114. Counterattack Is Used In One Fell Swoop, Isn’t It?

The five simultaneous attacks targeting Hydra’s Kyle happened in an instant.

Raidoc, Van, and the others, each dealing with a head, quickly noticed Kyle’s situation and focused their fire on the last head.

Even the Hydra, now with only four remaining heads, pulled them back to its body.

Zaid fell to the ground with a thud.

But only his upper body—his lower half seemed to have been swallowed by the Hydra.

(This is… hopeless)

He seemed barely alive, but half his body was eaten. Even if there were some Heal Potions left, they could only prolong his life a bit.

If his lower half were still there, he might have been saved, but…

Even Marilyn or Bep’s recovery spells wouldn’t help.

Actually, there is a way to heal Zaid.

Using an Elixir made from Mina’s Tears would probably work.

But that’s really for emergencies, specifically for Kyle or Mina.

No matter what Kyle says, I won’t use it.

“Nii-san! Zaid-niisan!”

Kyle clings to Zaid, crying.

Even though he was such a brother, he must have been truly important.

“Craft-niisama! Use a potion! Use a Heal Potion!”

Kyle pleads desperately, but I shake my head.

All the potions were washed away by the Hydra’s water attack, and even if they weren’t, it would be useless.

“Kyle, unless his lower half is intact, it’s impossible.”

“But… but! He’s still alive! He’s breathing!”

Kyle cries and pleads, but there’s nothing I can do.

I never thought the first casualty would be Zaid.

Even his private soldiers were all rescued.

When I shake my head again, Kyle’s expression contorts.

Seeing that expression, I begin to waver about giving him the Elixir.

Kyle suddenly looks up as if realizing something.

“…!”

Kyle stands up abruptly and runs to Van, who is watching out for the Hydra nearby.

“Please! Give me the medicine… the Universal Elixir! Van… no! Your Majesty!”

Kyle bows deeply to Van.

Huh? Did he say Your Majesty?

Your Majesty… the king?

“Eh… Eeeeh!?”

My surprised shout echoed through the turbulent sky.

◆

Van glances at Kyle and Zaid.

“Kyle, do you want me to save such a brother?”

“Yes! He is an important family member to me! Please… please show mercy!”

Van exhales softly.

“…Ensure the success of this marshland development. This is an advance payment.”

“Your Majesty!”

Van, referred to as Your Majesty, pulls out a small bottle from his pocket and tosses it to Kyle casually.

The bottle Kyle catches is indeed the Universal Elixir we offered to the King through the Marquis.

“…Seriously?”

“Craft.”

“Wh-what!?”

Van reacts to my muttered surprise, and I raise my voice in an awkward manner.

“Right now, I am Van the Adventurer, nothing more, nothing less. No need to be formal.”

He smiles wryly at me.

“Oh! I see! Van the Adventurer!”

“That’s right! Now focus on protecting Kyle and defeating that monster!”

“Got it!”

Indeed, I have no leeway to treat him as a king, so I’ll take his word for it.

I saw Dr. Jabir holding his head out of the corner of my eye.

Since he himself allowed it, it’s fine, Doctor!

While Van and I are bantering, Kyle applies the Elixir to Zaid’s torso.

Then, bones, internal organs, muscles, and skin regenerate at an astonishing speed.

“W-wow.”

“…Incredible. I never thought I’d see its effects in such a way.”

“Van, didn’t you verify the medicine?”

“I couldn’t just use such a precious item. It was verified through all possible means, so I knew it was genuine.”

“That’s true.”

Looking at Zaid again, it seems his body has completely regenerated.

Kyle hurriedly covers Zaid with his cloak.

“Ugh…”

Zaid immediately holds his head and sits up. The Elixir is truly amazing.

“Nii-san!”

“…Kyle? Where is this?”

Zaid looks around.

Did he hit his head?

No, it was more than just his head.

“Nii-san, don’t you remember? This is the marshland, and we are fighting the eight-headed Hydra.”

