CH 15

[Frontier Count Lloyd and Beloved Sword]

On the second day of exploration, we entered the Demon Forest.

The trees in the primeval forest, which is untouched by humans, grows large, and even in the daytime, it is gloomy and there are many places where it is dangerous to move carelessly because of the moss growing on the rocks and the softly piled leaf mold in the forest.

The only road in the forest that could be called a road was the animal trail that the monsters passed through.

“Twenty years huh…I’ve also grown old. To think that I’m struggling with this level of road.”

It seems that the object of escort Frontier Count Lloyd is struggling with the poor footing of this Devil Forest, so his walking speed is decreasing.

Being older than the knight captain Meiss, the Frontier Count Lloydーwho is 50 years old this yearーalso seems to have felt a decline in his physical strength even though his body is trained.

At this pace, it seems strange that we managed to reach the planned place by nighfall.

Should I offer to help…?

We’re talking about a former adventurer here, so he may get angry if I offer to help him…

Originally, the ones who I should offer help are the escort knights and scholars, because the foods and luggages they carry seems big.

I walk to the front row with the knight captain Meiss and Noelia while hesitating on whether or not I should offer help to the Frontier Count Lloyd, whose pace became suspicious.

Confused, I asked his daughter Noelia if I should help him.

‘Noelia, should I help the Frontier Count? If it’s me, who doesn’t carry a luggage, even if I carry him on my back, I can walk at the same pace as everyone.’

‘It’s unnecessary. My father hates help from others, so it’s okay to leave him alone. Moreover, even though he has left actual fighting, he is a former platinum-class adventurer, so he will be able to somehow manage it himself.’

‘Is that so…’

‘It is so.’

Noelia replied indifferently.

I’ve heard it from Meiss, but it seems that there are various difficulties between the relationship of this father and daughter because the matter of her mother.

“BRAT!!! WITH NOELIA, IN FRONT OF ME一一”

“Father, this is the Demon Forest where monsters are densely packed. Please don’t shout.”

Noelia immediately chant Silence magic, activate it, then blocks her father’s mouth.

“Maybe it’s a little late. Everyone, something is coming!”

Maybe it was in response to Lloyd’s voice, the grasses that was as tall as my chest that was in front of us is shaking and something is approaching this way.

*rustles*

“I’ll be on the front. Meiss-dono and Noelia are to escort the Frontier Count-sama.”

“Understood.”

“Frick-sama, please use magic with as low power as possible. Because from the sounds, the monsters are already come close to here.”

I did not speak, I just raised my hand as the answer.

When it comes to responding with that kind of voice, it is better to let the one who think that magic is superior than sword to make the decision.

It might have been better to get a better sword before accepting the request.

I look at the cheap sword in my hand, and feels a little uneasy.

Still, the shaking of the grass continues to approach us without stopping.

“Ugauuuu!!!”

What jumped out of the grass was a huge Forest Wolf with large fangs and gray fur.

I evade the incoming fangs that aimed at my neck, and once again face the Forest Wolf.

I-, it’s huge. It’s a Forest Wolf with a size that I’ve never seen before.

As expected of the Demon Forest that was said to be a place where only strong monsters can survive.

Looking at it, the grasses was still shaking even after the Forest Wolf has jumped out.

A pack, huh…it’s troublesome, but I can’t release ranged magic because it’ll attracts more monsters, right.

For the time being, let’s just activate the support magic that Noelia taught me before.

“Become an invisible shield and manifest in the surroundings. Protect Guard.”

The activated magic created an invisible barrier between Forest Wolf and the knights with baggage, non-combatant scholars, and the object of escort Frontier Count.

“Frick-dono, thank you for the magic support! The knights are to surrounds Lloyd-sama and Noelia-sama.”

Meiss, who received magic support from me, was immediately gathering with the knights to surrounds the object of escort Frontier Count.

With this I don’t have to worry too much about the attacks from behind.

After that, if I finish these guys with my sword, this should end without a problem.

Tightening my grip on the sword in my hand,

I plunged towards the Forest Wolves who were growling threateningly.

One, two, three, four…there are seven huh.

There are a few small ones, but they are still cubs huh.

Sorry, but I don’t want to be monsters food, so I’ll have to do it.

I aimed at the smallest wolf who had clawed the barrier, I close the distance in one bound and I slash it from the bottom to the top of it’s head.

