<Eve Speed POV>
It was a few moments before I encountered that petite human girl—–
△
[Eve— What do we do now?]
In the cave that Touka instructed us to hide in.
We were hiding in that place just as he instructed.
Outside the hole, it’s raining extremely heavily.
At the entrance, the raindrops were splashing down on the rocky floor.
[I will follow Touka.]
Seras Ashrain, a person who I couldn’t read their real intentions on her face.
Without saying any words, Liz anxiously looked up to my face.
Seras forcefully held my shoulder.
[However, Touka-dono told us that we should wait here.]
[Let me go, Seras.]
Neatly sitting on the ground with her beautiful white legs, Seras looked at me with a tought look on her face.
[Please tell us your intentions.]
“Fumu…” I groaned.
[—-How surprising. I thought you would be more stubborn than that. It’s Touka’s instruction afterall, so you must absolutely obey… is what I thought you’d say as you rebuke me.]
[I was once a member of a Knight Corps afterall. I wouldn’t be fit to be the Knight Leader if I just deny the opinion of my comrades without even listening to them. I must also consider their words.]
[Fuuu… I see. Then, I’ll tell you what I intend to do.]
I looked out towards the raging storm.
[To put it simply, there are too many enemies. There shouldn’t be just one or two Human-Faced.]
[Are you saying that it’s difficult for Touka-dono to survive even with the power he held?]
[It’s possible that he may survive. He’s not a man who just charges into battle without any chances of victory…… However, I don’t think he could get back without bearing any injuries.]
At this point, Seras didn’t say any objection.
My eyes narrowed as I looked towards her.
[Most of all, Touka’s condition right now is far from perfect.]
[He said that there wasn’t any problem since he had his level corrections but…]
She didn’t continue saying it, but it seems that Seras herself is aware about it.
[It seems that you also noticed it. In other words, Touka hasn’t slept more than anyone of us since we entered the Demon Zone.]
[……Yes.]
[He was also taking up most of the guard duty for himself, saying that he could use those time for the trial and error process of making Forbidden Tools that could bring out Pigimaru’s power. On the contrary though, he would utilize his <Sleep> just to make us purposely oversleep… That’s how I could see it.]
Surprised, Seras puts her thin finger on her cherry-colored lips.
A Magic Technique that bestows sleep on the target—- nay, a Hero from Another World’s skill.
You would have a deep sleep no matter what situation you are in.
Touka explained that before.
However, it appears you won’t be able to wake up unless he cancels it.
It’s a frightening ability depending on how you use it…
[When we were sleeping, he may have used his own <Sleep> on top of it…]
[Umu. The times that we woke up were really close together… However, there was some gap in the times that we wake up. Touka is smart. It’s possible that we would easily guess that he’s using his skill if we wake up at the same time. Therefore, he must have slightly shifted the time when he invoked his skill. At first, I thought that I had overslept because I was still not accustomed to the surroundings and easily got tired…]
[It seems that Touka-dono is always concerned that we would be mentally worn out.]
Touka…
“Sleep well. It’s the best way to recover from mental fatigue.”
—-is regularly saying that.
[Though he said that, it’s difficult to get a quiet sleep here in the Golden Demon Zone… Thereupon, so that we wouldn’t be lacking in sleep, I think Touka has been regularly using <Sleep> on us. Well… After getting somewhat accustomed for some time, I feel like I’m already accustomed to sleeping here in the Demon Zone.]
However, why is it that we were still sound asleep just like when we first entered the Demon Zone?
I can’t explain how that could happen at all.
[So that he makes sure he “Invokes” his skill, Touka-dono cut off his own sleeping time since we entered the Demon Zone…?]
[I fear that it’s likely so. And in fact, this may also be why we were able to hold out until we reached this place.]
For example, Liz.
It goes without saying that she’s the most incompatible to the Demon Zone among us.
Even that Liz wasn’t lacking in sleep.
As expected, it would be appropriate for me to think that he’s stealthily using his <Sleep> skill.
[Moreover, Touka-dono…]
Seras is about to say something.
However, she didn’t continue what she’s saying.
[Mhmm? What’s the matter?]
[……No, it’s nothing. Putting that aside, you’re the one we’re about talking right now. If you’re really determined to do that, I think we ought to not take our time.]
[——Umu.]
I’m quite grateful for Seras’ calmness right now.
I continued.
[In that case, It would be quite difficult for Touka since he’s not in a perfect condition, even if he had that status correction. I can’t completely be sure that Touka wouldn’t make any mistakes. It might be possible that……. he got seriously injured and couldn’t move right now.]
