I Became the Porter of a Somewhat Strange Hero Party

19 – Warrior Party (9)

There were mostly lower species, but Erin’s blow swept them away without a trace. Of course, there were still many demons growling in the singing region, but they were also living beings with emotions.

Even after witnessing the sight of colleagues who were together just moments ago being annihilated in one blow, I couldn’t move easily. I had to clearly take advantage of that gap.

“Everyone, charge! Orland’s warrior, charge too!!”

“……!”

If Orland is not truly foolish, he can’t just ignore my words even in this situation. This is a chance to cover a great distance in one go.

And indeed, Orland turned his head and rejoined the ranks with his party members.

“Wow~♡ Did you come after I finished everything~?” Erine openly ridiculed Orlan’s domineering behavior, but this time, I had no intention of stopping her.

Then Orlan readily apologized and said, “… I’m sorry. I thought it was the right judgment. When the upper species gather with the lower species, it becomes even more difficult.”

“Didn’t I say to command?” I asked pointedly. I understand that as a baggage handler, trust is not there, but at least I had to follow the General Gregnal’s decision if he respected me as his commander.

Orlan, whether he understood the intention of my words or not, could not reply and remained silent. But in the meantime, Caey, who couldn’t grasp the atmosphere or just wanted to argue, said, “In the end, we made a mistake, but you have to understand our perspective. How can we believe and follow the words of a baggage handler?”

“You might not want to say that right now,” Leticia warned, speaking a bit sharply. But Kael continued to speak.

“Did I say something wrong? You might be able to trust your fellow party member, but it’s only natural that we can’t trust each other. How could we follow the orders of someone who is not even a combatant? And we were ultimately wrong, not just playing around….”

“So you make us attack the canal to make all the monsters come over to us? You did very well.”

“What?”

“Stop right there.”

It wasn’t someone else, it was me who stopped them. I said,

“Sir Orlando, you don’t have to follow my orders if you can’t.”

“…..”

Orlando looked at me as if to say what nonsense I was talking about. But rather than stubbornly trying to move the guys who didn’t listen to my words, it is much more efficient to give orders to those who listen to me.

“Warrior, do as you please!”

“Do as you wish.”

I turned off my attention from Orland and gave instructions to the party members. Since I was speaking so quickly, I had to speak loudly so that they could hear me well, shouting loudly.

“Erin has temporarily cleared the way, but we must soon drive out the gathering demons! Leticia, can you do it?”

“That’s what I mean.”

Snap!

Even as I spoke, the expressions of the spirits following the sound of the whip striking the ground accurately grew somber.

“I’ll keep them all from coming any closer.”

“And Aria!”

“Puhah, hmm?”

Ser-Aria, who was sipping on his drink while riding a horse, looked at me.

“Stop drinking that alcohol for a moment and do as I say!”

“Oh! Is it finally my turn?”

“Yes! Do you see that big tree under the Le Blanc Mountain over there?”

“Puhahahaha, of course!”

“Shoot towards that direction 20 seconds before we arrive!”

I pointed upwards towards the mountain.

“Hit it with the strongest shot!”

“…Huh? The mountain?”

“You can use all of your magic power. There are a lot of potions in the bag!”

“…Ahahahaha?”

Sera-Aria laughed, as if understanding, and spoke.

“hahahahaha, great! It will be fun!”

And there was something to ask Frey as well. In fact, it could be considered the most important role in this current canal interception operation.

“Frey, when you get closer to the canal, there will definitely be demons casting debuffs.”

“Is that so?”

“But there will be like a hundred of them in number.”

I asked.

“Can you handle everything?”

In truth, it was an unreasonable demand for an ordinary clergyman. Asking one person to handle curses that were meant for a hundred people was nothing short of killing the clergyman.

However, this particular woman was different. She was not an ordinary clergyman, but a member of the warrior party, surpassing the role of a clergyman from the start.

＜Character Information＞

Name: Pray Ernest

Occupation: Saint

Stats:

[Strength: 135] [Agility: 155]

[Endurance: 270] [Intelligence: 48]

[Mana: 0] [Divinity: 1070]

◈ Possessed Traits

[Child of God Lv.10] [Sacred Magic Lv.8] [Purification Lv.9] [Sixth Sense Lv.5] [Blessing of Purity Lv.2] [Physical Resistance Lv.4] [Magic Resistance Lv.7] [Disease Resistance Lv.10] [Divine Resistance Lv.10]

Being a “saint” was not just a simple title.

Freya Ernest’s occupation was designated as “saint,” not a clergyman, and she possessed the trait [Child of God]. Yes, Freya was said to be a woman chosen by an unquestionable god that no one could deny.

Except for her physical and mental strength, she wasn’t exceptionally outstanding, but as a true saint, her divine stat reached over a thousand.

With such immense divine power….

“A hundred people?”

Freya smiled sweetly.

“Of course I can do it.”

“…Then it’s settled. Let’s break through everything! There’s no need to wait for anyone else now!”

We just have to go to our party. We’ll take care of the kernel anyway, and there’s no point in taking these guys with us if Orland doesn’t listen.

