Chapter 77
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 77
Chapter Title: Alliance Party (3)
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"Ateur, what the hell are you talking about?"
The one throwing cold water on Ateur's sudden challenge for a spar was his own teammate, Makvels.
"What do you mean? He's the guy who handled vanguard duties in the Fastest Hero Mabel Party! Any real man wants to test himself against a true powerhouse!"
"Haa..."
"Heh heh heh, Ateur's always brimming with spirit."
Kalt understood why Ateur was mouthing off to him like that.
'He wants to show off a cool side to impress Scarlet.'
Unfortunately, as far as Kalt knew, Scarlet wasn't the type to get all fluttery over something like that.
Instead of flashy displays, the real way to win her over was praising her strengths.
"Sure, a friendly spar before we hunt those orcs sounds fine."
"That's the spirit!"
Ateur clenched his fist triumphantly and flashed a toothy grin as Kalt accepted.
He stole quick glances at Scarlet.
He wondered if she found him dashing—boldly challenging a veteran far more experienced without backing down.
Of course, Scarlet thought:
'Kalt really jumps at anything unnecessary.'
She had zero interest in Ateur.
The Nellis Party and Ateur Party halted their wagons near the orc spawn point and dismounted.
Before heading into the prime orc territory, Kalt honored Ateur's request for a match.
"Give it your all, Kalt!"
"Y-Yeah, do your best, Kalt!"
"Make it quick."
"Thanks."
Nellis and Aria cheered Kalt on, while Scarlet urged him to hurry.
"Hey, don't get hurt, Ateur! We've still got orcs to hunt!"
"May this be a valuable lesson, Ateur."
"I'll show you my might!"
Makvels fretted over future troubles, and Takeshin wished for Ateur's growth.
Kalt and Ateur faced off.
Ateur bounced on his toes, fists clenched.
"Watch yourself, Kalt! One bad hit from these fists, and you'll be begging that nun over there for mercy!"
'Nice! Charging a veteran with intimidation to seize the initiative—how's that? Impressed?'
Ateur delivered what he thought was a badass line.
'What an ignorant fool. Total idiot.'
It fell completely flat with Scarlet.
Shing!
Kalt drew his sword.
"I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got. Come at me."
"You'll be shocked!"
Ateur activated his Blessing, boosting his leg strength, and charged at Kalt.
'F-Fast!'
Nellis was impressed by Ateur's speed.
By normal standards, his rush was impressively quick.
'Hm, decent speed.'
But Kalt had spent his days syncing with the Fastest Hero Mabel—bearer of Acceleration's Blessing—as her vanguard, moving at high speeds routinely.
'Instant burst with the Blessing. But he's only thinking one strike ahead, no follow-up.'
From Ateur's form, speed, and blatantly readable expression, Kalt instantly spotted his flaws.
"Haaap!"
Ateur wasn't letting his guard down.
He knew anyone from Mabel's Party who handled vanguard had to be way stronger.
Still, confident in his own strength, he figured he could at least land one good hit even if he lost.
And that punch, brimming with such bravado...
Whoosh!
"Huh?!"
...Sliced through empty air.
He swore it connected, but Kalt vanished from in front of him.
As Ateur's fist grazed close, Kalt sidestepped smoothly and advanced.
He casually hooked Ateur's leg.
"Gah!"
Ateur sprawled face-first into the dirt. Kalt pressed his sword to Ateur's throat.
"Shall we call the spar here? Orcs won't hunt themselves."
"...Y-Yeah."
Ateur felt ashamed—not just that Kalt was far better than expected, but that he'd shown such a pathetic, anticlimactic flop instead of anything impressive.
'Damn...!'
"Phew, no major injuries."
"Heh heh, you're incredibly fast, Kalt."
"Ooh, as expected of Kalt! So cool!"
"Good work."
"Well, obvious outcome."
Kalt sheathed his sword and offered Ateur a hand.
"Up you go."
Even embarrassed, Ateur didn't slap it away.
Instead:
"H-Hey."
"What is it, Ateur?"
"It was a spar, but you beat me, Kalt! So drop the formal talk! Got it?"
Being spoken to politely by someone stronger made his skin crawl, so Ateur demanded casual speech.
Kalt, who'd dealt with plenty like him in Mabel's Party, accepted without hesitation.
"Gotcha."
"...You adapt fast."
"Seen a lot of warriors like you, Ateur. Anyway... time for some advice."
"Advice?"
"I'll point out what to watch from that spar. Listen up."
"...Alright. Lay it on me."
Ateur, hungry to grow stronger, perked up.
"First off, the acceleration was good. Most monsters couldn't dodge it. You know that much."
"Yeah. Never failed me yet."
"Figured. Your charge oozed confidence. But that's why it lacked follow-through. You leaned too far forward, assuming it'd land no matter what. Hard to brake like that."
"Brake..."
"For example... watch."
Kalt demonstrated Ateur's stance, explaining the braking issue with motion.
Then he showed the correct form, highlighting possible moves and advantages.
"Keep this stance in fights. Easier to stop, and you can survey around you."
"Ah, got it!"
The advice was surprisingly thorough, convincing, and easy to grasp. Ateur felt dazed.
Until now, he'd relied purely on his Blessing and instincts.
Heroes were generally stronger than average adventurers thanks to Blessings, so no one had ever guided him.
Kalt's instruction felt fresh.
He even felt a twinge of guilt for his petty rivalry over Scarlet.
Meanwhile, Makvels from Ateur's Party watched Kalt advise his teammate.
'A true senior. Even with Ateur acting cocky, he gives kind, detailed pointers. No wonder he was from the most promising Mabel Party.'
Takeshin beside him nodded approvingly.
'Heh heh, this'll be a great lesson for Ateur. But why would someone like Kalt leave his old party for a new one...? Hm, personal matters—pointless to dwell.'
The Nellis Party had their own thoughts watching Kalt teach patiently.
'That's Kalt for you! So strong! ...Ah, gotta remember that. Don't lean too far forward.'
Nellis admired him and memorized the tips.
'Isn't he being too nice? Or is he like this with everyone?'
Scarlet felt a flicker of annoyance.
'That's Kalt's real kind self... Last night's harshness was just his wounded heart twisting him... I-I just need to accept his pain. Y-Yeah, that's it!'
Aria desperately defended Kalt in her mind, recalling yesterday.
Finished advising, Kalt addressed the group.
"Alright, let's go hunt those orcs."
The alliance moved out: Nellis and Ateur up front, Kalt in the middle, then Scarlet, Makvels, Aria, and Takeshin bringing up the rear.
As they walked, Nellis asked:
"Kalt, what should we watch for in an alliance fight?"
"Good question, Nellis. With bigger numbers than usual, widen your spacing and set a clear order."
"Spacing?"
"I've heard how you fight, but syncing in real combat takes time to grasp."
"True... probably."
"Against weaklings like solo-able orcs, vanguards can go alone, right? Lead vanguards scout each other's moves and gauge distances first."
Kalt glanced back.
"Backliners—especially ranged mages and divine casters—watch closely too. Time your cover fire to vanguard movements. Tunnel-visioning your usual party's timing and hitting an allied vanguard is a common alliance mistake."
The four behind nodded at Kalt's advice.
"Good. Vanguards sync first, then match with backline timing."
Plan set, the alliance pressed on.
-Snort! Snort!
Soon, they encountered four orcs.
