Adventures of Fake Glasses Part 2
***---***
(AN: Great response from the first day! Yagi, annoying! Yagi, we don't need him! We continue to hear from you.
Well then, let's start the second night of the Fake Glasses Festival, Wasshoi!)(End)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If it's a dungeon ... we can't do it alone!"
"I know. It's not like I'm going to go inside the dungeon, I just want to report on the atmosphere surrounding the dungeon."
After the Guild's combat training was over, I invited Mariede out to lunch, saying that I would tell her why I took the training as promised.
I told her I would tell her everything I knew about Kokubu, what an easy person.
Then, since there was no need to hide it now, I also told her that I had been summoned from another world, and that it was possible to travel and communicate with them using the power of Kokubu.
Mariede seemed skeptical at first, but when I showed her my smartphone, she immediately trusted me.
Maa, considering the level of progress of civilization, there was no doubt that there was a huge difference.
"Mariede, have you ever been to the dungeon?"
"No, I've been halfway there, but I've never been to the dungeon."
The pond where I accompanied the cat-eared beauty Muell to collect medicinal herbs was a place where the residents of Volzard came for picnics and other purposes, and it was said to be crowded with people during the sunny months.
From there, you continue down the road and it seems that the dungeon is under the rocky mountain you come to.
"Don't you want to go?"
"That is ... I want to go there. But, even if I go there, I won't be able to go inside."
"I told you I know that. Still, I would like to hear from an adventurer who has just returned from the dungeon, from right next to the dungeon ... Don't you think so?"
When I tried to sound her out with a theatrical tone, Mariede gulped and then nodded.
"Yeah, I want to go there. Right, Yuusuke is right. Even if we can't dive into the dungeon, there is meaning in going up close and feeling the atmosphere of the place."
"Then, let's go."
"Let's go, you say ... Right now?"
"Are you dumb. Even if we're not going into the dungeon, there's no way we can go out without making any preparations."
"Th, that's right ..."
"How about the day after tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow ... I have another job to do."
"Then, how about after four days?"
"Aahh, I don't have any plans after three days, so it's okay."
"Then we'll meet at the northeast gate leading to the dungeon before dawn in four days."
After confirming the meeting place and time, I parted ways with Mariede, returned to the dormitory, and immediately began preparing for the dungeon.
The first thing I did was to secure a mobile battery.
This was surprisingly easy to secure.
Immediately after we were able to contact Japan, the situation was rough, with a half-day wait for charging, but since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought in solar panels and other things, the situation has improved significantly.
Mobile batteries, which used to be unavailable even if you reserved them, seemed to be used less frequently now.
I made sure to keep two fully charged ones just in case.
Next, I borrowed a dagger from Kondo.
I had a knife, but I wanted a weapon with a bit more reach, just in case.
Kondo received a sword from Kokubu after escorting Muell-san, so he shouldn't be using his dagger.
"The dagger? I'm not using it right now, so it's fine. But, what are you going to use it for?"
"Ou, I have something to do outside the walls."
"Ehh, Yagi will be working as an escort?"
"Wrong, wrong, it's not like that. Collection apprenticeship ... something like that?"
"Aahh, I see. I think it's okay since it's Yagi, but be careful."
"Ou, I don't want to die yet."
As Kondo was known for his methodical personality, the dagger had not been used, but it had been well taken care of.
Maa, I'm just borrowing it just in case, I don't think I'll ever be in a situation where I use it, and I don't want such a thing to happen.
Once I secured a mobile battery and a dagger, all I needed to do was pack some portable food and a change of clothes, and I was ready to go.
As someone with the water attribute, I didn't need to prepare a water bottle.
Mariede, the guide, was a little worried, but I didn't have the money to hire a proper bodyguard.
Having said that, if I don't anticipate encountering an Orc, I could easily end up in the afterlife in this world.
It was impossible for me to defeat an Orc by myself ... So I'll think about ways to chase them away.
Four days later, I decided to go to the dungeon as planned.
The reason I chose this day was because it was the day when the repatriation work would be carried out.
Although there was a period of interruption due to Fujii going out of control in Japan, the return work was progressing smoothly.
That said, the number of friends who experienced the big event of being summoned to another world was decreasing, so on the days when the return work was carried out, the dormitory was noisy from the morning.
In other words, even if I disappeared, they wouldn't be bothered.
I was woken up by the alarm on my smartphone and snuck out of the dormitory just before dawn.
