11 - Lariel's Ability
Having prepared to leave the city, we headed toward the guild.
Basically, there was a rule to notify the guild when heading outside the city. Naturally, there was a reason for this.
It was so the guild could confirm where the adventurers were and what they were doing. At the same time, if they did not return by the scheduled time, the guild would judge that something had happened.
When we met up with Zelfie-san, she was wearing leather armor over her usual easy-to-move-in clothes.
She carried a shield and sword she was well-accustomed to, and depending on how one looked at her, she could pass for a knight.
"Right on time, or perhaps a bit early... that's fine."
Praised by Zelfie-san, we headed straight to the second floor of the guild. There, I filled out a form and took it to the reception.
The person in charge was Hawkins-san.
"...Received. Please make sure to return on time. If your plans change... well, it's unlikely, but if you're too late, the guild may dispatch a search party."
Hawkins-san was worried, but we had Zelfie-san with us. While being careless just because one feels safe is out of the question, we had an instructor.
It likely wouldn't come to anything serious.
"I'll just keep it to getting a feel for the flow today. Returning you two alive is also part of my contract."
"'Adventurers abide by their contracts,' was it?"
When I said this to Zelfie-san, she nodded.
It was the same for adventurers, but mercenaries had an even stronger tendency toward this. After all, breaking a contract was a major issue of trust.
Because of that, Zelfie-san had taught me to check contracts carefully.
"It's an important thing as a human being. Not breaking promises, that is."
As she said this, Hawkins-san let out a sigh.
"It's troubling because there are so many people who can't do that. Now then, please do your best. As an adventurer, monster subjugation is indispensable if you want to earn a living, after all."
"We're off."
Saying so, we left the guild.
Outside the city of Darion.
After exiting the walls, which were about four meters high, we walked along the highway.
We walked so as not to get in the way of the passing carriages and traveling merchants, occasionally calling out to travelers we passed.
"You two brought plenty of medicine, right?"
"Yes."
As I nodded, Zelfie-san called out to a slightly dirty traveler.
"What happened? You're quite covered in mud."
Upon hearing this, the traveler explained the situation.
"It was a disaster. I stepped off the road for a moment to relieve myself, and a Slime attacked. I blocked it with my robe, but it got burned a bit."
A Slime is a monster with liquid and a core inside a transparent membrane. They leap onto living creatures and prey on them by dissolving them with their liquid.
However, they aren't very intelligent, so they attack if you get close and don't attack if you don't.
They are also troublesome monsters that appear in large numbers and cause damage to travelers and the horses pulling cargo carriages.
"I see. Here, use this."
Zelfie-san threw some medicine to the traveler, who showed her his robe and reddened arm. It was cheap medicine, but I wondered if it was alright to just give it away like that.
"I appreciate it. As for the location, if you go two kilometers further and turn right into the bushes, they're there. There were quite a few in that area."
After receiving the information, Zelfie-san waved and parted ways with the traveler.
"What was that just now?"
"People accustomed to traveling know the local situation. That's why they give information in exchange. There are those who lie, but since it's a road they use themselves, they give various pieces of information to adventurers who exterminate monsters."
In that case, wouldn't they just tell us for free? I thought, but Zelfie-san gave a smirk.
"Remember this, Lariel. People work better when there's a reward. The amount of information is the same."
"Is that so? Isn't it for their own benefit?"
From my perspective, I couldn't understand withholding information when it would benefit them.
"Of course, there are people who think that. But there are also people who don't. You need to study society more."
Saying so, we walked toward the location mentioned.
Since I had the spare saber I purchased, I had no concerns about my equipment. Moreover, the opponent this time was a Slime.
Based on knowledge alone, I knew they weren't opponents that even an ordinary person couldn't beat.
"Oh, just in time. You two, see those three adventurers over there? Watch them while we walk."
When told, I shifted my gaze and saw a trio in light gear—plain clothes—holding knives.
They were dealing with Slimes, but their movements were disjointed and they lacked coordination.
"Are they amateurs?"
To Novem's question, Zelfie said it was slightly different.
"They are amateurs. You can tell by their equipment. But it's not uncommon to struggle with Slimes. Normally, people recognize them as something even an ordinary person can defeat as long as they have a weapon, but..."
In the midst of this, the First Generation cut into the conversation.
'I used to deal with them using a stick from around here. If you brought the skin, the core, and the magic stone, the old man at the guild would give me a candy. When I was little, that's how I ate my snacks. Well, it'd be impossible for a weakling like you.'
He seemed to be provoking me, but what I thought was...
(You were being tricked, First Generation.)
I felt a bit sorry for him. Since he was small, he probably didn't notice and was taken advantage of.
(I mean, hunting monsters since he was little... the First Generation really is like a wild child.)
However, unable to hold it back, the Second Generation burst out laughing and revealed the fact.
Despite my effort to stay silent, it seemed my kindness was meaningless.
'Gyahahaha! Exchanging monster materials for candy? Just how much were you ripped off! My stomach hurts~'
'W-what!'
'Even in my time, they were worth a few copper coins. You could buy bags and bags of candy for that.'
