Master’s Smile

C102 – Chimera and Sword, Coachman and Magic Bullet

The snakes on the chimera’s tail weren’t just ordinary snakes.

The chimera itself was a magnificent artificial monster created by magesーーーalchemists to overthrow their opponent’s armies.

Thus, it could not simply be mere snakes.

Those snakes had a powerful venom, and once bitten by one of them, it was lethal enough to take down even wyverns, which are the representatives of strong monsters.

Naturally, it would take less than a minute for a human to die from it.

And such snakes were targeting Ritter.

Hence, it was no wonder that Neena, who was close to her, screamed and called out to her.

However, her scream was only meant for when the snakes bit Ritter.

In short, she just needed to avoid getting bitten.

“Fuh.”

Ritter exhaled briefly and finally drew her sword.

It was only after she had finished intercepting them that Neena noticed.

She saw that Ritter’s sword seemed to emit some flashes, and all of the snakes that had attacked her were cut to pieces without leaving any left.

Before Neena had the time to scream, the cut-up carcasses were already dropping to the ground one by one.

“Gyyaaaaaaaa!?!”

The chimera rolled around on the ground, shrieking.

And Ritter simply observed it with emotionless eyes.

There was no slightest change in her expression even when she was attacked by the venomous snakes.

Well, it was no surprise seeing how she had moved, there was no slightest way she could have been bitten by those snakes.

On the contrary, she even had enough time to slay them as she passed by.

“T-That was amazing, Ritter.”

Neena was more than a little impressed by her moves and decided to move back to Master’s location, who was introduced to her as Ritter’s mentor.

Even if she were to stay by Ritter’s side, she would only get in the way of her fight against the chimera.

It was vexing, but Neena decided to back down, following what Ritter said.

There, she spoke to Master, who was smiling calmly rather than worrying, even though his apprentice was fighting a powerful being.

“…aren’t you worried?”

When Neena asked this question, Master replied with an unexpected response.

It was true that he was worried about Ritter, but even so, he trusted her.

His pupil is not so weak as to be defeated by a monster as weak as a chimera…, he said.

“…I see. You two are already communicating from the bottom of your hearts.”

Master smiled, looking a little embarrassed from what Neena just said.

“Grrrrrr…!!!”

“…….”

While Master and Neena were talking, the battle between Ritter and the chimera showed no signs of movement.

The chimera was wary of Ritter, who had avoided its tail attack and even launched a counterattack on it afterwards.

On the other hand, Ritter was just not actively trying to kill the chimera, because it did not try to attack her master.

“Guooo!!!”

Even so, the chimera made the first move to break out of their stalemate.

Having to fully use its small brain and understand that it had no chance in melee combat, it had come up with another attack.

Then, flames were seen starting to surge wildly inside the chimera’s closed mouth.

“Those flames!?!”

Neena sensed the attack it was about to make.

The frightening thing about the chimera was not only its strong physical strength and biting power, but also its ability to attack at medium and long range.

That is, the chimera’s Flamethrower.

“Kuh…! If it breathes fire in a place like this…!”

Neena looked around and clicked her tongue.

The area surrounding them consisted of dense woods, and if just one were set on fire, it would spread in the blink of an eye.

When that happens, it might be impossible to escape from this place.

“H-However!!!”

Neena tried to take some action in a hurry, but Master stopped her while still smiling.

Leave it to Ritter.

Neena was at a loss for words.

Certainly, she trusted Ritter, but Ritter could do nothing if that were to happen, couldn’t she…?

However, it was also true that she had no way to escape this predicament either.

She might be able to save her own life by turning her back and running away, but she could not afford such injustice to the coachman, the fallen knights, as well as Ritter, who was still fighting.

“Gooooooooo!!!”

By the time Neena had resolved herself, the chimera’s flames gushed out from its mouth.

It approached Ritter with a roaring sound but….

“Ei.”

With a slash, it was cut off easily.

“Wha-…!?”

This startled even her lord (at-present), Neena.

She didn’t think that Ritter’s swordsmanship could even cut through flames….

The flames cut by her lost their momentum and easily fizzled out.

“…My turn.”

The chimera was also stunned, as it did not expect its proudful flames to be slashed like that.

Then, Ritter kicked up dirt and leaped forward, approaching the chimera in mere seconds.

“Grroooooaaarr!!!”

The chimera, too, bared its fangs to intercept Ritter.

However, the opponent this time was out of its league.

Its fangs never reached Ritter.

Her sword had already sliced its head off with swiftness.

“…It’s over.”

Ritter swung her blood-stained sword to remove the blood, then sheathed it back with a click.

Soon after, the headless chimera’s body fell to the ground with a heavy thud.

“As expected of Ritter! I can’t believe you took out this chimera so easily…!”

Neena laughed joyfully and praised her entourage.

Now that Ritter had removed the chimera threat, it was inevitable that Neena would be caught off guard.

“Hee….”

That was why she had not noticed that the coachman was aiming his small bow at Neena.

Neena sensed something was wrong and finally turned towards the coachman.

However, her movement was inevitably slow, and his arrow had turned into a deadly dagger and was about to be shot.

“GYAAAH!?”

Despite that, the arrow did not strike her.

Rather, the bow and the arrow attached to it got obliterated, along with the archer’s arm.

Neena glanced at the coachman falling to the ground, spurting blood, and turned her attention to the person who had caused such phenomenon.

“Master….”

Her gaze fell upon Master, who was smiling and holding up his hand.