Monster’s Streamer Star Chapter 95 : Advance (4)

"What do you an by that? It’s too dangerous!"

One of the high priests imdiately objected to Presia’s words.

Of course, the people Presia ntioned could be considered the strongest force in the Holy Capital.

The current Saintess, the next Saintess, one of the legendary heroes known as the Starlight Archer, and a Paladin.

There’s no one in the Holy Capital stronger than them right now.

"That's exactly why we need to do it."

Presia had no intention of backing down.

She had already resolved that when the ti ca, she would be the one to step up.

"At the very least, we should take more paladins with us! If we face a lich with such a small number..."

"I’ll be frank. Bringing more people will only lead to greater casualties and get in the way. Have you forgotten why the Black Dragon subjugation was carried out with a small elite force?"

"That's..."

"The more people we take, the more damage we suffer."

"But Saintess Presia, you’ve already..."

"Are you saying I’m too old to fight?"

"N-No! I would never say such a thing!"

The high priests, sweating nervously, couldn’t even et Presia’s eyes.

At that mont, Nellin grinned and cut in.

"Hey, don’t worry. I synced up with Presia a bit since it’s been a while, and she’s still got it."

"Wait, when did that happen...?"

"Ah! Never mind that! Are you saying you don’t believe ?"

"Since it’s coming from you directly, Nellin... I believe you, but... hmm..."

The high priests had no choice but to hesitate.

If they had more ti, they would’ve gathered enough strength by calling on heroes not just from the capital but across the continent of Derxia.

But they only had three days left.

Far too little ti.

In the end, they could only make do with the current forces available in the Holy Capital.

The eting continued, but no better plan ca up than the one Presia had suggested.

Though frustrated by having to accept this situation, the high priests agreed to her proposal.

"Saintess Presia, please return safely!"

"Heh, don’t worry. I’m not planning on dying just yet."

After the eting, Godrick and his group imdiately went to find Nellin.

"Nellin, sis!"

"Hm? What is it?"

"Can we co with you this ti?"

"You guys?"

"Yes!"

Godrick’s group looked at Nellin with eyes full of determination.

Seeing those eyes, Nellin scratched her ear with her pinky and said, "Why didn’t you say so back there?"

"Uh... well, things got really tense when Saintess Presia spoke. It didn’t seem like the right mont..."

"Sigh. Always acting like big shots, but you’re the most timid of all. Tsk tsk tsk."

"Hehe, sotis you’ve got to charge in like Nellin-sis does."

"Learn to read the room, Hawane!"

Smack!

"Ow!"

"Sigh. Co with ."

"Huh?"

"I may believe in your determination, but I’m not about to let you die like fools. Let’s see if you’re even good enough to tag along. You said a Paladin trained you? Show how much you've grown."

"Yes, Nellin-sis!"

"Heh, it’s finally ti to show off my hidden strength!"

"We’ve grown too!"

"I-I’ll do my best!"

***

Originally, it was the training ground that Paulen used for working out.

"My... my head..."

"Heeek, heeek!"

"Aaargh..."

Godrick’s group lay sprawled across the floor.

To get permission to accompany them on the day of the battle with the lich, they had to prove their skills to Nellin.

Naturally, training with Paulen for just one week wasn’t nearly enough to defeat Nellin.

But that didn’t an they made no progress.

"Hmm."

Looking at the group lying on the ground, Nellin rubbed her chin with her thumb.

While she had been busy planning with Presia, Godrick’s group had shown remarkable improvent.

Thanks to the brief but systematic training from Paulen and the battle instincts they gained from sparring with Nellin, they were now able to wield their power more effectively.

After so thought, Nellin evaluated the party.

"They might be able to hold their own."

"Alright, you guys can co."

"Huuff! Haa... R-Really?"

"Yeah. But you’re not there to fight. Stay back and observe, and if things get dangerous, your job is to grab the next Saintess and run."

"Huh? That’s our role?"

"Shut it! Just because you’ve improved a little doesn’t an you can take on a lich. Honestly, I wouldn’t even be taking you if it weren’t a special case."

"T-Then should we go get the high priests’ permission?"

"Huh? Why would you need their permission? If I say you’re coming, then you’re coming."

"Heh, that’s Nellin-sis for you. Totally unbothered by what the high priests think."

"I’m not part of the Great Church. Why should I care what they think? So... you should think the sa."

Nellin turned to Paulen, Alia, and Gracie, who had been quietly watching the sparring match from outside the training grounds.

"Yes, Nellin."

"To grow this much in just a week...! I, Paulen, sniff! am moved to tears!"

"Nellin, I want to go with you too. As a mber of the Magic Tower, and soone who was there that day, I want to be part of this!"

"You too? Hmm..."

Now that even Gracie asked to join, Nellin folded her arms and considered it.

"Should I take her? Well, she is a descendant of that Ventus guy..."

