Chapter 98

Vahn held a massive, snow-white sword in his hand and slowly advanced toward the direction where the sounds of battle echoed.

"Hey Vahn, you're supposed to be Kyle's bodyguard, right? What are you doing joining the battle?"

"Now, Craft, Kai's other bodyguards are here, including the Craft sisters and Reifan. This camp is more than sufficient."

"That's true..."

Vahn's words were correct, but the guy who had boasted about absolutely protecting Kyle was the first to rush to the front lines. What was he thinking?

"Hmph. The front line is where Raidock is, and this is the rear. Besides, if even one of Kyle's private soldiers dies, Kyle will be sad, won't he?"

"That's true."

"Also, if I don't show my skills, we won't be able to coordinate properly, right?"

When he put it that way, I couldn't argue.

I was a bit troubled.

"Craft!"

"Craft!"

Reifan and the Casper sisters had arrived.

The timing was perfect.

"Reifan, I'll leave this place to Eva and the others, and Alphard."

"Huh? What about you, Craft?"

"Vahn is going to join the battle, so I'll stay back and watch over him."

"You're not going to join the battle, Craft?"

"From the beginning, I was told to avoid direct combat as much as possible."

Before this expedition, I had been repeatedly warned about this.

I had also been thinking of reducing my reliance on the habits from my days as a mage.

As an alchemist, I intended to focus on rear support.

"I want to see Vahn's skills."

"Alright, but don't overdo it, okay?"

"No problem... By the way, where's Jitaro?"

Jitaro, who was supposed to be Kyle's bodyguard, was nowhere to be seen.

"He flew off in the direction of the battle sounds a while ago..."

"Freedom!"

Well, his bow is reliable, so he'll be a strong support for the private soldiers.

While we were talking, Vahn had already moved to the defensive area.

"Then I'll leave it to you!"

I said this and hurried to a spot where I could oversee the defensive position. It was close enough to the defensive area that I could quickly reach Kyle if needed.

A large number of hydras were surging from the 10 o'clock direction of the camp. Kyle's private soldiers had formed ranks and were in a full defensive posture. Alphard was in charge of the defense.

"Listen up! Not a single monster shall pass! There's no need to attack! Just wear them down, and they'll eventually be wiped out! Don't break ranks! With your skills, this should be an easy task!"

I see.

The strategy was to avoid rushing into the hydra horde and instead focus on defense, gradually reducing their numbers.

Kyle's private soldiers had trained for monster hunts, but this was almost their first real combat. The emphasis on certainty was typical of Alphard's practical and robust approach.

Then, Vahn approached Alphard.

"Alphard! This Vahn will lend a hand!"

"What!?"

"What, is my help not enough?"

"...No. Then, I'll leave it to you. Stir up the enemy."

"Hahaha! I'll wipe them all out if you want!"

Hmm.

He was confident enough to claim he could wipe out that many hydras.

"No, even if it's possible, don't wipe them all out. This is also good training for Kyle's private soldiers."

"Then, I'll focus on the hydras with multiple heads and reduce their numbers."

"If you can, I'll leave it to you. But don't overdo it."

"Understood!"

Vahn immediately dashed out from the defensive line.

His massive sword roared.

"Absolute Chant of Fierce Freshness!!!"

With a powerful cry, a tremendous shockwave shook the ground, and several hydras were reduced to chunks of flesh, flying in all directions.

"Wow!!"

The soldiers gasped in amazement.

"Fools! Keep your eyes on the task! Maintain the formation! Focus, focus!"

"Sir!!"

Alphard's reprimand made the soldiers quickly return their attention to the front.

But I could understand their feelings. Vahn was more impressive than expected.

"Hahaha! It's been a while since I've had a good fight! Whirlwind Phoenix Slash!!!"

He unleashed a high-powered sword technique that was rarely seen.

The sheer power was astonishing.

Raidock, the strongest swordsman of the Golden Dawn, often used similar techniques, but Vahn's was nearly as powerful.

The fact that Vahn's techniques could be compared to Raidock's in terms of power was a testament to his incredible skill.

His techniques were as powerful as Raidock's, and while his mobility seemed slightly inferior, his defense appeared to be stronger.

It seemed he was using a high-damage, defensive fighting style.

