"…She got away, Liora."
"Over there… there are others… waiting."
"Yes, Tanaka's plan worked."
Few people were on the side Gimora escaped toward.
We had steered her in that direction. Gimora probably realized it, but she didn't want to waste any more ti fighting us.
She must have understood that the raid team was closing in.
"Liora, it seems our kill stealer has closed in."
"…?"
Liora tilted her head in confusion.
Covered in blood and clutching a large scythe, her expressionless face looked adorable, fitting her age.
"You're really cute, Liora."
"Eh… Uh, hehe."
Liora blushed and held her cheeks, looking pleased. While she remained expressionless, her emotions seed to be growing. Mostly in the direction of fanaticism. A bit warped.
I wonder what her parents were like. Well, they're buried in the ground now. I killed them before I could find out.
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"Well then, let's go."
▽
With Liora, we made our way out of the forest.
The natural surroundings beyond the battlefield remained unscathed. As we strolled through the rich green environnt, it felt more like a picnic.
We were attacked by monsters a few tis, but we defeated them without issue.
After about five minutes of walking, we arrived at our destination. The guild mbers were gathered there.
Among them was the old elf warrior, Jack Jack.
The dwarf warrior, .
And Hilda, the elf who had the appearance of a handso woman.
Along with several other unfamiliar elves.
Liora tilted her head, her eyes fixed on the group of elves.
"Who are they?"
"These are the elf warriors Mr. Tanaka gathered. They appear to be a group of light-attribute mages specializing in countering Gimora."
Hilda answered simply.
Mr. Tanaka was skilled at forming parties with strangers. This ti, her allies seed to be the official soldiers of Elfland.
Now that I think about it, when we rescued the princess in the past, Tanaka ntioned having a main battle unit. This must be the elf force prepared to deal with Gimora.
How did Mr. Tanaka manage to get these elf soldiers to follow him…?
I don't quite understand, nor do I particularly care… but it would definitely be annoying to have soone like Tanaka as an enemy. Best to stay on friendly terms.
As I marveled at Mr. Tanaka's political skill, Jack Jack pointed to a transparent do.
"Lord Zephyr, Lady Liora. Look, it seems Gimora has retreated into a do."
"What's that?"
"It's a trump card of the Demon King's Four Heavenly Kings. That do is called [Boss Field]. Once inside, no one can escape until soone dies."
"Sa as with Helmut?"
"Exactly. After the battle with you, she must have realized she was surrounded by us and gave up, retreating into that do."
Deploying that do seed to have healed the damage Liora had inflicted on her. Since escape wasn't possible, it appeared she intended to take as many of us down with her as she could.
Gimora may be a powerful boss, but unlike Helmut, she's not an unbeatable foe.
In fact, if Liora and I tead up, we could have easily taken her down.
Back when Jack Jack told , "Don't let Liora fight Gimora," I hadn't fully supported her. But now, with my full backing, Liora's scythe could claim the heads of even the top players.
"Well, let's have a tea party first."
Jack Jack said with a beaming smile, as he prepared tea.
Few people are present in the direction Gimora fled. We've been guiding him to escape that way. Though Gimora must have realized it, he chose not to waste ti on Liora and .
Gimora likely knew the raid team was closing in.
"Tanaka-san called for the raid on the ssage board. So, creating a hole in the encirclent is intentional. He can freely place himself and his guild mbers in that gap... Even if Gimora knows it's a trap, he has no choice but to flee that way."
"...?"
Liora tilts her head in confusion.
Even though she's a blood-covered little girl holding a large scythe, her gesture is appropriately cute for her age.
"Liora is adorable."
"Eh, um… hehe."
Liora touches her cheek and looks delighted. Though her face remains expressionless, it's clear her emotions are growing, particularly her devotion. It's a bit warped.
I wonder what her parents were like.
They're long buried now, of course. I killed them before getting a good look at them.
"Well then, let's head out."
▽
Liora and I walk through the forest.
The areas outside the planned battlefield haven't been cut down. The rich scent of greenery fills the air as we stroll along, almost as if on a picnic.
Although so monsters attacked us along the way, we easily defeated them.
After walking for about five minutes, we arrived at our destination. The guild mbers had gathered there.
