Chapter 5: The Marquise’s Revival 1
A magical sniper attack from outside the detection range of a Rank 6 (probably) Scout-type Adventurer.
From this, I could deduce that the opponent was at least as skilled as a Rank 6 adventurer, or possibly even stronger.
While enduring the pain in my eardrums, pressured by the blast wave from the Explosive Magic that directly hit the carriage’s Barrier and the Magicka Wave generated when the Barrier repelled the magic, I estimated the Assailant’s strength and grimaced for reasons other than the pain.
“Boss!”
Just as the Coachman, the man Merseja, shouted, I leaped onto the carriage.
As expected of the carriage chosen by the Prime Minister to send off his beloved daughter, the Barrier was sturdy.
There wasn’t a single scratch on the carriage.
Merseja didn’t wait for me to get inside the carriage after I grabbed onto its side; he immediately drove the carriage forward at full speed.
Since he didn’t know where the shot came from, it seemed he chose to advance, saving the trouble of changing direction.
The carriage’s Barrier would likely withstand at least a few more hits easily, but since we didn’t know the scale of the Assailants, we couldn’t relax.
Thinking we could just escape their firing range like this was probably too optimistic.
I climbed onto the carriage roof to secure a line of sight.
There were many Skills and types of magic that could conceal one’s presence, but few Skills or magic could completely deceive human vision. Besides, if our opponent was capable enough to use such things, it was doubtful the Barrier could have even blocked the first shot.
“Merseja, let me ask you one thing. Is this still within the scope of your fee?”
I asked loudly so as not to be drowned out by the sound of the carriage running at full speed.
“Of course it is, Boss!”
If he said handling a Rank 6 adventurer was within the fee, then I should probably trust him.
I was grateful to the Prime Minister, who hadn’t spared any expense.
I once again pushed my Physical Enhancement to its maximum while focusing my attention ahead.
If they were attacking from behind, we could probably escape their range while the Barrier held, so I could ignore that possibility.
The fact that the opponent wasn’t firing magic repeatedly also gave a hint about their level of strength.
At the very least, there was only one person capable of using magic powerful enough to strain the Barrier.
Otherwise, they should have unleashed all their magic the moment the first shot was blocked by the Barrier.
My vision, enhanced by Physical Enhancement, caught sight of it.
Right, if the first shot was blocked, they wouldn’t worry about being exposed for the second shot and would go all out, wouldn’t they?
I could see the light emitted by gathered Magicka leaking from behind some rocks up ahead.
“There they are!”
“Boss!”
Merseja seemed to have spotted them at almost the same time, pointing towards the rocks ahead while controlling the horses.
“I’ll go!”
Stating the obvious division of roles aloud, I leaped off the carriage roof.
Essentially, I was confirming that no matter what happened, Erika Solntsalri was the priority.
Well, I didn’t think Merseja would get that wrong, nor did I think the Prime Minister would hire someone who would make such a mistake.
Merseja called out to my back as I jumped off.
“Boss! Don’t hesitate!”
I ran without responding to his voice.
Because I had already steeled my resolve earlier.
The reaction to me jumping out was swift.
A person wearing a Robe, more likely to hide their face than to indicate they were a mage, jumped out from behind the rocks.
Had they finished preparing their magic? I could see the flow of Magicka heading straight for the carriage.
The Assailant seemed to prioritize attacking the carriage over dealing with me as I approached.
The target was—.
“The horses!”
The Assailant seemed to have given up on finishing this in one blow; they came to stop our ‘legs’ first.
In that case, there was no problem. My worst-case plan had been to use my body as a shield, but if the horses were the target, the carriage itself would be fine even if the Barrier was breached in the worst-case scenario.
Just as I was two or three breaths away, the Assailant unleashed their magic.
A torrent of Magicka flew past me as I ran.
Perhaps surprised by the sight of me charging forward, completely ignoring the unleashed magic without even attempting to dodge, the Assailant’s initial reaction was momentarily delayed.
My Sword strike aimed at the opponent’s neck was still blocked.
The opponent deflected my Sword with a Dagger, letting out a pained groan.
I failed to finish off a magic-focused opponent in a single blow.
At the same time, I felt the Magicka Wave from the carriage’s Barrier deflecting magic in the distance.
I cursed inwardly while spinning my body halfway around.
My eyes met with a man who had raised his sword, attempting to attack me from behind.
Right, there was no way it was just one person.
The opponent looked startled.
Wondering if this guy would be the first person I’d ever killed, I nonetheless took his head.
I threw my Dagger towards the two men who were further behind him.
One took the Dagger in the throat and collapsed on the spot, but the other only took it in the chest and crumpled over.
Meaning, he was still alive.
I closed the distance to the man in one step and swung my Sword down on his head.
I couldn’t hear a scream over the sound of his skull splitting.
While having such strange thoughts, I desperately rolled away from the spot in a reckless posture, without thinking about the consequences.
Immediately after, an explosion occurred right where I had been.
Rolling on the grass and getting covered in it, I desperately scrambled to my feet.
If I dawdled, I’d die.
As I desperately regained my footing, the Robed Assailant was standing there defenselessly.
Their face, hidden by a Mask beneath the Robe, was tilted downwards as they muttered words that sounded like resentment.
Things like, “It wasn’t supposed to be like this,” “To a single brat,” or “Is this why I’m abandoning my humanity?”
Without thinking about the details, like what they were saying, I readied my Sword and stepped forward to take their head.
The moment I became certain that my Sword would undoubtedly reach them no matter what they did now, it happened.
A shockwave erupted from beneath my feet, blowing me back several meters.