237 Greatest Achievemen (2/2)

Zehr managed to escape from Rena's grasp while she was distracted, ”That won't be necessary.”

”Because you'll protect me, Zehr?” She grabbed hold of Zehr's arm again, holding on tightly.

Zehr shot Justus a small grimace. Still, Justus didn���t move to help him.

The Duplicarius turned back to Rena, trying (and failing) to keep emotionless, ”Rena... your class is...”

”Holy Bolter!”

Zehr's mouth twitched from the girl's overly gleeful response, ”R-right. The Holy Bolter is a branch of the Divine Enchantress class.”

”Oooh, Enchantress. I looove that,” Gianna beamed.

”But... I can only enchant crossbow bolts?” A cute, thin line appeared between Rena's eyebrows and she crossed her arms. She seemed to be thinking terribly hard on the concept.

Zehr slipped his hand down, reaching for Rena's waist.

”N-n-n-no, what are you doing? Not here! We're in public!” The archer protested, ”--Unless you're into that? By the Flame, are you into that?”

...Or so Justus thought she protested.

A confused Zehr held up one of her crossbow bolts. He had taken it from her belt.

”Can you enchant one of your bolts with your eyes closed?” Zehr inquired.

”O-oh. Hah. Yeah. I can do that,” Rena blushed furiously, closing her eyes.

She pointed out a finger, placing it lightly against the bolt Zehr held.

He held onto her wrist, ”Concentrate. You are enchanting the surface area of the bolt with your prayers to the divine, yes?”

Rena nodded her head, ”Mhm. The Eternal Flame guides my bolts... It's my faith-- it's my will to protect my friends that gives me the strength to fight.”

Justus felt a warmth in his heart. He had nearly forgotten Rena's personality. As much as she loved to beat him, she hated fighting. He thought back to the tears she cried after she killed a kobold out of desperation.

Everything that Rena had done was out of her desire to protect... him.

She had made friends along the way, yes but... Justus was the only reason that she would join-- had joined the Rhodok adventuring company.

He began to feel a bit guilty because of it. He really wasn't thankful enough for her and her unselfishness-- her unselfishness on anything that didn't concern Duplicarius Zehr, anyroad.

Justus hadn't noticed when Zehr had done it, but the green-haired Duplicarius had managed to silently unsheathe his Decanus sword with his opposite hand and hold it in place of Rena's bolt.

”Oh wowwww...” Giana admired Rena's work, ”Enchaaaantment.”

Zehr spoke softly, a hint of smugness in his voice, ”Take a look, Divine Enchantress Rena.”

The Holy Bolter opened her eyes... to see that a portion of Zehr's blade glowed with a silver flame.

”Wh-what? I can... Did I do that?” Rena blinked her eyes, staring at the blade closely.

Zehr smirked and raised an eyebrow, ”That's a rather silly question, considering the circumstances, don't you think?”

Rena tilted her head, her lips pursed in disappointment, ”B-but it's so small? How can I make it bigger?”

Gianna abruptly snorted, turning away in embarrassment.

Justus grimaced, his heart beating rapidly.

He had to say something to that. He had to risk it.

...Even if risking it meant that his life would be forfeit.

But it was worth it. It might just be... the greatest achievement he's had in his life.

No... Living like a coward was not a life worth living at all.

Decanus Justus, Hero of Leopardon, was no coward.

”Rena....” He flashed a radiant and trustworthy smile, ”--maybe if you actually had tits, this wouldn't be a problem.”