CH 7

Episode 7 – Monsters on Mount Cornello

TL Note: If you see any typos or mistakes, feel free to point them out in a constructive manner in the comments. I’m human and still trying to grow. Thanks!

“Look, Lewin, it’s coming into view! That’s Mount Cornello.”(Ahmed)

I could finally see our destination rising up in the distance, but I was completely exhausted from walking, and my throat was ragged from singing at the top of my lungs the entire time.

….So this is Mount Cornello, huh? The sheer towering size of it was way, way larger than I imagined, and I felt a bit of anxiety rising up inside me.

“So the quest commission said we were supposed to escort you until Mount Cornello, is that okay? Then we’ll wait around here.” (Ahmed)

“No, if possible I would like you guys to help escort me at least halfway up the mountain… It’s a little difficult to ask this of you, but I’d like to request an escort beyond that as well.” (Lewin)

When I asked this of them, Ahmed made an ugly expression as if she would puke. I was the one who originally put in the commission, but I definitely didn’t take the proper measures and precautions. At the same time, I didn’t have the money to raise the reward, nor did I have the means to deal with the monsters on Mount Cornello.

“…Please!! I’ll pay you back some day!” (Lewin)

“Well, I’m cool with it. From what I’ve seen so far, Lewin is not a bad boy.” (Dion)

“Me too. I’m already feeling like we have a special bond after being bullied by Elisa together.” (Smash)

The words of consent from those two nearly made me want to cry from relief.

Back in the Healer’s Guild, I was always alone and never had anyone who would want to support me or be my ally.

“Euch, no one who has ever said those cliched words has ever paid their due back properly… Well, whatever. I can’t really wait at the bottom of the mountain anyway. Also, how many times do I have to say it?! Stop calling me by that name you stupid baldy!!” (Ahmed)

Smash received Ahmed’s fist of anger yet again. Because he just took a punch to the top of his head yesterday, he now has a double lump swelling from the top of his head.

……He’s been friendly to me, so I’ll give him some of the common herbs I synthesized to heal him later.

“The three of you, thank you so much!! I’ll be in your care for the next four days!!” (Lewin)

Just like that, the [Azure Alliance] and I began to climb Mount Cornello in high spirits… But as we went up the mountain, the frequency of monsters appearing on the road was way higher compared to the flat paved road we took to get here.

Goblins, Kobolds, Killer Hornets.

Various monsters were attacking from all sorts of angles and directions, but Ahmed, who was taking the vanguard, was slaughtering them all in a single blow while humming a tune.

Moreover, the weapon that Ahmed used was a massive greatsword that was as long as I was tall, but it was being swung at such a high speed that I could hardly even see it.

“Lewin-kun, she’s amazing isn’t she? This is why Ahmed, who earned the alias of [Azure Dragon], was called the former number one promising youth in the Adventurer’s Guild.” (Dion)

“Honestly, I can’t really understand because it’s just too amazing. And… what’s up with those names? Former number one youth? [Azure Dragon]?” (Lewin)

“Huh? You haven’t heard? Ahmed used to be the former leader of the now A-rank party [Azurite], but due to her poor behavior, she was forced to withdraw from the party.” (Dion)

“Nope, I had no clue. But I did hear that you guys were going back and forth between D-rank and E-rank due to poor behavior…So that means Ahmed-san is a former A-rank adventurer then?” (Lewin)

Hoh. That’s interesting.

For a while there, I thought that D-rank adventurers were all at that level of strength, but it turned out that Ahmed was just unusually strong and had the ability of an A-rank adventurer.

I was a little curious… so I wanted to hear more about this.

“Dion-san. I’m interested, so can you tell me a little more about Ahmed-san?” (Lewin)

As I inquired for more detailed information, it seemed that Ahmed, who was fighting monsters up front, heard me, so she looked back at us over her shoulder.

“Oi, Dion!! You have some nerve to be flapping your gums, huh? If you have so much free time, then get in front of me and fight!” (Ahmed)

“No no, don’t worry about it. It’s just some trifling idle talk. Besides, if I step forward alone, it’ll take too long to fight the monsters.” (Dion)

“Oh, shut the hell up!! Then have Smash come forward too!” (Ahmed)

Smash, who was walking a little bit behind us, was still stroking the top of his head where he got double whammied earlier. Getting called out so suddenly, Smash’s eyes widened in astonishment and went completely round. Ahmed, who was keeping the monsters company up front with nimble steps, was already luring the monsters over while approaching us.

“Here, switch! Sic ‘em, goblins!” (Ahmed)

Acting like an evil mob boss, Ahmed skillfully guided the goblins to go after Dion and Smash, who were on standby in the back. She had a totally captivating grin on her face, and it was clear that she was having a lot of fun.

“Hey, Lewin, don’t space out. Let’s fall back a bit!” (Ahmed)

In a single swift movement, Ahmed swept me off my feet and carried me under her arm while falling back at a frightening speed. It was a speed that was normally impossible for someone to be running at while carrying another person, but I guess I should have expected this from the abilities of an A-rank adventurer.

“Kakaka! Don’t go losing to some small fries now, you guys!!” (Ahmed)

“Damn it! Ahmed-san is a devil as always…” (Smash)

“Smash-san, one kobold incoming from the right. One killer hornet coming up front in the sky.” (Dion)

After that, Dion and Smash were left in charge of the vanguard while Ahmed walked behind them, cackling as she watched them fight desperately for their lives… while I just quietly followed behind.