After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - 157
**Episode 157: Another One?**
Soon, the bandits revealed themselves—more than twenty in the front, and about twelve or thirteen in the back. All of them are women… so, they must be mages. There are more of them than I expected. Gretel has already positioned herself in front of me, while Michaela stands by my side, ready. Meanwhile, nine imperial-style mages quickly spread out in a semi-circle to confront the attackers.
The enemies seemed somewhat hesitant upon seeing our battle formation, as if they hadn’t expected it. Their surprise at this level of resistance makes them seem rather insignificant. I was hoping for a more substantial opponent.
In truth, I was fully aware that my person was being targeted. If safety was the priority, I should have remained holed up in the Freudenstadt residence. The reason I’ve been out enjoying the festival so conspicuously was to lure in the foolish attackers. I thought that truly clever enemies wouldn’t fall for such a trap, but it seems there are indeed some dim-witted ones among them.
As about ten of the women from the front begin chanting, Michaela pulls something from her pocket.
“…Defeat them!”
She mutters what sounds like a spell, and from her hand, several black stones fly out… causing the enemy mages to scatter bl00d and fall one after another. On closer inspection, she is holding a bunch of black, smooth, disk-like stones… which she shoots out using earth magic. Now that I think about it, the older woman who fought alongside us in the principality used a similar technique, but Michaela’s is more practical for protection. The power to pierce through shoulders and legs shows her high-level magical capability.
“Good job, Michaela!”
While the enemies are momentarily stunned by Michaela’s attack, Gretel swiftly closes the distance. With this, the outcome is clear. No one can stand up to Gretel in close combat, wrapped in her aura of light. In less than thirty seconds, most of the enemies in front have been downed on the cobblestones.
The magic attacks from the enemies in the back are being defended by the nine wind mages in a group defense. Three of them create gusts to deflect the fireballs from the fire mages, and attacks similar to cutting winds are countered by throwing similar magic to neutralize them. Each of these mages has about B-class power, but by working together and focusing solely on defense, it’s not easy for enemies to break through.
“Sorry for the wait! Now that I’m here, you won’t get to do anything!”
In the brief moment they bought, Gretel has brought down the enemies in the front, then rushed back with the speed of light… knocking down two with her fists, five with her hand strikes, and five with kicks.
“Hmph, for enemies trying to do something to the future consort, they’re disappointingly weak! Did they think they could win with this number, knowing I’m always around? How naïve!”
Ah, it’s been a while since I’ve heard such a haughty line from Gretel. Recently, my proud and rough childhood friend has been acting unusually cute and obedient, making me wonder if she had changed, but this is more like her.
“Hmm? Did you say something?”
No, I didn’t say anything. Silence is golden.
◇◇◇◇◇◇◇◇
“Viscount Gelmin… Though affiliated with the Chancellor’s faction, he’s quite a small fry.”
Gretel sighs at the name of the mastermind revealed by the captured mages. Even if they squeezed the viscount for information, they likely wouldn’t reach the main figure of the anti-Beatrice faction… It would be a waste of time to pursue further.
“It’s unfortunate. But, having taken out so many mages, they should find it harder to resort to more drastic measures, don’t you think?”
“Yes, that’s one consolation.”
In the main festival a few days later, Beatrice will have to appear before the citizens of the capital and smile. Of course, the target of terrorism will shift from me directly to Beatrice. Although she is an S-class mage with wood attribute paper defenses, she wouldn’t survive direct attacks. Neutralizing over thirty opposing mages is somewhat reassuring.
“Hey, Michaela’s magic was pretty impressive, wasn’t it?”
Gretel suddenly changes the topic. Indeed, her stone-throwing magic was as powerful as a gun and merciless. She didn’t kill, but she pierced bodies and shattered bones without hesitation. It was hard to imagine such cruelty from her usually innocent and cheerful demeanor.
“Since she was made to fight alongside adventurers from a young age, always between life and death… Hey Lutz, aren’t you considering keeping her around?”
Huh, I was expecting this, but it’s coming up anyway? Why does she, with her jealous nature, want to increase my concubines or lovers?
“Well, um… Does ‘keeping her around’ mean ‘even at night’?”
“Of course, that’s what I mean.”
“Why is Gretel trying to arrange a new lover for me?”
She’s insisting on Michaela despite my lack of enthusiasm for more lovers. I’m already full with my current concubines.
“Michaela… She’s like a stray puppy that you can’t just ignore. She seems like someone you could get along with like a sister… After all, I don’t have any siblings.”
Gretel’s expression softens gently. Well, I can understand that feeling. That innocent puppy is indeed soothing just to watch.
“And there’s another reason.”
With those words, she returns to a serious expression.
“I’m strong, probably stronger than anyone on the continent. But… that’s only in close combat. Surrounded by so many mages like today, I cannot protect Lutz alone. I want to protect Lutz… So, I want to gather strong and reliable women, in addition to Ayaka, who can protect Lutz alongside me, even at the cost of my own life.”
Ah, so that’s the reason. My once straightforward childhood friend is showing such touching concern for me. I hugged her muscular body tightly… Though she didn’t speak, my shoulder became wet.