MAGIC SWORDSMAN CHAPTER 102: LILY’S PAST 2

~Lily’s Perspective~

“…” (Stranger)

“I am Mina, an adventurer belonging to the Finlis Guild. Are you alone?” (Mina)

“… Eh” (Stranger)

“Where are your companions?” (Mina)

　This is a dangerous place that only adventurers are allowed to enter.

　Since he had come to such a place, he must be an adventurer and must have companions. There is no question of this in Mina’s idea.

“…” (Stranger)

“Is that so.” (Mina)

　The man shook his head, and Mina’s expression sank somberly.

“Why don’t you come with us?” (Mina)

“Hey Mina”

“You’re acting selfishly again…” (Tucker)

“Then what are you going to do? He can’t go home alone, can he?” (Mina)

“Well, that’s true…” (Tucker)

　Tucker’s face shows his dissatisfaction. However, no counterargument came out of his mouth.

　He has given up that it is impossible to stop Mina who is in her “meddling auntie” mode.

　Helping those in need.

　Her behavior was quite natural for her, as that was the reason for the existence of the Cat’s Paws.

“Why don’t you go with us?”

　Mina then grabbed the man’s hand.

　It was that moment. At that moment, the man’s aura changed drastically.

　My whole body was covered in goosebumps.

(What is this feeling…!) (Lily)

　Lily was not the only one who noticed the change.

　All the members of the Cat’s Paws took a battle stance at the same time. Tucker pulled Mina to distance her from the man.

　Liger, who stood in front of the man, asked in a low voice.

“Who are you? Tell me the real reason why you are alone in a place like this.” (Liger)

“Do you need to know that?”

　–as a human who will die soon.

　The man’s words echoed dreadfully.

　Tucker and Liger immediately drew their weapons. They are B-rank adventurers who have been through a lot of rough patches. If they were to be beaten by an ordinary opponent, it was because they were slow.

　However, the other party was not “normal”.

　When I noticed, I lost sight of the other person.

“–!?” (Tucker)

“Where did he go!” (Liger)

　Before we could get into a fighting stance, the opponent either used a skill or magic to erase his presence.

　It was a frighteningly quick move.

　My alert level was raised to the maximum by this familiar skill.

　I immediately chanted, invoking the “All-Seeing Eyes – [Detection]” to cancel out [Hide].

　However, I was a step too slow.

“Where are you looking?” (Stanger)

“–*Cough*!!” (Liger)

“Tucker!?” (Mina)

“Chaa!!” (Tucker)

　The man who had come up behind Liger pierced his chest with the knife in his hand

“You’re not very strong, aren’t you? Since you came here, I was wondering if you had the ability of an A-ranker. How about you swordsman?”

“Guh! This guy is strong!” (Tucker)

“Lily!-san” (Mina)

“Hmm!” (Lily)

“I won’t let you” (Tucker)

“Kuh!” (Lily)

　I stepped back after evading to block the dagger. Moving my cane at a distance.

“Oh dear. Apparently, the strongest one among you is that elf. That’s just right. This body isn’t very strong, you see.” (Stranger)

　The man shook the blood on his dagger with a “whoosh” and raised the dagger in front of him.

“That body is attractive, you know? I want to steal it!” (Stranger)

　Now is not the time to be fighting. My emotions are a mess.

　Mina is healing Liger’s wounds with her healing skill. However, the bleeding doesn’t stop. At this rate, Liger will probably die.

　In front of me, Tucker desperately stops the man from moving forward.

　The man appears to have, at best, only a D to C rank physical ability. However, Tucker’s long sword never reaches the man.

　Compared to his physical ability, his skills are unusually high. It is the same as an elf like me, who spent most of my long years training and never engaged in actual combat.

“Liger! Please wake up, hey, Liger!” (Mina)

　Blood is still flowing from Liger’s body. His heart should be beating, too. But the wound is not closing.

　– —There is no soul left in his body.

　My molars grinding become audible.

　I then channel mana in my wand quickly drawing up magic.

　I then struck the person who had killed our kind-hearted party leader mercilessly.

“Holy Ray.” (Lily)

“Oh, that’s a bad move.” (Stranger)

　The white light emitted from the tip of the wand vaporizes the man’s head in an instant.

　The headless man slowly fell to the ground.

　Lily is a magician who has become the country’s number one adventurer (B-rank).

　If only in terms of ability, she is on par with the A ranks. Once that power is directed at a human being, not even a shadow will remain.

“…” (Lily)

　I looked down at the black cloak, biting my lips.

　I killed him because of my emotions, but killing this human doesn’t mean that Liger will come back to life.

(It was a useless death…) (Lily)

　We don’t need to kill them if we are just protecting ourselves. Just take away their limbs. Not long ago, I would have done that.

　No matter how many nearby people were killed, I wouldn’t be affected.

(…Liger.) (Lily)

　But why is my heart a mess?

　Why is my chest in pain?

　Why can’t I stop the tears?

　I was confused as my first strong emotions rushed all at once. But the situation will not wait for me to calm down.

　We are now in a danger zone overrun by B-rank monsters. Having lost Liger our shield-bearer, we should quickly evacuate to the safe zone.

　I wiped my tears with my sleeves and turned around.

“Tucker, Mina. Let’s return to the city immediately—” (Lily)

　“and go back.” I, who tried to tell them, lost my ability to talk when I saw them.

　Tucker sheds a large amount of blood from his chest.

　Mina thrust a dagger deep into his chest.