When we heard that Liliella was left behind in the forest, we rushed into the forest at night to rescue her.
　However, it's dark in the forest, and the search is slow because demons attack from all around.

"Do demons really attack at night like this?

　It's my first time in the forest at night, so I ask Ivan-san how the forest is usually.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea," he said. Probably because of the Blade Wolf mutant.

　It seemed to be true that it was the first time, and Ivan and the others seemed to be confused by the situation.

''Guwah!''

　While cutting off the Hex-Arm Monkey that jumped out in front of us, we secured the path of Ivan-san and the others who were following us.
　Originally I was planning to fight only the demons that would interfere with our progress, but there were so many unexpectedly attacking demons that I ended up fighting most of them.

　If this is the case, it might be faster to make a path while burning the demons with Flame Inferno.
　I can't sense any signs of humans ahead of me with exploration magic, so let's do it.
　Just when I was thinking, Ivan-san called out to me.

'Lex, you go ahead!

'What?　But,

　I thought you said the forest was dangerous at night and that we should avoid going out alone.

'We're slowing you down!　You keep going. We'll go over there. When you see the little girl, send up some spectacular magic in the sky. When we find her, we'll let her give you the magic.

　I see, when there are this many demons, we decided it was better to split up and expand our search area than to ensure our safety.
　As expected of Ivan-san, he's very resourceful!

I understand!　I'll be ahead of you!　Flame Inferno!

　I released the Flame Inferno to the very edge of the range of my exploration magic, created a path, and headed deep into the forest at full speed.

　◆

Flame Inferno!

　You move forward, using magic to create a path incessantly.
　Occasionally, demons will pop up on the path created, but I'll cut them off in no time.

　I'm sure you'll be able to find the right one.
　I didn't come here to exterminate demons, so I can't even spare the time to do that.

''Liliera-san, where the hell are you?''

　Oh...........
　Just then, I heard a small but definite wolf howl in my ears.

''Which one is it?''

　I check the demon's reaction with my exploration magic.
　Blade wolves are numerous.
　If that's the case, Liliella-san might be able to detect some of the blade wolf pack even if they're still out of range.

''........There they are!

　There are only a few of them, but I can clearly sense a movement that is coordinated and chasing something.

''Over there!''

　As I proceeded to make my way through the magic again, I felt the presence of a large swarm of demons in my exploration magic.
　And at the center of it all, I found a sign of a human being.

'There they are!　It's Mr. Lilliera!

　Having located Liliera-san's location, I ran through the forest, using my body-strengthening magic to accelerate like an arrow.
　As long as I can locate her, there's no need to search for her every single time I make a path!
　Slipping past even the demon that was standing there, I headed down to Liliera-san at a glance.

　Then I saw a wolf with blades sprouting from its body in my vision.
　It's a blade wolf!
　The wolves had already noticed us and were ready to fight.

'We don't have time to fight you guys!

　I sank deep into my body and leapt against the blade wolf that was charging at me, trying to cut me down.
　My body jumped over not only the blade wolves, but even the trees and moved forward.
　The blade wolves that tried to cut me apart were confused because they lost sight of me, who was hiding behind the trees as they leapt.
　Ignoring those blade wolves, I landed on the ground and began to accelerate again.
　Then I slipped past the other blade wolves that were waiting for me on the way, and I found Liliera-san's figure that was being attacked by the blade wolves.

''Flower Burn!''

　When I found Liliera-san, I released a flashy magic into the sky to inform Ivan-san and the others and to attract the blade wolves' attention to me.

　Dohhhh!

　With a loud sound, a huge flower of fire bloomed in the air.
　It's not just one flower.
　Two wheels, three wheels, five wheels, ten wheels, and a flurry of flames.

''Gyaun!''

　Suddenly, a large flower of flame bloomed in the sky, causing the Blade Wolves' steps to be disrupted.

''Chase Freezer Javelins!

　I unleash my ice magic so as not to involve Liliera-san in the process.
　The swarm of ice spears released from my hand attacked the blade wolves.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make the most of your time in the city.
　But this is carelessness.
　I'm not going to be the only one who has been able to do this.

''Guow!''

　The blade wolves widen their eyes in surprise.

''It's tracking magic!

　Then, unable to evade, they received a direct hit from the ice spear, and one after another, the blade wolves transformed into ice statues.　
　Alright, now we've wiped out the enemies around Liliera-san!

　I ignored the remaining blade wolves around me and reached Lilliera-san's side.