Seras also didn’t make any rebuttal to my words.
She looks like she wanted to refute though, even for a little bit.
[Do you intend to go out yourself?]
[The words I said to Touka earlier isn’t a bluff at all. There’s a good chance that the monsters would recognize me as a fellow monster and overlook me. Whether it’s erasing my presence or moving around in this terrain, this duty would be within my territory.]
I turned my eyes towards the outside of the cave again.
[It’s about to get darker soon, but I could also move around even in the dark. Therefore, I don’t have to worry about monsters attacking me without knowing. I also have excellent ears on top of that.]
[I guess you’re not just making up baseless lies just to persuade us.]
Seras affirmed.
That’s right, she could judge whether someone is lying or not.
(“Conversely though, if you were to keep on attacking her with the truth, you could say that she’s easy to persuade”… huh. Indeed, it’s indeed as Touka said.)
Impressed with him just with my thoughts, I continued speaking.
[And… if Touka and Slei were to be heavily injured, I’m the only one who could move while carrying the both of them on my shoulders.]
Physical Strength.
This is a feat that couldn’t be accomplished by the High Elves.
Her long eyelashes laying down, Seras contemplated for a while.
The sight of her contemplating self looks like something cut out of a masterpiece.
I suddenly thought so.
Seras’s eyelashes rose and her eyes opened.
Reflected in her sky blue eyes was Liz.
[I can’t leave Liz here alone. Touka-dono won’t forgive me if I do something like that. That’s why—- I will be waiting here together with Liz.]
[Seras.]
I called out her name.
And held within that call was the gratitude I feel.
[However, could you even find Touka-dono?]
[I should be able to find various trails in the forest. You should know about this since you’re a High Elf, right?]
The trails of a passing beast…
Scratched trees…
Thousands of fallen leaves…
Broken branches…
Scattered soil…
Chipped stones…
If you observe them closely, the forest would show you the “signs”.
[That was a great march. Even beneath this rain, I would definitely find some traces remaining. If Touka had a melee battle against that flock of monsters, it should be easier for me to track them down.]
[Touka-dono has made Slei-dono remember our scent which guides her towards us. However, could you go back after you left?]
I pointed towards my temple.
[I still have the map and the approximate distance stored in here. On the way, I also plan to make landmarks.]
Seras looks like she relaxed a bit upon hearing that.
[Very well. I understand that you decided to do this not just because you’re being hot-blooded.]
[I’m indebted to you.]
[……I’m sorry about that.]
[Mhmm?]
[I was still appointed as the “Deputy Leader” of this group. Now that Touka-dono isn’t here, it’s my duty to think about the safety of my comrades…….. I want to try out acting like that so… sorry.]
[Fuuu….]
A small laugh almost leaked out from me.
[You really like that guy huh.
[——Yes. He’s the one who I dedicate myself afterall.]
Dedicating her own self.
I didn’t dare ask what she meant by that.
At any rate…
[He’s the man that we can’t afford to lose here.]
We mustn’t let the probability of losing him increase.
There is no absolute basis for my previous idea.
However, my instincts were telling me.
I placed my hand on Liz’s head, who had been silently listening to our conversation until now.
[Listen to what Seras says, Liz.]
[Older Sister…]
Grabbing my hand over her head within both of her hands, she graps on it tightly.
Squeeze
Her small hand strongly grasped my hand.
Those hands were slightly trembling.
She couldn’t hide the anxiety in her expression…
It’s the face of someone afraid of losing someone.
“Don’t go.”
I could hear the voice of Liz’s heart screaming that out.
[Finding Touka-dono, please do your best.]
[—————-Liz.]
I want to keep those words in my mind.
But when Liz said those few words, it feels like they were said to push me forward.
The feeling of wanting to stop me.
The feeling of anxiousness for Touka’s safety.
In those two conflicting feelings, Liz swayed towards “what I feel”.
Furthermore— There’s also Seras’ feeling of anxiousness for Touka’s safety.
I could only feel apologetic for she had to consider the feelings of the adults around her.
[……I’m sorry, Liz.]
Liz nodded.
With an expression that looks like she understands everything.
Filled with determination, I stand up with sword in hand.
I’ve also brought two more swords as spares.
Seras reforms her seating posture.
[Please promise us. That you’re going to go back without fail.]
[——Acknowledged. Once again, I’ll leave Liz to you, Seras.]
[No matter what method I use, I’ll make sure that I will protect her.]
I feel a little surprised.
I had the impression…
“Even in exchange for my life…”
—that Seras would say something like that.
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