Chapter 67 - The last elf (2/2)

「…So you are prepared to die. Then it can’t be helped. Let’s dispatch Ditzen for the last job. While the two men are rampaging, I shall responsibly lead elf-sama outside.」

As Yuri said that, Ditzen’s eyes went wide in surprise.

「Yu-Yuri-sama? Why are you so naturally deciding my fate…」

Ignoring the screaming Ditzen, Aifa deeply bowed his head to Yuri.

「…I’m in your debt.」

「Eh… ?! Decided?! It’s already decided?!」

Ditzen screamed, clearly showing his discontent for the exchange between the two. Then, with a bitter smile, Yuri looked at Ditzen.

「Aifa-sama is risking his life for the family, so I thought that Ditzen-sama will surely cooperate, putting his life on the line as well. The men’s friendship is a wonderful thing after all.」

「J-Just when did we became close enough to risk life…」

Ditzen hung his head, crestfallen, but the other two started discussing details, without giving it much care.

【Inside the Castle]

In the evening, when the outer of the double castle gates, that had the courtyard placed between them, was about to close, one of the gatekeepers yelled in panic.

「Do not close the gate!」

With that voice, the gate that was about to close stopped, leaving a gap just large enough for one person to pass through, and soon, a blonde figure appeared through that gap.

「A-Aifa-sama? Aifa-sama is back! Open the gate!」

The soldier who first discovered Aifa shouted, but Aifa slightly narrowed his eyes and shook his head.

「Don’t bother. There is no carriage. Rather than that, I have an urgent business. Let me pass at once.」

「Y-Yes! Please, go ahead.」

Said that, the soldier stepped back, making the way, and Aifa passed through the gate.

However, seeing two people in robes following after him, other soldiers called them to stop.

「…Please wait. Who are those people?」

Being asked so, Aifa scowled and glared at the soldiers.

「These are magicians, who want to serve our country. There is no time left before an audience with his Majesty, so I will give you a report tomorrow morning.」

As Aifa told them that and commanded to fall back with his gaze, hints of distrust rose up in the eyes of the soldiers.

「…Aifa-sama. My deepest apologies, but we will have you wait here for…」

「We don’t have an accurate report yet, but we already heard that two elves living in the capital have gone missing.」

As soldiers spoke almost in unison, Aifa said with a frown.

「……Since it came to this, it can’t be helped. We are forcing our way through.」

With that brief line, Aifa unleashed wide-area wind magic. Hit by a sudden attack from Aifa, most of the soldiers were blown away without any resistance.

「What do you mean it can’t be helped! You just suck at excuses!」

Still covered by a hood shouted Ditzen, almost shrieking, and shot additional wind spell, as if to provide support. As a result, the soldiers that tried to move golems were blown away as well and rolled on the ground.

The commotion spread in the blink of an eye, and now soldiers who didn’t know that the intruder was Aifa began to gather at the castle gate with weapons in their hands.

Yuri, who easily sensed that, put a hand on her cheek and leaked a laugh.

「Well… Don’t you find this pretty exciting?」

「I don’t!」

Shouted Ditzen at Yuri’s remark that sounded like all of this was someone else’s problem.