Chapter 9
—Raust—
「………Unexpectedly, it seems it would be easy to subjugate . 」
The sky was dyed in vermillion when we went home from the cafe .
I was talking with Narsena with a bit of excitement .
「Yes . As one would expect from a party that’s worthy of being called Guild’s agent . 」
Narsena, who was also excited, agreed with me .
The people around us looked at us weirdly, but I knew that nothing I could do when Narsena was like this .
About the pre-subjugation meeting, the final plan was for me to draw phoenix’s attention until Armia finished preparing to release her magic .
If I could draw its attention to me, then the phoenix would no longer attack Armia .
Of course, no matter how much I attracted its attention, I wouldn’t be able to prevent stray fireballs that fly straight to Armia .
Zieg-san said that he could repel the stray fireballs with his magic sword .
Also, in case of emergency, Narsena would use a magic shield specifically used to fight phoenix .
With this, even if something unexpected happened during the fight against the phoenix, we would still be able to survive .
Because we have reached that conclusion, Narsena and I couldn’t hide our excitement .
I believed that even if it was only two of us, subjugating phoenix wasn’t impossible .
However, I couldn’t deny it was more of a gamble .
With our situation improved leap and bound compared to when it was just only us, it was natural to feel excited .
「But, we’re still not allowed to lose focus . 」
However, even with the improved condition, our victory still wasn’t assured .
I recalled when I was doing hydra subjugation before, despite finally cornering the hydra after three hours of fierce battle, Sarveria ended up poisoned .
Frankly, super-high difficulty monsters was an existence which you mustn’t lose focus even when it was badly cornered .
Even in the situation where their death was practically guaranteed, being a super-high difficulty monster, they would have a power that could turn that outcome around .
All we can do to prevent such a situation is to prepare .
「Let’s go shopping . 」
「The phoenix subjugation is only several days away, so we should get ready from now, right?」
As I thought that, I stepped toward the city while talking to Narsena .
From now, I was thinking of going to buy materials for phoenix subjugation .
「Wait a minute!」
「………Huh?」
It was then, suddenly a voice that asked us to stop resounded .
When I looked back, there was a female healer from Zieg-san’s party, Lailsan .
When she came before us, her breath was so rough .
As I didn’t know what happened to her, I felt worried .
「It’s a bit delayed to say this, but thank you so much for helping Armia regaining her footing . 」
But at the next moment, seeing Lailsan bowed her head with vigor, I understood that my worry was misplaced .
Apparently, she rushed to this place wasn’t because something had happened, but to say those words to us .
After I understood that, my cheeks loosened as I saw Lailsan’s figure, whose sense of duty was so strong it was unthinkable for an adventurer .
It seemed Armia was able to enter a good party this time .
「He couldn’t say it in front of Armia, but Zieg is grateful to both of you too . Really, thank you very much . 」
However, when I noticed her misunderstanding, my expression changed to an awkward one .
It seemed Lailsan thought that I was also involved in persuading Armia .
To correct the misunderstanding, I started talking with a wry smile .
「I didn’t do anything . 」
「No, that’s not the case . 」
「……Huh?」
「Thank you for giving a chance for Armia to atone . 」
………However, after listening to what she said next, I realized that I was the one who mistaken .
Maybe she had been told beforehand, but it seemed she knew what was happening between Armia and Narsena .
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On top of that, Lailsan seemed to be grateful to me .
I understood that from Lailsan’s appearance, but I couldn’t hide my confusion .
To be honest, I didn’t particularly blame Armia for anything .
That was why I tried to tell Lailsan there was no need to be thankful .
「I’m really sorry for what Armia had committed . The current you may have forgotten that you were hurt by Armia by the happiness you have now . But that doesn’t make the fact that Armia hurt you in the past gone . 」
But before I could open my mouth, Lailsan deeply bowed at me .
「That sin won’t be compensated by Armia alone, but also by us, her party members . It’s a duty she must fulfill, and because we put her into our party, it also becomes our duty . 」
After listening to Lailsan, I realized the reason Armia changed .
Her encounter with Lailsan was what changed Armia .
