Six kobolds remain, their fear evident as they witness their comrades turned to crisps and lifeless bodies.

One of them snaps out of their fear and charges towards me wielding... a fork?

Seriously?

Don't they have any better weapons?

I release an exasperated sigh and firmly hold my ground, patiently waiting for the kobold to approach within the range of my sword. As it draws nearer, I swiftly dash forward and effortlessly impale its chest. The creature puts up a feeble struggle, desperately clutching my sword in an attempt to dislodge it, but it ultimately succumbs to its wounds, exhaling its final breath.

Meanwhile, two more kobolds make a desperate dash for the exit at the top of the stairs. The remaining three hiss at us menacingly, yet none dare to make a move. Ruby seizes the opportunity and hurls another fireball towards one of the kobolds, which curiously happens to be holding a piece of cheese. In a frantic attempt to defend itself, the kobold hurls the cheese at the incoming fireball, a futile gesture. The fiery projectile swiftly reduces its head to ashes, and the kobold falls lifelessly to the ground. I swiftly move towards the remaining terrified kobolds and behead them without breaking a sweat.

With a fluid motion, I advance towards the remaining terrified kobolds and swiftly decapitate them, not breaking a sweat in the process. I sheathe my sword and turn to Ruby.

"I think we're done here."

Ruby nods at me, gripping her staff, and walks over to me.

"Good job."

"Ehe~" She lets out a playful smile.

We high-five each other.

The versatility and utility of this "Magic" continue to astound me. It can mend my wounds and bring swift relief to these creatures, ending their suffering. Yet, my mind is plagued by a lingering question: why does the capital harbor such disdain for this power?

As I reflect on our tumultuous past, memories of being relentlessly pursued like uncivilized barbarians resurface. Perhaps Duke's warnings held more truth than I initially believed. The situation in the capital is even bleaker than I had envisioned. Lost in contemplation, I find my gaze fixed on my trusty sword.

Am I growing stronger with each encounter?

Can I truly handle the challenges that lie ahead on my own?

In the midst of my introspection, a hand concealed in black gloves waves before my eyes.

"Rai, are you alright?" Ruby's voice breaks through my reverie.

I shake myself from my thoughts, meeting her concerned gaze. "Oh..."

"I'm fine," I assure her, waving my right hand while sheathing my sword.

"Are you sure? Should we press on or return to the well?" Ruby inquires, her worry evident.

I offer a reassuring pat on her head. "Let's press on. Perhaps we'll discover another way out."

"Alright," she agrees.

Side by side, we approach a door that reveals a room within. Inside, we are greeted by the sight of five kobold spearmen and one unarmed kobold. The chamber resembles a waiting room, with broken chairs scattered against dirt walls, a stark reminder that we remain deep within the confines of a cave.

"That'zzz the humans! Kill them!" The unarmed kobold's voice hisses with hostility as it points toward us and darts into the adjacent room, signaling trouble ahead.

My heart races; the corridor we find ourselves in is narrow, leaving little room for my Bastard Sword's sweeping swings. With a swift motion, I unsheathe my sword, shifting into a thrusting stance. I raise my right hand, mimicking Galvana's elegant rapier stance. Though the hilt of my sword feels heavy, I'm determined myself to make it work.

"Incoming!!" Ruby's warning jolts me into action as three charging kobolds bear down on us. I react swiftly, catching one of the kobold's spears with my blade, spinning my body to the right to parry it. Simultaneously, I deliver a sharp kick to its groin with my left leg, causing it to wince in pain.

"[Spinning Strike!!]" I recall the stabbing techniques Galvana had taught me during our training sessions. So far, it's a skill I've managed to execute with surprising effectiveness.

Two more kobolds join the fray, and I react with lightning speed. I thrust my sword to the right and follow with a swift swing to the left. The clash of their spears against my blade reverberates through the corridor.

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"Rai, get away!!"

Startled, I glance back just in time to collide with the low ceiling, the ceiling I forgot about as Ruby launches a fireball past me. The fireball engulfs the kobold that had collapsed from my earlier kick to the groin, ending its threat in a blaze of fiery destruction.

"Ruby, are you trying to kill me!?" I grumble, rubbing my sore head.

"S-sorry! It's just too narrow in here for me to aim properly with you right in front of me!" Ruby stammers in apology.

