112. The One I Was Really Waiting For Was Him, Isn’t It?

The lake’s water was flipped over and poured out.

That was the impression when we were attacked by the Hydra.

A massive surge of water came crashing down, sweeping away everything on the ground.

“Mogagaga!”

“Gabobabe!”

“Gobogabubo!”

Thanks to Eva’s defensive magic, the force of the water was barely contained, but the packed soldiers and adventurers were churned by the water, creating chaos.

…It might be handy if laundry could be washed like this.

Although it felt like we were being stirred for a long time, the water attack probably subsided in just a few minutes.

The high-rank adventurers who moved first started identifying those who couldn’t move.

“Gah! Gah! Gah!”

“Over here! Someone’s not breathing!”

“That soldier too! Where are the priests?”

“This one’s hit his head too! Bep!”

“No good! There aren’t enough priests!”

The recovery priests and mages were overwhelmed with treatment.

In such a situation, the giant dome-shaped thorn that protected us vanished.

Gyaoooo!

The Hydra, noticing we hadn’t decreased at all, let out a furious roar.

Raidoc clicked his tongue and gave instructions to the adventurers.

“Those who can move, form a defense line! Use every means to keep those heads away! Protect those who can’t move!”

“””Yes!!!”””

The high-rank adventurers responded immediately. They would buy us some time for the rescue.

But the healing potions were washed away, and they don’t work on suffocation anyway. What do we do!?

“Leave it to us!”

The ones who moved next after Raidoc were the Lizardmen.

It seems they were slow to get up not because of suffocation but because they were dizzy.

Jurara led the effort to save the suffocating soldiers and adventurers.

“Blow air into their mouths! If that doesn’t work, press hard on their chest! Don’t press their stomachs!”

Shururu was giving instructions to the humans.

Forcibly blowing air into their mouths, a method I had never seen before, was extremely effective, and the adventurers and soldiers were getting up one after another, coughing.

Since they were all skilled, as long as they could breathe, their vitality would take care of the rest.

“There’s such a method?”

As expected of a race living by the water. They are reassuring!

As I looked around to help, I saw Eva lying down.

Her whole body was drenched, oddly seductive…

No, no, no!

She overexerted herself, so it’s no surprise even someone of her rank might swallow some water.

Watching Jurara and Shururu, I confirmed the method.

First, blow air strongly into the lungs, mouth-to-mouth…

Mouth-to-mouth… No, no, no!

This is a medical act!

It’s for saving lives!

I looked for her sisters Camille and Marilyn, but Camille was with Raidoc at the front, and Marilyn was also helping with the front-line recovery.

If only Rifa were here!

“This… this is for treatment!”

For some reason, with a strange tone, I slowly brought my face closer to Eva.

Her clothes clung to her skin, highlighting the shape of her chest!

Is she the type who looks slimmer in clothes!?

My vision wandered, focusing on unnecessary things.

I must hurry!

I shook my head, slapped my cheeks, and psyched myself up.

Just blow air into her lungs!

Throwing away any impure thoughts, I mimicked Jurara’s method. First, pinch the jaw to secure the airway?

I moved my face closer to cover Eva’s mouth!

Then!

I felt her faint breath tickle my neck.

Gyaa!

It’s ticklish!

“Ah, Craft-san”

While I was agonizing inside, Bepp, who was treating someone a little distance away, called out awkwardly.

“Eva-san just fainted from magic depletion.”

“…Huh?”

I looked blankly, alternating between Bep and Eva.

“Craft-san. First, check if there’s spontaneous breathing.”

Bepp advised me with a slight smile.

Oh nooooo!

Embarrassinggggg!

◆

Thanks to Jurara’s Lizardman squad, we managed to regroup, but the situation had worsened.

Most of Zaid’s 300 soldiers could no longer move.

Once water enters the lungs, this is normal.

Unlike adventurers, whose physical abilities are far beyond normal.

Though not as capable as adventurers, their coordination and quick response to orders were excellent, functioning well as rear guards for me and Zaid.

When the massive Hydra’s heads attacked us, the sight of 300 spears was enough to make even the Hydra wary.

During that time, adventurers would strike back and drive it away.

But now, without the shield of the rear guard, they became more of a hindrance.

However, I couldn’t blame them.

They had undoubtedly protected us beyond their limits.

“Hey! You lot! What are you sitting around for!? Stand up! Get up!”

Zaid shouted energetically.

(This guy… he’s surprisingly tough.)

Compared to adventurers, he’s far inferior, but seems more capable than average soldiers.

