Chapter 46: Capital on sight! But first…is that a carriage in danger?!

The days passed by quite quickly and before I knew it, we were now in the last stretches of our road trip.

We passed through some other villages but avoided big cities though.

Why?

Because I am sure we would've been pulled into something else if we did.

Even if we are not opposed to helping out. Heck, that is something I would do to the best of my ability even without my promise to Erevain.

I cannot disappoint Nerinne.

I mean, I am not heartless, but as I said before, I am no 'hero of justice' either. I cannot save everyone...well, dealing with the dragon lords technically 'saves everyone', but you get my point!

And...with the threat of Brynn and her master looming on the horizon we had to prioritize.

Even if I say that, we did help various villages along the way, not only those we stopped at by night or those we visited to buy more ingredients so I could taste them.

By the way, Louise must be quite happy with all those ingredients now appearing in the castle's kitchen, heh.

In any case, in one of the villages people were sick and the vaccines still had a week before arrival.

So, Gabrielle, Allegra and Bertia shined that day by quickly diagnosing and identifying the sickness, all while treating everyone's pain with either magic or alchemical concoctions.

It seemed to be a common sickness in the Kingdom, one that looks similar to smallpox, but instead of just weakening a person physically this one also drains their mana too, giving them the symptoms of sudden mana depletion besides all the other physical symptoms.

Allegra was glad that it was this one and not the lethal, more difficult to cure, version of it.

Maybe that was the sickness Hilde's vaccination campaign was trying to cure?

My instinct was telling something along those lines.

After some hours Allegra and Gabrielle came up with a remedy that would help the villagers endure the week.

"I could have made a medicine to cure it, Master. If only I had a week, my lab, and the notes I left in the Capital..."

That is what Allegra said to me when we got back in the carriage, her expression was filled with frustration, but she got a bit better after the other maids and Luca reminded her that the vaccines were already on the way.

Still, I must see Allegra's lab, or something similar, to give her one in the castle. Because if I try to make one with just my isekai knowledge and preconceptions, I might make something quite flashy but useless.

I also detected some strange minuscule traces of foreign mana in the body of the villagers, it was so small that I thought it could be just something natural in this world.

But then my instinct gave me a bad feeling, so I tried and broke it.

That also meant that it must have been related to one of my affinities to be broken, but it was so small that I was having trouble identifying which.

Oh well, better safe than sorry I say.

Then, we passed by a group of bandits trying to raid another one of the villages along our way.

As if we were going to let that happen.

Erevain and Erica quickly took care of all of them and ended up being named 'Magical Maids' by the children who witnessed the fight.

And they were also bathed in requests by those same innocent children.

I am so setting up a magical maid team cosplay event so that Ilya can have some fun when we return to the castle!

"I wonder if Magical Maid Erica will marry me? Hahahaha!"

"To be older than me and saying such childish things!"

"Hey! I am not old, Erica!"

"Hmph, please speak louder grandmother Lucy. Your voice seems to be cutting off because of your age."

"Grrr...dummy..."

Lucy obviously took the chance to poke some fun at Erica, but she was having none of that, hahaha.

It seemed that they were not that compatible with each other in that aspect.

I too tried to poke fun at Erevain telling her that I would have an outfit for her that would make her seem more like a magical maid but...

"If that is what My Lord wishes for me to wear. I would gladly wear it."

How could I poke fun at her with that response and the wholesome expression she showed?!

Just like a princess...

"Fufufu~~, that is indeed your weakness, my dear. I should know."

A-Anyways...the bandits were tied up and given to the villagers. That way they could claim the reward for them and in return for everything they gave us some wool, other similar textiles, and some nice food.

It was kind of surprising to still find bandits at more than halfway towards the Capital, but Erevain told me that most patrols usually have to stop in every village on their way and that ends up causing this to happen.

One would think they would invest in more patrols, but I guess that in a world where everyone is able to use magic, it is expected of them to at least try and defend themselves from things like bandits and such.

Well, that is it for what happened in the other days of the road trip.

What? This is a flashback?

No! I am just giving you a quick summary of some things I thought you might find interesting!

Eh?! That I should have asked Erevain to do something like that then?!

How could I do that!! She would have gotten depressed! I'm sure of it!!

Just...let's move on...

__________________________________________

"Capital in sight, everyone!"

So shouts Sophie from the pilot seat.

That makes all the cute and gorgeous maids jump from their seats immediately and go to the windows.

Well, except Gabrielle, the ever-composed ojou-sama.

It seems that she thought of the same idea I had.

"Here, Erevain. There is no need to hold back."

