Chapter 86 : Chapter 86

Chapter 86 - How to Handle the Will of the Stars (3)

“Ugh.”

Coming out of the communal bathhouse, Artier ran into Collie, who was coming in to wash.

The boy, who had been waving, suddenly retched and clutched his nose.

“Master, do you know that you’ve been smelling rotten lately? You should wash up, you know.”

“……That’s unfair.”

To hear that right after I had just washed.

I desperately missed the shampoo and soap from my original world.

“It’s because I’m training.”

“Just kidding. It’s not that bad.”

Collie belatedly stuck out his tongue and laughed lightly.

It was just that Collie, being a dog, was a bit sensitive; in reality, Artier’s body odor wasn't that terrible.

“Did you know? They say we’ll be given our first mission soon.”

“What?”

What do you mean?

As Artier made a bewildered face, Collie tilted his head.

“Oh? You haven’t heard?”

“I just got back, so I didn’t hear. What is it?”

“It’s already been over two months since we came here, hasn't it? Now that we’ve learned a certain amount of holy magic, it seems they want to check the results of our training.”

“Uh…… how?”

Collie didn’t notice the cold sweat trickling down Artier’s forehead.

“It’s simple. They say we’re going on an exploration to the north. They said the goal is to confirm the Hellmorphs’ behavior patterns and whether they are weak to holy magic.”

On the surface, it was just like receiving a large-scale quest from the Mercenary Guild.

Of course, the client for that quest was probably someone bribed by the temple.

“Is that so? Thanks for letting me know.”

Artier whispered three words to himself.

‘I’m screwed.’

It wasn’t that there had been no progress, but Artier still hadn’t figured out which holy magic was right for him.

But all the members had already learned high-level holy magic?

Was I the last?

“……Since it’s been decided, I should go train some more.”

“Eh? Even though it’s already evening?”

“What’s the point of resting? Time isn’t on our side.”

Artier waved his hand dismissively and headed straight for the classroom.

Watching the departing Artier, Collie tilted his head and muttered to himself.

“Somehow, the master seems more nervous than usual, you know?”

Slam!

Artier, who had thrown open the classroom door, closed it and immediately rushed to Ropin, letting out the breath he had been holding.

“Ropin! Did you hear the news?”

“I heard it too.”

Ropin’s expression was just as serious as Artier’s.

“The mission will probably start next week. It’s a shame……. If we had just one more week, we could have made your holy magic bloom.”

“What should I do? At this rate, no one will treat me as the leader of the knights.”

“Don't panic, Artier. You are strong enough even without holy magic. Didn’t you say so yourself at the beginning?”

“That was…… something I said out of frustration.”

Though he spoke with a reluctant expression, Ropin just smiled.

It was as if he was saying, ‘Did you think I wouldn’t know?’

“As you’ve felt for the past few weeks, you’re the type to grow through real combat.”

Ropin pointed at Artier’s sword.

The Burning Ancient Longsword was worn down from continuous battles and looked like it could break at any moment.

“Do you understand? It’s more efficient for you to fight a Hellmorph once than to go around the cemetery five times.”

“Are you saying I should take this mission as an opportunity?”

“Exactly. Trust in your strength and abilities. Then the members will surely follow you.”

It wasn’t wrong.

In the first place, hadn’t Artier been good at catching Hellmorphs even when he couldn’t use holy magic?

“Thank you, Ropin.”

Even though he said that, he couldn’t completely erase the feeling of anxiety.

Never mind his comrades, but could he persuade the nameless members?

‘I have to try, what else can I do? If I get demoted to a rank-and-file member here, I should consider all hope lost.’

There wasn’t much time given.

Artier kept reminding himself of that fact.

“Let’s try to bring out your abilities as much as possible during the remaining week.”

“Yes.”

And so, Artier continued hunting, practically living in the cemetery.

***

A week later, as promised, a letter was delivered to everyone.

Everyone who confirmed the mission quietly left the capital and moved to the northernmost front line.

“Has everyone been well?”

Beside Artier were Gerard, Jeina, Collie, and five nameless mercenaries.

Trophin’s party was nowhere to be seen, perhaps they had been assigned elsewhere.

“The time has come to show the results of our training!”

“……”

Jeina raised her axe and smiled, but the other two were not the same.

Gerard and Collie were looking at Artier with serious expressions.

“Artier, I hope I’m mistaken, but……”

Here it comes.

Thinking that, Artier looked at Gerard with a transcendent expression.

“I feel very little of the ring of holiness from your body. Are you perhaps still hiding your true self from me?”

One can feel divine power from the body of a person who has learned holy magic.

It remains in small amounts throughout the body like dregs, and it was called the ring of holiness.

The more holy magic a priest learned, the brighter and clearer the ring of holiness appeared.

‘I was able to hide it in the Papal State, but I guess it’s visible once I come outside.’

Mages who were sensitive to the flow of mana would probably notice.

And Ropin had said not to deceive.

Calming his mind, Artier opened his mouth.

“No. What you see is correct.”

“……What?”

