Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 127

127. Side Story: Sauradite 3 (Part 1)

“Alright! We’re all set!”

After everyone had left, those of us who were staying at the guild immediately started our preparations. We gathered the remaining guild members. And since mistakes weren’t an option, I was running around, making sure everything was in order.

“Saura, was the city evacuation okay?”

“Yeah, Ludo, it went smoothly. I know there are no mistakes with you handling it, but you can never be too careful when it comes to confirmation. I don’t even want to think about the worst-case scenario.”

“That’s true. I agree.”

That’s right. The safety of the citizens was our top priority. Public order in this city was maintained by us, a Special-grade guild, and life here was comfortable. But, in exchange, there was a chance that their lives could be threatened. Only those who acknowledge and accept this can live here, so they understood, but…

“We knew that we were going to be attacked. I don’t think the damage will reach the city, but… we need to be prepared for any possibility.”

I love this city. I love the people who live here. It’s only natural to do everything I can to minimize the damage. I even set up simple barrier magic tools throughout the city, so the buildings wouldn’t be destroyed. What are those funds for? They’re for times like this!

“Well, if they don’t attack, all this effort will have been for nothing.”

Owen, who’d suddenly appeared beside me, said this. His short, dark brown hair swayed gently.

“That would be a good thing. Consider it an evacuation drill.”

“But there are definitely gonna be people who complain, sayin’ ‘Nothing happened!’ ”

Owen’s younger brother Wyatt, his light brown hair messy, said this from behind Owen. Hmm. It’s strange how different these twins are. Ah, but their eyes are both green. Wyatt’s are lighter, though.

“Listen, there are those who’ll twist anything into a complaint, no matter the situation.”

“That’s right. Those types can’t feel at peace unless they complain. It’s a disease, in a way.”

Ludo’s right. Those who find fault with everything, they’re just releasing their anxieties, I think. If you think about it like that, you can be open-minded, no matter what they say. You’re feeling anxious, aren’t you? There, there.

“I see. That’s very informative!”

Owen nodded, seemingly convinced. And it made me a bit mischievous.

“That’s right. And isn’t playing around with countless girls, just to get the attention of the girl you like, basically the same thing?”

“Ahaha! You’re talking about my brother, right!? When are you gonna confess!? When!?”

“Shut up!”

He was slightly blushing as he punched Wyatt, who was teasing him, so he’s aware of it. Honestly, when is he going to make a move? Maryla-chan’s going to run away if he keeps this up!

“It seems like it’s time for us to stop chatting. The evacuation drill’s about to start.”

It seemed that Ludo’s threads, spread throughout the city, had reacted. The enemy was about to attack.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been in an actual battle, I’m getting nervous.”

“Don’t lie, bro. You’re excited!”

Yes, yes, that’s a good amount of tension. Reliable. These two were still immature, but they had the potential to become important assets to Ortus. This would be a good opportunity for them to gain some experience!

“! Get down!!”

Ludo suddenly shouted. We instinctively dropped to the ground. And then, an intense heat, and a deafening explosion. Ugh, it’s hot!

“Kidnapper guild! We’ve come to get our child back!”

The dust settled, and there he was, Razield, the Blue Flame Oni. A large man, his blue hair swaying like a tail, stood there calmly.

So the heat had been his doing. That power, even through our protective barrier. I couldn’t underestimate him. And his eyes were as mean-looking as ever!

And his words. I see, so that’s their approach. They’re setting us up as the villains who kidnapped Meg-chan. Honestly, we’d refuted Epink before, and they’re going with the same excuse?

“I’m not aware of any such incident. To suddenly attack, without even providing evidence. You have no right to complain if we retaliate.”

“For a halfling like you to be the representative, this guild truly is pathetic. Evidence? My boss said so. I don’t need any more evidence than that.”

Razield said this calmly, his orange eyes blazing. He’s a boss supremacist, no, a fanatic. The type I don’t want to be involved with. It’s pointless to even talk to this type. I understood why he worshipped Schelmelhorn, because oni believe that the strongest are the greatest. …But when taken to the extreme, it becomes like a cult. I’ll keep that in mind.

“It seems like talking is pointless.”

“It is. Get out of my way.”

“Shi…!!”

It happened in an instant. I couldn’t even blink. All I saw was Razield raising his hand. I hadn’t been careless. But aside from setting traps, I’m a non-combatant. In front of battle professionals, I’m worse than an ordinary citizen. …I forgot that this is someone who won’t even listen to reason. I think I might be dead.

A deafening roar, and intense heat. …Hmm? I wasn’t hurt?

“…Are you okay, Saura-san?”

“R-Rekiii…!”

I was in Reki’s arms. He’d carried me to safety in that instant! I always thought of him as a child, but he’s so reliable now! This, this, this!

“H-Hey, let go of me…! Ah…! Y-You’re… touching it…!!”

Oh, I’m sorry. What was he touching? I’ll leave it to your imagination. He’s still a child when it comes to these things.

“Thank you, you saved me, Reki! You’ve become so reliable!”

“It-It’s nothing… And besides, it’s my duty, so it’s only natural…”

His duty? I glanced at Ludo, who’d evacuated to a slightly distant location. He chuckled wryly and said,

“Protect Saura, unless there are any seriously injured. Was that unnecessary?”

“Not at all! Thank you, Ludo! And you too, Reki!”

Reki, just like me, is a non-combatant, but as a Rainbow Wolf, he’s incredibly agile. He’s one of the best in the guild when it comes to evading attacks. And since I’m small and light, it’s easy for him to carry me to safety. Now that I think about it, he’s the perfect person for the job. As expected of Ludo! And of course Reki’s amazing too, for fulfilling his duty! I’ll have to give him a reward when this is over.

“Hmph. Celebrating after evading a single attack. …Disintegrate.”

Well, I wasn’t completely careless. Of course, the next attack wouldn’t hit us. That’s why I was so composed.

As Razield swung his arm, launching those blue flame spears, a red shadow flitted past, obliterating them all.

“I’m your opponent!”

A small but reliable figure, standing before us, protecting the guild. I couldn’t see from here, but I’m sure his golden eyes were blazing.

“You’d rather fight someone strong, wouldn’t ya? Eh, Razield?”

“Someone strong? You? You’re the Heaven Soaring Oni, famed for being the weakest, you know?”

I believe in you, Juma!