Pallas's POV
Foolish. That is how I view adventurers who signed up with bright eyes and large smiles.
I'm sure they couldn't help but to think that adventuring is all fun and games. With countless songs and stories, each glorifying legendary accomplishment and completely ignoring everything else.
Just like stories only a handful were read by the people, while many ended up forgotten or never heard at all.
The ones that are widespread across the land are of course the chronicles of heroes of old, despite the character having long perished their bravery and valour are still looked up upon by many till this day and forward.
As for the ones ignored, those are the mundane ones. Stories ignored simply because it does not appeal to the masses. Those stories belonged to many adventurers, the ones who perish to be more exact.
Rookies adventurers who got over their heads and paid with their young lives. A team as close as a family who failed in their rescue of one of their own, departing to the afterlife together. Veterans of the highest level, all biting the dust simply because they took the wrong turn at a newly discovered dungeon.
The life of an adventurer is a dangerous one with death lurking on every corner. This stark fact often slips right through almost everyone.
I was one of the few who was logical enough to not be enamoured by the glittering gold to take notice of the many traps.
Being an adventurer certainly wasn't my first choice in fact. For a middle child, especially a female, like me this line of work was my best shot at gaining freedom in addition to independence.
And people say being born a noble grants nothing but privileges. After almost being wed to a person twice and half my age I definitely have the right to flip them off with a middle finger.
But it wasn't all that bad. My brother, now the patriarch with of the family, is much more open-minded compared to my parents whom I barely interact with these days (the reason already stated above). He and my little sister are the only blood-related relatives that I haven't shut out of my life.
Besides those two, my teammates are the only ones whom I view in that light as well... I suppose adventuring does not only brought misfortune in the end...
Looks like I'm getting sidetracked. In my defence, I did almost lose my life so it's only natural for me to distract myself whilst regathering my psyche.
What I'm trying to say is no matter how strong you are let your guard down for a second and you're dead meat.
"So do I run to the right or to the left?"
"Koen-kun, you're going to flank him from the side where he's not vulnerable. In other words, you'll flank him "
"But Momoiro-san, I thought he was supposed to sneak past him? Why doesn't he go to the left? Since that side's arm is crippled and all."
"No difference. Three of us charging forward. Forcing the Wyvern to use its only good arm."
"Oh! I get it! Aogiri-chi! Akaba and you three will be the bait. I just need to bypass it from the background and get into position...."
"More or less."
How odd. I know two out of the five people here. The married couple named Blue and Blush, this must be the five-man band that they're a part of.
I can easily tell who is who from the description Blush-san gave me. She wasn't lying when she said that her friend's name is a dead giveaway.
"Are you idiots done wasting time!? Seriously! none of this would have happened if all of you actually paid attention to my explanation!"
The tactician, Green, gawked at the others. I can relate to his frustration though, there's nothing more annoying than your team messing up a well-crafted plan.
"Hey, do you even have enough time to protest? You to haven't been doing your part you know!" The smallest of the group, Yellow, retorted.
"I was just getting to that!"
In response, he clasped his hands together before turning his back on his team. He then slammed both of his palms against the ground and seconds later a bright light covered the ground in front of him.
There is no mistaking it, he is casting large scale magic! But one as large as this. Doesn't he know that the backlash will be gargantuan as well!?
But... he looks completely fine.... how? Does he possess a bottomless aura reserve!?
No! this is!
Upon closer look, the bright light didn't come from one source only but rather five! He's simultaneously casting five magic circle! That certainly removes any chance of backlash, but one moment of negligence will cost him his life!
As the bright light subsided I realized that the spell he had cast was a transmutation one, a basic alchemy spell that liquifies the ground into mud. It's a basic spell that everyone knows, the question is why would he cast a spell like that in a time like this?
He clasped his hand again and just like last time five circles appeared. I can see that what he had cast was another simple spell, a manipulation spell that causes the mud to raise themselves up to form a giant vertical mass of sludge.
And it was his third spell that answered my question. With a third clap, yet another set of five circles appeared and just like the first one I recognized them as a simple transmutation spell. One that hardens liquids, or in this case reverting the mud wall back into solid earth.
He had just completely sealed off the Wyvern's entrance to the city with a siege wall complete with a trench. Even the prodigal Lumiere could only do so much, but he did just that with nothing more than three basic spells that anyone can use.
Is this guy a genius caster?
