17 - Limit Burst
'Knock 'em dead, Riel!!'
When I hear the First Generation's voice, I laugh even as the big man's battleaxe closes in before my eyes.
Seeing my expression, the big man must have thought I'd lost my mind, or perhaps he just hadn't noticed...
But with this, the match is decided.
"Limit Burst."
If Full Over improves one's overall abilities by ten to twenty percent, Limit Burst applies enhancement beyond the limit.
However, it is a skill that cancels out the intense recoil by simultaneously performing healing.
The moment I activate the skill, the time flowing around me feels different than usual.
It is terribly slow, and my senses are sharpened.
Drawing the saber I brought as a spare with my left hand, I press both sabers against the opponent's axe to deflect the attack.
Sparks fly from the sabers upon impact, and the shock hits me.
Parrying those, I twist my body and drive a kick into the opponent. Right in the head.
"Wha...!"
He didn't fly back, but the big man, who fell over, is reeling from the direct hit to the head.
Using his axe as a cane to stand up, he looked at me with an expression of incomprehension.
"That's a quite convenient skill. I'm jealous."
As I say this, the big man readies his axe.
Whether it's the effect of the skill, or if the big man has a special resistance to blunt force, I don't know. It could be both.
The big man, charging at me while swinging his axe, was shouting something loudly.
But it wasn't to intimidate the opponent.
In that instant, he must have realized that my movements had changed. At the same time, the strike that had been a sure-kill until now had failed to work.
Knowing his trump card was ineffective, he might have panicked.
"You monster!!"
While thinking it's cruel to treat me as a monster just because he's outmatched, I again deflect the opponent's attack with two sabers and drive in a kick.
It felt like a single blade would have snapped.
(Is this the effect of the skill... it's amazing)
This time, I drove a kick into his stomach.
The big man, falling to his knees, looked at me as if he were seeing something unbelievable.
"Why? I have both the speed and the power. Why to a frail, womanly guy like you...!"
It's true that the opponent has more power, partly due to the effect of his skill.
I likely have the advantage in speed.
Moreover, strength increases somewhat if one manipulates magical power. From my perspective, having undergone such training, the opponent cannot be called a power type.
His power is simply increased temporarily.
He is overwhelmingly lacking in technique.
Searching the surroundings for presence with a skill, the bandits had already been captured.
The only one left was the big man before me.
As I approach, the big man drops his axe and raises both hands. Then, he pleaded with me.
"W-wait! I-I like you, kid! I think I can see a big dream if it's with you! S-so, why not make me your subordinate? If you want, you can use my subordinates as soldiers or whatever you like!"
His attitude suddenly shifts to cowardice.
Looking at the discarded axe, it is out of the big man's reach.
However, the First Generation speaks.
'Hey, this guy is cunning. A guy with a cowardly side—'
Perhaps noticing that I shifted my gaze slightly, he pulls out a hidden knife and enters a posture to use a skill.
The orb gripped in his left hand was glowing faintly.
The big man directs a vulgar smile toward me.
"Idiot!"
'—always hides a weapon or two.'
Then, the Fifth Generation says in an exasperated voice.
'Could you please tell me a little sooner?'
'Are you an idiot? It's enough for Riel.'
By the time I heard the First Generation's voice, I had already leaped at the opponent and unleashed a kick.
With a strike that kicked up the opponent's chin, the skill ended in failure.
Looking around, I was surrounded by adventurers.
Seeing their slightly relieved expressions, it seems they thought I would be caught by a surprise attack.
I was being careful, but perhaps I had let my guard down after all.
(I was saved thanks to the skill. Or rather, this Limit Burst... this one also has extraordinary performance)
Although there are restrictions on continuous use, the performance of each was useful, albeit with some quirks.
Deactivating the skill, I look at the unconscious big man.
'I suppose that's it. Riel, before you hand him over, from the left hand—'
As the Fifth Generation says, I release the skill and forcibly tear the string from the unconscious opponent's left hand to recover the orb.
The red orb seems to glow slightly.
(I'm starting to feel like this one is much more convenient)
While looking at the orb, I look at the blue Jewel Orb glowing at my chest.
A Jewel Orb that complains and places restrictions on the use of skills.
An orb that doesn't choose its user, teaches how to use skills, and allows them to be handled freely.
