Chương 83: Chapter 71. Roadblock

Luke Smith's Point of View This trip has been terrible! No demons showed up! But plenty of monsters did! When we fought, no one would listen to me! Because of that, nobody was in time to pay for my Party Members' mistakes! I was made to just be a front-liner, but I have to lead, I'm the Hero after all! It's all been so ridiculous. They barely even talk to me! Why? I'm the Leader! I'm the Hero! Moving on from that, I guess a silver lining has been the Logistics Group.

There're no pretty girls, but their service has been excellent. Even when we're camping, we've been able to live in luxury. Fine meals and the tents are already prepared. The next few days after switching to taking commands in battle from Jaime... It has been easier, if I'm actually being honest. I even complimented her after the first day." Jaime! You've done well, you've really made it easier for me to show how strong of a Hero I am! Thank you!"" Huh? Oh. Yeah, sure, good work." She was so unenthusiastic.

It was like I asked her how the weather was. I asked Lucy why that was, but she didn't give me an answer either. What the hell is going on!? This is so different than how the people of Promethia treat me now! After a few more days, Ashley saved me during a battle with monsters. I tried to thank her as well." Ashley, thanks for saving the V. I. P today!"" Huh? Ah. Yeah sure, don't worry about it." I was still confused by their attitudes. It made no sense. Don't they know I'm the one who has to kill the demon king?

Something was wrong here. I spoke to Norman, the Leader of the Logistics Group, about this. He was an older man. He had black and grey hair with grey eyes." Norman, the girls have been avoiding me. Do you have any idea why? I mean, you've been watching us for the entire journey."" Well, Hero Luke, have you been acting in a way to cause any displeasure?"" No, not that I can think of."" Then... Perhaps... It is their time of the month?"" Hm.... Maybe. That makes sense, Norman!

I'll have to be more careful, for the next few days." The last few days have been rough. We lost a few of the Logistics Members due to quicksand in a jungle we had to pass through. Since then, we've had them travel closer to the Party Members just in case. When Norman had told us that the food supplies had sunk in the sand, I demanded we all go back and fish out the tools and food that we needed. We were able to get the carriage holding the packages that had most of the food, thankfully.

Norman was beyond happy to see us recover the food. Jaime's Magic was impressive. She was able to lift the carriage with some effort." Jaime, great job!"" Please be quiet, I need to focus." Why couldn't she just take my compliment? I thought about that for a while, but once she was able to put the carriage in a safe area, we were able to make camp after finding a safe area for the night. We lost a day searching for Logistics Members and any other supplies.

There were some fights, but unfortunately, we only found the corpses of some of the Members. It was a solemn night. I asked the girls how they were feeling, but they all ignored me. Even Laura! I'm starting to miss Promethia. I was treated like a King there. I spoke to Norman again." Norman, what am I doing wrong?"" Perhaps they feel some type of way because you were busy making appearances for the King while they were training?"" Could that be it? But I couldn't help it the King begged me to!

Maybe I should explain that? Ah who knows? Maybe I should just give up and kill the demon king as quick as possible. Hopefully, by then, they can wake up and realize I'm the Hero and deserve to be treated with respect."" Hopefully, Sir!" Talking to Norman was a good break from being ignored for no reason. Hopefully, they all wake up and realize the truth, before it's too late. It's not like I can't find a good wife in Promethia after all. The next day arrived, and we were able to get out of that godforsaken jungle.

We had found a new monster during the day. It snuck up on us as we were walking forward. The first one to be attacked was Laura. Why was that? I'm obviously the strongest one here? Shouldn't the beast go after the strongest one? Anyways, I looked at the thing after Laura was able to swat it away." A green boar? That's new." After I spoke, Norman began to scream along with the rest of the Logistics Group." It's a Devil Boar! Everyone leave it to the Heroes! retreat to the forest!"" Norman, wait!

Why are you so terrified?" Norman looked at me with cold sweat on his brow." Our Hero Luke! That is an A-Class Monster! The Devil Boar is known to take out entire Villages in a day! A team of 10 A-Rank Adventurers are barely enough to beat it! It's vitality and strength are the things of dreadful legend!"" Well, you guys hide and calm down. I'm the Hero, I won't lose to some walking green bacon!" I left them with a smile as I walked towards my Party Members.

They looked at me like I was the last to show up to a party." What? I had to calm them down! Anyways, Jaime! What's the plan?" Just as I said that I heard a pig's squeal in front of me." What just happened!?"" We killed it!" Ashley and Laura were covered in green blood. Ashley answered me as she was dragging the carcass of the boar with her as they returned to the group." Why didn't you guys wait for me!? It's dangerous!"" So is invading a country full of demons." As I was admonishing them, Lucy responded to me."

