Cedric was defeated by Cecilia’s quick thinking.
His companions immediately gathered around the fallen Cedric.
“Boss, please hold on!”
“Master! No!”
Beside them, Cecilia quietly sheathed her sword. My companions fell silent in the heavy atmosphere.
“Lord Cedric! I am so sorry. It’s because I am not strong enough.”
“Master!”
Lucy clenched her fist as Riana’s eyes welled up with tears. It made us look like villains. I gently looked at Sharin. She had a similar expression. Arisugawa seemed to be asking, “What do we do now?”
Riana, with teary eyes, stood up and glared at me.
“I will never forgive you. Even if I lose this arm, I will fight! Lord Cedric changed my life. He gave a place to someone who was all alone.”
“Yeah, if it’s for the boss, I’d give my life. He’s the only one who didn’t give up on me, a nobody. If I hadn’t met him, I still wouldn’t be able to read.”
This is bad. A heartwarming story is starting. The enemy we thought we had defeated is ready to fight to the death. We’re already at our limit, with no members left who can fight. The enemy is fired up, ready to fight for Cedric.
“Brother, isn’t this dangerous?”
“I think so too.”
Karubene whispered from the back.
“besides, don’t you have any nice stories?”
“Eh, brother’s story… I don’t really have one. By the way, do you still have the sake I gave you earlier?”
I thought he’d have at least one good episode. So it’s all about the sake. I wondered why they bothered to get up. In front of me, the Minotaur woman from before stood up and cracked her neck.
“Arisugawa, what do we do?”
“Wh-what do you mean? Uh, we’re both at our limit, so how about a temporary truce?”
“Don’t worry, I can still move. You’ve certainly put up a good fight.”
I thought Karubene had a sword plunged into his stomach, but it seemed to have healed. Was it Cedric’s recovery magic? For now, the fact remains that there’s still a vigorous opponent left. Nina and Philiana were cautiously backing away. Sharin had also retreated.
“Hey, don’t leave me behind, everyone.”
“Sorry, brother, we’re done for.”
Weren’t you fighting together just now? A large hand grabbed my collar.
“Uh, well, I can’t fight anymore. Uh, I apologize for provoking you, I take it back.”
“Stop your whining. Just die!”
A giant fist loomed before my eyes. I gritted my teeth and squeezed my eyes shut.
“Wait!”
At Cedric’s voice, the fist stopped abruptly. I slowly opened my eyes to see him, who had been unconscious, sitting up and holding his head.
“Cedric! Are you okay?!”
“Boss! Are you injured?”
He calms his companions, who swarm him with concern. As he awoke, I was dropped to the ground.
“I-I’m saved. But still, wasn’t that a bit much?”
When I looked back, everyone in the rear was averting their eyes. If Cedric hadn’t woken up, I would have lost all my teeth by now. He stood up and removed his armor. The fairy, back in her original form, fluttered around him with a worried expression.
“Master, is it okay? I can still fight. Losing to those guys.”
“It’s alright. Arisugawa-kun, you win. To be honest, I underestimated you. I didn’t know how much a bunch of amateurs could do. But I understand now how you’ve managed to win until now.”
My companions looked displeased at Cedric conceding victory. As for me, I was just glad it was over. I never expected to have such an intense battle with enemies other than Dark Elves. My whole body ached, and the skin on my hands, burned by sparks, was peeling. After all this, just winning wouldn’t be satisfying.
“Hey, if we won, will you grant us one wish?”
“Hm, what is it?”
“Do you know of a large town further ahead? There’s an orphanage there. Please save the children there.”
Everyone, including him, tilted their heads in surprise.
“I know of a town. We were heading there ourselves. I never expected to find you on the way. But why an orphanage? Can’t they even get enough to eat?”
I told him about the orphanage where Piyo had been captured. His companions, who seemed to have had similar experiences, grimaced.
“That’s a terrible story. Making children into prostitutes, I can’t stand it.”
“We couldn’t do anything. But you have connections with Headquarters and the power to change things. Please do what we couldn’t.”
Cedric smiled cheerfully, saying, “I lost, so I guess it can’t be helped.”