I say so as I move aside to let Erevain use my window to see the Capital.

"Please My Lord, I cannot take your seat just for..."

I put my index finger on her soft lips silencing her. Causing her to be surprised.

"Shh, just do it. You deserve it."

I give her a cool smile and signal her to take my seat again.

She silently nods and goes to it putting her face near the window.

They have been waiting for five years...I can wait a bit more to see it.

"Lucy! We are home…we really are home!!"

"I told you we were going to come back some day, Mika! See!"

Mika has tears in her eyes as well as Lucy.

They are even hugging each other out of joy.

"It's just as I remember!"

"Maybe a bit bigger..."

Says Bertia and Jules respectively.

One louder than the other though.

"I hope my lab is still standing..."

"No...worries Allegra...remember...it is hidden...secure..."

"Oh, I am the one getting head pats now? Thank you, Luca."

KA-WA-IIIII!!!!

Allegra was clearly worried, but Luca reacted quickly and is now comforting her with headpats...

Give me some too, Luca!

"Leader! I can see the palace from here! It is still beautiful!"

"Yes…Erica. Yes, it is. We are back...we are finally back."

Erica has grabbed Erevain's hand in her excitement, she is clearly overjoyed.

As for Erevain...I can see a smile on her face even from where I am, but also something else.

A tear, just one passing dripping down her cheek, one ever so small but so filled with her emotions.

What a moving scene...

Or at least…IT WOULD BE IF IT WEREN'T FOR THE SOUNDS OF BATTLE THAT I’M PICKING UP WITH THESE EARS OF MINE!!!

AND GUESS WHAT IT IS?! MONSTERS PROBABLY ATTACKING A CARRIAGE AND THEIR ESCORT!

I JUST HAD TO GO AND RAISE SOME ISEKAI FLAGS JUST BEFORE WE LEFT, RIGHT?!

"Amm...Master, I can see a carriage up ahead. It is being attacked by some really big monsters. I suggest we take a detour."

Says Sophie totally wrong...by my Darling...is she really suggesting leaving those people to their fate? Did we not just helped in every village that needed it?

"We are not taking a detour. We are going to help, Sophie. And you are going to fight too."

"Wha—?! B-But I'm still in training! There is no way I can beat one of those!!"

"Strange, I remember hearing you not wanting to go to train every night. I even heard you once saying that you did not need it."

"...you misheard, Master. Hehehe...I love my training..."

"Ah, perfect then. Consider this part of it."

"...! Yes, Master. Uuu…why is this happening to me...she really is a villain..."

"I heard that."

"Eeep!"

This maid...when she acts like this, I find it hard to protect her from Nerinne's bullying...

"Hmph, it seems we will have to get off the carriage one last time before arriving. Who wants to take care of the one's responsible for ruining the mood?"

Of course, the maids had already seen what was happening and were currently awaiting orders.

And they are smiling now that they heard my words.

"There is no need to ask, My Dear Master. Am I correct everyone?"

Says Gabrielle with her sweet voice.

"""""Yes!!"""""

Everyone answers without a single doubt...except Sophie...she is still trying to sit this one out, huh?

"Good. What are we fighting, Erevain?"

"Savage Spriggans, My Lord. They are not to be confused with those of the Fairy Race of the same name. These are monsters born of dark spirits taking control of the surrounding nature and twisting it into their image. They are a vicious breed of monster."

Says Erevain, who already changed gears and is completely focused on the matter at hand.

"Eeek! I knew they looked familiar! Why do I have to fight that?! I'm a spy!! Not a monster hunter!!"

Meanwhile Sophie is...Sophie...

"I will leave it to you then, Erevain."

"Of course, My Lord."

"Show me how you fight my Knights of the Ever-Burning Will!"

""""Yes!""""

"Nooooooo!"

_______________________________________________

"Lucy, attract their attention!"

"On it, Leader! Lightning dwell in my feet and let my steps be swift, [Lightning Step]!"

Erevain is quick with her orders and Lucy speeds towards the Savage Spriggans with her legs covered in GOLDEN lightning. If you know what I mean.

By the way, I’m watching everything from a certain distance, all while also keeping an eye on the carriage.

I mean, I would not let it get stolen regardless, but I’m not letting another flag to happen!

Also, I could very well end this with my mere killing intent or intimidating pressure, but I wouldn't be able to watch my beautiful Maid-Knights fight that way, right?

"Gabrielle, Bertia, attend to the escorts and protect the carriage!"

"Very well, Leader. Let us go Bertia!"

"Alright!"

""[Quickstep]!""