I can't help but sigh in acknowledgment of our cramped surroundings. The situation is far from ideal.

The kobolds, far from retreating, continue their relentless assault. One of them takes a daring leap toward me, hurling its spear with alarming speed.

Crap.

I'm too slow to react, and the sharp tip of the spear closes in. Fortunately, the resilience of my armor prevents it from penetrating deeply into my left shoulder.

"Rai!!" Ruby cries out in concern as I grimace, forcibly pulling the spear out after tossing my Bastard Sword aside. I clutch the bloody spear with both hands.

"Ruby, this time, aim for the unarmed one," I instruct firmly. "I'll deal with the other one, and I'll make sure not to get in your way."

Ruby nods in agreement, repositioning her hand behind her staff. I swiftly move towards the right wall, preparing to charge at the approaching kobold.

"Eat your own spear, dammit!!" I snarl, wresting the spear from the creature's grip and channeling all my strength into a forceful push. The spear finds its mark, piercing the kobold's eye. A painful roar escapes its throat as it crumples, helpless. Swiftly, I deliver the finishing blow with a decisive stab.

"[Fireball!!]" Ruby's cry prompts me to flatten myself against the wall. The fireball streaks through the air and engulfs the remaining kobold in a fiery inferno, reducing it to ashes in an instant.

With the danger finally passed, both of us lower our weapons. A feeling of gratitude washes over me.

"Thank you, broom," I silently express my appreciation. This spear reminds me of a broom that I had used to shield Amy from the drunken men back in the village. Its hairy tip had absorbed the blows intended for the drunken, leaving me battered but determined to protect her. Now, in this dire situation, I find a new use for this pointed stick—a means to defend against threats and, if necessary, take lives.

I retrieve my sword from the floor, setting aside the stolen spear. My gaze shifts to Ruby, and I nod resolutely.

"Let's go, Ruby."

"W-wait a second..." She hesitates, her hand reaching toward my wounded shoulder.

"Ow!" I can't help but growl loudly as pain flares through my injured shoulder.

"Kyah! S-sorry!" Ruby startles, her hand flying to her chest in surprise.

"[Regeneration.]" She utters the incantation, and I feel a gradual alleviation of the pain in my shoulder.

"Feeling better now?" She inquires, her face etched with concern.

"Somewhat. Thanks," I acknowledge, nodding my appreciation. Her faint smile offers reassurance.

…

As we cautiously swing open the door leading to the second floor, my eyes take in the vast space before us—a bedroom within these cave ruins. The room is littered with broken beds, but what truly captures my attention are the numerous large eggs, each about one-third my size. Fresh eggs are scattered about, and the room is occupied by dozens of kobolds, armed with spears and shields, hissing fiercely at our intrusion. Beneath the eggs, I spot the assumed kobold breeders, hiding from our view.

"Uh... Wrong room..." I mumble, attempting to quietly close the door behind us.

Unfortunately, our actions do not go unnoticed, and the kobolds respond by screeching loudly and pounding the ground.

"Crap!! Ruby, run!" Panic courses through me as I grab her hand, and together, we sprint back toward the narrow corridor. The creatures give chase, closing the distance with alarming speed.

Ruby hurls several fireballs at the pursuing kobolds, taking down those closest to us as we race forward. However, the amount of charging kobolds aren't reducing as they keep pursuing us!

"This isn't working. Rai, please buy me some time!" Ruby's plea catches me off guard.

"What? What do you mean? Fight them head-on? Are you serious!?" Panic creeps into my voice.

"Well, do you have any other ideas?" Ruby questions urgently.

I let out a resigned sigh as she approaches me.

"Give me about a minute. I'll handle them!" She asserts.

"What? I'm not sure if I can hold them off for that long!" I protest.

Ignoring my concerns, Ruby pulls my hand away and pushes me with both of hers.

"Ruby, seriously!?" I exclaim.

"Sorry, Rai! I can heal you if you get injured. Just please, don't get killed!" She pleads.

"Easier said than done!!"

With no alternative in sight, I grip my Bastard Sword firmly with both hands, preparing to stand my ground against the approaching kobolds. Ruby readies her staff, chanting another spell as our fate hangs in the balance.

#

End of Chapter 28!!