''I'm here to help you, Liliera-san!

　You're not going to be able to do that.

　How did that happen?
　I was bitten by a swarm of demons I'd never seen before, and my life was in danger right now.

　Two days ago, those demons attacked us, who were protected by the magic of the wards.

''Guh!''

　The first person to be attacked was the wizard.
　I'm sure it was because they thought he was moving too slowly.
　The next time a monk was targeted, I made a decision.
　That I would be the bait.

'This way!

　I brandish my torch and sword and turn the demons' attention to me.

''Run while you can!''

　If they attacked not only the wizards who were my backup, but also the monks who were responsible for setting up recovery magic and wards, they wouldn't be able to hold on to the town even if they were able to escape.

''I'll catch up with you!　Go ahead!

Okay, okay!　I'll go get backup right away!

　I smiled back at my companion's words, but we both knew that was an unfulfilled hope.
　Because it would take a whole day to get to town.
　Even if I rushed to call for help, it would take two days to get there and back.

　Maybe I wouldn't be able to save myself.
　But this was my fault for forcing my friends to come along.
　I got everyone involved in my cause.

'But I can't die yet!　Until we find the zenso grass!

　After that, I was desperate.
　We were running for our lives, using everything we could to escape.
　Fortunately, thanks to a river and a small cliff on the way to escape, we were lucky enough to buy ourselves some time.

　But that's as far as it goes.
　We were surrounded and there was nowhere to run.
　I got hit in the leg so I couldn't escape.
　I used up all my potions and there's no way I can recover.

'Sorry guys, sorry mom...'

　I've come so close to being here.

Whoa!

　A black monster barked at the herd.
　It's trying to stop me.

I'd like to say at least a single sword, but...

　Unfortunately, my weapon was already broken.
　This is because it was broken because it couldn't withstand the onslaught of blades that grew from the demons' bodies.

　The demons are approaching with a smaller encirclement.
　The next time that black monster roars, it will be the end of me.

"I wish I could have been a real adventurer...

　The black demon is now sucking in a breath to let out a roar.

　That was the time.

　Dohhhh!

　Suddenly the sky shone bright red.

　Do-doh-oh!

　The sky was engulfed in a continuous roar as it continued.

''What the hell happened?''

　Was this also the work of that black demon?
　But that was different.

"Chase Freezer Javelins!

　When the roar was about to die down, the boy's voice and the ice spears attacked the demons.

''What?!''

　The demons instantly turned into a block of ice and stopped moving.
　And..........

''I'm here to help you, Liliera-san!

　In a very gentle voice, the boy came to my rescue.

　◆

　I came to Liliella-san's side and first checked to see if she was okay.

I'm not sure if she's hurt badly!

　Liliera-san's whole body is in tatters and she was bleeding everywhere.
　The wounds on her legs are especially bad, she would not be able to walk in this way.

''Excuse me!''

　I hold Liliera's hand and immediately cast a recovery spell.

''Elder Heel!''

　With the advanced recovery magic Elder Heal, it can also cure demon poisons and diseases.
　Liliella's breathing, which had been disrupted by fatigue and bleeding, changes to a calm one.
　Phew, that's a relief.

''Liliera-san, I'll finish this in a minute, you can wait in here. High field wall!''

　Activate the Advanced Warding Spell to protect Liliella.
　With this magic, it should be able to protect Liliella without any problems, even from the attacks of S-ranked demons.

''What?　What?　What?　Why are you helping me?

　I don't know what that means, but Liliera-san is saying something strange.
　I'm not sure if I've lost my tension with the help coming.

'We're all friends, fellow adventurers!　You've got to help them!

　Huh, I'm copying Ivan.

"Here we go, Blade Wolf!

　Turning to the demons, I check my surroundings while checking the blade wolves in tow.
　These guys didn't come out of their native territory of their own volition.
　The boss of the pack that gave orders to these guys is the real enemy that should be defeated.

There they are!

　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　I'm sure you'll be able to find a way to make it work.
　More than anything else, its eyes were shining bright red like blood.

''That's the mutant.......''　

　It's a horrible disaster.
　It's hard to believe that such a creature could have been born naturally.
　There were no creatures like that in a previous life or a previous life.
　Demons are weak, simple things are said to be great, and mutants are amazingly evil, but what is going on in this era?

"Whoa!

　I don't move, and the mutant lets out a shriek.

"This is really the last thing I need to be thinking about.

　Following the boss' orders, the blade wolves began to move.
　It seems that they are trying to target me and Liliella-san at the same time, so they begin to split up into two groups.

