Now that I was taking care of a separate group, Miss Kaelyn shouted from where she was still fighting:
"Don't stray too far from the group, kid!"
"Yeah, I got it!" I called back, barely sparing a glance as I continued cutting down gargoyles with a few knights beside me.
After a rough stretch of intense fighting, the area finally quieted down.
The last of the gargoyles crumbled, and the knights around me slumped down, panting and covered in dust.
Those who had been fighting the orcs had managed to finish them off as well.
**We could finally breathe.**
I looked toward the frontlines where Miss Sera and Miss Kaelyn were still going strong.
Veterans, both of them.
If I remembered correctly, Miss Sera's crimson red pendant was given by the king himself—an honor bestowed only upon those at the top of the military, like a **Grand Marshal**.
Miss Kaelyn wore a grey pendant—awarded to the kingdom's greatest warriors, those who had made invaluable contributions to the nation.
**They're strong...**
In comparison, I looked down at my own pendant—**emerald green**.
It was one given to those working directly under the king.
My role… Royal Accountant.
It almost felt ironic now, considering what I was doing.
I glanced at my sword. The edge had dulled and chipped, even after being wrapped in mana.
And the blue glow in my veins—it had spread further, crawling up my arms and neck.
I felt it. The exhaustion.
Like I could fall asleep for days right here among the rubble.
"Are you alright, Alve?"
Miss Sera's voice came as she approached, having finished off the last monster in her path.
She found me slumped on a broken wall, catching my breath.
"Define _okay_. Even the knights are down now," I replied, giving her a half-smile.
She nodded, her usual sharp expression softening just a little.
"Good job handling the horde. And thank you… for helping evacuate the people."
"Oh… I just handled the easy ones. Left the big guys for you two," I said with a tired chuckle.
Honestly, she even took care of that **giant orc** with the cleaver—the one that ambushed from the rear and charged the frontline.
I still couldn't believe how she blocked those massive strikes.
Was she hiding some kind of _secret muscle build_ under that jacket?
"We'll rest a bit before heading toward the dungeon core," Miss Sera said, sitting nearby. "We'll need to wait for Kaelyn to catch up anyway."
I nodded, finally letting my head fall back against the wall.
Even if just for a moment… a break was welcome.