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Evan D. Sherden Makes His Brilliant Debut (3)
“Monster?! Are they the monsters of the west that have become stronger by receiving the spirit of the demons?!”
“That’s crazy; I’m getting out of here!”
“I felt like this was going to happen, but they didn’t listen to me and sent me to this party!”
“Guests, all calm down! The duke will ensure the safety of guests visiting the estate!”
Unlike the Sherden or Leonine family, which had active encounters with monsters, ordinary nobles weren’t used to such combat. Given that, it was only natural they would be rioting after hearing a monster flood was occurring in the territory they were currently.
“Sir, save us! We were invited by Leonine!”
“Duke, what do you mean to hide from monsters? What is the Great Flood?”
“Come out, guys! We have to head back to the estate!”
Evan felt somewhat refreshed as he watched the party hall evacuate in no time. This was the bare face of the arrogant nobles, no evidence of their prior poise remaining.
“Young master, I will serve you. You will be able to escape safely.”
“Dain.”
The escort knight, Dain, appeared from behind him, but Evan shook his head.
“Thank you for your words, but it’s impossible, Dain. If the duke said it was a great flood, it wouldn’t be so simple. We can’t get out until we kill all the monsters or leave as spirits.”
“My god…”
“Let’s wait.”
Evan motioned at Dain and produced a large pocket-watch like object from his pocket. It was a magic tool he had made himself, but it contained some of the magic metal ‘Arisha,’ which they used to make the rapier.
“This is a tool that measures the number of monsters in all directions within two kilometers using wind mana. It also can approximate their strength. It was made as a demonstration, but it is quite useful in limited circumstances. Dungeons, for instance.”
“Two kilometers, young master…if it’s such a powerful ability, isn’t it basically an artifact?”
“Natural artifacts and those made by humans have a clear difference. Well… sometimes humans come close to God.”
Evan had a lot of confidence in his Alchemy; in fact, he already had the same level of ability Bernard had in his heyday. In addition to that were his memories of earth’s modern technology. Even Bernard had to admit that the magic tools he made were groundbreaking.
“The main disadvantage is that as a human-made tool, it is unstable and cannot be used for long…”
“Young master, then, are there monsters crowded around here? They’re two kilometers away, but the monsters are already approaching?”
“Yes, that’s what happens in such a flood. It’s similar to the backflow in the dungeon. There are just more of them.”
“That’s…I see.”
Evan nodded at Shine’s word as he approached to look at the item. There were several red dots representing monsters visible on the device.
“Fortunately, they aren’t very strong monsters…just orcs. Though, they’re bad monsters for ordinary people.” Monsters had invaded the territory where people lived already. It wasn’t unusual for them to come in all directions since it was a siege. No wonder the duke had appeared and given out a call to arms; the battle would happen within the hour most likely.
“It’s difficult to run from these monsters, and the nobles are panicking. Running isn’t a wise choice.”
“There really is no escape from these pigs,” Arisha spoke up coldly. There were smashed chairs and tables, plates, and wine bottles all over the place.
“Please stay calm and follow our lead! We will guide you to the shelter!”
“Shelter?! Come on, hurry up!”
“The third son of an author is blocking me?! This cheeky writer…!”
“How long do we have to wait in that shelter?”
“It’s noisy!”
The sounds of the panicking nobles reverberated throughout the space to form a terrible din.
“How am I to admire these nobles who should lead the Silk Line in the future? Did they live without knowing such monsters existed in our world? If they moved quietly to hide while those who could fight moved to the front, this wouldn’t be such a mess.”
“Well, a tiger is a tiger.”
“Huh.”
Given his son, he had thought the duke might be below expectations, but he had come in like a whirlwind to defend his province. He had been the very image of a hero the entire time. In terms of personal force, it was less than Leo or Mikhail, but he didn’t lack the charisma of a natural-born leader.
“So shut your mouth and move quietly! Hustle!”
“Oh, okay…”
Nobles of all types began to comply at the barking of the Duke. His servants leading the nobles, let out a sigh of relief.
“Go, master. I will serve you.”
“No, Dain.”
However, Evan refused him again.
“We can’t hide this time.”
“Yes?”
“I want to be in a safe place too.”
Really, he thought it was ridiculous how he kept doing things that went against his usual creed. Obviously, he was paying the price of going out without proper planning. Evan shrugged and let out a sigh.
“With this party, we’ve raised our image, and now you want to show them a pathetic side by hiding? No. Not only does that harm Princess Anastasia, but it also hurts the name of the dungeon Knights.”
He wasn’t in a position where he would run even if it were an option.
“Ah…”
“It’s one of the worst timings. If I knew it would end like this, I wouldn’t have come.”
It was just like Evan to collect death flags. Now he had done it and gotten one for a great flood! Turning back time was impossible, though, so he had to look ahead and do his best. Making up his mind, Evan produced a simple alchemy tool and equipped it to prepare for battle. Dain shouted in surprise upon seeing it.
“Are you sure you want to fight now?!”
“Yes.”
“This is a great flood, master! Tens of thousands of stronger than usual monsters are attacking!”
“I know.”
Evan nodded with a rather cool expression.
“But, I have to fight.”