Oh, so they both know the same skill. I wonder if it’s because they are both close combat healers?

"Luca, Allegra, look for their structural weak points, then exploit them and expose their hearts!"

"...yes Leader...Darkness cover me...misdirect them...guide their eyes...elsewhere...[Shroud of Deception]..."

"Consider it done, Leader. Nature and Darkness fool my objective and let me be unnoticed, unheard, unseen, [Lurker's Trance]."

I bet those are some impressive stealth skills, but with my OP senses I can still see them quite clearly...sumanai.

"Jules, support everyone from a distance and disrupt the monsters' attacks! Mika start enchanting everyone's weapons with the fire attribute and the moment you see the Spriggans' hearts strike them with your magic!"

"Mhm!"

"Already on it, Leader!”

Oh, Jules is moving in quite the acrobatic way while shooting her bow. She is evading the projectiles the Spriggans are shooting at her.

Wait, are those seeds?!

Are they using bullet seed?!

Is this Pok*mon?!!

“Fire, dwell on the blades of those fighting with bravery, grant them your power and your warmth, [Flame Enchant]!"

Meanwhile, on Mika’s side, her cape and skirt flutter just as a big red magical circle appears beneath her feet and sends embers into everyone’s weapons, giving them a light red shine.

So cool!

"Erica, Sophie, with me! We are confronting them directly! We are to damage them while everyone else is doing their part! The moment their heart is exposed, we finish them or move on while Mika uses her magic! And remember, be always aware of your surroundings, they can use roots deep underground to attack! Understood, Sophie?!"

"Hiih—! Yes! Yes! I got it! I got it!"

"Do not be that nervous, Sophie. You are with us. We will not let you die."

"That is not very reassuring at all..."

Not even Erica's words of motivation and cool face are enough to make Sophie stop with her attitude but...she is still following Erevain and Erica into battle with weapon in hand, so there’s that.

And she is using a...short sword.

What? That is not very spy-like, you say?

I thought the same thing when I met her and disarmed her. No pun intended, heh.

Anyways, there are four S.Spriggans, that is how I'll call them for now, attacking the carriage. They are not that intelligent though. After all, they aren’t surrounding the carriage and instead they are all in the same area.

Thus, making it easier for the Maid-Knights to attack them.

Hmm, now that I look closely, all of the escorts are elves...

ELVES! ELVES EXIST HERE! ELF MAID-KNIGHT WHEN?!! WILL SHE BE THE BUSTY TYPE? THE PETITE?

"Fufufu~~, you are fine either way, right, dear?"

YES!!

Ahem...sorry I got a bit excited there...

The carriage is layered with magic upon magic...let’s see...what if I focus my senses and instinct on it for a bit.

Just a bit more force...there! It went through!

"...!"

Oh! It seems it was disguising spell, a misdirection one, and a counterintelligence one. All on top of each other.

How do I know? Well, that is what my instinct is telling me.

Also, because after focusing on it I was able to see through those spells and wow, that is one heck of a carriage. It has royal envoy written all...DAMN IT WITH THESE FLAGS!!

That means that there is someone important in there.

But there is no need to tell the Maid-Knights, they are doing a great job as it is.

"Hey! Here I am!"

"GROAAARGH!"

"Oops, missed me! Hmm? Ah!"

"GROAAAAARGH!!"

"Uff, that was close! My turn! [Cross Slash]!! Take this too! Lightning pursue and pierce my enemies, [Chain Lightning]!!"

Oooh!! Lucy is moving all over the place with amazing speed while provoking the S.Spriggans. Although, they almost catch her right there because she was making fun of them. But she dodged it and has countered it not only with a sword skill, but also with a classic spell that affects the four S.Spriggans!

Hmm…and yet, I cannot see much damage in their wooden-like bodies except for a tiny hole—

"Fire, enchant these arrows with the power to bring forth destruction! [Explosion Enchant]!!"

"[Eagle Eye], [Sharpshooter], [Quadruple Shot]."

*BOOMBOOMBOOMBOOM*

OOOH! THAT COMBO BETWEEN JULES AND MIKA!!!

Not only are they perfectly synchronized with each other, but they also took advantage of the holes left by Lucy's attack! With that, they have managed to deal some nice internal damage to the S.Spriggans, to the point that two of them have smoke coming out of their mouths and other parts of their bodies.

There's also cracks all over the outer layers of said bodies and—

"[Eviscerate]…"

"[Bolt Barrage]!"

"GROAAARGIIIIIH!!"

"GROOARRGIIIGIIAAH!!"

Damn this is so cool!!! Luca and Allegra just attacked those two weakened S.Spriggans at the same time!!

