- Arthur's POV -
Sensing stares towards him, he ignored all of them as he focused on the incoming battle.
After all, even if he expected to not participate, he still had to stay ready in case of an emergency, one to not cause worries to Mariane, but also to not end up injured himself.
Kobolds being small monsters, around 50 to 80cm, would first cause injuries to his legs to try to wear him down and then finish him, so he just had to prevent the first move.
Of course, now it was a reality and not just a game, so maybe they could jump and try to reach one of his vital points.. But that was only if they could reach him, that is.
Every preparations that he made now seemed meaningless as he watched Mariane fight.
Unlike the guards and mercenaries who were able to fight alongside each other and actually having some sort of synergy, his maid was actually fighting on her own battlefield.
Kobolds sticks or makeshifts spear couldn't even scratch her battle maid armor, not talking about making a dent, the kobolds were properly repelled by that alone, the sword in her hand just slashing through them nearly.
' That's.. a disgusting sight, that's for sure. '
Not being a real maniac of horror movies, at least, he played enough games to not be too disturbed by the corpses being neatly separated and not just cut at the neck and left to bleed out or else.
' Though she's maybe doing a bit much, is it because I told her about the whole leveling up thing ? '
When she told him about the twenty incoming kobolds and that she could fight four at a time, he just thought that she would fight four of them, but after killing one, she directly went after another.
Like harvesting a field with a farming scythe, she balanced her sword left and right, low enough to reach the small monsters easily.
' Seeing how efficient she is with it, I would almost wish for more monsters just so she could gain more exp.. '
The current situation and the fact that she wasn't alone played a big part in the fight she was having, as she surely didn't looked to be in a tough situation, enough so he could relax.
Watching her every moves, the battle quickly came to an end with only a few being lightly injured, mostly scratched or hit with a stick.
' Exp, exp, exp again, is it a dud today again ? '
Sighing, as it was a loss of time, he slowly checked the message, informing him about the death of the monsters and whatevers rewards there might be.
Scrolling down on the window without really reading all of them, there was no changes on the few lines he read, and if there was, he would have detected it immediately.
But even so, it wasn't really a loss in the end as the exp acquired would serve as a foundation for Mariane's future, though a few kobolds doesn't mean much, but at that time, even mosquitoes had meat in his eyes.
" Luckily, there's no one really injured. "
" Should we depart right away then ? "
People's chatter reached his ears once he closed the windows of his inventory and the death messages, and quickly, Mariane got back to him, her armor and weapons dissipating between two of her steps.
" Master, I am back. "
" You did a good job Mariane, we'll get going soon. "
He really wanted to pat her head as a way to prove his words, but knowing that she wouldn't like to show such a defenseless state of hers in front of so many people, he restrained himself, only accepting her composed nod as an answer.
_________________________________________
" Alright, we can see the city ! Everyone get in line when we reach the walls ! "
With a loud yell coming from the front, Arthur lifted his head slightly.
Walking for a long day really did wear him off.
Even though there was a few breaks here and there, be it for the horses or simply to eat and drink, he could feel his tired legs almost giving up.
Luckily, though a bit late, they still arrived before the night, so he could still search for an inn to spend the night at, as he didn't even think about going out to explore this time.
" Master, are you alright ? "
" Yeah, I'm okay. "
Answering her question, it was the fifth time that she asked today, but he wasn't annoyed about it in the slightest, as she was really worried about him, but his pride as a man couldn't take it, so he kept carrying his box containing some of his clothes and a booklet, the wooden box being heavier than the content inside of it.
" Do you wish for me to hold your baggage for you ? "
Slowly turning his head left to right, it was the third time that she asked about it, especially since she didn't detected any other monster.
" I can handle it, don't worry Mariane. "
With a soft smile on his lips, one that came out naturally because of his exhausted body and mind that he couldn't really control anymore, he sent a glance her way only to see the deep worry in her eyes.
" Well, I have to do some exercice if I want to keep the pace with you, while you can get stronger just by leveling up, I can't, so I must put corresponding efforts, don't you think ? "
" .... "
Asking her in a lower voice, so that no one would hear them, though she retained her eyes full of worry, she nodded firmly at his question, affirming his choices.
' Well, that's that, but I don't think I'll be able to do anything tonight.. Sorry about that Mariane. '
As tired as he was, he won't be able to move much, and while it was true that she could ride him if she desired to, maybe it was a bit early for her, and he really wanted to sleep as well.
Having already drawn the conclusion of tonight's night, Arthur kept walking towards the wall before he was put in the line along many others, but the said line had a weird spacing around him as no one dared to get too close physically from him or Mariane.
" Identity piece ? "
" There. "
Handing over his adventurer's badge when it was his turn along with Mariane's one, she took the box of his arms, at least, for the time to get his identity checked.
" Silver adventurer ? That's rare for a new face, alright, you can go. "
With a small comment from the guard which was way more geared up than the one he saw in Palsi, he slowly entered the crowded city.
" Sir Arthurion, one moment please ! "
Being called out like that, he could only let out a small sigh as he turned his body around, to face Marcus, the one leading the whole convoy and a merchant.
" What can I do for you ? "
He couldn't care about the fact that his tiredness was showing in the first place, and since that guy decided to misunderstand every bit and cranny, he decided that it wasn't important if he showed such a side of himself.
" Don't misunderstand me, please, I only wanted to tell you that the rewards for the escort mission will be ready by tomorrow, you can directly collect them at the adventurer's guild as soon as the sun rises.. ! "
' Fucker ! It's you who's having a misunderstanding here ! '
Though he wanted to yell, he didn't had the energy to even make such a remark, so calming his boiling heart, he gave the man with glasses an answer.
" ... Is that so ? Well, that's alright too, by the way, do you happen to know any good inns around here ? "
" I sure do ! In fact, our company also manage a few inns in Litheria, would you mind me introducing one for you ? "
" That would be helpful. "
Nodding to the question he was asked, he obviously had no reason to say no to such an offer, one where he could directly be lead to somewhere to rest without being bothered.
" Alright, please wait a moment, I'll give a few instructions and be right back ! "
The man, as if revigorated by some sort of force, left the two of them in a hurry and went back to the carriages, like he had put rockets on his shoes or something.
' How can he be so energetic after all that ?... Oh right, that fucker didn't walked in the first place. '
Remembering that, he felt a profound hatred feeling for his masculine and lazy peer and promised that the next time, he would travel cities with a carriage as well.