Chapter 9: Praise for the Brave

Chapter 9: Praise for the Brave

A dazzling sun suddenly appeared in the darkened sky. Leo waved his hand at the five shining magic circles, causing the growing white ball of light to fall from the sky like an asteroid burning up in the atmosphere.

It emitted such a blinding glow as it slowly descended, it erased the shadows of the monsters swarming the air and land. The entire Field was whited out, and even a person standing one foot away vanished from sight.

Aki clung to Elias’s arms, which covered her body to protect her from the flash, and she squinted through the small gap between them.

She saw Leo’s side profile right in front of her, his eyes glowing even brighter than the flood of light centering on him. Hair whisked back by the gust of power blowing off the ball of light, he raised his hands to the sky as if summoning rain.

“O light that rules the heavens and earth, I am the one who listens to your plight with the power entrusted to these two hands.”

Is that an incantation…?

“…Oh my Goddess, he’s using that incantation…?!” one of the Mages nearby cried out in awe.

“I didn’t think anyone alive could cast it…!”

Leo’s lips curved into a proud smile as surprise spread through the Adventurers. Mina once told Aki that a Lunar Magic spell’s strength was determined by how brightly the caster shined during the incantation.

I can barely keep my eyes open, it’s so bright! Leo’s spell is that strong!

Face brimming with confidence, Leo raised his right hand toward the artificial sun and swept it down toward the ground.

“Burn away the impurities, Goddess’s Judgment!” He uttered the last word of the spell as if his voice commanded all the magic in the world, “Descend!”

Just as his imposing voice echoed through the Field, the ball of light that outshone the sun burst as though someone shot off fireworks. Innumerable arrows of light rained down like stair-rods.

W-Wow!

Aki watched the beautiful light show with her hand resting on Elias’s arm.

Curiously enough, the arrows accurately targeted only monsters and seemed to move around the humans as though they had a mind of their own.

Was there not even time for the monsters to shriek in agony? The moment they were struck by the light, they turned to charcoal as if burned by a fire, instantly turning to ash that was carried off by the wind.

The arrow downpour quickly dispelled the monsters, and the sky gradually cleared as if a storm had passed. Flowers glittered in the sunlight falling from the clear sky, and the shimmering remnants of the spell danced like fog, creating a fantastic scene.

Leo stared at the last vestiges of the hailing light with his lips pressed into a hard line and his jaw locked. With such a strong spell active, he couldn’t let his thoughts wander or become distracted for even a second.

Everyone present gaped as if they were witnessing a miracle in the works when at last the shining mist vanished.

True silence had returned to the Field that was now clear of monsters, and the plains outside the gate were so calm it felt surreal.

“H-Hell yeah….!” someone whooped, starting a wave of excited victory poses and cheers.

“We did it!”

“We won!”

“AWESOME!”

Guards and Adventurers alike hugged, high-fived, and celebrated in various ways as tension gave way to excitement.

Surrounded by their enthusiasm, it finally dawned on Aki that they had protected the city from hundreds, if not thousands, of monsters.

We did it! We did it! She was moved to tears.

“You did good holding them off, Aki.” Elias placed his big hand on her head. She looked up—his dazzling smile was within touching distance. It was almost as if they had gone back to the days before the trouble at the ruins.

Aki roughly rubbed the tears from her eyes and hugged him tightly. “Thank you. Thank you so much for coming, Elias…!”

“…Anytime. Actually, I’m the one who should be saying thank you. I said such horrible things to you, but you still believed in me and worked as my Right-hand. Thank you.” Elias scratched his cheek with an expression that was both apologetic and bashful.

Aki closed her eyes and softly shook her head.

She was hurt by what he said that morning, but after thinking about it calmly, that was him sharing his true, unfiltered feelings with her.

She was happy he confided in her without pretense. After all, she knew he only shed his Hero persona and let out his weaker human side with a select few people he trusted.

They shared a small smile as if to make up for all the hurt of that morning. Then Aki let go of Elias and turned toward Leo.

Leo had helped them out a lot—again. Without him, Elias might not have recovered from his depression or been able to work up the nerve to face Aki. And most of all, his magic had instantly cleared the Field of danger.

“Leo! Thank—”

Leo pivoted forward as she was trying to thank him.