From her conversation with Presia, Nellin had begun to suspect the lich’s identity might be her forr comrade, Ventus.

She even started wondering if the lich had spared everyone in the Magic Tower except for the Tower Master because of Gracie.

"I’ll talk it over with Presia first and then decide."

"Yes! I’ll be waiting for good news!"

"Big sis, why do we have to get personally beat up to be tested, but that Gracie girl just gets a counseling session?"

"Are physical fighters and magic users the sa? Ugh."

***

Three days later.

The group heading to the Hill of the Saint was finalized: Nellin, Presia, Alia, Paulen, Gracie, and Godrick’s party.

Since there were more mbers than originally planned, so high priests protested, saying they might as well take more paladins too—but Nellin was able to 'persuade' them otherwise.

They prepared a carriage that could hold eight people, and Nellin took on the role of coachman.

"Hyah! Let’s go!"

Clip-clop, clip-clop— as the horses moved, the lich subjugation party set out for the Hill of the Saint.

"Saintess! Please defeat the lich!"

"Paladin! Do your best!"

"May the guidance of the gods be with you! May the light guide your path!"

"Everyone, stay strong!"

The cheers and shouts of passionate believers pushed their backs forward.

"Hahaha! It’s been a while since we got this kind of send-off."

"Indeed. It reminds of fifty years ago."

"It’s an honor to be part of this subjugation with you two."

"Typical paladin talk. I hate that stiff stuff. Just talk casually, alright?"

"I’m comfortable this way."

About thirty minutes into the carriage ride, Nellin called out from the driver’s seat.

"Hey, if we’re lucky, this might end without anyone getting hurt. If my hunch is right."

"W-What do you an, Nellin-sis?"

"Just listen. I can’t explain everything yet, but if I’m right, we’ll all make it back in one piece."

"And if you’re wrong?"

"Then we fight like hell. Presia and I will make sure you, Alia—the next Saintess—Gracie, and the rest of you get away safely, so don’t worry."

"Nellin-sis, that’s kind of harsh. What are you saying?"

"I’m fighting to the end too! I still need to find where Jiggly is..."

"Ah, shut it! You do realize you’re the next Saintess, right? And you guys were brought along because you’re good at running, don’t forget that."

Alia and Godrick’s group couldn’t argue back strongly.

Nellin’s tone didn’t allow for disagreent.

"Hmm, and why didn’t you ntion , Nellin?"

"What, are you saying you’re so weak that even Presia and I need to protect you despite being a paladin?"

"Hahaha! Of course not! I’ll handle myself."

"Keheh, that’s more like it. That’s the spirit of a frontline fighter."

With a giggle, Nellin grabbed the reins again and focused on driving.

Presia held Alia’s hands and spoke.

"Alia, if I don’t make it back... please take care of the Grand Church and the believers."

"Saintess Presia... I—I won’t let that happen!"

"As a paladin, I’ll protect the Saintesses too."

"M- too! I still want to talk a lot more with Saintess Presia!"

Alia, Paulen, and even Gracie, who had mustered up the courage to speak.

Presia smiled gently at the three of them.

"Heheh. I feel reassured."

As ti passed, the carriage finally arrived at the Hill of the Saint.

Paulen, as the vanguard, took the lead, while Nellin and Presia guided the path.

At the Hill of the Saint, no aura of death could be felt yet—only the clear sky welcod them.

"Is this the place? I don’t see the lich anywhere, Nellin-sis."

"A little farther. Yeah, there it is."

The group arrived at the spot where the Black Dragon subjugation party had sworn their oath fifty years ago.

A wide tree stood tall at the top of the hill.

It was under this tree that they had vowed to slay the Black Dragon.

"This is it."

"The tree is huge!"

"According to the story, this tree was planted by the first Saint."

While the group gazed at the wide tree, Nellin let out a long breath and spoke.

"Whew... It’s about ti you showed yourself. I saw your familiar keeping watch."

Caw!

Flap flap!

Whoooom...!

As the crow hidden in the branches flew into the sky, the sa black void that had appeared in the Mage Tower began to form in midair, radiating a deathly aura.

[Sharp as always, Starlight Archer.]

From within the black void, a skeleton cloaked in robes appeared.

As the lich erged, a voice echoed in the party’s minds.

At the mont they heard the voice, everyone shifted into battle stance.

Paulen gripped his shield and sword tightly, Nellin nocked an arrow onto her bowstring.

Gracie channeled mana through her magic device, ready to cast at a mont’s notice, while Alia and Presia clasped their hands together, gathering divine power.

Godrick and his team, just as Nellin had instructed earlier, kept a safe distance to avoid getting in the way.

[Hahahaha! Excellent. These are faces worthy of witnessing my power.]

"Hey. Let ask you one thing."

Nellin aid her arrow at the lich and asked, "What was your na before you beca a lich?"