Chapter 38
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Two impacts assault her.
One in the stomach and one in the chest.
In her fading consciousness, she wonders.
He said he would protect her no matter what.
In fact, they reached the depths of the monster-infested dungeon without a single scratch.
「I will take all of the enemy’s attacks,」 he said, laughing while covered in wounds.
Laughing──laughingple┌se d○n’t læve me Ichπro I’m sø sorρy Ichiζo plea⌠e ple̊ase forg̈ive m̈e I löve y◊u Ic╪iro
There, her consciousness completely blacks out.
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In less than a minute, three main members are lost.
Half of the accompanying party is already incapacitated. The two tanks, who had been enduring with faint hope, are now in critical condition with uncertain fates. Additionally, one of the main members of the Hero’s party lies motionless.
It’s simple math. The enemy has increased to two, and our numbers have decreased by three.
The delicate balance that was maintained is completely shattered.
Until just moments ago, everyone was desperately fighting while suppressing the urge to scream in fear, betting on the survival of all.
However, the emotions that had been sealed and held back at the corners of their mouths were bound to erupt at any moment.
The tragedy continues.
Slash!
One of the healers has her torso deeply slashed and collapses without any resistance.
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For Iraiza, danger was always close at hand.
She had experienced returning from the brink of death more times than she could count on both hands.
「It’s alright, everyone!! Stay calm!! The Hero’s party is still here!!」
The moment a conscious girl gasped, Iraiza raised her voice before the girl could scream.
The essentials for survival were maintaining composure and having the tenacity to not give up until the very end.
Iraiza, with the sole determination to bring her fallen daughter back alive, managed to suppress her fear, like water barely held together by surface tension in a full cup.
However, even she herself no longer fully believed that the Hero’s party, whose name she had mentioned to encourage those around her, would truly be reliable.
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Ryūgūin, the Hero, notices the lukewarm dampness in his pants.
Pathetically, it is only after Iraiza’s encouragement that he regains his senses.
Along with that, he is driven by the urgency of 「This is bad, this is bad, this is bad!!」 as he realizes he was about to lose himself in a daze.
「Mika! Cast 〈Heal〉 on everyone! We can’t let a single person die!!!」
「Understood,」 Mika says briefly, and finally, at this point, she saves all the members of the joint party, including those on the brink of death.
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Even though 〈Heal〉 has been cast by the Saint, it doesn’t mean that those who were unconscious will immediately regain consciousness.
Even if they do regain consciousness, there is no way that a person can immediately return to the frontlines from a near-death critical condition — except for some heroic-level adventurers.
「Mika! When you’re done healing, put up a barrier around me!」
Hero Ryūgūin shouts with a trembling voice.
「Yes, Hero! I won’t let a single finger touch you!」
Saint Mika protects herself and the Hero within a solid barrier, as if it were only natural.
「Eris! You can do it, right?! If not, wake up Angie who’s sleeping there and take care of it together!」
Hero Ryūgūin shouts his plan, which can hardly be called a plan, in a shrill voice.
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Is this really the Hero?
Is this the party that has conquered seven 「Newly Constructed Most Challenging Dungeons」?
The order given to an ally supporting the front line alone from the safety zone — it was a foolish plan, akin to nonsense.
Iraiza couldn’t understand it.
From the Hero’s party’s perspective, they are ultimately outsiders.
If that’s why they’re abandoning our accompanying party, it could be understood, albeit reluctantly.
Even I, if pushed to the extreme and could only save either my daughter or a stranger, would choose my daughter without hesitation.
But, but this is–
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Eris’ work could be described as fighting like a lion.
Pulling out the spear stuck in the back, deflecting thrown weapons, parrying the serpentine sword.
However — she knew that there was no other path for her but to retreat.
Yet, she concentrated her mind on defense.
The spear throws and the high-speed attacks of the serpentine sword — she couldn’t afford to overlook even a single strike.
If she missed one, it wouldn’t be surprising if there were casualties next time.
Eris made up her mind and released the Holy Sword sheathed at her waist.
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