Although Gazef was called the strongest warrior by the Re-Estize Kingdom and neighboring countries, even someone like him would face extreme danger when surrounded by dozens of expert magic casters skilled in 3rd-Tier Magic.
One should know that those who could use 3rd-Tier Magic were no pushovers.
Among adventurers, magic casters who could use 3rd-Tier Magic were at least of Platinum-rank or even Mithril, with only a single rank, Orichalcum, separating them from the highest rank, Adamantite.
While the gap wasn't small, it couldn't be considered vast either.
Even Adamantite Adventurers could easily rival Gazef or, at the very least, wouldn't fall far behind.
For example, someone like the leader of Blue Roses, who had already firmly stepped into the Realm of Heroes, was even better than an unarmed Gazef. But if she were being attacked by dozens of people equivalent to Mithril Adventurers, it would be challenging even for someone like her.
Gazef was no exception.
Had he been fully armed with the four treasures the Re-Estize Kingdom allowed him to use, he would have been confident of victory.
Among these treasures were 'Razor Edge', which could slice through enchanted armor like butter; 'Guardian Armor', crafted from adamantite metal to deflect fatal blows; 'Gauntlets of Endurance', which allowed the wearer to stay at full power without fatigue; and 'Amulet of Immortality', which provided continuous healing.
Unfortunately, this time, he hadn't brought even one, let alone all of them.
Why?
It was simply because the nobles who schemed against him had used the excuse that 'this is just reconnaissance, so there's no need to bring the kingdom's treasures to a mere border area' to prevent him from bringing them along.
In hindsight, it was clear they had intended to weaken Gazef to aid the actions of the Slane Theocracy.
As a result, for this mission, Gazef brought only the most basic equipment, along with a single magic item that could push him past his limits, helping him step into the Realm of Heroes.
Regrettably, while Gazef was still a powerful warrior, unmatched on the battlefield by anyone except those in the Realm of Heroes, what he faced now was one of the Six Scriptures of the Slane Theocracy. Even if it wasn't the most fearsome Black Scripture, it wasn't something he could take on alone.
As for the warriors he brought with him?
In the face of a group of elite magic casters skilled in 3rd-Tier Magic, their existence was almost useless.
"..."
Having understood his situation, Gazef fell silent, knowing it wasn't the time to worry about trivial matters.
"Warrior Captain."
Sensing the seriousness of the situation, Gazef's subordinates spoke up.
"Let's retreat, Warrior Captain."
"Yeah, the fake imperial knights are down anyway, so our mission's basically done. We can go back."
"Looks like the Sunlight Scripture hasn't noticed anything yet, so this is the perfect time to retreat."
"Once they catch on, it'll be a problem."
While the Sunlight Scripture was a unit specialized in exterminating demi-humans, they weren't adept at stealth or wilderness operations, so they probably hadn't realized what was happening in Carne Village yet.
However, once they did, it would be easy for them to surround the entire village with their magic-trained forces.
At that point, escape would be nearly impossible.
Gazef clearly understood the severity of the situation, but he couldn't just leave.
"If I leave, the village will definitely…" Gazef muttered with a deep frown.
Upon hearing this, Riezel spoke up.
"If you're worried something might happen to the villagers, there's no need." Riezel said casually. "I already promised them that I'd at least keep them alive."
At this, Gazef felt partly relieved but still anxious.
Riezel's willingness to protect Carne Village was naturally reassuring, but unfortunately, the opponent was not just anyone—it was the Sunlight Scripture, against which even he stood no chance.
Even though Riezel had entered the Realm of Heroes, facing off alone against such a skilled group of magic casters didn't seem promising.
If his departure led to this compassionate young hero, who had offered to help ordinary villagers, falling here, it wouldn't just be a shame but a tremendous loss, a loss for all humans.
Why?
It was because someone who had reached the Realm of Heroes at such a young age could very well bear the future of the entire human race.
In this world, unlike one where humans were the top race, they were among the lowest races. Humans lacked the physical advantages of non-human races and did not possess racial abilities like others.
In a world populated by many strong races, humans were so weak that they were forced to concentrate in the northwestern part of the continent, mostly surviving on the plains.
If it weren't for the fact that races with superior power and more advanced civilizations were often at odds with each other, and if history hadn't recorded countless deadly conflicts that decimated even the strongest race, humans, with their fragile lives, might have been wiped out long ago.