“Just a moment, Allen! Did you say you’re going alone?”

“The rest of you clean up the demons with the main force. And since the paladin was originally under the command of Orland, command him directly!”

I said.

“Isn’t that more convenient for you?”

“……”

Orlando didn’t respond. I don’t know if he couldn’t respond or just chose not to.

Meanwhile, our party members quickly picked up the pace as I ordered them to move forward. As we progressed, demons who had regained their senses started to block our path, but Letitia didn’t let that stop us.

– Elemental mage, Letitia activates [Storm]

The wind spirit Sylph caused a storm to blow away the demons, and just as our horses reached the point of arrival, the wind stopped exactly as planned. Letitia commanded with a flick of her whip.

“Gnome, it’s your turn. You know what happens if you’re not quick enough ♥”

– Elemental mage, Letitia activates [Geological Disturbance]

Following Letitia’s words, the gnome, who was already chilled, immediately demonstrated his abilities. The earth began to rise in response to the gnome’s power over soil, creating giant earthen walls on either side, trapping the demons that were rushing towards us.

It was a good decision. If we dealt with the demons trapped inside the earthen walls, the path would open up cleanly again. I immediately spoke to Erin.

“Break through, Erin!”

“I just used up all my magic~♡”

“Here, a potion!!”

As I threw a small flask containing a sky-blue liquid from my bag, Erin reached out and caught it easily.

“Only one?!”

“If we arrive later, I’ll replenish it enough!”

“You said you have plenty of potions, but you’re stingy~♡”

Still, it’s better to be conservative with supplies, girl.

Erin opened the stopper and drank the potion. In an instant, the Holy Sword was once again filled with a brilliant light.

-Hero Erin activates [Swordsmanship: Comet Assault].

The light of the holy sword glowed calmly, like a serene blue night sky. Erin urged on the horse, increasing its speed, and thrust the sword forward.

Kwaaah!!!!

As if splitting the night sky, the magical power of the bluish light tore through the demons. We followed Erin, who was opening the way, like the tail of a comet.

It had already been several hours since we started riding.

“It’s already rumbling. Buzz buzz, like a cockroach~♡”

Erin had made quite a bit of progress steadily cutting her way through, but there was still quite a bit of distance to go before reaching Le Blanc Mountain. And the path she had opened with a tremendous shock was now once again filled with monsters.

“There were supposed to be 20,000, but really, that’s just unbelievable.”

Still, she had come a long way. Much faster than she had expected.

“Hoo…”

She had thought it would be better than walking, but riding a horse for a long time was also incredibly exhausting. Her thighs were really going to burst.

“Alan, you can lean on me if it’s too hard.”

“….No, thanks.”

“What? Why?”

To be asked to depend like that, seriously, was this guy in his right mind? If I rely on him, I will have to lean my bare flesh on his shoulders or back. Despite knowing that, he says something like that…

“Really, stubborn.” Frey said and then suddenly grabbed my arm that was around her waist. As I wondered what she was trying to do, Frey pulled my arm forward.

“…!?!”

“Well, isn’t this more comfortable?”

“Hey, this…!”

Of course, my face leaned against her shoulder. But definitely, leaning while clinging to her was much more comfortable, so I had nothing to say in response.

“But there are so many, what should we do?”

“What do you mean… we have to keep pushing through.”

“Do I have to do it again?”

“Other than you, Letitia is the only one who can sweep them away with her power.”

However, Leticia was still climbing up the dirt walls on both sides, dealing with the monsters descending towards us. In the end, it meant that only Erin would be left.

“…Then I’ll do it this time.”

“…A rogue?”

Of course, she had skills like “Many Strokes in One Thousand Pieces” that could handle multiple opponents, but there were too many monsters for that to be enough. I was about to say that it was too inefficient, but hesitated.

No, there might be something I don’t know. The sneak attack Erin showed me earlier was also a power that I couldn’t have anticipated at all.

“Yeah, rogue. Give it a try.”

“…Okay. Just wait a bit.”

Dokgeo stepped forward, but suddenly she descended from her horse and turned to Frey.

“…… Frey, purification.”

“Ah, I understand, thief.”

Frey nodded as if understanding Dokgeo’s words.

‘Why is purification necessary?’

Purification was one of Frey’s abilities. It probably had the effect of purifying contaminated zones or dispelling curses… something like that.

I couldn’t immediately grasp why it was necessary now, until Dokgeo used her skills.

“Shall I go ahead first?”

“… I’ll catch up soon

He grasped something sharp with his short, stubby fingers. It looked like a golden long fingernail at first glance, but it was an object that fit only on the index and middle fingers, not all the fingers. Creatures rushed towards the dismounted horse. When the dismounted man inserted his finger into the ground, black smoke rose from it along with a skill message. “The thief activates [Poison Dragon].” “…Poison?” The moment he saw the word “poison,” the rising black smoke gathered in one place, as if it were a huge dragon opening its mouth wide. Shaaahhhhh!

