After Retirement, Living a Stud Life in Another World - Chapter 241: The Lady’s Turn

Chapter 241: The Lady’s Turn

“Whoa!” “We can’t handle this!”

With a single swing of the General’s club, three adventurers on the left flank were sent flying, instantly breaking the encirclement. The enemy’s relentless assault on the right flank caused the shield warrior, who should have held his ground, to flee instead. From there, it was a free-for-all for the General. Fortunately, the adventurers slammed against the walls weren’t dead—though they were out of commission. Honestly, they owed their lives to my kindhearted childhood friend, who used her estimated SSS-class magical power to apply an exceptional defense buff. They should be thankful.

Still, these adventurers are too weak. Granted, the original mission was for reconnaissance, and no one expected such a large-scale extermination task, so they only assembled mid-level parties. In that sense, their failure is understandable. Even so, the guild should have set aside its pride and handed this over to Gretel from the start. But I suppose that would’ve hurt the branch chief’s pride.

“Branch Chief, are you satisfied now? It’s my turn.”

“…Yes.”

Gretel, who had maintained her composed demeanor throughout, stepped forward with a massive mithril axe in both hands, one that looked ill-suited for her slender frame. The guild leader, his head hanging low, could do nothing but watch her go. Lacking the strength to argue, he should’ve just called for higher-level adventurers from the capital in the first place.

“Your opponent is me!”

(Interesting. You seem capable enough.)

“I’m honored by the compliment… Let’s begin!”

As she psyched herself up, her body became surrounded by a platinum aura. Without hesitation, she delivered a horizontal swing aimed straight at the enemy’s torso.

(A flimsy body like yours swinging an axe? It’s no threat!)

The Orc General, rotating his body, brought his club down with all his might to intercept the axe’s blade. With his incredible strength, he must have thought it easy to send the axe crashing to the ground.

Unfortunately, my childhood friend isn’t bound by ordinary limits.

The General’s massive club struck the arc of the axe’s trajectory directly. However, the swing’s path didn’t falter in the slightest, continuing forward and slicing cleanly through the General’s midsection.

(W-what… Who are you?)

“Hmm, if I had to say… I’m the wife of the world’s most wonderful man.”

With an oddly unfitting, clumsy boast, Gretel finished speaking just as the General’s upper body dropped to the ground, making a sickening squelch.

“Hey Lutz, how’d I do in the fight?”

Gretel, don’t come rushing back to ask for feedback so enthusiastically. There’s not much to say—after all, you ended it in a single strike. Typically, a boss fight in a dungeon has more drama: clashing swords, moments of peril, and a triumphant comeback. But maybe my thoughts are too colored by Dragon Quest or Final Fantasy. I should just appreciate that my beloved wife returned without a scratch.

“Well, I have to say, it was impressive. Watching you calmly face off against such a massive monster was truly awe-inspiring. And to think you finished it in one strike… You’ve gotten even stronger without me noticing.”

Her pale cheeks quickly flushed pink as she absorbed my praise, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She seemed thoroughly pleased with my admiration of her strength.

“W-well, of course, I’m strong! No matter what enemies we face from now on… I’ll protect you, Lutz!”

“Yeah, I’m counting on you.”

I’ve finally come to terms with this world. I’ll accept my position as the man protected by strong women.

“So, it seems that the outer edge of the forest has become a base for such large-scale monsters, including a General…”

“We must assume that something significant is happening across the entire ‘Forest of Evil.’”

Gretel and I had just finished reporting the details to His Majesty and Beato. Of course, the journey to the capital was long—thank goodness Adele used her teleportation magic to fetch us.

“In that case, starting early on fortifying Stuttgart’s defenses was the right decision. How far along are we?”

“The second moat and the earthen walls are completed. Work on the third phase has already begun.”

“Good. The city’s defenses should hold. However, with the forest in such turmoil, perhaps Beato’s plan should be postponed.”

The plan His Majesty referred to was Beato’s idea to visit the “Forest People,” who lived deep in the Forest of Evil, to seek guidance on spirit magic. Given the current state of the forest, where even venturing a few kilometers led to encounters with Orc Generals, who knows what greater threats might lie further in? Frankly, I agreed that waiting might be wise.

But Beato, with her usual cold, doll-like expression, firmly declared, “To secure Fanny’s future, we must seek the spirit users’ guidance as soon as possible. Even if I must go alone, I will.”

Her resolute attitude left His Majesty at a loss for words.

“You won’t go alone, Beato.”

“Wherever Beato-nee-sama and Lutz go, I will, of course, follow,” Gretel added.

At our words, the expression on Beato’s porcelain-like face softened, revealing a faint, gentle smile.