Chapter 399 After the Battle
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
(Three-Face’s POV)
”I heard your request and rushed over, only to find you’ve been thoroughly defeated.”
Seeing Goliath lying in the hot spring of the largest volcano, ‘Holbein,’ I couldn’t help but sigh.
His head was half crushed, and his wings were in tatters.
His prized horns were gone, and he seemed to have serious injuries on his left shoulder and abdomen.
”You must have inflicted deep wounds on your opponent as well. Well, it’s a ‘mutual pain’ situation…”
I landed in front of the boastful Goliath and placed my palm on his forehead.
”You fought Hiroya, huh? ──How did you manage to come back alive?”
I probed Goliath’s memories to grasp the details of the battle.
(Seriously… this ridiculous strength)
To think that Goliath, the strongest among the Demon King’s aides, could be so severely cut down.
Moreover, against Goliath’s cunning tactic of ‘attacking Hiroya’s allies in hiding,’
he saved his comrades with the astonishing act of ‘cutting the flames (breath).’
”As expected of Shinji and Megumi’s child──I see.”
”──What did you say? That kid?”
”…Did you fight without knowing?”
(Boasting about strength can be a double-edged sword)
”It’s frustrating, but at that time, the fear I felt when I fought the heroes resurfaced. ──So, he was Shinji and Megumi’s child.”
”Is the pain subsiding?”
I ignored Goliath’s words and asked.
”I’ll have to regenerate again. ──That Arbalest is quite a threat.”
Goliath spoke this way.
I recalled the memories I had just confirmed from him.
(‘Relic of an ancient civilization’. I see, its potential is unknown.)
”In any case, refrain from that distasteful regeneration method of ‘devouring children.’ Fortunately, the place where the Demon King is currently hiding is filled with dense miasma. You should recuperate there.”
”It seems I have no choice but to follow your advice. Three-Face, could you please take me with you?”
The dragon before me quickly shrinks… transforming into a human form.
”…I’ll teleport. Just grab onto my shoulder.”
I help Goliath up and offer my shoulder.
That half-destroyed face grins.
…It seems he doesn’t have the energy to make that unpleasant laugh.
(But then, I still have doubts about his ‘loyalty to the Demon King’…)
To head to the depths of the ‘Welnia Labyrinth,’ we need someone with at least a bit of power right now.
(The Purple Flame Demon Princess has also come. Now, will Gargantua move?)
As I cast the teleportation spell, I thought of that noble Oni warrior.
* * *
(Shinji’s POV)
”Frieda is fine now. However… I want to keep an eye on Hiroya for a bit.”
Doctor Rudolf covered Hiroya, who was sleeping on the bed, with a blanket.
(Seriously, challenging Goliath the Dragon Demon… what a reckless move.)
When Milia and I received the message at the mansion, Hiroya had already headed towards the ‘Goblin Forest Labyrinth.’
It seems he acted quickly to rescue Frieda and the others he encountered, as well as the Rose Hip members who had gone ahead.
”I──I sent Hiroya ahead. I apologize, my lord.”
Liz, standing upright in the hospital room, bows her head.
”No… in the end, he inflicted serious damage on Goliath, and everyone from Rose Hip is safe. There’s no problem. ──Thank you for your hard work, Liz.”
”Will Hiroya… recover? He had severe burns all over his body.”
Kazumi holds Hiroya’s hand, looking up at Doctor Rudolf with concern.
”It’s okay, Kazumi. Thanks to Rena’s papa’s Extra Healing, the burns are getting better. All that’s left is…”
”Hiroya’s stamina. It’s not as bad as when he was asleep before. You don’t need to worry.”
Kazumi looked relieved and gently gazed at Hiroya, reassured by Rena and Dr. Rudolf’s words.
(We need to station troops in the Goblin Forest Labyrinth and regularly send in adventurers.)
With the northern settlement running smoothly and the colonization of the Great Labyrinth Raetia’s ‘Closed World’ progressing well, it might be time for us to start investigations within the Empire.
(But, Emperor of the Empire… to ally with Azradelius again…)
I sighed as I looked down at the peacefully sleeping Hiroya.
* * *
(Gieze’s POV)
”Mr. Hiroya… it seems he will be hospitalized at Rosen Clinic for a while…”
Ms. Dorothy, who likely received a Telepathy message from Ms. Kazumi or Rena, informed everyone waiting anxiously in the dining hall.
Her expression looked very gloomy.
”Ah, it seems the injuries have improved, but just to be safe… that’s what I heard.”
Seeing Ms. Dorothy’s expression, she must have sensed that everyone, including herself, thought Mr. Hiroya’s condition was quite serious.
She hurriedly added that.
* * *
”Uh… well, ya see…”
Ms. Simona stood up and gave a respectful bow to everyone.
”Thanks a lot for helpin’ Frieda and the Rose Hip crew… really, I mean it. Thank you.”
”I understand your feelings, but… it was a bit reckless.”
Ms. Asuka rubbed her sleepy eyes and stretched.
”I know it was wrong… I thought of myself as part of Famière, but I just couldn’t help thinkin’ about Rose Hip… especially when I heard Frieda was in trouble…”
”That’s understandable. SimSim is also an advisor for Rose Hip.”
Ms. Martina gives Ms. Simona a light slap on the backside.
* * *
After regrouping with Ms. Liz and others near the entrance of the Goblin Forest, we returned to Raetia around 7:00 AM.
It seems everyone who stayed in the clan waited without sleeping.
Ms. Liz and Ms. Rena took Mr. Hiroya and Ms. Frieda directly to the Rosen Clinic, while Ms. Kazumi, who was guarding the Clan house, hurried over there.
And just after finishing breakfast, this was the exchange in the dining hall.
”Anyway, let’s relax in the bath to ease our fatigue from the mission.”
I took Karina’s hand, who still looked worried, and stood up.
”Aluda, Eluda, Meluda. You all should take it easy today. I’ll handle the shop.”
Lord Toldo also stood up, saying the same.
”Everyone, don’t worry about Hiroya. You all know he’s not the type to be laid low by mere burns.”
Ms. Asuka smiled at everyone and left the dining hall.
That was the signal for everyone to get up from their seats.
”What’s wrong, Violet…?”
I asked Violet, who was still sitting with her head down, while holding Karina’s hand.
”This time──this time alone, I felt my own powerlessness deeply. I couldn’t do anything…”
Violet murmured as she lifted her face.
Determination shone in her eyes.
”To protect Lady Lilith, I must become stronger. ──I’ll practice a bit before heading to the bath.”
Violet stood up and walked toward the backyard.
”Karina, could you go to the bath first? I’ll train with Violet.”
”Hehe… I understand, Gieze. P-please take care of Ms. Violet!”
Karina smiled at me and left the dining hall.
Chasing after Violet, I stepped into the backyard… where the members of ‘Rose Hip’ Laura’s team were already sweating.
”Hahaha! Everyone here has a great sense of ambition!”
Violet and I exchanged smiles and dashed into the backyard together.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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