Chapter 43: The Calm Before

Chapter 43: The Calm Before

Dora stood in front of the tree, looking annoyed and Zuri at his side. The girl patted her witch hat to dust it off.

"Well, it hasn't been 10 minutes, you owe me 5 coins."

"Ngh... Wait, she's an outsider, I said the party members, technically, it doesn't coun-"

Before he could finish his sentence, a projectile hit him at high speed, but surprisingly as soft as a cushion.

"Idiora! It's really you! You really came..."

"Ah... Oh, Marie..."

She hugged him tightly, it was probably the biggest show of emotion from the young girl since he knew her, tears welled up in her eyes.

"Hey, why are you crying? There, there, this isn't a nightmare, I'm back."

He stroked the head of the young girl who quickly rubbed her eyes.

"I'm not crying, Idiora, I just got surprised a lot today... You're really back."

Lillith and Liliana joined them in turn.

"You didn't change, always the center of attention."

"It's amazing! Mister Anesidora, you're really back."

Each of them hugged him from each side, making him a little surprised by the attention he received, but he didn't let it show and stretched his arms as best he could to embrace his friends.

Kraim sighed as he looked at Leon.

"Is that the problem? With all the acting you were doing I expected someone to try to kill him."

Leon didn't respond, already sick of the inevitable situation, he focused all his attention on his girlfriend.

The latter looked unphased, his only relief at this moment but as he turned his gaze toward the 3 girls again, he couldn't notice how hers turned back to him.

The woman with elf ears walked towards Dora.

"I'm delighted the reunion was so lovely, it will make the mission easier."

"... Who are you? I thought "I" was requested for help." He said as he glanced at Hope's group.

"It's only for safety measures, Sir, you are now a property of the kingdom plus the daughter of a baron is involved, it's only normal to gather more talented people."

"I see... And I suppose that the casting is just a "coincidence", Huh? Whatever, as long as my paycheck is the same..."

"Idiora never changes, is this all that matters to you?"

They teased each other, under the gazes, curious for some, murderous for the others, when Kraim hurried them to move on to the rift.

So they set off into the forest, Kraim and the lady in front, followed by the members of Shining Sword except Marie, Lillith, and Liliana, chatting casually in the back with Dora and Zuri.

"By the way, Idiora, who is this girl?"

"Hm? Oh, this is my new best buddy, Zuri, say hi to them Zuzu, they don't bite."

"Jerk, is this how you introduce your lady?"

They laughed lightly when Hope slowed down.

"Hey, man, show some respect to your lady okay? This isn't how a knight talks!"

He looked at the girl in his charge and Freya and continued.

"I suggest we let the girls in the middle, it will be safer that way, isn't it, Lady Mercy?"

The girl sighed heavily and Freya, without a glance, replied curtly.

"Learn how to protect yourself before trying to protect someone."

"Ah?... Oh! Yeah, you're actually strong, sorry I forgot that, but I will soon surpass everyone so watch out."

She sighed in turn and glanced back at Dora, perhaps by coincidence or fate, their eyes met, the young man looking suddenly nervous.

"Yeah, maybe you'll be considered stronger if someone steals your name and fights for you."

Dora swallowed and pretended to have a conversation with Zuri. The walk lasted for a few minutes and soon, in an area cleared of trees, the group stopped.

In front of them, the object of their alliance, a purple mass several meters in diameter and emitting energy that corroded the ground and vegetation: the rift.

Kraim removed his bow from his shoulder.

"Okay, from now on, I'll take the lead, it's no longer a child's play. So, let's take a quick summary of the situation, it's a D-rank rift, I've been informed that you people from the capitals have never been inside one, so follow our movements and never lose your concentration... Personally, I wonder why they should start with this level, I think an E-rank rift would be better."

The woman smiled, visibly amused.

"Mr. Kraim, Thank you for your concern, but you would be surprised by the level of the people in the capital, don't worry about them."

"Hm! I'm just saying that this time it's not a mock battle with lots of healers to pamper us, it's a real challenge and our opponents are the monsters that we, emissaries, fight every day. We know what we are walking into."

"So much so that you asked for Royal Knights."

He flinched and looked at the woman with a deadly glare, while the students, from both academies, smiled with satisfaction.

"Alright, we'll see how good you are. Now we need to check everyone's position. I'm Kraim, D rank, archer class, I'll be staying in the back for most of the fight."

Everyone nodded and introduced their class. noVe-lb)1n

"I'm Leon, Hand, Hero class, D-rank, and leader of Shining Sword, so I'm going to play Mr. Kraim's second in command here, I specialize in melee."

