Cries ring out in succession from the nearby audience mbers. The black dots floating in the sky, those are unmistakably monsters.
Kuh, why are so many monsters!?
One of the knights on guard speaks out.
The audience is already in a state of panic. Theyre starting to run in every direction. All the hectic rushing around conversely makes it harder to escape.
Trying not to get separated from Eris or Yuel, I move a little in order to get away. While were still relocating, the knights have already started to engage the monsters in battle. And, as the bow-wielding knights are about to fire arrows at the monsters,
Wait, dont shoot arrows! Youll hit sobody!
a different knights voice restrains them.
With this number of spectators, if they loose arrows upwards, rather than hitting monsters theyre more likely to hit people on their way back down.
Sheet, is it a raid targeting Saint-sama!? Protect the audience!
A portion of the knights fire off magic into the sky, but unfortunately its not enough to handle the trouble. The number of monsters isnt decreasing at all. Moreover, while the knights are busy facing the bird-model monsters, boar-like monsters charge in from the main street adjacent to this plaza.
I-Impossible! Flying types are one thing, but even monsters like that have entered the city!?
One of the security knights cries out. Yeah, where exactly did these monsters show up from? For bird monsters, I wouldnt think much of them crossing over the ramparts, but for those boar-type monsters to be inside the city is obviously strange.
Ive never heard of monsters from inside the labyrinth coming out, and the city is surrounded by ramparts with knights standing watch. Such a sudden attack by monsters shouldnt be happening.
This attack is happening too fast. Its as if the monsters have been inside the city this whole ti, but thats not
No, wait it is. Thats right, they were in the middle of the city.
Thats right, I witnessed a monster in the middle of the city. Taking a closer look, I can see collar-like magic tools attached to all of the monsters. As I thought, those are the sa as that ti
-That instant.
A large shadow falls upon the ground. When I look up, I see the form of a large-scale monster circling above the plaza.
I rember those colors, that shape.
Dragon. Its the one we ran into before in the old town, that dragon.
Just now, that knight yelled sothing about an attack aiming for the saint. And there are those collars controlling the monsters too. No doubt about it, this monster attack is man-made.
That dragon was tied up in the old town in order to hide it. By so chance, were all of these monsters concealed inside the ruins of the old town?
But even if there was a place to hide them, itd be impossible to carry such a large number of monsters into the middle of the city.
Wait, just recently there might have been a chance. The Krankheit Turtles poison mist incident. At that ti, when coping with the panicked citizens, the knight brigade was temporarily unable to carry out its function.
At that ti, taking advantage of the chaos, it wouldve been possible to bring monsters into the city.
This might be a bit Bad.
While Im still thinking about it, possibly unable to handle the sheer volu of monsters, the defensive line of knights lets a number of monsters slip through. Around 10 of the boar monsters approach.
We havent gotten out of the plaza yet. Since our way is blocked by the spectators fleeing randomly, we cant get out of the plaza even if we try.
And while were doing that, the boar monsters co plunging towards us.
Master, please stand back!
Yuel ets them by throwing knives, but there are many of them. Her attacks successfully protect , but the surviving boars are still charging toward Eris.
!
This is bad. Eris has no power to fight monsters.
Eris!
As for what I should do, its obvious. Ill fight the monsters. Ive even faced off with that dreadful Armor Ogre. Monsters on the level of those boars shouldnt scare at this point.
On the contrary, this is my chance.
If I risk my body and save Eris in this predicant, her goodwill towards will no doubt skyrocket. Well, becoming a shield against a boar once shouldnt be enough to kill . At worst Ill break two or three bones.
Alright, lets do this. Imagining what will happen after I save Eris, I stir up my heart with earthly desires. Preparing my resolve, I take a step forward to drive my mace into the monsters.
And the next instant- a spray of blood rises up.
That doesnt an I hit the monsters. Soone wedged themself between Eris and the monsters. In an instant, that person cleaves several of the approaching boar monsters clean in two.
Aria is there, in a suit of knight armor.
Aria
Eris murmurs.
You alright? Onee-chan.
Aria flicks her sword to remove the blood, smiling at Eris. When she does, Eris cos to her senses and opens her mouth.
Yes, thank you.
Seeing Eris relief, Aria chuckles. Sohow, she looks like a child having mischievous thoughts. And, as if she was waiting for Eris to say those exact words, she responds.
