CH 89

Chapter 89: A Strength to Push Through Your Resolution

Thames: “ーーKAHAH?!” (sfx)

As if to burst through the surface of water to finally get a breath of air, Thames forced air back into her lungs and began breathing again.

After receiving an attack from the Ogre, her consciousness was lost for a few moments.

From the Ogre’s attack, every join in her body was screaming in pain.

The worst of it was her left arm. She could no longer lift it up.

Thames: “(gasp)..............(gasp).........”

From all the pain rushing through her body, her legs began to shake.

If she unlocks her knees, she may not be able to stand up again.

Thames: “fwew………..(exhale).............”

But even so, Thames continued to glare at the Ogre.

Right here, there is something Yuto wanted to protect.

In the Stampede 4 years ago, Thames was unable to protect anything.

In Thames’ consciousness, the Orphanage and her home overlapped in her mind.

If she allows the Ogre to do whatever it likes, she will lose something precious to her yet again.

Thames: (I will never, EVER let that happen again………!!)

That’s why Thames gritted her teeth and endured the Ogre’s attacks.

If she allowed it to destroy something she was trying to protect, Thames would never be able to continue as an Adventurer…...that’s why………

ーー<ZUN>!! (sfx)

Thames: “KAHAH!!” (sfx exhale)

After receiving dozens of attacks, Thames threw up blood from the impact.

Even if she deflects the strike with her shield, the impact would still travel through her body and damage it.

Even so, Thames did not give up.

Thames: (Protect it……..no matter what……..I’m going to protect it!!)

She never wanted to experience the despair and loss from failing to protect something precious to her.

That’s why Thames continued to grit her teeth.

Thames: (Back then, I wasn’t even allowed to stand on the battlefield……..)

If it was the same Thames that stood in shock at the sight of the destroyed Governor’s mansion, she would never be able to do it.

But now, Thames was different.

Thames: (I’ve changed……...no, today, I will change!!)

The memories of Yuto’s ripped up palms came to her mind.

The sign of his efforts and the progress he made gave hope to Thames.

Effort, in the end, will never lie.

The one who gave up, the one who set her limits, was always herself.

That’s why….that’s whyーーno matter how many times she was made to eat dirt, she continued to rise up and believed that there was no wall that can not be overcome!

Thames: “UOOOOoooooOOOOGHH!!”

She let out a bestial howl as she stood up again and again.

Thames: (DANGIT! I CAN’T GET ENOUGH AIR……)

She can’t get enough oxygen in her lungs.

Her head starts feeling lighter.

She received too many attacks, and her vision began to blur.

Her vision slowly narrowed and continued to blur.

Thames: “(Inhale).......! (Exhale)～～..........”

But only the outside of her vision remained blurry.

She could see the Ogre more clearly now than anything else.

Thames: “(Inhale)ー! (Exhale)～～........”

Now, Thames realized that the world only consisted of her and the Ogre.

She was no longer struggling for air, and her lungs breathed with ease.

The world went into slow motion.

The Ogre lifted its right hand.

Thames raised her shield to block it.

Thames: (ーーI don't care if I can never lift my arms again!!)

With determination, Thames braced for the impact when in the back of her mindーー

[NO! NOT LIKE THAT! GIVE IT MORE ANGLE!!]

She thought she heard her father’s voice.

The next instant…

Thames withdrew her right foot slightly back.

Thames’ defensive stance changed dramatically.

The Ogre’s fist reaches Thames.

The shield meets the fist.

And the Ogre’s fist slips past the shield.

At the sight, Thames’ eyes opened wide.

Because the shield technique just now, was exactly like her father’s.

ーーThe Defensive Stance of the Holy Knight.

Thames: (I thought…..I thought I threw it all away…..but at the very end of the end, it was still there. The most important piece……...was still there……..)

That feeling that she has been feeling since the hunt in the forest…….Thames was finally able to grasp what it was.

>> Occupation: Shield Defender → Holy Knight >> Swordsmanship Lv 3 (－) → (＋)

The Ogre lost its balance for the first time against Thames’ shield.

At this moment, Thames attempted to strike back for the first time.

But the sword she lifted into the air fell from her hand.

At the same time, she fell to her knees.

Thames: “Wh……...at…….?”

Thames’ body was well over its limits.

She exceeded all her limits, and she was only moving with her will alone.

And now, even her will…….was at its limits.

She fell on her knees, and not being able to do anything more, she sat on the ground.

In this fight, it was a critical opening for Thames.

The Ogre in front of her smiled wickedly.

Rita: “ーーMy Lady!!”

Thames could hear Rita’s voice clearly.

Before her eyes, the Ogre lifts its fist once more.

And the raised fist flies towards Thames face.

In that instant…

“[LIGHTNINGーー”

A brilliant flash of light blinds Thames’ vision for a moment.

“ーーSLASH]!!”

A clear ringing like a small chime echoed into the air from the edge of the blade.

In the next instant, the Ogre’s head fell to the floor.

Thames: “.............what took you so long………”

Yuto: “I’m sorry for being late, Miss Thames.” It was no other than Yuto, the former Weakest of Adventurers, that dropped the Ogre’s head to the floor.

Thames lifted her fist to Yuto.

The gesture made Yuto’s eyes go wide.

But Yuto quickly lifts his fist to hers.

Their fists bump lightly.

It’s been 4 years since she did anything like that with anyone.

Thames never wanted to associate with any other Adventurer before.

Now, associating with someone didn’t seem so bad anymore.