95: The strongest unit, huh? Can be counted on, right?

"Let's goooooo!!!"

"OOOOOOOOO!!!"

First up, the strike force—centered on Raidock—is the vanguard of this expedition's greatest strength, charging forward in a furious rush.

Cutting through the shallows, sending spray flying, they barrel forward at breakneck speed. Spectacular.

The hydras realize they've been invaded—right in their territory—and go berserk, rushing the adventurers in a wave.

Hydras are strange creatures: the stronger they get, the more heads they grow.

Three-headed, four-headed—too many to count. They come at us like a mountain flood. Makes your heart stop.

Normally, you'd be crushed under the tide. Nothing left. Not even a blade of grass.

But.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa..."

The one muttering was Van Vain, our guard walking beside us.

Van stood frozen, mouth hanging open, unable to believe what he was seeing.

"Rocksplitting Collapse Strike!"

"Skyward Barrage Assault!"

"Body-Piercing Thunder Blast!"

"Great Arm, Great Strike!"

"Vacuum Sky Slash!"

"Sinflame Crimson Spear!"

"Skyburst Explosion!"

"Ice Spear!"

"Scorching Flame Column!"

Led by Raidock, the adventurers calmly unleashed their sword techniques and magic, smashing the hydra’s tsunami head-on.

"...huh?"

Van’s eyes were wide. Totally glazed over.

Hmm. Yeah. Definitely not one of Goldendown’s adventurers.

His trembling finger pointed toward the adventurers.

"Craft. Are all those guys carrying emblems?"

"More of them carry emblems because they're a selected squad, but not everyone does."

Even Raidock's party didn't have every member with an emblem. The adventurers here were all strong, so the emblem rate was high, but not even half.

If half of them had emblems, that'd be shocking.

"No way. You can't miss seeing everyone swinging swords or throwing magic!"

"You know you can pick up some training even without an emblem, right?"

"I get the logic... but if someone without an emblem learns techniques or magic, they'd have to endure brutal training for ages, right!?"

That kind of talk? Van was definitely a natural with an emblem. And probably relied on stamina potions in battle too.

Then, standing nearby, Javir the teacher shook his head and stepped into the conversation.

"Hey, uh—Lord Van. I’ve told you a hundred times already, that stamina potion’s in a league of its own."

"Right. Heard the story about using legendary stamina potions in training—doubles your combat power or something. Didn’t take it seriously, though."

"Sent quite a bit of it as tribute… but—"

"Ah. I treated it like a damn nutrient tonic. Jabir."

"Lord Van, you’re fine using it that way. But your subordinates—uh—your adventuring companions? You never shared it with them?"

"Too much trouble. That’s why I came here to investigate the real deal."

"Guh… hey… Lord Van, you ought to think a little more about your station—"

The glove hiding the insignia on Van’s left hand. The way he spoke with the teacher. Yeah, he’s definitely noble.

Calling the Marquis by name like that meant Van might be a high-ranking noble himself.

Then again, he’s a self-proclaimed adventurer. No need to tiptoe around him.

Van had been getting lectured by the teacher for a bit, but then he waved one hand and changed the subject.

"Still, they’re way too strong! Those guys!"

He was pointing at Raidock’s party, so I couldn’t help but grin.

He was exactly the kind of adventurer I’d been aiming for.

"Right? Right? Goldendown adventurers are all top-notch!"

"Yeah. I mean it. Deep down."

Van nodded hard, and I felt my mood lift.

Following his gaze, even Mr. Javir turned his eyes toward the adventurers.

"Hmm. I’ve heard tales, but this is something else."

"They’ve all trained hard, you know!"

The soldiers and adventurers in this swamp-clearing unit are extra fired up because it’s Kyle’s first battle.

Even the ones who usually hate group coordination can move like a skirmish squad—thanks to Raidock.

Thanks to the iron discipline of Alphard, Degard Bismack, and Tygar Gaidar, every soldier’s become top-notch.

The Hydra’s corpse still floats in midair, and Jitarou’s gathering up the magic stones.

