Chapter 44: The Roar and the Holy Dew Leaf

CRASH!

A deafening crash erupted before them, shattering the earth and gouging out a crater, which was instantly stained with a pool of blood.

Helene watched as a heavily armored figure appeared overhead. They kicked away several demonic wolves that had launched into the air.

Then, with both hands, they seized the heads of two wolves, dragging them down. They stomped heavily onto a demonic wolf that had just broken through the ice wall and lunged forward.

With a brutal force, the armored figure smashed the two captured wolves’ heads together. Blood splattered across the ground, and their armored hands were quickly stained crimson.

In a mere second or two, all the attacking demonic wolves were vanquished, and the scent of blood once again permeated the air.

***

‘In the eyes of these three, my appearance must have been quite a spectacle,’ I mused.

‘Thankfully, I finally made it. But I’m so exhausted, a little dizzy. I’ve used Instant Acceleration three times in a row, and the strain on my body and mind is immense.’

“The… the Armored Man!?”

“Mori…”

“…Mr. Mori!” Seeing me return, Helene immediately rushed over and hugged me tightly. “You’re finally back! I knew you’d come!”

“…”

It seemed there was no time for rest. Observing the three of them, it was clear they were no longer fit for combat. A swift victory was the only option.

Before, the enemy was hidden, and I feared attracting more foes, so I dared not overuse the ‘Prism’s’ abilities. Now that things had come to this, I cast all caution aside.

“Get down,” I instructed, lightly tapping Helene’s head with the back of my hand.

“Huh?”

“Come to my feet, lie down, cover your ears, and close your eyes.”

“…Yes!”

Helene nodded, released my waist, and complied, crouching on the ground as I instructed. The other two, initially stunned, instinctively came to my side and lay down as well.

My sudden descent earlier had clearly intimidated the demonic wolves. Now, they merely watched me, emitting low growls, unwilling to launch an attack so easily.

I immediately flipped open the armor on the back of my hand and input a command into the ‘Prism’ inside.

[468]

[000]

Closing the armor, I spread my feet wide, braced my legs firmly, and vigilantly observed the demonic wolves’ movements, slowly awaiting the ‘Prism’s’ full charge.

“Grrr…”

They only growled at me, hesitant to act recklessly. It seemed these demonic wolves had witnessed my earlier combat, and combined with my recent surprise attack, they were finally taking my strength seriously.

However, their newfound caution, whether from this moment or earlier, was largely futile. Beyond their speed, strength, and desperate hunting instincts, their most significant threat was their sheer numbers.

But when quantity ceased to be meaningful, or rather, when the advantage of numbers crumbled on a spiritual level, the threat itself vanished.

“Hiss—”

I took a deep breath, my lungs expanding, my chest muscles pressing against the armor. The charge was nearing completion.

[FULL CHARGE]

The charge was complete, and the three people beside me had already covered their ears.

Then…

“GRAAAAH————!”

In an instant, with a furious roar, I expelled the air from my lungs. It was as if a dense blast of gas exploded from my body, shattering the ice wall, shaking the air in the forest, stirring waves on the lake, and causing the very earth to tremble. A terrifying bellow reverberated through everything around me.

A shockwave slammed outward, expanding like an unyielding wall. It struck the demonic wolves, sending all targets in the vicinity flying.

Those that hit tree trunks were instantly crushed, spewing large gouts of blood. Those that encountered no obstacles either tumbled along the ground or soared through branches into the sky. In a single moment, all the demonic wolves were annihilated.

Whether they were B-rank or A-rank dangerous species, faced with such pure, unadulterated power and lacking any defensive measures, they could only be utterly destroyed.

“…”

After the roar, everything around us fell silent. Not even loose dirt or fallen leaves settled near us. Only the swaying branches, the shimmering lake, and the ground, which had begun to crack in an outward circle, remained.

However…

“Oh-oh-oh-oh…”

Zale, still sprawled on the ground, trembled uncontrollably, emitting strange sounds from his mouth.