If asked which to choose, I feel like I would choose the latter.
'...Hey, you look like you want to say something.'
Perhaps sensing what I wanted to say with wild intuition, the First Generation asks in a low voice.
Then, Novem and Rockword-san rush over to my side.
The boss of the bandit group is being tied up, surrounded by the nearby adventurers.
"Riel-sama... splendid."
Novem's eyes were slightly teary, but she directs a smile toward me.
Rockword-san was flustered when he saw me.
He probably wants to say something seeing the red orb I'm holding, but since he did nothing, he likely can't speak up.
(He's a clumsy person)
While thinking that, a voice came from the adventurers.
"Hey, this is terrible."
"Blood is coming out from all over his body? Is it the recoil from using a skill?"
"Well, as long as he's alive, it's no problem. Hey, let's take him."
Looking back, blood was spurting from the bandit boss's body. To such a big man, the adventurers are applying medicine to heal the wounds.
(Well, it would be a problem if he weren't alive)
Excessive use of skills. It seems his body couldn't withstand the burden.
(Seeing this, I understand why the ancestors set restrictions on my skill use)
Watching the big man bleeding from all over, I resolve in my heart to be extremely careful with the use of skills.
Then, this time, Rockword-san spoke up.
"U-um..."
With a very troubled expression, he looks alternately between the orb in my hand and my face.
Seeing that, Novem says to me.
"It is time to fulfill Riel-sama's objective."
Told that, I hand the orb in my hand over to Rockword-san. I thought about throwing it to him, but thinking carefully, it's an important family heirloom.
Handing it over is better.
Rockword-san, who received the orb as if gripping my hand with both of his, began to cry while looking at my face.
With a bright red face, he seemed to want to thank me.
"Eh, um, I didn't do anything, but, well..."
To Rockword-san, who couldn't find the words, Novem says gently.
"Please accept it. For that is Riel-sama's wish. Isn't that right, Riel-sama?"
To Novem, who asks for confirmation while giggling, I avert my gaze because it's embarrassing, scratching my cheek with my fingertip.
"Well, you know... my objective is achieved. So, it's no problem. More importantly,"
"Th-thank—"
Rockword-san tried to say thank you, but he couldn't say it to the end.
Since there was an adventurer who approached, I look back.
"Sorry for the interruption. This is work for me as well."
"No, thank you. I was the one who was saved."
When I say that to the adventurer, the opponent removes his hood.
He was a man with sharp eyes and an atmosphere that suggested he was no ordinary person.
Rather than a bounty hunter, this person is an adventurer who is on good terms with the lord.
An adventurer with skill, personality, and trust.
However, he is not an adventurer from Darion.
I asked Zelfie-san to request his cooperation.
For that reason, I also confirmed whether it would be a problem with the guild. Hawkins-san had a troubled face upon hearing that, but said, "On the surface, it's not allowed."
It seems he will tacitly approve. More than that, he was worried about whether cooperation was truly possible.
(I thought that if Zelfie-san wanted to help Rockword-san, she would actively cooperate, and it was the right call)
The adventurer had a relieved expression.
"We were saved as well. Now we can judge these guys at our home. The lord will be overjoyed."
Yes, they are adventurers from the territory where the bandit group had been running wild. Among them, skilled adventurers participated in this bandit subjugation.
"I want to retrieve something we were looking for from the treasures these guys gathered. I'm sorry for the rush, but please be present."
Told that, I nodded.
'Right, right, you have to act quickly at times like this. The opponent's work isn't finished yet. Shall we explain the situation to the adventurers we brought from Darion? There might be some who get greedy and try to lay hands on the treasures the bandits gathered.'
The cheerful voice of the Third Generation was heard.
Since I have to be present, I ask one of the adventurers to handle the explanation.
'To think I'd have to rely on adventurers...'
The Seventh Generation seemed not to want to rely on adventurers.
The Third Generation says to the Seventh Generation as if exasperated.
'I'm sure you had at least some adventurers you were on good terms with... Well, I can understand the feeling. Adventurers vary wildly in quality.'
However, skilled adventurers were indispensable to our plan.
"Would that battleaxe be okay too? It was owned by a retainer of the lord. His relatives were looking for it. I know you have the right to it, so they should offer a corresponding price."
