CHAPTER 124: THE RELIABLE INSTRUCTOR

Basically, it is said that in order to destroy a devil, one needs a sacred treasure. However, it is also possible to destroy devils without the help of treasure.

　Take heroes, for example. All the heroes who were active during the wars of the Gods and Goddesses destroyed devils without the help of sacred treasures.

　Unfortunately, Aron cannot fight like a hero.

(But Lily can!) (Aaron)

　Aaron, who had peeked into her status with his [God’s Eye], was slightly expectant.

　Lily is the only B-rank adventurer in Finlis.

　However, her ability as a magician is far beyond that of an ordinary A-rank adventurer. If her former companions were still alive, she and the others would have reached A-rank by now. Her status is that high.

　After the party was destroyed, the Finlis Guild, in anticipation of her talent, had approached her several times about being promoted to the A-rank.

　However, she kept rejecting the offers (for some reason or other). This is the reason why she has remained in the B-rank despite her ability.

　If Lily could unleash her maximum level of [Light Magic], it would have the potential to destroy the devils.

　The purpose of the battle clearly switches from stalling for time to evacuate the residents to defeat the devil.

(So, my role is to secure her chanting time?) (Aaron)

　Devils are not stupid. As soon as mages start chanting, they immediately notice and interfere.

(If it’s true, it would be nice to have a high-level shield-bearer.) (Aaron)

　If they used their skill to attract hatred while receiving the devil’s attack, he would be able to buy enough time for Lily to activate her magic. However, without a shield-bearer, that strategy is not possible.

　Aaron has no choice but to take the place of the shield-bearer, even if he has to force himself to do so.

“Haa… Being a Guild Master hurts so bad. I want to quit.” (Aaron)

　Aaron whined as he confronted the devil.

　While chanting magic, Lily watched the battle between Aaron and the devil.

　As expected of a former A-rank adventurer. He’s not even a step behind the devil.

　The devil raised its tentacles and swung them down toward Aaron. He parries it with his orichalcum sword. The attack slips over to the side as the trajectory shifts.

　—Zuun.

　The devil’s tentacles gouged the ground.

　The earth shakes.

　A cloud of dust rises.

　Buildings creak after a moment.

　The aftermath of the attack is felt on Lily’s skin.

　Even a single blow would have killed her instantly. Aaron is indeed a master at parrying such blows.

　However, there is a limit to a mortal’s physical strength. If he continues to deflect the blows, he will surely be crushed sooner or later.

“[Bind]!” (Aaron)

　Aaron activates a sealing magic. Ivy growing from the ground wrapped around the devil’s tentacles.

　The devil stopped for a bit. However, the ivy was soon torn off.

　Lily wonders if he could stop it moving for a second. The effect time is short enough to make her cry. But for that one second, she could keep Aaron alive.

(He’s already breathing so hard his shoulders are heaving…) (Lily)

　Aaron’s forehead was dripping with sweat.

　He can’t keep it up. Lily does her best to activate her magic.

(Guh! I didn’t expect my physical strength to drop so much.) (Aaron)

　Aaron was annoyed in his heart as he fought off the devil’s attack.

　Aaron is a former A-rank adventurer, but after years of doing duties as a Guild Master, his strength has dropped to about half of what it was in his prime.

　He is now barely surviving on his rusty skills, and he is beginning to see his limits.

“[Bind]!” (Lily)

　The devil will be able to escape immediately, but he’s grateful for a little time. Aaron stops and regulates his breathing. He quickly readies himself and prepares to attack.

(–already!) (Aaron)

　He clenched his molars, and raises his sword. In the world through the [God’s Eye], the devil’s tentacles slowly close in. There, he gently place his sword.

　–creak.

　As soon as the load is applied, every bone in his body creaks.

“Ugh!!” (Aaron)

　The pressure of the attack is tremendous.

　He tries his best to suppress the impact so that he doesn’t lose his balance. The tentacles slide easily across the sword’s length.

(I don’t feel like I will live for long.) (Aaron)

　Every time he parried an attack, his whole body screams. He feels as if his body is being ground to pieces.

　This is the power of the attack, even though he parried it. The physical strength of a devil is not comparable to that of a mortal. If his timing is even a little off, Aaron will probably not even have a piece of flesh left.

　Fear peeked out from the depths of his heart.

　His body was slightly stiffened.

　At that moment, the devil attacks again.

“Dam–” (Aaron)

　The stiffness prevented him from moving with precision.

　The timing was slightly off.

(Is this it…?) (Aaron)

　At that moment, Aaron realized his incoming death.

“—Daaaaaaaaaaaa!!” (Graf)

　A large man suddenly appeared and struck the devil in the side.

　The devil’s huge body tilted greatly.

“Eh……?” (Aaron)

　Aaron was stunned, forgetting that he had almost died a few moments before. He had never imagined that a devil could be knocked down by a single human fist.

　The man who struck the devil was a bald macho. His entire body was muscular, and his fists were covered with bright red iron fists.

　The man was Graf, the trainer at the Adventurers’ Guild.

“G-Graf!?” (Aaron)

“Master, are you okay?” (Graf)

“I’m fine. I’d like to know how you moved… Or rather, how can you move, Graf?” (Aaron)

“Hmm? I can’t just keep quiet when a monster like this appears.” (Graf)

　Graf just flex his biceps, but that’s not what Aaron asked.

　Didn’t he get stunned by the devil due to the difference in the level of existence? That was what he means.

　Before he became a guild official, he was a C-rank adventurer. A C-rank adventurer is not strong enough to fight devils. Nonetheless, he knocked the devil out of its stance with his fist.

　There is only one possible explanation for this.

(It seems that Graf’s latent ability was too high to fit into C-rank.) (Aaron)

　Was it because he was not blessed with luck that a person who was capable of moving in front of a devil was let being just a C-rank adventurer?

　If he had been blessed with luck, he surely would not have ended up at C-rank.

　The devil slowly stood up and glared at Graf.

　Startled, Aaron opens his mouth.