Reborn as shield hero with Garps Template

"Master Shield Hero, what do you mean?"

Looking at Jack and the others who had suddenly appeared, the soldier swallowed nervously, turned his head, and asked Jason.

"Nothing more. Your next opponents are them."

The corners of Jason's mouth curled up slightly. He didn't need to give any further orders.

Jack and the others stepped forward, and Wadsworth, who was half-kneeling among the soldiers, yelled loudly. Even though his body was already drenched in blood, he still managed to rise violently once more and joined forces with Jack and the others.

Together, they were like wolves among sheep.

The soldiers' lives were harvested in an instant, taken like wheat under a scythe. None survived a second in their hands, and the screams were endless.

"Damn it, these people came out of nowhere, and each one is stronger than the last… No, princess Myne must be informed immediately."

The magician hiding in a nearby house saw the situation worsening and immediately prepared to escape.

But just as he turned towards the window, he saw a woman standing in front of him, her long sword drawn, and her expression icy cold.

"Do you think you can escape?"

Her voice was full of indifference. It was Irene.

"You actually knew I was here. Impressive observation skills. But whether you leave or not isn't up to you."

The magician's surprise quickly turned to malice, and he raised his staff towards Irene, chanting, "O source of strength, I command you to interpret all—"

At that moment, Irene's upper body leaned forward, and she darted toward him like a cheetah.

Before he could finish the chant, the magician's eyes widened in shock. Irene's speed far exceeded his expectations, and she was already right in front of him.

Realizing this, the magician abandoned his chant and tried to flee, hoping to put some distance between them.

But Irene wasn't about to let that happen. She swung her long sword.

A cold gleam flashed in the magician's eyes, followed by searing pain flooding his mind.

He didn't scream. His eyes remained wide open as he stared at Irene in disbelief. A streak of blood traced a line from his forehead to his chin, and slowly, he began to fall backward. It could be said that he never even had a chance to cry out.

"Just trash good for sneak attacks."

Irene withdrew her long sword slowly, a note of disappointment in her voice.

Perhaps she had hoped for a worthy fight, but the magician didn't even survive a single sword strike. He was so weak that he didn't even pique her interest.

Nevertheless, the mission was to kill the magician. Now that it was done, it was at least a job well finished.

Irene picked up the mage's body and returned to the entrance of Lute Village, where she saw that Jack and the others had already finished their battle.

The dozens of soldiers who had surrounded Wadsworth were all dead within less than a minute.

Irene was unsurprised and tossed the magician's corpse before the group. "The one behind the sneak attack has been taken care of."

"As expected from the strongest among us—you handled the magician who injured Wadsworth so easily," Jack remarked with a sigh.

"It was just trash, nothing worth boasting about," Irene said coldly, walking past.

Jack shrugged, knowing full well this was just her personality. But he swore to himself, One day, I'll be stronger than you.

Irene walked over to Wadsworth and asked, "How is it?"

"The damage to his calf muscles is serious. He'll need at least a few days to recover," Lilith said, bandaging Wadsworth's wound.

"It's not as bad as Lilith makes it sound. If all goes well, I can continue training tomorrow," Wadsworth added with a reassuring smile, trying to downplay the severity of his injury.

"Are you sure about that?" Jack suddenly slapped Wadsworth on the shoulder.

Wadsworth winced in pain, groaning, "It hurts."

"Still think you're okay? Let me tell you something—don't make decisions alone like that again. Got it?"

"Got it!" Wadsworth grinned, knowing Jack was only concerned for him.

"Master Shield Hero is here!" Irene said, noticing Jason slowly approaching.

Everyone, including the injured Wadsworth, immediately straightened up and stood at attention.

"Wadsworth, no need to stand while you're hurt. Sit down," Jason said as he reached them. He first gestured for Wadsworth to rest, then addressed the group, "Now, who can explain to me what happened today?"

"I'll do it!" Jack stepped forward, trying to keep it brief, and recounted the day's events.

"As I thought," Jason said, nodding. He wasn't surprised. "So, you should all understand the mistakes you made. Wadsworth, let's start with you."

"I should've discussed things with everyone first, especially you, Master Shield Hero. I shouldn't have charged in on my own," Wadsworth admitted, though he still didn't sit down. Despite Jason's words, he felt too ashamed to sit while everyone else was standing.

"Jack, what about you?" Jason asked.

After Jason gave Wadsworth a meaningful glance, he turned his gaze toward Jack.

"Yes! Our mistake today was hesitating while Wadsworth was under siege, unsure whether to intervene or not," Jack confessed. Facing Jason, he couldn't lie, so he spoke his thoughts plainly.

"And why couldn't you decide?"

"We were afraid of causing trouble for you, Master Shield Hero. After all, these soldiers were subordinates of Motoyasu and Lady Myne."

Hearing Jack's explanation, a flash of anger appeared in Jason's eyes.

"What a bunch of fools. You've been with me this long and still haven't learned! Do you think Motoyasu and Myne are going to cause me trouble? Are you underestimating me?"

Jason's voice boomed, and Jack and the others all trembled in fear, lowering their heads in unison.

If the fallen soldiers had still been alive, they would have been shocked to see how this powerful group, who had slain them in seconds, now stood like scolded children in front of Jason.

"What? No response?" Jason glared at the ten people before him, each feeling as though they'd been cut with a knife.

"Master Shield Hero... that's not what we meant," Jack finally mustered the courage to say.

"It's not? Then why didn't you save Wadsworth right away? Why did you wait until I stepped in?" Jason pressed.

"Well... I—"

"Let me make this clear: I have never been afraid of anyone in this country. If my followers hesitate and cower when they are ment to act, then they are not worthy of being my followers. Do you understand?"

Jason's meaning was simple: in the future, when you face a situation like this, with me behind you, just act. Don't hesitate.

"Yes!" Jack and the others responded enthusiastically, their faces lighting up with relief.

"But... you still need to be punished for today's mistake."

Hearing Jason's words, the smiles on their faces quickly faded.

"After all, you did cause me a bit of trouble," Jason added. "By the way… are Motoyasu and Myne still in the village?"

Jason scanned Lute Village as he asked Jack and the others.