The Second Generation was making fun of the First Generation with genuine delight.
(What happened between these two?)
Among the ancestors of the Walt family, the Second Generation was far too plain. However, there seemed to be something deep-rooted between them.
Though, I could guess to some extent.
'That damn old man! I'm definitely going to punch him!'
'I think he's already dead.'
The Third Generation closed the conversation, and the discussion there ended. However, I couldn't do the same.
"...Hey Lariel, are you listening?"
"Lariel-sama?"
"Eh, no... sorry."
I had been listening too closely to the ancestors' conversation and hadn't heard what Zelfie-san was saying. She let out a sigh of exasperation.
"Haa, I'll say it one more time. No matter how weak they are, you feel pain if you take an attack. Especially with a short-reach knife. That's why they're shrinking back in fear. It would be efficient to surround and strike them, but the problem is they're so panicked they don't even notice that."
Novem asked Zelfie-san while looking at the trio.
"Is it alright not to teach them?"
"Why? I'm your instructor. I'm being paid, so I have responsibilities and obligations. But I have no responsibilities or obligations toward them. Do you want to teach them, Novem? I won't stop you if you do. However..."
"However?"
I became curious about what Zelfie-san was about to say.
"Those three should learn now. Pain, that is. Especially if they can't realize they need someone's guidance like you two, and don't have the financial means to gather equipment."
"...I see."
Novem seemed convinced by that.
However, he looked back at the trio several times. They seemed to have been injured, but they had successfully defeated the Slimes.
While saying it hurt, they were collecting the Slime materials.
I also looked at the trio.
"Do you think I'm being cold?"
"No, well... a little bit."
When I answered honestly, Zelfie-san laughed. Saying "You're honest," she explained to me.
"It's an adventurer's own responsibility even if they challenge a monster and die. Moreover, fools challenge higher-ranked monsters without knowing their own strength. Such fools will repeat the same thing even if you help them. Even if you stop them from challenging monsters, they'll repeat foolish actions."
Zelfie-san said that such fools are scary.
"Besides, there are many who take advantage of you if you're too soft. It's not uncommon, especially in jobs like bottom-tier adventurers."
(I guess she means don't get involved haphazardly?)
"Does that mean that even if not everyone is like that, we cannot extend a hand to everyone?"
When Novem understood it as such, Zelfie-san said he was half-correct.
"Helping is easy. But can you look after the person you helped forever? Even if we help them here, they might repeat the same thing. Worse, they might think someone nearby will help them when things get dangerous... that's why it's better to remember the pain while it's at a level where they won't lose their lives."
As she said this, the Second Generation agreed.
'Is this a case of teaching a man to fish rather than giving him a fish? Certainly, many people become useless once they know they can get bread anytime.'
"Well, to put it simply, you two are also amateurs. You're not on the side of helping, but the side of being helped... no, you're in the middle of being helped. If you want to help, become full-fledged adventurers quickly."
Saying so, Zelfie-san walked silently toward the destination.
When we arrived at the place the traveler had told us about, there were indeed Slimes.
I could confirm five of them just by sight.
Murky yellow-green, squishy liquid crawled on the ground and sometimes jumped. Inside their bodies, a red round object that looked like a core was barely visible.
"Hmm, they said bushes, but the forest is close. I don't want to pursue too deep... there it is."
Saying so, Zelfie-san picked up a stone that had fallen nearby.
She bounced it in the air a few times with her hand, then threw it straight toward the Slime.
The movement of the Slime that was hit directly suddenly became frantic.
It came toward us.
"They can tell the location well even though they have no eyes or ears."
As I drew my saber, Zelfie-san also readied her shield and drew her sword. Novem readied himself with his staff.
"You two are nervous. Your bodies are stiff. I'll show you an example, so watch closely."
Then, Zelfie-san approached the Slime that was coming—no, that was heading in our direction.
She moved slightly from where she had thrown the stone. With just that, the Slime headed toward the position where she had been until a moment ago.
It was a simple action, but it allowed Zelfie-san to slash the Slime with composure.
"If you get close, they'll notice the opponent immediately through footsteps or vibrations, I'm not sure which, so finish them in one hit if possible."
She thrust her sword, piercing the Slime's skin, and liquid overflowed from there.
After a while, the Slime's movement stopped, and Zelfie-san called Novem.
"Novem, come here."
"Y-yes!"
"Calm down. Bring out the barrel."
Novem handed Zelfie-san the small barrel that had been sold on the first floor of the guild.
Taking out a knife, Zelfie-san discarded the murky liquid and lifted the skin with the knife.
When the core and magic stone fell from the skin, she put them into a separate leather pouch.
Into the barrel, she put the skin and the sticky substance on its surface.
"That's it. Basically, collect materials after scouting the surroundings. Or I taught you that the remaining members should keep watch, right?"
Zelfie-san looked at me, so I hurriedly apologized. However, she smirked and said she didn't mind.
"Be careful next time. You saw the collection method, right? I'll have you two do it later, but don't use the gloves used for collection for anything else."
After hearing the precautions, we decided to pick up stones, imitating Zelfie-san.
