Chapter 148
Chapter 148: Someone Unmeasurable
The eyes of the girl who emitted lightning were dazzling .
They’re filled with aggressiveness, but I could still find the color of reason within them .
There’s some nervousness within them, but I couldn’t find hesitation in her movements .
As if she finally strained her voice out, the frightened girl muttered .
[———–Itsuki-san . ]
(……That must be the lightning girl’s name huh . )
While feeling my eyelids twitching from the pain, I shifted my line of sight .
Those explosive electric shocks didn’t affect the girl in front of me .
I also couldn’t hear the sound of thunder anywhere .
That means—- those weren’t naturally occuring lightning .
What is the real ident.i.ty of this electricity?
A Magic Technique?
An Incantation?
—-It’s different .
I immediately tugged on the thread that seemed to be the truth .
The ability of this girl with a rapier on her hand .
(I see, these people are—-)
I heard about them from Touka .
The people who were summoned by the G.o.ddess to defeat the Root of all Evil .
(Heroes from Another World huh…)
She held out the tip of her rapier towards my throat .
I began raising a howl that couldn’t be heard .
A soundless roar that inspires my body to move .
I forcibly moved my numb body to take some distance .
Lightning began blooming around the surroundings of the girl .
(Beyond a certain range, that lightning doesn’t look like it’s beautiful at all…)
The range in which she could exert this intense numbness is fixed .
Its range also shouldn’t be infinite .
Running my predictions within my mind, I leapt away .
(With this, I should be out of her range, right……!?)
[You’re joking, right!? That thing could still move even after being struck by my …!? ——Tsk, you won’t escape!]
Impatience on her face, the lightning girl began running towards me .
However, the girl managed to blur her impatience from her attack as she increased her speed .
(Nnghh!? This speed!?)
I never experienced fighting anyone with this speed even back in the Blood Colosseum .
The distance I’ve opened up was quickly shortened in the blink of an eye .
The girl shot forward her piercer .
Skillfully handling my sword with both of my hands, I brush away the incoming storm of needles .
I couldn’t move around from where I stood because of these lightning fast strikes .
However…
(If I couldn’t overtake you in speed——)
I will just predict their next move and quickly intercept it .
Antic.i.p.ating the opponent’s movements .
The experience I’ve gained as a warrior…
My sharply observing eyes and a high speed in dealing with the situation…
Making judgements in an instant…
And the instincts of a beast .
With these four, I could make such a thing possible .
The swift attacks of this lightning girl is quite fierce .
Nay, her strong point isn’t just limited to her speed .
Her battle apt.i.tude itself is outstanding .
Although she was still quite around the edges, her techniques were quite high .
Is this the combination of roughness and reason?
I can’t see any kind of style in her movements .
You could even describe it as a relaxed style that’s quite suitable with this girl’s personality .
“You built this fighting style quite well . ”
If we weren’t in this kind of place, I would have told her such praise .
Moreover, it’s a bit scary since it appears that she’s still growing .
If she were to become a Blood Champion, she would be able to rise to the top in the blink of an eye .
[Are you really kidding me……! Even my one-two attack couldn’t deal with her!? That’s my Elder Sister’s Golden a.s.sault Pattern that she personally taught me……!? However— It’s not that my Elder Sister is mistaken! That means… I’m still not strong enough!]
The girl continued her incessant onslaught .
Despite saying something like that, she doesn’t look like she’s showing any composure .
I could only see frustration from her face .
(……Is she frustrated that she didn’t manage to win with that attack style that her sister taught her?)
The girl was blaming herself .
The cause of why she still couldn’t defeat me isn’t the strategy that her sister taught her .
She believes that it’s because of her own weakness .
However, the girl didn’t give up .
On the contrary, the accuracy of her attacks increased as time pa.s.sed .
(Her combat ability is still growing even in the middle of the fight huh……)
Then, even I can’t act composed in this battle .
Within the range of these lightning attacks, I could only defend .
Even if I run out of her range, she will be able to shorten our distance in an instant .
Because she’s too fast, I don’t even have the time to tell her to “wait” and raise the white flag .
Since her first attack, the girl has been attacking me at a really fast speed .
