113: Gotta say, it’s a real pain when things go sideways when you’re busy.

“Craft!”

Alphard calls me, his eyes shifting to the hydra clashing with Raidock and the others.

Right now, we’re on a beast trail—the kind made when the hydra went wild, charging straight for the sacred wine.

Call it a beast trail? Maybe a bit dramatic. Still, wide enough that you could line up half a dozen wagons side by side.

The hydra’s position is far off from here.

“Rejoin Maina, who’s hiding. So, wouldn’t it be better to take a wider route?”

“No. That hydra’s too fast. We should cut close behind Raidock’s group, cover them, and slip through to the opposite side. Just….”

I glance at Kyle.

Would’ve been nice if he stayed back, hidden. But that’d just end up putting him in the same spot as Maina. Again.

I’m torn—should I just take down the hydra all at once while Maina stays hidden?

“Craft-sama. I know the risk. If we go around the long way and end up separated from Raidock-san and the others, that hydra could strike at any moment. I’ve felt that danger firsthand when the outpost was attacked. But I can’t just leave Maina alone.”

“…Sorry. I can’t think of any other plan that doesn’t put you in harm’s way.”

“No! I’m the one in charge! I made my choice when I agreed to join the swamp-clearing mission—I knew what I was getting into!”

Yeah. At first, I’d even opposed Kyle joining directly.

But after thinking about the talks with Zaid and all that mess, it’s safer if we stick together.

And somewhere in the back of my mind… I’d already started thinking, *This hydra’s not even worth worrying about anymore.*

I squeeze my eyes shut tight.

"Alright! Let’s rescue Maina!"

"Yes!"

Alphard leads. We’re in a wedge formation, with Kyle and Professor Javir at the rear center.

Direct cover for them is me and Van.

Well, I’ve got barely any magic left, so it’s more accurate to say we’re all being protected by Van.

Still, I can refill enough magic to cast one defensive spell!

And Zaid too, while we’re at it.

But ever since I saw Kyle, something about Zaid’s been off.

Hope he doesn’t get in the way…

Before my worry can take root, Alphard swings his sword hard.

"Alright! We’re cutting across the rear of the forward unit! Whether we push through or halt to support the adventurers—decide on the spot! Everyone, pay attention to orders!"

"““Yes!!””"

Under Alphard’s command, we charge forward with everything we’ve got.

Kyle’s private troops, many of them ex-adventurers, aren’t scared of the hydra’s terror—understand it, yes, but not afraid. Good sign.

Form a spearhead—move as one!

As we near the rear of Raidock’s adventuring party and the lizardman unit, Alphard shouts out.

“Raidock! Need backup!?”

“Not needed! Just get Maina safe! Take Kyle to safety if you can!”

Raidock trusts him—but if they face the eight-headed hydra alone, they’re dead for sure.

Then Kyle speaks up, sharp and clear.

“I’m not abandoning my comrades! I’ll be back to help—right away!”

“Kyle…”

Raidock’s mouth twists into a grin.

“Count on me, Kyle! You’ve got my back!”

Then the adventurers and lizardmen all shout out, one after another.

"Damn, Kyle, you're the best!"

"Alright! I'll carve this thing into sashimi before you get back!"

"Then we won't impress Maina at all!"

"Wait—what? You into little girls or something!?"

"Now's the time to repay the favor!"

"Chance to impress Craft!"

"Watch your words!"

"Raidock! Let's do this together!"

"You sneak in there and get Raidock!"

It’s chaos.

One word from Kyle, and morale spikes instantly.

The front lines move visibly sharper now.

"Feels like we're about to finish this for good."

I mutter under my breath, and Van replies.

"In war, morale is what matters most. Sure, gear and training count, but what good is a magical sword if your hands are shaking in front of the enemy? Kyle’s charisma? Real deal."

Nodding with satisfaction, Van made me feel good.

"Because it's Kyle!"

"Brother..."

A little blush on Kyle's cheeks—adorable.

Just as I was savoring that moment, like a cool drink on the battlefield.

"Wha—?! Kyle has charisma?! I won't accept it! I won't accept it, damn it!"

Zaid suddenly roared. His eyes were wild.

"What the hell?!"

I stared at Zaid, stunned by the sudden outburst.

"Kyle! You were supposed to stay in the rear... no! Charge forward and die first! Idiot?! He's my brother! No! He's not! He's—! He's—!"