“Leo!”

She wasn’t sure if it was her or Elias who called his name first. Aki dashed over and supported Leo from below before he could hit the ground. Elias also put his arm around Leo’s opposite shoulder to hold him up.

“…Sorry, Elias, Aki…” Leo muttered, exhausted, as he leaned on Elias. He pressed his eyes shut for a few moments before partially opening them and glancing around as if he couldn’t focus.

Aki placed one hand on his back and one on his chest to better support him on her side as she shook her head. “Don’t apologize! You were awesome, Leo! I’ve never seen more beautiful magic in my life…!”

Wrapped in a veil of light, Leo had looked like an angel sent to earth to take on the Dark Lord.

Leo peered down at her face and grinned like a rogue. “Just how awesome was I, Aki?”

Her heart skipped a beat. “You were so awesome, I couldn’t take my eyes off you!”

Leo is so cool, kind, and strong. He always looks out for us.

“Thank you for everything,” she said in a teary voice.

He placed his free hand on her head and tousled her hair.

“Don’t cry. You’re such a crybaby… I’m just glad…you’re all right…” he mumbled, sweat dripping down his chin. His eyes slid shut as if he had said all he needed.

Worried, Aki shook him. “Leo? Don’t pass out!”

“Don’t waste your breath on him. You know how resilient he is,” a blunt yet kind voice said behind Aki and Elias. They turned toward the speaker. Aki was so happy to see him, she covered her mouth. “Now then, can everyone who is no longer useful stand back? It is time for us to work.”

There stood Johann with his silver, cross-shaped staff, flanked on either side by Mina and Louis, with Sutcliff trailing behind them in a robe that hid his inhuman appearance.

Johann pushed his silver bangs off his face and flashed a peerless smile at Aki. “Thank you for holding off the monsters before they could do irreparable damage. You performed your duties as the Hero’s Right-hand flawlessly.”

“Thank you!” Aki was thrilled to receive a comment from the boy who rarely praised anyone.

Mina elbowed him in the side and teased, “So you can say some encouraging things once in a while!” Then she waved to Aki. “Are you all right? Whoa! Your dress is a mess! How dare the demi-dragon hurt my precious Aki! I’ll bury it!”

“True, I have no idea where to look with how torn your dress is. Mina, it looks like Elias and Leo already took revenge on the demi-dragon, so why don’t you find something to cover her up?” Louis suggested, placing a hand on Mina’s shoulder.

Hearing that, Sutcliff reached down and tore a long strip off the hem of his robe. He respectfully carried it over to Aki and draped it over her shoulders. “Sorry it’s not much, but use this for now, m’lady.”

“Thanks! It helps. Did you come to help out too, Sutcliff?”

“You betcha. I’ll always be there to help m’lady out of a crisis. I’m not the strongest Shadow Tribe member out there, but figured I could be of some assistance.” He flashed his pearly white fangs and winked through the opening in his robe.

Sutcliff is always so modest.

Aki knew just how strong he was after taking on that quest with him.

“Don’t be modest,” she huffed, puffing out her cheeks.

Sutcliff shrugged with a laugh and turned toward Elias who was cautiously watching him interact with Aki. “Please allow me to beg your forgiveness for what transpired during the quest. I know what I did can’t be undone with an apology, but I greatly regret it and have gratefully received forgiveness from Lady Aki, Master Leo, Clarence, and the others. You don’t have to forgive me too, but I hope you will allow me to work alongside your party to atone for my crimes.” He shut his eyes and bowed down at a ninety-degree angle. “Please.”

He looked prepared to let Elias run a sword through him.

Elias silently assessed him for what felt like a long time before offering a strained smile. “…Please lift your head, Sutcliff.”

“Hero Elias…”

“I won’t sugarcoat my anger for you harming Aki, my friends, and even myself with your actions. But…” Elias paused, placing his hand over his heart and continuing in a calm voice, “some of the fault lies with me for lacking as a Hero and as a person. And I have no interest in returning the hurt you caused with even greater hurt. So…” He held out his hand. “Please devote yourself to protecting my friends and the world. I will put my trust in you. Don’t fight to repent, but as our fellow party member.”

Elias smiled and added, “I look forward to seeing what you can do.”

