"I'm impressed. I didn't think an adventurer could be so fashionable, Mr. Arezu."
"Oi, seriously?"
"Mhm! That intricate red pattern on your clothes is so cool. It's eye-catching—there's just so much red!"
"Because it's orc blood!"
Arezu's laid-back demeanor was starting to crumble under the weight of Lynn's audacity. He wouldn't deny that the fault was his—slaying the orc in a particularly gruesome way and letting its blood splatter in all directions. But for Lynn to use him as a human shield, without a second thought, just to keep herself clean? That was intolerable, and his patience was wearing thin.
"Jokes aside, you did a good job, Mr. Arezu." Even Lynn's praise sounded sarcastic now.
"...Of defeating the orc?"
"...Of being a meat shield."
With a thumbs-up and a smirk, Lynn cheerfully turned around, fluttering her black robe and platinum hair for Arezu to see.
"I didn't get any bloodstains on my clothes or hair, right?"
How can you be so insensitive? Arezu wanted to say that, but held his tongue when he saw Lynn's satisfied smile as she admired her unstained outfit.
Since it was his fault, Arezu would have jumped in front of her regardless if she was about to get splattered. With that thought, he let out a heavy sigh and decided to forget what he was getting worked up about.
After pulling his halberd from the orc's skull and confirming its death, Arezu quickly moved toward the front of the wagon to check on Alex, Liz, and Hannah, who were still engaged in battle with the other two orcs.
Lynn stood nearby, watching the fight while staying close to the wagon.
"Aren't you going to help them?"
"I don't want my clothes— I mean, as you can see, I'm guarding the wagon."
Aside from nearly revealing her true priorities, Lynn's empty twin-arrow crossbow hanging from her belt showed she had no intention of helping in the fight.
Maybe she trusted her teammates' capabilities. Or maybe she really was prioritizing wagon defense. Either way, Arezu felt he could leave her and help the others. That was the plan—until Lynn stepped away from him, as if repulsed by his blood-soaked appearance.
"Oi..."
"My, my, my... What could you possibly be upset about, Mr. Arezu?"
The commotion finally drew the attention of Alex, Liz, and Hannah. As they glanced back to see what was going on, their expressions varied—and neither Arezu nor Lynn missed it.
Liz looked surprised—but not by Arezu's appearance. Rather, she seemed shocked that he and Lynn had managed to take down an orc on their own. Arezu didn't notice the doubt in her eyes, but Lynn certainly did.
Hannah turned pale, assuming the blood was from Arezu's own injuries. Sensing this, he quickly waved his hands to reassure her.
Alex, however, displayed open displeasure at the sight of Arezu.
They don't hate me... do they? Arezu wondered. Other than Lynn, he'd had little interaction with the rest of the group.
Liz was serious and only spoke when necessary. Hannah went along with whatever plan was proposed. Alex, meanwhile, spent more time flirting with the girls and flashing Arezu a smug, superior smile.
That had been the dynamic during yesterday's discussion and throughout the journey. So maybe it wasn't surprising if they disliked him now—especially with Lynn as the cause of his bloodstained look.
Pushing those doubts aside, Arezu raised his halberd to help finish the fight. But Lynn stopped him before he could step forward.
"There's no need, Mr. Arezu. They may be copper-rank adventurers, but they have the strength to handle those orcs."
So she does trust them. Arezu thought. Still, her grip on the only unstained part of his coat annoyed him.
Regardless, he decided to trust her words and stayed back to guard the wagon. It was also a chance to observe Alex, Liz, and Hannah's fighting abilities.
The battle remained at a stalemate, with Liz and Alex holding the front while Hannah supported from behind.
Feeling the pressure of being watched by teammates who had already finished their fight, Liz and Alex began to lose their patience.
"Hannah!"
Understanding what was needed, Hannah offered a prayer to the goddess and cast a divine blessing.
"Boost"
The blessing enhanced both magical and physical abilities according to the caster's strength. Considering Hannah's skill as a priestess, Liz and Alex's abilities were enhanced by nearly fifty percent.
Arezu and Lynn clearly saw the effect as both Liz and Alex moved with increased speed, charging at their opponents.
The towering orc Liz faced swung its rusted greatsword in an attempt to intercept her. Though slow and unrefined, its raw power could shatter a shield and split a man in two. But Liz charged on, unfazed.
She infused her shield with mana and, just as she halted, activated her combat skill:
'Reinforce'
A thunderous crash echoed as her shield met the orc's greatsword. Liz held firm and deflected the blow. Before the orc could ready its next attack, Liz imbued her longsword with mana and launched another skill.
'Pierce'
Liz thrust the longsword at the orc's face. It raised its left hand to block—but her weapon shattered through its defense and drilled a hole straight through its skull, ending the battle with her overwhelming victory.
Meanwhile, Alex faced an evolved orc mage equiped with an enchanted staff. Though smaller than average, it was proficient in fire magic.
Casting Fireball in succession, the orc launched wave after wave of burning spheres. Alex dodged them with ease, but couldn't close the distance—each time he neared, a fresh fireball exploded in his path.
Looking around, Alex saw Lynn and Arezu still arguing. Behind him, Hannah stood ready to cast defensive blessings. To his left, Liz had already finished her fight.
He was the only one still struggling.
That didn't sit well with Alex.
Confident and competitive, he hated being shown up—even if his opponent was stronger.
He was the strongest. That belief hardened in his mind as he activated his gift.
"....." Alex muttered a word too quiet for anyone to hear. Instantly, the fireballs vanished.
"What just happened?"
"If you worship me right now and offer a few gold coins, I might enlighten you, Mr. Arezu," Lynn teased.
Lacking both gold coins and the will to worship her, Arezu declined with a flat stare. Lynn grinned mischievously—not just to tease, but for reasons she kept to herself. Liz and Hannah, meanwhile, stared at Alex in disbelief.
The orc mage, utterly confused, tried to cast again. But no fire formed.
Now defenseless, it became an easy target. Alex charged with swords in both hands and cleanly decapitated the orc.
The heavy thud of the orc mage's head hitting the ground, followed by a spray of blood, marked the end of the battle—and the party's complete victory over the group of orcs.