Zaid's madness broke the unit's formation.

At that moment—

The hydra, who'd been fighting the adventurers, suddenly changed its stance.

All five remaining heads turned toward me at once!

No!

"Hydra bastard! You're aiming for Kyle!"

I just knew it.

The hydra understood—Kyle’s single words had raised everyone’s spirits!

Five heads lunged at Kyle all at once, no thought for timing.

But that was its biggest mistake.

“Rakuen Shouryuu Kengeki!”

Of the heads charging straight at Kyle, the closest, the most powerful, was blown clean off by Raidock’s finishing move!

Finally—one head down.

But the remaining four heads circled around Raidock, aiming straight for Kyle.

"Not happening! 'I am the steel shield that guards you from all calamities!'"

Van dashed forward.

He raised his massive sword sideways and unleashed a technique I’d never heard of.

His left hand wore a glove, but the emblem glowing fiercely was impossible to hide.

Van dropped his stance, blocking the heads with the flat of his blade!

And he blocked two at once.

"Seriously? Two heads at once, just from a little manor?!"

The unnatural way he caught both heads at once—was it the technique?

Honestly, I didn’t think Van could fight this well.

Better than Raidock at defense!

But two heads still remained.

"Master Kyle will absolutely be protected!!!"

It was Alphard who shouted.

"Ooooh! *Rock-Splitting Collapse Strike!*"

The move was thrown with every ounce of power—but...

(No good! I’ll admit Alphard’s skill, but that’s not enough!)

Alphard’s attack did hit the hydra hard and knocked it off balance.

If it had been the hydra from earlier, it would’ve reattached that head already.

But it kept charging at Kyle, ignoring the damage—just pushed forward!

"I’ll stop it!"

The one who burst in there was our guildmaster of production, Leifan.

"‘Iron Thunder Body’!"

He probably activated his hammer technique, trying to stop the hydra’s massive head with his small frame.

But even so, it’s impossible!

Alphard had already slowed down significantly, and still Raidock was struggling with this thing!

And Leifan’s emblem isn’t even for combat!

Still, Leifan’s willpower must’ve overwhelmed it— the hydra’s momentum took a serious hit.

Damn!

At that moment, Kyle’s personal troops rushed in.

"Ooooh! Protect Kyle-sama!"

"You damn snake bastard!"

"Don’t you dare underestimate the strength of a former adventurer!"

With the hydra’s charge weakened, the troops swarmed its neck, each one hammering their techniques in with everything they had.

The hydra’s momentum was completely gone now, its neck jerking back as blood sprayed.

Truth be told, the five-headed assault had happened almost simultaneously—just a blink of an eye.

No one had time to follow up, no opening for a spare hand.

Everyone went all out, all speed, and still only four heads were stopped.

That meant one head remained.

I clenched the last mana bomb, shouted out.

“Come on. Eat me.”

Spread my arms wide, stepped in front of Kyle.

The remaining heads slammed into my private troops—knocked them flying.

Unlike Leifan’s head, this one still had power. Too bad. My men couldn’t stop it.

With just a flicker of recovered mana, I could make the bomb go wild—still pack a punch, even if only one.

And if it goes off inside its mouth? Perfect.

I was just lunging into the hydra’s gaping maw, launching myself upward from my side—

Suddenly, the hydra’s head twisted violently, wrenching itself away from me with brutal force!

“What the hell!?”

It read my suicide attack!?

The neck, forced into a sudden shift, lost momentum from its charge.

If that neck had been aiming for Alphard or Van or Leifan, no problem.

But the hydra was straining desperately toward Kyle.

One shove from that massive body, and the damn snake wins.

Jabir and Zaid are nearby—but luckily, they’re just off to the side of the neck’s charge.

I went pale. I lunged for Kyle, but momentum carried me forward. I couldn’t stop. Couldn’t adjust.

“Kyle!”

Even a adventurer could’ve dodged that speed—yet I couldn’t stop it!

The massive jaw yawned wide, aiming to crush Kyle.

“Damn it—no—!”

Someone! Anyone! Help… Kyle… please, help Kyle!

“My brother—what are you doing to my brother!?”

I’ll never forget that moment.

Zaid, dropping his sword, sprinting in—shoving Kyle aside.

“…huh?”

Kyle, already resigned, wore a calm expression—but the sudden twist left him dazed, voice cracking.

Zaid shoved Kyle out of the way—then got swallowed whole.

28th!

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