Sutcliff blinked at him, his eyes watering, and grabbed Elias’s hand with both of his.

“Th-Thanks a bunch…! Man, you’re such a good guy, I could cry! So this is the Goddess sent Hero, huh? How can anyone be your enemy?” he rambled cheerfully, smacking his knees as he straightened up. His optimistic expression suddenly turned stern as he placed his right hand over his heart and swore an oath of loyalty. “I, Sutcliff Jent, hereby pledge my power to the Hero, unworthy as I am. Obviously, my protection extends to m’lady as well! Leave her to me!”

Sutcliff reached out to touch Aki’s cheek, but Elias sullenly slapped away his hand.

“Just so you know, I’m fine with you protecting Aki, but she is…she is my woman, so you can’t have her.”

“Sure, sure. I get the picture, heroboy! You don’t have to beat around the bush about it.”

“Sutcliff!” Elias growled, turning redder than a tomato.

Sutcliff was already on board with teasing Elias.

Elias and Sutcliff seem like they might actually get along great.

The Hero and Shadow Tribe were typically enemies, but if they joined hands, there were likely few people who could stand against them.

“Welcome to the team, Sutcliff,” Aki said, smacking him and Elias on the back as they squabbled.

They both cried out “That hurt!” and shared a laugh.

“…Thank you for accepting him, Elias,” Johann said, walking over now that things looked settled. “I don’t think I have mentioned this yet, but Sutcliff is actually a fellow Priest of mine at Sanctuary. I’m sorry someone I know caused you such heartache.”

Johann casually confessed a huge secret.

Huh? Sutcliff…is a Priest?

“Wait, why is someone from the Shadow Tribe working for Sanctuary…?”

Sanctuary backed the Hero, while the Shadow Tribe backed the Dark Lord. They weren’t exactly on friendly terms.

Before Aki could question them further, Sutcliff shouted so loud she couldn’t hear herself. “Aaaaaaaaaah! Just think of it as part of the confidential mission the Dark Lord sent me on!”

“I haven’t heard about that. Is there something I need to know?” Elias asked, looking to Johann for answers.

Johann coolly averted his gaze. “It’s essentially what it sounds like. I have a personal connection with Sutcliff and my position has made me privy to his mission, but not even my father the Pope is aware someone from the Shadow Tribe has infiltrated Sanctuary. Please take this secret to the grave.”

In other words, Johann not only realized Sutcliff was sent by the Dark Lord to spy on Sanctuary but decided to overlook it and make sure no one else found out. From the sound of it, he may have even gone to extra lengths to make it easier for Sutcliff to get around on the inside.

Knowing Johann, he probably did that because he believed it was necessary for the betterment of Sanctuary.

One wrong move and Johann could have faced execution for assisting the Shadow Tribe, but he still lent Sutcliff a hand. Essentially, he had dipped his toes into working with both Sanctuary and the Dark Lord’s side. It was easy to imagine how he would be torn between two conflicting sides.

“…Oh boy, I close my eyes for a few seconds and I learn about all sorts of baggage you’re carrying, Johann,” Leo interjected, cracking open an eye to look at him.

“I am simply fulfilling my duty as the current Pope’s son and Hero Elias’s Priest by availing myself to the truth of the world. I believe this is an essential trial for me as someone who will someday lead Sanctuary, and something only I can do. I will see through the path I believe is right, even if it means threatening my current status or becoming my father’s enemy,” Johann stated with conviction, a refreshed smile softening his hard face.

The future of Sanctuary was in good hands if someone with such strong convictions became the next Pope. It was the Hero Party’s job to support him in his endeavors to make that possible.

“You can do it, Johann! Let me know if you ever need any help!” Aki exclaimed, clenching her free hand. His expression visibly soured.

“No, thank you. Please focus on helping yourself. Don’t do anything at all. Otherwise, you might cause more problems for me.”

“H-Hey! That’s rude!” she retorted.

“Just kidding,” he responded with a heart-stopping smile. His ability to switch between the whip and candy was really something. “On another note, that was some marvelous pentacasting, Leo.”

Leo’s lips curled in a weak but proud grin. “Thanks. Your turn now. Tie everything up in a pretty package, Johann.”

