Chapter 451: Big is Justice

「From the enemy’s point of view… keeping the hostage near them is natural… right?」

Even while frowning, Weerel thinks about Clarius’s whereabouts. But if what she guessed is true, then Clarius is now being prisoned near Maria. It’s clearly beyond their reach. Unfortunately, they can’t protect Maria, including the other hostages, in a safe place while Deris and the others are fighting Maria.

「You’re probably correct. If the Great Eight Demons Maria is sitting on the throne, I think Clarius-sama is in her private room at the back of the throne room. Basically, you have to go through the throne room to get in there. You can’t enter unless you pass through there. There is a way to get there by climbing the wall from the outside, but I don’t recommend it. All the vampires can fly, so it will be a big problem if we got into a fight while we are climbing up there, right?」

「That’s right desuwa. Setting aside Haruna-san’s group and Hund-sama, it’s hard for us to fight in that situation. I’d prefer to avoid fighting in such a disadvantageous situation.」

They’ve won this far without danger by making full use of the advantage in number and a surprise attack. However, the vampires they fought are at least as strong as level 7. Therese calmly judged that reckless acts are no good.

「But, we still have to save Clarius, right?」

「We want to, but in reality, it would be difficult even for us. If the defense there is strong, not only the vampires, but also that monster may come out.」

「Umu. Setting aside the subordinate vampires, even I don’t want to fight that monster. If that’s the case, it will be difficult for us to rescue her.」

「For now, we need to protect the hostages here…. I think it’s best to leave the rescue of the queen to Leader Nell’s group or Haruna-san’s group….」

Oda appealed, but Giorgia and Hund seem to agree with Therese.

「H-Hey, it’s too early to give up, right? If it’s difficult for you, we’ll cooperate! Right, you guys!?」

「No, I think we’re just going to get in their way. Oda, do you remember when the vampires attacked you? At that time, could you defeat even one of them?」

「I-I couldn’t…. But they completely caught me off guard at that time! It was a night attack after all! If we had faced them head-on, we would have had a better result!」

「But with your strength, well… you know what I mean, right?」

「What are you talking about, old man!? Even if we’re like this, we were the representatives of Crocus in the Hero Alliance at that time, you know!? Besides, I’ve been training since then! I haven’t yet leveled up to level 6, but I’m sure I have master-class strength! Fuchi and Mani are as strong as me, so if we cooperate, I’m sure we can help you! Don’t you agree!?」

Oda desperately tried to make such a suggestion, but the others’ expressions only stiffened. As expected, even Oda begins to sense the mood.

「A-Are we really useless…?」

「Unfortunately, yes. Certainly, by the standard of the Hero Alliance, level 5 could be said to be strong enough. I’m sure the people from other countries think so as well. But this time, the opponent is on a whole different level. To be honest, no matter how many level 5 people there are, they will just be a burden.」

「Wha!? B-But――」

「――He’s right. The four of them are far stronger than us, including the old man.」

「E-Even this old man!?」

「Old man this old man that, you’re noisy. My name is Giorgia. Call me that.」

「That’s right, Oda. You’re being rude to Giorgia-san with that attitude and face!」

「It has nothing to do with my face, right!?」

Oda did his best with his comeback. And perhaps she found that exchange to be funny, Weerel was trembling in the shadows, desperately trying to hold her laughter.

「In the first place, Therese and the others came to our rescue while breaking through the vampire guards, you know? Why you couldn’t guess Giorgia-san’s ability even though he’s in their group?」

「Ugh, y-you are right…. I-I’m sorry, Giorgia-san.」

Oda bowed deeply. Weerel, on the other hand, seemed to have finally calmed down.

「It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize. Well, you seem to be very impatient, but is there any reason? You look very desperate, you know?」

「W-Well, I can’t say――」

「――That’s because Oda is engaged to Queen Clarius. He can’t save his fiancée with his own hands, so he at least wants to join you as a supporter. Yes, that’s very manly of you, Oda!」

「E-Engaged!? This boy is!?」

「I-Is that true!?」

「I’m surprised….」

Interrupting the words of the slightly embarrassed Oda, Fuchi dropped a bomb remark. Therese and the others were also surprised by this, and Oda fell into a state of confusion.

「F-F-F-Fuchi, y-y-you!」

「It’s the truth, so it’s fine, right? What’s the problem?」

「T-T-That’s not the problem here…!」

He fell into a state of tremendous confusion.

「I understand the situation. I understand why Oda-san was so earnest in his plea desuwa! The love between the hero and the queen, it’s like a fairy tale! I’m rooting for you, Oda-san!」

「On behalf of Adelheit, I send my congratulations…. Oda-san, you’re going to start a new life, huh….」

「Crap, I was so surprised I almost fell off my back. I never thought that a boy like him would win the heart of Queen Clarius.」

「Umu. I have been thinking that he has good prospects ever since he fought the Four Heavenly Kings of the Sea Demons, but I’m impressed that he has this much talent. From now on, you should devote yourself to the position of being responsible for ruling this country, okay?」

「Ah, yes…」

A storm of congratulatory words was hurled at Oda one after another. His face is now bright red like a boiled octopus.

「But if that’s the case, I can’t have you do something reckless. I’ll build a shelter underground with magic, so stay there until the battle is over.」

「Oda-kun, I think it’s better for you to do so. If something happens to you, it’s Clarius-sama who will be sad the most, you know?」

「Mani…. Okay, I understand. In return, please do your best to rescue Clarius. I beg you.」

「Umu. I will, I promise.」

Then, Therese entered each of the prisons, and with the earth magic 『Underworld』, which manipulates the structure of the ground at will, she diligently dug a cave to serve as a shelter.

「Whoa!? Therese-san, now you can use such amazing magic, huh…. By the way, can I ask what level everyone is?」

「I’m level 7 desuwa!」

「I am also level 7….」

「Me too.」

「I’ve reached level 8 only recently. Well, I feel like Haruna and the others will catch up, so I can’t spend my days leisurely.」

「………」

「O-Oda-kun?」

Oda, who suddenly became expressionless, put only his head in the shelter made by Therese. Mani called out to him, but he didn’t answer back. What came out instead was a cry that contained everything in his heart.

「―― Why is everyone leveling up faster than me, who’s at a lower level!?」

According to Therese, working in the fields is the best to level up.