I Got Fired As an Adventurer, So I’m Starting Anew As an Alchemist! Frontier Exploration? Alright, Leave It to Me!

214. If You Believe In Humanity, There Are No Walls That Cannot Be Overcome, Isn’t It?

Lucas, the bee demon, stands face-to-face with Raidoc, while Camille stands behind him, holding a dagger in both hands. A little further back, inside a barrier created by Marilyn, are Eva, Marilyn, and Solar.

Even further behind them, Kyle is at the center, with Alphard and the others forming a circle. Defensive spells are flying towards them from adventurers on the city walls, creating multiple layers of magical barriers.

As expected of Golden Dawn adventurers. They can reach this far with their spells.

Though they can’t match Eva or Marilyn, the various potions and the skills of adventurers who grew up in harsh environments are incomparable to those from other regions.

I hesitated for a moment whether to back up Raidoc or guard Kyle, but after seeing the reliable Golden Dawn comrades, I decided to help Raidoc.

It just feels like this demon is really dangerous.

Although, I don’t think Raidoc and the others really need my help.

“Heh. So demons are really strong, huh?”

“Tch! You’re the one who took my strike head-on! But humans usually scream in agony when they’re pierced by my needles!”

“Not happening!”

Raidoc and the bee demon Lucas move simultaneously. Honestly, I can’t see their arms at all during the exchange. I can barely follow the movements of their bodies.

The usual ease is gone from Raidoc’s face.

The sound of their clashing swords, like rapid drumbeats, tells of their fierce battle.

“This is bad. I can’t even get close to this level of combat.”

I was ready to throw potions from my belt at any moment, but honestly, I might not have been needed.

But Raidoc’s party members were different. They’ve fought together for so long that their coordination is second nature.

“This won’t stop me! [Phoenix Claw Blast]!”

Solar fires an arrow with unbelievable power, and Lucas moves his tail-like stinger to shoot needles, just like before.

But the thick needle is easily shattered by the arrow.

“Tch!”

The bee guy deflects Raidoc’s combo while shooting multiple needles, barely managing to stop Solar’s special move.

“Now! [Crimson Flame Spear]!”

Eva follows up with a magical spear of hellfire. She’s changing the element, probably probing for the enemy’s weakness. Smooth move!

“This power! So you’re one of the marked from the past!”

Lucas spreads the wings on his back and leaps out of the line of fire.

“Too bad. The real deal is over here. [Dark Burial Dance].”

Over a dozen Camilles leap out from behind Raidoc.

“What!?”

That’s the sword technique I saw in Mizuho, where they split into clones! He can’t dodge this!

“Don’t underestimate humans, you bastards!”

Lucas shouts, turning his back to Camille.

“Huh?”

Whose surprise was that? Mine? Or multiple people’s?

The wings aimed at Camille vibrate at high speed, blowing away all the clones.

“Kyaa!”

Camille, covered in cuts, rolls on the ground. I was about to throw a healing potion, but Marilyn’s recovery spell was faster.

Camille wipes off the blood and stands up, seemingly unharmed.

They haven’t fought many strong enemies together, but their coordination in both offense and defense is perfect. Impressive.

The intense battle continues, but no matter what they try, Lucas’s wing defense blocks everything.

“You’re annoying! You bastards!”

“That’s my line!”

“This bug is pissing me off.”

Not just Raidoc, but even Camille is cursing at the demon. They must be really stressed.

Even though they’ll recover quickly, Raidoc’s party is the only one taking damage. I can understand their frustration.

…If we can seal those wings, they’ll handle the rest, right?

Luckily, since he’s using his wings for defense, he can’t fly away or attack.

Let’s give it a try.

I gather all the knowledge I’ve gained so far, thinking of the necessary potion.

Combining my adventure experience, knowledge from the crest, and what I learned from Jabil-sensei, I create a new alchemy.

(This might work!)

I move a bit away, pulling out herbs and intermediate potions from my spatial storage, and start brewing with alchemy. I don’t have a cauldron, but I only need a test tube’s worth, so I force it with magic.

Raidoc seems to have noticed my movements. I’m surprised he could in the middle of such a fierce battle, but he must have been sure I was up to something.

So Raidoc subtly signals his team.

(Craft’s doing something. Focus on restraining the demon!)

((Got it!!!))

Raidoc’s party shifts from their usual offensive coordination to a more restraining one, slowing Lucas down.

I didn’t notice, but when I finished the alchemy and looked up, I was relieved to see the bee demon’s movements were now barely visible.

As if planned, Raidoc switches positions, and the demon turns his back to me.

“Now! Take this! Quick-Dry Hardening Slime!”

I throw the freshly brewed potion in a test tube at Lucas. My magic ensures the tube shatters on impact.

“Don’t interfere, weakling!”

Lucas tries to blow away the potion with his vibrating wings, but that’s exactly what I wanted!

The alchemical mixture, a blend of sticky glue and hardening rock, clings to the bee demon’s wings and instantly solidifies.

“What the!?”

As Lucas is stunned, Raidoc’s party moves.

“Now! [Unicorn Horn]!”

“You’re too annoying. [Destruction Kunai Strike]!”

“Perish! [Abyssal Collapse]!”

Solar fires an arrow wrapped in a white aura, resembling a giant horn.

Lucas, with his wings sealed, clicks his tongue and twists to dodge. He must have realized he couldn’t block it with his needles. I agree.

As his stance falters, Camille’s attack follows. Countless dagger-like objects are thrown from all her clones, moving at an insane speed.

Lucas deflects Raidoc’s relentless sword strikes with one hand while using the other to block the incoming daggers. But with his stance compromised, a few slip through, damaging one of his compound eyes.

Wow! That’s the first clear damage we’ve dealt! Those clone techniques are just unfair!

Then, Eva’s pitch-black magic bullet strikes.

Lucas tries to swat it away, but the insect arm that was blocking Raidoc’s sword crumbles.

That magic is way more dangerous than it looks!?

Of course, the finishing blow comes for the insect guy who’s lost an arm and an eye.

“I believed in you, Craft! Take this! [Crimson Dragon Rising Slash]!”

Raidoc’s flaming sword cuts through Lucas’s side, from his flank to the opposite shoulder, splitting his body in two as it flies through the air.

The demon’s upper half lands right in front of me.

“Whoa!?”

“Sorry, sorry. Didn’t have time to think about the landing spot.”

“N-no, it’s fine as long as we took him down… but that was surprising.”

Is he dead?

I pull out a stick and poke the insect face.

“Guh…”

“Eek!?”

A muffled groan escapes Lucas, and I fall back on my butt. Raidoc and the others quickly surround him.

“Hu… humans… how could I… a demon… lose to humans…”

I was scared to death, but it seems he was just on the verge of dying. Don’t scare me like that!

…

Van’s gonna tease me to death about this later, isn’t he?