I dont need your thanks, Onee-chan.
In order to defeat the next monster, Aria turns her back to Eris. And, as if making a declaration, she imdiately follows it up.
Cause Im a knight.
Aria annihilates the nearby monsters with incredible intensity. She slices all of the monsters in half. Forcefully, not to ntion quickly, she reduces the monsters numbers. Even among the knights, her movents stand out as exceptional.
It seems as if shes showing off to Eris, too.
Eris covers her mouth with her hands, tearing up as she watches Aria intently. Perhaps shes deeply moved by how splendid her younger sister has beco. A beautiful woman doing that really paints a perfect picture.
But Im the one who was supposed to be receiving that look after defeating the monsters. She was supposed to swoon over when I showed her my manly side.
No, well, nothing I can do about it this ti, so Ill yield. And Eris seems happy.
And yet, at the sa ti Aria is acting in front of us.
-The dragon circling in the sky dives toward the stage where the saint is standing.
The sound of the temporary stage collapsing rings out around us, accompanied by a loud shriek.
This is bad. Ruruka was over there, too. Shes not wearing a shred of protection right now either. She could have been seriously wounded by that attack.
Aria! Ill leave Eris to you! Yuel, co with !
If I entrust her to Aria, theres a million-to-one chance that Eris will co to harm. From her fight with the boars just now alone, I can easily tell that Aria has extraordinary ability.
I hurry to the temporary stage where Ruruka is. Over there, there should be a number of injured buxom beauties other than Ruruka. Ive gotta treat them all right away.
Near the broken stage, there are multiple lightly-dressed won along with the saint and her escort knights. Ruruka is there, too. However, their injuries there arent any.
Looks like that saint has already given them treatnt. After the dragon attacked, it rose high up into the sky again, and now its turning around and getting ready to dive at this stage once more.
Shiki! Hey, that dragon thats the one we saw in the old city, isnt it?
Yeah, its the one from back then.
Thats weird! Dragons shouldnt be attacking people like this!
Rurukas expression is frantic for so reason. Oh yeah, Ruruka loves dragons, huh?
Well, this attack has nothing to do with the monsters wills. Those collars are magic tools to command the monsters. Sowhere, there should be soone controlling the dragon and the other monsters.
Please be careful! The Earth Dragon uses petrifying breath!
One of the saints guards raises her voice. Breath, huh? Although, even if you call it petrifying, I dont really get what that ans. But then the Saint herself supplents the guards words.
If the breath falls upon you, and it is not treated by EX Heal or personal dicine before your body completely turns to stone, it will assuredly end in your death. Please avoid being hit by it under any circumstances.
Thats so bad breath. In other words, the flying monsters and terrestrial monsters are likely there to distract the knights and keep them busy while this one aims for the real target, the saint.
The way this is going, were no doubt going to get dragged into it. We need to get the hell out of here.
Ruruka, hurry and run. Well get dragged into this if we stay here.
I call out to Ruruka,
The Earth Dragons weakness is fire magic. Should I shoot it down with a fla spell?
but at nearly the sa ti, one of the wizard-looking guards asks the saint for instructions.
! Umm, isnt there any other way!?
And Ruruka reacts to the guards words she probably doesnt want the highly-intelligent dragon to be killed. It was only for a short ti, but she hand-fed it and was affectionate with it. Ruruka might have beco strongly attached to that dragon.
Those collars that are controlling the monsters are often used by believers of the evil god. If the collar can just be destroyed, I believe it will stop attacking, but please understand.
The saint explains to Ruruka with a sympathetic face. Shes likely indirectly saying that its hopeless. For the safety of the people on the ground, they cant fire arrows into the sky. By necessity, magic becos the only ans of attacking the airborne dragon.
And when using magic, a feat like destroying the collar alone with pinpoint accuracy is impossible in the first place. Moreover, the opponent is a formidable enemy that uses petrifying breath. They likely dont have any room to be concerned about the dragons life.
Yuel, do you think you can do sothing about that collar using your knives?
Im sorry, the reach isnt long enough.
I take a shot at asking Yuel, but I guess its impossible after all. However, Yuel seems to co up with sothing and opens her mouth.
Ah, but if I throw a knife from that rooftop, it may possibly reach. And because its a high place, if I use a corded knife it wont hit anyone below either.
