Chapter 56 Watchdog Cerberus
{TL: By Creed}
"This one...!?"
Twisted fangs and three heads.
As large as a horse, with considerable strength.
An A-rank monster, Cerberus.
Its attacks with twisted fangs and three heads are troublesome...
Furthermore, it spits fire, adding to its multiple attacks.
It's quite a formidable opponent...
"But, with my current strength!"
Thanks to training from Sofia, I was able to gain some confidence.
It might have been a coincidence, but I was able to defeat an S-rank Fenrir.
So, taking on one Cerberus...
"Grrrr...!"
"Grr!"
"Gua!"
"...Huh?"
Furthermore, three more Cerberuses appeared from the depths.
And it didn't stop there...
Four, five, six...
An uncountable number appeared.
"Woah, isn't this a bit...!?"
"Fate, focus on defense! Licorice, stay by Fate's side!"
"R-Right!"
Licorice hurriedly flew over and landed on my head.
Wait, is that the designated safe spot...?
"Now, go Fate! Protect me!"
"Mm... It's my duty to protect you gently, but..."
I'm glad she's jealous, but could she pick a better time and place?
"Graaaaah!!!"
"Ugh!"
The Cerberus lunged with its three heads.
Its strength and size are nothing compared to Fenrir's...
But with three heads, its attacks are irregular.
Furthermore, it occasionally spits fire.
It's quite a challenging opponent, and I find myself struggling.
"Go there! Right, right! Left! Straight ahead!"
"Um..."
"Now! Use your ultimate... you know... that move!"
"Anything will do..."
With Licorice making a fuss on my head, there's no sense of urgency.
But...
Thanks to that, I could fight my first formidable opponent without feeling nervous and at my own pace.
In a way, I'm grateful to Licorice.
"Grrrrr!!!"
"There!"
With a frustrated demeanor, the Cerberus charged with all its might.
It probably intended to knock me down using its large size and power.
But that was a mistake.
Using the Cerberus's own strength, I redirected it...
And slammed it headfirst into the ground, executing a throw.
The Cerberus's scream echoed...
Before it could regain its footing, I severed all three heads.
"Phew... we made it. Are you alright, Licorice?"
"I-I-I'm f-f-fine! I'm not injured, and there's no way I'd be scared over something like this!"
"Um... Sorry for scaring you."
"I said I'm not scared!?"
Let's not mention the fact that she's trembling.
"Sofia..."
"Hah!!!"
After Sofia swung her sword... or at least, it seemed like she did, the Cerberus was cleaved in two.
Or at least, that's what it looked like since it happened so fast.
If she's handling the Cerberus like that, there doesn't seem to be any need to worry.
Truly, she's the Sword Saint...
"Watch out!"
"Huh?"
The last one was about to attack Sofia from a blind spot.
Before I could even think, my body moved, shielding her.
"Ugh!?"
I felt the sharp pain as it sank its teeth into my arm.
"Fate!? How dare... a mere monster!!!"
Sofia, enraged, swung her sword...
In an instant, the Cerberus was shredded into pieces.
And yet, I wasn't caught in the attack.
Her swordsmanship is still as incredible as ever.
"Phew... Sofia, are you hurt?"
"That's my line! Oh, there's so much blood..."
"I'm fine. I have a high pain tolerance."
"That's not the point! Sure, Fate saved me... but I can't bear the thought of you getting hurt because of me! I absolutely won't allow it!"
Sofia had tears in her eyes.
She must have been really worried.
"Sofia... I'm sorry for making you worry. But, I feel the same way. I can't stand seeing you hurt either. So, when I realized it, my body just moved... I might still be unreliable for now. But, I promise, I'll protect you, Sofia."
"Um... Th-that's..."
"Sofia?"
"I-I mean... if you say things like that, how can I stay mad? And, um... Fate's feelings... make me really happy. Thank you... I still, I love you."
"Uh, yeah..."
Sofia's sweet words made me forget the pain and feel embarrassed.
"Alright, alright, save the lovey-dovey stuff for later."
"Licorice?"
"First things first, we need to treat that. Come on, give me your hand."
"Okay."
"There we go."
As Licorice waved her hand, the injury slowly healed.
I've received treatment from her before, but her power is incredible.
"That's magic, right?"
"Yes, it is. The super-genius beauty Licorice-chan is also well-versed in magic."
"I see. Magic is amazing."
"...Fate, do you prefer magic over swords?"
"Nah, I think I prefer swords? It suits my nature, and... most importantly, because I'm with Sofia."
"Fate... really, you're going to make me melt. What are you plotting, making me feel this way? Pervert."
"Huh? M-me? I'm not..."
"...Good grief, these lovebirds."
Licorice sighed as if exasperated.
TL Note: Was Fate hurt for the first time? A quiz for the readers.
Doesn't he get hurt all the time?
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