The Kicked Out S-Rank Appraiser Creates The Strongest Guild - Chapter 114

Chapter 114   To Protect

(Laurent is not just a superior commander. He’s a specialized appraiser in nurturing. With ‘Skill Appraisal’ at S, ‘Status Appraisal’ at A, ‘Item Appraisal’ at A, and ‘Nurturing’ at A, theoretically, he can uncover and develop as many unique skill holders and A-class adventurers as he wants. In fact, that’s already happening. My intuition was right. We must strike the ‘Spirit Workshop’ alliance here. Otherwise, it will eventually become a greater threat and stand in ‘White Wolf’s’ way.)

However, contrary to Jamil’s determination, ‘White Wolf’ could not catch the alliance and eventually reached the highlands near the foothills of the forest.

Seeing it as an opportunity, Laurent lured ‘White Wolf’ to a favorable position and then prepared for battle.

“Alright. We’re almost at the city. This is the final fight. We’ll deliver a decisive blow here, strip the enemy of their pursuit capabilities, and settle the battle.”

Laurent, boosting everyone’s morale, then gave instructions for positioning.

“Elio, your job is to break the enemy’s lines with ‘Shield Charge.’ You decide the entry point and timing.”

“Understood.”

“Jeff, after using ‘Bowshot’ to thin out the enemy’s front line, if ‘Fire Dragons’ doesn’t show up, prepare for a retreat with Cecil.”

“Got it.”

“Leon, stay behind Elio and take command. Support Elio’s ‘Shield Charge,’ defend while expanding our gains, and if necessary, you can also engage.”

“Alright.”

“Cecil, support Elio but keep some stamina in reserve for ‘Trap Setup’ for the retreat through the forest.”

“Got it!”

Laurent also made sure to build up the right flank so Elio would not be distracted as he had been last time.

(The right flank is good. The real problem is the left flank, where the men with halberds and spears will likely attack.)

Karla watched from the rear as Laurent gave orders.

(I never expected him to recover from that complete collapse. He’s indeed dangerous. I must eliminate him here and now.)

Karla crept up behind Laurent, hand on the hilt of her sword.

(If I’m going to do it, now is the time. While Laurent has his back turned. I have Spinning Sword Dance now. Even if he’s wearing the Blue Reflect Armor, I could at least cause friendly fire…)

“Karla!”

“!!”

When Laurent turned around, Karla hurriedly removed her hand from the sword hilt.

“Instead of staying behind Elio, come behind me this time.”

“…Behind you?”

“Yes. Elio is an excellent shield user and assault force, but his tactical sense is lacking. He can’t fully handle enemy distractions. To ensure we can definitely deploy you at the crucial moment, stay behind me.”

“…”

“The only enemies you need to watch out for are the halberd and spear users. When they appear, we’ll go together. Is that alright?”

“Why… why are you…”

“Eh?”

“…!”

Without finishing her sentence, Karla turned on her heel.

‘White Wolf,’ rushing to stop the alliance, saw Laurent and his team waiting on the highlands and hurriedly prepared for battle themselves.

(Damn it. Have I been lured in?)

Jamil quickly realized he had fallen right into Laurent’s trap.

(Damn it. They were on the defensive just moments ago, and now they’re attacking here.)

The alliance had archers lined up in the front and warriors positioned in the back, clearly preparing to wait for an attack.

Meanwhile, Jamil’s side was struggling with a delay in Zain’s arrival, and their readiness was less than ideal.

Even so, if they didn’t engage in battle now, they risked being able to escape.

Once they entered the foothills forest, it would be less than a day to the city.

(The core of the alliance is still intact. To ensure Laurent never gets back up, I must strike the alliance here, no matter what.)

Jamil ordered the attack.

The two armies clashed.

The archers of the alliance unleashed their arrows on the warriors of ‘White Wolf’ who charged with their shields.

As the battle transitioned to close combat, Elio executed a ‘Shield Charge,’ breaking the enemy’s formation.

Leon and his team joined in, forcing their way through.

Jamil watched patiently as his side fell into a disadvantage.

As the momentum from the ‘Shield Charge’ began to wane, he ordered the deployment of the halberd and spear users.

(Here they come! The two spear and halberd users!)

Laurent quickly moved to the location of the two spear users.

Karla followed closely behind him.

[Karla Grazia’s Skills]

Swordsmanship: B → A

Shadow Strike: B → A

(Oh, so Karla uses ‘Shadow Strike.’)

Gilbert, who had detected ‘Shadow Strike’ with his skill appraisal (A), wisely kept his distance from the enemy.

“What are you doing, Gil? Get moving already!”

Savast urged from behind.

“Boss, be careful. The thief with the shield in the back is using ‘Shadow Strike.’”

“Is that so?”

Savast also took a step back.

Laurent closed the distance to engage the enemy.

However, Savast moved further back.

(Now! Karla!)

As Laurent crouched and signaled, Karla leaped over Laurent’s shoulder, switching places, and jumped forward.

With unparalleled speed, she closed in on Savast’s position.

(Hmph. So she switched places. But her skill is only ‘Swordsmanship’ B. If it’s Savast, he should easily handle it and counterattack…)

“Haa!”

Karla unleashed ‘Spinning Sword Dance ‘

Karla’s range and attack power surged temporarily, unleashing slashes over a wide area.

(What!?)

Savast’s spear and armor were shredded to pieces, and Gilbert’s weapon nearby was also sent flying.

(This isn’t just ‘Swordsmanship.’ Could it be a unique skill!? Does she have a skill that couldn’t be detected with ‘Skill Appraisal’ A?)

