Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 121

121. Side Story: Zahariash/Injury

When he raised his hand, just that caused the wind around me to swirl. When he brought it down, that wind turned into a tornado, attacking me. And then, as if changing its mind, that tornado transformed into blades of wind. At times, he manipulated the air around me, making it impossible for me to breathe. His mastery over magic was praiseworthy, as if the wind had a will of its own, moving like an extension of his body.

But I too am one who calls myself Demon King. I wouldn’t be outdone by this level of magic.

I deflected the tornadoes with magic, and lightly twisted my body to evade all the blades. By applying spatial magic, I could directly take in air, making breathing a non-issue. My body moved faster than I could think of countermeasures. It reminded me of the time when I traveled with Eugene and Yenna. Battle truly does stir my instincts as the Demon King. It made me realize that I needed to move my body every once in a while.

“Is the grave that important to you?”

“!!”

I’d been subtly moving away from Meg and the others, and from Yenna’s grave, but it seems he’d noticed. But he’s Yenna’s father, isn’t he? Wouldn’t it be normal for him to not want to involve his daughter’s resting place? I thought it would be to his advantage too, that I’d moved away from there. That’s what I’d convinced myself.

“That shameless girl doesn’t even deserve to have a grave in our sacred land. She’s a disgrace to High Elves! We don’t even need proof that she existed!!”

In the brief moment I let my guard down, Schelmelhorn launched a powerful attack towards Yenna’s grave. To think he could generate this much power in such a short time…!

“Shit…!”

“Ukyaaaahhh…!”

As soon as I turned around, Meg’s scream echoed. I hope she’s safe! Shadow Eagle, I’m counting on you!!

“A half-breed can’t be called a true High Elf! I won’t acknowledge it! But it would make a convenient pawn. Using it effectively for its entire life would be the happiest life for that child. Hand it over obediently and disappear!!”

I felt my vision turning red. This is bad. If I’m consumed by negative emotions, I’ll…! But these words were too much. The insults towards Yenna, my beloved wife, and treating our daughter, our treasure, as less than human…

“Shut up, you old geezer!!!!”

Half-transformed, I roared like a dragon as I shouted. Unforgivable. I won’t forgive anyone who mocks my loved ones!

I closed the distance between us in an instant and sank my fangs into his neck. With a sickening sound, I tasted blood. A nasty flavor. And yet, he didn’t seem to care at all, and continued to use his magic.

Not at me, but at Yenna’s grave.

“Ahh…!”

“Guh…”

“No way, he easily broke through a double barrier!”

In my line of sight was the Shadow Eagle, who had fully embraced Meg in his arms and taken the attack on his back, and Martinelshiela, her eyes wide with shock. And—

Yenna’s pure white, beautiful grave, destroyed—

My vision turned crimson. Consumed by anger, I reverted to my true form, my consciousness overwhelmed by emotion.

※ ※ ※ ※ ※

“To the other side of the spring! If we narrow the range, the barrier will be stronger! Everyone, help out! If you want to die the way you want to, that is!”

Suddenly, Yenna-san’s grave was blown away. The demonic tornado that caused it was heading straight for us. It all happened in an instant, but the fact that I could see it at all was probably an accomplishment.

Though you could also say that’s all I could do.

“Gil-shan…!”

“I’m… fine. Hold on.”

My vision had suddenly gone black, so I wasn’t really sure what was going on. But I heard a small groan, so I understood that Gil-san had taken a hit. From the slight strain in his voice, I knew that Gil-san wouldn’t make a sound like that from a minor injury, and it scared me. He must have put up a barrier for himself, and he had his combat attire, and yet he was still hurt.

I bit my lip in frustration, unable to do anything but fidget. I won’t cry.

“You go ahead! I’m a bit… dizzy. Don’t you dare look back! You won’t be able to see anything for a while!”

I heard Nika-san’s voice from behind. At the same time, I felt a floating sensation. It seemed like Gil-san had picked me up and stood up.

“You probably can’t see outside, but close your eyes just in case, Meg.”

I won’t cry, I won’t cry. I squeezed my eyes shut, as he said. So the tears wouldn’t flow.

“There’s a shrine deeper in. Let’s gather there. In that place, even we High Elves can create a stronger barrier.”

“Got it.”

“I’ll stay here. I can’t leave Zahariash-sama’s side.”

“…Be careful.”

“It goes without saying, but… I’ll gratefully accept those words.”

After a brief exchange between Gil-san and Kron-san, following Mara-san’s instructions, I felt us start to move. I think it took about three minutes to reach the shrine Mara-san had mentioned. I felt a warm breeze in the middle, it was probably Nika-san.

Eventually, I was put down. I looked around, waiting for my eyes to adjust. Of course, I was unharmed. …But.

“Gil-shan, your back…!”

“It’s fine. Don’t look too closely, it’s not a pretty sight.”

The first thing I checked when my eyes had adjusted was Gil-san’s condition. I knew it, he’d been hit! The back of his combat attire was completely destroyed, his entire back covered in deep cuts. It was so painful to look at that my face twisted.

“We need to treat it!”

“I brought medicine, so it’s not a problem. I have painkillers too.”

“But, but!!”

Gil-san sat on the ground, wincing as he took off his tattered top. All I could do was pace around him. I wanted to treat his wounds, but I had no idea what to do when faced with such deep cuts. My mind was blank. …What am I doing!?

“It would be hard for you to treat your own back, right? If you have disinfectant and ointment, I’ll do it.”

“…That would be a great help.”

Seeing us like this, Mara-san offered to help. As I watched her efficiently treat him, I was once again crushed by my own powerlessness.

And then.

An exceptionally large and beautifully glowing spirit light appeared before me. A slightly deep, light blue light. Somehow, I felt like the spirit was trying to tell me something. This intuition was probably related to my High Elf blood, so I was probably right. I didn’t hesitate to call out to the spirit.

“…Are you a Water Spirit-shan?”

It seemed I was right. The light blue light glowed brightly and spoke.

『Thank you. I know this is sudden, but please form a contract with me. I’ve been waiting for you, my lady.』

Waiting for me? What did that mean? Did it know I was coming here?

Several questions came to mind, but Shou-chan, Fuu-chan, and Homura-kun, who were suddenly by my side, were also excited, chanting 『Contract! Contract!』, so maybe its intentions were guaranteed.

Based on the simplistic idea that I could just ask about what I didn’t understand, I nodded to the Water Spirit’s offer.