(Pov: Ryuu)
After our brief conversation, we began making our way to the surface.
"Help!"
"Help us!"
We only walked for a couple of minutes before we heard the desperate screams of some people behind us. We quickly made our decision and unilaterally turned back, making our way to the place where we heard the voices.
I was able to see a group of adventurers. They were severely injured, especially the person who had his hand was bent.
"Maryuu, heal them, quick," Alise commanded.
"What happened?" I asked the girl who was in better condition than the others.
"W-we encountered an irregular Infant dragon on floor 7th."
"What did you say?!" Neze asked in shock. I can understand her. An infant dragon appearing on the 7th floor is unheard of.
Wait… that person was going on the 7th floor as well.
"Did you see a person in a cloak using an elven sword on your way here?" I asked the girl.
Her eyes widened, as if she just remembered something.
"Y-Yeah, He was the one who saved us. He is fighting that dragon right now."
"Eh, Lion? Wait up!" I ignored Alise's words and ran towards the 7th floor.
A level 1 fighting a level-2 monster is no better than a death sentence. Before long, I arrived on the 7th floor and heard the sound of blades clashing. When I approached the place, I was able to see him fighting that infant dragon from afar.
And I saw the technique that he utilized to cut the arm of the dragon. It was similar to the one Kaguya used, but also different. And even after his sword broke and his arm got injured, he still prepared himself to fight.
But before the Battle could continue, I arrived in front of him.
"You have done well. I will take it from here." I reassured him and rushed towards the infant dragon. It was significantly weakened after its arm was cut off. But I felt that it was still stronger than a normal infant dragon, and the way it was fighting was strange.
I quickly subdued the dragon and approached Arin to check his condition. What worried me was that he was just staring at me. I asked about his condition and was relieved to hear that the injuries were not too serious. And Maryuu was able to heal him. Maybe he was just in shock from fighting an intense battle like this.
After we got home, we gave our report to Astraea-sama. Who was naturally surprised to hear the incident about the infant dragon. "But I am glad no one died. And Ryuu, you should come to my room. I will update your status. You must have some progress after fighting that dragon.
I went to Astraea-sama's room after dinner. "Ryuu, are you ready to get your status updated?" I merely nodded and removed my top, using it to hide my breasts, and turned my back towards her.
"So, How was that High Human?" She asked while getting prepared to update my status.
"You mean Arin-san? He seems like a good and strong person, and his voice is also very beautiful." I still remember his voice vividly, the verse he used while singing seems sad, though.
I wish to hear him sing more.
"Hoh… You complimenting someone's voice is rare. He really must be good. Maybe someday you both can sing together?"
"Yes, maybe someday." I am sure I will enjoy singing with him.
"Looks like the cold Lion has finally taken interest in someone other than justice."
"Wh-What are you saying Astraea-sama! I-It's not like that!"
"Hehehe, I was just teasing you, Ryuu. But don't you think your reaction is too much?"
"Ah, moh… Astraea-sama, stop teasing me." I pouted, though I knew it would only encourage her further. Why did everyone find such amusement in my discomfort?
"Eh? That's strange." I heard her speak in surprise and confusion.
Concern replaced my embarrassment. "Is there something wrong, Astraea-sama?" I asked her, thinking there might be something wrong with my status.
"Hm. I don't think 'wrong' is the word we should use here. Wait a second, Ryuu, I will show you." Astraea-sama handed me the status paper.
"Eh?" I involuntarily made a similar sound to what she made. But my reaction was justified.
"Your stats have increased at least 2 to 3 times more than what they should have." Yes, it is strange for something like that to happen.
"Maybe because that was an infant dragon that I defeated." I tried to make sense of it, and while that seemed logical, in some corner of my mind, I still find it strange.
"Hmm… let's just think of it as a happy occurrence and monitor your growth for a few days."
"Yes, Astraea-sama." I also think that is the only thing we can do for now.
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That was how my first meeting with Arin Kael went.
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And our second meeting was earlier than I thought. This time, I asked him the same question I had asked several others. Although I was expecting his answer to be similar to Kaguya's answer. Since he has denied being a Hero, saying that he doesn't have the vessel for it. Which I don't fully agree with.
But I was surprised when he spoke up against Kaguya, saying that "And I don't think there is anything wrong with being idealistic. Ideals make a better future. If the ones who came before us only relied on realism alone, this world would have gone to hell ages ago." And those things he said brought hope to my own crumbling resolve. That It is fine to have ideals, and we should use realism to make those ideals a reality.
And I was even more impressed that he was able to go toe-to-toe against Kaguya's cynicism. And it brought me a strange kind of satisfaction seeing Kaguya's defeated face. Since she always teases me.
I am such a bad elf. For taking satisfaction in my comrade's misery.
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My opinion of him only increased when he fought against the Gorran Veltz. Despite being a Level-1, He was able to exploit the weakness in his attacks. And later even saved Ais, or rather all of us, by holding back Gorran, whose strength increased to that level-6, for enough time for us to regroup.
And he used the same technique he used before to cut off the infant dragon's arm. He broke Gorran's cursed sword, which was the catalyst that provided him with that strength.
When he was flung back because of the sheer impact, I hurriedly caught him. For a moment, I was worried that he was severely injured, but thankfully, he was more exhausted than injured.
"Please rest well and leave the rest to us." He truly has done more than his fair share. If even after this, we are not able to defeat Gorran, then there is no point in me chasing justice.
"In the sky of a now distant forest," I started chanting the spell, still holding Arin-san in my arms.
"Infinite stars scattered across the endless night sky. Respond to my foolish voice; grant once more the protection of starfire." Ais-san and Alise both put some distance as not to be caught up in the magic destructive range.
"Bestow mercy of light upon those who abandoned you. Come, wandering wind, the wandering traveler." Dozens of green balls gathered around me.
"Cross the sky and run through the wilderness, faster than anything else. Imbue me with the light of stardust and strike down thy enemy." I extended my hand towards him.
"Luminous wind!" All the light balls strike him down one after another. After the dust had settled, I was able to see him still standing.
Looks like that was not enough. But that is fine, I had expected it, since I was not able to use the magic to its full potential. Besides, it was not just me fighting here. Alise and Ais-san quickly move forward, thrusting their sword through his chest, ending his life.