Chapter 29 - Volume 3 (1/2)

Chapter 9 : Contract Completed

“I refuse.”

A frank word from Hajime resulted in silence. With an expression as if she doesn’t understand what was said, Shia opened her mouth with a stupid expression and stared intently at Hajime. Then, Hajime who already heard her story, started to pour magic into his bike and a loud yell of protest can be heard.

“Wa, wa, wait! Why! No matter if you think of the flow it should be “How pitiful! Don’t worry!! I’ll do something about it!!” with a reliable smile or something like that you know! As expected I also think it should be like that! Why, sudden encounter with a bishoujo and you just ignore it! Eh, ah, ignoring me and going! I won’t let you, you know~””

Her protest ignored, Shia jump to cling onto Hajime’s leg again. From serious and serene atmosphere a while ago, her shameless rabbit mode is back.

Glaring at Shia who won’t show any sign of releasing his feet, Hajime only releases a sigh.

“You know… Is there any merit for me if I help you.”

“Me-merit?”

“Being chased from the empire, being chased from the forest, you’re nothing but a seed of troubles, there is only demerit. Assuming you escaped from the canyon, what’s next? Won’t you just get caught by the empire or will you flee to the mountain. Then, what will you do? Rely on me again right? This time it was to protect from the empire’s Soldiers and escape from the northern mountain range, right.”

“Uu, tha-that is… … bu-but!”

“The two of us have a purpose in this travel. There is no time to do something so troublesome.”

“That can’t be… … but, even you can see the reason to protect!”

“… That, didn’t you say it a while ago. What do you mean?… Is it related to your peculiar magic?”

Hajime unable to undestand the meaning of the Shia’s tear filled story. Now that he thinks about it, why did Shia stray away from her comrade is a mystery. Hajime asked whether there is a relation with that.

“Eh? Ah, yes. It was called “Future Vision/Clairvoyance”, I can see a predicted future. If I choose to do this, what will happen? I can see something along that line… Also, in time of danger I can automatically see the future. Well, the future that I see isn’t absolute… Tha, that’s right. I am useful you know! WIth “Clairvoyance” we’ll know if there are danger! I saw it a while ago! I can see your figure helping us! In fact, it helped me to meet you!”

Shia continued her explanation, her “Clairvoyance” can predict future based on her choice of action and it need a large amount of magic to activate this and she will be exhausted in one try. In addition, there are times when it’ll be automatically activated, whether she wants it or not, when the situation will be dangerous for Shia. Although it also consumes a large amount of magic, it seems only to consume 1/3 of the usual.

Apparently, Shia left her former place to find Hajime or something along that line? Choosing her action, she found a future where Hajime protect her and her tribe. After that, she left in order to find Hajime. She was too excited, that’s why she moved alone in this dangerous place.

“If you have such amazing special magic, why did they found you? If you can predict the danger you won’t be found out in Faea Belgaen, right?”

When pointed by Hajime, Shia react with an “Ugh” while averting her eyes around.

“I,if I use it on my own then it’ll be unusable for a while…”

“That means you already used it before they found out… What the heck did you use it for?”

“That is, I’m anxious about my best friend’s romance”

“Isn’t that the same as peeping! The heck did you use precious magic for”

“Uu~I will seriously reflect from now on?”

“As expected, it’s useless. If you ask what is useless, you’re useless. This regrettable/failure rabbit”

Hajime looks away in amazement while Shia, crying, keep clinging to him. When Hajime prepared to go away, an unexpected help come to Shia.

“… Hajime, take her along”

“Yue?”

“!? From the start I think you’re a nice lady! I am sorry calling you flat-chest-afunh!”

Hajime dumbfounded when he hear Yue while Shia looks excited with sparkling eyes tried to say good things. Only one word too much then collapsed while suppressing her cheek that got slapped by Yue.

“… Just as a guide around Sea of Trees”

“A~”

Certainly, it is said only demi-human won’t get lost in Sea of Trees and if the RabbitMan tribe will guide them then that’s reassuring. Though there are some measures that I can think of when lost, but it can be said it was a rough idea without certainty. At worst, they will kidnap some demi-human to question about the road, but honestly if there are demi-human that willingly guide them is the best. However, Hajime hesitated because Shia have too much trouble in her hand.

Yue stared at Hajime to break his hesitation.

“… It’s okay, we are the strongest.”

That is the word Hajime said in the Abyss. They won’t hold back for this world. When they cover each other they are the strongest. Hajime can only give a wry smile hearing his own words.

With help from RabbitMan tribe, it will be easier to search around Sea of Trees. “Before the roots of the tongue dries, too (idiom, something along I don’t mean to be a liar but)” they might get into trouble with empire’s Soldiers and other demi-humans so they should be avoided. Of course, it’s not like they are busybodies, but if it was unavoidable because there are enemies in front of their best road. I have decided to even “kill” those obstructions.

“That is so huh. Oi, be glad regrettable/failure rabbit. I’ll make you our guide through the Sea of Trees. The reward will be your life (safety)”

It said without any mistake, but his line was completely Yakuza-like. However, even so, the promise to keep them safe come from a strong man who can easily kill the demonic beasts in the canyon make Shia so happy that she can fly.

“Tha, Thank you very much! Uu~ what a relief~, seriously what a relief~”

Shia cried with joy. However, she immediately stand up because there are no time to lose.

“U,umm, my best regard!  Th, then what should I call you…”