I was really sleepy, but this was an adventurer that would affect the rest of my life, so even if I didn't like it, I was still motivated.
This was my second time visiting the castle gate early in the morning, and it was spectacular to see so many people gathered so early.
I immediately took out my smartphone and took a photo.
I came out quite early, but I saw Mariede looking around at the meeting place.
With a long sword hanging from her waist and wearing leather armor, she looked like an adventurer.
I wouldn't mistake her for a female gorilla guarding its territory.
Even so, she was a restless person.
"Good morning, Mariede."
"Yu, Yuusuke! Go, good morning!"
"Your voice is so loud, also, calm down!"
"I, I'm sorry. It's my first time coming out at a time like this ..."
"What about breakfast?"
"N, no, I haven't eaten."
"There's still time until the gate opens. Let's go eat."
"Th, that's right. But, Yuusuke seems to be calm."
"As for me, I've interviewed the gathering escorts many times(actually only once)."
"Is that so, as expected ..."
"I guess ..."
I don't know what's wrong with her, but since I'm highly regarded, I don't think it's a problem.
I filled my stomach with the sandwiches and milk tea sold at the food stalls.
It seemed like it was the first time for Mariede to visit a food stall with her fellow travelers, and even as she ate, her gaze wandered restlessly.
As I finished my sandwich and was enjoying my milk tea, the castle gates opened and a line of travelers began to move.
"Yuusuke, the gate is open, let's hurry!"
"Wait, wait, those who are in a hurry are the ones heading to Marburg. We can wait until the congestion is over."
"I, I see ... Marburg, I wonder what kind of city it is."
"Who knows, unlike Kokubu, I can't move using the shadows."
"Move using the shadows? What is that ... ?"
"What, you don't know?"
When I told Mariede about teleportation using Kokubu's shadow, she started getting really excited.
"Is there really such magic? It's not a lie, right?"
"Why would I need to lie? In the first place, that Kokubu bastard has traveled back and forth not only to Marburg but also to our original world."
"That's amazing, it's far beyond my imagination."
When Mariede talked about Kokubu, she had the expression of a maiden in love.
It wasn't like I wanted to be liked by such a muscular woman, but the thought of her as Kokubu's girl made me a little angry.
"Mariede, it's time to go."
"Ou, it's finally the dungeon, my heart is pounding."
"No, we haven't left Volzard yet."
"I understand that, but I can't stop my heart pounding."
No, no, don't beat your chest so hard, it's drumming!
When we left the castle gate and started walking down the road, Mariede started accelerating without even looking at me.
Mariede was originally taller than me, but when she picked up the pace with her long strides, I felt like I would be left behind if I didn't trot.
"Wait, wait, Mariede! You're walking too fast!"
"Ehh, aahh, sorry, I just got in a rush."
"You're disqualified as an adventurer if you do that."
"I can't ignore you saying that. What are you saying is wrong with me."
"You can't see the situation around you at all. Are you planning on abandoning your companions if they're slow?"
"That kind of thing, those who can't keep up are shabby people."
I was instantly taken aback by Mariede, who seemed to be acting as if nothing was wrong.
"Is it an adventurer's job to simply arrive at their destination? If they are pushing themselves hard to keep up with you, will they be able to fight in perfect condition if you encounter a monster on the way? Even if your comrades get injured or die because of your unreasonable actions, will you dismiss it as the fault of being shabby?"
"Th, that is ... it depends on the situation."
"You, will you cut off your friends depending on the situation?"
"No, that's not what I mean ..."
"First of all, you were only looking in front of you. Those who don't pay attention to their surroundings will be easily defeated by the monsters that jump out."
Mariede made a disgusted expression when I hit the nail on the head, but I had no intention of letting up.
"It would be a different story if we had excellent followers like Kokubu always guarding us, but we have to be careful of our surroundings so we don't die in the first place. As for me, I don't want Mariede to die early."
"A, alright ... That was my bad ..."
Mariede was shocked, then turned her face away and muttered something that sounded like an apology.
I mean, it's not cute to have a body like that and do tsundere-like things.
I wonder if she got the hang of it properly. After that, Mariede seemed to be running ahead of me, but she started to check on me from time to time.
If I was made to walk at such a pace, I would collapse from overwork before i reached the dungeon.
After slowing down and starting to walk, most of the conversation along the way was about Kokubu.
