Chapter 23: Demons Rising [3]
There's a common story that often appears in plays.
When the protagonist is in danger, problems simultaneously occur all around them.
At the same time, helpers who could assist the protagonist disappear, so the protagonist must solve the problem alone with their own strength.
It's absurd that such clichéd situations happen in reality too, but anyway, the situation was racing toward chaos as written in the prophecy book.
"We should leave this place quickly and leave it to the professors and instructors."
Luina was right.
The professors and instructors were originally stationed throughout the area in preparation for such unexpected incidents.
They would somehow resolve the situation, even if it took some time. Of course, there would be some casualties in the process, but that wasn't something the two of them needed to worry about.
"No, we won't do that."
But that wasn't what Gerhard wanted.
"We're going in there."
"Are you crazy?"
"Hardly."
This is what he came to see. This is why he specifically brought Luina along, to prepare for this situation.
"The monsters in the northwestern region are only limited to certain types. Their level isn't even that high."
This was because the western part of the northern mountain region was a field for lower-grade students.
"Even if they're berserk, would they really be a match for us? With you and me here?"
"...Did you perhaps anticipate this and bring me along?"
Unnecessarily sharp.
"Don't say such nonsense. How could anyone predict this?"
"That's true."
"The spirit medicine is not far from here. Are you asking me to give it up? Even after I promised you compensation?"
"...Given how things have turned out, you can cancel it."
"No, I can't miss the spirit medicine."
He shook his head firmly.
"Is spirit medicine more important than life?"
"You're making me repeat myself like a parrot. How would our lives be in danger when I'm not weak and you're here?"
Right after Aint defeated Veriana who challenged him and knocked her unconscious, a large-scale berserk outbreak of monsters caused by demons occurred.
While professors and instructors were running around trying to resolve the berserk situation, Veriana, who received power from a demon, pursued him.
And Aint Armian struggled against an opponent he couldn't handle, continued to struggle, and eventually awakened.
He absolutely had to see with his own eyes the moment Aint Armian first confronted the demon, which could be considered the most important scene in the prophecy book.
To get the final confirmation about the prophecy book.
"If you won't go, I'll go alone. Go back. Let's forget about our agreement."
Gerhard walked away without even listening to Luina's answer.
Luina stared blankly at his back.
"...What's so special about this spirit medicine?"
Of course, it wasn't that it wasn't valuable. But no matter how precious the spirit medicine was, could it be worth one's life?
Luina simply couldn't understand Gerhard.
"If you tell me to go, do you think I can't go?"
Gerhard wasn't that weak. And since he knew how to fill his gaps using artifacts, even with monsters going berserk, there shouldn't be a major disaster.
...Probably.
"..."
Luina took a deep breath.
If she left him now and he died, she felt she might never sleep soundly again.
"Wait!"
She bit her lip tightly and followed after Gerhard.
***
"Didn't you tell me to go alone?"
"I never said such a thing."
Luina strode ahead, cutting a path. Since there wasn't a proper path in the dense forest, it was more efficient for her to take the lead.
"We really must just gather the spirit medicine and leave immediately."
"Are you helping me?"
"Do I need to say it again with my own mouth?"
"Right. I'll make sure to do that. As soon as we gather the spirit medicine, we'll leave."
"Which direction should we go?"
Hmm. After briefly checking the map to confirm their location, Gerhard pointed west.
At that moment, Luina stopped walking. Her hand gripping the sword tightened.
Not far away, there was a student fleeing from a group of monsters.
"Help me! Instructor! Instructor!"
His figure, being chased by dozens of monsters, looked quite precarious.
"Do you want to help him?"
"If we leave him like that, he'll die."
"We mustn't be discovered."
"But..."
Gerhard checked the map again.
"There's no instructor nearby, but there's a decent reinforcement. He'll be saved soon."
"Reinforcement?"
At that moment.
─!
A dark blue sword light sliced through the sky.
The group of monsters chasing their prey was split in half, and scraps of flesh flew up.
"Get behind me!"
With a short shout, the sword light flashed again. Each time the sword pierced through space, a monster inevitably fell.
"Balrosi...!"
The student who received help hid behind the man's back. The battle ended as quickly as it had made the chase scene look insignificant.
That's how extreme the level difference felt.
"Thanks, Balrosi."
"It's only natural."
"...Ah, but..."
The student hesitated, belatedly realizing the purpose of the midterm exam. But Balrosi shook his head.
"I have no intention of pursuing grades in this situation. I'm thinking of finding the instructors. Let's go together."
"Is that okay?"
"Yes."