Coordinating With Ann

“Now that we’ve decided on our plan, shall we go hunt monsters? I also want to check how well we can coordinate with Ann.”

When I said that to end the heavy discussion for now, both of them brightened and nodded enthusiastically.

“That’s true. Until now Luca fought on the front line while I stayed in the rear. Ann will probably be rear support too, right?”

“Yes, I can’t use melee weapons, so I’d like to stay in the rear. I just need to support Luca, right?”

“Yeah. And we should also coordinate with each other.”

After briefly discussing our combat coordination, we immediately stepped deeper into the forest to find monsters.

After walking for only a few minutes, monsters quickly appeared. Even though many had already been defeated, it seemed there were still plenty left.

“It’s a pack of Fire Wolves.”

“There are more than ten of them. Both of you, provide support.”

“Understood.”

“Leave it to me.”

Drawing my sword, I ran toward the pack’s leader at the front. The other Fire Wolves immediately launched flames toward me.

I extinguished the attack with water magic, then blew away the steam that clouded my vision with wind magic while bringing my sword down on a Fire Wolf.

More Fire Wolves leapt at me, but two were shot down by Rebecca’s arrows and another was cut down by Ann’s wind blade.

“Thunder Area!”

I released lightning magic at the swift Fire Wolves, and while they were paralyzed from the shock, I struck them again with my sword.

One by one we steadily defeated them, and during that time Rebecca and Ann also finished their targets. Soon there were no more Fire Wolves still moving.

“No problems at all.”

Ann’s magic had astonishing precision. Becoming a divine servant didn’t automatically increase magical mastery, so she must have had natural talent for magic.

“Ann, your magic is amazing!”

“I’m glad you think so.”

“Even while fighting in the front line I don’t feel uneasy, so we should be able to keep going like this. Ann, can you also use wide-area spells or powerful single-strike magic?”

“Yes, I practiced those as well. However, powerful spells require concentration and time to gather magic power, which leaves me vulnerable, so I haven’t used them much in real combat.”

That made sense. Compared to normal spells, they probably required more experience to use effectively.

“Then starting today, let’s practice those spells too. With us around, it’s safe.”

“I’ll handle watching Ann’s surroundings.”

“Thank you both… I’ll do my best.”

After that, the three of us hunted monsters relentlessly. By evening we went to the Divine Domain to dismantle the monsters, took as much meat as we could carry, and returned to the Imperial Capital.

Ann put on the Transformation Robe in the Divine Domain, so from this point on she appeared as a completely different person even to us.

“The Transformation Robe really is amazing.”

“Even when I look in a mirror myself, it surprises me. It’s something I must never remove inside the Imperial Capital.”

“Yeah. That’s the one thing you must be careful about.”

While talking like that, we arrived at the Outer Gate and called out to the soldiers. Contrary to our expectation that it might take time because Ann was with us, we were allowed through without any confirmation once we explained she was a country girl we met in the forest.

It was probably only because we were with her that they didn’t check further, but if that’s the case, there’s no point in having gate guards at all.

“…This is awful.”

As soon as Ann stepped into the Imperial Capital, she looked around the decaying city in shock.

“We were surprised too at first. We want to save this country as soon as possible.”

“Yes. Leaving things like this when the city is in such a state… it can hardly even be called a country anymore. …But can it really be saved from a condition like this?”

“I don’t know… but we’ll do everything we can.”

Ann nodded seriously at those words, and after that none of us spoke as we walked toward Ivan-san’s inn.

“We’re back!”

As soon as Rebecca called out, the door opened and Ivan-san welcomed us inside.

“I’m glad you’re safe. Come in quickly—wait, who’s that girl?”

Ivan-san looked at Ann with a tense expression, so Rebecca placed her hands on Ann’s shoulders to show she wasn’t dangerous.

“We met her by chance in the forest earlier. Her rural village is suffering from a food shortage, so she came to the Imperial Capital alone. After we told her about the situation here, she said she would help us for a while.”

“My name is Ann. I’m good at magic, so I believe I can help with monster hunting. May I stay here as well? I didn’t realize the Imperial Capital was in such a terrible state, but if I return to my village now, I won’t have a place there anymore…”

Ann lowered her head with tears in her eyes, delivering a convincing performance. Ivan-san immediately relaxed his guard and looked at her with sympathy.

This stung my conscience a little. Ivan-san, I’m really sorry for deceiving you like this.

“That must have been hard for you. In this city, people with strength are always welcome. You’re welcome here.”

“Really!? Thank you very much.”

And just like that, Ann was welcomed into Ivan-san’s inn as well. From then on, using this place as our base, we spent our days desperately hunting monsters every day for the sake of the people in the city.