Chapter 41: A Young Girl's Little Troubles
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 41: A Young Girl's Little Troubles
"Once this mission is over, I’m going to confess to him."
...
"Eluka! What are you dazing off for? Hurry up with the healing magic, I’m about to buckle!"
"Oh! Right!"
Eluka snapped back to reality, her wand waving as she poured a massive amount of mana into it.
"[Heal]!"
A brilliant magic circle formed in an instant. Life-giving energy coalesced into a streak of green light, surging into the body of the man clad in form-fitting armor.
"Hah!"
His strength restored, Rhode let out a thunderous shout. His blood-stained longsword erupted with sharp sword-qi as he slashed violently at the churning surface of the lake beneath his feet.
The water was torn open by the brute force, revealing the behemoth lurking in the depths.
It was a massive black fish, at least twenty meters long. Its body was covered in scales as hard as cold iron and hideous bone spikes. Its head was encased in a rigid exoskeleton, with a sharp single horn pointing toward the sky, possessing a chilling, macabre beauty.
This was an Overlord-class magical beast—the Lake Lord of Lake Bepol!
Looking at this terrifying creature, Eluka felt her legs go weak, even though she had been an adventurer for three years and had seen countless horrors.
I guess I really haven't adjusted to being an adventurer, have I?
Taking advantage of the gap between spells, Eluka twirled a lock of hair around her finger, her gaze complicated as she looked at the man standing at the front, locked in a constant clash with the Lake Lord.
Rhode.
His moniker was the "Iron-blooded Knight."
He had become an adventurer three years ago and, like a soaring dragon, had ascended to B-rank in just three short years. He was a genius.
In Belland, he was already somewhat famous.
And she, Eluka, was Rhode’s childhood sweetheart. She was also currently suffering through a one-sided crush on him.
I only became an adventurer because I liked him, yet I’m still so afraid...
I’ve been in love with him for eight years, but I don't even have the courage to confess. Am I just useless?
If I’m this useless, will Rhode hate me?
Will he think I’m not worthy of standing by his side?
What should I do...
Today, Eluka was once again mired in a young girl's little troubles.
However, her worries were far from over.
"Now!"
Having forced the Lake Lord out of the water, Rhode barked another command.
"Quick, attack with magic!"
"O-Okay!"
The stray thoughts were instantly banished from her mind. Instincts honed over three years took over as Eluka waved her wand and began her incantation.
"O Heavenly God who governs the ice and snow, please—"
"Explosion Magic!"
Someone was faster than her.
Beside Eluka, a female mage with striking features and a curvaceous figure—particularly a very large chest—seemed to have been ready for a long time. The moment Rhode spoke, she unleashed a powerful spell, skipping the incantation entirely.
Blazing firelight dispelled the darkness brought by the storm clouds. Terrifying heat evaporated a massive amount of lake water in an instant, simultaneously piercing through the Lake Lord’s hardened scales.
"Well done, Diya!"
Seeing the Lake Lord’s defense breached, Rhode looked delighted and shouted his praise. He seized the rare opportunity to plunge his longsword into the massive wound, which had been charred black by the heat.
"ROAR!"
The Lake Lord shrieked, struggling violently.
Lightning flashed, and the rain poured down in torrents.
But anyone could see that this fearsome Overlord-class beast was at its wit's end, merely making a final, desperate struggle.
Because Rhode’s sword was buried precisely in the Lake Lord’s heart.
Starting tomorrow, after slaying an Overlord-class beast, the reputation of the Iron-blooded Knight, Rhode, would surely reach new heights throughout Belland.
But Eluka wasn't particularly happy.
She stole a cautious glance at the female mage named Diya and muttered under her breath:
"He gives her a 'thank you,' but says nothing to me?"
It’s so unfair.
Just because I’m not good at offensive magic and can't help much in these situations?
But aren't I your childhood sweetheart?
"I’ve liked you for so long..."
Eluka took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing something churning deep within her heart.
"Die!"
On the other side, Rhode twisted his sword viciously, and the Lake Lord finally ceased its struggles.
Rhode pulled out his sword and let the Lake Lord sink. Crimson blood dyed the lake red before the massive fish corpse, belly-up, floated to the surface of the deep red water.
"Finally finished."
Rhode deactivated his Levitation Spell and landed on the Lake Lord’s corpse. As he exhaled in relief, he couldn't help but look triumphant.
After taking down this Overlord-class beast, his merit points would be enough to promote him to A-rank!
Once he reached A-rank, both his wealth and fame would see a massive boost!
It made the risk of taking this mission well worth it.
"You two did great."
Rhode looked up and laughed heartily at the two women.
"The magic was perfectly timed. Another day saved by the two of you."
"Oh... it was nothing..."
Eluka looked down at her toes, her face flushing with shyness.
"It’s because you’re so amazing, Rhode..."
—It seems he does care about me.
A trace of sweetness bloomed in Eluka’s heart.
"Ah, you’re bleeding."
Before she could savor that sweetness, Eluka heard Diya’s concerned voice beside her.
Diya flew to Rhode’s side, looking worriedly at a wound on his arm. It was a scratch from a bone spike during the battle.
"Haha, it’s just a scratch. It’s fine."
"It has to be treated immediately. What if it gets infected?"
Diya chided him playfully. She pulled out a scented handkerchief and meticulously wiped away the blood before bandaging the wound.
"Even if you’re always reckless, Rhode, you still need to take care of your body. Otherwise, you’ll make the people who care about you sad."
Rhode couldn't help but look moved. "Diya, you’re so kind. It’s great having a teammate like you..."
Diya’s cheeks reddened slightly. "Not at all, I’m just doing what I should. Besides, with Rhode around, I always feel so safe."
"..."
Watching the two of them acting all lovey-dovey, Eluka nearly snapped her wand in half.
Right in front of me, a healing mage, what kind of 'deep comrade bond' are you two playing at? If there’s a wound, just let me heal it! You remembered me just fine during the fight, didn't you?
And you, Diya—if you’re going to bandage him, just bandage him! Your chest is clearly rubbing against Rhode’s arm! Are you doing that on purpose? Are you showing off? Huh?!
"I wish something would just come along and punish this bitch," Eluka thought bitterly.
But it was only a thought.
After all, her image in front of Rhode had always been that of a soft, cute, and kind-hearted girl.
A kind girl shouldn't have wicked thoughts.
Yes, she shouldn't.
...
Is that so? Really?
...
"Huh? Did you hear a strange sound?"
Rhode, who had been enjoying the beautiful girl’s bandaging service, suddenly turned solemn and scanned the surroundings.
However, the torrential rain combined with the steam from the earlier Explosion Magic obstructed his vision. He could see nothing.
"Oh, don't move, I’m still bandaging," Diya complained.
"It must be your imagination, Rhode. The Lake Lord is already dead, isn't it? What strange sound could there be? It’s impossible for two Overlord-class beasts to appear at once. With their territorial instincts, they would have started fighting each other before we even arrived."