Chapter 113
I called out towards Pigimaru .
[Once again, connect with my body . ]
[Pii! …Pii?]
Hmm?
[What is it?]
[Pii… Pinyyyuuu…]
His cries sound exhausted .
[Perhaps… You can’t do it anymore?]
[Pii… Piinyyiii…]
I still have enough MP remaining .
However, it seems that the burden on Pigimaru’s body is more than I had expected .
Well, this is the first time we have tried using that ability consecutively .
That connection uses up an idiotic amount of MP .
My MP is also steadily decreasing while I’m connected with him .
That’s why I temporarily disconnected my connection with him earlier…
[My bad… I’ve never thought about the burden it may have on your body . ]
There’s also some burden on my own body .
I should have thought that Pigimaru might also be bearing the same burden .
However, Pigimaru hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue at all before .
[It was my fault that I failed to notice . ]
[Pii!? Piyuyuyuuuu~!]
His cries sound like he’s trying to frantically defend me .
Pigimaru cries apologetically .
[Pinyuunyuuu…]
[Don’t worry about it . I’m not going to blame nor get angry at you . It’s my mistake that I a.s.sumed that as long as I have MP, I could subsequently use this ability even after using it for a short time . ]
[It seems there are also some things you weren’t able to antic.i.p.ate . ]
Eve called out .
When I looked back at her, I could also see Seras following behind her .
I feel like I’ve already told Eve and the others about the situation but…
[My apologies . She said she wants to talk to you . ]
There is also Liz standing next to Seras .
Eve steps forward .
[I’ve heard of the situation . I’ll help you out too . ]
[It’s okay . I’ll do it together with Seras . ]
[Seras looks tired though . ]
Seras must have been quite nervous while interacting with Muaji .
She could take some short rest after I invoked on her .
However, Seras still hardly had enough sleep .
In her case, it would be really difficult for her to get rid of her fatigue .
[I will take the role of being the one in front and protecting you . I am full of vitality and strength now . Most of all— I’m sorry that I’ve let the both of you fight all by yourselves . ]
I started thinking about it in another way .
She’s the strongest Blood Champion .
The extremely fatigued Seras .
I planned on having Eve work more later but…
[Then, I’ll be relying on you . ]
[Leave it to me . ]
[However, if you, our guide so that we could reach the witch were to die, then we would also take our hands off the child . As long as you understand that, then you could fight all you want . ]
[So you’re saying that if I feel like I’m disadvantaged against them, I could freely pull back huh?]
[It’s great that you could quickly understand . Then, Seras would be protecting Liz . ]
[Understood . I’ll leave him to you, Eve . ]
[Umu . You don’t have any problem with that, Touka?]
[Maybe . ]
I couldn’t use the super-ranged attacks using the connection with Pigimaru .
However, I could use my Abnormal State Skills without any problem .
It’s not like we’re fighting someone like the Five Dragon Warriors .
I’ve also had corrections with my status after the level ups I had .
[U- Umm…]
Liz timidly said .
Bending down so that her face was in front of Liz’s face, Seras asked .
[What is it?]
[If you think it’s necessary to also have Seras-sama’s power, you shouldn’t worry about me and fight for Touka-sama . ]
[Liz…?]
[I know that I can’t do anything even when I try my best while we’re going to the witch’s home… And that the non-combatant me would just become a burden for everyone…]
Closing her eyes, Liz squeezes both of her hands in front of her chest .
[I don’t like the thought that… Big Sister and Touka-sama are in danger just for me… . ]
Seras looks at her gently .
She pats Liz on her shoulder .
[I understand . Thank you for your consideration . ]
Is it the result of Liz’s determination and feelings?
Seras didn’t refuse her offer .
LIz is tearing up a bit .
I’ve always thought she was just a child .
On the other hand though, Eve looks quite worried .
For Eve, LIz’s personal safety must have been her priority .
I whispered at her .
[Ah, even though she said that, it’s not like Seras would just abandon Liz defenselessly and rush out in front of the battle . You don’t have to worry . ]
Afterwards, I started giving out instructions .
Seras would be taking Liz a little further into the forest .
Eve and I would intercept them here .
To accomplish my plan, it would be necessary that we completely annihilate all of the people in the first team .
In short, I want to deal with them all together .
We should avoid being dragged into a melee battle in the forest as much as possible .
The probability that we may lose sight of some and they escape might increase if that were to happen .
If that’s the case, it would be better for us to intercept them here .
[I will act as a decoy and attract their attention . Touka would be hiding beneath the shadows of those bushes . If they were to come within your range, you should paralyze them with your aforementioned ability . ]
I took that plan .
The enemies’ aim is Eve Speed .
If you think about it, Eve would be really suitable as a decoy .
[Which of the Duke’s private army should I look out for?]