Among them were:
Jackjack, the elderly elf warrior.
, the dwarf warrior.
Hilda, a handso-looking elf woman.
And about a dozen other elves I didn't recognize.
Liora tilted her head, her eyes fixed on the elf group.
"Who?"
"These are the elf warriors Tanaka gathered. It seems they specialize in light magic, specifically for fighting Gimora," Hilda answered casually.
Tanaka-san is known for being good at forming parties with strangers. It seems this ti, the allies are official soldiers from Elfland.
Now that I think about it, when we saved the princess, he ntioned having a proper combat force. These elves must be part of the team intended for fighting Gimora.
I'm not sure why this elf unit follows Tanaka-san…
I don't particularly care either. But soone like Tanaka-san would be a nightmare to turn into an enemy, so it's best to stay friendly.
While I was marveling at Tanaka-san's political skill, Jackjack pointed to a transparent do.
"Zephyr, Liora. Look, Gimora has holed himself up in that do."
"What's that?"
"That's a trump card used by the Demon King's Four Generals. That do is called [Field Boss Field], and once inside, no one can escape until soone dies."
"Just like Helmuth?"
"Exactly. After your fight, it seems he realized he's surrounded and decided to take refuge in there, probably hoping to take down as many of us as he can before he goes."
The do also seems to have healed the damage Liora inflicted on him. Since there's no escape, Gimora is probably planning to take out as many as he can before he dies.
Gimora may be a strong boss, but unlike Helmuth, he's not unbeatable.
In fact, Liora and I could take him down together.
In the past, Jackjack once said, "Don't let Liora challenge Gimora." But back then, I wasn't supporting her at full strength.
With involved, Liora's scythe can reach the necks of even the top-tier players.
"Now, let's have a tea party first," Jackjack said, smiling widely as he prepared the tea.
Tanaka-san pulled out a table from his item box, and tea treats were swiftly arranged.
It's quite elegant, despite being right in front of a boss fight.
Liora looks at , clearly eager to join the tea party. When I nod and sway my body up and down, she imdiately smiles as if a flower had blood.
She gracefully sits in one of the luxurious chairs that had been prepared.
"I'm excited."
Despite her expressionless face, Liora gives off a cheerful aura. Only soone like , who's known her for so long, could notice.
Everyone sits around the circular table.
(It's kind of like a gathering of big shots, isn't it? This is fun.)
Since everyone is attractive in their own way, it feels like a picture-perfect scene.
Yet, it strangely resembles a eting of an evil organization. Maybe it's because of the crazy PK (actually, he's PKK) Jackjack.
The tea party begins.
As we savor the elegant tea, Hilda smiles mischievously. She seems so practiced at it that she must be of noble birth.
"Such a wonderful aroma, Jackjack."
"Hohoho, my [Tea Ceremony] skill is maxed out at 100. From black tea to matcha, coffee, and any other beverage, I can make it all to perfection, hohoho."
"I don't really understand the taste of tea... Can I drink this as much as I want? You're not going to charge later, are you? If so, I'll just sip it slowly."
"What's this fluffy thing?"
Liora seems incredibly excited about the soufflé in front of her. She quickly eats it, and in no ti, the soufflé is gone. She looks very sad now. It seems I'll have to make one for her later.
These days, even evil gods can make sweets. Calories are apparently sinful, but I'll forgive her this ti.
If soone blatantly shows an aura of "I want you to make this for " like a neighbor would, it would annoy . But when soone like Liora patiently waits without saying anything, it makes want to indulge her.
I guess I'm just contrary like that.
The tea party progresses peacefully. No one would think this group is about to engage in a life-or-death boss battle. But perhaps it's precisely this ability to fully relax before a fight that makes them strong enough to face such challenges.
After finishing up various small tasks (like visiting the restroom), we lined up and made our way into Gimora's Field Boss area.
We had already discussed our strategy during the tea party.
For now, we're leaving behind the elf army that Tanaka-san brought with him. It seems that if too many people challenge the Field Boss at once, the boss inside becos stronger.
A small elite team.
It's my second-favorite four-character idiom, right after "bank savings."
And so, the battle between our group, the Independent Alliance, and Gimora begins.
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