“I accept the challenge. Louis, Sutcliff, if you please.”

Beckoned, Sutcliff and Louis fell into step behind Johann who made his way to the gate. They stood an equal distance apart from the damaged barrier.

Everyone watched their backs with bated breath.

“…What are they about to do, Elias?” Aki asked, still supporting Leo with him.

“They are going to repair the city’s Goddess Barrier,” he answered, his eyes trained on them. “Only high-level Priests can borrow the great amount of the Goddess’s power necessary for doing repairs. Johann is one of the best out there, so there’s no one more apt than him for the job.”

“Louis and Sutcliff are going to share their magic, so Johann can really focus,” Leo explained. “Johann’s still human, repairing a barrier of this size by himself is backbreaking work… Dammit! I wanna help too! Let go of me, you two!”

“H-Hey! You’re in no shape for that!”

Leo shrugged Aki and Elias’s arms off and staggered toward the others.

Sparing no effort for his companions was one of the amazing things about Leo, but it became problematic when he forgot to take care of himself in the process.

Leo tends to push himself to the brink, so we have to stop him before he goes too far!

Aki smacked Leo on the back of the head as he argued with Elias to let him pass. “Stop that, Leo! Your work ethic is extremely attractive, but I’m not fond of the way you make us worry by overexerting yourself.”

“Not fond of…me…?”

Taking secret delight in the shock that flashed across his face, Aki doubled down on him. “That’s right. We have a party to make sure no single person has to bear the burden alone. And our party isn’t just here to help Elias—we support each other equally. So this is the part where you leave the rest to Johann, Louis, and Sutcliff, and recover your energy. If you help out and end up passing out, you’ll make me feel like I failed you as a friend. Get it?”

Leo’s cheeks turned pink as he looked away from her smile and nodded once.

Seeing Leo suddenly behave, Elias scratched his cheek and muttered, “Neither of us is any match for Aki…”

“Hello, everyone,” Johann addressed the Adventurers crowded around the gate. “I am Johann Clarence, a Priest with Hero Elias’s Party. I am about to repair the Goddess Barrier, so please keep your eyes peeled for any new monsters that might infiltrate before I’m finished. Mina, I’m counting on you.”

“Roger that. I’m your girl for the job!” Mina replied and glided over to Elias and Aki. “Would you two mind helping me fend off any monsters that might come while the boys are casting the spell? Having another short-range attacker like Elias and a long-range Archer like Aki will increase the odds in our favor. Take care of what you can!” She winked at them.

Although Leo had wiped out all the monsters on the Field, there was a high chance of more spawning and attacking before the barrier was finished.

Aki and Elias shared a look and nodded.

“Sure! Elias, go with Mina. I’ve got Leo. I can fight from here.” Aki pointed to the bow and quiver resting on her shoulder. She could shoot down monsters from well behind Johann.

“Sounds like a plan! You’re with me then, Elias!” Mina waved Elias over and dashed out through the gate and into the open plains. They were going to fight off the monsters before they could get near the city.

Aki had but one job: taking out the aerial enemies. Pumped for a fight, her view was filled with her friends defending the outer gate and those chanting inside the walls. Just their presence changed the battlefield; such was the Hero Party.

Johann held his cross-shaped staff horizontally, signaling he was starting. Silence immediately fell over them, and the Goddess’s splendor dominated the space. He began to weave the first words of the spell in a crystal clear, dignified voice.

“O Creation Goddess.”

At the same time that Johann’s voice, which still had some boyish charm, shook the air, a magic circle fanned open on the ground beneath him. It spread like wildfire, forming a huge magic circle that spanned the entire city.

Louis and Sutcliff spread their legs about the width of their shoulders and extended their hands forward to support his spell.

A torrent of silver light flowed into the lines of the circle as if someone was carefully pouring a bucket of water onto it. It spread to every corner in the blink of an eye. The dazzling silver light emitting from their feet enveloped the houses, vegetation, and people without distinction.

“So pretty…” Aki murmured.

“Solar Magic is the prettiest hands down,” Leo said, looking up at the sky with her. “Once you learn Lunar Magic there’s no learning Solar, so I always have to look on with envy.”

He stared at the silver light piercing the sky with yearning.