''You think that if you go after Liliella-san, I'll be able to do nothing but defend her,''

　But it's sweet.
　What do you think it's warding magic for?

''Goooooooo!''

　The blade wolves moved all at once under the command of the mutant species.
　As expected of the A-ranked demons, their movements did not have the same unrest as before, and there was no disruption in their coordination at all.
　Three of them jumped at me from three different directions at the same time.
　As I immediately jumped to the side, another three bodies jumped at me again from three different directions at the same time, seeing that I was jumping to the side, but this time they were aiming at my landing position.
　Moreover, this time the attack was aimed at our landing position.

''But we have weapons over here!

　I stab the blade wolf on the right side with my sword as soon as I land. Furthermore, I released a freezer javelin from my left hand to freeze it, and the enemy that attacked from behind kicked away with their left foot, relying on the presence of the enemy.

''Gugya!''

　The two cows on either side died instantly, and one of the cows that received the kick reinforced by the body strengthening magic screamed and fell into the killer plant behind it, dying.

''Kyah!''

　At the same time, Lilliera's screams echoed.
　But it's okay.
　If I look at her, Liliela-san curls up in surprise at the pack of blade wolves that jumped at her, but she looks up, wondering how long she won't be attacked.

''Whoa!''

　What she saw was the scene of a wall of light that rose up between her and herself, repelling the blade wolves.

''........What is this!

''It's a high-field wall of high-level warding magic. If you're inside of it, you can easily repel their level of damage.

"What?　What's that?　What's high-level warding magic?　Huh?　What do you mean!

　Apparently, he still hasn't recovered from the shock of being attacked by the Blade Wolf.

''I'm fine!　I'll get rid of them!　Stay in it in peace!

You'll get rid of him?　Cah!

　Liliera-san is surprised by the blade wolf that jumped on the ward when she tried to approach us, and she was surprised by the blade wolf that jumped on the ward.
　Don't worry. See, even now you can't pull out of the ward and all you can do is claw at the wall of light, right?

　Liliella seems to have realized that it's safe to stay inside, and she regains her composure a bit.
　In the meantime, I reduce the crowd of attacking blade wolves.

''Watch out for that black one!　Because it's definitely not normal!

I know. It's okay!

　Thank goodness, I thought she was still going to hate me, but she's worried about us.
　It was just an unfortunate misunderstanding, but she's still a good person.

'It's about time our numbers dwindled, so why don't you come out ahead?

　Even as I fought the blade wolf, I kept my eyes on the mutant.
　However, there was no stubborn sign of movement from the mutant species, and it only gave orders to its minion, Blade Wolf.

''Gwu........''

　However, as the number of their companions dwindled rapidly, the blade wolves let out a squeal as if they were asking something of the mutant species.

''Gaaaah!''

　The mutants barked strongly at the weakness of their minions.

''GAWN!''

　The blade wolves come towards us with a tragic resolve, rather than being purged by the boss.
　It looks like they're being forced to act on orders from the mutants, after all.

''Then there's no need to force them to fight, right?

　I ignore the Blade Wolves and the others and pounce on the mutants.

''Guaaaaaah!''

　The mutant catches my sword with a devastating blade that sprouts from its body.

Guwahhh!

That's really strong!

　I shouldn't have been surprised by the mutant that pushed back our attack with more power than it looked like.

　Crack!

　With such a light sound, my broadsword broke off.

'Oops!'

Gaaaah!

　The mutant dives in to skewer me, confident in its victory.

''Nope!''

　Seeing this, Liliella's scream echoes.

''This!''

　I stick my hands out to the mutant that attacked me.
　And.....

　Pow!

　He snapped the white edged mutant's blade from its base.

''........Gau?''

　A mutant, huh? He looks at me with a face like, "I'm not sure what to do.
　Then he looks at his own blade in his hand and then looks at his own body.

"..........Gagauuuuuuuuuut?



　Along with Liliella's surprised voice, the mutant screamed, "Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa! I'm not going to be able to get to the bottom of it.

''How dare you break the sword you made with all the materials available!　Payback!

　I pounced on the mutant, which squealed in surprise, and folded its blade white from one end to the other.

'Gyaun!　GAWN!

　The mutant said, "Stop! No more!　I let out a pathetic scream and tried to run away, as if to say, "I'm not going to let you get away now!

"You can't let him get away now!

　With the last broken mutant blade in my hand, I leapt and slashed the neck of the mutant that had escaped.

