98. If He’s Strong, Then He’s Very Welcome, Isn’t It?

Van, with a pure white, alabaster giant sword in hand, slowly steps towards the source of the battle sounds.

“Hey, Van. Aren’t you supposed to be Kyle’s bodyguard!? What are you doing joining the battle?”

“Right now, we have Craft, the three sisters, and Leafan. That’s more than enough.”

“That’s true, but…”

Van’s reasoning is sound, but the guy who swore to protect Kyle is diving into the front lines first?

“Hmph. The front line is where Raidoc is, this is the rear. Besides, Kyle would be sad if even one of his private soldiers died, right?”

“That’s true, but…”

“And, if I don’t show my strength, we won’t be able to coordinate well.”

Can’t argue with that.

I ponder a bit.

“Craft-kun!”

“Craft-san!”

It’s Leafan and the Casper sisters.

Good timing.

“Leafan. I’m counting on you, Eva, and Alphard to hold this position.”

“Huh? What about you, Craft-kun?”

“Van is joining the battle, so I’ll stay back and monitor.”

“You’re not participating in the battle, right?”

“From the start, I’ve been warned not to engage directly unless necessary.”

Before this expedition, everyone kept reminding me of that.

As an alchemist, I plan to focus on rear support.

“I want to see Van’s skills.”

“Got it. But don’t overdo it, okay?”

“No problem… by the way, where’s Jitaro?”

Jitaro, who came as Kyle’s bodyguard, is nowhere to be seen.

“He flew off towards the battle sounds earlier…”

“He’s so free!”

Well, his bow is reliable.

It’s a strong support for the private soldiers.

While we’re talking, Van quickly moves to the defense area.

“Alright, I’m counting on you!”

Leaving those words, I hurriedly move to a spot where I can oversee the defense area.

It’s close to the defense line, but within distance to rush to Kyle if needed.

A large number of hydras are swarming from the 10 o’clock direction of the campsite.

Kyle’s private soldiers are in formation, fully prepared to defend.

Alphard is commanding the defense.

“Listen! Not a single monster passes! No need to charge! If we hold the defense, the enemy will eventually fall! Don’t overextend! With your skills, this is an easy task!”

I see.

A strategy to reduce the enemy by focusing on defense without charging into the hydra swarm.

Kyle’s private soldiers have trained for monster subjugation, but this is their first real battle. Alphard’s method is practical and sturdy.

Van approaches Alphard.

“Alphard! Let me, Van, help you!”

“What!?”

“Am I not enough?”

“… No. Then please, stir up the enemy.”

“Ha ha ha! I’ll even annihilate them if needed!”

Impressive.

Claiming he can annihilate that many hydras.

“No, even if possible, don’t annihilate them. This is good training for Kyle’s private soldiers.”

“Then I’ll focus on the ones with many heads.”

“If possible, please do. But don’t overdo it, okay?”

“Understood!”

Van leaps from the defense line.

His giant sword roars.

“[Absolute Chanter]!!!”

With a sharp yell, a tremendous impact shakes the ground, and multiple hydras are blown to pieces.

“”Whoa!!””

The soldiers exclaim in awe.

“Fools! Don’t look away! Maintain formation! Focus, focus!”

“”Yes!!””

At Alphard’s reprimand, the soldiers hastily return their focus.

But I understand their feelings. Van is more amazing than expected.

“Hahaha! Time to go wild! [Whirlwind Phoenix Slash]!!”

Effortlessly executing a rare, high-power sword technique.

The power alone is surprising, but its intensity is even more so.

It’s a technique Raidoc loves to use, and Van’s execution rivals Raidoc’s power.

Matching the might of Golden Dawn’s strongest swordsman, Raidoc proves Van’s incredible skill.

The power of his technique matches Raidoc.

He seems to lack Raidoc’s mobility, but his defense appears high.

He seems to fight with high-powered defensive tactics.

“Oh!? I haven’t felt fatigued despite all this fighting!? The stamina potion is amazing! [Blizzard Slash]!!”

Seeing strong enemies being chopped to pieces is quite a spectacle.

And then, I notice something important.

Van’s left hand is slightly glowing.

That’s definitely emblem light.

Nobles wear gloves on their left hand upon reaching adulthood, and Van’s emblem light is so strong it seeps through.

It’s barely noticeable without farsight magic, but Alphard likely noticed.

Regular emblems don’t shine that brightly.

Van’s emblem is definitely a high-tier, colored one.

It’s like he’s venting daily stress, turning hydras into materials with a hint of frustration.

Yes. He’s strong.

No wonder he confidently declared he’d protect Kyle.

With this, I can trust Van to guard Kyle in emergencies.

Not that such a time will come.

“Hahaha! It’s exhilarating to unleash sword techniques! [Dominator’s Roar]!”

Van swings his giant sword gleefully.

“This is fun! [Divine Breath Sword]! [Celestial Purple Shadow Dance]! [Path of Conquest Charge]!”

Huge hydras are thrown into the air, shattered, and minced like toys.

These techniques are unheard of.

After completely crushing the hydra reinforcements, Van returns, smiling.

Alphard smirks.

“Too many kills.”

“Haha! I left enough for training!”

“I’ll thank you anyway.”

“Only ‘anyway’?”

“Should I complain?”

“Just kidding! I’m heading back to Kyle!”

Laughing, Van walks to Kyle’s carriage, and I hurry to join him.

“Old man!”

“Oh, Craft. Did you witness my prowess?”

“Yeah, you weren’t just talking.”

“Hahaha! You can start respecting and worshipping me now!”

“Not that far, but I’m relieved. You did it to show your strength to everyone, right?”

Van narrows his eyes.

“Oh?”

“Yeah. A sudden adventurer guarding Kyle directly. I trust you because of Professor Jabir’s recommendation, but others don’t.”

“Figured that out, huh?”

“I’m not that smart, but I’ve been an adventurer long enough to notice these things.”

“Experience as an adventurer, huh? Priceless.”

“You’re an adventurer too.”

“Hahaha! Right!”

I sigh deeply.

This old man is almost certainly a noble.

I was wary at first, but he doesn’t seem like a bad guy.

In fact, my gut tells me he’s a reliable ally.

But who exactly is this old man?

As I ponder, Alphard approaches.

“Craft, a moment.”

“What?”

“Bring out a barrel of liquor.”

“Liquor?”

“Yes. Allow the soldiers one cup each.”

“Got it. How many barrels?”

I have dozens stored, so I can provide as many as needed.

“One should be enough… but let’s line up ten to motivate them.”

“If you bring out too much, some might sneak extra drinks.”

“That’s fine. Those who can’t maintain pride as Kyle’s soldiers will be retrained.”

Alphard smirks mischievously.

Thinking he’s quite strict, I take out and line up the barrels.

“Alright! One cup per person!”

“””Whoa!!!”””

As soldiers gather eagerly, Alphard mutters.

“Those two left their posts without permission. I’ll squeeze them later.”

Oh, the marked ones look like former adventurers. Good luck to them.

As I think that, Van, first in line at the barrel, catches my eye.

“Since I performed well, I deserve a drink, right?”

“Van… this is probably cheap liquor that won’t suit your taste.”

Soldiers’ liquor is basic and cheap.

Not something to serve a noble like Van.

“Let’s see? Oh! It’s like water!”

“Van! The other soldiers are enjoying it! Get back to your post and protect Kyle without sleeping!”

“I will sleep! In shifts! But Craft is right. I’ll return obediently!”

Laughing, Van heads back to the carriage.

Kyle’s carriage is nearby, so it’s no big deal, but with such displayed strength, I hope he’ll properly protect Kyle.