Yuel is pointing at a 5-story inn. Certainly, from there it seems like it could reach. And the dragon is apparently continuing to aim for an opening among the saints group, circling at a low altitude.
Yuel, Im counting on you.
Yes, Master!
When I tell Yuel, she takes off toward the building at full speed. Slipping through the gaps between people, jumping off of peoples shoulders, at full speed. The building is right in front of the plaza. The way shes going, she should reach it in no ti.
Well, I dont know whether the saints guards will kill it first or Yuel will get a direct knife hit on the collar first, but Ive done what I can for the ti being.
From here on, I should get the hesitant Ruruka to run away with . Either way, being near this saint is unpleasant. Like I said, I dont want to get involved.
Ruruka, enough already. Lets get out of here!
-Then, the mont I pull on Rurukas hand in order to run over to Aria and the others.
Fire Lance!!
A giant lance of fla appears over the head of one of the saints guards, and flies toward the dragon. The dragon avoids it, but another fla lance appears above a different guard and flies off to shoot down the dragon.
And the second fla lance pierces the tip of the dragons wing mbrane.
The next mont.
Seemingly enraged from being shot at, the dragon swoops down toward the ground. It drops at an angle that looks like it will impact the ground, then beats its huge wings to suddenly decelerate. It hovers a few ters off the ground and opens its jaw wide.
From its mouth, a gray breath cos billowing out.
This is bad.
The ashen breath blankets my field of vision. I try to get so distance right away, but I dont quite make it. Im going to be hit by the breath.
-Then, when the breath is about to reach , sobody pushes down.
I fall face-first on the ground, pinned under soone. I can see red hair hanging down onto my shoulders. Theres a soft sensation on my back. Looks like Ruruka is the one who pushed down.
Oi, are you okay?
I raise my body and look at Ruruka. When I do,
Ahaha it got .
there she is, with her feet turning gray, feebly laughing. Apparently she just barely got caught by the breath. I take a look at the petrified parts of her body, and the gray color is gradually spreading over ti.
Moreover, the dragon is opening its mouth in our direction in order to emit a second blast of breath. This is bad.
Wait.
Sothing even worse cos into view.
On the rooftop of the building that Yuel went into. She just jumped off of it. Literally, Yuel just dove from the top of a 5-story building with no lifeline.
With her knife pointed downward, Yuel is dropping from above onto the dragon that lowered its altitude in order to use its breath. Shes probably trying to destroy its collar.
But those acrobatics are way too dangerous. Maybe she lost her patience when it looked like I was going to get hit by the breath, but shes going overboard. I didnt tell her to go that far.
Yuel!!
The dragon suddenly beats its wings, and moves out of Yuels downward trajectory. This is hopeless. If Yuel falls down like this, shell pass beside the dragon and crash into the ground. A fall from a 5-story building wont end in just bone fractures.
This is beyond reckless.
Even if I try to get to Yuels drop site at this point, I wont make it in ti. My heart tightens in my chest.
However, Yuel doesnt drop down. Throwing her corded knife at the dragons neck, she uses her falling montum to swing around and up onto the dragons neck.
Then, she plunges her knife into the collar and the two of them plumt together. Using the dragons body as a cushion, Yuel neatly dampens the impact of her landing.
All I can say is she never fails to impress.
The second breath wont be coming anymore. My safety is guaranteed.
I am sorry, my mana is no longer
However, after the saint treats the 3 people close to her with Ex Heal, she falls to her knees. Seems like the first shot of breath encompassed an area with 10 people in it. And Ruruka wasnt among the 3 that the saint treated.
Rurukas face warps in despair.
The petrification doesnt advance that quickly. All of the people who received the breath are still alive. I have no choice but to do it.
This isnt the ti to be concerned about whether or not my true ability will be discovered. Rurukas life is irreplaceable. When I gather mana in order to invoke EX Heal towards Ruruka first that very instant,
What was that!?
This is smoke!? Are there more enemies!?
All of a sudden, white smoke begins to billow out and cover us. For a mont I wonder if its another monster attack, but thats not it this is Yuel.
-A smoke bomb.
Now that I think about it, she said she was buying them in order to run away from formidable opponents, huh
Also, theres what I told her. That my healing magic was my secret with Yuel.
Happily, this place is separated from the battlefield between the knights and the monsters. The smokescreen probably wont interfere with their battle.