"Novem, you can either stab with a knife or borrow the saber from Lariel. Blunt attacks can defeat them, but they splash, which is a pain."
"Yes. Lariel-sama, may I borrow your saber?"
Just as Novem said that, Zelfie-san raised her voice.
"You two, get back!"
Zelfie-san suddenly became panicked, but a voice could also be heard from the Orb.
It was the First Generation's voice.
'Hide behind the female adventurer immediately! No, hide while protecting Novem-chan! It's Goblins!'
Goblins.
Monsters with green skin and large faces. Their height is not even two-thirds of an adult male, but they have strength that belies their thin torsos and limbs.
They are considered weak among monsters, but are classified as troublesome.
The reason is that Goblins are weak individually, so they act in groups and carry weapons.
A certain scholar once said that if Goblins had just a bit more wisdom, the surface would have been ruled by them.
From within the bushes—.
A Goblin readied a bow, and another individual leaped out holding a blunt weapon made of a stone tied to a wooden stick.
Zelfie-san quickly stepped in front of the Goblin firing the arrow and blocked it. Then, she told us to get back.
The First Generation had the same opinion.
"You two stay back and wait behind! I'll finish these things."
'You can't win. Just shut up and follow this female adventurer. These things don't have much arm strength, but they push with numbers.'
It was as the First Generation said.
Seven Goblins emerged from the bushes.
But—.
'What are you talking about? Lariel, show them.'
Told by the Seventh Generation, I pointed the tip of my saber toward the group of Goblins. Since Zelfie-san was there, I decided to call out to her.
"Zelfie-san, please don't move."
"What—"
Before Zelfie-san could finish, I began preparing to use magic.
Currently, my magical power is being drained by the Orb.
Considering my magical power and the number of enemies, using magic once would be the limit. Indeed, it would be inevitable if people said this couldn't be used in actual combat.
'Hey idiot! It's impossible for you—'
The First Generation's voice rang out, but I chanted the magic.
(To handle this many in one go...)
"Lightning."
Then, lightning-attribute magic rained down on the Goblins heading toward Zelfie-san.
The time until activation, as well as the scale and power.
Looking at those, it indeed wasn't yet at a level that could be used in actual combat.
Purple lightning generated on the Goblins, making them look as if they were sparking. Since I had estimated the distance, it wouldn't hit Zelfie-san.
However—.
"I missed one."
From my perspective, I let the Goblin in front of Zelfie-san escape.
The magic seemed to have hit, but it appeared to have only grazed it. Its arm had turned black.
Perhaps thinking I was a threat, the Goblin, now desperate, ran forward.
Zelfie-san was taken aback, but she reacted immediately upon seeing the movement.
With a single stroke, she cut the Goblin down.
As expected of someone chosen as an instructor, her skill was impressive.
"...Hey now, was that lightning-attribute? Were you a magic user?"
"I did declare it, didn't I?"
"No, you did, but. Magic like that is honestly unexpected. I can use a few myself, but if I were told to fire something at that level, I'd answer 'impossible' immediately."
Zelfie-san asked me after looking around and confirming safety. She seemed surprised after seeing my magic.
"Good work, Lariel-sama."
Novem also lowered his guard and approached me.
The sight of the Goblins lying there, making sizzling sounds, was not a pleasant one to behold.
(Come to think of it, this is the first time I've fought monsters.)
The smell was the same.
I grimaced.
Not just because of the sight, but because there were people consuming my remaining meager magical power.
'Impossible for you! He said? ...Pfft. Fuha, fuhahaha! Did you see! This is Lariel's ability! Don't underestimate the prodigy of the Walt family!'
(Grandfather, please stop, it's embarrassing.)
'You all underestimate Lariel too much. He's basically a magic user with royal blood.'
The Seventh Generation imitated the First Generation, and the Sixth Generation spoke to the others with an exasperated look.
'N-no... but, magic users are, you know. Usually, they feel more inconvenient.'
The Second Generation also seemed surprised, but the Third Generation was honestly impressed.
'This is amazing. It's certainly not combat-level, but it means he can use simple magic if the conditions are met. I've reconsidered you a bit, Lariel.'
The Fourth Generation was also surprised and was happy that a member of his clan had become a magic user.
'The result of forcing a marriage with a viscount's daughter finally paid off! The Walt family has truly become nobility in the true sense!'
However, the Fifth Generation was exasperated by those people.
'What's with being happy over this level? Well, being able to handle this much at this age is excellent. Certainly, I need to correct my evaluation.'
'...'
The First Generation was silent.
He was silent, but—I was in a state after using magic.
"L-Lariel-sama!"
"Hey! What's wrong!"
While hearing the voices of Novem and Zelfie-san, I fell to my knees on the spot. Out of breath, I screamed in my heart.
(You people, please exercise more restraint! I'm quite exhausted after using magic! I'm begging you, shut up!)
Three times with simpler magic.
Just by increasing the difficulty slightly, one time is the limit.
That is my current ability regarding magic. I understood from this incident that if the difficulty increases just a bit more, I won't be able to use it.
(Is it just me, or do I feel like the Orb is really holding me back?)