Volume 4 Chapter 4 Reliable Ally
"Ro, Rose..."
The familiar red-haired girl suddenly appeared, leaving me wide-eyed and stunned.
It was as if she had heard my inner thoughts, showing up at the perfect moment, and I was left speechless.
When Dahlia asked, "Who will defeat the Demon Lord army?" she was the first person I thought of.
"Who the hell are you...? We're busy right now, so get out."
"Busy...?"
Jostum expressed his anger, while Rose calmly assessed the situation.
She first scanned the room, then shifted her gaze from Jostum to Dahlia, and finally to me.
When Rose noticed Dahlia's hand gripping my collar, her red eyes narrowed slightly, sensing the tension in the air.
"I'm Rose Vermilion, a close friend of Mr. Roezé, the owner of this place. I apologize for opening the door without permission, but I can't just walk away when someone close to me is being grabbed right in front of me."
"What did you say...?"
An invisible spark flew between Rose and Jostum.
The atmosphere became tense, and I hurriedly intervened, shaking off Dahlia's hand.
"Wait! Please don't start a fight here! I'll explain everything properly...!"
If a fight broke out in this cramped space, I couldn't imagine what would happen to the Nurturer.
Well, if anyone could easily subdue Jostum, it would probably be someone as powerful as Rose.
But I thought it was best to avoid unnecessary conflict, so I positioned myself as a barrier between the two.
They both returned to a more neutral stance.
Relieved, I quickly explained who they were and the current situation.
I mentioned that Rose was the girl who inspired me to start the Nurturer, and that Dahlia and Jostum were members of the hero party.
Since Rose already knew I had been kicked out of the hero party, the explanation went a bit smoother.
"Ah, so that's what happened."
The Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army are joining forces to revive the cursed trees.
To stop them, I'm being asked to lend my power to the hero Dahlia once again.
After explaining all this, Rose nodded thoughtfully and said,
"So, shall I fight the Demon Lord's army instead?"
"Huh...?"
At this sudden suggestion, I couldn't help but let out a bewildered sound.
Dahlia and Jostum had similar reactions.
Ignoring our reactions, Rose continued calmly,
"Someone has to stop the plan of the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army, right? But even if the hero's party regains their strength and challenges them, the chances of victory are slim..."
"Don't decide that on your own!"
Jostum protested. Rose brushed off Jostum's anger and went on,
"Mr. Roezé doesn't want to help with such a suicidal act, so he doesn't want to lend his power to the heroes, is that right?".
"Yes, that's right. My Nurturer is meant to raise adventurers with pure and honest aspirations."
"Are you saying their goal is twisted?"
Rose asked, her tone implying that it was crooked.
Well, it's pretty crooked.
They lost to the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army once, and now they just want revenge.
With such shallow aspirations, if they were to fight them again, the result would likely be the same.
But if that's the case, there would be no one left to stop their plan...
"So, if I fight the Demon Lord's army instead, Mr. Roezé won't need to help these people, right?"
"Well, yes, that's true..."
With her current strength, Rose would probably be enough to stand against the combined forces of the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army.
In fact, there are already limited people who can stop their plan.
One of my people is Rose, and I think I'd really like to rely on her here.
However...
"Having Rose go that far for us... it feels kind of wrong. This is a problem between the Hero's Party and me, so I don't think it's right to ask for Rose's help..."
As I said that in a weak voice, Rose immediately shook her head.
"No, this is no longer just a problem for the Hero's Party or Mr. Roezé. It's become a problem for all of humanity."
"A problem for... humanity?"
"If we don't stop the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army, the damage won't be limited to just the eastern nations. Even Compost Kingdom will be affected, right? If things go really badly, the curse might spread across the entire continent, affecting everyone. So, it's already a problem for all of humanity."
When she put it that way, I couldn't deny it—it made sense...
"And besides, for me personally, the threat to this kingdom is a huge issue. I love this country where you, Mr. Roezé, my mother, and so many others I care about live. So please let me help protect it. This isn't just for you, Mr. Roezé; it's for me, too."
"Rose..."
When Rose looked at me with a straightforward smile, I could feel the warmth of her kindness.
Then, as if quietly stoking the flames of her resolve, she lowered her voice just slightly and continued.
"Besides, my mother was also attacked by one of the Spirit King's Army's monsters. Because of that, she faced great danger. I have my own reasons for fighting against the Spirit King's Army, so please allow me to join the battle."
"..."
I love this country too.
I love this town.
I love the people who live here.
I love this peaceful life we have now.
Just like Rose, I want to protect all of that.
This country, this town, this Nurturer.
And also...
'Could I become a cool adventurer like Dad and Mom?'
'Aroze, you can afford to have a little more confidence in yourself.'
'Aroze's power might not be the kind that makes you the protagonist of a story, but it has the potential to be something even more amazing than the protagonist.'
The nostalgic voices of my dad and mom come to mind.
My dad and mom, who had been at the forefront as Rank 1 adventurers, had lost their lives in a battle against the Dragon King's Army nearly a decade ago.
I had heard that the one they had faced was 'Dorane', the leader of the Dragon King's Army.
Dorane was said to be the oldest monster, having lived for hundreds of years, and was considered the strongest in the Demon Lord Army.
