Crow
Crow
***
Of course, even to Elbridge's eyes, the sight of the fleshy paladin fighting was quite impressive.
To offer an enormous amount of gold to temporarily gain powerful strength, and to fight with a sense of weight that an ordinary knight or paladin could not possess.
Seeing that sight, it even made him wonder if the fleshy physique was intentionally fattened up.
However, apart from the exhilarating and refreshing appearance, the problems were also clear.
Elbridge subtly asked the knight-errant Richard.
"Sir Richard. Are there only five paladins in the Order of the Golden Tray?"
"How could that be? There are several similar groups just in the eastern region. The groups that departed earlier than us must be five or six... One senior paladin is taking around paladins who have never fought before and teaching them."
The first problem was that no matter how wealthy the Order of the Golden Tray was, they could not possibly offer that much gold in every battle.
The second problem was that the paladin of the Order of the Golden Tray seemed not to have chosen not to dodge the lizard magical beast's attack, but rather, was unable to dodge it.
As proof, blood was flowing from the forearm of the paladin who had just killed the magical beast. Of course, it was not a deep wound. But it was clearly an unnecessary wound.
'It was hidden because his fighting style was so exhilarating... but if it had been an experienced paladin, it was an attack they would have easily dodged. If the purpose is to teach inexperienced paladins, he should have dodged it even more so. That paladin acting as an instructor also seems to have almost no combat experience.'
The third problem stemmed from the second problem.
'If they fight in that manner, it will be hard to survive a battle with a demon.'
Of course, a considerable amount of strength is also needed when facing a demon. But if one fights relying only on strength, there is a very high probability of dying.
'The upper echelons of the Order of the Golden Tray must have kept the existence of demons in mind... Why on earth?'
The answer could be quickly deduced. The lack of experience was the problem.
Demons have different abilities and behavioral patterns for each individual.
Even with the advice of senior paladins or the oracles of combat orders, one could not perfectly prepare for a battle with a demon.
If even the seasoned combat orders of the past were like that, there was no way the upper echelons of the Order of the Golden Tray, who were unaccustomed to combat, could properly prepare for a battle with a demon. It would be the same even if an oracle were added.
'They merely prepared ahead of others. Handling it skillfully was probably impossible from the start.'
Looking back, even in the old days, there was only one way to become a seasoned paladin.
To survive many battles and accumulate experience.
<><><>
The third day since the request began. The magical beast hunting practice of the Order of the Golden Tray continued smoothly.
They would meet up with a person who had grasped the location of a magical beast and confirm its location. The paladin whose turn it was would offer a large amount of gold coins and then beat the magical beast to death with mighty holy power and divine authority. That was all.
In that way, four out of the five paladins took turns hunting one magical beast each. The last turn was Charlie, the youngest paladin in the party.
"Sir Richard. Is hunting magical beasts like this a good choice?"
Because the other paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray had a strange arrogance ingrained in them, they treated not only Marcus and Elbridge but also the two knight-errants like invisible men.
They only gave instructions with a nod of their chin when they wanted to assign menial tasks.
However, Charlie was different. Befitting a young man who had just turned twenty, curiosity preceded arrogance, and he possessed a desire for improvement as great as his curiosity.
The knight-errant Richard replied.
"Sir Charlie. Do you have some kind of worry?"
"Hunting a magical beast is a rare opportunity, isn't it? In this situation, the only thing we have to do is receive power and show off our strength... I don't think it's a good judgment to blow an opportunity like this."
"There is no need to rush. Isn't getting used to magical beasts the first step?"
"But, I want to become a more outstanding paladin than my seniors. Outstanding enough not to be pushed around even by the paladins of combat orders."
"That is not an easy goal."
"But it's worth the challenge. The power and holy power alone are this much, so if I could fight as well as a paladin of a combat order, it would be tremendous."
Charlie knew well that while the paladins of his order enjoyed powerful divine authority, their actual capabilities as knights were mediocre.
That was why Charlie often approached not only the two knight-errants but also Marcus and Elbridge to ask for their opinions.
While Richard and the other knight-errant spared their advice so as not to offend their employers, Marcus was a little different.
"Come to think of it, Sir Elbridge said something similar yesterday."
"Sir Elbridge? Wasn't he a mercenary?"
"He is a paladin. And a person of incredible skill at that. I've acted as a mercenary for almost fifteen years, and among all the knights and paladins I've seen so far, Sir Elbridge was by far the most skilled. I haven't even seen a knight of a similar level."
