110. I Couldn’t Abandon My Comrades, Even in Danger, Isn’t It?

Thanks to my making divine sake, the eight-headed Hydra came straight for me.

Knowing this, the Raidoc party braved the danger to come to Mina and me.

I was so grateful I almost cried.

Raidoc and Solar arrived first, followed by Bepp and Bardock, both out of breath.

Even the heavily armed Moda didn’t make it.

“Raidoc! Keep the Hydra away from my rear!”

“What!? …Got it!”

Raidoc’s puzzled face turned to realization, and he started diverting the Hydra away from Mina.

He’s amazing.

The Hydra’s head lunged towards Solal at high speed.

You’re big, stay put!

Solar dodged but couldn’t completely avoid it.

“[Rainbow Light Barrier]!!”

I quickly cast a defensive spell.

It didn’t fully block the Hydra, but it diverted its momentum just enough for Solar to slip away.

“Nice one, Craft!”

Magic regenerates naturally.

But I use it for defensive spells whenever I recover a bit, so I can’t build up enough for a big spell.

“…Bardock!”

Raidoc called out to Bardock, the party’s magician.

“Fall back! Join the others!”

“What! But!”

“You know it’s true! You’re a burden now!”

“…Grr!”

Raidock harshly pushed Bardock to leave.

I understood. Without those words, Bardock wouldn’t leave.

…I envied that a bit.

But Bardock’s magic was already spent.

If we could coordinate with the lizardmen or adventurers, he wouldn’t have used so much.

But with just five of us, there was no holding back.

Moreover, Bardock had no crest.

His magic recovery speed was significantly lower.

It was harsh, but a magician out of magic was a hindrance.

Unlike the old me, Bardock had fought well before retreating. He should be proud.

So I shouted.

“Bardock! Leave the rest to us! Join Eva and inform them! Stick to the plan! You’ll have some magic back by the time you catch up, right? Join us with the adventurers then!”

Bardock became a great magician without a crest.

I struggled with a poorly matched crest, and Bardock struggled without one. I understood his feelings deeply.

He’s not useless!

Maybe he heard my thoughts, as Bardock suddenly looked up.

“Right… I’ll relay the message! Hold out till then!”

“”Leave it to us!!””

Raidoc and I shouted together.

As Bardock ran, the Hydra’s head lunged at him.

“Ha! Predictable!”

Raidock read the Hydra’s move and slid under its head.

He positioned his sword and waited briefly.

Usually, this would leave him vulnerable, but the Hydra couldn’t change its direction.

“I’ve waited for this! Take this! [Flaming Rising Dragon Slash]!!”

Raidoc’s flaming sword slashed upward like a dragon rising to the sky.

I’d never seen such a powerful move!

It needed time to prepare, so he hadn’t used it before.

Maybe Bardock’s retreat created this opening.

Raidoc’s skill was incredible.

He didn’t cut the Hydra’s head off… but almost.

Its neck was barely connected.

Normally, that would be fatal, but this monster started regenerating rapidly.

“Damn!”

Raidoc tried to follow up, but other heads attacked relentlessly.

“One more hit!”

Raidoc cried out in frustration.

“Raidoc!”

We still had options!

The boost potion!

It’s rare and hard to make, so we only had two bottles.

It enhances physical abilities briefly but is tricky to use.

Now’s the time!

“Raidoc! Boost incoming! It’s brief, but can you do it!?”

He glanced at me with a defiant smile.

“Who do you think you’re talking to! Leave it to me!”

Right, he’s Raidoc, the ace of Golden Dawn!

Our eyes met. That was enough.

I threw the boost potion to an empty spot.

“What!?”

Solal, shooting arrows nearby, was shocked.

But it was fine.

Raidoc feinted and jumped sideways without looking at the potion.

He landed right where I threw it.

The potion shattered, covering Raidoc.

“Here I go! [Snowstorm Wild Slash]!”

Raidoc’s boosted speed let him dodge the Hydra’s heads and strike the regenerating neck.

Gyumogaaaaaaa!!!

The Hydra’s death cry echoed.

Its head flew off, its face filled with malice.

“Impressive, Raidoc!”

Raidoc briefly smiled before regaining his serious expression and readying his sword.

The boost potion’s effect had worn off.

“Stay alert! Five heads left!”

Of course!

The Hydra, furious, attacked recklessly.

Its movements were wild and powerful.

We were barely holding on!

Bepp, the priest, was also running low on magic from constant healing.

Raidoc’s injuries were outpacing the healing.

We were using healing potions too, but Bepp and I were running out of magic and couldn’t keep up.

To protect us, Raidoc was taking on more burden.

Finally, our line broke.

My magic ran out, and a Hydra head lunged at me.

I couldn’t defend without magic.

I prepared to detonate my magic bomb.

“Raidoc! I’ll create an opening! Finish it!”

One bomb might not kill it.

But Raidoc could strike if I created an opening.

One less head, and the rest could handle it. With that assurance, I stared defiantly at the incoming Hydra head.

“You fool! [Mighty Blow]!!”

Incredibly, Raidoc ran over and shoved me aside.

He took the full impact of the Hydra’s charge, flying high and spinning through the air.

“”Raidock!!””

Solal, Bepp, and I screamed.

This is bad!

He wouldn’t die from that, but he couldn’t fight either!

Knowing this, the Hydra ignored us and charged at Raidock.

“Damn it! Come here, you snake!”

Solar, Bepp, and I attacked, but our spells barely scratched it.

Raidoc crashed to the ground, rolling a great distance.

Normally, that would be fatal.

“Damn… it…”

But Raidoc wasn’t dead.

Using his sword as a crutch, he barely managed to rise.

He was covered in blood.

I wanted to use a healing potion, but he was too far!

The Hydra extended five heads towards Raidock.

Damn!

Even with divine sake, it moved that fast!

Unfair!

The Hydra was about to crush Raidock.

“[Steel Rose Prison]!”

Suddenly, a steel rose enveloped Raidoc.

“What!?”

The charging Hydra collided with the steel thorns, injuring itself and recoiling in pain.

The protective rose disappeared.

A powerful defensive spell.

Who could cast such a spell…?

“Sorry to keep you waiting.”

A broad-brimmed hat, a splendid cloak.

A seasoned staff.

Eva, the eldest of the Casper sisters.

A goddess!

I celebrated internally but quickly denied it.

“Raidoc-samaaaaa!!”

The “goddess” magician screamed, seeing Raidock’s injuries.

“I’ll heal you now. [Major Healing]”

Marilyn, the youngest sister, rushed to Raidoc, using advanced healing magic.

The goddess was Marilyn.

The middle sister, Camille, immediately backed up the three of us.

The Hydra, in pain, was recovering and about to attack again.

We had no means to attack!

Eva likely couldn’t cast a massive spell after that defense.

If only Van or Alphard were here for a follow-up!

Then, a voice echoed.

“Ha. Sorry to keep you waiting!”

I turned, hoping to see them.

It was Zaid, Kyle’s brother.

I screamed internally.

(We weren’t waiting for you!!)