"Erick, D-rank thief... Hand, my specialty is cutting the flesh of people I hate." He said looking at Dora who, caught in his thoughts, didn't notice him.

"Morgiana, hand, D-rank lancer, specialized in melee too but I can also protect the healer."

"Lillith, D-rank warrior, hand too, I'm a pure DPS so I'm pretty bad at defending myself, not that I can't! Just, I'll fight better if someone has my back."

"D-rank puppeteer, I can produce puppets with many classes, mainly tanks but not very effective... My name is Marie."

"Liliana, D-rank magic swordwoman, we are all hands in the team, I am good at melee but my preferential position is near one of the teammates who needs protection."

Some of them nodded warmly at this wonderful little girl.

"Sana, D-rank cleric, I am not the best healer but I'll do what it takes. Sorry to rely on your protection."

"It's fine, it's normal for the healer to stay at the back, this is how we, real emissaries are fighting. Now, if the Knights could introduce themselves."

Kraim seemed decided to antagonize everyone, his mocking smile always on his face. The woman, with a mischievous smile on her lips, placed her hand on her chest.

"Eryl, C-rank magician, I'm mostly here as an examiner for the Knights so I won't interfere unless it's getting dangerous."

Shining sword members and especially Kraim were taken aback by her rank, the latter, frozen one moment, clenched his fists.

"Then it's my turn, Hope Balder, brother of the legend Elizabeth, Avatar of rank E, but evaluated with a potential of rank D, I am a hero and probably the strongest in physical power here. With me, victory is assured!"

He looked proudly at his audience, most looking annoyed.

"What a good talker... I am Cid, but for you all it's Barron, I don't have time to say anything about me or my power, whatever will come to me, I'll crush it."

They looked at him while sighing, Eryl amused.

"I think it's good like this. Then it's only left you, Sir Carper."

"... I know, I am Anesidora, Dora for 4 people but Mister Carper for the others, E-Rank Avatar... Shaman."

Faces filled with doubt and astonishment. Erick giggled and Leon put a hand to his face.

"Is this a joke? Those 3 are E-rank? What the hell? Mister Kraim you want us to team up with under-leveled people?!"

"I was sure that there were more than this... And you are the one who requested them. Miss Eryl, I don't want to teach you how to be an examiner but..."

"I know, but I told you not to worry, the kingdom knows what it does. Those 3 are E-ranks but don't underestimate the abnormal nature of Avatars."

"Listen, I understand for the balder boy, and I feel the power of this nosy guy but... An E-rank shaman? I can't let someone like that enter a D-rank rift."

The members of the group looked at each other, Marie, biting her lip, raised her voice.

"He may be an E-rank, but he's very talented. If we want to win we need him."

"Y-Yeah, He's the one who trained me as a warrior, he's annoying but not incompetent!"

Lillith stepped forward as well, but Kraim shook his head.

"I know you're defending him because he's your friend, but I can't go against the law, if something happens to him because he was in the wrong rift, I'm the one who will take the responsibility. A shaman isn't much of a fighter, but if he's E-rank it's just useless here, plus he's an Avatar. This won't do."

They tried to persuade him desperately, while Zuri whispered to Dora.

"You're not a shaman right?"

"On paper, I am."

"You're... Not also E-rank right?"

"... On paper..."

Kraim remained unmoved by the pleas of the two girls, soon joined by Liliana, when Eryl walked towards Dora.

"Mister Kraim, with all due respect, it's very unprofessional to not check the people you're selecting, but this is hardly the time for complaints. I told you that I was here in case things turned wrong right?"

"Miss... Is this a habit in the capital to do things without thinking about the consequences? Are you brain dead?"

"No, but we know fine talent when we see it." She stood right in front of Dora. "If anything goes wrong, I'll take responsibility, Are you fine with it?"

Kraim huffed through his nose as he crossed his arms and walked towards the rift.

"Remember this, you spoke in front of testimonies, if he dies, it's on you. Now everyone, get your weapons ready, we're moving."

The 3 girls sighed in relief, Leon and Erick looked away, annoyed, Hope made a gesture of victory, and Barron shrugged his shoulders.

"See? This is why you need to stop playing around Idiora."

"Y... Yeah..." He took a glance at the team members, and once again, met the piercing gaze of Freya.

What was the purpose of this girl? There was nothing that she could do against him now that he was with Zuri. Those thoughts occupied his mind.

Eryl advanced towards the rift in turn but was stopped by Liliana.

"Thanks, madam, thanks for thrusting us."

"Hm? Oh, no dear, don't thank me, I'm merely doing what is correct. I wouldn't make a lie that would kill someone."

She turned her back, whispering in an inaudible voice.

"You shouldn't underestimate the abnormal nature of a true Avatar."