Chapter 40
"Huh? Huh? Huh?"
Shara's gaze darted back and forth between my face and Erika's.
"I'm the vanguard?"
"Yes, I'll handle mid-range support and skirmish, while Shara uses attack magic from the rear. Let's start with that formation for now."
"Well, if we're just testing the waters with a light hit, we can see how it goes. If it looks like we can take it down right away, what do we do?"
"I'm not very familiar with fighting monsters, so Shin, what would you do?"
"Leaving it half-injured and coming back for a second attempt is a foolish strategy. It's either take it down or retreat, no in-between."
"Then I'll leave that decision to you, as the vanguard."
"Got it. Next, let's check on firepower."
When I looked at Shara, she was completely spaced out.
"Shara, snap out of it. I need to know your firepower."
"Huh? Huh? My firepower?"
"Yes, what's the extent of your maximum firepower?"
"With ordinary magic, my firepower isn't that great, but if I can use syllabic magic, it should be quite powerful."
I see, so she's a user of syllabic magic.
Syllabic magic, which requires incantations to cast spells, has very few users.
Simply put, it's hard to use.
It demands mastering a unique vocalization method and memorizing syllabic magic circles known as incantations.
Overcoming those not-so-low hurdles results in magic that takes time to activate, so it's not popular among adventurers.
However, its power is nothing short of astounding.
In the Faltarl Kingdom, it's used as a siege weapon. Rather than a type of magic for adventurers, it's more commonly used by knight orders or the royal army.
"In that case, it should be more than enough against a Forest Dragon. Let's aim for a solid first hit with that."
Erika and I did a final check of our equipment.
By 'check,' I mean small details like ensuring the sword belt isn't loose.
"How long will Shara's magic take?"
"If it's my maximum firepower magic, something that could affect a Forest Dragon, the fastest I can do it is three minutes. Hey? Three minutes against a dragon is impossible, right? Let's go back, okay? Hey?"
Even the weakest known syllabic magic can pierce a dragon's scales.
I don't know the extent of Shara's skill with syllabic magic, but even if she can only use the lowest-powered spell, three minutes is a pretty impressive speed.
It's a pleasant little miscalculation.
I had been prepared for five or even ten minutes.
"Three minutes is no problem. Erika, what about you?"
"I just need to stand between Shin and Shara for three minutes and block the dragon's attacks, right?"
Erika smiled.
"Piece of cake."
Shara, now completely teary-eyed, glared at me as if pleading for help.
She's really expressive with her emotions, isn't she?
"Where does that confidence even come from...?"
At those words, I looked at Erika's face.
Her sparkling golden mana was beautiful.
"Because Erika is behind me."
"Because Shin is standing in front."
Our voices overlapped unexpectedly, making me feel a bit embarrassed.
"Flirting in a situation like this just makes me even more scared!"
Shara shouted.
*
"Do we really have to do it this way?"
"With Shara's physical enhancement, she'd fall behind otherwise."
Shara grumbled in a voice full of dissatisfaction and anxiety.
She was being held under Erika's arm.
Yes, Shara was being carried by Erika like a piece of luggage.
Honestly, I couldn't help but feel a bit jealous of the close contact, but she seemed extremely displeased and looked like she was about to complain any second.
Yet, the anxious tone in her voice likely reflected her true feelings.
The reason for this situation was simple: Shara's physical enhancement wasn't strong enough to keep up with our speed, which would delay the start of our attack.
We considered having Shara go ahead alone, but due to her fierce objections, it was decided that Erika would carry her to her designated position.
"Alright, shall we go?"
I said that as a signal and kicked off the ground.
"Fast!? Too fast!"
"You'll bite your tongue, you know?"
I could hear the two of them behind me, though they were already about ten paces away.
Even though I was holding back my speed to match their timing, Erika's physical enhancement must be incredible to keep up while carrying someone.
When we were about a hundred paces from the Forest Dragon, I drew my sword and increased the intensity of my physical enhancement.
As expected of a designated target, a monster called a Lord.
Even though it clearly noticed us approaching, it remained lying there leisurely.
Pretty confident, huh?
I charged forward with all my strength.