"There! Done! Now go and do your parts just like I planned!"
"Yeah-yeah, keep your undies in a bunch."
Red replied. He and the others were already in what I assume is their battle position, with the shielder on the front, Blue and Yellow-san flanking him on the left, and Blush-san behind him. This is a basic battering ram formation where the guardian in front is supposed to take the enemy's attack head on and stopping them on their tracks, giving his compatriots an opening that they can exploit.
It's a simple but effective strategy, except...
"D-don't... It's too strong...."
I honestly didn't know if my voice would even reach him...
"No need to worry about me. You already did a great job keeping that thing at bay for so long. Just leave the rest to us."
He didn't even look at me when he said that. But his words, a promise that should've sounded empty, somehow filled me with hope.
Having him protecting me, I couldn't help but feel secure. It was as if a fortress has been erected right in front of me, a castle that will safeguard anyone and everything behind it.
And he wasn't alone.
Each and every one of them has the same strength. Right before my very eyes, the world itself is being churned by their combined presence.
I see now. I've always told the others to never underestimate any opponent, to never judge them by their looks and manners alone, for the strongest of person is also the best of actors.
Should've listened to my own advice.
"Midori, make sure that nothing happens to her."
"Just shut up and get it over with Akaba. All of us want to get back as soon as possible."
"Seconded."
"Same here~"
"There's just no pleasing you guys aren't there? Well since the couple asked for it I guess I have no choice. Let's go."
The three dashed towards the Wyvern without fear or doubt, treating the dragon as if it was nothing more than another wild animal.
I couldn't tell whether it was angry or simply cornered. The beast unleashed a mighty swing with its good arm, the quality of the attack making it hard to believe that it was on its last peg.
"A PAT LIKE THAT AIN'T GONNA DO SHIT!"
Akaba suddenly broke away from the group in a burst of speed, intercepting the attack half way. I told myself that I wouldn't be surprised anymore but I was wrong. As a defender the intercept was nothing short of perfect, tackling the enemy right in the middle of their attack requires honed reflexes and foresight.
Furthermore, the obstruction stopped the Wyvern dead on its track. Sure preventing the attack to be 'completed' greatly decrease the damage, but to shrug off a Wyvern's strike even wounded as if it was nothing...
Blue didn't miss the opening and streaked to the Wyvern's right side, his zweihander raised above his head for a kill-blow. He swung down but once again the dragon's reflexes proved to be beyond human as it jumped back on the last second.
Blue's slash missed its mark, but the beast didn't escape unscathed.
It unleashed a pained roar at the loss of its right claw. Blush-san wasn't nice enough to care.
She leapt from behind Red and thrust her spear with the aim to skewer the Wyvern's brain. Once again its impulse saved its skin, barely dodging the attack at the cost of one eye.
It made a further retreat and distanced itself from the group of hunters, to see a mighty Wyvern cowering like a cornered rat was not something I thought I would ever see. Yet these five people have driven it into this state, just who the hell are they.
"Here it comes..."
The Caster, Green, grumbled in an annoyed tone. What's coming I wondered? Weren't they in the verge of victory and is only a one step short? What it is that causes them to be on guard despite their power and stoutness?
It was then that I notice that something was wrong with the Wyvern, it didn't radiate fear like any other wounded animal would in this situation. Did it really think it still has a chance?
The beast 'stand up' on its hind legs and spread both of its damaged arms, the action putting the three frontliners on guard much to my puzzlement.
I did not know how many times was my expectations were thrown out of the window that day, but again I was rendered dazed.
It was gathering mana! A technique so simple, so basic, even a mindless animal should be able to do it. But why?
The Wyvern was engulfed in an explosion of heat, and for a second I thought that it had self-destructed. To my horror, it was the exact opposite that happened next.
Crawling out of the crater on all four with all limbs intact it was as if it was never wounded at all. [Super regeneration] I remembered it too late.
A crude and straightforward ability that allows the user to regain even lost limbs. Although it's easy to use the risk involves life overload that may lead to one turning into an unrecognizable pile of meat, and this beast pulled it off in a hamstring state.
Nothing short of a killer blow could end this beast, that I now know. It was a hopeless case even for them...
(BOOM!)
Fulmination erupted from the back of the beast, causing it to lose its footing and fall to the ground. The backstabber didn't miss his chance, landing on the downed dragon's back with two knives infused with aura.