…When did that happen.

We’re supposed to be a solid force, but we’re just acting like errand boys for the adventurer group.

As long as we’re not getting in anyone’s way, it’s fine.

Then, standing beside me, along with the three Casper sisters guarding Maina, was Leifan.

“Jitarou’s got it easy, huh.”

"Damn straight. Should’ve just covered him with arrows like he’s supposed to."

"Raidock’s team’s so strong, looks like backup’s not even needed."

Van chimed in, watching the hydra’s pieces burst skyward with each flicker of blue lightning.

"Too much chaos! You can’t keep spewing that kind of power—won’t last five minutes!"

"Ah. Raidock’s only putting out eight or nine-tenths of his full strength. That guy’s got a feel for the absolute limit of how long he can keep moving, thanks to stamina potions."

"Eight-tenths?! …Yeah. Stamina potions…"

Van’s face went slack. Then he started muttering to himself.

Whatever. Let him be.

"Craft兄様"

Kyle came over from nearby, having listened in on the fight.

"Divide Raidock's unit in half and order them to eliminate the surrounding area, splitting the central mongoose nesting grounds."

"Got it. Should we split the Lizardmen unit too?"

"Yes... We'll split the Lizardmen unit as well. But tell them to leave the fighting to the adventurer squad."

"Understood."

I immediately activated my communication device and relayed Kyle’s orders to the two.

The plan was already in motion, so they moved without hesitation.

Then, out of nowhere, Van was staring at us, eyes wide.

"Those rings you’re wearing..."

He was pointing at the mental resonance orichalcum ring.

"Huh? Yeah, this is the key to the operation—the communication device. Don’t even think about stealing it."

"Ah, I wouldn’t dream of it. Still, using it right in front of me? That’s reckless."

"Since I'm guarding Kyle, hiding it from you would just delay orders. That’s the main reason—plus I double-checked with Professor Javir a moment ago. He said Van’s fine."

Hmm. I don’t get why the professor trusts Van this much, but if he says it’s okay, then it’s okay.

"Communication golem… so this is what lets an entire unit move like one organism in battle?"

"Huh? Van’s picking up on its function pretty easily, huh?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah. I knew orichalcum had that kind of capability."

Wait.

That’s not common knowledge, is it?

I lean in close to Professor Javir, whispering.

"Professor. Most people don’t know what orichalcum actually is, do they?"

"Indeed. Not just the general public—most mages and alchemists don’t have proper knowledge. They know the name, that’s all."

"Yeah. I knew the name, that’s all. Before I heard the whisper of the crest, I just thought it was some super-duper metal."

"That’s only because you were an adventurer. Most people don’t know a thing about it."

"I see."

I scratch my head.

"Then why did he spot it was orichalcum at a glance? And how’d he know about the communication function—something nobody else even knows about?"

"Wha—?!"

The teacher coughs sharply.

"Gh—! S-So! That’s right! Ah—! Yeah! I think I might’ve mentioned something like that back then… or maybe not… I can’t remember for sure…!"

"Oh! I get it now!"

If the teacher said it, then it’s fine. The teacher knows everything.

"That’s right! Let’s just put that aside for now! The guy’s not bad, so maybe we should try treating him a little better?"

Seeing how he carries himself, he’s definitely one of those rich kid types.

But honestly, bringing out the polite speech now? Too late for that.

Just then, I spotted a magical flare shooting up into the sky.

"Craft, brother!"

"That color’s Raidock! Gotta check it out right away!"

Instantly activated the communication sigil.

It’s a high magic drain, so we keep the number of transmissions down by pairing it with flares like this.

"Raidock, what happened!?"

‘Found survivors! Barely alive, but revived with a Healing Potion. One of Zaid’s personal guards!’

Volume two now available in stores!

The manga adaptation is also currently serialized and trending on MangaUP!

Be sure to enjoy both!

...And I wrote an original side story, but it ended up being way too long to fit in the print edition, so it’s only available as a digital bonus... Sorry about that.

Please also check out the digital Volume Two!