“B-But...” The knights glanced at her left arm. The knights and adventurers—rather, everyone in town—knew that she had lost her hand. It was clear that she could no longer fight like she used to. Rina even knew that herself.
“As you all must already think, I can no longer fight like I once could. I may not be able to aid you at all, but...I can at least serve as a wall to protect you. So, please. Let me fight with you,” she said, bowing once again.
The adventurers glanced at each other. “Well, why not let her join?”
“I agree. I’ve heard that Rina is an amazing shieldmaster. I’m sure that she’s plenty strong, even with only one arm.”
The adventurers were in agreement. And the knights...
“We would much appreciate your aid.”
“Yeah... Lady Rina is as strong as a hundred men! I’m sure she’ll be much more help to us than that Hero.”
They were in agreement as well.
Rina once again bowed. “My apologies... I may only stand in your way, but I look forward to fighting by your sides.”
“Yes, us too. But don’t push yourself too hard, okay? If there’s anything you can tell us, please do.”
“Well, perhaps this is a bit sudden, but are you knights familiar with a man named Lloyd?” she asked.
“Lloyd? That’s...the white mage who was recently kicked out of the Hero’s party, yes?”
“Indeed.”
“What about him?” The knights were clearly confused.
“Recently, I realized that it was not the Hero Allen or the holy maiden Sheena who had ensured our continuous success, but the white mage Lloyd.”
“Wh-What do you...?”
Suddenly, the knights remembered that until shortly before the Hero’s party had failed their quest, Lloyd had been with them. They had completely forgotten about him. Supporters never fought on the battlefield and instead lay low near the rear. Unlike healing classes, they provided invisible support. Even among famous parties, it was common to know the names of all members besides the supporter.
“That’s right. It was Lloyd who gave the orders last time...”
“Yes, it was. And thinking back now, it was Lloyd who improved upon Allen’s plans. I’m certain that it was thanks to him that we suffered no failures. His magic improved our own capabilities, and yet I was so rude to him...”
An adventurer raised his hand. “U-Um...”
“Hmm? What?”
“O-Oh, it’s just that a few days ago, the S-rank adventurer Yui brought a white mage named Lloyd here.”
“R-Really?! Where is he now...?”
“A few days prior, he accepted a quest alongside Yui and her party to exterminate high wolves in a faraway farm.” An old man appeared from within the Adventurer’s Guild—Vice Chief Ulgo.
“S-So? When will he be back?”
“Hmm... The farm is a few days’ journey by foot.”
Hearing this, Rina let out a sigh of relief. She had worried that Lloyd was no longer in Ishtar and had left for good. However, if he was gone on a quest, that meant he would return.
“Then he will be returning to town with the S-rank adventurers, yes?”
“Yes, he shall...”
“All right. Perhaps we can make it out of this,” whispered Rina. The knights watched her curiously. “You may object to this idea, but will you hear me out anyway?”
They all offered a silent nod.