43-Goblin strikes

What I taught you was a little bit of micromanagement.

Just a few, little touches. An accent that adds a pinch of spice to the soup.

But when combined with Mei Fan's power, I think it's no dream to beat Gant.

''With just this much, can we really win?''

The ground around us was crushed, in the center of what used to be flat ground.

Me and Mei Fan sat down and took a break.

''Yeah, we should be able to win. By practicing magic arts, Mei Fan has grown a lot as a magic fist user now, and now it's up to Mei Fan's own fist skills.''

Well that may be true, but...

It was actually a big deal. Ever since he had gone along with Mei Fan's adventurer registration mission as an examiner, he had been able to release magic power during an attack, although it was probably unconscious.

But at that time, it seemed that he was still releasing magic power in a way that made it diffuse.

But now, he could concentrate his magic power and release it from his fist. The desolate surrounding ground proves its jumped-up attack power.

However, this is not enough to defeat Gant, but........well, I've given you a plan for that.

"Well, don't worry about it. At the very least, I can assure you that you won't stand a better chance if you take the sword into battle.

Well, I certainly didn't see it that way.

Mei Fan laid down her dog ears in embarrassment, that's when.

''Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!　What the hell?　We're in some serious trouble here too!　What is this ground!　A demon attack!

Myl came running up to me with a high-pitched screeching voice.

''Ah. This was Meifang's doing.''

'Heh, Mei-chan...?　How?!

Exaggeratedly, Meir is surprised.

''I mean it didn't matter right now!　You know, you know what, Gerald, it's a big, big, big deal!　We have to go now!

Jesus, what's the matter with you, why are you in such a hurry?

Meil pulls me and Mei Fan's arms around him. I was asking that question while disgusted by the level of tension.

By the way, Mei Fan is sober and depressed. Even though she has acquired an offensive power that can change the terrain, if she said 'it doesn't matter', it certainly wouldn't be surprising if she felt as if her efforts were denied.

I'll give him a few words of consolation after Meir's business is over--and I'm thinking about it.

''The demon is out!''

Say it first, you idiot!

Oh, my God!　That doesn't make any sense to you!

Mr. Noel wants Gerald and May to join the guild!

I'll be there in a minute!

With that, I start running. Mei Fan and Meil also joined in and ran off together.

Mei Fan speaks to me as we run together.

''Will I be able to fight properly........''

It's not a question of if you can fight. It's about fighting. Besides, a demon fist user's attack should be able to get through to a demon.

'Yes, Mei!　Even if you're scared or anxious, you can't allow a demon to do whatever it wants!

Perhaps energized by my words and Myl's, a light danced in Mei Fan's eyes, which had been wavering with anxiety.

''That's right. I won't let the demons do what they want!''

That's the spirit, Mei!

While running, Meil slapped Mei Fan on the back.

The reason Noel still called out Mei Fan, who hadn't registered as an adventurer yet, was probably because he judged her to be effective against the demon.

And to Mei Fan, the demon should also be a symbolic figure for the loss of her father.

This battle will surely be an important one... while thinking about this, I put strength into my running legs.

* * * *

When I reached the guild, I found Noel-san with a bundle of paper under his arm, and Gant with his equipment already in place.

''Oh?　Isn't that little guy from that beastly father's side of the family?

Gant raises one arm toward us.

Gant remains seated in his chair, with both feet unmannerly on the table in front of him.

The Yasui attitude is more like a provocation to me and Mei Fan.

''You........you ah-hah!''

Mei Fan, stop it!

Mei Fan flares up in anger as well.

As she let her emotions get the better of her, she jumped at Gant without even hearing my still voice.

Sitting in her chair, Gant lightly backs up and dodges Mei Fan's attack.

Her fist stabs into the wall behind her.

It is a thrust accompanied by a shockwave of magical power. The wall shattered beautifully and became a passage connecting this room to the next room.

''........Next time I'll slam this into your body.

What?　It's not all bluster, is it?

That's enough.

Noel clapped his hands together as he waited.

''I know that Mei Fan-chan has learned to use her powers like Xiaolan-san, but that doesn't mean you should destroy the room too much. Even the guild doesn't have unlimited money.''

'Right. Noel, you're also right and now is the time to chill out and talk about it. I know how you feel, but calm down, Mei Fan.

