NOVEL WEB Chapter 131 - Ortus’ Number Two Man
Ortus’ Number Two Man
“Zahariash-sama seems to be losing sight of his surroundings. At first, he was focusing only on Schelmelhorn… and he was pushing quite hard and had the upper hand, but it seems like Zahariash-sama has reached his limit in maintaining his sense of self. It’s only a matter of time before Schelmelhorn takes advantage of an opening and comes here.”
Wow, it really is the worst situation. The Demon King has lost control, right…? I looked outside the barrier, and even though Kron-san had just washed them away with water, they were already swarming again. Beast-type monsters, bird-type monsters. Monsters of all sizes, from large to small, had lost the light in their eyes. …I wonder if the Demon King had also lost the light in his eyes. The thought scared me, and I couldn’t help but shudder.
“…Meg. And everyone, please listen.”
I felt like Gil-san’s grip on me tightened for a moment. I sensed an atmosphere as if he had made up his mind, and anxiety spread in my chest.
“Until the Don arrives, I will handle Schelmelhorn.”
“…There’s no other way, is there?”
“Yes… I’m sorry. If I were stronger…”
Gil-san is very strong. Surely the strongest here. I know that well. So it’s best for Gil-san to fight. But if that happens…
“Meg, I’m sorry. I had intended to stay by your side and protect you. But now, someone has to stop Schelmelhorn and the Demon King.”
Yes, yes, I understand. I completely understand, Gil-san!
“It’s difficult to escape safely with you while being surrounded by so many monsters and pursued by Schelmelhorn. Right now, this place is the safest for you.”
Yes, I understand. So, Gil-san.
“Allow me to leave your side and go to battle. I promise to protect this place.”
Gil-san clenched his fists tightly. Don’t make that face. I understand.
“Okii. …I’m counting on you. Gil-shan, please be careful.”
“…Yeah. Thank you.”
The hand patting my head was gentler than ever. I was really anxious. Would Gil-san get more seriously injured than before? Would he return safely?
But all I could do was believe in him and wait. And to follow instructions so as not to be a burden. I don’t want to do something pathetic like not even being able to do that! I won’t cry. I won’t cry!
“…I’ll repel the monsters. I hope Zahariash-sama doesn’t attack us…”
“Then I’ll stay by Meg’s side. I might not be too reliable, but bear with me, Meg.”
“No! You’re reliable. Thank you, Nika-shan!”
Kron-san volunteered to support Gil-san, and Nika-san to guard me. I’m truly grateful. I could tell that Nika-san was deliberately trying to act cheerful so the mood wouldn’t get dark.
“We’re here too. …I’m sorry. Even though it’s a family matter. But we can’t go against that child.”
“I don’t mind. I didn’t expect you to be this helpful. Rather, I’m grateful.”
Mara-san, who had been listening from a distance, spoke to us. That’s right, there’s that curse called the patriarch’s order.
“…I’m counting on you.”
After saying that, Gil-san took out a new outfit from subspace and quickly put it on. His combat attire was in tatters. It was a simple black long T-shirt, so it probably didn’t have as much defensive power as before, but it didn’t seem to be just an ordinary piece of clothing either. Because it’s Gil-san, after all.
Then, after glancing at us once, he took his weapon, a sword, and walked straight towards the edge of the barrier. Kron-san followed him with unwavering steps.
“You don’t have to remake the barrier to go from the inside to the outside, huh.”
Nika-san muttered this as he watched the two of them easily exit. I see… It might be to save the trouble of remaking it.
The moment Gil-san took a step outside the barrier, the waiting monsters all started moving at once. Ugh! Scary! But it’s even scarier to look away! I have to watch closely. Otherwise, I won’t know if Gil-san is safe!
My anxiety was unnecessary.
Gil-san, lowering his hips and taking a stance, drew his sword. With just that movement, shadows scattered around, and the approaching monsters, of course, and all the monsters within a radius of several meters of Gil-san were blown away. A-Amazing…!
Standing naturally with his sword in his right hand, I could feel an indescribable fighting spirit emanating from his back. An invisible aura, so to speak… I had the feeling that if I moved even a little, I’d be cut. Of course, we were in a position to be protected, so we didn’t feel a sense of danger, but… the monsters facing him probably didn’t feel alive.
“As always, Gil’s an amazing man. Take a good look, Meg. That’s the number two man of Ortus.”
“Number… two…”
That means he’s the second strongest after Dad, right? To be honest, from my perspective, everyone is so amazing that I can’t grasp how amazing they are, but…
But one thing I understood was that if we couldn’t overcome this situation with Gil-san, it would be the end for us.
“…He’s here.”
I focused my eyes at Mara-san’s words. Gil-san must have seen him too. I could clearly see Schelmelhorn, with wind swirling around him, keeping the monsters at bay, heading straight for us.
“Absurd.”
Schelmelhorn muttered that single word, looking thoroughly annoyed. Absurd…? What was absurd?
“I no longer intend to ask for the child.”
“…What do you mean?”
Gil-san seemed surprised by Schelmelhorn’s words and became even more vigilant. He turned his body sideways, ready to draw his sword at any moment.
“Let her choose for herself. Then there can be no complaints.”
“Wh-What?”
Choose for myself? Does he mean to let me choose? The answer is obvious, though. But I’m uneasy seeing how composed he is. Nika-san swiftly shielded me behind him. Ugh, thank you!
“High Elf Meg!”
“Oh no! Meg!”
Mara-san hurriedly rushed towards me. But it was probably a little too late.
Because, you know? The moment Schelmelhorn called me “High Elf Meg,” my body stiffened and I couldn’t move.
“Come here. It’s the patriarch’s order.”
“Wh-What…!?”
A patriarch’s order. Those were the words of the curse. I couldn’t move my body freely anymore. Not only that, even though I hated it, even though I didn’t want to go, my feet started moving towards Schelmelhorn on their own. I couldn’t even make a sound.
“I won’t let you!”
Nika-san hurriedly embraced me, trying to stop me. I was still trying to go, but I was just a little girl. It was a futile struggle. Nika-san! Please, keep holding me back!
But my wish was shattered once again by Schelmelhorn’s words.
“Residents of the High Elf Village. …Restrain those who hinder the child’s steps. It’s the patriarch’s order.”