CH 256

With the addition of Euralia, we were finally completed as a “Hero Party”. However, only the form was completed. Our teamwork and skills had to be polished from now on. From that day on, we spent our days performing simple requests as adventurers while devoting ourselves to combat training.

A month later, we stepped into a certain forest to confirm the results of our training up to this point.

“…We’re surrounded.”

“It seems so. So, Ed, want to see who can defeat more?”

“Oh, good idea. Then, the loser has to treat the winner to dinner.”

“Okay! When I win, I’ll order some super luxurious meat!”

“Heh, you wish. Tia, take care of Euralia.”

“Understood. Leave it to me.”

“…Good luck.”

With smirks on our faces, Baan and I split to the left and right, with Tia standing protectively behind Euralia. Euralia’s combat ability #s barely above that of an ordinary person, so she’s just about able to defend herself.

Honestly, this was a bit surprising, but when you think about it, it’s more strange for a young female priest to excel in combat. It was abnormal for Gonzo, the embodiment of muscle, and Riel, who didn’t get hurt due to the miracle of some mysterious god. Ican’t think about it based on that.

“Now, then, I guess I’ll do my job… and…”

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“Grrrrrrr…”

What emerged from the shadows of the forest was a demonic wolf, a Blood Wolf, clad in reddish-black fur. It’s fairly strong in this area.

“In the middle of the forest, being red, huh? Seems like it would stand out and make hunting difficult.”

“Gaaaah!”

“Right, you wouldn’t understand, would you!”

With a smile of confidence, I draw my [Dawnbreaker] sword from my waist and slash the attacking Blood Wolf. Easily splitting its head, it becomes a true Blood Wolf in its own blood and soon stops moving.

“Gwooooooooo!”

“Whoa, they’re not even flinching, huh!?”

The pack of Blood Wolves charge right over the body of their fallen comrade. Against multiple enemies biting with a time lag, it’s a disadvantage to only have one sword, but I’ll cover that with my skills.

“Huh! Ha!”

“Guwahhh!!?”

“Guahhh??!!!”

Each time I swung my sword, a Blood Wolf fell. If I take down five of them, the enemy will probably become wary and back off. There’s no need to wipe them all out, so I’d be willing to let them go if they back down… huh!?

“Baan! Behind you!”

“Heh!? Whoa!”

In my peripheral vision, I see Baan get jumped on by a Blood Wolf from behind. He managed to put his arm up to shield himself in time, but the wolf’s teeth sink into his leather gauntlet, blood slowly trickling out.

“Damn, I got super careless!”

“What are you doing, idiot! Need help?”

“No, I’m good!”

To my call, Baan responds in a calm tone. Normally, you’d think he’s bluffing and rush to his aid, but Baan is the Hero. He still lacks a bit of caution… but once he’s got the enemy in his sights, the outcome is decided.

“Take this! Super Lightning Slash!”

Crackle

“”Yeeeeow!”””

Baan’s powerful strike, learned from Tia, fries all the surrounding Blood Wolves in an instant. The reason he didn’t use it from the beginning is probably because it’s a technique that can’t be used recklessly due to its large consumption

“Phew… I didn’t think I’d have to super use that. I still have a lot to learn.”

“Knowing that shows that you’re growing. Hey, Tia, how are you doing over there?”

As I sense the remaining few Blood Wolves fleeing, I turn my gaze towards Tia. Naturally, there are Tia and Euralia looking energetic.

“We’re fine. You certainly put on a flashy show though.”

“Ugh!? Well… yeah.”

“Yuusha-sama, please give me your hand. I will heal you right away.”

“Thanks! Super! I appreciate it!”

Ignoring Tia’s astounded voice, Baan holds out his arm, and Euralia immediately activates a healing magic. The flowing blood stops in an instant, and the tension leaves Baan’s face.

Ignoring Tia’s stunned voice, Baan extends his arm, and Euralia immediately activates a healing spell. The bleeding halts instantly, and Baan’s tense expression relaxes.

“…How is it?”

“Wow, super! It doesn’t hurt at all! Thanks, Euralia!”

“Euralia’s healing magic is really something. That looked like a deep wound, didn’t it?”

When a Blood Wolf bites you, for some reason, the bleeding doesn’t stop easily. That’s why I express admiration for Euralia, who easily healed it. With that, Euralia promptly steps toward me.

“…Um, I will heal you too, Ed-san.”

“Huh, me? Nah, I’m not hurt or anything.”

“Just to be sure…”

“Oh, okay…”

Pressured by Euralia’s assertive offer, I straightened up on the spot. Then Euralia, as always… thoroughly heals me from head to toe… Yes, as always. For some reason, Euralia frequently casts her healing magic on me.

“…I’m done.”

“Ah, thanks. Sorry to trouble you every time.”

“No, it’s my job… excuse me, I’ll leave you for a while.”

With a slight bow, Euralia steps away from us. It’s a usual thing for her to want some alone time after using her healing magic on me. And then, Tia approached me with an indescribable expression.

“Hey Ed, are you feeling okay?”

“What do you mean? Of course, I’m fine.”

“Then it’s fine… but why does Euralia always use healing magic on you?”

“I don’t know. Whenever I ask her, she just says it’s “just to be sure”. Wouldn’t you know more, Tia?”

“I’ve asked too, but she says the same thing. I feel like she’s hiding something, but I also feel bad prying into something she doesn’t want to talk about… hmm.”

“What are you two talking about? Isn’t it obvious? Euralia super! Likes Ed, right?”

Baan unexpectedly dropped this bombshell as Tia and I were discussing the matter. Caught completely off-guard by his words, I looked at Baan, stunned.

“Wait, wait, wait! That’s not possible! Why would you even think that?”

“Why? I’ve been asked about you by Euralia so many times. She asks what you like, what you usually do, your age, where you’re from… By the way, where were you born, Ed?”

“Ah, well… wait, that’s not important right now! What the hell is this!? Since when did this happen… Tia, did she ask you too!?”

“Eh? She hasn’t asked me…”

“Well, she wouldn’t ask her love rival, would she?”

“Love rival!?”

Tia’s eyes widened in surprise at Baan’s words. However, her face soon turned serious as she folded her arms and began to mumble to herself.

“Hmm, love rival… but then again…”

“Damn, you’re so lucky, Ed! Only you are popular! I wish a cute girl like Tia or Euralia would super! like me too!”

“No, no, no, that’s not it… right?”

“I know Ed is pretty popular, but her reaction… It’s totally different from Riel’s…”

“Tia? Hey, Tia-san?”

“Damn it! Hey Ed, if there’s a secret to becoming super! popular, teach me! I also want to get super! cozy with girls!!”

“No need to emphasize that much, I think girls would come to you on their own… but that’s not the point! I’m not popular!”

“I get it, I get it! The more popular you are, the more you say, “I’m not popular”. I… I… know it… painfully… super! well!!”

“You don’t get it at all!”

Absent Euralia, contemplative Tia, and Baan crying tears of blood and shouting. In this situation where there was no salvation in sight, I was left holding my head.