Since it was certain that bothersome things would arise, Elbridge stealthily turned his head away.
However, Charlie immediately approached Elbridge's side and asked.
"Sir Elbridge. Are you really a paladin?"
Elbridge was about to make an excuse, saying that he was a mercenary and that Marcus was just joking. However, the Goddess's oracle immediately descended.
- Elbridge. My most cherished child. There is no need to falsely humble yourself even in a situation like this.
The Rusted Shield Goddess had once warned Elbridge not to reveal his identity.
But at the same time, the Rusted Shield Goddess wanted to see her only paladin being acknowledged.
"...I am a paladin of the Order of the Rusted Shield. Though I am not an incredible paladin as Mister Marcus said."
At that, Charlie lowered his voice and whispered.
"Still, your skills must be better than the seniors in my order, right? Isn't that so?"
"I don't know."
"I have ears too. I know that the skills of the paladins in our order are nothing special."
"There is no need to be swayed by rumors in the streets. Please take pride in the order you belong to."
"Rumors? I am a living witness. I became a paladin after only three months of training. If it weren't an order with over sixty seats, Sir Rob wouldn't have been able to hunt a magical beast either."
Rob was the name of the fat paladin who acted as the instructor for the paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray.
Anyway, there are occasionally people like Charlie who are thoroughly objective about themselves.
Instead of being swept this way and that, people who coldly look at themselves and set out to find a better path.
Charlie asked Elbridge again.
"Sir Elbridge. What should I do to become a more skilled paladin?"
"You just need to set a goal that is a tiny bit higher than others."
"What kind of goal would there be?"
"...How about trying to dodge a magical beast's attack?"
The paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray fought like Sir Rob, who had first shown them an example.
It meant that, knowing they would only suffer minor injuries even if attacked by a magical beast, they pushed forward with strength, trusting in their overwhelming power and holy power without even a thought of dodging the magical beast's attack.
As a result, even if they finished off the magical beast in an instant, they could not subdue it without taking damage.
"Dodge the attack... Alright. I'll give it a try."
Not even half a day had passed since then when it was finally Charlie's turn to hunt a magical beast.
The magical beast they discovered this time was one that resembled a deer. Its size was easily three or four times larger than a typical deer, and although it had no antlers, a pair of long fangs had grown.
Even though the length of those fangs looked to be almost a handspan, it did not feel particularly threatening. The problem must have been that its appearance resembled a deer.
Charlie muttered.
"It's a creature with no antlers and blunt hooves, so it will definitely attack with those fangs... I just need to dodge the fangs."
He didn't know if he only needed to be careful of the fangs, but it definitely seemed like he had to be most careful of the fangs. What other method would a deer without antlers or sharp claws use to attack Charlie?
Charlie muttered 'fangs, fangs...' several times, then finished his preparations to fight like his senior paladins.
"I offer these gold coins to the god!"
The gold coins disappeared like smoke, and a white haze rose from Charlie's body.
Charlie ran with all his might towards the magical beast.
Beast-type magical beasts whose mutation has not progressed for long retain the instincts of their past.
If they spot an animal running towards them, they naturally run away immediately or lower their posture and prepare to fight.
However, the magical beast Charlie faced now was different.
"Kkwaeek!"
The deer-like magical beast let out an unfitting shriek, then looked at Charlie with pitch-black eyes whose thoughts could not be fathomed.
And it began to run towards Charlie.
Elbridge looked at Charlie. Charlie's gaze was still fixed on the magical beast's fangs. He was surely aiming for the moment the deer magical beast opened its maw wide and tried to bite him.
However, the deer magical beast's behavior defied everyone's expectations.
Instead of opening its maw to bite Charlie, it just kept running towards Charlie without any countermeasure until the very last moment.
Even taking into account that it was a magical beast, it was a truly reckless action, but paradoxically, it worked quite well against Charlie.
Charlie, who had missed the timing to dodge the attack, likewise missed the timing to swing his weapon, and the timing to dodge to the side.
The deer magical beast and Charlie collided with a loud crash.
Kung!
The deer magical beast and Charlie were sent flying.
Charlie staggered to his feet, then struck the deer magical beast, which was still sprawling and stiff, with his iron club.
Kung, kung, kung!
As a result, Charlie subdued the deer magical beast.
However, the result was not very satisfactory. Putting aside how unsightly it was, Charlie's left arm was swollen to the point where anyone would feel it was strange.
Elbridge clicked his tongue. Tsk.
'...It's a fracture.'