The blade neatly cut off the fur, flesh and bones of Forest Wolf, and it’s head slowly fell down from its body.

“That’s one.”

When I swing off the blood from the blade of the sword, another wolf who had it’s family killed exposed it’s hostility and rushed to pounce on me.

I immediately dodge and retaliate by splitting the Forest Wolf’s belly.

Forest Wolf rolled on the ground with scattered entrails.

“Two.”

Compared to Alfine’s piercing, this level of movement seems like it come to a stop to me.

It’s body is bigger and more agile than the conventional monsters, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to make me feel threatened.

Without giving up on attacking the Frontier Count and co, two big Forest Wolves decides to target me, then jumped at me from left and right at the same time.

But, the one who jumped from the right had Fire Arrow shot through it’s eye, and was engulfed in flames.

I give a thumb up to Noelia who stands behind me to show my appreciation for the support.

Then, I parry the other’s claws as it was and cut it’s defenseless body into two.

“Three.”

I got blood on my sword again, and I cut off the head of the Forest Wolf who was shot through it’s eye with Fire Arrow and engulfed in flames.

“Four…do you guys still want more?”

I throw the head of the Forest Wolf I just cut in the front of remaining 3.

They were growling threateningly for a while, but understanding that they can’t beat me, they curl up their tail and disappear back into the grasses.

Huu, it’s finished safely.

Still, because I cut through their bones, the blade is tattered.

It would be bad if I didn’t sharpen it at once…as expected, cheap goods are cheap.

The blade of the sword in my hand had it’s part that hit the bones chipped.

From the start, the sword is not very sharp, but it seems that the blade is also not very durable.

“Iyaaa, what an amazing skill. I’m glad I was shown such a beautiful swordplay that I can’t think of coming from a bronze rank.”

“No, I still can’t handle the sword well yet. As you can see, I broke it.”

I show my chipped sword to Meiss.

“With such a sword, that slash…it even more unlikely to come from a bronze rank.”

Meiss was astonished when he saw the state of my sword.

I was praised, but if it was Alfine, she would get rid of such a blunt sword with chipped blade.

It seems like I couldn’t reach her level with a sword.

It would be great if the sword itself could be strengthened with magic…I guess even Noelia had never heard of that kind of magic.

After the battle, while I was talking with Meiss about sword, someone called me from behind.

“Brat, this is my spare sword. You can use this during the exploration. It’s fine even if you break it. If you are a swordsman, prepare a sword that fits your skill even if you have to borrow money.”

The owner of the voice was the Frontier Count Lloyd.

He toss his own sword to me, who was turning around.

This is…it resemble the sword of the collection that Noelia brought to me.

It must have been a substantial first rate sword…even if you told me to use it and break it, but…I can’t compensate for this.

“The compensation for such an expensive sword is…”

“‘It’s fine to break it’ means you don’t need to compensate for it. There are many things I think about Noelia’s matter. But I want to be a generous man to skilled adventurers, especially swordsman. After this investigation is over safely, the sword would be yours.”

Lloyd still looks to be in bad mood, but he said I should accept the sword.

“For Lloyd-sama who seldom present a sword from his collection to be this resolute. This is a precious sword that survived the “Great Invasion”, isn’t it.”

Meiss, who looked at the sword that Lloyd tossed at me, make a surprised face.

A sword that has survived the “Great Invasion”!?

That means, it’s the beloved sword that he used at that time, right!?

To receive such a precious sword…

I get to know the origin of the sword I got and felt it was bad to receive it.

“If this is such a precious sword一一”

“Use it. It’s a sword that I don’t use so much anymore. If a little brat like you uses it, it can become a better sword. It’s a shame to sleep it in the treasure room, it’s better if you use it.”

Lloyd was taking an attitude as though he won’t take it back.

“Frick-sama, my father is stubborn, so I suggest you to receive it. Also, I think you can use that sword along with a sword you get with your own money. If you do not need it, my father will take a beating from me, so please rest assured.”

“Noelia, you, my sword一一”

Lloyd, who tried to retort, was immediately silenced by Noelia.

“I don’t have a spare sword for the time being, so I’ll borrow this sword during this investigation.”

I said so to the two of them, then I put Lloyd’s sword on my waist belt.