「And it’s our shared duty too to thank you . That’s why, thank you . 」
And then, Lailsan raised her head, turned toward Narsena, and smiled at her .
「It’s pathetic, but we couldn’t help Armia getting back to her feet . If you weren’t there, Armia might still broken . 」
「Eh- ah,」
While smiling like she was laughing at herself, Lailsan confessed so to Narsena .
Apparently, Narsena didn’t expect to be thanked in this way, she looked clearly surprised .
Seeing Narsena reaction, Lailsan laughing at her, and then bowed deeply at Narsena .
「That’s why, thank you so much . I’m glad you’re there to help . 」
「Eh, ah, y-yes!」
In response to Lailsan’s words, even while she was still looked surprised, Narsena still nodded somewhat shyly .
Seeing the sight of those two, I smiled despite myself .
It seemed the person in Zieg-san’s party we knew the least about, while I still didn’t know what kind of person she was, was at least a trustworthy person .
「Sorry for being abrupt . I really want to thank you . Let me say this just in case, no, there is no problem . 」
After raising her head a bit, Lailsan then turned to me, then feeling really bad for what she had done, she apologized again .
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Apparently, she was aware that I was worried when she came running at us .
Facing Lailsan who apologized for that, I opened my mouth to tell her I didn’t mind .
「No . Please don’t worry . 」
I was indeed didn’t care about being misled by her action .
After all, she rushed to thank us .
Besides, if she didn’t run here, we would already leave then .
Considering the situation, there wasn’t any reason to fault her .
「I see . I’m glad you say that . 」
Maybe she picked up my feeling from my words and actions as she said that with a gentle smile .
It was then her expression turned into one from someone who just remembered something .
「Because we’re going to prepare for phoenix subjugation, I need to go back soon……」
「Ahh, you’re right . We need to prepare too . 」
With her words, I also remembered that we were about to go to the city
And as far as Lailsan’s appearance was concerned, it seemed that she came to us without informing Armia .
She might need to go back early so Armia wouldn’t be suspicious .
「My bad for stopping you . 」
After saying that, Lailsan turned to the direction where she came from and walked away .
However, on the way, she looked back at us and smiled .
「I’ll be repaying my gratitude to both of you by playing an active part in the phoenix subjugation . 」
It was an overly confident statement for a promise .
Returning the favor in the phoenix subjugation, that wasn’t a line someone without great confidence could say .
After saying that, Lailsan left in a jog and never looked back again .
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Even after Lailsan out of sight, Narsena was still staring at the direction Lailsan went .
Looking at her, what came to mind was a look of pure wonder .
「……A female high-ranking adventurer, there is someone so cool and elegant like that . 」
At the next moment, Narsena muttered words that exude both admiration and surprise .
It seemed, for Narsena, Lailsan’s existence was something that could shock her .
「…Even though Ralmsan also exist…」
「………Ah, yeah . Master is an exception, in the first place, I don’t think Master is someone we can include in the human category . 」
「……Certainly . 」
……But after listening to Narsena’s answer to my murmur, all the energy in my body drained .
Apparently, rather than being influenced by Lailsan’s existence, it was more like she had been poisoned by Master’s existence .
「Hahh~…」
What? Do you have any complaints? The scene of Master threatening me with those words suddenly came to mind, and then I sighed .
After spending a long time with that person, then Narsena’s reaction might be inevitable .
After all, Master is that kind of existence .
However, Master’s existence aside, there is no doubt Lailsan possesses a good character .
While I haven’t seen her ability, being able to enter Zieg-san’s party means she must be quite skilled .
While thinking so, I recalled the anticipation I had toward the phoenix subjugation .
By no means phoenix subjugation is something that can be done with such a light feeling, despite telling myself so, I still couldn’t erase the urge to smile .
It seemed Narsena also harbored the same feeling as me .
I noticed that when I turned my head to the side, and so, I stopped holding back my smile and opened my mouth .
「Now then, let’s go to the city . 」
「Yes!」
Our anticipation toward phoenix subjugation as we walked toward the city wasn’t something we could hide……