What kind of magic can he use, what kinds of monsters does he use, and does he have a lover.
When I told her that he could use magic of all attributes, and that he could also use magic that he said was of the star attribute, Mariede jumped up and started shouting.
"Amazing, amazing, amazing! It's like the hero from a fairy tale! As expected, he's an S-rank Monster User!"
When I told her that Kokubu's genus ranged from extremely strong Skeletons to Kobolds, Lizardmen, and even Gigawolves and a Salamander, Mariede's cheeks turned red and she trembled without saying a word.
Maa, even from my point of view, Kokubu's cheat style was out of common sense.
"Yuusuke is a friend of the Monster User, right? Umm ... Could I meet him? In fact, when touring the guild during a school event, they were able to shake hands with the Monster User who was present. However, I was not feeling well that day and was absent from school, so I was unable to meet the Monster User. That's why ... Can I meet him even if it's just a glimpse?"
"Nn~ ... Kokubu is busy, so normally it would be difficult to even meet him."
"I see, that's right ... He's an S-rank adventurer ..."
"Maa, if I were to speak up, it would be easy to simply meet him."
"Really! Yuusuke, you'd better not be lying!"
As soon as she heard that she would be able to meet Kokubu, she squeezed this me's shoulders and shook me.
"Uuh ... Gah ... Calm down!"
"S, sorry. I just got so excited ..."
"I'll let you meet Kokubu, but he already has four potential brides."
"Ehh ... four of them?"
Mariede knew that Beatriche-chan had a crush on him, but she didn't know about the other three, so I took the time to tell her about them.
Manon-chan was a cute but normal girl, so Mariede kept calm, but when I talked about Asakawa-san, who had the light attribute and maximum magical power, and the Princess of Barshania, the life drained from her body and her eyes looked like a dead fish.
Rather, she might have a chance too ... did she think that? With that figure.
I purposefully made her disheartened, but she spoke very little and had a sullen air about her, which was almost annoying.
As we deviated from the road leading to Marburg and headed towards the dungeon, the travelers who had been walking in front and behind us disappeared, making the situation even more depressing.
Since I had no choice, I told the story of Kokubu's heroism until he finished rescuing all of his classmates, and she quickly recovered her mood, really, what a selfish person.
Of course, I also added my role as the brains to Kokubu's heroic story.
"That's amazing, Yuusuke! I can't believe you were the only one supporting the Monster User who took on Resenburg from the shadows."
"M, maa, it wasn't a difficult job for me."
"No, I think Yuusuke will be remembered as a man who supported history from behind the scenes."
"No way ... I was just doing what was expected of me ... Hahahaha."
Ou, ou, with those sparkling eyes ... You can look at me more.
Mariede, now in a better mood, became a little noisy again, but since there were no other travelers around us, being this noisy was a good distraction.
It seemed that most of the people heading to the dungeon were adventurers aiming to get rich quick, and they left Volzard later, arriving around dusk.
The last time I accompanied Muell-san on her collection, there was the old and new duo, as well as Kondo, so I didn't feel anxious even though the number of passers-by suddenly decreased.
This time, I was alone with Mariede, walking down a country road with no one around, and although it was peaceful, I felt a little uneasy, and I felt like I was forgetting something.
"Yuusuke, what are we going to do first when we arrive at the village near the dungeon?"
"Let me see ... Let's take a look at the entrance to the dungeon first. After that, we'll have some lunch somewhere and get some information."
"I see, it's finally time for the dungeon ..."
Mariede suddenly stopped walking and grabbed me, who was about to continue, by the nape of my neck, stopping me.
"Gee, what are you doing!"
"Yuusuke ..."
About 50 meters ahead where Mariede was pointing, the bushes on the side of the road swayed and an Orc appeared.
"Oh crap, run away ..."
"We can't do that, Yuusuke, this side is upwind. I got so excited when I thought I could go to the dungeon that I forgot to bring the monster ward."
Right, I thought I was forgetting something, but I forgot to ring the iron ring to ward off monsters.
"What should we do, Yuusuke, if it's just one Orc ..."
Mariede's hand on the sword at her waist was trembling.
"You, is this your first time in a real battle?"
"O, of course it is. I just graduated from school."
I had completely forgotten about it because she had a bigger body than me, but Mariede only graduated from school at the end of last year, and her Guild combat training was still at the second stage.
Even while we were talking, the Orc seemed to have noticed our presence and was watching intently.
