The Labyrinth Raids of the Ultimate Tank

Chapter 67: Timeo’s Battle

Translator: “Pink Tea” Editor: ”Ryunakama”

After walking for a bit we arrive at the labyrinth.

Immediately entering, we climb the stairs leading to the first floor.

「Say, Rude. That guy with a katana…… It’s not like he hates me, right?」

It seems Rinkin is not that good at making contact with other people.

If Marius tries to talk with him, he probably will be very perplexed.

「……Probably. I think Rinkin is a very shy kid. Please, find a way around it.」

「I-I see…… To be honest I never had to be concerned with something like that. So I’m a bit worried.」

Marius glanced at Rinkin.

Since they are using the same weapon, they should have something in common.

「You have the same weapon. So you should be able to reach some understanding. I’m sure you can do it, so go for it.」

「Roger!」

I encouraged him, but I had no basis for that at all.

Well, but it’s Marius? So it probably should be okay.

As a faint smile appeared on Marius’ face, he immediately went to Rinkin.

「Hey hey, swordsman.」

「Y-yes?」

「Well, I was just wondering how long you have been using katana’s. How is it? Are you using it heavily?」

「……No, just a bit. I just heard about the fighting style with katana, and after I tried, it seemed to work the best for me.」

「Oh, I see! That’s unusual.」

「……Is that, so?」

「W-well. I didn’t mean it in a bad way, okay? I was praising you! You are a genius for noticing the charm of katana!」

「……But. I also heard that katana isn’t suited for labyrinths.」

「……Hm, really?」

Marius tilted his head with a blank look.

Timeo looks at me with a silent question. 『Is this person alright?』

Putting everything on one attack is the basic principle for katana.

Iai with a sword charged with magic power or other similar moves aren’t suited for a series of battles.

Using it on a boss is one thing, but repeatedly slashing at trash monsters along the way is a chore.

Pretty much like my 『Life Conversion』.

But Marius is very fast at charging his attacks. And his focus is also something else.

In his case, it is possible to use iai even in quick succession. He is out of the norm.

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After that Marius said something to Rinkin.

To which Rinkin, though with difficulty, replies.

After which Marius scratched his nose, happy like a kid, and continued the talk.

……Well, they seem to be okay.

After walking through the first floor for a while I call out to the trio.

「Try fighting on this floor. For now, you three are on your own.」

Hearing me they exchanged glances.

Looks like「You three」bothered Timeo.

「Who is going to be the leader?」

Well, a leader might be a bit of a stretch.

But from the very beginning, I was planning to entrust that role to Timeo.

「I’ll leave it to you, Timeo.」

「……Got it. Well, I’ll do it this time.」

To train his『Bird’s Eye』it’s best to have him overlook the whole battlefield as a leader.

「……I’ll be in your care.」

Lilifell was unsatisfied.

Rinkin didn’t say anything and just nodded.

「Well, our opponents are goblins, so even you should be able to handle them? 」

「The first floor…… Has goblins? Nothing else?」

「……You don’t even know that? What about you, Rinkin-san?」

「……I heard about this.」

「Well, that’s a passing mark, I guess. Rinkin-san, your outer shell is scarce, so please don’t do anything rash. Lilifell-san, you are the tank, so make sure you properly aggro our enemies. With my magic the likes of goblins will easily perish.」

Though he sounds condescending, his instructions are not wrong.

Lilifell didn’t even try to hide her irritation in『Suuuure』with which she replied.

Looking at them from a bit of distance I then exchanged looks with Marius.

「Did you adjust the monsters properly?」

「Do not fret. Everything is fine.」

I asked him to make the monsters play a bit of an act for us.

I also didn’t activate my skills, to make the three more nervous.

……Well, if things get dangerous I’m ready to re-activate it anytime.

Founding a clan, raising adventurers…… My plan was to cooperate with Marius and use his labyrinth for that.

This is still pretty much an experiment. I can only pray that things will go smoothly.

「Well, today you are meant to get used to the labyrinth. We will step in if things get dangerous. So go all out.」

Timeo made a short nod to my words.

His eyes look a bit more serious than before.