''Ah, this is pretty sharp,''

　It seems like a rather good material, and I think I'll make a new sword out of it next.

''Cawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncawncaw!

　When I looked around, I saw that the Blade Wolves, who had been freed after the boss was killed, had escaped into the depths of the forest at once.

''Well, that was good.''

Now that we've defeated the mutants, they should be able to return to their natural habitat.

''Liliella-san, it's safe to leave now.

　After confirming that there are no dangerous demons in the vicinity with exploration magic, I call out to Liliella-san.

''........''

　But for some reason, Liliera-san was staring at me with a stunned face.

Liliera-san?　It's all right now, okay?

　When I called out to her again, Liliera finally came to herself.

''Eh!　Ah!　Well, what about the demons?

''I defeated the boss, so they're all gone now.

Then he shows the mutant's head, which was cut in half.

'Come on, it's late, let's go home.

　I hold out my hand to Riela.
　But Riela looks at me with a troubled look on her face.
　I feel embarrassed.

Why?

What?

Why did you save me?

Well, like I said, adventurers help each other out.

'Not that!　How could you risk it all?　Coming into the forest by yourself at night!

No, I'm not the only one...

'Besides!　I've said terrible things to you!　They're calling you a fake!　I insulted you!

　..................Ah, I see.
　Liliera-san had always regretted what she said, didn't she?
　Even if it was a misunderstanding, she regretted herself for saying something that made her curse others.
　That's why you can't believe that I, the person you cursed at, came to your rescue.

'Mr. Liliella. It's not that difficult.

　I hug the children of my home village and talk to them gently, as if I were caring for them.

I heard that you were in danger, so I came to help you. That's really all there is to it.

But....

　Still, Liliella still doesn't seem to be convinced.
　I stroked Liliella's hair and continued to speak softly and slowly.
　Like a lullaby to a squirming child.

'Because adventurers don't abandon those in need. I heard that the great swordsman Rygaard said it was a man's duty to help a girl who was crying, right?

But that's the story, isn't it?

'Yes, I want to be like the adventurer in that story!　That's why I'm here to help you!　I wanted to help you in your time of need!

　Yes, adventurers do not abandon those in need.
　That's because adventurers are the heroes we all admire.

"You are a fool, you fool. You're an idiot, you're an idiot....

Huh?　Huh?　Eeeeee?

　To my surprise, Liliera-san suddenly began to cry.
　Why did you start crying when you just talked about it?

"D-d-d-d-d-don't, what do I do?　Um, you know, to comfort a crying girl...

　The unexpected situation leaves me bewildered and unsure of what to do.

'Oh, the rookie's making the girl cry!　It's not okay.

"'I'm not going to be ok - I'm not going to be ok!　You're licking your nose!

''Heh!''

　Suddenly, I was surprised when someone said something strange from behind me and I turned around.
　There was.....

It's a good idea. It looks like you were able to save your daughter in one piece.

Well, you're not safe, are you?

Mr. Ivan?

　Yes, it was Ivan-san and the others who came.
　Not only that, all the other adventurers have also gathered there.

"Well, why is everyone here?

No, you didn't just unleash your landmark magic.　That's how we all knew you were here.

'Well, to be honest, I knew enough of the location with that path-building magic to know where we were. The forest burned to the ground with a bang. It was nighttime, so it was pretty obvious.

Um, so maybe you guys...

'Oh! I've been watching you for a while now, man!

'Whoa!

　I'm so embarrassed!

Is it any better over there?

What?

''Ooooooooooooooh!''

　That's right, Liliera-san is in the middle of crying.

'Well, gentlemen, could you all use your adult wisdom to show me how to make her stop crying?

Well, we found you, girl. Let's get out of here.

'Oh, I'm tired. Let's camp out in the town square today and return to town tomorrow when the sun comes up.

　The adventurers ignore us and everyone starts to leave.

Hey, hey, hey, everyone!

Well, I'll leave it to you to calm your little girl down.

How can you be so irresponsible?

No, you were the one who tried to save your daughter. Then you should have been responsible for bringing her home.

Wait, you're really going home?

Are you sure it's safe inside those fancy wards?　If you want to, go have fun alone for the night. Then the uncles will leave without disturbing me.

Oh, wait, please!

Eeeeeeeeeeee!

　In the end, Liliera-san continued to cry until dawn, and I was mentally exhausted, so I went back to the town of Hexi with Liliera-san, who had fallen asleep in tears on my back.