Didn't I Say To Make My Abilities Average In The Next Life?! Volume 9

by Funa

  It was a sound strategy to make the safety of their clients the top priority, and the safety of the mages their second. Besides, it would be easier to protect both groups if they were all in the same place. Though there were hunters who would prioritize their own safety in a situation like this one, Graf was at least honest enough to put the job and their clients first. As leader of the C-ranked Blue Meteors, he was the obvious choice for their collective commander both in terms of overall experience and party numbers. The Crimson Vow had already accepted this without protest, judging by their manner during prior discussions, but now, seeing Graf actually take the initiative, the Crimson Vow’s eyes grew wide.

  “Defensive maneuvers…”

  Mile, in her own world as usual, seemed to be deeply moved by something or other.

  “Well, orcs are really no big deal,” Reina said casually. “We can rush in there and take ’em out, just like—”

  “No,” Mavis interrupted. “We have to follow the directions of our commander. We took this job together, as two parties, and Graf is our leader. Unlike his previous behavior, these directions are actually quite sound. Inviting chaos by acting of our own accord is of no benefit to us. We all learned that you should always move as you are directed, did we not?”

  “Er…”

  She was right. Reina, as the member of the Crimson Vow with the most experience as a hunter, was in no position to deny this.

  Of course, neither Reina nor Mavis intended to follow Graf’s commands as far as never leaving their position even if the Blue Meteors were in danger. Neither did Mile nor Pauline. They would utilize everyone’s strengths to the best of their abilities under Graf’s direction, but if their employers or their fellow guards were in danger, they would switch into autonomous mode.

  “They’re here!”

  Just as Mile shouted this warning, a horde of orcs began to appear from between the trees. Perhaps because they weren’t particularly smart, or perhaps because they did not think that any special measures were required against a group of humans, over half or whom were weak and skinny “females,” they were all traveling at slightly different speeds and emerged in a staggered fashion, rather than en masse. This gave the Blue Meteors an advantage.

  “Earth Needle!”

  “Ice Needle!”

  Both Reina and Pauline launched needle-type attacks, the incantations already completed within their heads. The names of the two attacks were similar, but the first was made of hardened earth, and the second of ice—magic from two completely different sources. The two area attacks arced over the orcs at the head of the group and fell upon the ones behind them.

  Needle attacks were never powerful spells of the one-hit-kill variety, but as the orcs tried to shield their faces from the magic raining down upon them, they stopped in their tracks, opening up more of a gap between themselves and the vanguard—just as the Blue Meteors had requested.

  “Earth Nail!”

  Malawenn, the Meteors’ mage, fired an earth spell at the head group.

  Attacks like these fell behind needle attacks in terms of number of shots and area of effect but won out in terms of damage. That said, this spell was, likewise, not enough to fell an arc in a single blow. Still, further disrupting the monsters’ advance was a great help to the frontline fighters.

  After Kesbard fired off his bow on the midline, he drew his dagger and joined in with the front line. Unlike the archer of the Servants of the Goddess, he did not toss his bow away but slung it onto his back. (It was possible that he felt that there was far too high a likelihood of the weapon getting trampled in these conditions.)

  The Blue Meteors’ front line was able to safely engage the three orcs of the first wave, who had been injured before even entering the battle. However, the second wave arrived before they had finished dealing with the first. Just when it seemed that they might actually be in danger…

  “Earth Javelin!”

  “Icicle Lance!”

  Two attack spells pierced two of the orcs right through.

  Given both the distance of the mages, and the proximity of the Blue Meteors to the orcs, using area spells was probably out of the question for fear of friendly fire. However, Reina and Pauline were not the ones who’d fired these concentrated attacks.

  After all, there were far more accomplished mages among elves than humans, so there was no reason that their employers should not take part in combat.

  “Mile, can I leave this to you?” Mavis asked, turning to Mile.

  Mavis knew it was safe to leave the defense of Reina, Pauline, and the two magic-wielding elves in the capable hands of Mile, who could use both a sword, wield magic, and erect a sturdy barrier. She thought it would be best for her to go help the Blue Meteors. If there was a chance of her wrapping up a fight by rushing in a blaze of glory, Mavis wasn’t about to hold back. Plus, while the Meteors were by no means weak, there were so many orcs that providing magical support from a distance would be more difficult as the battle grew more hectic.

  “Of course! I’ll put up a barrier if anything happens, so no worries!”

  Mile had not put up a barrier so far, to allow the others to keep firing attack spells, but she could call up protective spells in an instant if necessary. She could see that the Meteors needed backup and waved Mavis on without a second thought.

  “I’m here to help!”

  “Ah, thanks!”

  Mavis joining the Meteors’ fight was in violation of the positions that Graf had assigned, but battle was a fluid thing, and the mages still had plenty of defenders. Judging by the demonstration she had put on at the Guild warehouse, the Blue Meteors assumed that she had enough battle skill to tip the scales back in their favor.

  Mavis was not one to defy such an expectation.

  “True Godspeed Blade!”

  Her blade slashed through one orc after the next.

  Sh-she’s strong! The five Meteors looked at each other in shock.