「I just want to confirm one thing. ……Lilifell-san, naturally, you are an evasion-type tank, right?」

「Huh, what was that? Can’t you see my shield?!」

「Did you become a baggage carrier for Rude-san?」

「This is MY shield!」

「With that small stature, you are saying that you are going to do the same thing as Rude-san?」

「S-sma……!! I’m not small! I grew up just fine.」

「……Haaah.」

……There is a saying about being close enough to fight.

Well, at least they can speak their mind.

「And, Rinkin-san, how well can you fight?」

「……Don’t… Count on me…… Too much.」

「Got it. I will finish them off with my magic. At least try to hold out until then.」

Lilifell puffed her cheeks.

「Can’t you do something about this big attitude of yours?!」

「Unlike you two I have combat experience. So I think my standing is naturally above yours.」

「I have fought as well! Back in the village, I was running every day, training endurance! I don’t want to be lectured by a bean sprout magician!」

「 Well, I think I have enough stamina to keep up with Rude-san.」

Lilifell and Timeo were butting heads, glaring at each other.

Meanwhile, Rinkin was looking at the two in a bit of a panic.

Well, what do we do about this…… While I was wondering, Marius clapped his hands.

Then, the space near us distorted, and next, monsters appeared.

「Maybe they will stop fighting among themselves if they get someone else to fight?」

He smiled and said quietly.

That’s a bit of a forceful approach. But he isn’t wrong.

Timeo and the others immediately reacted.

As expected of adventurers.

The goblins gave a lick to the clubs they had in their hands and then made a light swing.

Next, they raised a loud war cry.

It’s my first time seeing them do such an excessive attempt at intimidation.

Marius showed a thumbs up. So it is his work.

「Three goblins. Please do your best to buy enough time until I finish casting.」

「Aah, every word you say is pissing me off! Rinkin-san, I will attract enemies’ aggro, please use that opportunity to attack! 」

「……Yes.」

Rinkin put his hand on the katana on his waist.

Then, closed his eyes and breathed out.

「……Fumu.」

Marius put a hand to his chin, closely looking at Rinkin.

「Did you notice something?」

「He said that he didn’t use it that much, and it indeed seems to be the case, but he has pretty good focus. 」

「Is that so?」

I don’t get this katana stuff, so I can’t tell. Well, if Marius says so, then it is probably the case.

「……But, no matter how you look at it, his movements are amateurish. How should I put it, it’s like he suddenly became an adventurer the other day.」

「……That’s true. His movements are the epitome of an amateur.」

But since he ended up with a katana, he probably put some thought into his choice of weapon.

I wonder how he became an adventurer.

Lilifell used 『Taunt』, aggroing the enemies.

The goblins sprang at her, swinging down their clubs.

Lilifell blocked them with the shield but staggered anyway.

However, she managed to immediately regain her balance with the legs that she is said to have trained.

So she isn’t fazed by some pushback.

Though her technique with the shield is dubious, the real problem for the improvement is in her size.

「Ha!」

Rinkin unsheathed his katana.

Because I’m so used to seeing how Marius does it I can’t call it anything else but unsightly, but it probably wasn’t that bad.

The attack hits one of the goblins on the neck.

Which seemed to have surprised Rinkin.

……It is his first battle with monsters after all.

The feeling of cutting through the goblin’s flesh and bones is probably what surprised him.

But his expression rapidly turned worse and worse.

Out of breath, he jumped back.

Lilifell quickly returned the goblin’s aggro to herself as it was about to turn to Rinkin.

It’s hard for Lilifell to take care of three opponents at the same time. The goblins’ cooperation is better than one would expect. Probably another thing that Marius taught them.

Then, Timeo made his move.

Taking a light slash at one of the goblins he got its attention.

While Lilifell fought two goblins, Timeo took care of the remaining one.

There is no waste in his movements with the sword. He is one-sidedly beating his lone opponent.

He seems to see his surroundings well, even when working on magic preparations. Something impossible for ordinary mages, no matter how hard they try.

Kicking the staggered goblin, he threw it at one of the goblins that were fighting Lilifell.

Then, he swung down his empty left hand.

A pillar of fire appeared from beneath the goblins, burning two of them to a crisp.

They soon vanished, leaving only raw parts behind.

Getting complete freedom of action, Timeo then promptly finished off the remaining one.

「How was that?」

「Yeah, that was superb.」

When I replied, Timeo bashfully scratched his cheek.