NOVEL NEXT Chapter 11
Heading South
“Confirming. The destination is the mining region south of the Kingdom of Heiberg, specifically the town of Listerl.
Our task is to exterminate the Crystal Golem that has appeared in the largest crystal mine in Listerl.”
Sasha confirmed with everyone at the southern gate of Heiberg’s capital.
Piasora nodded emphatically, Reynold grinned broadly, Tycoon adjusted his glasses, and Robin gave a cheerful thumbs-up.
Cress simply said, “Got it,” while his sister Myuane puffed out her flat chest and exclaimed, “Leave it to me!”
Thus began the seven-member journey to exterminate the magical beast.
They soon left the city and began walking, when Myuane spoke up.
“Aren’t we taking a carriage?”
“Listen here, princess. Our policy is to avoid unnecessary comforts. If we can walk, we walk.
If we can carry it, we carry it. If we can save, we save. Understand?”
“Hmph.”
Piasora’s words left Myuane pouting, but Cress gave her a light pat on the head.
“He’s right. Apologies, Piasora. Myuane… we may be royalty, but here, we’re the lowliest members.
Follow the team’s policy.”
“Ugh, fine.”
“Good grief… and just so you know, if you say you’re too tired to walk, we’ll leave you behind,” Tycoon added.
Myuane scowled, but Sasha stepped in to ease the tension.
“But this is the first time Cress and Myuane are adventuring alongside us. We’re not in a rush,
and we’ve been to the south several times. If you have questions, ask, and we’ll do what we can.”
“Sasha… you’re like a saint!!”
“What? I’m the saint here!!”
“You’re more like a devil.”
“Say what!?”
“Hah, devil—fitting, don’t you think?”
“Reynold, you jerk!!”
“P-Piasora… your face is scary!”
Robin cowered, hiding behind Reynold.
The seven of them set off, heading south to the mining town of Listerl.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
“What’s on your mind?”
“Tycoon…”
Sasha walked at the rear, with Tycoon matching her pace.
“Thinking about Haise, aren’t you?”
“…You can tell?”
“Pretty much.”
Tycoon adjusted his glasses—a habitual gesture.
“During the appointment ceremony, you left halfway. You went to see Haise, didn’t you?”
“You figured as much?”
“More or less. I don’t know what was said, but you seemed a bit lighter afterward.”
“…He said a lot. I… I think I may have been looking down on him, after all.”
“…I’ve always known you carried guilt. Honestly, I’ve wondered if things would’ve been different
if we hadn’t exiled him. With Haise awakened to his ‘ability’, the three of you—Reynold, you, and him—might’ve formed the strongest team imaginable.”
“…”
“Childhood friends, sharing the same dreams… You’ve been through a lot, haven’t you?”
“Yeah. I thought I’d fulfill our dream for him, but… Haise said it was meaningless to achieve
the dream we shared alone. We can’t dream of building the strongest team together anymore.”
“…”
“That’s why Haise is aiming to become the strongest adventurer. I think his dream is to challenge the Forbidden Six Labyrinths.”
“Sounds like it’s your dream, too.”
“Yeah. If he’s aiming to be the strongest, I’ll aim to be the greatest.
If we’re heading to the same place, we’ll meet again. And when we do, I’ll hold my head high.”
“Sasha…”
“I was such a fool. I avoided Haise out of guilt, then waited until we were both S-rank adventurers
to apologize, thinking it was the right time… It was meaningless. I even told him I’d do anything
he wanted, offered my body—and got rejected.”
“Wh-what!? You actually said that!?”
“Yeah.”
“Piasora would lose her mind if she heard! Reynold too—who knows what he’d do… Sasha,
don’t tell anyone what you just told me!”
“Hmm? Alright.”
Tycoon sighed, looking ahead.
Piasora and Myuane were bickering, Reynold was laughing, Cress sighed, and Robin flitted about nervously.
“Sasha, you said you’d aim to be the greatest, right?”
“Yeah, I did.”
“I’ll support you. I’m a bit of an oddball, and most teams found me a nuisance, but meeting you saved me. You’re my benefactor.”
“What’s with this all of a sudden?”
“We’ll build the greatest team. Do as you please—I’ll handle the planning.”
“Tycoon…”
“Haha… it’s going to get busy. But first, we finish this royal request.
The reward is anything we want, remember? I suggest we ask for a clan home.
The big clans’ homes are like small villages themselves, after all.”
“Wait, slow down, Tycoon. I appreciate the enthusiasm, but you’re too close.”
“Ah, sorry… hmm?”
They noticed Reynold and Piasora glaring daggers at Tycoon.
“What are you doing, you creep?”
“Tycoon, just what do you think you’re doing, getting so close to Sasha?”
“I don’t have romantic feelings for Sasha, alright? Honestly… talking a little longer, and you idiots jump to conclusions. Ridiculous.”
“”What did you just say!?””
Amid the familiar antics, Sasha felt like she could finally laugh again.
◇◇◇◇◇◇
Heading south from the capital, the road grew quieter, flanked by woods and groves.
Naturally, that meant encountering magical beasts.
“—Everyone, prepare for battle.”
Sasha was the first to notice.
“Cress, Myuane. This time, just watch. Reynold, guard them.”
“Got it.”
“Tycoon, Robin, Piasora—same as usual.”
“””Roger.”””
“Uh, um…”
“Let’s see what S-rank adventurers can do.”
Cress said as he pulled Myuane back.
Reynold stood in front of them, shield raised, while Robin leaped into a tree.
Tycoon and Piasora took position at the rear—Team Sacred’s formation was perfect.
A beast leapt from the bushes.
“An ogre, huh? There’s a village nearby… We can’t let it go further.”
Sasha readied her sword, and the ogre roared.
Gwoooaaaaarrr!
An arrow struck its right eye, followed by a fireball from Tycoon, igniting its face.
The ogre thrashed wildly, hurling a boulder. Sasha dodged, and Reynold blocked it to protect Cress and Myuane.
“Tch.”
A pebble grazed Cress’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood.
With an annoyed expression, Piasora healed it with a touch.
Gwoooaaaarrrr!
“Silver Flash—[Air Slash Blade]!”
Sasha’s sword, glowing with silver energy, released a blade of light, decapitating the ogre.
As it fell, she sheathed her sword.
“Amazing…”
“Now I understand why they’re called the capital’s strongest.”
Myuane murmured in awe.
Piasora, however, wasn’t impressed.
“Reynold! Watch those flying pebbles!”
“Sorry, sorry. Cress, you alright?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Honestly… Protect him properly next time!”
“Got it, geez…”
“Alright, let’s move out,” Sasha commanded.
After processing the ogre, Team Sacred resumed their journey south.