Huh, ................................yes. I've just lost myself...

With a swoon, Mei Fang settled the brunt of his anger. Despite his earlier vehemence, he was like a borrowed puppy in an instant.

At Mei Fan's demeanor, Gant huffed and sniffed like a fool. As for Noel-san, he looked troubled and sighed.

''Ha. You're a very short-tempered little girl, as beasts go. When I kicked you out of that filthy kennel, you attacked me with your fangs, right?

You are!

You should not provoke them for no reason. Even if you don't, you are now at a critical point in time for Zeto City. If you continue to fight each other, I won't send you a request through the guild again.

Just as Mei Fan was about to lose his temper, Noel-san interrupted him. The timing was so brilliant.

Admonished, Gant crosses his arms with a thin smile as if he had eaten a person. It's a very annoying expression, but if he had to deal with every single one of them, he wouldn't be able to proceed with the conversation.

''Oh dear.........''

After putting the wall back together for now, I decided to urge Noel-san to do it.

''Noel-san. I heard that a demon appeared....

Yeah. That's right. The adventurers who have just escaped back have reported that a demon was occurring in an area not far from the center of the Zephyros forest. From now on, I want you three to defeat it with the three of you.......that's the request from the guild this time.

I understand your request. But why the three of you?　To begin with, Mei Fan hasn't registered as an adventurer, but.......

'Don't worry about little Mei Fan's registration card. It's right here.

Saying that, Noel handed a card to Mei Fan.

''Though I wasn't able to register as an adventurer. I issued a pass to all the restricted areas with my own accord this time.''

I mean, that's kind of a strong...

'It can't be helped. The only adventurers here who can fight demons are Gant and Gerald-kun. Other than that, the only other person I can think of is Mei Fan-chan, the daughter of Demon Fist Master Xiaolan.

'That's true, but...'

I'll use any available adventurer to protect the city. Even non-adventurers will ask for help if they can be of help. I asked Gerald to train Mei Fan for this day, and you can tell how much she's grown by looking at the blow that destroyed the wall earlier. ........So, do you have any complaints or opinions?

I silently shook my head and turned my confirming gaze to Mei Fan.

She nodded vigorously.

''I'll do it.......let me do it!　My father died fighting a demon. I can't allow a demon to exist!

'If Mei Fan wants to fight, I won't hold you back either. But please, be careful you still have some things you have to fight for and get back.

Of course!

Mei Fan clenched her fists.

''Ha. Xiaolan died fighting a demon?　He's just a pathetic guy who was cut down by me in cold blood, you know?

"....When this battle is over, I will ask you to fight a duel. Even if I ask for your forgiveness then, I will never forget your crimes and what you have done!

Oh, yeah?　That's what I'm looking forward to. This time, you can expect to do better than before, can't you, puppy?

So I'm supposed to put off the bickering and... well, okay.

Noel-san suppresses his eyebrows with his fingertips. He's a sober, hard-working person, isn't he?

''For now, let's have the minimum amount of discussion first. We'll leave for the sealed site (dungeon) after that.''

As he said it, Noel-san spread the stack of papers he was holding under his arm on the table.

''Strategy meetings are so important!　Yeah, I'm going to try to get into it too!

Myl, who had been silent until then, clenches his fist and leans forward.

It looks like he is fully motivated, but--.

Unfortunately, it seems that Noel-san has no choice but to give a notice of no force in regards to the matter of the demon.

''Heh?''

''I can't let you out with no means of attack or defense against a demon that can't physically attack you.

This time, only me, Mei Fan, and Gant were chosen as the party to defeat the demon.

Other than that, no other adventurers will be joining us. The reason for this is the same as Meiru not being able to accompany us, because we have no effective means of attacking the demons.

''No way...''

I'm sorry, too, but you'll have to be patient with me for the rest of the day.

Noel-san's words, the shoulders of Myl, who was so full of energy, fell. I've been told that it was a shock to be informed that I was out of the force.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm not going to be able to do anything about it. I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about that as well.

Oh yeah. Okay, all right. I'll do what Gerald asks.

Meir was still reeling from the shock. Still, she left the room to do some research.

Mei Fan tilts her head and looks at me.

''.........?　What are you having Mr. Meir look into?

Don't worry about it. Let's just focus on the meeting now, okay?