Chapter 24.1: Tair Bamon (1)

Blood poured out and the Orc King’s head that tumbled to the floor.

Watching its body collapse after losing its head, I removed the veil only then.

I let out a small sigh and met Asher’s eyes as she brushed off the blood on her sword. She bowed her head with a look of guilt.

“Sorry.”

“It’s fine.”

I was a bit surprised, but thanks to that, I could confirm the defense power of the floating veil.

Looking around, I saw the orcs who had lost their leader, wandering around in confusion.

There was no need to ask Asher to kill them because they soon scattered in all directions as if they were running away.

Even Orcs would have the intelligence to distinguish who would be annihilated if they attacked.

“Whew…”

The adventurers who were standing on the side watching the battle looked relieved.

Rodin was also getting up from his the ground, staggering as if he had picked himself up.

I told them;

“Now let’s go down.”

Finding this mystery was also eventful.

***

After coming down the mountain range and returning to the city, I paid the rest of the request money to the adventure group.

Rather, they stubbornly refused, saying that they did not have to receive it in the name of receiving grace, but a promise was a promise, so they were forced to accept it.

“Thank you very much, young master. I hope you have only glory on the road ahead.”

They thanked me with genuine respect in their eyes.

It was a natural reaction, given that I saved their leader’s life using a precious potion and even gave them such a huge amount of money.

However, thanks to them, I also successfully got an important defense-type mystery, so I didn’t think it was a waste.

And it was only a few hundred golds, anyway.

The money I took from my territory was dozens of platinum coins that I now have in my arms.

We left the city right after a day.

The boring carriage trip began again, and the next destination was the First Lord’s territory ruled by the Wiseman.

Thinking of the mysteries to be gained there, I blankly watched the scenery outside the wagon.

Then, out of habit, I turned my gaze to Asher, who was sitting across from me.

Her expression seemed weakly shadowed.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

At my words, Asher looked this way.

“Did you have any injuries sustained in battle?”

“No. Just…”

As she licked her lips, her expression became a little darker, she said.

“Lord Ron appointed me as an escort.”

“…”

“I made a mistake against the Orc King before, not finishing the battle properly.”

Was it like that again?

Something like this happened when we ran into Bellevagorah before.

Whether it was dealing with junk mobs or breaking down walls, she was actually helping me so much that I couldn’t do what I needed to do without her.

However, she was having a difficult time because she couldn’t stand up to the really powerful ones.

I said nothing about that, but her naïve personality was really…

It’s annoying.

But, it was also cute.

Compared to the first Asher, who seemed like I was facing a wall, this was a great improvement.

Didn’t the fact that she bring up such a story and have a conversation with me meant that her trust in me became deeper?

I was choosing what to say and then opened my mouth.

“I said that when I first met you, that I knew about your abilities.”

“Yes.”

“But it was more like talking about your potential, not your current abilities. I know your current limitations. I know what you can do and what you can’t.”

I continued talking to Asher, who was listening.

“The snake in the Rutus Mountains and the golem you met in the dungeon were all opponents you couldn’t handle, even with all your might. That’s why I’ve never been disappointed in you yet. Do you understand?”

“…”

“Of course, it was a mistake to miss the orc.”

She seemed to chew on what I said, then bowed her head.

I looked out the window again and watched the passing scenery.