Rise of the Soul Hero

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***

Another trip, our dear heroes just drove along the road waiting for a new case. Although during the road itself, they met not a few monsters, but Andrew, Naofumi, Raftalia and even Firo was bored. The monsters were too weak, and those that were even a little stronger were too rare, as if they were all extinct. Now, sitting next to Naofumi, Andrew just stared ahead and almost fell asleep, while Raftalia, who was sitting behind him, was already dozing at full strength. Naofumi's eyes were also slightly closed, but he didn't let it show. Firo was alert, though she wanted to run at full speed to dispel the boredom in the atmosphere around them.

At that moment the wagon hit a bump in the rear wheel, which caused it to sway, and Andrew immediately came to his senses from his slumber. He wiped his eyes, then looked at Naofumi. The top of his black hair was already hanging almost to the bottom, so Andrei shook him gently by the shoulder and then began to speak.

- Stay awake, you're driving. -

Naofumi sighed heavily and looked at Andrei, then started to answer.

- Thanks Andrei. Damn, what's wrong with the situation? We're almost falling asleep, we can't wait for a village. Otherwise we're like flies, we'll die of boredom. -

Andrei nodded and looked at Raftalia who was sleeping behind him, from that he smiled and turned towards Naofumi. Then rubbed his eyes once more and began to answer.

- You're right, I never thought we'd be so bored. The money is there, but the soul needs work, eh. Firo, is there a village up ahead? -

Firo immediately turned her head in his direction and began to answer with joy in her voice.

- Yes, there in the distance, there are wooden walls there. Master Naofumi, you can run at full speed. -

Andrew and Naofumi immediately smiled widely and Naofumi raised his shield upwards, then began to speak.

- Go Firo, run at full speed! Looks like we'll get some work done today. -

At the same second, Firo ran forward and was followed by a wagon with the same speed as her. Raftalia awoke from the shaking, and with ruffled hair moved forward and began to speak.

- Brother Andrew, is something the matter? -

Andrei did not remove his smile and began to answer her.

- Don't worry Raftalia, soon we will arrive in some village, I hope there will be some work there. I know how itchy your hands are. -

Raftalia immediately smiled and started talking.

- Finally, I fell asleep a little bit. So I apologise for that. -

Andrew only smiled once more and stroked her head and started to look ahead, so after a while they were at the wooden walls, but when they were in the courtyard of the place, they realised that it was a field hospital. They immediately got off the cart and found the headman, who in turn was very happy to see them.

He led them to one of the tents and began to speak.

- As glad as I am to see the dear holy hero, so glad am I to see the sacred bird and your apostles. We didn't know who to turn to, it's like there's no escape from these damn plants. -

Naofumi raised an eyebrow in surprise and immediately asked a question.

- What kind of plants are bothering you? -

The headman immediately led them to another tent and led them inside. The people lying on the floor were as pale as death, and some green plants were sprouting from their flesh. Seeing this Andrei clenched his fists, then walked up to the headman and started asking questions.

- Where it started, we need to know it. Otherwise we won't know how to fix it. -

The elder's eyes immediately became moist with joy, and with a slight bow he began to answer.

- O valiant apostle of the saint, how glad I am that you will take up the fight against this contagion. It all began when we were brought the magic seed. -

Andrew and Naofumi looked shocked at the headman, and Raftalia turned to Naofumi himself.

- Mr Naofumi, isn't this the kind of seed you read about in that temple? -

Naofumi nodded, then looked at the headman again and began to ask.

- What idiot brought you this thing, tell me his name and I'll do it myself. I'll personally smash his face in for not reading the warnings! -

The Elder bowed once more and began to answer.

- O honoured holy hero, it was brought to us by the honoured hero of the spear, our village was starving and we could not harvest enough. And when the hero of the spear appeared with this seed. We could not refuse such a gift, but we unknowingly condemned ourselves to such a fate. -

Naofumi leaned his palm against his face, and Andrew sighed heavily and began to speak.

- And then the whole mess began. I just have one question, where's the plant from which these roots spread? I think if you deal with it, the rest of the sprouts will wither away. -

The headman bowed once again and began to answer.

- This plant is in the centre of the village, but it is protected by smaller plants, and there are still adventurers there who have tried to deal with it. I pray you, rid us of this thrice cursed plant and save us all. -

Andrei bowed and began to answer.

- Don't worry old man, we will do everything we can. Otherwise, we're not really workers. Naofumi. -

Naofumi smiled slightly and began to answer.

- That's right, we're not going anywhere until we've dealt with this trouble, but we have to get the adventurers out first. Firo, you can do it fast enough, but do it carefully. Also see how many defence plants there are and where the main sprout is. -

Firo walked to the exit and began to answer.