“What in the world was that…”

Karen tried to stand, supporting herself with one hand on her knee, but lost her balance and slipped. I quickly bent down, extending one armored hand to cushion her abdomen.

“Ugh… thank you…”

Still somewhat shaken, the quick-witted ranger she had been moments ago now appeared much more fragile. She leaned on my arm, slowly rising, taking several seconds to steady herself.

As for Helene…

“…Amazing.”

She stood up on her own. Compared to the other two, she was much calmer. Or perhaps, she hadn’t been startled at all, her eyes shining as she gazed at me.

The difference was astounding. I couldn’t help but admire her, and also wonder if she was truly the same delicate mage from earlier.

[468] was a command for a highly intimidating roar, and with a full charge, its power should have been terrifying. Indeed it was, yet this Black Iron-rank adventurer was completely unharmed.

Perhaps her spirit was far stronger than I imagined, or perhaps it was her trust in her companion? Regardless, it was truly admirable.

Now, the demonic wolves were dealt with. After such a roar, any monsters or beasts nearby should be too terrified to attack again. I only hoped there were no S-rank dangerous species here.

“Where did you go earlier?” Helene asked anxiously.

“…” I didn’t answer, unsure how to explain.

“This guy was just cursing you for deserting us,” Karen said, lightly kicking Zale’s shin, having recovered her composure.

“That wasn’t… it was a misunderstanding…” Zale protested.

“Which just proves you’re an idiot.”

“…Tch!”

He still seemed somewhat disgruntled but didn’t outright deny it.

“He went to hunt the humanoid wolf-kin earlier.”

Just then, Angela and Vinya approached, their swords in hand.

“Your… Your Majesty!”

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Seeing the Queen approach, Zale hastily bowed. Helene and Karen, however, were much calmer.

“Rise. That roar just now, was it yours?”

“…” I nodded.

“Such a powerful deterrent… Indeed, you are a truly exceptional warrior.”

“Your Majesty… she actually…”

“Huh?! A… a warrior?! The Armored Man, he…”

Hearing the Queen praise me, all three displayed varying degrees of surprise.

Right. The ‘Holy War Rose,’ renowned for her severity, had never praised any soldier in any setting (at least as far as I knew). And now, she was praising an unknown Pebble-rank novice. For these three Black Iron-rank adventurers, it must have been an earth-shattering event.

“Are you truly not considering joining my ranks? With your abilities, ascending to Silver-rank would be effortless.”

“Sil-sil-silver-rank?!” Zale seemed unable to believe his ears.

“Silver-rank… For Her Majesty to praise you so highly, Mori, you truly are no ordinary person.”

“…”

Karen and Helene looked at me with astonishment, but I simply stared at Angela with a blank expression. Beside her, Vinya averted her gaze, biting her lip, still somewhat unwilling to accept it.

I understood that feeling, watching her mother lavish praise on a complete stranger.

However…

“I’m not interested.”

I replied casually, then turned and walked away. In any case, we were temporarily safe. There was no more time to waste. I had to find the Holy Dew Leaf quickly. I only hoped my roar hadn’t blown away what might be the only existing Holy Dew Leaf.

“Wait a moment.”

I hadn’t taken two steps before Helene called out to me.

“?”

“Here… for you.”

Helene lifted her cloak and pulled a small bottle from her waist pouch, handing it to me. It contained clear water, and submerged within were three Holy Dew Leaves.

Each leaf was about the length of a palm, with a slender, tender stem. The stem had been snapped in the middle, and the broken end was placed in the water.

At the top, it branched into three large leaves, each with only a single prominent central vein and no branching veins. A tiny, barely visible seed rested at the very tip of the stem, within a small bud.

‘So this is the legendary herb said to cure all ailments?’ I thought, observing it firsthand. ‘It’s quite beautiful.’

“We found them before the attack. You need these, don’t you?”

“…” I didn’t answer, instead looking at the other two.

“If you need them, take them,” Karen said.

“Hey! Wait a…”

“You’ve saved our lives twice now. Do you have an objection?”

“…Tch.”

