Chapter 39
Chapter 39
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 39
Chapter Title: One Step Behind, You're Always There.
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"...Beef stew? Licht, you can cook too?"
"Oh, this is good. Helmet Guy!"
I'd caught some monsters and whipped up a meal for the hero couple once they woke up. They needed to eat if they were going to work.
"One more bowl."
"You're quite the big eater... Here you go."
It was just a meat stew I'd thrown everything I had into and boiled up.
The thought had popped into my head after a long time, so I'd given it a shot, and it turned out pretty tasty. Probably thanks to all those years of solo cooking in real life.
'Group project deadline's tonight.'
I ladled out another scoop of stew for the Glass Knight while mapping out the plan. That crown prince sure was a big eater. Our Saintess packed it away pretty well too, though.
"So, you're saying we hunt a 6-star monster? Isn't that dangerous?"
"We'll go with ones that aren't."
I couldn't help but chuckle watching Mardol hide his face with the glass bowl as he dug into the fresh stew. No one was going to steal it if he took his time. Good thing the helmet hid his smile.
That's when the blond hero voiced his doubts.
"Shadow Wolves are 5-stars, though...?"
"The star rating doesn't decide everything, Kainel."
If you didn't know the details, sure, they weren't weak by any means.
"...That's what strategy guides are for. It'll be easy."
"Fair point."
Just like in the game, some monsters had tough shells that were a nightmare for swordsmen. Others had insane patterns or were just gross, making even 4-stars a quest nightmare.
"So... what kind of monster is it?"
"You know Armored Bees? We're taking down their queen."
Large numbers, high star rating. I glanced at Mardol and Ariel.
"Queen bee...? Armored Queen Bee?"
"Spot on, Ariel."
With the Blazing Flame Mage here, and after seeing Mardol's swordplay this morning, it seemed doable. I nodded and started explaining to the others.
They didn't have many exploitable weaknesses either.
"First goal: smash the hive."
"...That's it?"
"Not just that. Armored Bees are meant to be handled with magic, and the queen especially..."
"Protected. Tricky."
She carried a steel hive on her back. Where the queen was, was basically their nest. And these things were way easier if you knew how to fight them.
"As Mardol said, Armored Bees resist physical attacks, and the queen resists magic."
"So... Ariel handles the minions, and you and I...?"
"Glad we're on the same wavelength, Kainel. But not quite."
"How's it different?"
In the game, I'd tried sword-only challenges to avoid spoilers, and it was brutal. The queen never left her minion shield wall, and Armored Bees didn't pierce easy with blades.
"Mardol and I pair with Kainel and Ariel. Gaps could be dangerous, and we need those teamwork points too."
"Accounting for magic and physical resistance...? But isn't Mardol a mage?"
To cover any surprises, we needed magic and swordplay in every team.
"He's a magic swordsman."
"Licht's right."
"Makes sense! Wouldn't fit that armor otherwise! Mardol!"
I'd seen Mardol's glass magic before, but the hero couple hadn't. No wonder. Kainel looked convinced.
"Anyway, we'll lure them with something sweet. Their honey-making habits mean flowers aren't the only bait... Huh?"
I rummaged in my pockets, but nothing.
'Where'd I put those candies...?'
Oh right, no candies. I'd given the ones from the carriage to Kainel and forgotten to restock. Despair hit over forgetting something so simple. I smacked my helmet's forehead.
"Here. Candy."
"Mardol...?"
A golden candy appeared before me. Thanks, crown prince! What a good guy. Total slip-up on my part. I always carried extras for the Saintess.
"...Thank you, Mardol."
He was always one step ahead, even in stuff like this. Kinda jealous. Whether he knew or not, the armored knight munched away, making crunching sounds.
"...You're welcome."
Slurred words. Mardol. Eating inside the glass helmet made his voice echo muffled.
"Melt this down..."
The crushed candy on the ladle turned to caramel in the fire, thick and brown. Felt like making dalgona.
"Ariel, you can use Fire Blossom, right?"
"Oh, yeah! Of course! Basic spell. Helmet Guy!"
That's why I asked. She soon bloomed a flame flower. Lavender-shaped—probably her hometown influence in her imagery.
"Reminds me of Lavrans Village."
"Yeah, Ariel. You think of our village too?"