Honestly, I was thinking that I had no choice but to reveal my ability, but if I dont have to reveal it then I dont have to deal with the consequences. Well played, Yuel.
Before the smoke disappears, I need to get this over with. First I treat Ruruka, then I systematically take care of everyone else in the extent of the breath.
Then, when I finish treating everyone,
Shiki, where?
I hear Rurukas frail voice. Theres no power in it.
Dont tell the treatnt failed? I have no experience treating petrification, so its possible. I hurry back to Rurukas side.
Whats wrong!? Are you hurt anywhere!?
Maybe I wasnt able to treat her petrification sowhere. I look over every nook and cranny of Rurukas body.
Her pretty red hair. Beneath that black bikini, her large breasts shake softly, her abs are nice and tense, and her feet stretch properly.
Yep, she isnt petrified.
Ah, Shiki, thank goodness. I can see your face in the end
However, when Ruruka sees my face, she says that. I check her body again, and nothing appears to be petrified. The exposure is erotic though.
Dont tell she doesnt realize that shes already been healed?
Well, since the smoke from the smoke bomb is so thick, it may be difficult for her to ascertain the condition of her petrification by sight.
Shiki, Im sorry for suddenly running away back then.
I lock eyes with Ruruka.
Having our faces close together like this is making kinda embarrassed. And we left things off the way we did last ti. If that inn hadnt been full, it mightve ant we would cross the line.
And when I avert my gaze, I feel a warmth on my cheek. Rurukas hand is touching it.
I was never able to tell you this, but Shiki. I, I
Then, Ruruka tries to tell sothing while gazing straight into my eyes. Whats with this? Could it possibly be that? I wonder if its that?
But if it is that, her timing is extrely awkward. Ruruka is probably under the misapprehension that shes about to et her fate from petrification. The saint who can use EX Heal declared that shes out of mana. And Ruruka has no idea that I can use EX Heal myself.
It must be the kind of that that she can only say because shes dying. Thats no good, Ruruka. You cant do that now. No mistaking it, youre in perfect health.
Youre absolutely going to be embarrassed after the fact, so!
But, my prayers dont reach her.
I love you, Shiki.
With her hand on my cheek, Ruruka speaks in a frail voice. Theres no reason for her voice to be frail, but shes likely under a strong misconception.
Man, it was that after all? Sohow or other, I did get the feeling she was fond of . Its just that I dont understand her reason for it. Perhaps noticing my state, Ruruka continues speaking.
Even though I can only use shields, I beca an adventurer on my own. I wasnt great at killing monsters, so until I joined up with Fran and Sera I couldnt earn any money. Weapons and armor took money, and receiving attacks from monsters just caused the injuries and scars to add up.
Oh yeah, I feel like Fran was saying that they only joined up with Ruruka just recently. Ruruka only has shield skills. Its not like she can evade enemy attacks like Yuel can, so yeah, she must constantly be taking equipnt damage and getting wounded.
The first ti I t you was around four months ago, Shiki. I dont think you rember, but at that ti, my body was full of bruises, it was painful, and even though Im a girl my skin wasnt fit to be seen by anyone. Ive had a complex about it for the longest ti.
A complex.
At Rurukas words, a certain scene springs to mind.
At my first eting with Fran and Sera. even though I healed her wounds when Ruruka begged , she got angry and said I didnt ask you. Up until now I thought that was due to her man-hating, but maybe that wasnt it.
I see the nuance wasnt that I did it on my own, but that Fran had no choice but to accept the treatnt because Ruruka insisted on it. After all this ti, it finally makes sense.
But you healed all the wounds and scars on my entire body. You didnt even take more than the price of a single Heal that was definitely High Heal, right? A single Heal wouldnt normally heal all traces of wounds on my entire body.
Rurukas monologue continues. But that probably was just Heal. Shes likely talking about the ti when I had just co to this world, and I had no experience controlling mana. I simply screwed up my mana manipulation and accidentally fired off healing magic.
Sorry Shiki, for telling you this in my last monts. It must be troubleso for you.
Ahh, your face is getting dim.
Thats the smokescreen.
Its not from the petrification. Ruruka has no wounds or scars anywhere. I guarantee it.
But I cant say it. Yeah, telling her now would be too cruel.