He couldn’t bring shame to the name Sherden. If he hid here, his entire family would be cursed. It was a shame equal to death for the nobility of the dungeon city, who had the responsibility to protect the people from monsters. The world would laugh at them.
“You’re still young! No one will blame you for stepping back here!”
“Dain, it was me who first abandoned the position of a child to pretend at being a noble. So, if I go back to take the position of a child, who could trust me?”
“Young master…”
Evan caught Dain’s gaze and laughed. He understood his own position and the actions he took more than anyone else.
“I am a Sherden, and a Sherden never flees when there are people to protect.”
“Huh…”
Dain was speechless at the declaration. Evan was thinking a bit differently, however.
‘I mean, this isn’t that scary… it’s good to cultivate strength in advance. Good job, Evan!
The monsters’ flooding was mainly orcs. The same orcs that Evan’s party grew tired of in the dungeon. If it had been truly dangerous, he would have hidden anyways, but how could he afford to slack off when he could train?
“I still don’t know what will happen on the battlefield. Shine, Lua, can you protect me?”
“Of course, Master. Because I have been training for this moment.”
“I will protect you.”
The atmosphere around the two shifted in an instant. Each of them pulled out their weapons and spoke as if they were vowing. While Evan seemed happy with the two, Dain pulled out his sword a second late behind him.
“Young master, please don’t leave me out! Wherever you go, I will be with you too!”
“Dain is my escort, so of course, you have to protect me. I’ve always believed.”
Evan responded lively to Dain, who seemed sad.
“I will fight too,” Arisha spoke calmly next to Dain.
“Of course, you are also a dungeon knight. It is time for us to move as knights…show me your strength.”
“… Thank you for saying so, Evan.”
Arisha equipped her armor and brandished her rapier. Despite her young age, the aura surrounding her was that of a warrior.
“Well, then I…”
Was she influenced by Evan’s party? Anastasia raised her two delicate fists that seemed like they may break at any moment, but Evan shook his head.
“No, it’s good to be courageous, but it’s alright for a princess who hasn’t even started training yet.”
“But, I want to show that I’m different too…”
“There will be opportunities later, so leave it to us today.”
“Ah…”
The great flood wasn’t a good opportunity for Anastasia. Hadn’t her impression at the party faded because of it? She was clearly frustrated that there was nothing she could do.
“Princess, trust us now and wait. I will finish soon and come back.”
“Shine…okay. You have to come back safely. Everyone…please.”
Shine’s words seemed to have worked properly, as Anastasia soon bowed her head down to them, and she quickly left. She was probably headed to her hiding place, that flower garden.
“She would’ve been indispensable had she just had half a year of training. The druid’s combat support ability is really great…”
“She will be strong one day.”
Shine evaluated her highly as they watched her go. Evan couldn’t help but laugh at him again, but a person running inside the venue stopped him. It was none other than Matthew.
“Sir Evan, will you really fight?”
“Yes, Sir Matthew. Fortunately, I have little experience in dealing with monsters.”
“Ha, it will be a lot different from what you have experienced in the dungeon.”
“Haha.”
Matthew ridiculed them, but Evan responded with a bloody smile. There was no need to bother with their dispute now that they were in private. Of course, he knew it was different; the main stages of Yo-ma Great War 1 and 2 were in fields!
“I know. Thank you for your concern.”
“Huh…!”
Matthew was forced to recall the previous events of the party at the thirteenyear-old’s nonchalant attitude. He wasn’t an idiot, so he knew well of the power compressed inside Evan’s body.
“…Is that the power of the dungeon city?”
“Oh, well.”
“Well?”
It was then the Duke Sorde, looking for his son, found them. He watched Evan with a glint in his eye.
“Huh, there were nobles preparing to fight after all. Who are you?”
“I am Evan D. Sherden, the second son of the Sherden family, sir duke. I’ve seen you at a distance, but this is the first time we’ve met. Peace is to Leonine.”
“Peace. Ah, yes, Sherden’s Treasure. I’ve seen you several times when you were very young.”
Evan greeted him calmly. Looking down on Matthew was one thing, but it wasn’t an option with Sorde L. Leonine. He was a nobleman devoted to the peace of the kingdom’s people and a great warrior who had saved countless
lives.
“Even with my weak strength, I will help. All of Leonine’s people are of the Silk Line, which means they are people I must protect.”
“…Are you confident?”
The duke’s eyes narrow at Evan, pressuring him. But he was a warrior who routinely fought a man much stronger than the duke. Now he didn’t even flinch. The duke was even more surprised to see it.
“Really.”
“I’ll show you with actions, not words.”
“Ha, good boy. Then, let’s go to the frontline together!”
“…Uh?”
“Father?!”
He didn’t mean to go to the frontline. Evan was trying to figure out how to refuse gently, but it was already too late. Suddenly, he was on the duke’s horse, sitting behind the duke.
“Then, let’s go! I’ll be heading out with my new warrior!”
“Uh, uh! Sir, wait for a second! My friends…!”
“Young master?!” Shine followed the master’s screaming as they sped away. Belois was catching up to the sprinting horse with a frustrated look.
The battlefield stretched out before them