After Karen’s remark, Zale dared not speak further.

I remembered they also needed Holy Dew Leaves, perhaps for some emergency requiring its healing properties. I wasn’t a benevolent saint, merely an ordinary father. Since they agreed, I wouldn’t be polite.

I reached into my armor, pulled out a small bottle, and went to the lakeside to collect some water. The deep blue lake water turned crystal clear as it entered the bottle.

Returning to Helene, I took one Holy Dew Leaf from her bottle and placed it into mine. Then, I took out a small cloth bag to wrap the bottle and the Holy Dew Leaf, tucking it inside my armor through the collar opening, securing the bag in a gap in the armor.

From beginning to end, I never removed my helmet.

“Thanks.”

I uttered a simple, direct thanks, bowed slightly, and immediately turned to leave.

“Please wait!”

But Helene gripped my hand, preventing me from leaving.

“…I’m sorry!”

She apologized, then released my hand, seemingly realizing her action was quite rude to someone she had just met. I had heard I resembled her brother. Could she have mistaken me for him in the heat of the moment?

“…What is it?”

Seeing her flushed face, her head bowed in shame, her lips bitten, and her eyes averted in such a shy, awkward manner, I couldn’t bring myself to remain silent.

“Um… could you… escort us a little further? I’m afraid… it might be dangerous…”

She didn’t try to be strong, directly seeking my help. I looked at the two behind her. Their faces still showed exhaustion. If I left now, they would indeed be in danger… Wait, wasn’t Angela there?

However, since she had invited me, rather than the powerful Queen, and Helene was staring at me with such expectation, that soft, helpless, maiden-like expression… I truly couldn’t refuse.

“…”

“…”

Our gaze lingered, and the atmosphere was truly uncomfortable!

‘Alright! I’ll agree then!’

“Follow me.”

I replied simply, then turned and walked away.

“Mm!”

Helene’s spirits lifted, and she trotted to catch up, then… she held one of my hands again.

Seeing her expression of complete ease… I let her hold it. If she was willing to trust me, shouldn’t I be a little happy?

I’ll just consider it… having a temporary younger sister.

***

“Ugh… why is she so close to him! Honestly…”

Behind Zero, among the four left behind, Zale watched Helene’s closeness with the Armored Man, a thousand grievances welling up inside him. He felt he could have garnered Helene’s attention too.

“He’s certainly a very dependable person, isn’t he? However, if he had arrived any later, we truly would have died. By the way, Your Majesty.”

“What is it?”

“Dare I ask, Your Majesty, did you accompany Mr. Mori to hunt the humanoid wolf-kin earlier?”

“…For the specifics, you should ask him.”

Angela had no intention of revealing it. It wasn’t that she was ashamed to disclose her defeat to commoners, but rather that the exact circumstances were still unclear. Speaking carelessly could easily lead to rumors, and such crude words must never come from the Queen’s mouth.

“Let’s go, Vinya.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Angela departed with Vinya, though Vinya’s expression remained somewhat troubled, a fact Karen noticed.

“Did… something happen? For Her Majesty to give Mori such high praise.”

“Tch… what’s so great about that armor?”

“You really are… Anyway, the Holy Dew Leaf has been found. Now her mother’s illness can be cured. And she looks very happy now, don’t you think?”

“He’s not her real brother. They’ll part ways soon, so what’s the point?”

“There might not be much point, but it’s rare for her to feel so at ease. Isn’t that enough? Don’t you think so, looking at her smile now?”

“…Tch, I can do that too.”

“Then first, get rid of your idiotic personality. Come on, let’s catch up.”

Karen pushed Zale’s back, and they followed the four ahead.

***

Meanwhile, elsewhere…

“As expected, they’ve arrived.”

“The little princess is there too.”

“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“We could have just left them alone.”

“Then… let Borg go first.”

“He must be very hungry.”

“A warrior is a warrior, after all.”

“He can’t swallow that humiliation.”

“Let’s give him a chance.”

“Revenge.”

“We just need to wait and see.”