I don’t even have a moment to take a breath .
(Guh……! If I could just survive until I’m able to speak……!)
Splash!
A sound rang out .
[———–Ngh!]
It was from a direction I hadn’t expected .
My gaze reflexively turned towards the sound .
It’s— not a monster .
It’s the sound of that frightened girl who is now kneeling on the mud .
She must have been trying to a.s.sist Itsuki .
However, it seems that she lost strength on her knees and she fell down on the ground .
[Found you . ]
(Sh*t—)
Even if it’s in just an instant, my attention was turned towards the frightened girl .
An opening appeared at that time .
An opening that my opponent would surely not overlook .
The eyes of the lightning girl .
Since she came here, this was the calmest time that she had shown .
The moment when your victory was about to be decided—- is the moment when you must maximize your concentration .
The person who could be calm in that situation— is the stronger one .
(Not good! I must avoid it—–)
[———–Wait for a moment, Itsuki . ]
Stop
Her rapier’s tip stopped before it had stabbed my throat .
[……I’ve been waiting, Elder Sister . ]
The lightning girl— Itsuki jumped away .
She then stood in front of the girl that had just arrived .
It’s as if she’s acting as her shield .
I began observing their appearance again .
I think what Itsuki was wearing is that clothing called “kimono”, right?
I heard that it’s an equipment from another world, just like the katana .
The knee length of the kimono was quite short while it had large sleeves .
It looks slightly different from what I knew about them .
It’s difficult for me to see her wrist’s movements due to her large sleeves .
That must also be the reason why her piercer is difficult to grasp .
I should consider wearing something like that kimono .
The older sister had somewhat similar clothing with Itsuki, but it’s slightly different .
If I’m not mistaken, the clothing with that appearance should be called a “miko uniform”, right?
Just like a kimono, I remembered that it also came from a different world .
Although it’s a little revealing, it still gives a prim and proper impression .
Or perhaps, the reason for me having that kind of impression was because of her appearance and bearing .
There’s a long sword hanging beside her waist .
(……That girl in miko uniform is the elder sister huh . )
Taking some distance, I began lowering my posture and stood ready .
(Nevertheless…)
I felt quite strange .
It was only a few moments before her victory would be decided .
However, Itsuki readily pulled away her blade .
Even when she pulled away, I couldn’t feel any frustration from her .
[It appears that you’re safe, Kashima-san . ]
[Yes… Well, it was quite a close call . ]
Itsuki holds her rapier again .
Her eyes fixated on me, she asked her sister .
[Elder sister… Can I ask the reason why you stopped me?]
[That one’s not a monster . ]
[Huh?]
[The color of its fur is different from the monsters we’ve fought thus far . ]
[A lioness huh . ]
[A leopard, rather . ]
[?]
[……?]
[?]
[……A leopard?]
[…Is there even any difference between those two?]
Without answering, the older sister slightly smiled .
It’s not a smile that appears when someone looks at a fool though .
After regaining back her calm expression, the older sister looked towards me .
[The difference between them and the monsters was that they held high intelligence . The disposition of their intelligence was different from the monsters we’ve fought until now . Even the intentions behind its eyes and the behaviour in which it stands, it seems to be closer to a human . ]
Itsuki combs down her wet hair behind her back .
[That means——- What exactly does that mean???]
[That means it should be possible for us to have direct communication with it . ]
[Ah, I see…… Hmm? Ah, but Elder Sister, it doesn’t look like it could talk though?]
[It’s possible that it’s vocal chords were influenced by your inherent skill . It may not be able to communicate for now, but the subtleties of its actions were quite close to creatures who were capable of speech . Well, I think it’s quite foolish to judge a person’s intellect only by whether it could speak or not . ]
Itsuki crouches down, holding her head .
[……Did I goof up? Sh*t…… I goofed up, I goofed up huh…]
On the other hand, the frightened girl—- Kashima stood in silence .
Flabbergasted, she just looked towards the sisters .
It appears that she can’t keep up with the situation .
The elder sister then started walking forward .
Itsuki reflexively held out her hand and tried stopping her .
However, the older sister slipped through her younger sister’s hand as if her body is etherial .