Yeah, but we have the element of surprise moving forward! That Boar is an A-Class monster!"" We've killed plenty of them in the Dungeons we trained in." This time Ashley spoke to me." Well. Next time, can you wait for me to try fighting something that's A-Class as well? I'm the Hero, I need to know how to do this."" You have a point this time. I'll remember that moving forward."" Thank you, Jaime." Maybe this whole "being nice when it's their time of the month" thing can work out for me?

After that, we brought the boar to Norman and his subordinates and they were able to process the boar and make a fantastic dinner. I went to bed that day with a full stomach. I definitely need to find more of those Devil Boars. The meat is delicious! The morning came. Today is the day! We're going start to actually invade the demon king's lands today! I awoke to find Norman preparing breakfast. I went to speak to him. If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it's taken without the author's consent.

Report it." Good morning, Norman! What's for breakfast today?"" Hmm? Oh, good morning, Hero Luke! Today's breakfast is a savory porridge with bacon! We used stock we made last night as the base for the porridge. It should be delicious!"" Will there be enough for everyone to eat?"" Yes, all Members of the Hero Party and Logistics Group should be able to have a good share of food. I think there will even be enough for seconds even!"" Great! I can't wait, Norman!" I waited patiently for breakfast.

While I waited, I thought about how Jessie had said his favorite thing to eat for breakfast was porridge. Something about " It makes it easier to move when you have lighter foods in your stomach." I wish I could've practiced with him more. But by the second week, I was beating him consistently. A shame really. After that, I had to make all of those public appearances even though I wanted to train.

Once I had that first party though, with all of the women and children looking up to me and making me feel like a celebrity, I couldn't resist going to the 2nd and 3rd. While I was thinking about the past, everyone had joined me at the table, including the Logistics Group. After breakfast, we set out after cleaning up. I spoke to Norman again." Hey, Norman, the meal was amazing! Even the girls were jovial! Lucy even responded to something I said while eating! Great job, man!""

Your praise means the world to me, Hero Luke!" With a good mood, we began the march with us, the Hero Party, ahead of the Logistics Group. Since we were out of the jungle, Norman argued it was best to return to how it was at the start of the journey, I obliged to his request. About 2 hours into the journey, we were deep in the forest. Where we found a clearing in the forest, we found another boar in the clearing." Let me get this one!" / Shing! / Pressure! PUSH! The girls allowed me to fight the boar.

I started with just my longsword to see how I measured up to an A-Class monster. My first cut was blocked by the tusk of the boar, and I was blown away when he thrust his head forward. What strength it had! Good thing I have options! I activated one of my Job Skills." Heroic Body!" A bright red color started pouring out of my body and I felt extreme power in my body. This is one of the most useful Skills I have! It increases my power 10 times my normal amount for a short time.

Jessie told me that usually a Skill like this is super taxing, but I can use it about 20 times in a day with other Skills! What a Cheat Ability for me! Truly fitting for the Hero! I also activated my Mana Blade to not break the sword when I strike the boar. The boar noticed something was up and took a defensive stance. Tense! Jump! / Woosh! SHING! / I used my power to move at an incredible speed to the side of the boar. I then cleaved its head from its body in one strike.

I deactivated my Abilities to conserve stamina and began to call out to the others." It's dead!" / Clap! Clap! Clap! /" Good job, Hero!" I heard a deep demonic voice and clapping behind me. I turned to see only the forest." Come out here! Who are you!?" A figure emerged from the forest. It was a man in purple armor and a red sword that looked like the kind samurais used from my world." Me? Who am I? I never thought that far, if I'm being honest. Though, I guess all things considered, I'll be honest!

I'm The Demon King's Paladin."" You're with the Demon King!? Bring me to him, I need to defeat him!" To the man's words, Laura was the first to speak. She spoke in a cold tone filled with impatience." Now, why might you need to see my Father, Ms. Laura?" I heard a woman's voice coming from behind the strange man. It was a tall woman with white hair and purple eyes. She was pretty, but looked inhuman from her proportions." How do you know my name!?"" If you want to know, you'll have to earn it I'm afraid.""

That shouldn't be too hard if we work together!" Lucy spoke from behind us and lined up, side by side with Laura as they looked at the woman who apparently was the demon king's daughter." Indeed, that could be the case, if she was alone." A young girl's voice was heard and from the forest and 4 women emerged. All tall and all with different colored hair and eyes." Well, it seems that our battle lines are drawn. I have an idea. Why don't we let the women go and fight by themselves. You and I can fight here, Hero.""

Why would I agree to tha---" GRIP! / WOOSH! / The girl with pink eyes spoke in that same voice I heard from the forest. Then the man made a suggestion. Before I could even finish my response to him, a hand grabbed me and tossed me to a tree around 20 feet away. What is this strength? The man started to speak again." To be honest, your agreement isn't needed."" I've got you!" / Clang! / As the man spoke to me, Ashley attempted to attack him from behind.