"Wow! I hadn't realized that I wouldn't feel fatigued even after so much fighting! Stamina potions are amazing! Wind and Snow Chaos Slash!!!"

The hydras were being sliced into pieces, a truly spectacular sight.

Then, I noticed something important.

Vahn's left hand was faintly glowing.

It was undoubtedly the light of a crest.

Vahn was wearing a glove on his left hand, as was common for adult nobles, but the crest light was so strong that it was leaking through.

I probably wouldn't have noticed it without using my far-sight magic, but Alphard likely did.

A typical crest wouldn't emit such a strong light.

Vahn's crest was undoubtedly a high-level, colored crest.

It was as if he was venting his daily stress, ruthlessly turning the surging hydras into raw materials.

Yeah, he's strong.

I see, it's no wonder he declared with such confidence that he would protect Kyle.

If needed, I could trust Kyle to Vahn.

But I don't think it will come to that.

"Hahaha! It feels great to unleash sword techniques without restraint! Tyrant's Triumph Flash!"

Vahn, the old man, was swinging his massive sword with evident enjoyment.

"Wow! This is fun! Divine Breath Enveloping Sword! Purple Shadow Dance of Heaven! Conquering Road Advance Strike!"

Giant hydras were being flung into the air like toys, shattering and being sliced into pieces.

Moreover, the techniques he used were ones I had never seen or heard of before.

After completely crushing the hydras' reinforcements, Vahn returned with a satisfied look on his face.

Alphard was smiling wryly.

"You overdid it."

"Hahaha! I left enough for training!"

"Still, I should thank you."

"What, just 'thank you'?"

"Then, should I complain?"

"Just kidding, just kidding! I'm heading back to Kyle!"

He laughed and walked toward Kyle's carriage, so I hurried to join him.

"Old man!"

"Ah, Craft. Did you see my performance?"

"Yeah, you weren't just talking big."

"Hahaha! You can start respecting and worshiping me now!"

"I won't go that far, but I'm relieved. You were showing off your skills to the others, weren't you?"

Vahn's eyes narrowed.

"Hmm?"

"Yeah. A newcomer adventurer suddenly becomes Kyle's direct bodyguard. I can believe it because of Mr. Jabeel's recommendation, but the others might not."

"I see, you noticed."

"I'm not particularly smart, but I've been an adventurer for a long time, so I'm sensitive to the dynamics within a group."

"I see... Your experience as an adventurer. It's valuable."

"You're an adventurer too, old man."

"Hahaha! That's right!"

I sighed deeply.

This confirmed that the old man was almost certainly a noble.

Initially, I was wary, but he didn't seem like a bad guy.

In fact, my gut told me he was a reliable ally.

But who exactly is this old man?

As I was thinking, Alphard approached.

"Craft, can I talk to you for a moment?"

"What is it?"

"Can you bring out a barrel of alcohol?"

"Alcohol?"

"Yeah. I'm thinking of allowing the soldiers to have a cup each."

"I see. How many barrels should I bring out?"

I had dozens of barrels stored in my spatial storage, so I could bring out as many as needed.

"One barrel should be enough, but... it might be better to show them that hard work is rewarded. Line up about ten barrels."

"Should I bring out extra in case some try to sneak drinks?"

"That's fine. If they can't maintain the pride of being Kyle's private soldiers, they'll need thorough retraining."

Alphard smiled slyly.

I thought about his deviousness as I brought out the barrels and lined them up.

"Alright! Each of you can have one cup of alcohol!"

"Wow!!!"

As the soldiers gathered, Alphard muttered.

"Those two left their posts without permission. I'll deal with them when we return."

Oh, the ones targeted looked like former adventurers. My condolences.

Just as I thought this, I met the gaze of a red-bearded soldier who was the first to reach the barrels.

"Since I performed well, I should have the right to drink, right?"

"Vahn... I think the alcohol here might be too cheap for you."

The alcohol for soldiers was, at best, decent. It was usually cheap.

"Let's see... Oh! It's like water!"

"Vahn! The other soldiers are happily drinking! Get back to your post! And stay awake to guard Kyle!"

"I'll sleep! In shifts! But you're right, Craft. I'll go back obediently!"

He laughed and returned to the supply wagon.

Kyle's wagon was nearby, so it wasn't a big issue, but after showing such incredible skills, I really wanted him to guard Kyle properly.

★2019/10/27 Major Addition