(Without any hesitation, she entered inside my attack range but… she doesn’t have any openings at all . )
The older sister— slightly bowed .
[I’m going to apologize for my sister’s action first . Even though I don’t feel any harmful intentions from you… It was probably the result of my younger’s tendency to run ahead as she foolhardily prioritizes my instructions . Itsuki…… You should also apologize too . I don’t know if it would forgive you or not, though . ]
Standing up, Itsuki slightly bowed her head .
[S- Sorry… I, umm… I’m an impulsive idiot so… I often leave the thinking to my elder sister, so I’m often running ahead without thinking much about it… Err, umm… . A- Are you alright now?]
Itsuki moved around her hands in a hurry .
[It’s right of you to apologize without using Kashima-san as an excuse . However, it’s indeed true that my instructions weren’t enough either . The fault lies not only with you, Itsuki . ]
It seems that the elder sister is quite understanding .
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance .
If I cleverly get through this, I may be able to avoid any further combat with them .
However, my voice won’t come out .
The elder sister swept her wet dripping hair behind her back .
Even though we’re of the same gender, I could feel some kind of charm within those gestures .
[I’m going to ask you a few questions . If you still can’t speak, can I ask you to make some gestures? If it’s positive, please raise your right hand . While if it’s negative, please raise your left hand . ]
(Mhmm, I see…)
[May I ask you some questions?]
I raise my right hand .
Positive .
[I’ll be confirming it once more . Are you hostile towards us three?]
Negative, I raised my left hand .
[Then, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to part ways with each other?]
Positive .
[……For the time being, that’s all we need to ask . We only came here to bring back that girl over there and we’re not here to fight you . ]
I could feel myself shuddering .
I could feel her emotions .
She’s not just being taciturn .
The intentions behind those words were conveyed towards me .
However, I can’t scoop out the deeper meaning hidden within those words .
(I think it’s quite similar to Touka but… it’s in a different “category” . Who the heck is she…)
Her strange calmness .
She have that calmness even in the Demon Zone?
They must have noticed the great march of monsters earlier .
Putting aside the trembling Kashima, I could even see some emotional fluctuations from the easygoing Itsuki .
However, I can’t feel any fluctuations from the older sister at all .
It looks like a surface of water that doesn’t have any ripples on it .
Nay…
(During her conversation with her younger sister, I could confirm a few things but…)
At any rate…
(I don’t know her limits . )
I didn’t see her fighting at all .
I can’t just refer to the scene of her eloquently pointing out her arguments .
And yet…
(My own instincts tell me… She’s not someone that I could afford to fight with . In this situation, I must accept her proposal . However… If it were Touka that was facing her, I wonder—-)
[!]
Something suddenly flashed by me .
Looking at them, I could see the older sister in a stance immediately after she threw something .
The long sword that used to be on her waist isn’t there anymore .
[——-Gueeehhh… . ]
The short scream of a monster .
Looking behind me, there stood a monster with a blade stuck between its brows .
The monster’s body uneasily stood still in its place .
Splash!
The monster fell down on the quagmire .
I’ve also felt the presence of that monster before .
It was just as it was about to move .
Me and the younger sister’s first response happened almost at the same time .
However, the older sister was even faster .
The little sister’s uproar earlier couldn’t even reach her speed .
(Although I was still under the effect of that electric shock… For me to fall far behind her is…)
She has a truly fearsome ability .
(If I were to fight against someone with a battle apt.i.tude like that… I think the only person I know that could come close to that would be Seras…)
Emitting the feeling of reverence, Itsuki quickly retrieved her sister’s sword .
[The stronger you get, the less I feel like I could get close to Elder Sister’s realm…]
However, Itsuki seemed to be somewhat happy when she said that .
[n.o.body is special at birth . But with each action you take, you acc.u.mulate small layers of experience . Before you notice it, that experience becomes your most valuable source of strength . And that would be the realm in which you would be aware and accustomed with anyone you could reach . ]
[Please tell it to me in words that I could understand . ]
[What I mean is that it’s very important to make proper effort every single day . ]
[Hmm? That’s… Isn’t that quite normal?]