"Hehe... Obviously, Kai!"
Seeing the rascal pick up on it eased me a bit. You've gotten sharper. I nodded faintly. The red twintail elf smiled sweetly at him.
'At this rate, even without me, they'll be all lovey-dovey by [Knight Heart]'s five-year point.'
Tsunderes needed time. Rushing love killed the character.
"We'll use this shape as a mold. Mardol, if you would."
"Yeah, got it. Licht."
A glass mold formed over the lavender. Poured in the melted candy, shaped like a flower.
"Thanks. Prep's done."
"So, what's the plan?"
Item combo success. Earth and fire attributes in a candy flower—no other monsters would mess with it.
"...We'll steal the royal jelly."
Even at 6-stars, easy repeats if you knew the strat. Gaming vibes were back.
"Oh, bees incoming. Helmet Guy!"
Unlike yesterday, we watched from afar as the monsters hit the trap. How much time passed?
─Weeeeng.
"Quick, huh."
"Sugar's sweeter than natural pollen. Kainel."
Armored Bees in heavy armor swarmed the candy flower, tiny but tough.
"...Queen's where?"
"Follow the workers. Mardol."
Come to think, when'd I get this armor? Old gear was comfy. Felt pathetic claiming Black Knight with just a helmet, unlike the Glass Knight.
"...Shred and go."
"Tail 'em stealthily. They're aggressive."
We tracked the marching workers.
Out came a massive bee with a steel hive on its back. Boss vibe: huge, fierce, unlike the workers.
"Armored Queen Bee."
"...Bigger than I thought? That's the hive on her back...?"
Kainel pointed. 'Iron Hive'—攻略 key spot, detailed in guides.
Smash that for royal jelly odds.
"Target the hive for royal jelly. Hit that tougher spot before the boss."
Player slang for juicy loot item. Score would skyrocket.
"Queen Bee might sting or charge. No antidotes, so careful."
Unlike regular Armored Bees, queens ate meat to maintain size—per lore. Avoid poison disasters.
"So... first strike how, Helmet Guy?"
"...Combined attack, you two."
"Ah. Right..."
He nodded at my words, turning to the mage. Ariel's cheeks flushed hard.
"Hic. Hic."
Couldn't hold back hiccups. Back hug that embarrassing? If it were me with our Saintess... yeah, maybe.
Subbed in mentally, got it.
"Hang in there. Clear a path, Mardol and I rush with Wolf Fang."
"Together, combined."
Not a combined move, Lupus. I shook my head at the fantasizing Glass Knight. Combos mixed elements.
"...What name for the combo...? Ariel?"
"Hic, dunno... Shine Fireworks?"
"What? 'Cause I'm the Light Hero?"
"...Yeah."
Hero couple prepped their combo. Mardol and I discussed sword strikes for the queen.
"Void Slash max damage on the hive. Need setup, so keep their formation broken with Granasia style."
"What to use?"
"Second form, Howling Wind. It'll stun the workers."
"...How'd you know, Licht?"
Suspicious again, words lengthening. Golden wolf eyes gleamed in the helmet. Dodging would backfire.
"Any swordsman knows imperial styles."
Interrogation bait taken—stick to truth, no denial. He eased, nodded.
"I see."
Flag planted maybe. No way I'd end up chained in some palace basement as a future knowledge dispenser? With Nex around, probably fine.
"Let's start."
I shoved down the guilty twinge and dove into the Armored Queen Bee strat.
'Why on earth does that guy wear a helmet all the time...?'
Pine Granasia sorted her thoughts inside the glass armor. At first, she figured it was to hide his status or watch her warily.
'Licht's strong but kinda naive...'
Her sharp eyes pierced his facade, doubts piling up.
Just now, simple probing got him. And thinking back, he'd eaten stew without showing his face, like her.
'Yesterday he looked rough, but fought strong.'
Her snowy wolf ears perked curiously. One of few she'd lost to—she hated losing.
That made the shift feel fresh.
'Why's he so chipper today...?'
Licht shredding monsters with Void Slash yesterday had awed her.
'Unique, strong.'
Her golden eyes regained spark, fixing on the helmeted Black Knight.
'...He'd be fine to spar with.'
Excitement brewed for the grade exam—he'd toughen her up. Inside the heavy armor, her tail swished.