Chapter 46 Unexpected
{TL: By Creed}
"Gah, why is that guy here!?"
Anyway, while keeping a distance from the monsters, Licorice made a grimace.
"Do you know about it? I don't know about this monster..."
"It's a superior specimen of Rafflesia, an SS-rank Zephyranthes. It possesses power surpassing Rafflesia in every aspect. It's what you would call a rare species."
"I see."
Though it resembles Rafflesia...
A humanoid body sprouts from a giant flower.
It has no eyes but has a nose and mouth.
It emits a screeching sound like glass rubbing against each other...
Instead of hair, numerous vines grow, wriggling eerily.
This is the rare species.
An SS-rank monster, Zephyranthes...
The pressure is incredible.
Not as much as Sofia, but I feel a fighting spirit similar to hers.
That's the kind of opponent we're dealing with.
"This is bad, seriously bad... why do we have to deal with a disaster-like creature? Wasn't it supposed to be Rafflesia?"
"Is it really that bad?"
"Of course! If an S-rank can destroy a city on its own, it's said that an SS-rank can annihilate a small country on its own. It has that much combat power!"
"So... a genuine monster, in other words."
Can I be honest?"
"What?"
"We have zero chance of winning."
"..."
"We're done here. We were able to confront something like an S-rank that could destroy a city on its own, and an SS-rank is said to require several hundred adventurers of that level for subjugation to deal with. There's no way we can win!"
"But we can't run away, can we?"
"That's..."
"Then, I want to struggle as much as I can. Even if we can't defeat it, if we resist, Sofia might come to help."
"Oh... t-that's right. If it's the Sword Saint, Zephyranthes might not be an opponent... Alright! Fate, do your best to buy us some time!"
"You suddenly became energetic."
"I'm just putting on a brave front. Honestly, I'm really scared."
Licorice trembled slightly.
"If Fate goes down, I'll be done too. So, do your best."
"It's okay. I'll show you that I won't be defeated until Licorice escapes."
"...Wait a minute. Are you planning to sacrifice yourself to let me escape?"
"Well... if possible, I don't want to do that."
But, the opponent is an SS-rank. It's unknown territory for me.
I was able to defeat Fenrir last time...
However, Zephyranthes is a rank above that.
Just one rank higher makes a considerable level difference.
It's probably going to be difficult to win.
I plan to buy time, but whether I can sustain it for long is another question.
If that's the case, I should guide Licorice to a safe place now...
"Don't underestimate me."
"Ouch!"
My cheek was pinched firmly.
Licorice is small, so she doesn't have much strength...
But she pinched me in a rotating motion, and it hurt quite a bit.
"I'm Fate's companion. I won't abandon my comrades."
"Licorice..."
"Even if it's an unexpectedly strong opponent, even if I might die, I'll stay with you. Besides, it'll be tough without my support, right?"
"Well, that's true... but, is it okay?"
"Don't make me say it twice."
"...Yeah, thank you."
I've decided to protect this small friend no matter what happens.
With that determination, I tightly grip the hilt of the snow crystal sword.
"Alright, let's go!"
――――――――――
"Fate, are you okay...?"
As she prepared for interception, Sofia gazed into the distant sky.
Fate is currently heading towards the Queen.
Since he possesses extraordinary power, there should be no need to worry if he's facing Rafflesia...
However, Sofia still feels anxious.
Is he injured?
Has he been poisoned?
Even knowing there shouldn't be a problem, she still worries. That's the nature of a maiden's heart.
"I told him to retreat if it gets dangerous... but knowing Fate, he might push himself."
It's a concern.
She's worried.
Nevertheless, now that actions have been set in motion, there's nothing she can do. She must trust Fate and fulfill her own role. That, too, is the duty of a fine woman.
"Hey there, how are you feeling?"
Cliff greeted her.
Despite the impending decisive battle, his demeanor remained unchanged.
As the Guild Master, does he always maintain composure?
