Chapter: 108
“…If you hadn’t saved me, I wouldn’t have left you alone.”
The moment I heard Adri’s words, the response “What would you have done?” popped into my head, but I kept it to myself.
What if I provoked this helper and got a whack on the back of my head?
Although it seems I’ve already provoked them, I should hold my tongue.
…
I feel like I’m slowly being consumed by skills.
At this rate, I might end up subconsciously calling people Shoddy even if I lose my skills later.
“Damn brat. Just handle the one in front. I’ll take care of the rest.”
‘Got it.’
“Got it. Lonely old hag.”
If they’re talking about the one upfront, are they referring to the knight who said to step aside for them?
[You naturally took on the burden.]
‘Really?’
[That guy is the leader of these knights. He said to capture the Commander. Do you understand what that means?]
I do. No matter how skilled the knights are, without someone to keep things together, their coordination is bound to break down.
In the case of a sorceress who has lost most of her reason, that importance becomes all the more vital.
So, Adri’s request meant that while I hold down the most powerful and annoying leader, Adri will be dealing with the minions.
I guess after wandering for so long, she’s pretty clever.
Dressing it up like she’ll handle everything while shoving the heaviest burden on me.
But hey, it’s better than nothing.
If Adri wasn’t around, I’d have to face all these guys by myself.
I raised my shield and looked at the Sorceress Knights.
Their gazes were fixed not on me, but on Adri.
The reason is probably that they hate the Sorceress, but at the same time, they deem Adri to be more threatening.
That’s obvious.
What’s scarier? A sorceress who can take on a dungeon boss or a small girl holding a shield?
Usually, a typical tank wouldn’t be able to draw aggro here.
Compared to Adri, my presence is incredibly light.
But I’m not a typical tank.
I’m a tank equipped with an utterly devastating provocation skill.
“Shoddy God’s knights playing around with the stingy Evil God♡”
As soon as I spoke, their eyes turned to me.
“Isn’t it embarrassing to strike a pose like that?♡ If it were me, I would have killed myself out of shame long ago♡”
– Humiliation is expected. We exist in the world following the will of God…
“Are you talking about Shoddy God?♡ Really?♡”
– You dare to stain the name of the Lord!
Looks like while playing with Agra, they haven’t forgotten Aramadi’s name.
How pathetic and miserable.
Seeing them get all worked up means they truly believe they’re doing the right thing.
“Did you know?♡ Shoddy God doesn’t actually hate Sorceresses?♡”
– What nonsense.
– How would you know that!
“I’m an apostle of Shoddy God♡, you dipshit knights♡.”
The Shoddy God you think you’re so devoted to was pushing me to save Adri while I hesitated.
If He hated Sorceresses, this wouldn’t have happened. Right?
– Where do you think you’re trying to trick us!
“Really dumb, huh?♡ It’s because you’re such a fool that you’re being played by the Evil God♡ Shoddy intellect♡ You must not have even heard the Voice of God, huh?♡ Aren’t you supposed to get purified just by looking at a cross?♡”
– Shut up!
As the head knight in front charged, several objects flying around also targeted the knights behind him.
Normally, the leader would have instructed them on how to counter me, but he doesn’t have that luxury right now.
Because all he sees is my face.
I caught the downward slash of the sword with my shield.
He’s definitely strong.
My hand holding the shield is shaking.
But I can hold on.
I’ve had this experience countless times.
“Are you the captain of the knights? An orc hitting with its fists would be way stronger♡, right?♡”
Fighting against swords is something I’m too familiar with.
The first time I started wielding a shield, my sparring partner was a sword, and recently I’ve been sparring with Frey non-stop.
Both of them have remarkable talent in swordsmanship.
So, when holding a shield against those two, I end up comparing them to subpar swordsmen.
If it were Frey, she would have pushed me much harder by now.
If it were Karl, he would have noticed the gap on my right side was something I intentionally left open and attacked elsewhere.
Neither would give me the time to swing my mace.
To put it simply.
The swordsmanship of the knight leader is lacking compared to those two.
If we’re talking about physical specs, sure, he might be way above Frey, and he could even rival Karl.
But since he lacks the technique to wield the sword, he’s far from threatening.
“This is what a knight commander looks like?♡ How shoddy was the former Jushin Church?♡”
– Shut up!
“Apologize to the subordinates who believed and followed a piece of trash like you♡ Apologize to the church that made a dipshit like you a knight♡”
– I said shut up!
“Are you mad?♡ Then what will you do♡ You can’t even leave a dent on my shield, dipshit♡”
This knight commander who was already lacking in basic swordsmanship is now getting overly emotional and swinging his sword wildly.
What do you think will happen?
Of course, his swordsmanship itself is bound to break down.
He’s not a knight right now.
How could someone with no technique and just relying on brute strength be called a knight?
He’s a monster.
A stupid, brainless monster.
I deflected his downward slash with my shield and swung my mace.
Thwack!
No matter how sturdy his armor is.
No matter how strong his body is.
As long as he’s a sorceress, he can’t remain unscathed against a mace imbued with Aramadi’s divinity.