A man who seemed to be the chief soldier desperately appealed to Zaid, but wasn’t getting much response.

“The adventurers have already returned to the frontlines!”

“Zaid-sama! Those who almost drowned can’t move so quickly!”

“You are moving, aren’t you!”

“I am… the chief soldier, after all!”

I started to feel sorry for the chief soldier.

This world cruelly differentiates the strong from the weak.

Comparing to the excellent adventurers of Golden Dawn, like Raidoc and the others, is unfair.

“If you lot can’t move, the frontlines will collapse!”

“Ugh…”

Zaid’s words were unreasonable, but not wrong.

If the soldiers dropped out, we would be slowly defeated.

This is bad…

Thanks to Raidoc’s efforts, we hadn’t lost anyone yet, but at this rate, we were facing inevitable annihilation.

“Damn it…! We need… we need more power!”

I couldn’t help but shout to the sky.

If only we had more strength, or at least more magic power!

As I was on the verge of despair, a clear voice echoed from the path the Hydra had created.

“[Gather under the brilliance of my sword]!”

The voice resonated so loudly that it was hard to believe the speaker was far away.

Upon hearing those words, I felt strength returning to my body.

“A support spell?”

Looking around, the soldiers who had collapsed were beginning to stand, albeit confused.

A collective support spell… no, this is a similar technique!

“You’ve held on well! Raidoc!”

The one who shouted and leaped in was a large, red-haired man, swinging a massive white sword as tall as himself.

Of course, it was Van Vain.

He launched a technique at one of the Hydra’s heads that Raidoc was holding off.

“[Divine Breath Sword]!”

A very powerful blow, inflicting a severe wound on the Hydra. However, it wasn’t as strong as Raidoc’s major attacks, failing to kill it, and the remaining four heads interfered with the follow-up, allowing it to heal itself.

However, this movement allowed the frontline group to regroup, and thanks to Van’s support technique, the rear guard was also getting back on their feet.

The problem was, if Van was here, then…

“Van! Where’s Kyle!?”

“Over there! Rear guard, regroup! I’m retreating with you!”

I saw Kyle’s main force forming up in the distance, and felt a bit relieved.

It seemed Van would just deliver one blow and then return to guard Kyle with us.

I wanted Kyle to retreat, but his personality wouldn’t let him abandon Myrna.

Maybe it’s naive, but that’s one of Kyle’s good points.

“Van! Make the rendezvous point behind us!”

I pointed to the large tree where Myrna was hiding.

“Got it! We’ll regroup with Kyle first, then move together!”

Van noticed the dumbfounded Zaid.

“What are you dawdling for, Zaid! Quickly gather your troops!”

“What!?”

Zaid’s eyes widened at being ordered by the suddenly appearing red-haired man.

“You! Do you know who I am!? I’m Zaid Gandal Veilroad, the second son of Viscount Veil Road—”

“And do you know who I am!?”

Van roared.

“What? …Huh?”

Zaid’s face turned pale.

Ha!

Van is probably a high-ranking noble, likely a lord. Serves him right.

“No time for debate! Move, Zaid!”

“Y-yes!”

Zaid turned and began issuing orders to his subordinates.

“Everyone, move out!”

No longer a burden to Raidoc and the others, we entrusted them with the Hydra and headed to rejoin the main force.

Upon reaching the main camp, we were immediately escorted to the center.

Kyle, who was waiting, showed a joyful expression.

“Craft-niisama!”

“Kyle!”

Kyle, running over, noticed Zaid following Van.

“Zaid-niisan, you’re safe too!”

“…Kyle?”

Zaid looked flustered at Kyle’s face for some reason.

“Long time no see…!”

As Kyle carelessly approached, Zaid initially showed signs of welcoming him, but then suddenly grimaced.

“Hmph! So you survived!”

“Brother…”

Kyle looked sad, but something seemed off about Zaid.

However, my main concern was Myrna.

“Kyle! Sorry to ask right after you’ve arrived, but we need to meet up with Myrna who’s hiding!”

“Yes! Give me your instructions, brother!”

I looked around.

Not just Van, but Kyle’s personal guard led by Alphard and even Leafan were present.

“Alright! We’ll break through to Raidoc!”

Even if we took a detour, it would be useless against the fast-moving Hydra in the wetlands. Splitting our forces would be more dangerous.

We’ll assist Raidoc and breakthrough here!

“You’re reckless… but I’ll protect Lord Kyle! Do your thing!”

Alphard, who hadn’t had his turn, thumped his chest.

“…Don’t say I didn’t have my turn.”

“Sorry.”

Time to rescue the princess!