  The attack spells and the efforts of the Meteors had already thinned out their foes. After all, the creatures were not ogres, but orcs, which were vastly inferior. Not so long ago, Mavis had faced down ogres—or, in truth, a swarm of something like hyper ogres—and finished without a scratch. She could take on twenty, even thirty orcs without breaking a sweat.

  A few of the orcs broke off and headed toward the mages and their clients, but with Mile there, there was no reason to worry. Reina was sure to be in a sour mood if she didn’t get at least one moment in the spotlight, so she might even ward them off with a magical attack herself, denying Mile a chance to shine.

  There was no need for Mavis to use her Micros against so few enemies. Her True Godspeed Blade, which focused her spiritual energy, was more than enough. It had been a while since she’d really gotten to flex her muscles, and as she waded into the fray, she got caught up in the moment. Mile and the others were confident that Mavis could never be overtaken by some regular old orcs, and so, they focused their attention on the few monsters who were headed their way.

  But then…

  “Gwah!”

  Mavis took a blow from an orc that halted her in her tracks.

  Perhaps she had gotten careless, or perhaps she had been struck from a blind spot, but the attack that connected with her right flank was certain to have broken ribs. It was impossible to tell whether or not the broken ribs had punctured her internal organs, but regardless, Mavis had stopped moving, and in a free-for-all melee, standing still on the battlefield meant certain death.

  You always strike the weakest link first. This was the cardinal rule of battle, which even a creature as unintelligent as an orc knew. Before Mile and the others even realized that anything unusual had happened, several orcs swung around and focused their attacks right on Mavis.

  I’m gonna die!

  Mavis reflexively used her “spiritual” power to strengthen her body, but it was not enough. Images of all that she had achieved in life began to flash before her eyes at blinding speed.

/>   There were conversations with her parents. Times that she imitated her three older brothers as they practiced with their swords. The day that she watched her brother’s promotion ceremony, the day that he became a knight and she swore that one day she would follow in his footsteps.

  And then, there were her three companions, who she met at the Hunters’ Prep School.

  To think that she was going to be killed by the likes of orcs here, her life drawing to a close with her dreams unfulfilled, her debts to her parents unpaid, her allies abandoned. All because she had underestimated her enemies. Because she had grown overconfident in her own power, even though it was only thanks to the Micros and her special swords that she had been able to become as strong as she was.

  Father, Mother, Brothers, and everyone else… I’m sorry.

  Ka-shnk!

  Bang! Ka-thmp! Crack! Shunk!

  The terrible sounds of crushed meat, broken bones, and the tearing of flesh surrounded Mavis.

  “Huh?”

  Mavis was dumbfounded as she saw a figure appear between herself and the orcs. It was Rattle, the swordsman, his shortsword plunged into the gut of one orc even as he took an attack from another. Then, she saw Graf, facing an orc head-on, swinging his greatsword at full power. There was Callack, his rapier piercing the base of another orc’s skull. There was Kesbard, swinging his dagger with gusto and slashing through an orc’s windpipe. And finally, there was Malawenn, just finishing up a spell and letting an attack fly.

  Everyone had turned on the orcs that were bearing down on Mavis, opening themselves up to attack from the previous opponents on whom they had turned their backs. Pain was nothing more than an indicator from the body that something was wrong. Combatants in the heat of battle had no need for such notifications, which did nothing more than slow them down.

  “Graaaaaaah!”

  “Don’t mess with us!”

  “You pieces of crap!!!”

  Rattle’s posture was awkward as he tried to position himself between the orcs and Mavis. He was far too close to the orcs, leaving him unable to swing his sword. So, after drawing the blade out of the orc’s body, he instead bludgeoned its eye with the hilt and then forced the blade across its neck. It might have been a sword made for crushing and chopping, lacking the keen edge of a Japanese-type katana, but that didn’t mean it couldn’t slice an orc’s throat.

  The others swung their swords in turn, and the orcs surrounding Mavis fell or were pushed back.

  “Mile!”

  “On it!”

  Mile rushed to Mavis’s side at top speed.

  “Earth Javelin!”

  “Ice Spear!”

  Reina and Pauline released the spells they had been holding, eliminating the orcs in front of Mile. The monsters would be of little impediment to her, but it was best to avoid any obstacles when she had a sword that needed swinging—no matter how minor those obstacles might be.

  “Ice Needle!”

  “Ice Arrow!”

  Aetelou and Sharalir let two more attacks fly.

  Certain that the orcs ahead were out of the way, Pauline followed Mile. With Mile already on the way, what they needed was not Reina with her attack magic skill, but Pauline, with her healing. Reina, with her immense attack power, stayed behind to defend their clients. There probably wouldn’t be any orcs left to come running the elves’ way, but they had to be prepared. Their clients’ lives depended on it.

  “Damn it! This is disgraceful. No, stop—that doesn’t matter! If anything were to happen to the Blue Meteors for my sake…”

  For now, a gap had opened up between Mavis and the orcs. Not letting this chance slip through her fingers, Mavis drew three capsules from her pocket and flipped open the lids, downing them all in one gulp.

  “Please, just let me not feel pain! I can get healed afterward. I’m begging you, Micros!!!”