I look at the battleaxe the big man owned.
It was certainly a splendid battleaxe.
Since I won't use it, I decided to leave the price to them.
"I don't mind. Whatever amount you suggest is fine. Now, shall we go confirm?"
"It helps that you're quick to agree. But is it okay? The opponent said it was a weapon like a family heirloom passed down through generations. It's possible to drive up the price."
Hearing that, I saw Rockword-san in my field of vision looking startled.
"...Well, I'm not in that kind of mood (Since my objective here is achieved. There's no need to be strangely greedy)."
"I see. Then, this way. Since we couldn't touch it, it's still inside the abandoned mine. Also, I'll tell the client about the memento axe. They'll surely be happy."
"That's, but... well, I'll leave it to you."
Wouldn't it be better not to say unnecessary things? I thought so, but thinking it might be the opponent's goodwill, I decided to leave it to him.
I head into the abandoned mine with the adventurer.
Novem also follows me. Rockword-san was seeing us off.
Or rather, perhaps not knowing what to do, he is standing still.
Perhaps he let his guard down after feeling relieved.
'Thank goodness. Truly, thank goodness. Alice-san's orb returned to Alice-san's descendant... damn it, I'm tearing up.'
The First Generation seems to be shedding tears.
Seeing that, the Second Generation declares.
'Why is the sight of an old man crying so ugly? Is it because he's the First Generation that it looks like that?'
'You bastard! Saying such a thing while I'm immersed in emotion! Get out here!'
'That's why I'm telling you I can't get out! Learn already, you barbarian!'
The usual exchange, but—.
(Hey, stop it! I'm tired after the battle... ah, dizzy)
As I start to stagger, Novem immediately supports my body.
"Riel-sama!?"
"Hey now, are you okay? Well, you worked that hard. Even after resting a bit..."
"N-no... it's just a little further (You guys, learn a little bit already!!)"
It doesn't end on a strong note.
I hate that this is becoming my usual pattern.
Atop the rattling horse carriage—.
The bandits, surrounded by iron bars, were crammed uncomfortably atop three horse carriages.
They didn't know they were being returned to the territory where they had run wild after leaving Darion.
"Damn it, we haven't even done anything yet!"
"That's right! We haven't run wild in your territory yet!"
"Release us immediately! You even stole our treasures!"
These are selfish remarks from the bandits, but the surrounding adventurers were grinning.
I don't think they were just laughing at the bandits saying selfish things. It was as if they knew what awaited the bandits.
Seeing that, the big man feels a sense of incongruity.
"Hey, these guys are adventurers from Darion, right?"
Perhaps because his chin hurts, he asks his subordinate while rubbing it. He is a subordinate who had been gathering information in Darion as an adventurer.
"No, I've never seen them."
Hearing that, the big man looks around.
"...Where the hell are we heading? Crossing the territory to take us out, what does that mean?"
Hearing that, one adventurer came near the iron bars.
Riding a horse, he says while looking at the bandits.
"When did we ever say we were adventurers from Darion? You're going back to the territory where you ran wild and receive judgment."
Hearing that, the faces of the bandit group turn pale rapidly.
The country where the lord's power is strong is the Kingdom of Vanseim.
Although there are common laws, the lord's will is strong depending on the territory.
Therefore, criminals who crossed territories were often overlooked in some cases.
Though if they overdo it, a famous bounty hunter might pursue them.
"W-what does that mean! We were in Darion! There's no reason for you guys to show up!"
Seeing the confused big man, the surrounding subordinates panic even more.
Seeing that, the adventurers burst into laughter.
"We just happened to capture you guys who happened to flee this way. Because the adventurers from Darion drove you here, we, who happened to be in that place, subdued you. Honestly, it's a real pain, those Darion folks... we've incurred a huge debt."
The adventurers have each received requests.
They want the valuables stolen by the bandit group recovered.
They want the enemies of their families avenged.
The adventurers accepted various other requests all at once and participated in the bandit subjugation in Darion in secret.
The one who contacted the adventurers connected to the lord was Zelfie.
"D-don't mess with me! Why would you do such a thing! Is it because we're bad people? Then there are worse villains out there!"
The big man is right.
Their crimes are light compared to those of the truly evil.
