105. I Will Absolutely Protect My Family, Isn’t It?

 

“Jabil-sensei, it’s Craft. If you’re okay, please use telepathy.”

 

After finishing my contact with Raidoc, I immediately reached out to Jabil-sensei.

 

She responded right away.

 

[Oh, it’s you. I’ve been waiting.]

 

As she replied, her vision was shared with me.

 

Though it was still milky white, I could see Kyle, Alphard, and Van.

 

“Good, you seem to be safe.”

 

[Indeed. It was a close call, but the adventurers led by Raidoc arrived and distracted the Hydra, allowing us to escape.]

 

I breathed a sigh of relief.

 

As expected, Raidoc is reliable.

 

[However, we completely lost our bearings in this mist. We’re currently camping.]

 

“I heard from Raidoc.”

 

[Is Myrna-sama safe?]

 

“Yes, she’s with me.”

 

Though she could see through my eyes, saying it out loud reassured her.

 

[Wait a moment.]

 

Jabil-sensei called out to Kyle.

 

[Kyle-sama, I’m connected to Craft now. Do you have any messages for him?]

 

At her words, Kyle’s face lit up, and he rushed over.

 

[Thank goodness! You’re safe, Brother Craft! How is Myrna?]

 

“She’s fine, not a scratch on her.”

 

Jabil-sensei relayed my words immediately.

 

It would be easier to communicate directly with Kyle, but it would consume a lot of my magic, so I’ll let her handle it.

 

[I’m relieved.]

 

Kyle’s tense expression visibly relaxed.

 

“So, Kyle, what do you plan to do now?”

 

[We’re divided on whether to retreat or fight. Both options carry risks.]

 

“True.”

 

If Kyle and his group retreat, Myrna, Raidoc, and I would be cornered.

 

Well, Raidoc’s team might be able to force their way through, but if we defeat the Hydra, we could all regroup.

 

Both options have pros and cons.

 

[I asked Raidoc to scout the Hydra. We plan to make a decision after seeing the situation.]

 

“That sounds reasonable. It’s best not to rush in this mist.”

 

Kyle seems to be commanding well. As expected of my brother.

 

[Brother Craft, it would help if you could discuss with Raidoc and give your opinion.]

 

“Of course.”

 

After exchanging some information, we decided to assess the Hydra’s situation before concluding the communication.

 

“I’m glad, Myrna. Kyle is safe, and all the soldiers are unharmed.”

 

“…Yeah.”

 

Relieved, Myrna leaned against me.

 

I covered her with my robe and patted her head.

 

“Now, I need to contact Raidoc.”

 

“Mm.”

 

I channeled magic into the communication ring. It’s convenient but consumes a lot of magic, so I can’t use it recklessly.

 

Especially now, when anything could happen. I gave all my mana potions to Eva.

 

“Raidoc, connect if you can.”

 

[Perfect timing, Craft. Can you see my view?]

 

“Yes.”

 

Raidoc’s vision appeared in my mind.

 

He and Sorarl were hiding in the bushes, and I could see the enormous Hydra in the distance.

 

Usually, a Hydra would be an easy target for Raidoc, but this one was different.

 

Its size and aura matched that of a dragon.

 

“Why isn’t it moving through the camp?”

 

[Look closely at one of its heads.]

 

I squinted (though it didn’t help) and observed carefully.

 

“Is it scavenging for abandoned food?”

 

The Hydra was in the area where Myrna and I had prepared meals.

 

It seemed to be scavenging for food, but the barrel it was sticking its head into…

 

“Is it alcohol?”

 

[That’s right. That Hydra has been sticking its head in that barrel.]

 

“Some monsters like alcohol, but I didn’t know Hydras were among them.”

 

A shocking revelation.

 

Raidoc nodded.

 

[Maybe Hydras occasionally attack human villages for the alcohol.]

 

“It’s possible.”

 

The village where Leafan lived was destroyed by a horde of Hydras.

 

We assumed it was a stampede, but perhaps they were after the alcohol. Dwarves and gnomes are known to love alcohol.

 

It’s pointless to think about it now.

 

“Still, that Hydra is drinking the alcohol thoroughly.”

 

[It buys us time, but what do we do?]

 

He was asking whether to fight or have Kyle retreat.

 

“If the mist clears, we could all scatter and flee…”

 

[It’s like that Hydra brought the mist. Also, it ate the black plant.]

 

“What?”

 

The mysterious plant that dragons and cockatrices eat regularly!

 

[We’ll discuss that later. I just wanted to warn you that it’s a dangerous opponent.]

 

“Got it.”

 

The mystery of the black plant was intriguing, but the priority now was dealing with the Hydra.

 

“I need to think a bit. I’ll cut the connection to save magic. I’ll contact you later.”

 

[Understood. I’ll observe a bit longer before returning to my unit.]

 

“Alright.”

 

I ended the telepathy with Raidoc. Discovering the Hydra’s actions was significant.

 

But alcohol, huh… Could we use a strong sedative on it?

 

Fight or retreat.

 

Retreating seems riskier in the current situation.

 

Ideally, we should aim to defeat it, but that Hydra is powerful.

 

If we fight, the location and preparation are crucial.

 

We had extensive training and preparation for dragon battles, but this is Hydra territory.

 

And we aren’t prepared for such a formidable opponent.

 

We need a decisive plan if we decide to fight.

 

As I pondered, Myrna tugged on my cloak.

 

“…Ah, I was thinking about what to do with Raidoc. Sorry for being silent.”

 

When I patted Myrna’s head, her expression softened a bit.

 

She must be anxious. Right now, I’m the only one she can rely on, so I need to be more considerate.

 

I should talk to her to ease her mind.

 

Looking around for something interesting to say, all I saw was the dense fog like spilled milk.

 

So, I ended up blurting out without thinking.

 

“…It’s like a witch’s forest from a fairy tale.”

 

That was careless of me.

 

Myrna flinched and twisted her face at my words.

 

“Witch… forest… can’t go… back… hic.”

 

And then, like a dam breaking, she started crying big, heavy tears.

 

“Ah! Sorry! That’s not what I meant! It’s okay! I’ll definitely take care of everything!”

 

I’m such an idiot!

 

How could I make her feel anxious?

 

“Protect…?”

 

Myrna looked up at me with a hopeful gaze.

 

“Yes! I’ll protect you and Kyle! I promise! So please don’t cry!”

 

“…”

 

Myrna sobbed but slowly calmed down as she clung to me.

 

“Sorry for making you anxious. We’ll handle this mist and that Hydra!”

 

It was partly a bluff, but with such reliable companions, I had an inexplicable confidence that we could manage.

 

She must have sensed my sincerity. Myrna gradually calmed down.

 

“…Always?”

 

She murmured softly.

 

“Yes! I’ll always protect you!”

 

When I declared it firmly, Myrna nodded slowly.

 

“…Mm.”

 

She seemed to have overcome her anxiety.

 

But the tears still didn’t stop.

 

“So please stop crying…”

 

Gently, I wiped the tears from her cheeks with my fingers.

 

With my left hand.

 

Her tears fell onto the Twilight Alchemist’s Crest.

 

At that moment.

 

Suddenly, knowledge flowed from the crest like an electric shock.

 

“What!?”

 

“…?”

 

Amidst the new knowledge from the crest’s whisper, I felt a slight dizziness, but that didn’t matter.

 

What mattered was Myrna’s tears.

 

To confirm the knowledge, I appraised her tears.

 

Holy Maiden’s Tears.

 

That was the name of Myrna’s tears.