As I remain silent with my eyes transfixed on Rurukas, a wind blows through the plaza. Gradually, the smoke clears.
Looks like the monster commotion is already wrapping up. The dragon fainted after its collar was destroyed, and the other monsters were exterminated by the reinforcents that rushed in. Im guessing theyre the participants from the martial arts tournant.
Perhaps through the actions of Aria and the other knights as well, there are few casualties or seriously injured people. Looks like that dragon whose collar was destroyed really was aiming for the saint.
Eh Huh!?
While Im still confirming the state of our surroundings, Ruruka seems to notice the incongruity.
Rurukas eyes turn to my face, then to her own body, then they stop. She freezes for a few seconds, then looks back at my face once again, then at her own body.
Has she realized everything now? Rurukas face turns a deep crimson.
Eh, Why!? The petrifying breath shouldve hit !?
Ruruka loses her composure. Well, the number of people in this world who can use EX Heal is truly limited. In her wildest dreams, she wouldnt have expected that I could use it.
It should be obvious that sobody within the smokescreen did it, but thankfully there are many people gathered here. It shouldnt be possible to narrow it down to a particular person.
You mustve just barely avoided it?
Eh, but Huhhh?
Ruruka tilts her neck and starts to brood. However, she stiffens with a jolt when our eyes et.
Then she seeks my reaction.
About those things I said just now
Yeah, about that theres sothing I need to tell you.
I softly clear my throat and speak.
My control over my healing magic was just poor. The fact that I used High Heal on you was purely an accident.
I need to clear things up for her right now. The fact that she bears such goodwill towards is due to a misunderstanding.
When I say that, Ruruka mutters I see. and gently hangs her head.
Ah, maybe I didnt have to tell her that. I was feeling a little conflicted so I suddenly blurted it out, but the more I think about it, maybe sothing like that doesnt matter. With this, Rurukas good impression of will co to nothing.
Ah, no, what I ant by that
And, when I try to explain my previous statent,
But you know, Im sure that when you noticed my scars, you healed them without a second thought. You like to sexually harass and you lie all the ti, but youre extrely kind.
Ruruka gazes into my eyes as she speaks.
I really do love you, Shiki.
Then she says it again. Rurukas face is red, but mine probably is too. What do I do? Maybe its because all Ive done so far is sexual harassnt, but when Im struck head-on with appreciation like this, on the contrary I dont know what I should do.
I-I see. Thats, what should I say to that, errr
Then, when I try to put it into words for Ruruka sohow,
-I feel sothing pulling tightly at my clothes.
At the sensation I feel on my back, my consciousness that was completely focused on Ruruka returns all at once.
Its Yuel. Without noticing it, she was right behind . I wonder how long shes been there?
Its Yuel were talking about. After she set off the smoke bomb, it wouldnt be strange for her to cling to my back in order to guard .
Not to ntion that further behind Yuel, Eris is there too.
When Eris eyes et mine, she reflexively turns away. I dont know what ntal state shes in, but seeing being confessed to by a girl cant possibly lead to a rise in her goodwill towards . This is bad.
Master?
Pinching my clothes with an uneasy expression, Yuel stares right into my eyes. She must have heard the whole thing after all. This is really bad.
Ah
Then Ruruka seems to notice the two of them as well. She pulls out a cloak from her item box and drapes it over her body to hide it. Then she rises to her knees and extends her body-
and her lips lightly touch my cheek.
!?
See you again.
After that she whispers into my ear, and runs off without showing her face.
She was probably embarrassed. I sure am.
But what do I do?
Timidly, I glance toward Yuel and Eris.
Eris is looking down and doesnt attempt to raise her face,
Ahh, Master was, Mas ter was
and Yuel is staring at on the verge of tears.
She left with an unbelievable ss! This is worse than anything thats happened in the past. I cant possibly think of getting out of this with re words.
I look around our surroundings for sothing to cling to, so way to escape.
When I do, theres that saint 10 ters away. My eyes suddenly et Philines. And then she says sothing to .
Shes too far away, so her voice doesnt reach . But, sohow or other, I can tell what she said.
My elevated temperature due to Ruruka quickly chills. Yuels voice too goes in one ear and out the other.
I dont know how to lip-read or anything. I could be mistaken. But I get the feeling that her lips definitely moved in that way.
Found you.
Im certain thats what she said.
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