"Waaah!"
Hundreds of goblins erupted from the treeline, surging across the grass like a viscous tide of green filth rolling downhill—snarling, weapons raised, eyes gleaming with feral hunger.
"Not good!" Ninya gripped her staff tighter, knuckles white, and shouted toward the encircled Peter and Lukrut. "Get back! There are trolls mixed in with the goblins!"
Peter pivoted instantly, stance widening as he scanned the forest. Amid the swarming horde, three-meter brutes lumbered forward, massive clubs dragging furrows in the earth. Each thunderous step sent tremors through the ground.
"Lukrut, we break through!" Peter's stomach twisted. Hundreds of goblins plus trolls—this was Steel-rank suicide at best.
"I think… we're not breaking through anywhere," Lukrut replied, voice heavy with grim acceptance.
Peter glanced back. The smaller goblins clung like rabid parasites, shrieking in delight as they dragged more of their kin into the fray. By the time he ripped the last one free, dozens more had already closed the ring around him.
He gritted his teeth, gaze cutting past the mob to Ninya and Dyne. "Take Nfirea and run! Now!"
Ninya angled her staff, mana flickering at the tip, but hesitated. "Damn it—they're too close. I'd hit you too."
"Waaagh! Waaagh!"
From farther off, another wave howled and charged the wagon. To the goblins, Ninya, Nfirea, and Helant were fresh, easy meat—drool streamed from jagged fangs as they closed in.
Nfirea sat rigid on the driver's bench, shirt drenched in cold sweat, staring at the oncoming green avalanche.
Are we really going to die here?
Despair settled like lead in the hearts of the Swords of Darkness and the young pharmacist.
"Fourth-Tier Spell: Arrows of Starlight."
Helant's voice cut through the din—calm, almost gentle. Dozens of luminous motes coalesced into radiant bolts that shimmered like captured starlight, then streaked forward like falling meteors.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
"Aargh!"
Every arrow found its mark, piercing goblin skulls and torsos with surgical precision. Not a single one missed. The ring around Peter and Lukrut disintegrated in seconds.
"Mr. Helant!" the two adventurers gasped in unison, shock freezing them mid-swing.
Helant was already forming two more volleys, glowing points orbiting his hands. "It's still battle time. No time to gawk."
"Right—battle time!" Momonga drew two massive, ostentatious greatswords and leaped into the fray. He spun like a living whirlwind; anything the blades touched parted in sprays of gore.
Lightning arced wildly around Narberal, chaining from goblin to troll in crackling bursts that left charred husks smoking on the grass.
"Eat my axe!" Mino hefted a battle-axe larger than herself and hurled it with terrifying force. The spinning blade carved a wide, bloody swath through the ranks, embedding in a troll's chest with a wet crunch.
Ninya swallowed hard, eyes wide. "So strong…"
Peter stood rooted, dazed. I actually thought I'd show these people how it's done?
Ten minutes later, the field was a charnel house of severed limbs and cooling corpses. The sharp, metallic reek of blood hung thick in the air, clinging to clothes and skin.
Ninya stared at Helant in open awe. "You're incredible. Only the legendary Warrior Chief of the Kingdom could match that kind of power."
Peter approached, cheeks burning with embarrassment. "I thought you were green… wanted to demonstrate for you…"
Helant and his companions didn't even have dirt on their cloaks. Unlimited third- and fourth-tier spells, blades and axes that turned battle into slaughter—Peter offered a wry, self-deprecating smile. Maybe they lacked field experience, but their strength was beyond question.
Narberal sneered down at him. "Foolish insect. You've glimpsed scarcely one ten-thousandth of the Supre—ehm—Lord Helant and Lord Momon's true might."
The blood-stink was growing nauseating. Helant waved a hand. "Let's clean up and move on. We still have distance to cover before nightfall."
…
Night had fallen by the time they made camp.
Pine logs snapped and popped in the campfire, flames leaping to paint flickering shadows across their faces.
The group sat in a loose circle, exhaustion giving way to quiet chatter.
"Nfirea, why Carne Village?" Peter asked, knowing the pharmacist made regular trips there.
"Ah, I… um…" Nfirea's cheeks flushed crimson. "There's… a girl there. I like her."
"Oh?" Lukrut slung a companionable arm around his shoulders. "Did you catch her yet?"
Nfirea sighed, shoulders slumping. "I… don't know if she feels the same…"
Laughter rippled around the fire—light, understanding. Youthful love was a rite of passage they'd all stumbled through.
Momonga lounged beside Helant, voice low and teasing. "Back when Buku was chasing you in the old days, she was just as shy at first."
"Then she got bold and nearly drugged me into sealing the deal," Helant sighed, a fond, exasperated memory surfacing.
"What are you sighing for?" Mino latched onto his arm, pressing close with deliberate mischief.
In Helant's mind, the image of The Unsinkable Commander and the Skilled Voice actor Bukubukuchagama briefly overlapped with Mino's lively energy. Maybe that echo of protectiveness was why accepting Albedo had felt… smoother. Definitely not about chest size.
"You two are a couple, right?" Ninya asked suddenly, eyes sharp despite the firelight.
Mino straightened proudly, beaming. "Sharp eyes! You noticed."
"I heard nobles marry young. You're so close… are you…?"
Helant cut in smoothly. "You're mistaken. We're not nobles."
Ninya blinked. "You're not?"
Helant seized the opening. "I'm a Human Emissary of the Holy Domain God Lord. Essentially clergy."
"Holy Domain God Lord?" Ninya tilted her head; the name was unfamiliar. She looked at him expectantly.
Helant continued evenly, "The world has long forgotten His name, but you'll hear it again soon enough."
"That told me absolutely nothing," Mino whispered, nibbling playfully at his ear.
"Ouch."
Helant pinched her cheek in retaliation. She bared her teeth in mock glare.
"Um… Mr. Helant," Ninya twisted her fingers nervously. "May I… ask a favor? Could I… borrow your name?"
Helant, Momonga, and Narberal all turned to her.
"You're so strong. You'll become a great figure someday… My elder sister was taken by a noble of the Kingdom. I learned magic to get strong enough to bring her back. If… if I find her, could I use your name to demand her release?"
Ninya rose and bowed deeply. "I won't abuse it. I swear."
She'd already traced rumors to the city where her sister had been sold. After this job, she'd go.
But her own power was still too limited. Dropping his name might make all the difference—using a lion's roar to frighten off the jackals.
"Of course," Helant replied without hesitation. "If my reputation can help you in any way, use it freely."
Tears shimmered in Ninya's eyes. "Thank you…!"
Watching her, Helant adopted a thoughtful expression.
Well, if things go right.. This girl's sister will be Sebas's future girlfriend.
Thinking of which.....