However, compared to the truly evil, that's a different story.
Their crimes are also considerably heavy.
They attacked and burned villages. They attacked the manor of the lord who governs the village. Women and children—.
They have piled up various crimes.
The lord of the territory who was subjected to such things cannot take action because the bandit group escaped. Doing so would crush the lord's prestige.
The dissatisfaction of the people would also accumulate. A unreliable lord, they would say.
"Who cares. You were unlucky. Besides, after running wild until now, saying such a thing now... there are even adventurers participating who are from the villages you attacked."
Hearing that, the big man looked around.
Among the laughing adventurers, there were a few adventurers who were not laughing.
They show off the weapons they are holding.
"Y-you're going to judge us, right? If you kill us here..."
"Huh? What are you talking about? ...Even if one or two disappear, everyone will be executed anyway once judged. As long as there's a certain number, it's fine."
—The faces of all the bandits turned blue.
After arriving in Darion, we released the gathered personnel and returned the borrowed horse carriages and tools to the merchants.
Most of the treasures the bandit group had hoarded were returned, and what remained in hand after settling payments and such was sixty gold coins.
(If I did this normally, it would be a huge deficit. Thinking that various problems would arise even after subjugation, the lord must have a headache)
When requesting the work, I had also hired skilled adventurers from Darion just in case.
Therefore, a considerable amount was consumed.
As for the bandits' treasures, it was a hassle to find a place to exchange them, so I sold most of them to the adventurers.
Everything is finished, and all that's left is to report to the guild.
"Now we finally have a closing point."
As I stretch, Novem says to me.
"Thank you for your hard work, Riel-sama. By the way, what was Riel-sama's true objective?"
Told that, I was troubled about what to do.
Should I talk about the Jewel Orb that contains the will of the ancestors, or should I not?
(At this point, I might as well tell Novem. In fact, she saw me use a skill in this battle, so there's at least some persuasiveness...)
Then, Zelfie-san appears leading a horse.
"Good work, you two."
"Ah, thank you for your hard work, Zelfie-san."
When Novem says that, I also give a light reply.
"Go to the public bath quickly and then show your face at the guild. Master Hawkins is surely waiting and worrying."
When Zelfie-san says that, I also imagine Hawkins-san, who is likely worrying.
It's a short acquaintance, but that person is truly a good person.
"I'll do that. Also, Zelfie-san, you have business with us too, right?"
At my words, Zelfie-san's eyes widened.
Then, she brushes her hair and averts her gaze awkwardly.
"...Honestly, I thought you were a frail brat, but you're an unbelievable young man."
Sighing, Zelfie-san says to me.
"After you show your face at the guild, we'll go to the lord's manor together. There are things you guys should probably know as well."
Saying that, she mounts the horse and leaves the place.
Novem directs a smile toward me.
"When did you notice? That Zelfie-san is an adventurer who is on good terms with the lord of Darion."
At Novem's words, I raise both hands to show surrender.
"Probably after Novem. Besides, noticing it wasn't my own ability."
As I say that, the proud voice of the Third Generation is heard.
'Yes, I noticed. Well, because she was excellent and gathered information quickly. At first, I thought, 'Is this person a bit suspicious?' but from around the time that girl Aria appeared, it gradually became a conviction—'
'That's enough. The conversation isn't progressing.'
When the Fourth Generation stops the Third Generation's boasting, I say to Novem.
"I just thought she was a bit suspicious. Since the time Hawkins-san recommended an instructor. Though, I think Zelfie-san would have come even if a low amount was offered."
"You suspected her from the start!?"
"Because she recommends an instructor to us, who obviously have some circumstances. Besides, it seemed she didn't recommend it to others."
Looking at Novem, who was giggling, I wondered why she paid a high request fee.
Sensing that, Novem explains to me.
"I thought the instructor would provide guidance according to the amount. For Riel-sama's great ambition, I judged that we couldn't afford to save there."
"Is that so? (My great ambition? Wait, did I say something to Novem?)"
There were parts I couldn't quite understand, but since there was a need to report to the guild, Novem and I head to the public bath.
There's also the reason that I wanted to wash away several days' worth of dirt quickly.
(...But still, my great ambition? I don't remember saying anything... becoming an adventurer was just how things went, or rather, I just couldn't think of anything else)