Or is it simply that he's carefree, and it's not a big deal?
Sofia decided to lean towards the latter.
Due to his predecessor, she fundamentally doesn't believe in the Guild or Guild Masters.
"I don't have any problems. I'm in perfect condition to confront the monsters."
"I see. Indeed, reaching the realm of the Sword Saint at your age is quite something. You're reliable."
"The Guild isn't reliable. Naturally, I had to gain strength myself."
"Ah... I feel really sorry about that. I want to do something about it, but, well, things aren't going smoothly. Sudden reforms tend to create distortions somewhere, but at the same time, bold reforms... Sorry, sorry. It turned into a confusing conversation, didn't it?"
"Sigh..."
He might be a confusing man, but perhaps he's not a villain.
Sofia made that judgment and lowered her guard slightly.
"So, what brings you here? You didn't just come to check on us, did you?"
"You're sharp. Actually, there's something I'd like to ask. Could you encourage the other adventurers?"
"Encourage them?"
"The veteran force is a bit scarce. Most of them haven't experienced a Stampede. Unfortunately, many are hesitating. To those individuals..."
"You want the Sword Saint to motivate them?"
"Exactly. Can you do it?"
"Well... I have no choice."
Though being treated as a spectacle is annoying, Sofia understands what leaders should do.
Sometimes, you have to guide and take the lead.
To be honest, aside from Fate, she doesn't care about anything else.
Still, she won't be cold enough to abandon fellow adventurers, comrades.
"Everyone, please listen."
Sofia moved in front of the gathered adventurers and began to address them.
Her voice wasn't particularly loud, but with its clear and resounding tone, everyone stopped talking and looked at her.
"From now on, we will face an uncountable number of monsters. The approximate count is around five thousand. Considering the adventurers and guards gathered here, we have about two hundred in total. That means each of us would have to slay about twenty-five monsters."
"..."
Though Sofia spoke calmly, the adventurers and guards clouded their faces at those despairing numbers.
Slaying twenty-five monsters alone is not something that can be done easily.
Even for veterans, it's challenging to resist the sheer quantity.
Fatigue will accumulate, and the sharpness of their swords will be dulled by the blood of the monsters.
Confronted with the despairing situation they must face, everyone fell silent.
However, without minding that, Sofia continued speaking.
"Don't you think it sounds like an easy task...?"
"Wha..."
It was an outrageous claim.
If it's the Sword Saint Sofia, it may indeed be an easy task.
However, they didn't want to be talked about as if she the Sword Saint was the standard for average.
Although adventurers and guards resisted such a self-centered statement...
But from the next words from Sofia, their resistance vanished in an instant.
"By slaying just twenty-five monsters, we can protect our loved ones."
"Ah..."
"Family. Or perhaps, comrades. Friends. Or lovers. The people living in this city... homes, animals, nature... We can protect all of them by slaying just twenty-five monsters."
"..."
"Just slaying twenty-five monsters. That's all we need to do. Isn't it incredibly simple?"
Sofia drew her sword in front of everyone, lifting it up.
"My sword doesn't seek wealth, fame, or status. It only seeks those who are precious. With this hand, I want to protect them. What about all of you? Why do you fight? Why face the disaster known as Stampede? Think about it once again."
"..."
"And if you've reaffirmed the reason you fight, then take up your swords. Let's show this horde of monsters trying to trample our city that we're here. We, who understand the heart, won't lose. Now..."
She shouted strongly.
"Let's defeat the monsters together!!!"
"Yeaaaaahhh!!!"
The enthusiastic voices of adventurers and guards echoed.
Their fighting spirit reached its peak, and no one showed any sign of fear.
Seeing them, Sofia felt relieved.
With this, they should be able to exert tenfold strength and fight to their hearts' content.
They can overcome the Stampede.
... At least, that's what she believed at that moment.
TL Note: Sofia's speech was good but it looks like Fate will finally face a wall.
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