Gerard’s expression gradually hardened.

Gerard had the skill to deduce the level just by looking at the ring of holiness Artier possessed.

There was no way he wouldn’t know that Artier could only use Holy Light.

“What on earth did you do for two months?”

It was a natural reaction.

Collie just looked pitiful, but Gerard’s favorability had clearly been cut down, so much so that it was visible at a glance.

“I……”

“Excuse me.”

Just as Artier was about to continue speaking, someone approached them.

It was one of the five mercenaries assigned with them.

“Did I hear that correctly just now? The leader of the knights leading this expedition can’t use a single proper holy magic spell?”

He had icy blue hair and wore square glasses.

His haughty expression and condescending gaze were enough to make one feel intimidated just by looking at him.

[Lv.30 Reinard (Flame Mage)]

As soon as Artier checked the information window, Reinard pushed up his glasses.

“It has already been established that general magic and skills are not very effective against unidentified creatures. A force that has not learned holy magic cannot be of much help.”

He continued to speak rationally and logically.

“In the first place, the time given to everyone was the same. So can we trust a person who cannot properly handle holy magic?”

Artier stared intently at Reinard.

The personal talk was long, but what he wanted to say was obvious.

“Do you want to confirm if I am a useful force?”

“I believe it is a legitimate right. This is a dangerous operation, after all.”

“Alright.”

Artier looked around at the people and stepped forward.

Gerard, and Jeina who had grasped the atmosphere, did not have good expressions.

Everyone was doubting his usefulness.

What was needed at a time like this was…….

“Your entire party, have a spar with me. You are free to use holy magic.”

It was an enormous overreach.

As soon as Artier’s words ended, his comrades were terrified and grabbed his shoulder.

“Artier, are you in your right mind?”

“No matter how good you are, how can you fight five people at the same time!”

“Even if it’s a spar, you could die at this rate!”

Perhaps flustered by Artier’s proposal, Reinard’s answer came a little later.

“Recklessness only diminishes persuasiveness. If you had acted wisely, you might have gotten through this situation.”

“Reinard.”

Reinard stiffened slightly at Artier’s low voice.

He had never told him his name.

“The offer stands. Will you do it?”

Artier stared straight at Reinard.

No fear or anxiety could be felt from his expression.

‘I can do this.’

Lv.32 Artier

Title: Supreme-Grade Mercenary, Gnoll Slayer, Secret Seeker, Leader of the Sacred Knights

Class: Wild Summoner

Strength: 47

Agility: 46(+1)

Intelligence: 26

Attack Skills (4) (Close)

Avatar of Counterattack (Lv.4), Flame Cleave (Lv.5), Unity Rite (Lv.2), Soul Share (Lv.2)

Support Skills (3) (Close)

Wild Protection (Lv.3), Tactical Command (Lv.3), Holy Magic: Holy Light (Lv.2)

Defense Skills (1) (Close)

Perfect Counter (Lv.6)

He hadn't been able to raise his level much, but instead, he had skills that he had trained relentlessly.

Perfect Counter, Flame Cleave, Avatar of Counterattack.

With just these three, Artier was confident he could beat almost any being of the same level.

“You’re confident. Very well.”

Reinard adjusted his glasses and signaled to his companions.

“Let’s move to another location.”

They moved to a deserted wilderness.

After confirming that the five had drawn their weapons, Artier drew his sword and held it.

“Why are you only drawing one sword?”

Reinard pointed to another sword on Artier’s back.

Artier was currently holding only the Burning Ancient Longsword.

“Are you claiming you can defeat us without holding all your main weapons? Excessive arrogance is not a good look.”

“My main weapon has always been a one-handed sword.”

Fwoosh!

With the sound of the wind being cut, Artier took his stance.

“This is a spare sword.”

The times Artier used dual swords were all when he benefited from good equipment or skills.

He had pushed through his lack of proficiency with overwhelming stats.

This was a great help when dealing with a large number of weak enemies, but in a situation like this, it would only create an opening.

“Let’s begin immediately.”

At Reinard’s words, Artier quietly scanned his surroundings.

The opposing party was a combination of two staves, a mace, a two-handed sword, and a bow.

As soon as the starting signal was heard, a shower of magic arrows rained down, aiming for Artier.

[Wild Protection is applied.]

Chosen Turtle’s Blessing: Defense increases by 10%.

Clang-clang-clang!

Artier calmly deflected the arrows.

With his enhanced defense and perfectly timed parries, the damage Artier received from deflecting many arrows was minimal.

“He deflected all the arrows?”

“What kind of monster is he?”

The two warriors, though bewildered, picked up their mace and sword and charged.

The fact that their weapons didn’t clash even as they charged simultaneously suggested they had been in sync for a long time.

‘Good skill. This will be good practice.’

Just as Artier smiled and was about to face them.

“Flash Bang.”

“What?”

[Resistance Failed]

[Vision will be sealed for 3 seconds.]

Beep……!

A pure white flame appeared before his eyes, and with a ringing in his ears, his vision turned white.

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