid plan and selected members accordingly, and as someone who hadn't even become an adventurer yet, I couldn't intervene.

I have to believe and wait.

"Considering the demon's advancing speed, the engagement will likely be around noon today." 

Lilith sighed.

Just waiting like this is also tough in its own way.

I know Luca and Sarome are strong, but the demon they're facing are also incredibly powerful.

I was worried.

"All we can do is pray..."

Alice murmured sadly.

"It's frustrating." 

Lilith said, biting her lip with a frustrated expression.

"Do you really want to go, Lilith, Alice?"

"...I do." 

Lilith began to say something in response to my words.

At that moment.

"How about joining the demon subjugation operation right now, milady?"

At the sudden voice, we all turned in surprise.

Standing at the dining hall's entrance was an elderly gentleman in a black tuxedo.

"Gordon...!"

Lilith's expression hardened.

"He serves as the steward of our family, the Earl of Lafiel's household," Alice informed me.

"He came to this inn looking for us."

The elderly gentleman—Gordon—approached our table.

"What was that all about, Gordon?"

Lilith asked with a stern expression.

"It means exactly as I said, Lilith-sama. It's a message from the Earl. 'This operation is a battle for the survival of the nation. As a member of the Earl's family, it is natural to join. Therefore, please hasten to join the demon interception frontline.' That's all."

"Join...?"

"We are only ranked B, so we don't qualify to participate in the operation, Gordon-san." 

Alice interjected.

"Indeed, that's what the rules dictate. However, this is an emergency situation. A more flexible response is required. The Earl has already informed the guild's upper echelons about this." 

The old butler nodded with a smile.

"Father informed them...?"

"The guild's permission has already been granted. Miss Lilith and Miss Alice have been granted special participation qualifications for the demon interception operation at Quadra Canyon."

Gordon-san beamed.

...But his eyes didn't smile.

I couldn't help but notice his gaze towards the two was oddly cold.

"I have also received three magic missiles enhanced with magical amplification from the Earl. Please accept them." 

Gordon-san said, handing us three silver parts resembling arrowheads.

Magic missiles—those tools that significantly boost the power of magic, Lilith and the others used them when they fought the dragon before, right?

"It's quite generous of you to offer three magic missiles. With just these, you could probably buy a third of your father's territory, couldn't you?"

"This is a battle for the survival of the nation. There is no reason to hold back."

Gordon-san replied respectfully to Lilith's wide-eyed surprise.

"Now, what will you do? Will you accept these and go into battle? Or will you avoid the fight with formidable enemies and wait in a safe place?"

"There's no need for such a way of speaking." 

I stood up, feeling irritated.

"It's not like Lilith and the others are running away. According to the guild's rules—"

"Of course, you're free to decline." 

Gordon-san continued, his smile unwavering, though his eyes still didn't seem to smile. 

"Ordinary people would decline. The danger is simply too great. However, the Earl believes that given the nature of the young ladies, they will certainly—"

"If permission has been granted, then I'll go. I can't just sit still like this after all."

"Lilith-chan..."

Alice lowered her face sadly.

"You understand, don't you? Father is probably trying to use us..."

"I suppose so. If we die in this battle, he'll probably spin it as 'my daughters sacrificed their lives for the nation.' It sounds just like something Father would think."

...I don't know much about Lilith and the others' family situation, but it seems things aren't going well.

"But Father's intentions or external influences don't matter. If the capital falls, it's a crisis for the entire Adonis. I'm not as strong as Luca or Salome. But with these magic missiles, I can at least provide covering fire."

"I want to be of help too, just like Lilith."

Alice sighed softly.

Her usually quiet demeanor was now filled with determination.

"If Lilith-chan is going, then I'll go too."

"Then—I'll go too."

I stepped forward.

Watching Lilith and the others, I realized what I wanted to do.

Now—I realize it.

Perhaps this is what I should've done from the start.

Just like they once saved my town...

I too, will move to protect what's important.

I'll fight!

"I don't want just the two of you to face danger alone."

"Halt, but—"

"It's alright."

I casually said to keep the atmosphere from getting too gloomy.

My confidence in my skills has deepened.

Through several real battles, my repertoire has expanded.

I feel like I can manage somehow.

...Though there isn't much basis for that.

"Besides, if the kingdom itself is destroyed, it's no joke. We have no choice but to fight. We have to fight to protect."

I declared firmly.

"But, Halt-san,"

Alice looked at me with a worried expression.

"The enemy is probably even stronger than a dragon. No matter how amazing your defensive magic is—"

"No, precisely because they're formidable foes— I think there's a reason for me to go. There's a high possibility that their offensive power is greater than that of a dragon. In that case, don't they need a 'shield' to defend against it?"

I smirked.

"If we can ensure that the enemy's attacks are reliably blocked, the rear guard can cast even more powerful magic... If Haruto joins Dractio-san, we might be able to gain the upper hand in battle."

"Lilith-chan..."

"I believe in Haruto's strength that you showed in battles against dragons and D Eaters."

"Thank you, Lilith."

"...Alright. If Lilith-chan says so, then I'll believe it too."

Alice agreed.

"Well then, may I also go as an exception? Oh, you can say I disregarded the rules and went along on my own."

"...In that case, I will report to the Earl accordingly. If it's what milady desires, I will also inform the guild," Gordon-san surprisingly agreed.

"He's making concessions so that we won't sulk over 'not going after all,'" Lilith lightly glared at Gordon-san.

"I simply wish to respect milady's wishes." 

Gordon-san bowed and then turned to me.

"Haruto-san... was it? Please take care of the young ladies."

With a polite farewell, the old butler left.

Thirty minutes later, we were equipped and ready to depart.

To the battlefield, Quadra Canyon.