[Even that “normal” may surprisingly be difficult . ]
Meanwhile, I had been frantically thinking about some things .
(Heroes from Another World… That is to say, they’re the one summoned along with Touka… However, Touka did say that he’s hiding from them for now…)
When we were in the Demon Zone, Touka talked about some things about the Heroes from Another World .
Perhaps, he may not have told us everything but…
(It seems that these Heroes who came from the same hometown as him thought that Touka had died . That is why he wanted to hide the fact that he survived itself… In that case, I should avoid talking about Touka huh . )
[Isn’t it quite boorish—- thinking about outwitting us?]
The older sister suddenly said .
It feels like she could see through my mind .
[———-…… I was just thinking about someone . ]
(Mhmm?)
My voice came out .
[It talked . ]
After Itsuki gave back her sister’s sword, she brightened up after hearing me .
[Hwwaaa…… That’s good…… If you couldn’t speak anymore after what I did, I would feel tormented in guilt… No, I’m really sorry about that . ]
[I’m also partly at fault because I carelessly held out my hand towards Kashima . Well, the misunderstanding was already resolved thanks to your sister . ]
[……Elder Sister, isn’t this guy looking kinda cool?]
[You… You’re not alone, are you? For instance, you’re looking for a fellow traveler who have gone missing… or am I mistaken?]
[Mhmm……]
I’m not talking with Seras, but it’s likely that they could see through it if I lie .
Therefore, I will just honestly answer .
[That’s right . I’m looking for my Lord . ]
[That human… appears to be a good lord, huh?]
[Umu . ]
[I see…]
[!]
(Oh, sh*t!)
They managed to pull out the information that I’m travelling together with a “human” .
My voice did return, but on the contrary, I must be careful with what I say .
This is a disadvantageous situation .
I must quickly leave this place .
I began turning away from the Heroes from Another World .
[I must leave now . Can I take it that we agreed on our negotiations earlier?]
[Yes . ]
[Then, let’s refrain from any further prying from each other anymore . ]
[I’m sorry for my untactful inquiries . ]
[…………You’re quite a mysterious girl . ]
[Hijiri . ]
[Mhmm?]
[Hijiri Takao— it’s my name . A Hero from Another World summoned by Alion’s G.o.ddess Vysis… Well, it appears that you’ve already noticed that . ]
I can’t read her intentions at all .
[Why are you naming yourself?]
[I’m just being courteous, Eve Speed . ]
[—————-]
I made another blunder .
My reaction just now is like I’m proclaiming her words myself .
[It’s the result of estimating your name with the people most compatible with your features based on the information I’ve gathered . The story of the missing Leopardkin Blood Champion, also came into my ears . However, I don’t intend to talk to anyone about seeing you here, so you could feel relieved . ]
[……Is there any benefit in your silence?]
[A good person holding a strong will and power… Having ties with such a person, it would be better if you’re connected with them . Especially in this kind of world . ]
I contemplated for a bit .
And then…
[Hijiri Takao—— I’ll make sure to remember your name . ]
Then, Hijiri said behind my back .
[At any rate…… even your lord appears to be quite interesting . The fact that you’re “searching” for him means that he’s somehow involved with this great march and you’re quite confident that he’s still alive… However, I heard that even the Four Revered Saint and Vysis’ Apostles would have a hard time dealing with those Human-Faced that were mixed in along the great march . I also heard that the only people who could easily deal with them unscathed would be someone like the former “Humanity’s Strongest” or the G.o.ddess Vysis . ]
[…………………… . . ]
[That means, that person has the ability to survive even against the Human-Faced——- or at least, I guess an ability that ensures his survival . ]
I leaked out a small smile .
[You have quite the frightening insight . However, my lord is—-]
I replied .
[—someone that couldn’t be measured by someone simple like me . ]
▽
Separating from the Heroes from Another World, I turned into a beast again and began following the trails I could find .
The path I’m going to is opposite of the direction where I encountered the Heroes from Another World .
On the way, the rain was gradually losing strength .
The clear skies also began to appear from between the clouds .
The sun was already setting .
The dazzling setting sun shined upon the glittering raindrops .
Just like a flying spear, Eve Speed increased her speed even more .