“What?”

Zaid looks at Raidoc and the others fighting the Hydra with a shocked expression.

“I remember… My unit went to exterminate the Hydra, and during the retreat, you all rescued us…”

He mutters, but something seems off.

“Kyle! Why did you come to such a place!? You’re frail! …No… you’re no longer sick… but why did I avoid you?”

Zaid starts holding his head with both hands.

Hey, wait a minute.

“Zaid… sama! Isn’t that too harsh!? You’ve always treated Kyle as a nuisance!”

I couldn’t help but yell at him.

I’ll never forget!

You sent Kyle to dangerous frontier lands, envied his achievements, and started this reckless hunt!

“That’s nonsense! Why would I… treat my beloved little brother that way…”

Zaid reflexively yells back at me, but his voice gradually fades.

“Why… why did I… resent Kyle…?”

“Hey… you.”

Dr. Jabir comes over and puts his hand on my shoulder, standing on tiptoe.

“Wait a moment. Zaid, did you think Kyle was a nuisance?”

“No! …No, but… why? I certainly… did terrible things to Kyle…”

“Hmm.”

Dr. Jabir closes his eyes in silence for a while.

“I missed it…”

It seems the doctor realized something.

“Doctor! What’s happening!?”

“Craft, do you remember the effects of the Elixir?”

“Uh? Yeah, I remember.”

“Try reciting them.”

“O-okay… The Universal Elixir heals any illness or injury as long as the person is not dead. It’s a topical medicine, and it’s delicious when eaten.”

“There’s one more thing.”

“Uh? Oh, and it also cures moderate curses.”

My thoughts freeze for a moment.

“Ah… Aaaaah!?”

“That’s right. The Elixir also cures moderate curses.”

“S-so that means!?”

“Almost certainly. Zaid was cursed. Probably Kyle as well.”

“What!?”

“No wonder no treatment worked. But…”

The doctor falls into deep thought again.

Is there still more?

“That’s enough for now. We have something to do.”

“Indeed.”

With fewer Hydra heads, Raidoc and the others are managing to hold it off, but it can’t be left for long.

Suddenly, Van pulls out a large pendant from his chest and starts muttering something to it.

…Wait!

That glow… Orichalcum!?

“Alright.”

Van puts the pendant back in his chest and raises his sword.

“Listen! We are now going to slay this giant Hydra! Do not fear! Our chance is now!”

“Van?”

Indeed, the Hydra’s heads have decreased, but considering its rage, it doesn’t seem that weakened.

“Don’t worry! I’ll create an opening in the Hydra!”

Saying this, he takes out a potion bottle I’ve seen before and throws it to Raidoc.

“What’s this!?”

“That’s!”

Raidoc and I both exclaim.

The potion Raidoc catches is…

“Slur liquor!?”

“What?”

Not only Raidoc and I, but even the Hydra pauses for a moment.

And then, the Hydra, which had been trying to attack Kyle, suddenly focuses on Raidoc.

“Hey!?”

The Hydra seems to go for any liquor!

“Raidoc, drink it quickly! It’s a strengthening potion! And its duration is much longer than the ones I make!”

“O-okay!”

With the support of the adventurers, Raidoc manages to drink the Slur liquor.

“…Delicious!”

GYOORAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!

The Hydra roars in fury.

And even more enraged than before, it begins attacking Raidoc relentlessly.

You’re too much of a drinker!

“Oops.”

Van mutters as if this was unexpected.

“Hey! Van! Is this your secret plan!?”

“Well… I didn’t expect concentrated fire. Hahaha!”

“Is this the time to laugh!?”

I yell, and Van smirks at me.

“Who said I had only one trick up my sleeve?”

“Huh?”

Just as I respond stupidly, a giant fireball suddenly descends on the Hydra.

“What!? What’s happening!?”

Looking up at the sky, I see a wyvern flying.

“You’re late, Orthros!”

It seems Kyle’s father has arrived.

What’s going on!?