- I'll do all that dear master, also if you don't mind I'll try these plants, they look tasty. -

No one had time to reply, she ran out at the same second. They waited for a few minutes and she returned with the adventurers, who were lying unconscious on her back. The men who wore the scarf took them off and laid them on the blankets. Andrew, on the other hand, went up to her and stroked her feathers. Then he began to speak.

- Well done Firo, I didn't even wait. You didn't even hurt yourself for nothing. By the way, have you seen the plant and how many guards she has so to speak? -

Firo smiled and began to answer.

- There are not a few, the biggest one is in the middle of the village, just like a real tree. But the others are pretty weak, but they taste so-so. -

Andrew laughed a little, and Naofumi walked a little forward and began to speak.

- It's very good that the security is so poor, I think we can get through. But as always, we have to be careful. We also need to figure out exactly how to deal with the main plant. Now, let's get going. -

After these words all four of them went to the other side of the wooden wall and started to walk to the village, where they easily destroyed the plants and went further and further. Andrew didn't even have to use signs, but when they got to the centre of the village, the more difficult part of their task began.

There were more plants and they seemed to surround the team. But they kept fighting, and eventually Andrew did use one of the signs. He quickly made a triangle sign in the air and launched a charge into the thicket of plants. At that very second, a gap formed there through the burnt plants. Naofumi turned his gaze to it and began to speak.

- We have to move as fast as possible, otherwise they will grow back again and next time we might not be so lucky with the help of your signs Andrew. -

After that they ran on and Andrei with a small smile started to give a reply.

- Don't worry Naofumi, I still have a lot of strength in me. The main thing now is to deal with the main plant. I'll take care of the little things, and you take care of the main plant. -

No one challenged this decision and Andrei continued chopping the plants that were crawling towards the tree from which their roots came.

For Andrei they were not so stacked enemies, but he could feel his hands getting tired and the more difficult it was for him to create a fire sign. Andrew stopped for a while, wiped the sweat from his forehead and began to say to himself.

- And not bad, wanted a job, got a job. The enemy is certainly weak, but at the same time and persistent. Eh, it would be like this more often, because it was getting boring. But the main thing is that the guys coped with the plant, because if we don't win, then this whole village will die. -

Saying these words to himself he made another fire sign and directed it at the plants. They were burnt to dust, but at the same second, new sprouts sprouted up like yeast. And one of them seemed to launch acid at him. Andrew dodged this gift, but a small drop got on his hand and began to sting more than acid.

It made Andrei cringe a little and looked at the spot. There was a chemical burn on his left arm, and it was as if a small sprout had sprouted under the skin. At the same second Andrei stuck one sword into the ground and with his free hand pulled the sprout out until it was mature enough. This made the pain worse and blood spurted from the wound, but Andrew smirked and with a small smirk began to speak.

- Pretty good weed overgrowth, but it's not enough to bring me down. I've been through too much to die like this. -

At the same second, several more acid charges splashed him. This time Andrei decided not to dodge and created a circle, hitting it, the acid blasts flew in different directions without hitting the target. Andrew smiled as he launched another fire charge and almost fell to the ground, but he held himself back and smiled even wider with a bit of madness in his eyes.

He had already prepared himself for another plant raising, but as soon as he did, the plants wilted. With that Andrew sighed in relief and turned back towards the tree seeing that everything was finished. He staggered slightly and walked towards his comrades, putting his swords at his belt. As soon as they were near each other, Andrei's legs gave out and he almost fell. Naofumi, Raftalia, and Firo caught him in the same second and helped him gently sit down on the ground. Raftalia then hugged him and began to speak.

- Brother Andrei, we did it. The plant won't hurt anyone else, but it looks like you need a rest, and you need to dress your wound. -

Then Firo hugged him, turning back into a little girl.

- Sister Raftalia is right, Brother Andrei, you did a very good job. I wish the plants were tasty, I'd give them to you. -

Andrei laughed a little and at the same second an elixir appeared in Naofumi's hands. He opened it and handed it to Andrei, who took it and drank it. The wound instantly healed and the fatigue began to pass a little at a time.

Seeing this Naofumi smiled and began to speak.

- Now it's definitely finished, but we can't leave the village like this. The tree was bearing fruit, which means we have to make a safe alternative. And I have just the idea. -

He created a shield seed similar to the one they'd just destroyed. Andrew immediately wanted to say that maybe it wasn't the best idea, but Naofumi stopped him and started talking.

- Don't worry, it's a safe seed, as soon as it runs out of fruit it will dry up. In addition it will produce seeds, so the people of the village will be able to feed themselves. -

Hearing this Andrew sighed with relief and stood up to his full height and walked towards the camp.