It was literally a dragon made of poison. When the poisoned dragon flew towards the incoming demons, it passed through them like smoke, piercing right through and continuing straight ahead.

Then something amazing happened. The demons that came into contact with the poisoned dragon all grabbed their throats and started gasping for breath, turning pale blue…and died just like that.

“Madness.”

It was a simple yet incredibly deadly skill. Most demons, unless they were special, needed to breathe to stay alive. But now, seeing the state of the demons dying upon contact with the skill called the poisoned dragon…it seemed as if that gigantic mass of poison was stopping the very breath of life itself.

“…But then, how are we going to pass through?”

“Everyone, follow behind me.”

“hahahahaha, terrifying every time I see it!”

Although she didn’t know what was funny, Sera-aria laughed heartily and followed as Frey suggested, and the other party members did the same.

Now I understand. That’s why Dogga asked Frey for purification. Since he can kill the demons with poison, while the demons die, continue forward, purifying the remaining poison on the path.

However, Erin did not come behind Frey.

“Erin, what are you doing?”

“Huh? Can’t I just go by myself?”

“What?”

What, is this a new type of suicide club?

“Erin doesn’t take poison. Thieves are the same.”

“….Ah.”

Come to think of it, it seemed that Erin had the characteristic of [immunity to poison]. What kind of human isn’t affected by poison?

But still, it seemed like she should come behind Frey. Erin wasn’t walking on her own right now.

“…But even though you’re fine, your words sting, you know.”

“Oh, really~?”

…Are you an idiot?

As she chuckled to herself, Erin casually stepped behind Frey.

“I got scolded by a fool~♡”

She spoke as if something unfortunate had happened. You know, our intelligence stats aren’t that different either.

“Well then, let’s go.”

Frey lightly shook the reins. But would the horse really go to such a dangerous place covered in venom? Animals often sense danger better than humans, after all.

However, my worries were unnecessary. As commanded by Saint Frey, the horse ran forward without hesitation. Straight into the venom-coated front line. It seemed as if the horse believed in Frey, who was riding on its back.

-Saint Frey activates [Sanctuary of Purification].

In response to those expectations, Frey unleashed a tremendous holy power and activated the skill of purification. I am also well aware of the skill called Sanctuary of Purification.

‘The highest-level purification spell that can be learned by characters of the Priest class…’

Creating a sanctuary around the caster, which purifies everything unholy within it. Moreover, the skill’s range is fixed around the caster. In other words, it meant that the range of the skill would move along with the caster.

“…Huh.”

The lethal creatures that had remained after sweeping away the demons a moment ago instantly vanished upon contact with the sanctuary. Frey continued riding leisurely, leading the way, while the party members followed safely behind.

We confirmed that the one who was following us got back on his horse after making sure we passed by safely. We were able to follow the trail left by the horse while feeling very comfortable.

“Orlando! They seem to have all gone!”

Upon Cael’s shout, Orlando looked where the Erin party was. Although they were far away enough to be invisible to the human eye, he could see their approximate location because of the effects of the Holy Flag, which enhances all physical abilities.

The Erin party, which was expected to take a day, had almost halved the distance and already reached the mountainside. They didn’t even try any tricks; they just made full use of their abilities to reduce the time it would take. Orlando knew that Erin and her party members’ strengths were remarkable too, but…

“…It was he who made appropriate use of their power.”

When Orlando realized that he couldn’t trust Allen and his actions, he immediately changed his mind and forced his way through using Erin’s power. It was a flexible thinking that was difficult to imagine coming from a porter who was far from the combat.

Orlando was so ashamed that he didn’t trust him anymore. The orders that allowed Orlando to do as he pleased only made him feel even more embarrassed.

“What should we do? We can probably stop soon…”

“…I will comply with your orders. Let’s handle the demons that have been divided according to the operation plan, together with the main force.”

In response to Erwin’s question, Orlando gave the order to join forces and led the paladins and party members towards the main force. He let out a slight sigh and muttered to himself.

“…I was also mistaken.”

At that moment when Orlando blamed himself for his wrong judgment, his party member, Kael, had a slightly different thought.

“He’s a porter.”

He had just met Allen for the first time, but he didn’t like him. From the moment he first saw him. It wasn’t just because he was a porter.

“Dare you covet my girl?”

From the moment he first saw him, Allen was stuck with the thief.

Kael had liked her since he met the thief before.

Like Kael, who was an orphan and had lived without a name, and even had a similar kind of job, there were many similarities. Moreover, since she had a pretty face, he really liked the thief.

The next time they met, he wanted to get close by giving her a name, as the master had named him

But what do you know, this time there’s a man right behind the thief, riding the horse with him. Kael gave a look right away, but this guy blatantly ignored his gaze.

Not only did Kael dismiss Allen’s possessions as a porter, but he also looked down on him. As Allen tried to play a role beyond a porter, Kael’s hostility towards him only increased and did not diminish.

To be honest, his animosity towards Allen had grown to the point where he would have killed him if he had not been a member of Erin’s party.

Kael recalled Allen’s face and muttered it fiercely.

“…Let’s see how good the damn porter can be.”