The Final Adventure

"It's almost time."

One day, Azel said it so casually that Serge nearly missed it.

"Huh? What do you mean?"

"The permafrost has started to melt."

Which meant the beginning of the Millennium…

In Winter of Continental Year 3002, the omen appeared.

Despite it being winter, the permafrost had begun to retreat. Then, when 3003 dawned, the trend became even more pronounced.

The leaders of each nation communicated with one another and sought to cooperate in response, but it didn't go well.

Setting aside Istria, which had been exhausted by civil war, the emerging nation of Ogress, despite its considerable national power, maintained a neutral stance.

The information Serge had received from Azel and sent onward had played a part in this.

Additionally, Regent Guinevere's opinions carried great weight domestically, and Queen Ryuke Riana herself cited the precedent of the former Ogres and chose to avoid immediate hostile action.

Naturally, Casalia, which directly bordered the demon territory, as well as the Magic City and Holy City, were vehemently opposed to this.

On the eve of the demon invasion, humanity could not unite.

Even within the Magic City, Ogress's stance was being criticized.

As someone from Ogress, Serge didn't face direct confrontation due to his abilities, but he could tell people were keeping more distance from him than before.

However, the man himself was reading a letter from Ogress with a relaxed smile on his face.

In addition to Carla and Shizuna giving birth two years ago, this year saw the birth of Fio's first child and Shizuna's second.

All of them were girls, which was quite the treat as far as Serge was concerned.

"They must be so cute. They should at least send me photos using magic."

Still, Queen Ria was certainly going all out.

Four official children in the past three years. Was she just that lustful? Did she have perfect aim? Or was it simply that heroes favored the finer things?

However, the fact that Carla wasn't currently pregnant showed she had at least considered things.

It wouldn't even make for a good joke if the Dragonslayer couldn't fight because she was pregnant.

Then came a knock at the door, and Chrys appeared.

"Serge, do you have a moment?"

"Yeah, I'm free."

The letter wasn't anything he needed to hide. He simply put it back in the envelope and left it on the desk.

"… From Ogress?"

"Yeah, just news that Nee-chan had another child."

Serge sent the information he obtained from Azel to Ria, but Ria rarely sent important information back to Serge. At most, there were just requests for specific types of information.

"So, what's up?"

"About the next expedition."

At some point, Chrys had dropped the formal speech. Perhaps it was a sign of how close they had become.

"Ah, the one where we're going after the Hydra?"

Over the past two years, Chrys's abilities had grown considerably. Of course, that was thanks to Serge's proper guidance, but now she even had her sights set on defeating a Hydra.

"I want to make this the last one."

Huh?

The last what?

"You should go back to Ogress. There are people there who need your strength, aren't there?"

"No no no, hold on a second. Don't just decide things on your own."

Chrys naturally knew about Ogress's movements as a nation.

Yet her behavior toward him had remained completely unchanged.

That was precisely why having her say something like this so suddenly was unbearable.

"Look, Chrys. This city is the closest to demon territory of any human territory. I can't just leave you all in such a dangerous place and go home."

Azel had also said that this city would likely fall.

He had also said he wanted to get as many non-combatants to safety as possible before that happened.

Even so, Chrys remained stubborn.

"I already have the power to fight."

Well, this is a problem.

If she thought she could fight with this level of strength, that was concerning.

The power to defeat a single Hydra meant nothing against a truly powerful opponent.

"Chrys, your abilities would be better used supporting from the rear. You couldn't stand beside Queen Ryuke Riana and fight."

"Wouldn't I have to try to know that?"

Hopeless.

"Fine. Then let's make this next expedition the last one."

At Serge's words, Chrys flinched. Even though she knew it was coming, it was still sad.

"I'll show you just how unsuited you are for war."

Preparations were carried out meticulously. Their prey was a Hydra, after all.

Both the mercenaries recruited and the supplies prepared were scrutinized more strictly than usual.

And Serge had no hand in it. Chrys did everything herself.

Even from Serge's perspective, the preparations were sufficient. She hired five warriors and a scout. She even hired an acquaintance from the academy who was skilled in healing magic.

The countermeasures against the Hydra's poison were also solid. With this, they could certainly defeat a Hydra. Though the problem was what came after.

Early in the morning, the group set out.

Chrys was the leader. Serge was basically just there to watch.

With steady footsteps, the group headed for their destination. There was a swamp there where a Hydra had been sighted.

The search proceeded smoothly.

Chrys no longer complained about the toilet or bathing. Well, that was because she had actually learned those spells herself.

And on the fifth day after entering the forest.

The group arrived at the target swamp.

They poured the animal blood they had prepared into the swamp. Minus one point. She should have burned away some of the forest to secure better footing.

Lured by the scent of blood, what emerged was a six-headed Hydra.

"Whoa…"

"It's huge…"

The one Serge had fought alone before was a five-headed Hydra. This one would be slightly more difficult.

"Detoxify!"

Chrys's magic flew toward the warriors. And there, minus two points.

If they didn't lure the Hydra further from the swamp, there was a high chance it could escape back into it.

Well, Hydras were aggressive creatures, so the chances of it fleeing weren't that high.

The battle progressed steadily.

The warriors and scout deflected the Hydra's attacks while Chrys's magic gradually dealt damage, with the healer providing support.

Taking down the first head was the hard part, but after that, things got much easier.

"Wind Blade Rend!"

Her wind magic tore through the final remaining head, and the battle was over.

Yes, that was the end of the battle.

The warriors slumped to the ground on the spot, and Chrys was barely standing using her staff for support. The healer was on his knees. Everyone had given everything they had.

Serge approached Chrys.

"Did you see that, Serge?! We did it all by ourselves!"

"Yeah, but you fail."

There was a dagger in Serge's hand.

Its tip was pressed against Chrys's throat.

"Fighting with everything you have, then having your throat slit afterwards. That's what war is."

Serge spoke in a cold voice.

Chrys stared at Serge.

She just stared. There was no sense that she accepted his words.

Her companions didn't understand what was happening either, but they could at least see the reality of Serge holding a dagger to Chrys's throat.

"Even if I hadn't attacked you by surprise, could you beat me alone from here?"

That would be difficult. Frankly, even if they fought at full strength against a completely fresh Serge, victory was uncertain.

"This is war. You're not suited for it, Chrys. I think your role should be providing support from the rear."

"… But you're going to fight, aren't you?"

Chrys's eyes were filling with tears as she said this.

"You're going to fight and face danger, aren't you?"

Ah, I see.

So that whole Hero's attendant thing was just an excuse.

Chrys had wanted to fight together with Serge.

"Me? Why would I?"

With a puzzled expression, Chrys looked at Serge again.

"Huh?"

"I'm in logistics during wartime. Didn't I tell you… I got promoted through supply management?"

Serge put the dagger away and placed his hand on Chrys's shoulder.

"I'm better at that than magic. That's why I didn't fight in the previous war either."

The only time he fought was against that werewolf who attacked Carla.

"So Chrys, you don't need to force yourself to fight either."

Hearing that, Chrys gave a small nod.

Her head probably wasn't working properly yet, but at any rate, she had accepted it.

"Alright then, you lot!"

Standing up, Serge shouted at the warriors who were starting to recover their stamina!

"Time to harvest the materials!"

"Hell yeah!"

And so, the final adventure in the Magic City came to an end.

But there was still one thing Serge had to resolve.

Yes.

His promise with Azel.