I Am Not the Heroine

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It seems almost unusual to see a certain energy existing in both liquid and gaseous forms.

It was bubbling on its own like water with dry ice, continuously scattering magical energy.

“That place is dangerous; it’s not ordinary… magic,” Ariya’s words made it even clearer.

‘Is there a difference between the magic that magical creatures possess and the magic of the demon realm itself?’

For instance, like oxygen.

Generally, the oxygen we think of is an essential element for breathing in living beings.

However, that only applies when it’s mixed with other gases.

Pure oxygen is treated as toxic.

In a similar way, magic that shows a difference in concentration might also have significant differences.

In conclusion, it’s a puddle filled with something much more malevolent than the magic we typically encounter.

Bubbling.

“It seems that spot is where the magical creatures burst forth,” I muttered.

“Are you saying that over there, which just looks like a puddle filled with magic?” Nia asked.

“Well, those creatures don’t look like fish at all, do they?”

“Nia, you can’t think of magic as just an ordinary liquid. It’s more akin to mana in some sense.”

So, it doesn’t necessarily mean one needs a body adapted for underwater breathing or respiratory organs.

That means it’s not strange for insect and reptile-like magical creatures to emerge from here.

“Then, we need to eliminate it as quickly as possible,” I decided.

Click.

Serelin and Aswel simultaneously drew their swords.

“It won’t work with regular methods,” I warned.

Little stains can be easily wiped with a cloth, but long-set stains are much harder to remove.

“Master Key.”

Kiing!

I designated the two with the Master Key that spun and operated fiercely.

Right away, it was Ariya and Aswel.

“Please use your strongest techniques.”

Sadly, Serelin, Rapirie, and Niabella wouldn’t be of much help.

They possess powers similar to holy energy, but they are still too weak.

So I had to rely on the two who wielded holy energy, the antithesis of magic.

‘And I heard that Aswel’s mana would help in removing the magic as well.’

The sun’s mana has many similarities with holy energy from its very essence.

So, if they use their strongest powers and I assist them, we should be able to destroy that giant magical creature’s nest in an instant.

“Got it.”

“Yes!”

The two started chanting their respective spells and prayers.

At that moment, something stirred in the puddle.

Gurgle. Gurgle.

Sharp rocks around the puddle cracked, and simultaneously the puddle bubbled up, revealing something.

It was a magical creature.

“It seems they noticed us…!”

“Three of you buy us some time!”

“Leave it to me.”

“Channel the light into the sword…”

“O goddess, we summon your light to descend upon this place…”

I confirmed their words as I penned the supporting spell with the Master Key.

‘Basically, focusing through the mind.’

I can’t directly amplify their energy or anything.

Instead, I’m supporting them so they can use their spells more effectively.

“Watch out over there!”

“Yes, four! Eek!”

Wooooosh.

‘Ah.’

I momentarily lost my focus due to Niabella’s panicked scream.

As a result, I couldn’t fill part of the spell, and the starlight mana flowed directly to the target.

That target was Aswel.

“…Huh?”

And then I witnessed the starlight mana seeping into Aswel’s back triggering a strange reaction.

‘What on earth is happening?’

Could it be because of that?

Ka-boom!

The sun’s mana emanating from around Aswel seemed to erupt more violently.

Could it be that there’s some kind of interaction between the starlight mana and the sun’s mana?

It seems I’ll need to research that next.

“Spell complete. Everyone, this way!”

I quickly called the three battling the magical creatures back behind Ariya and Aswel.

As I saw Serelin rushing in to save Niabella, who was struggling under the grasp of an insect-like magical creature, I felt a sense of urgency.

“Aswel, Ariya!”

Upon my call, the two finally opened their mouths.

“El, Triasia.”

“Holy Spear Karsha.”

The sun’s radiant mana and the cloud-white holy energy soared to the skies.

The two techniques shaped like a cutting strike and a spear tore through the magical creature, aiming to protect the fountain, then struck it.