Luca thrusted her daggers through the cracks and kept going at it mercilessly until those cracks became even bigger and deeper! I can even see the glowing dark green heart of it! And now Luca has disappeared once again...at least for the enemy, heh.

Allegra, on the other hand, used two hand crossbows to repeatedly shoot at the cracks on the other S.Spriggan before disappearing too, and those things must have hit hard since those cracks have also worsened but...wait for it...wait for it...

There it is!

I knew it, those bolts were laced with some kind of quick acting poison that is eating at that S.Spriggan's wood-like skin and is turning it purple!

Erica is now closing the distance on that one while activating some skills.

"[Enhance Strength], [Enhance Speed], [Enhance Sword Skills]."

Oh, she is stacking buffs!

But not so fast, Erica! Some ominous roots are sprouting from the ground and are going for you!

"[Hidden Slash]! Go! Just kill that thing already! I don't want to fight anymore!"

Huh? Did Sophie just move in front of Erica and cut all the incoming roots in one swift attack? She did!

I'm so proud! She is being useful instead of just whining!!

She looked so cool too!! It was like those quickdraw type of attacks with the sword!!

I wonder if she would be even more useful with a katana then?

"Why do I feel like someone is saying hurtful things about me?"

Oops…sorry, Sophie. But I am really glad and impressed, so keep at it!

Or more like...

"…watch out, Sophie!"

"Do not get distracted, Sophie! Oh Moonlight, I beseech you, strike with your radiance that which is my enemy, [Moonlight Blast]!"

*FWOOZZZZ*

Erevain reacts quickly to the S.Spriggan that was about to hit Sophie...and...dammit I can't hold it in!!

SHE JUST SHOT A SWORD BEAM!! I CAN'T FRIGGING BELIEVE IT!!! A SWORD BEAM!! PILLAR OF LIGHT AND ALL!!!

IT WAS FAST AND kind of small...BUT STILL!!!

EREVAIN YOU WONDERFUL WOMAN!!

Wait…THE S.SPRIGGAN IS GONE!! SHE VAPORIZED IT!!

"[Fencer's Spirit], [Mystic Knight's Trance], [Thrust Blitz]!"

WHAAAT?!! ERICA JUST TURNED THE OTHER S.SPRIGGAN INTO SWISS CHEESE!!

*KERTZUNK*

AND THERE GOES THE HEART!!

"This is..."

"Indeed, Erica. That is the power that our Master has given us."

"No way, I can do that too?! You should've told me sooner Prin—Leader..."

Heh, Sophie almost calls Erevain 'princess' and Erica is now glaring at her, hard.

“Recklessly using one’s power is as much of a mistake as getting distracted in the middle of battle, Sophie. So, focus on bettering yourself and learn from your mistakes, that is the only way you will reach the potential I see in you, the one you showed while covering Erica. Or do you wish to be a failure of a Knight in this second chance you have?

"I...understand..."

Wow, that is quite the effective way to stop her from doing something stupid down the line.

And well said, Erevain.

"Everyone! Get back! Mika is going to use one of those!"

"Understood! Lucy, Luca, Allegra, behind me! Moonlight and Earth, I beseech you, [Magic Shield]!"

"Fire bring forth destruction in the form of a great pillar, [Burning Pillar]!!"

Now that is what I call fire magic!!!

Following Jules’ warning, Erevain has cast a shield big enough to protect themselves and the royal carriage from the heat of Mika’s fiery pillar, which just erupted from a magical circle right beneath the other two S.Spriggans. Before this, those same S.Spriggans had been distracted by Lucy with her quick attacks and Jules with those exploding arrows from earlier.

And of course, the S.Spriggans were, well, cooked...to ashes.

Man, that was so cool.

Just seeing every maid do their part in perfect coordination is just...wow.

But the MVP is Erevain for sure!

I want to shoot a sword beam too!!

"Fufufu~~, you know you can, dear. But if you do, you can say goodbye to the whole area."

I know...

OP protagonist getting sidelined in combat because of being OP...check...so sad...

"Aw, do not worry, my dear. You will have your chance, I am sure."

Yes...

Now that the battle is finished, I can go to them. Of course, I just used my skill to hide my horns, ears, and humanize my eyes as always.

Let's see who we saved!!

To be continued...(cue amazing battle soundtrack song!! Amazing animation and overpriced 2 episode blu-rays!!!!!) (Thank you for reading!)

Special thanks from the bottom of my heart to: EmbraceTheSleeb, Lord-Hollow, YukisoraRin, LordInquisitorSteele, Anon and Anon2!