“So, what’s the plan?”
It looked like the item combination was a success. A candy flower made with earth and fire attributes should keep other monsters from interfering while it attracted the Armored Bees.
“…We’re going to steal the royal jelly.”
Even though they were a six-star threat, these monsters were easy to hunt if you knew their mechanics. The process felt nostalgic, reminding me of playing the game.
“Oh, the bees are here! Mister Helmet!”
Unlike yesterday, our group waited from a safe distance for the monsters to fall into the trap. Time passed, and soon enough—
Bzzzzzzzz.
“They found it quickly.”
“Sugar is sweeter than natural flower pollen, Kainel,” I explained.
Swarming around the candy flower were small Armored Bees, each encased in steel-like armor. Though they were small individually, their numbers made them intimidating.
“…Where’s the Queen?”
“She’ll show up if we follow these worker bees, Mr. Mardol.”
It occurred to me that I should get some proper armor. My old items were so much better for this. Compared to the fully armored Glass Knight, my helmet-only setup made me feel pitiful.
“…Let’s break it down and go.”
“Let’s follow quietly. They’re aggressive.”
We trailed the worker bees as they flew in a line, heading toward a single destination.
What awaited us was a massive Queen Bee carrying an iron hive on its back. Unlike the worker bees, the boss monster was far larger and more imposing.
“Armored Queen Bee,” I announced.
“…It’s huge. And that thing on its back—is that the hive?” Kainel pointed at the structure on its back. That would be the “Iron Hive,” as it was called in strategy guides. Breaking it was key to obtaining royal jelly, a rare and valuable item.
“We need to target the hive. That’s where the royal jelly will come from. Aim for that tougher area before killing the boss.”
This was one of those highly sought-after items in the game. Taking it back would surely score us some excellent points.
“The Queen Bee can sting or charge at us. Be cautious—we don’t have antidotes on hand,” I warned.
Unlike the worker bees, the Queen occasionally resorted to carnivory to maintain its size. Its venom was no joke, so avoiding it was essential.
“So, how should we attack first, Mister Helmet?” Kainel asked.
“…Obviously, you two should use a combo skill.”
“Oh, right…”
Kainel immediately turned to Ariel and nodded in agreement. Ariel’s face flushed red, and before I knew it, she started hiccuping.
“Hic—h-hic.”
Was a back hug that embarrassing for her? Then again, imagining myself doing it with the Saintess… yeah, I’d probably feel the same.
Thinking about it that way, I understood her reaction.
“Bear with it for just a moment. Once the path is clear, Mardol and I will rush in with Wolf Fang.”
“Together. Combo skill,” Mardol murmured.
“That’s not a combo skill, Lupus.” I shook my head at the Glass Knight, who seemed lost in his own thoughts. A proper combo skill involved blending the attributes of both participants.
“…What should we name the combo skill, Ariel?”
“Hic—uh, how about Shine Fireworks, Kai?”
“What? You named it after me being the Hero of Light and combining with you?”
“…Yes.”
As the Hero couple prepared their combo skill, Mardol and I discussed our swordsmanship, brainstorming how to land an effective hit on the Queen Bee.
“I’ll use Vacuum Slash to target the hive for maximum damage. You keep the formation steady with Gransian-style swordsmanship,” I instructed.
“What move should I use?”
“The second form, Howling Wind, should work. It can stun the worker bees.”
“…How do you know so much, Licht?”
Kainel’s suspicion was clear as his golden wolf-like eyes gleamed through his helmet. Feigning ignorance would only backfire, so I answered truthfully.
“A swordsman should know the Empire’s sword styles, right?”
Though he seemed to accept my answer, I couldn’t help feeling like I’d accidentally triggered a flag. What if I ended up locked in some imperial dungeon as a future knowledge dispenser? Nex’s influence should keep me safe… I hope.
“All right, let’s begin.”
Suppressing my unease, I moved into position to take down the Armored Queen Bee.
***
‘Why does he always wear that helmet?’
Phine Gransia pondered as she adjusted her thoughts from within her glass armor. At first, she assumed he wore it to guard against her or hide his identity.
‘Licht is strong… but clumsy.’
Her sharp eyes began to see through him, recalling all the oddities about him. The way he fell for her leading questions earlier and the fact that he, like her, avoided revealing his face while eating stew.
‘He didn’t look well yesterday, but he fought so strongly.’
Her wolf ears twitched with curiosity. Licht was one of the few individuals who had ever bested her, and she hated losing. This change intrigued her.
‘But why does he seem so full of energy today?’
The memory of him decimating monsters the previous day with Vacuum Slash lingered in her mind, filling her with awe.
‘He’s unique. And strong.’
Her golden eyes regained some of their usual vitality as she watched the Black Knight in his helmet.
‘I’d like to fight him again.’
The thought of sparring with him in the upcoming school trials filled her with a sense of excitement. Her tail wagged slightly inside her heavy armor, betraying her anticipation.