[Karla Grazia’s Unique Skill]

Spinning Sword Dance: B (↑1)

(Spinning Sword Dance has reached B. It seems Karla demonstrated the true value of Spinning Sword Dance at this critical moment.)

“Damn it. This was unexpected. We’ll have to regroup.”

Gilbert, having taken the slashes and deeply wounded Savast, retreated.

The battle continued with the alliance maintaining the upper hand, driving ‘White Wolf’ into a rout.

Laurent and his group did not pursue aggressively and instead moved to return to the city through the foothills forest.

Jamil hurried to reorganize his forces.

Though he moved at unprecedented speed, it seemed unlikely he would catch up with Laurent in time.

Just then, Zain arrived with the archery unit.

“Sorry. I’m late. Jamil, what about the alliance?”

“Zain, you need to pursue Laurent!”

“What?”

“Make sure to capture Laurent! He must be dealt with here and now!”

Laurent and his group were running through the forest.

The earlier battle had left their forces exhausted, and their march was progressing slowly, but if they could make it deep into the forest, they might evade enemy detection.

(Alright. We can make it. At this rate, we can escape to the city…)

“Laurent, enemies!”

Jeff, who had been scouting behind, shouted.

“What!?”

“There’s someone with a ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet.’”

(Damn, the ‘White Wolf’ is making us suffer till the end.)

The sound of artillery shook the ground and echoed through the forest.

The exhausted troops became unsettled.

The enemy was getting very close.

Laurent couldn’t even recall Elio and Leon, who had roles dealing with monsters appearing ahead.

“What should we do, Laurent?”

“Have the unexhausted warriors take up the rear! With ‘Blue Reflective Armor,’ they should be able to withstand a few shots from the ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet’!”

However, those in the rearguard, fearing the ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet,’ were eager to move forward.

Even those with adequate equipment prioritized their own safety and hesitated to fall back.

If this continued, there was a risk that the heavily worn troops would panic from the artillery fire.

(Damn, if it’s come to this…)

Laurent decided to move to the very back himself to take the brunt of the artillery fire.

Zain spotted Laurent.

“Heh, how considerate of you to come right in front of us. Much appreciated.”

Zain fired the ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet.’

Laurent took the full force of the artillery fire.

“Ugh!”

“Laurent!”

“Stay back!”

Laurent stopped Jeff, who tried to run to him, and continued to run despite staggering.

“I’m fine.”

(Why is he…?)

Karla watched Laurent from near the rear as she ran.

“Everyone, get back to the city!”

(How can he do this?)

Karla squeezed her eyes shut.

(Enough already. You’ve worked hard enough for these hopeless people.)

“Protect him!”

(The awareness of the islanders has finally changed, and we’ve grown to the point where we can form a unit. The ‘Spirit Workshop’ has also gained trust and is taking root locally.)

“We won’t let this fire we’ve finally lit go out!”

Karla tightened her eyes even more.

(Are you not also someone who came from outside the island? The island’s situation shouldn’t concern you. Just cut it off. Just like those who came from outside before…)

“Open your eyes, Karla.”

Pat said.

“Pat?”

“Don’t look away. See the reality of this island and the S-class appraiser.”

“…Laurent?”

“Yes, engrave the sight of Laurent fighting into your eyes. Fighting to protect something is what it means to fight like that!”

Another barrage from the ‘Dragonhead Gauntlet’ hit Laurent.

Laurent’s armor shattered into pieces.

“Gah!”

Laurent collapsed on the spot.

However, Zain’s barrage also reached its limit.

He had run out of magical power.

“You bastard. How dare you!”

Seeing Laurent fall, Jeff couldn’t hold back and launched a counterattack.

He fired arrows recklessly.

Hearing the artillery fire, Leon also arrived.

“Damn, it’s over. Retreat.”

Zain’s forces began to withdraw.

“Laurent. Can you stand?”

Leon helped Laurent up, lending him his shoulder.

“Ugh. What about the enemy… the unit?”

“The enemy has pulled back. The unit is safe.”

“I see… the city… just a little further… keep marching without stopping…”

“That’s enough. Don’t talk anymore. You did well. Leave the rest to us.”

Leon continued on with Laurent leaning on his shoulder.

Wayne trudged through the forest with his head down.

The surrounding adventurers all had gloomy expressions.

(Damn it. Is this my fault? But, Laurent too…)

Suddenly, he heard commotion from behind.

Laurent, his armor destroyed and looking exhausted, was barely managing to walk while leaning on Leon.

(Laurent!? Could he be… injured?)

Wayne stared in shock.

“Don’t make a fuss. Laurent’s injuries aren’t serious. Keep moving!”

Leon’s words calmed the commotion.

Wayne shook his head, irritated.

(Damn, scaring me like that.)

Laurent, barely conscious, heard a nearby warrior grumbling as he ran alongside them.

“Damn it.”

“What’s wrong? What happened?”

“This armor is useless. It’s not worth anything.”

The warrior discarded the damaged armor.

[Armor Status]

Durability: 2 (↓28)

(Bad quality equipment. There was still some left.)

Wayne stopped as he saw the armor with the “Spirit Workshop” emblem discarded on the ground.

(My… my equipment…)

“Don’t just stand there. Keep moving!”

Prompted by nearby adventurers, Wayne started running again.

“Damn it.”

(What the hell am I doing?)

Laurent, fading in and out of consciousness, saw Wayne running beside him.

Wayne was in tears.

(Wayne…)

Despite their battered condition, the “Spirit Workshop” alliance managed to return to the city that day.