The knight had to step back, clutching his side where I hit him.
“Pfft♡ Looks like it hurts getting hit by divine magic?♡ Shoddy Sorceress♡ Trash even hell won’t accept♡”
– You damn bitch!…
Looking back with a laugh, I saw knights crumbling one by one under Adri’s magic.
This is how it should be.
Adri, who makes use of this mansion as a weapon, isn’t an opponent that can just be beaten by sheer numbers.
Just a moment ago, I was having a hard time because of a bad matchup, but these knights are nothing but stupid fools who don’t know Adri’s patterns.
If there had been a commander informing them, they might have tried to cooperate and resist, but the commander is currently glaring at me with fiery eyes.
Can a ragtag crew who lost their leadership resist a stronger opponent?
Seeing Adri smiling while tormenting the knights, I can rest assured that it’ll be handled without my concern.
My task is to smash the knight commander before that happens.
It would be enough just to hold on until those knights collapse, but I think Adri would have something to say to me if that were the case.
I took a deep breath and started reciting my prayer in my mind.
A multitude of divine magic to enhance my physical abilities.
The divinity of Aramadi envelops my body.
[Shall I take them down?]
‘That’s the plan.’
[Do as you please. You should be able to win.]
Even without Grandpa saying it, I know.
I replied inwardly and couldn’t help but crack a smile.
I looked again at the charging leader in front of me.
I see his sword.
Simple and straightforward.
There’s no cunning plan behind it.
Just an emotional, reckless slash.
It seemed overwhelmingly easy to counter.
As I pushed my shield forward, the Iron Wall spoke to me.
The method I decided on just now perfectly matched the skill’s guidance.
With conviction, I moved my shield.
The shield clashed with the sword, and the poorly swung blade ricocheted off.
The blade flew upwards, revealing an opening.
I aimed for the side I just struck and slammed my mace into it again, sending the leader staggering back.
Alright. Let’s test the durability of the knight commander.
I dropped his sword with a strike to his shoulder.
With a strike to the face, I blinded his vision.
Then, I kicked his abdomen as he desperately tried to regain his balance and toppled over.
I then positioned myself atop the defeated commander and drove his head down repeatedly.
Over and over.
Continuously.
Until his form vanished.
At the end, after the knight commander’s body had crumbled to ashes, I raised my head and looked around to find the other knights already subdued by Adri.
“Wow. You arrogant brat. You’re so deadly.”
Did I?
I can’t see myself fight, so I’m not sure.
“So, is there a guy who’d actually like you?”
‘You worry too much.’
“A lonely old hag worries about a girl who’s never held a guy’s hand? That’s so touching.”
“Hey! Are you serious!”
The words “lonely old hag” seemed to have pressed a button somewhere deep in Adri, and I dashed past her toward the dungeon’s door.
Is the reward for this dungeon raid the sword used by the Sorceress Commander?
Its performance isn’t bad, but it means nothing to me.
I’m planning to use Grandpa again until the day I don’t have to hold a weapon anymore.
Why would I hold another weapon when I already have an ultimate weapon in hand?
I could sell it through the Newman Family or gift it to Karl or Frey.
Hmm. Since Frey will get a dedicated weapon later, I don’t need to give her this. Karl, on the other hand, could use a hand-me-down.
After picking up the sword, I came outside with Adri and saw Visi leaning against the mansion’s wall, dozing off.
I could wake her up, but that would ruin the vibe.
Without saying a word, I looked at Adri, and she seemed to sense my intention and stiffened her lips.
Adri hesitated briefly before cautiously approaching Visi’s side.
– Wake up, Visi.
Visi slowly opened her eyes at the ghostly voice and hugged Adri upon seeing her smiling face.
“Adri! You’re back!”
– Yes. It’s all thanks to her.
“Her? Ah! Lady Allen! Thank you so much! Seriously, thank you! I promise, I’ll never say anything bad about you again!”
So that means you must have said something bad before?
You contributed somewhat to my poor reputation, huh?
That’s a bit annoying.
Seeing a girl bawling with tears and snot, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything now, so I’ll let it go.
As I passed by the continually grateful Visi to check on Adri, I noticed her lips trembling.
Is it tough to maintain her persona from back in there while playing coy in front of Visi, huh?
Don’t worry. I’ll keep your secret.
It might actually be entertaining to see how long you can keep up the act.
With that thought, I smirked slightly, but suddenly froze upon seeing how unusually bright it was outside the mansion.
‘Visi.’
“Lady Visi.”
“Yes!”
‘Right now…’
“What time is it?”
“It’s… 8:47!”
[Hey girl. Wasn’t your first test today at 9? Did you forget?]
Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.
We’re screwed.
This is no time for a tearful reunion, damn it.
What if I’m late for my exam?!
This time, it’s a quest given by Shoddy God!
“I’m leaving first! Shoddy folks! I’m off first?!”
“Huh?!”
– Lady Allen?!
I dashed through the shattered second-floor window and rushed toward the testing location.
I have to avoid being disqualified for being late!
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