By the Grace of the Gods

Today, two chapters are posted simultaneously.

This story is the first chapter.

About three hours after the commotion began.

Ryoma, rushing through the city on a small boat and with magic, darted through the streets where the people defending the town and the attackers were playing a game of cat and mouse. Suddenly, he looked back as if he noticed something, then immediately looked forward and increased his speed.

“What’s wrong?”

“The slimes positioned at the laundry and the garbage disposal site have reacted. It seems to be another attack.”

“Now, huh? Shouldn’t we go there?”

“There are many other places with problems, and it seems other hidden enemies are starting to move as well.”

Ryoma took out a container resembling a test tube from his jacket pocket and swiftly drank the mana recovery medicine inside. Then, he supplied mana to the slimes that had merged with the turbulent water carrying the boat, increasing its speed even further.

“Fay and the others are at the shop, and preparations are in place to protect the non-combatants. Besides, if we delay responding to other incidents here, it would be exactly what the enemy wants. Are you ready for battle?”

“Of course.”

“Then, I’ll charge straight in!”

Immediately after Ryoma’s declaration, the boat slid like a car slipping on an icy road and entered the blazing scene ahead. It knocked away several adventurer-like attackers who were assaulting the people gathered for firefighting…

“Hey! Even in an emergency, I wish you’d let me down more safely!”

Yudam jumped off the boat just before collision, voicing an unreachable request, and punched down an attacker near his landing spot.

The chaos in the city showed no sign of abating, and this attack and battle were only the tip of the iceberg.

■　■　■

At the same time… on a street facing the laundry shop Bamboo Forest, Ox, the shop’s security officer, and about twenty adventurers faced each other at a distance, the atmosphere tense.

“We came to help guard this shop. It’s a request from that kid, Ryoma.”

“I haven’t heard anything about that. You should leave.”

“With the city's situation, communication is probably delayed. Please confirm with your superiors.”

“There’s no need to confirm. The shop owner himself entrusted us with the defense. No reinforcements will be sent, nor will he come here himself.”

“But orders can change—”

“That’s enough.”

Behind the man pleading to be let in, one adventurer drew his sword.

“H-Hey!”

“Shut up. We planned to do this anyway. If you’d just open the door peacefully, it’d be easier. If not, we have no choice but to kill you.”

“Y-Yeah… We don’t have time for this… If someone comes, it’ll be even more troublesome.”

Triggered by his words, the others also drew their weapons.

Light leaked out from inside the shop, reflecting suspiciously.

Ox quietly watched this scene and remarked,

“I heard 'kill,' but are you saying you will kill me?”

“Hah! I hear you’re a former champion of some arena, but with one arm, you can’t even properly wield your prized twin swords, right? Surrounded by this many of us, it’s a breeze! Let’s go!!”

“Alright!”

The men simultaneously surrounded Ox.

The first to charge from the encirclement was the man who gave the command.

He raised his sword high and swung it down towards Ox’s right shoulder.

But before the blade could reach flesh, it shattered with a high-pitched sound.

In that moment, Ox, having swiftly drawn his sword, held it high reversed in his hand.

“Huh?”

“You need more training.”

“Whoa!”

The sword, now switched to a forward grip midair like a machete, came crashing down with one-sided force onto the man’s right shoulder.

It was a so-called “flat strike,” but the power of Ox’s arm strength plus gravity delivered through a metal sword was immense. The simple shoulder pad the man wore couldn’t reduce the impact, easily breaking his clavicle and sending the shock to his lungs.