[The Duke’s Imperial Guards were the people who held the most ability within his private army . If I were to point out someone among them, it would probably be the captain Costello . ]
[Is he strong?]
[It’s rumored that he’s the second strongest person in Monroy after the Dragonslayer . I’ve heard that he used to be a member of the Magic Knights . ]
I don’t really know how strong the Dragonslayer is though .
[If that were to be compared to Eve Speed?]
[There were many people who wanted him to fight me just to know who was stronger between us two . However, I haven’t been able to cross swords with him . That’s why I don’t know how strong he really is . ]
[So, it’s unknown huh…]
[Umu . However, I haven’t seen him along with the first team when they were pa.s.sing by— Hmm?]
Eve’s ears twitched .
She then looks towards the back .
The opposite direction from where the first team is coming from .
There were lights approaching from that direction .
[The third team huh…]
I spoke out my guess .
[They may have been walking slowly until now . However, they’ve increased their pace after they saw the light that Seras released . ]
The first team was eager for achievements .
The second team’s Ashinto may be similar to them .
Everyone wanted to be the first one to find Eve and make an achievement for themselves .
Now then, is there anyone who wouldn’t rush after something if they could get an achievement from doing that?
They would become someone who received merits .
[It’s possible that even the Duke himself is mixed in along with the third team . ]
In terms of their speed and distance…
The first team who is returning back would be faster to reach this place .
As these two squadrons join and increase in number, the probability that someone may be able to escape may increase again .
[Let’s go crush one of them first before the other . First, we’ll go crush the first team . ]
Eve unsheathes her sword .
[Understood . ]
[If it’s possible, don’t let a single one of them escape . Therefore, I want you to attract their attention as much as possible before engaging against them . Well, only if you can do it . ]
[Just see for yourself . ]
We’ve grasped how much people the first team had when they pa.s.sed by earlier .
At the time they were pa.s.sing by, the other soldiers who had been searching in the forest also joined up with them .
Therefore, that should have been all of their members that were coming .
[Did you figure out how many people there were in the first team that was present now?]
Eve started concentrating .
After just a moment…
[Got it . ]
Eve informed me of their numbers .
It matches the number of people they had when we first recorded .
They didn’t divide their squad just like Muaji did .
It seems to be a group of idiotically honest people who plunges on everything in their path .
[Thank you . ]
The sounds of hooves began to get even louder .
The first team finally arrives .
[We’ve finally found you, Eve Speed! It must have been quite regretful! We’ve already seen through your decoy! You can’t escape from us!]
They must have rushed back in a hurry after these fellows saw that light .
Therefore, he couldn’t really say something like they’ve seen through it .
Moreover, they didn’t even mention that light at all .
[T- That is!]
[Muu!? Those people collapsed over there… Are those the fellows from Ashinto!? Fu— Fuhahaha! In the end, your sorceries were nothing but a sham! Well, I’ve never liked those people in the first place!]
[The Duke was very angry! If we were to present that were-leopard’s unsightly body to the Duke, the Duke would certainly get delighted!]
[Umu! Things have been rolling in the right direction for us! We’re not going to let the heads of those Imperial Guard fellows to get any bigger!]
[Hahahaha! We even wanted to thank you for running away, sub-human! To tell you the truth, we didn’t like it that someone like you who isn’t even a human was receiving praises from all the people!]
Eve remained silent .
[Hahahaha! What’s wrong!? Did you lose your will to fight after you saw our number!?]
The leading man approached Eve while riding his horse .
The leading man then brandished his sword .
[I’ll be taking your head!!!]
Alright .
All of them were finally within my range .
To make sure that all of them were within my range, I jumped out of the shadows of the bushes while sticking out my hand .
[]
[—-Uooo… . !?]
The private army and their horses suddenly stops .
The leading man became paralyzed while his sword was raised .
The other members of the private army also stopped due to paralysis .
They looked like they were sewed on the ground .
[Wha… I can’t move…?]
[Who is… . that man…?]
I could see the dismay on everyone’s faces .
[]
Screams began resounding around the area as I invoked poison on the private army .
Range, Area of Effect and Affinity .
The trusty combo of paralysis and poison is really convenient for me .
[Touka . ]
Eve called out to me .
[Ah, I know . ]
That’s right— It’s not over yet .
I could hear the sound of hooves striking the ground from another direction .
And, it’s getting nearer .
They were about to arrive soon .
The third team .
[They’re here . ]
Eve said .
[There’s no escape anymore, you ungrateful sub-human! Running back to the forest would just be useless, useless, useless! You can’t escape anymore! You thought you could make a fool of me!? You thought you could get away from this Duke Zuan!?]
[Duke Zuan . ]
Baring her fangs, Eve let out a low beastly growl .