CH 24

Chapter 24 :  Meanwhile, Aston Party  (IV)

"Damn, that was a waste of time."

Returning to the forest cave again, Aston clicked his tongue at the entrance.

He looked for a temporary healer in the nearest town, but it was difficult to find one due to the urgency of the request, and the deadline that Lord Fennel had given them was fast approaching. In the end, they had to push the guild quite a bit to find a healer who was making house calls in a nearby village.

"Please. Make sure you're useful."

"Don't expect too much from me. I'm usually a healer in capital, and I only have a passing adventurer's license."

The female healer Aston had hired was named Umin.

She wore round glasses, her blue hair swayed, and there was a light dusting of snow on her shoulders.

"Even so, why would the [Phoenix of Steel], which is reputed to defeat even A-class magical beasts without a scratch, seek the support of a mid-level healer like me?"

"...... There's a lot going on over here."

Aston said grimly.

"Hey, hey, healer-nee chan. Is Yuma going to be okay?"

"So Yuma is that archer-onisan? I managed to save his life, but the adventure is......."

The auxiliary mage, Gyle, asks to Umin who a healer, that she replies with a pout.

"Hey, hey, Aston, how is this....?"

"We just going to hunt our prey and bring it back. Don't tell me you got scared, Andres."

"N,... No."

He want to give his daughter a scarf made of firefox fur for her birthday.

That's what Lord Fennel wants.

Given the travel time, they should have gotten its skins and gone home today.

Initially, they planned to quickly hunt down their prey and return to the capital triumphantly while enjoying lavish parties in the cities along the way.

Aston's frustration had reached its peak.

"Tsk. After all, Yuma is not worthy of the [Phoenix of Steel] image. If there is one archer less, Gyle can cover it, I can slash it, and Andres, you can finish it with your Destruction Magic. It's fine with that."

"W, Well, I guess you could say that......."

"Gyle, I hope you haven't been drunk this time."

"O, Oh, It's okay."

Gyle nodded several times and clutched the talisman.

The party slowly made their way deeper into the cave.

But--

Garrrrrrr!

Before they could reach the dwelling place, two Fire Foxes came running at them with a ferocious roar. They probably knew from the scent that the same hunter had arrived.

They made the first attack.

“Gu~tsu”

Aston managed to repel the fireballs that were spat out one after another with his sword. It was one of the few contributions of Zenos, who was useless incompetent, that he had found this sword in the underground labyrinth, which was engraved with a special pattern and even repelled flames.

"Gyle, hurry up with the protection!"

"Oh, I got it."

Gyle drew a magic circle and held up a talisman. As he chanted, they were all enveloped in a green light.

This was a relief. Now all they have to do is slowly chip away at the opponent.

But--

"Aghhh!"

"Idiot, what are you doing? Get your ass up."

Andres, who was hit by the fireball, rolled and stumbled.

Aston, looking at him sideways, cursed him.

Even if you have protective magic, you're still too careless.

Aston slashes at the Fire Fox, but it is lightly dodged and the tip of the sword never reaches its prey.

"Damn it, why can't I hit it?"

If he could hit it, this sword could do a reasonable amount of damage.

He think the alcohol should be completely out of his system, but his body doesn't feel sharp.

"Um... Heiii...."

As he was holding his sword, breathing on his shoulder, He heard the cry of the healer, Umin, behind him.

When he turned around, Umin was kneeling beside Andres.

"Are we still going to continue this? He's in danger if he doesn't get proper treatment."

"Ha?"

Andres' chest, which had been hit by the fireball, was red and swollen, and part of it appeared to be charred. His breath was thin and he remained limp and motionless on the ground.

Aston swung his sword around to get some distance from the Fire Fox.

Now that his body was not moving well, it would be difficult for him to finish off this magical beast alone, and he would inevitably need Andres' destructive magic. With Andres unavailable, sticking around here will only wear you out.

Aston stepped back, clenching his back teeth.

"What the f*ck is going on?"　

Aston returned to the entrance of the cave and grabbed the collar of the assistant mage, Gyle.

"You're not taking this seriously. I'm not going to listen to your excuses about being out of shape this time!"

"N... No..., I even don't know what's going on."

"The protective magic was applied, you know. Without it, this guy would have died instantly."

Umin said as she cast a healing spell on Andres.

"After all, what's the point if he is seriously injured? You're a healer, aren't you? Now get on with the healing."

"Please don't say it so easily. I have to formulate a technique and chant it according to the condition of the wound. I've managed to give him first aid, so I have to rush him to the treatment center where the recovery magicians are maintained."

"Hah? We don't have time for this. Heal him completely right here and now."

"What are you talking about? It's impossible for even a high level healer to completely heal you right here. If such a thing is possible, at most, only a few special-grade healers or a saint would be able to do it."

"....."

The name of the man he had once banished came to Aston's mind in despair.

One fact that he didn't want to admit.

This party hasn't been intact since they got rid of that guy.

He supported them as needed with protection and ability-enhancing magic, even if they were injured, they would heal in an instant.

He can't believe that what Zenos said was true.

He felt a cold shiver run down his spine for a moment.

"Hey, Umin, right. Is there anyone who can use special class healing magic without...... a Healer License?"

"Hmm, it's hard to imagine. No way, is there someone like that?"

"N...No."

Aston shakes his head.

What is he saying? There is no way that poor man could do such a thing.

He was just a slave for the party.

But one thing was for sure, this quest was already out of time.

“Damn !!”

Aston's furious roar echoed across the snowfield.