Even if the top powers of each country were gathered, it was uncertain if they could defeat him.
That's why it might be better to gather information about the Dragon King's Army from the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army while we still have the chance.
I had hoped that someone would defeat the Dragon King's Army and avenge my parents, but with Dahlia in this state, that hope has grown thin.
"I also want to defeat the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army to protect this country and town. So, will you fight with me, Rose?"
"Yes, leave it to me!"
When I asked Rose again, she readily agreed.
There is probably no other ally as reliable as her.
I couldn't help but smile, and then I turned to Dahlia and Jostum.
"Sorry, but I won't be taking the Hero Party's request. We'll defeat the Demon Lord Army instead."
"..."
After declaring this decisively, Dahlia and Jostum were stunned, but soon, Jostum furrowed his brow.
"You've been saying some weird things since earlier... Are you saying that this kid will fight the Demon Lord Army...? There's no way a kid like hercan beat them!"
Jostum, who only knew Rose as a girl who had been taken care of by the Nurturer, looked down on her.
Next, he glared at me and threatened me.
"There's no human who can stand up to the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army except for the hero Dahlia! You're still holding a grudge about being kicked out, aren't you? Just cooperate with us without any complaints!"
"I've told you many times that I'm not going to help with your suicide mission. I'm not a rope for you to hang yourself with. Since we say that Rose will defeat them for you, the hero party should just wait quietly in town."
"Ugh!"
It seemed that he couldn't rest until they defeated the Forest King's Army and the Spirit King's Army themselves.
Jostum gritted his teeth and glared at me with an intimidating stare.
Then, since I was determined not to listen to him, Jostum...
"What can a kid like you do? If it comes to this, I'll knock you out and drag you along by force!"
Losing his patience, he tried to grab me.
Indeed, even so, the Trainer's 'support' skill was effective.
Since the skill doubles the acquisition of divine growth points just by being close to me, even if he knocked me out and dragged me along, he could still make me function as a Trainer.
Therefore, Jostum reached out to grab my neck.
In that moment...
"What's this hand?"
"Huh?!"
When did it...?.
Rose was standing next to Jostum, holding his left wrist, which was covered by a gauntlet, with her right hand.
Neither Jostum, Dahlia, nor even I could see the moment when Rose moved.
Immediately after, as if the season had changed to winter, a strong chill ran through my body.
"You said, 'What can a kid like you do,' didn't you? It's true that I don't have any special skills to be proud of. But at least now..."
With an ominous creaking sound coming from the gauntlet, Rose glared sharply at Jostum.
"I can easily break your hand right now."
"Huh?!"
Jostum withdrew his left hand in fear.
Looking at it, the gauntlet that should have been made of steel armor was strangely deformed like dough.
If Jostum had kept his left hand forward, it might have been missing from the gauntlet.
Jostum, who had received Rose's terrifying threat, was sweating profusely from his forehead.
It seemed that he, too, was becoming increasingly agitated by the persistent group.
"Hey, what the hell is this...! Who the hell are you...!"
Jostum glared at Rose with a trembling voice, as if fear had been etched into him.
Dahlia also looked at Rose with trembling shoulders.
Well, since they don't seem to fully understand Rose's abilities, it's no wonder they're puzzled.
I had no choice but to make a suggestion to Rose to demonstrate her power once again.
"Rose, can you show us your Divine Revelation?"
"Divine Revelation...?"
Rose immediately understood the meaning and nodded, readying her hand.
"[Show Divine Revelation]."
A rolled-up parchment-like paper appeared in her hand, and Rose opened it and thrust it forward.
Dahlia and Jostum narrowed their eyes, focusing on the Divine Revelation.
In an instant──.
"Huh..."
The two froze, as if time had stopped.
[Job Class] Valkyrie
[Level] 25
[Skill] War God's Strength, Speed, and Endurance
[Magic]
[Divine Blessing]
- Strength: SS +1025
- Agility: SS 975
- Resilience: S +805
- Magic: C 350
- Holy Power: C 350
"Huh... What's this Divine Revelation...?"
"Huh... Strength Divine Blessing value, over 1000...?"
They seemed to be in a state of shock, still staring at the Divine Revelation, unable to process what they were seeing.
Well, it's no wonder they were so shocked.
I've seen so many Divine Revelations from adventurers and great men, but I've never seen such a ridiculous Divine Revelation like this.
If they called it a "childish doodle Divine Revelation", I would still understand.
"This, this Divine Revelation, is ridiculous...! At half the level limit, why are you stronger than me...! I'm supposed to be the hero...!"
Dahlia, who witnessed Rose's Divine Revelation, trembled with frustration and anger.
It seems she still doubts that she is the strongest adventurer, but I already know that there is a talent beyond that.
"You understand now, right? The adventurers in this town are not useless. They are all precious gems overflowing with talent. So this time, let Rose handle it, and you guys stay put in town and behave."
"...Huh!"
Dahlia's face turned red with anger, and she clenched her teeth tightly.
But no words came out of her mouth, and she roughly opened the door and stormed out, leaving Nurturer behind.
I watched as Jostum chased after her in a flustered manner, feeling a little dumbfounded.
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