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Chapter 3 – A Memory of A Year Ago – Last Part
“Eto-kun, I want you to stop. I can’t allow you to use support magic with such a weak effect.”
Ronaldo was looking at Eto, who visited the inn room, with an annoyed expression while saying that.
A month has passed since Eto was banned from using support magic, which was his specialty. Although Eto felt it was unjust, the power that the Hero held was too much for him, as even the escorting knights and mages just silently obeyed Ronaldo’s words.
But even in such a situation, Eto continued to train his magic power manipulation and support magic. Because, although he doesn’t know when, he still strongly wished that his support magic could help the party.
“Hero-sama, my support magic can improve everyone’s physical strength and the power of magic attacks. And that effect is gradually increasing every day. That’s why, please somehow let me use my support magic.”
This was Eto’s second direct discussion with Ronaldo. Eto was hoping that if Ronaldo could see the true power of his support magic, he would surely acknowledge his ability.
“But it didn’t work at all in the fight against Manticore, didn’t it?”
“Even so, my support magic works for myself, Lana, and the escorting knights and mages. Please try it once again. As long as we build a strategy which includes my support magic, I’m sure it would be useful for the party.”
“Are you trying to say we have to change our strategy to let you use your support magic?”
Ronaldo’s gaze sharpened. There is a wrinkle between his eyebrows, making Eto understand that he was irritated.
However, Eto cannot back out here. Because he wanted the Hero to lift the ban for him to use his support magic.
“If I use my support magic on the escorting knights and mages and arrange their formations in each battle, I’m certain the burden on Hero-sama will be reduced.”
“I still don’t see any need for that.”
Ronaldo immediately dumped his idea.
“Eto-kun, are you done? If that’s the case, there is nothing we have to talk about anymore.”
“Hero-sama, please give me another chance. I want to use my support magic to contribute to the party.”
Hearing that, Ronaldo sighed loudly.
“Alright, if you say that much, then let’s make it clear. Show me that your support magic can help us.”
Saying that, Ronaldo then ordered his maid to gather the escorting knights and mages. But as Mirei and Lana were outside, they didn’t participate in it.
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Eto and the others, who came out of the town, headed towards the grasslands near the highway.
“With how wide this grassland is, I think it’s enough for you to fully exert your power. Now, do demonstrate me the power of your support magic, Eto-kun”
Since it will be night in another hour, Eto hurriedly gives an instruction to the escorting knights and mages, then casts his support magic on them.
“Like this, the knights whose strength and speed have been increased by my support magic will act as the tanks, and the mages with an increased magic attack power will perform mid-long range attacks. With this, since they have more defense and attack power, even if an unexpected situation occurs, they should be able to buy some time for Hero-sama to respond.”
This was Eto’s answer. Although the power of his support magic is growing, he still cannot significantly increase Ronaldo’s statuses right now.
In exchange, he proposed to allow the escorting knights and mages that had been strengthened by his support magic to participate in the battle to make the battle more steady and balanced. With that in mind, Eto looked at Ronaldo with anticipation.
“I understand what Eto-kun intended.”
“Then, will you acknowledge my ability?!”
“Eto-kun, looks like you are misunderstanding something.”
Ronaldo sighed exasperatedly.
“Misunderstand…?”
“Yes. You need to know that it is important for me, who was selected as a hero by the oracle, to defeat the monsters. For that, I will keep letting the escorting knights and mages investigate the monsters and guard the town. Thus, you don’t have to cast your support magic on them.” 1
“But…”
“What I want is individual strength. With that strength, we, the apostles of the goddess-sama, will defeat the demons and allow people to live with peace of mind. Perhaps Eto-kun doesn’t understand that?”
“Of course I understand that, but… I just think you are too fixated on individual strength…”
Although individual strength is indeed important in battle, the specialty of Eto, who is a sage, is support magic. Hence, Ronaldo’s thinking seemed to deny the very existence of a sage.
“Are you saying I’m wrong?”
“No, that’s not what I mean. However, I, too, joined the hero’s party because of the Oracle. Doesn’t that mean my role is to aid the party by my support magic rather than by my individual strength?”
“Eto-kun, pull out your sword.”
Ronaldo then pulled out the holy sword and pointed its tip toward Eto.
“Hero-sama, what are you…”
“The escorting knights and mages are enough for support. So, prove your strength. That’s the only way I could acknowledge you.”
In the end, what Ronaldo wanted from Eto seemed to be only individual strength. His eyes stared firmly at Eto, as if saying he doesn’t accept any other answer.
Subsequently, the sky began to darken. And once this ends, Eto doesn’t even know when Hero-sama will even hear what he said.
Thus, Eto made up his mind. He pulled out his sword and casted support magic on himself.
“Here I go, Hero-sama.”
Eto immediately narrowed his distance to Ronaldo and slashed. And for Eto, it was his most powerful attack, with his power and speed being strengthened with his support magic.
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However, the moment Eto thought his sword was going to reach Ronaldo, Ronaldo casually swung his holy sword. As a result, Eto’s body was blown away and rolled on the grass.
“Looks like it was a waste of time.”
Looking at Eto, who fainted, Ronaldo muttered.
After that, Eto was taken to the inn by the escorting knight. But after that day, the severe criticism towards Eto by the support members2 became even stronger.
He also began being separated from Ronaldo and the others, even when having a meal, and eventually he didn’t get a room in the inn. At last, Ronaldo also didn’t give him any rewards from subjugation.
And Eto’s suffering will last for a year.
Footnotes
Lmao, what the heck is this guy talking about?Support members: The knights and mages.