There was no one in sight on the road ahead or behind us, and it was unlikely that help would come even if I screamed loudly.
"Tch, don't worry. We'll deal some damage and run away so it can't come after us."
"How will we deal damage?"
"I'll create an opening for you, so chant to strengthen your body and keep your sword ready. Take the stance you took when you defeated me."
"A, alright ..."
"Don't be scared of the likes of an Orc!"
"Y, yes!"
Honestly speaking, I'm so scared that I feel like I"m about to pee myself, but if I remember what happened when the old and new duo and Kondo fought against the Orcs, I feel like I could at least run away.
I put my hand into my shoulder bag, untied the cloth bag, and grabbed the contents.
"Tch, to suddenly have to play my trump card ... Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my hands and become water, dance, dance, dance oh water, and become a water ball!"
"A red water ball! Yuusuke, that's ..."
"Don't look away, just chant ... It's coming."
"Yes! Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my body, return, return, return and become my power, strengthen!"
Mariede held her unsheathed sword lying sideways and lowered her waist.
The Orc who had been lumbering towards us was closing the distance, did it perhaps see that we resolved ourselves, it started running with short steps, and then started dashing.
"Bumoooooo!"
"Don't freak out! I'll attract it!"
This side was upwind, and the Orc was coming straight at us, so the conditions were perfect.
When the distance was less than 20 meters, the Orc let out a roar again.
"Buumooooooo!"
"Like this, eat it!"
The red water ball that flew toward the Orc's face burst and spread just before it hit.
A bright red liquid rained down on the Orc.
"Bugiiiiii!"
The Orc that rushed towards us screamed and started scratching its face.
"Cut its ankle and run! Go!"
"Yaaaaaa!"
WIth great enthusiasm, Mariede sprinted like a released arrow and delivered a blow with all her might to the Orc's right ankle.
I also chanted to strengthen my body and started running after Mariede.
"Bugii! Bugiiiiii!"
Mariede's sword successfully severed the Orc's ankle.
"Don't stop, Mariede, we'll run away like this!"
"Yes!"
Leaving behind the Orc who was rolling around in the middle of the road, we continued running as long as we could.
Adventures of Fake Glasses Part 2
***---***
(AN: Great response from the first day! Yagi, annoying! Yagi, we don't need him! We continue to hear from you.
Well then, let's start the second night of the Fake Glasses Festival, Wasshoi!)(End)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"If it's a dungeon ... we can't do it alone!"
"I know. It's not like I'm going to go inside the dungeon, I just want to report on the atmosphere surrounding the dungeon."
After the Guild's combat training was over, I invited Mariede out to lunch, saying that I would tell her why I took the training as promised.
I told her I would tell her everything I knew about Kokubu, what an easy person.
Then, since there was no need to hide it now, I also told her that I had been summoned from another world, and that it was possible to travel and communicate with them using the power of Kokubu.
Mariede seemed skeptical at first, but when I showed her my smartphone, she immediately trusted me.
Maa, considering the level of progress of civilization, there was no doubt that there was a huge difference.
"Mariede, have you ever been to the dungeon?"
"No, I've been halfway there, but I've never been to the dungeon."
The pond where I accompanied the cat-eared beauty Muell to collect medicinal herbs was a place where the residents of Volzard came for picnics and other purposes, and it was said to be crowded with people during the sunny months.
From there, you continue down the road and it seems that the dungeon is under the rocky mountain you come to.
"Don't you want to go?"
"That is ... I want to go there. But, even if I go there, I won't be able to go inside."
"I told you I know that. Still, I would like to hear from an adventurer who has just returned from the dungeon, from right next to the dungeon ... Don't you think so?"
When I tried to sound her out with a theatrical tone, Mariede gulped and then nodded.
"Yeah, I want to go there. Right, Yuusuke is right. Even if we can't dive into the dungeon, there is meaning in going up close and feeling the atmosphere of the place."
"Then, let's go."
"Let's go, you say ... Right now?"
"Are you dumb. Even if we're not going into the dungeon, there's no way we can go out without making any preparations."
"Th, that's right ..."
"How about the day after tomorrow?"
"The day after tomorrow ... I have another job to do."
"Then, how about after four days?"
"Aahh, I don't have any plans after three days, so it's okay."
"Then we'll meet at the northeast gate leading to the dungeon before dawn in four days."
After confirming the meeting place and time, I parted ways with Mariede, returned to the dormitory, and immediately began preparing for the dungeon.