  Now back on her feet, Mavis thrust herself between the Blue Meteors, who were desperately beating back the orcs, and swung her blade with a mighty effort.

  “EX True Godspeed Blade!”

  Slash!

  Shunk!

  Bwoosh!

  “Huh? You can move?”

  “You aren’t hurt?”

  Wshh!

  Bash!

  Thunk!

  “Sh-she’s really strong…” the men muttered, shaken to see Mavis’s ultimate technique at such close range. Shaken or no, the members of the Blue Meteors never stopped moving. They weren’t amateurs, after all.

  The orcs had already been cut down greatly in number, and now thanks to Mavis’s onslaught, only a few remained, all of which had already taken a fair amount of damage. The Blue Meteors took the opportunity to attack.

  “Mavis, I’m here to help! Er…”

  By the time Mile plunged in, her sword swinging, not a single orc remained standing.

  “Guh…”

  Suddenly, one of the Blue Meteors collapsed to the ground.

  It was Rattle, who had taken several blows from the orcs when he wedged himself in front of Mavis to shield her. Hyped up on adrenaline or something of that nature, he had been able to continue fighting, but no matter how good his armor, taking several hits from an orc was quite different from being struck by a human. Now that the battle was over and he sensed that the danger was through, his body relaxed, and a wave of pain overwhelmed him.

  “Oy, Rattle! You okay?! Man, Mavis! You were acting like you were seriously hurt, but apparently you still had it in you to be jumping around like that? It’s because of you that Rattle—”

  As Graf, who was slightly injured himself, expressed his displeasure, Mavis hung her head in shame. Until…

  “Uh-hurf! Gu-huh!”

  She began violently vomiting blood and collapsed.

  “What?!”

  “Mavis!”

  Mile rushed to Mavis’s side and began waving her right hand over Mavis’s body—scanning Mavis’s condition with the help of the nanomachines, holding in her mind the image of some kind of medical tricorder.

  “You’ve got three splintered ribs, and your broken ribs are piercing your lungs. Your right arm is broken, the ligaments are torn, you’ve snapped your Achilles tendon, and you have numerous other fractures… How many did you drink?!” Mile screamed.

  “Guhf… Th-three…”

  For the moment, Mile pushed her rage aside. She could deal with that later.

  Pauline had now caught up, and Reina, certain that all of the orcs were dealt with, followed with their clients in tow.

  “Pauline, get Rattle! He looks like he’s really hurt—it’s not just broken bones. Look out for internal injuries and intracranial bleeding. Reina, Miss Aetelou, Miss Sharalir, please do what you can to heal the others!”

  “R-right away!”

  “On it!”

  Mile would deal with Mavis, who was most gravely injured. Pauline would take care of Rattle, the next-worst injured. The others had only taken scrapes and body blows, so they probably only had a fracture or two at worst, which meant that normal healing magic would be more than enough to aid them. Mile and Pauline could double-check all the patients afterwards, just in case. It was normal for elves to have some facility with healing magic, so whoever got stuck with Reina was probably the least fortunate…though even she was a more skilled healer than the average person.

  “I-I’m sorry. I was really rude. Please ignore me,” said Graf, his face flushing as he thought of the horrible things he had just said to Mavis, who had pushed herself in battle to the point of serious injury. What he did not know was that the bulk of her injuries were actually not from the orc attack but an aftereffect of imbibing so many Micros.

  “Set the bones back in their original places, rejoin the fragments, mend the tendons, repair the nerves and blood vessels, restore the muscle, augment self-recovery strength, eliminate chances of infection…”

  Behind Mile, who was incanting her spell, Pauline recited a similar spell over Rattle. Meanwhile, Reina, Aetelou, and Shara
lir were performing the normal incantations of the healing magic in this world.

  “No way!”

  “How did you mend them so quickly and so cleanly?”

  Aetelou and Sharalir were stunned to see Mile and Pauline’s healing abilities.

  “Please stop looking around! Focus on the healing you’re doing!” Graf and Callack wept, prompting Aetelou and Sharalir to quickly return to their patients.

  ***

  “What in the world were you thinking?!”

  Mavis knelt on the ground as Mile grilled her.

  “I-I’m sorry. I underestimated the orcs and let my guard down…”

  “That’s not what I’m talking about! Why did you drink three?! I told you that you should only take one, maybe two if you absolutely had to, and then to be extra careful… Did you completely forget all of my warnings?!”

  There was no way that Mavis could have forgotten. Not after the hours of lecturing she had gone through after the battle with the elder dragons…

  “B-but, if anything had happened to the Meteors because of me—”

  Mavis had no idea that Mile’s healing powers went as far as regenerating missing limbs. Faced with the possibility of the Blue Meteors not just dying but taking career-ending injuries because of her, she’d had to do everything she could to end the battle. Despite knowing how good at healing Mile and Pauline were, she didn’t want to leave anything to chance.

  Mile knew what it was like to be overly empathetic. She was the type of person who would rather lose 1,000 yen herself than make someone else lose 100 yen because of her—the type who would get to a meeting place an hour ahead of time rather than make someone else wait even a few minutes for her arrival.