Oh yeah, you have to choose either Lunar or Solar Magic. You can’t learn both.

To Aki, Leo’s Lunar spells were gorgeous enough, but just like how the grass always looks greener on the other side, perhaps so too did magic you couldn’t use.

Aki returned her attention out the open gate. Flashes of silver glinted in the distance as monsters let out death cries. Elias and Mina were fighting off a new wave of monsters.

Now’s the time for my notebook to come in handy!

She pulled the notebook from her pocket and flipped it open. Knowing what she wanted, the blank pages turned into a map revealing where the monsters were. Several dozen red dots quickly appeared on the page, and on closer inspection, several of them were closing in on the city from above.

My turn!

Ready for battle, Aki helped Leo sit on the ground and removed her arm from his shoulder.

“I’m going to provide aerial support. Check out my archery skills!” She hopped to her feet and slid the bow off her shoulder.

“Can you do it?” He looked at her with one eyebrow raised. Then he grinned and let her show off what she was made of without another word.

Aki held the bow in front of her, pulled her leg back, drew an arrow from the quiver on her back, and nocked it. Then she aimed in the direction she saw the monsters on the map.

Hit them!

When she loosed the arrow with that prayer, it became a thin beam of light that cut through the sky in a straight line, separated in the air, and transformed into several balls of light. It flew with precision toward the monsters in the sky and mercilessly pierced their torsos.

Several agonized shrieks shook the air before their corpses plummeted upside down.

Woohoo! It worked!

Aki heard Leo whistling behind her as she wiped the sweat from her brow.

“That was awesome, Aki! You’re now capable of wide-area attacks. Pretty good skill coming from a klutz like you!”

“You should have left out that last comment! Though I think the wide-area attack doesn’t do as much damage.”

She sensed her damage output decrease whenever she targeted several monsters at once.

The way she saw it, if her overall damage output was ten, then she did ten damage to a single target, and that number decreased with each additional target. In short, she would only do one damage if she targeted ten monsters with the same arrow.

Guess I have to increase my level if I want to do more damage. The stronger I get, the more useful I will be.

Just as Elias, Mina, and Aki finished defeating their respective enemies, Johann twirled his staff and thrust it powerfully into the ground as he continued chanting. He raised his face to the heavens as if imploring the Goddess for aid.

“Please wrap us in your protective embrace, for that is where it is safest!”

At the same time as his voice sublimated, Louis and Sutcliff swept their hands in the air to release the magic they built up. A flash of silver burst from the magic circle covering the city.

Aki caught sight of Elias and Mina jumping inside the closing barrier just as she was shutting her eyes against the blinding light. They had timed their return with the barrier’s reactivation.

The light was so bright it seemed to burn right through her tightly shut eyelids. Aki threw her arm over her eyes until the intensity weakened and the stinging stopped. Then she cautiously squinted at the jaw-dropping, divine scene unfolding around her.

Walls of light rose from the outer rim of the multifaceted magic circle and arched over the city like a dome. The translucent barrier was reminiscent of what the surface of a lake looked like from underwater.

The glassy barrier flashed once to signal its completion before the light abated and it became invisible to the naked eye. At the same time, the glowing mist dispersed, and the magic circle taking up the entirety of the square disappeared.

“…Success,” Leo exclaimed behind Aki as Johann thrust his staff into the ground and turned back to face them.

“Thank you all for your assistance. The Goddess Barrier has been fully repaired.”

Delighted cheers and cries rose from the raid party as Johann inflamed them with a glowing smile.

“We did it!”

“Hurray!”

“Thank the Goddess!”

Adventurers and guards alike high-fived, jumped with joy, broke down crying, and boasted. As everyone expressed their joy in different ways, Elias watched with a gallant smile, Mina stretched and grinned, Louis fixed his hair, Sutcliff smirked with his hand on his hip, and Johann shrugged with a look of relief.

“Ups-a-daisy,” Leo said with vigor as he shoved to his feet and put his hand on Aki’s shoulder. “Let’s join them, Aki.” He flashed a roguish grin and staggered toward Johann, waving.

It’s finally over! A sense of accomplishment and relief filled her as she watched his broad back go toward a waving Elias. She dashed over to them, beaming.

“You all did great!”