The paladin acting as the instructor, Rob, approached Charlie and shouted angrily.
"Charlie! Why didn't you do as I taught you!"
"That... The magical beast's reaction was different from what I expected, so I missed the timing. I am sorry."
"Predicting a magical beast's reaction is meaningless! A magical beast is not an ordinary beast!"
Rob scolded Charlie for a long time after that, then approached the two knight-errants as if he had realized something.
"Charlie wouldn't have acted like that for no reason. You two there. Did you say something strange to Charlie?"
"Nothing in particular."
"I've seen Charlie hanging around you folks several times, though?"
"It is not a lie, so do not make hasty assumptions."
Rob glared at the two knight-errants, then soon approached Marcus as well.
"Then, was it you?"
Marcus, instead of saying it wasn't his fault, just mumbled. He showed absolutely no intention of saying it was Elbridge's fault.
In the end, Elbridge stepped forward.
"It was me."
"You?"
"I asked Sir Charlie how about trying to dodge the magical beast's attack. Sir Charlie tried to dodge that magical beast's attack, but the situation got tangled up and he got hurt."
Rob, with his molars clenched tight, glared at Elbridge with eyes full of anger.
'Is he planning to throw a punch or something?'
If it had been any other paladin, they might have done so. However, because Rob was a merchant before he was a paladin, he did not rashly solve problems between people with force.
"You said your name was Elbridge? I will clearly determine where the responsibility for this incident lies. In all likelihood, the pay intended for you will go towards Charlie's treatment costs, and if the treatment costs exceed five gold coins, you will be billed for it. If Charlie's family protests later, you will have to handle that yourself too."
The Goddess encouraged Elbridge.
- Elbridge. Do not pay attention to the words of such a fellow. Your Goddess does not need even a single drop of perfumed oil.
It was an encouraging story. But what was important right now was not the perfumed oil.
Elbridge said to Rob.
"I am sorry about that. But thinking long-term, it would be better to make a mistake and get hurt now."
"Ah. So you're saying I should be thankful that his arm got broken thanks to you? I've been letting it slide, but you're spouting nonsense..."
"It is a matter of the probability of survival. Developing the habit of fighting while dodging the opponent's attacks has a higher probability of survival than developing the habit of fighting in an incorrect way."
"You there. Are you saying the way I teach the paladins is wrong?"
Elbridge stared quietly at Rob, then answered calmly.
"That is correct."
Rob shouted angrily.
"Do you think I'm an idiot who doesn't think? If you can fight while dodging, everyone knows that's better! Even a three-year-old child knows! But it's not an easy path for the paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray to choose! If you've gained a hard body and strong power through holy power and divine authority, utilizing them surely is the way to produce the safest results!"
At first glance, it was a plausible argument. But Elbridge had to ask one more thing.
"Do you think it will be the same even in the moment you have to face a demon?"
"A demon, not even a magical beast? That won't happen, so don't interject presumptuously!"
Elbridge let out a deep sigh.
Because he finally realized that the upper echelons of the Order of the Golden Tray had not informed even their own paladins, let alone outsiders, of the information related to the demon.
"...I understand."
<><><>
After the argument between Rob and Elbridge, the atmosphere of the party noticeably sank.
The only fortunate thing was that, ending with Charlie, all five paladins had hunted one magical beast each.
The mission was more or less concluded, and now they just had to return to the Holy City Solenion.
Marcus stealthily approached Elbridge and nudged Elbridge's side with his elbow.
"Hey, Sir Elbridge. Don't let it bother you too much."
"It doesn't bother me."
"Playing innocent, are we. I'll share about two gold coins with you."
"...?"
"Last time when we fought the wolf magical beast, you saved my life once, didn't you? I can share about half of the pay for this mission."
It was an unexpected remark. Even though he had taken on a potentially dangerous mission because he was blinded by the pay, he was going to share the pay?
However, there was another part that bothered him more.
"If you're going to share half of the pay, shouldn't you give me two gold coins and ten silver coins?"
"Last time, I didn't run away and fought together with you, didn't I? Even though all I did was run over on a horse and fall off... Still, that must have been worth ten silver coins. Don't you think?"
Elbridge smiled without realizing it. Because he thought that the God of Sunshowers had a follower as unpredictable as himself.
"It's fine. Don't keep that matter in your heart."
"Are you saying I shouldn't even repay the person who saved my life?"
"If it bothers you, buy me a meal or something."
"A meal. Will just that be enough?"