The first thing I did was to secure a mobile battery.
This was surprisingly easy to secure.
Immediately after we were able to contact Japan, the situation was rough, with a half-day wait for charging, but since the Ministry of Foreign Affairs brought in solar panels and other things, the situation has improved significantly.
Mobile batteries, which used to be unavailable even if you reserved them, seemed to be used less frequently now.
I made sure to keep two fully charged ones just in case.
Next, I borrowed a dagger from Kondo.
I had a knife, but I wanted a weapon with a bit more reach, just in case.
Kondo received a sword from Kokubu after escorting Muell-san, so he shouldn't be using his dagger.
"The dagger? I'm not using it right now, so it's fine. But, what are you going to use it for?"
"Ou, I have something to do outside the walls."
"Ehh, Yagi will be working as an escort?"
"Wrong, wrong, it's not like that. Collection apprenticeship ... something like that?"
"Aahh, I see. I think it's okay since it's Yagi, but be careful."
"Ou, I don't want to die yet."
As Kondo was known for his methodical personality, the dagger had not been used, but it had been well taken care of.
Maa, I'm just borrowing it just in case, I don't think I'll ever be in a situation where I use it, and I don't want such a thing to happen.
Once I secured a mobile battery and a dagger, all I needed to do was pack some portable food and a change of clothes, and I was ready to go.
As someone with the water attribute, I didn't need to prepare a water bottle.
Mariede, the guide, was a little worried, but I didn't have the money to hire a proper bodyguard.
Having said that, if I don't anticipate encountering an Orc, I could easily end up in the afterlife in this world.
It was impossible for me to defeat an Orc by myself ... So I'll think about ways to chase them away.
Four days later, I decided to go to the dungeon as planned.
The reason I chose this day was because it was the day when the repatriation work would be carried out.
Although there was a period of interruption due to Fujii going out of control in Japan, the return work was progressing smoothly.
That said, the number of friends who experienced the big event of being summoned to another world was decreasing, so on the days when the return work was carried out, the dormitory was noisy from the morning.
In other words, even if I disappeared, they wouldn't be bothered.
I was woken up by the alarm on my smartphone and snuck out of the dormitory just before dawn.
I was really sleepy, but this was an adventurer that would affect the rest of my life, so even if I didn't like it, I was still motivated.
This was my second time visiting the castle gate early in the morning, and it was spectacular to see so many people gathered so early.
I immediately took out my smartphone and took a photo.
I came out quite early, but I saw Mariede looking around at the meeting place.
With a long sword hanging from her waist and wearing leather armor, she looked like an adventurer.
I wouldn't mistake her for a female gorilla guarding its territory.
Even so, she was a restless person.
"Good morning, Mariede."
"Yu, Yuusuke! Go, good morning!"
"Your voice is so loud, also, calm down!"
"I, I'm sorry. It's my first time coming out at a time like this ..."
"What about breakfast?"
"N, no, I haven't eaten."
"There's still time until the gate opens. Let's go eat."
"Th, that's right. But, Yuusuke seems to be calm."
"As for me, I've interviewed the gathering escorts many times(actually only once)."
"Is that so, as expected ..."
"I guess ..."
I don't know what's wrong with her, but since I'm highly regarded, I don't think it's a problem.
I filled my stomach with the sandwiches and milk tea sold at the food stalls.
It seemed like it was the first time for Mariede to visit a food stall with her fellow travelers, and even as she ate, her gaze wandered restlessly.
As I finished my sandwich and was enjoying my milk tea, the castle gates opened and a line of travelers began to move.
"Yuusuke, the gate is open, let's hurry!"
"Wait, wait, those who are in a hurry are the ones heading to Marburg. We can wait until the congestion is over."
"I, I see ... Marburg, I wonder what kind of city it is."
"Who knows, unlike Kokubu, I can't move using the shadows."
"Move using the shadows? What is that ... ?"
"What, you don't know?"
When I told Mariede about teleportation using Kokubu's shadow, she started getting really excited.
"Is there really such magic? It's not a lie, right?"
"Why would I need to lie? In the first place, that Kokubu bastard has traveled back and forth not only to Marburg but also to our original world."
"That's amazing, it's far beyond my imagination."
When Mariede talked about Kokubu, she had the expression of a maiden in love.
It wasn't like I wanted to be liked by such a muscular woman, but the thought of her as Kokubu's girl made me a little angry.