Before the man was hit by the attack, a black-haired woman stopped her by clashing her sword with Ashley's gauntlets. She began to speak in an angry voice." How dishonorable! I've chosen! Woman, you are my opponent moving forward!"" Ah!" Ashley was pushed back by the black-haired woman. The woman with purple eyes began to speak." Now, now, Ladies. Women shouldn't involve themselves in a Gentlemen's Fight. You should come willingly, while we are still being nice about it."

The girls looked at each other before Laura stepped forward and began to speak." Fine. Have it your way. Lead us to another clearing to fight."" Laura!" Lucy was shocked Laura had agreed with the purple eyed woman." We're going to have to fight them regardless, it's clear that Paladin wants to fight Luke. Let him! Besides, for some reason, this woman pisses me off!"" The feeling is mutual, Ms. Laura." The woman had a demonic smile on her face as she and her friends led the girls away.

I guess I have to beat this guy quick! There were 5 girls to my 4! I have to even the odds and help them against the demons!" Alright, buddy! You got your wish! I hope you're happy, cause it's the last thing you'll ever get! Dragon Shot!" / Thoop! / I blasted him with an Offensive Magic Spell I could use. It went out of the palm of my hand and almost sounded like a large firework firing off into the sky, but it's going to hurt a lot worse when it hits this guy than a firework would." Magic... Interesting.

I thought you might be a purely Physical Type! Hyah!" / Shing! / As he finished his sentence, he cut through my magic with his sword. Even Jessie couldn't do that! Forget it! My specialty is swordplay anyways!" Try walking this off!" GRIP! SWING! / Shing! / I activated my Mana Blade and attacked with all of my arm strength." Hmm. Mana Blade, I figured as much. Did you?"" What!" / Clang! / Resistance! The man activated his own Mana Blade! Our swords clashed.

As they were fighting for who was dominant, the man began to speak to me." It's too unfocused! Did you even train!?" Push... As he spoke, I felt a force assaulting my sword. His Mana Blade was beginning to push my mana on my sword back! His mana even began to travel up my blade." This only happens if a Mana Blade is of a Higher Class! How did you think this was enough to fight Warrick!?"" Guah!" He pushed away from me, and I fell forward from not properly standing in my stance!" Do you have anything for me!?

Or was all the time I spent training a waste!?"

"!" / CLANG! / Push! / Woosh! / His raised his sword and began to swing it downward. I was able to meet his blade, but the force of the swing blasted me away! What is this guy made of! Fuck it! I can't afford to hold back! This is going bad!" Fine! You trained for me right!? Let's see if it was a waste or not! Heroic Body! All or Nothing!" I activated Heroic Body and another Skill. It was an ability to squeeze out all of my mana into one spell, I set it to Heroic Body.

He seemed to realize I was the strongest I could be. He readied himself for me. I charged at him! Tense! Kick! / Woosh! CRACK! SNAP! / Raise! When I kicked off the floor, I left a decent sized crater in my wake and the sound of my body moving so fast, sent waves through the forest and uprooted some of the trees closer to us. I raised my sword to strike him." You're fast, I'll give you that!" / Clang! / Push! / Woosh! thump. Woosh! / We clashed blades. I was pushing him back! Yes! He can't handle me.

I pushed him back and I landed on the ground. I cut an angle with my legs and I jumped again. and launch myself to a tree to jump off of it. Jump!" Take this!" / Woosh! /"?" Swing! When I charged at him something happened. His body was immersed in some kind of white aura. It made a sound like a blast of wind coming off of him... That's nothing like my Heroic Body, but I still swung at him. This time, there was no way he could reach me in time!" Too predictable!" / Clang! / The man blocked me again!

He didn't even look at me! No wait! He can't follow my speed! that's it! I'll just keep trying again and again! I began to attack from any angle I could! I jumped off any tree and any angle to try to land a slash. He blocked them all! Finally, I had an idea! I'll attack his blind spot! He's got to be a Human if he's a Paladin, so he doesn't have eyes in the back of his head! That's where I'll attack! I jumped from a tree on the left of him and landed on another behind him! I launched myself at him again."

Eat this!" Tense! Swing! I took my swing at his back. But instead of staying still and blocking, he turned around." That tree was the only one you hadn't tried to jump off of yet. Like I said predictable." / Clang! / Loose! / Shing! Swoop! / I heard the sound! He parried my sword! I didn't have a full grip on it. No, my sword, it flew into the air and it landed blade end in the dirt." You lost. Never come back, you failure!" / Shing! Fwoop! / He swung his sword. What was that sound?

It was like metal cutting through metal... Drip... Drip... / drop. drop. drop. / Blood droplets were in the air and began to fall like rain. Wait, why does my torso feel strange? * Warm... Cold... pain... pain! PAin! PAIn! PAIN! / I feel something cold running down the front side of my body. It's blood.... My blood. Why do I feel cold? Why is everything going so dark? I'm supposed to invade the demon king's country today and slay him afte......