"If you can afford it, it would be nice if you bought me a bottle of perfumed oil too."
"At first you said you didn't need anything, but what you ask for keeps increasing. Let's see how far it increases."
Elbridge and Marcus walked, chuckling.
Rob glared at Elbridge from time to time, but Elbridge did not care.
<><><>
While moving like that, the party's steps halted almost simultaneously.
"What is that?"
At the muttering of a paladin, Rob answered.
"It looks like a magical beast... To discover a magical beast without even the help of a guide. We're lucky."
It was the first avian-type magical beast the party had encountered. Its size was also smaller than other magical beasts. At best, it was a little smaller than an ordinary person.
However, since it had four red eyes on the left and right sides of its head, it was easy to tell that it was not an ordinary crow.
The instructor paladin, Rob, shouted.
"Now, who will hunt one more magical beast?"
The paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray scrambled to raise their hands. However, Elbridge's reaction was a little different.
Unlike the magical beasts he had encountered so far after waking up from the seal, no metallic sheen was visible on the feathers of that crow.
'It's not an enhancement type. What type is it? No. Whatever it is, it's not good all the same. Even more so since it looks like an entity capable of flight.'
What was even more ominous was its strangely small size.
In the early stages of magical beast transformation, the size naturally increases first. After passing the early stage, there are some that grow even larger and some that become smaller.
What was certain was that a magical beast with such a small physique was not in the early stages of magical beast transformation.
'Mid-stage? Late-stage? Or perhaps... No. I don't think it's that.'
It was not a time to leisurely finish his judgment. Elbridge spoke in a low voice so as not to provoke the magical beast.
"Do not approach. It is dangerous."
Although it was not a loud voice, all the paladins heard Elbridge's voice.
However, the instructor Rob let Elbridge's words go in one ear and out the other.
"Charlie is injured, so he should stay out. Who will step forward? Sir Abe? Or Sir Magnus?"
Elbridge spoke again.
"It is not a joke. It is dangerous. Step back."
From the beginning, the paladins of the Order of the Golden Tray were arrogant and did not listen carefully to the words of someone who was not a paladin of the same order. This was even more so after Charlie's arm was broken.
But the somewhat heterogeneous and ominous form of the crow, the sincerity contained in Elbridge's voice, and instinct made the paladins stop their feet.
The instructor Rob glared at Elbridge.
He was the instructor in charge of guiding the other paladins. A person who teaches must not lose authority in front of those who learn.
Let alone when the person who brought up such a story was Elbridge, who wasn't even a knight-errant.
A paladin who serves a minor god whose name he had never even heard of. A beggar who doesn't even have the money to prepare a suit of armor. The idiot who provided the excuse for Charlie's arm to be broken.
Therefore, Rob could not back down.
"If there is no one who is confident, I have no choice but to show an example once again. I offer these gold coins to the god!"
Rob scattered even more gold coins into the air than before, then began to run towards the crow. In his right hand, he held the familiar iron club.
"I said stop!"
Elbridge's voice grew louder, but Rob kicked off the ground even more fiercely.
The crow magical beast turned its head and looked at Rob.
Rob's eyes met the eight bright red eyes of the crow magical beast. For some reason, it sent a chill down his spine.
'It looks a little ominous, but... it still shows no sign of moving. Its body doesn't look tough either, so if I just hit it once—'
The distance between the crow and Rob was now barely thirty paces.
At that moment,
Kkaak—
The crow pecked at the empty air where there was nothing.
At the same time, half of Rob's vision disappeared.
"...Aaaaaagh!"
Following that, an excruciating pain felt in his left eye. His sense of distance twisted.
With his left eye squeezed shut, Rob looked at the crow with his right eye. The crow was holding an eyeball, from who knows where, in its beak.
However, the distance between Rob and the crow was still more than twenty paces.
The crow swallowed the eyeball it was holding, then looked at Rob again with its eight eyes.
Rob thought that crow was mocking him. That was closer to certainty than a guess or imagination.
Kkaak—
And the crow pecked at the empty air again.
The paladin Rob's world lost its light.
...Kudang-tang!
Rob rolled on the ground. The crow swallowed the second eyeball.
Rob, who struggled to his feet supporting himself on the ground with both hands, had sunken eye sockets, and blood was flowing from both orbits.
The paladins who had been waiting for Rob's performance, the two knight-errants, and even Marcus were shocked.
"Instructor!"
"M-my eyes! What happened!"
And Elbridge let out a deep sigh.
'...So it was a distortion type. This has become tiresome.'