"Mariede, it's time to go."
"Ou, it's finally the dungeon, my heart is pounding."
"No, we haven't left Volzard yet."
"I understand that, but I can't stop my heart pounding."
No, no, don't beat your chest so hard, it's drumming!
When we left the castle gate and started walking down the road, Mariede started accelerating without even looking at me.
Mariede was originally taller than me, but when she picked up the pace with her long strides, I felt like I would be left behind if I didn't trot.
"Wait, wait, Mariede! You're walking too fast!"
"Ehh, aahh, sorry, I just got in a rush."
"You're disqualified as an adventurer if you do that."
"I can't ignore you saying that. What are you saying is wrong with me."
"You can't see the situation around you at all. Are you planning on abandoning your companions if they're slow?"
"That kind of thing, those who can't keep up are shabby people."
I was instantly taken aback by Mariede, who seemed to be acting as if nothing was wrong.
"Is it an adventurer's job to simply arrive at their destination? If they are pushing themselves hard to keep up with you, will they be able to fight in perfect condition if you encounter a monster on the way? Even if your comrades get injured or die because of your unreasonable actions, will you dismiss it as the fault of being shabby?"
"Th, that is ... it depends on the situation."
"You, will you cut off your friends depending on the situation?"
"No, that's not what I mean ..."
"First of all, you were only looking in front of you. Those who don't pay attention to their surroundings will be easily defeated by the monsters that jump out."
Mariede made a disgusted expression when I hit the nail on the head, but I had no intention of letting up.
"It would be a different story if we had excellent followers like Kokubu always guarding us, but we have to be careful of our surroundings so we don't die in the first place. As for me, I don't want Mariede to die early."
"A, alright ... That was my bad ..."
Mariede was shocked, then turned her face away and muttered something that sounded like an apology.
I mean, it's not cute to have a body like that and do tsundere-like things.
I wonder if she got the hang of it properly. After that, Mariede seemed to be running ahead of me, but she started to check on me from time to time.
If I was made to walk at such a pace, I would collapse from overwork before i reached the dungeon.
After slowing down and starting to walk, most of the conversation along the way was about Kokubu.
What kind of magic can he use, what kinds of monsters does he use, and does he have a lover.
When I told her that he could use magic of all attributes, and that he could also use magic that he said was of the star attribute, Mariede jumped up and started shouting.
"Amazing, amazing, amazing! It's like the hero from a fairy tale! As expected, he's an S-rank Monster User!"
When I told her that Kokubu's genus ranged from extremely strong Skeletons to Kobolds, Lizardmen, and even Gigawolves and a Salamander, Mariede's cheeks turned red and she trembled without saying a word.
Maa, even from my point of view, Kokubu's cheat style was out of common sense.
"Yuusuke is a friend of the Monster User, right? Umm ... Could I meet him? In fact, when touring the guild during a school event, they were able to shake hands with the Monster User who was present. However, I was not feeling well that day and was absent from school, so I was unable to meet the Monster User. That's why ... Can I meet him even if it's just a glimpse?"
"Nn~ ... Kokubu is busy, so normally it would be difficult to even meet him."
"I see, that's right ... He's an S-rank adventurer ..."
"Maa, if I were to speak up, it would be easy to simply meet him."
"Really! Yuusuke, you'd better not be lying!"
As soon as she heard that she would be able to meet Kokubu, she squeezed this me's shoulders and shook me.
"Uuh ... Gah ... Calm down!"
"S, sorry. I just got so excited ..."
"I'll let you meet Kokubu, but he already has four potential brides."
"Ehh ... four of them?"
Mariede knew that Beatriche-chan had a crush on him, but she didn't know about the other three, so I took the time to tell her about them.
Manon-chan was a cute but normal girl, so Mariede kept calm, but when I talked about Asakawa-san, who had the light attribute and maximum magical power, and the Princess of Barshania, the life drained from her body and her eyes looked like a dead fish.
Rather, she might have a chance too ... did she think that? With that figure.
I purposefully made her disheartened, but she spoke very little and had a sullen air about her, which was almost annoying.
As we deviated from the road leading to Marburg and headed towards the dungeon, the travelers who had been walking in front and behind us disappeared, making the situation even more depressing.
Since I had no choice, I told the story of Kokubu's heroism until he finished rescuing all of his classmates, and she quickly recovered her mood, really, what a selfish person.