He dug the blades into the Wyvern's backside, dragging the instrument of cutting to tear through as he ran forward.
Howling in pain, the dragon used its tail to retaliate. The extra appendage failed to hit the target, however, as he jumped away and landed next to Red.
"Ah! Mou~! It can still move its arms! I really am losing my touch..."
It was Yellow! He had suddenly disappeared and I almost completely forgot about him! He managed to erase his presence to a point where not even a Dragon can detect him!?
"Shouldn't you be happy about that though?" Red, despite the situation they are in, stated.
"I guess so~!"
"More importantly Koen-kun, how much damage did you do?" Blush asked.
"Oh, that! I managed to cut the majority of the muscle, it might still be moveable but his arms shouldn't be a threat anymore!"
"Finish it off."
"Aogiri's right! Get it over already!" Green shouted from next to me.
"We're getting to that! Shut up!" As he shouted back Red charged in headfirst alone, tossing aside one of his shields.
The Wyvern responded by doing the same, and true to Yellow's improbable claim I was observant enough to see that the internal damage was indeed great despite its relatively fine look.
Akaba wasn't playing the role of defender this time around, once he was close enough he rushed forward with a shield-bash before his opponent can even respond. So that's why he throws away one of his shields, to decrease weight.
Disgusting 'squelch' sound filled my ear as the Beast's snout was crushed by Red's attack, I can see teeth flying and blood being cough, he immediately follows up with another.
To my shock he unclipped his shield and grab hold of its lower edges with both arms, is he going to do what I think he's about to do?
"EAT STELL AND DIE!" Embodying an angry housewife he swings his 'weapon' upward, and just like our guild girl the strike sent the recipient of the attack flying.
He just sent a Wyvern flying with a makeshift weapon and a sloppy attack.
His friends were unfazed however and utilized the moment to the fullest.
Blue suddenly vanished while Blush entered a spear-throwing stance.
"Se~No~!" With a cheery tone, she threw her javelin forward, the weapon turning into a streak that I could barely see.
Piercing straight through its target heart not even [Super Regeneration] can save it now, and if that wasn't enough its head was suddenly lopped off.
It Blue. The moment the corpse hit the ground he suddenly appeared not far behind it, skid marks can be seen under him showing just how fast had he gone.
A second of total silence passes, it was only after another nine that my brain finally registered what had just happened.
They did it. They killed a Wyvern with [Super Regeneration].
"That was fun~. I hope I can do it again sometime~."
"Momoiro-san, that's impossible. We're going back home after this you know?"
"No need to be a killjoy Akaba-chi! You did have fun didn't you?"
"You got me there. It was a decent workout that I had in a while."
And from the nature of their dialogue, they did it with apparent ease. Just who are these people?
"Guess we won't be needing this anymore."
Green suddenly grumbled beside me. He clasped his hand together and slam them both to the ground. This time his spell has the opposite effect of his previous one. I watch as the seemingly unbreachable earthen wall crumbled to the ground, filling in the trenches below it and making it as if it was never there.
Without sparing me even a glance he saunter towards his friends. All five now gathered in the middle of the empty field.
"It's a real shame that we can't sell the Wyvern's body. I bet this thing will give us lots of gold! And if we bring it back home with us..." Yellow whined. I too know the worth of a dragon's corpse, even if it was a lesser species such as Wyvern.
"Are you an idiot? Who the heck would accept gold from an unknown source?" Green scolded.
"Melt or sell in the black market. No question." Blue suggested.
"That might work, add in a Swiss bank account and we'd be set for life~" Blush added.
"As great as that sound I don't think that's possible. We still have another problem to take care of after all..."
Red's reminder instantly killed the mood, and I could only imagine what kind of foe that could spook this group of Titans.
"All the more reason to get back and get it over with." Green voiced, and all of them nodded.
They're leaving. Abandoning the corpse behind as if it was nothing.
There are so many questions. Where do they come from? Why would Blush lie about her name? What kind of technique did they use and training they have gone through to get that strong?
But most of all...
"W-who are you...?"
Red was the one who bothered to turn around.
"Just a bunch of passing by office workers, try not to remember us will you?"
And just like that, carrying two shields that weigh as much as my own, he bolted.
There was no way I can comply with his request. The man who saved my life, and undoubtedly countless others living in this city. A defender whose ability exceeds even me the so-called Goddess of defence.
"Office...Worker...Akaba.."
Will we ever meet again?