Chapter 182.2

Chapter 182.2 \n<h1>Chapter 182 Escort ③ </h1>\n\n　At Term’s observations, Kruz lifted her pretty eyebrows and said.

“There isn’t such a thing as Ice Magic that can one-sidedly kill a Dragon that is boasted for its high durability…… Is what I would like to say, but there are traces of a large-scale Magic in the air, desu. It is probably not a Monster but a human that did it, desu.” (Kruz)

“Keke…… Kekekeke…………” (Kechakchakka)

　Awesome…… So this is what Hunters do. The heck are traces of large-scale Magic in the air? What does Kruz see?　All I know is that it is the carcass of a dead Dragon.

　Franz-san glared at me as I folded my arms and *unun* nodded my head in admiration.

“So, what is your opinion?” (Franz)

“Uuuuun…… Well, how do I say…… You don’t have to worry about this.” (Cry)

“What!?” (Franz)

　I am not much of an observer, but once again, like last time, I have information they don’t have.

　This is…… Lucia’s Magic. My “Imouto (Sister)”, Lucia Roger, specializes in offensive magic that targets a wide area.　《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 has often been surrounded by a large number of Monsters and Phantoms. There have been times when we were under fire from a very long distance, and on the other hand, there have been times when the enemy had been a great Magi.　《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 has also split the role of each member to plays. In cases like this one, Lucia is the one in charge of intercepting them.

　As Lucia grew, her attack range continued to expand, and as can be seen from the fact that she has turned an entire city into frogs, she now boasts a huge attack range.　I am sure I am not wrong, as the favorite Magic Lucia likes to use is Ice Magic. (It seems that Lucia’s latest strategy is to slow down her opponent with her icy wave and let Luke and the other Members with high attack power finish them off.)

　Since Sytry was here, it wouldn’t be surprising that Lucia, a good friend of hers, was here. Apparently, Sytry and the others are ahead of us, rather than following us.\n

　Apparently, she is so, sooo worried about me, her big brother. 

""

　…… By the way, is it acceptable for my friends to come despite me reaching the number of people they specified in the escort?

　Franz-san pressed on me when I was hesitating between being honest or lying to them.

“Don’t tell me, this is, your doing……!?” (Franz)

　There’s no way that’s true. What on earth does Franz-san think I am? How can I, who has been with him almost all the time, kill a Dragon that was so far away?

　Kechakchakka looked at me as if I was saying some bullshit.

　However, that’s when a revelation came to me.

　What if this is…… An excuse for us for when we went away?　I would be lying, but since I am the Leader of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, it isn’t an exaggeration to say that their power is my power, I think.

　Uuuun, but that wasn’t the real reason why I went away though.

“………… W-Well, I would say that you are not too far off from the truth……” (Cry)

“Be more specific!” (Franz)

　After all, Franz-san yelled at me when I made a comment that he can’t quite put his finger on.

“Yowaningen… Has been with me the whole time and hasn’t done anything, desu.” (Kruz)

""\n　Contrary to me who left it ambiguous, a very serious Kruz, made a reverse follow-up of what I said.　Well, she was certainly right, but…… Kruz really is an honest woman. I gave a pitiful smile and raised my shoulders.

“At any rate, this carcass isn’t such a big deal, so don’t worry about it. It is already dead anyway, so we better hurry up and get to the next town.” (Cry)

 

　However, everywhere we go, we find dead Dragons.　It has now become a Dragon’s Fair. The situation was so abnormal that I could only smile bitterly.

　A bunch of Monsters and a Land Dragon cut in half (Probably Luke’s doing).　A dead Red Dragon with hardly any scar on it (Probably Sytry’s doing).　A “Wyvern (Hiryu1)” whose neck was forcefully twisted (Probably Liz and Anthem’s doing).

　Even though I have lived through many battlefields and seen a lot of Dragons in my life, I have never seen so many different kinds of Dragons in a day.　At this horrific scene, even the proud Members of the Imperial Guard were turning pale, including Franz-san. Term still had some leeway, but he clearly wanted to say something. Maybe he had sensed that it was my friends who were doing this.

　It’s alright, don’t worry…… Because it was my childhood friends who did this.　But to think so many Dragons appeared, maybe I should seriously think about keeping my distance from Zebrudia.

 

§　§　§

 

　Despite finding Dragon’s carcasses everywhere, we reached the city safely.　It was the most abnormal escort mission I have ever experienced. We were able to eradicate the group of Monsters that had attacked us once without much trouble, but the mental fatigue that the knights were under was beyond description.\n　I don’t know how he got through the 『Tears of the Truth』, but…………  I will have to verify this.