NOVEL NEXT Chapter 34 - Episode 34: The Arrival of the Hero
Episode 34: The Arrival of the Hero
~~ Archduke Zaus’ Perspective~~
Come to think of it, I’m worried about Stasa, who was working as a spy. I received a letter saying she wasn’t feeling well, but I haven’t had a chance to visit her.
“I wonder how Stasa is doing?”
“Are you worried?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Since when do demons worry about humans? She has contributed a lot, so if she gets better, she’ll work again.”
“She’s probably recuperating at the orphanage.”
“Hmm.”
“As for her, if Zaus-sama visits her, she’ll surely feel better.”
“Hey hey. I’m an Archduke. Can’t just go visiting a human for a little illness. Besides, we don’t know when the hero will attack.”
“Shall we send someone to assess the situation then?”
“Yes.”
Ah…
“Come to think of it, there are a lot of fruits in the storage room that seem to be reaching their expiration date. It would be a waste to let them rot.”
“Don’t worry. Orcs will take care of such fruits. We don’t waste food in our castle.”
“I see… But the obesity of the orcs is a problem.”
“Hmm… Obesity?”
“Yes. Obesity shortens their lifespan.”
“What should we do then?”
“It would be a waste to discard them outright. Take the ripe fruits to the orphanage.”
Upon hearing that, Meel smiled as if she had sensed something.
“Stasa loves Momon and Budoumaru fruits.”
“Okay, then take extra of those.”
“Understood. Since we were just about to send someone out, I’ll have them take it.”
“Yes. However… the orphanage has many children.”
“That’s right. With a small amount of fruit, there might be fights.”
“Indeed. That could lead to quarrels.”
“Careless disputes could worsen Stasa’s condition. Make sure the fruits are distributed to all the children. Got it?”
“Understood.”
“It’s all about reducing waste. Don’t misunderstand that point.”
“Yes!”
After giving a dignified response, she chuckled.
Oh well.
I hope there’s no misunderstanding.
The orphans are nothing more than future labor force.
This is purely an investment for the future. And it also serves to reduce waste. Killing two birds with one stone.
A few hours later…
A harpy returned from the orphanage looking panicked.
“Zaus-sama, it’s urgent! Stasa has gone missing!”
“What!? Since when?”
“For about a month now!”
What a mess.
What about the sick leave letter?
We’ll need to send out a search party.
Losing valuable labor is a big deal.
We absolutely must find her.
And then, at that moment…
A subordinate monster, the Lizardman, arrived covered in blood.
“Th-this is urgent! Th-the hero is attacking!”
Oh well.
It seems this takes priority.
Lizard, you’re all beaten up.
Are you in trouble?
“Didn’t Gobtaro say the hero was weak?”
“H-he’s riding on a giant made of rock… The r-rock giant golem, sir.”
A rock giant golem!?
“What happened to everyone else? Everyone was supposed to be on guard at the forest square.”
“E-everyone was defeated, sir. The rock giant golem is too strong.”
Oh well.
Everyone, without exception, is over level 200.
And now we have to deal with that rock giant golem.
“Gobtaro fought for us… He let me escape… B-but at this rate, everyone will be… killed…” *collapse*
She burst into tears and then fainted..
“Supreme Extra Healing!”
“What!? M-my wounds are healed!”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“Zaus-samaaa!! Please help Gobtaro!!”
“Very well.”
I couldn’t care less about the monsters. Anyone who harms my subordinates deserves to die a thousand deaths.
“Secure the castle!”
My orders set the subordinates into motion. They armed themselves and took up positions.
Alright.
I’ll leave the castle to everyone else and head to the scene.
“Zaus. I’m coming too.”
“Me too. I might be able to be of assistance.”
Arjena and Meel…
“Alright. Let’s go with the three of us.”
“I’ll arrange for horses. We can be there in an hour!”
“No, that’s too slow. We’ll use teleportation magic.”
“Huh? But the return teleportation spell is only for returning to the base city, like Pegasus’ wings.”
“We won’t use that kind of magic.”
“Then how will we travel?”
“Both of you, hold my hand.”
They grabbed my hand.
Alright.
“Acceleration Accelerate!”
*Whoosh*
“Hey! It’s too fast!”
“T-this magic is for high-speed combat only! It’s supposed to be for short-range combat only!”
Yeah.
Acceleration Accelerate is a combat spell.
But…
“By consuming a large amount of magic power, it can be used for travel.”
Our bodies raced through the wilderness at high speed.
The fierce wind tousled Arjena’s hair.
“I-I can’t… open my eyes.”
“We’re almost there, hold on… I see it.”
Yeah.
The square.
The big one moving in the center is the rock giant golem.
“Alright. We’re here.”
*Screech*
“You’re too fast!! It hasn’t even been 5 minutes!”
“T-that’s amazing!! I never expected it to be this fast!!”
Now then.
“Meel will treat the wounded. Arjena, get ready for battle.”
“Understood!”
“Leave it to me!”
Alright, let’s fight.