Of course, I also added my role as the brains to Kokubu's heroic story.
"That's amazing, Yuusuke! I can't believe you were the only one supporting the Monster User who took on Resenburg from the shadows."
"M, maa, it wasn't a difficult job for me."
"No, I think Yuusuke will be remembered as a man who supported history from behind the scenes."
"No way ... I was just doing what was expected of me ... Hahahaha."
Ou, ou, with those sparkling eyes ... You can look at me more.
Mariede, now in a better mood, became a little noisy again, but since there were no other travelers around us, being this noisy was a good distraction.
It seemed that most of the people heading to the dungeon were adventurers aiming to get rich quick, and they left Volzard later, arriving around dusk.
The last time I accompanied Muell-san on her collection, there was the old and new duo, as well as Kondo, so I didn't feel anxious even though the number of passers-by suddenly decreased.
This time, I was alone with Mariede, walking down a country road with no one around, and although it was peaceful, I felt a little uneasy, and I felt like I was forgetting something.
"Yuusuke, what are we going to do first when we arrive at the village near the dungeon?"
"Let me see ... Let's take a look at the entrance to the dungeon first. After that, we'll have some lunch somewhere and get some information."
"I see, it's finally time for the dungeon ..."
Mariede suddenly stopped walking and grabbed me, who was about to continue, by the nape of my neck, stopping me.
"Gee, what are you doing!"
"Yuusuke ..."
About 50 meters ahead where Mariede was pointing, the bushes on the side of the road swayed and an Orc appeared.
"Oh crap, run away ..."
"We can't do that, Yuusuke, this side is upwind. I got so excited when I thought I could go to the dungeon that I forgot to bring the monster ward."
Right, I thought I was forgetting something, but I forgot to ring the iron ring to ward off monsters.
"What should we do, Yuusuke, if it's just one Orc ..."
Mariede's hand on the sword at her waist was trembling.
"You, is this your first time in a real battle?"
"O, of course it is. I just graduated from school."
I had completely forgotten about it because she had a bigger body than me, but Mariede only graduated from school at the end of last year, and her Guild combat training was still at the second stage.
Even while we were talking, the Orc seemed to have noticed our presence and was watching intently.
There was no one in sight on the road ahead or behind us, and it was unlikely that help would come even if I screamed loudly.
"Tch, don't worry. We'll deal some damage and run away so it can't come after us."
"How will we deal damage?"
"I'll create an opening for you, so chant to strengthen your body and keep your sword ready. Take the stance you took when you defeated me."
"A, alright ..."
"Don't be scared of the likes of an Orc!"
"Y, yes!"
Honestly speaking, I'm so scared that I feel like I"m about to pee myself, but if I remember what happened when the old and new duo and Kondo fought against the Orcs, I feel like I could at least run away.
I put my hand into my shoulder bag, untied the cloth bag, and grabbed the contents.
"Tch, to suddenly have to play my trump card ... Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my hands and become water, dance, dance, dance oh water, and become a water ball!"
"A red water ball! Yuusuke, that's ..."
"Don't look away, just chant ... It's coming."
"Yes! Mana, oh mana, oh mana that governs the world, gather, gather, gather in my body, return, return, return and become my power, strengthen!"
Mariede held her unsheathed sword lying sideways and lowered her waist.
The Orc who had been lumbering towards us was closing the distance, did it perhaps see that we resolved ourselves, it started running with short steps, and then started dashing.
"Bumoooooo!"
"Don't freak out! I'll attract it!"
This side was upwind, and the Orc was coming straight at us, so the conditions were perfect.
When the distance was less than 20 meters, the Orc let out a roar again.
"Buumooooooo!"
"Like this, eat it!"
The red water ball that flew toward the Orc's face burst and spread just before it hit.
A bright red liquid rained down on the Orc.
"Bugiiiiii!"
The Orc that rushed towards us screamed and started scratching its face.
"Cut its ankle and run! Go!"
"Yaaaaaa!"
WIth great enthusiasm, Mariede sprinted like a released arrow and delivered a blow with all her might to the Orc's right ankle.
I also chanted to strengthen my body and started running after Mariede.
"Bugii! Bugiiiiii!"
Mariede's sword successfully severed the Orc's ankle.
"Don't stop, Mariede, we'll run away like this!"
"Yes!"
Leaving behind the Orc who was rolling around in the middle of the road, we continued running as long as we could.