“Master Key, shield amplification.”

Even though it’s fundamentally a collection of pure energy, it undoubtedly possesses physical force.

Thus, the entire cave began to shake, and rocks started to fall, forming a dome-like protective barrier around our party.

Kugung… kung…

Kugugug…

‘This should be enough; even if it didn’t disappear, it should have some effect.’

As the dust cloud began to clear, I released the barrier and threw the shining magic tool into the fountain.

Fortunately, the magic filling the puddle had vanished.

The magical creature that lunged at us had also been fully obliterated.

“Wait a moment and let’s observe the aftermath.”

“Yeah, that’s better.”

After waiting for the estimated time for the next wave, no magical creatures appeared.

At least we had safely and quickly eradicated one assault.

“Hah… Hah…”

“Cough! Cough!!”

Instead, Aswel and Ariya collapsed, severely affected.

Though there seemed to be no physical ailment, they had overexerted themselves.

‘It was different from the final technique in the original work. And the power was… weaker.’

The awakening of the Hero, and also the awakening of the Hero’s party.

I sensed such issues slowly bubbling to the surface.

“For now, we should rest today.”

“You’re right; we pushed the two too hard. I’m sorry.”

“…It’s fine. Thanks to that, we solved one problem.”

“Ugh… you’re right….”

If only the two of them could have used techniques requiring less exertion, or if they could have devised another method…

“Lui.”

At that moment, Aswel’s hand patted my head.

Despite his fatigued appearance, he was smiling.

“But no one got hurt, and it ended well, right? I think that’s what counts.”

“…That’s true.”

I nodded silently, unable to say anything more.

Afterward, Serelin and Rapirie carried the two back to the city.

Seizing the opportunity between the remaining two assaults, we quickly returned to Wintergarden and reported to the Count.

“Is that true…?!”

“Yes. Once the Hero and Saint have recovered, it seems they’ll block the next wave.”

“Oh, then I should have the servants prepare nutritious food for them…”

“Hm, that might be overdoing it. Just let it be like usual.”

This was my first time having a direct reporting session with the Count.

Originally, this was something Aswel typically handled, but everyone else was either busy or resting, so I stepped in.

“I believe we can finish the remaining two assaults within a week at the latest.”

“Then I will inform the citizens about that as well.”

“Yes. Then I will take my leave.”

“Ah! I actually wanted to say something… that soldier made of steel, thank you very much.”

“…It was just me doing what I had to.”

“No, thanks to you, not only the Guard but everyone’s worries have been greatly alleviated.”

Overwhelmed by the continuous praises, I eventually made my escape under the pretext of needing to use magic.

* * *

The next operation was set for three days later, in the morning.

“Are you feeling alright?”

“Yeah, I think I can manage today.”

From what I heard, the technique we used last time wasn’t a typical one.

It was more raw, closer to simply spewing out mana and holy energy.

“I thought it was definitely better to be sure…”

“Ah, haha…”

“But you shouldn’t do that. Why do you think we have prayers and techniques in the first place?”

If it were a method generally possible, I would have opted to simply pour stars’ mana at the enemy myself.

But the reason I didn’t was because of the strain it would put on the body, among other factors.

“So, please don’t do that today.”

“Understood…”

“Got it…”

However, I couldn’t keep the promise I made to myself.

—-!

—-!!!

“The assault is too strong!!”

“Ariya, let’s do it like last time!!”

Perhaps because we destroyed one fountain, it naturally spewed forth more magical creatures from the gorge, leading to a situation where the number of creatures multiplying indefinitely was too much for the three to handle.

So, ultimately, the two had to use the two techniques that put a load on their bodies again.

“Hah… Hah…”

“Hah… Hah…”

‘There must be a better way.’

Definitely, it’s a method even that Mage Fortress used before; it shouldn’t be that hard.

Even though it was only temporary and brief, it was difficult for me to just watch the two struggle.