For this reason, someone like Riezel, young and full of potential, was undoubtedly the most valuable talent humanity had.
Simply put, they couldn't let anything happen to him.
"Sir Brynhart..." Gazef suddenly said, his expression growing more serious. "You mentioned just now that you're an adventurer, right?"
Riezel's eyebrows rose slightly as he picked up on the hint in Gazef's words.
Nevertheless, Riezel nodded in acknowledgment.
"Yeah, I'm an adventurer, though I've only just become one."
Following this, he took out a copper identification tag and placed it in front of Gazef.
Needless to say, this was proof of his status as an adventurer.
"If that's the case, would you be willing to accept my commission to team up with me?"
Gazef revealed his intention.
Yes, he intended to team up with Riezel.
If two people in the Realm of Heroes joined forces, they might have a way to drive back the Sunlight Scripture.
Moreover, with one being a warrior and the other a magic caster, they could easily split roles—one on the front line and the other in the rear.
As long as he could withstand the enemy's attacks, Riezel would be free to cast 5th-Tier Magic from the back, making it entirely possible to drive off dozens of elite human soldiers.
At Gazef's offer, Riezel gave a faint, amused smile.
"You know adventurers aren't supposed to get involved in conflicts between countries. Are you asking me to break the rules, Sir Warrior Captain?"
As an unofficial armed group, adventurers were often seen as a nuisance by those in power.
An armed group not under the control of any country, and a considerable one at that, it was easy to imagine how high-ranking officials focused on power would view them.
Because of this, to avoid being targeted or mistrusted by governments, the Adventurer's Guild had a rule prohibiting adventurers from getting involved in national affairs and forbidding them from participating in politics or military operations.
Gazef's situation was clearly a national affair—or more precisely, a dispute between countries.
Given that the Slane Theocracy aimed to eliminate the strongest figure of the Re-Estize Kingdom, who was the king's loyal retainer and bodyguard, this undoubtedly represented a clash between the two countries.
Considering this, from an adventurer's perspective, Gazef's commission was somewhat unreasonable.
Of course, Riezel was well aware that this rule was mostly unwritten.
"You're right, but the Adventurer's Guild also has some exemptions for high-ranking adventurers."
Gazef explained with a smile.
"An Adamantite Adventurer Group like Blue Roses has even helped the kingdom in operations to suppress crime. Various countries or private organizations also hire many high-ranking adventurers to work for them long-term."
In other words, even if an adventurer received a commission or quest directly from a client without going through the Adventurer's Guild, they could bypass certain rules.
Of course, this privilege only applied to high-ranking adventurers. If not the highest Adamantite, then at least Platinum or Mithril was required to operate in the guild's gray areas and bend the rules.
"Don't you see I'm still a Copper Adventurer?" Riezel casually reminded.
Upon hearing this, Gazef lifted his gaze, meeting Riezel's eyes with a sincere and determined look.
"No... in my eyes, someone like Sir Brynhart could never be just a Copper Adventurer but undoubtedly an Adamantite Adventurer."
Gazef immediately stood and gave Riezel a deep bow.
"Please, for the village and the kingdom, I implore you to accept my unreasonable request, Sir Brynhart."
""Please!""
Saying this in tandem, the warriors behind Gazef also bowed, earnestly pleading with Riezel.
Riezel glanced at these strong warriors who pleaded desperately for the people and their homeland, his gaze softening slightly.
He understood that neither Gazef nor these warriors were pleading out of fear of death.
Gazef was worried about the village's safety, about Riezel's possible fate, and feared that he might no longer be able to serve the kingdom.
On the other hand, the warriors worried for their captain's safety and feared that without the protection of the kingdom's strongest warrior, the kingdom would struggle against the Baharuth Empire and the Slane Theocracy.
Despite the kingdom's many flaws and corruption, they still wanted to serve the people and protect their homeland.
Understanding this, Riezel's lips curved slightly into a faint smile.
'Since coming to this world, I've finally met some decent people...'
With such a thought, Riezel slowly stood.
"All right..."
Riezel spoke calmly, looking at Gazef with a serene expression.
"Fight me once."
"Let me see your strength, see how strong the kingdom's strongest warrior really is."
"After that, I'll decide whether to accept your commission."
"How?"
Upon hearing this, Gazef was momentarily stunned but soon broke into a fierce grin.
"I'd be honored, Sir Brynhart."