Part 3 (1/2)
”I see... We're equals with this now, then.”
Taking caution with my words, I moved my mouth.
”And so, I do have a proposal... as things stand, we have to return back into the tower at any cost. So, wouldn't you consider a truce for the time being?”
”...A truce?”
I could sense a really suspicious look directed at me from her face, slightly inclined towards me.
29.
Chapter 10 - Integrity Knight Alice.
”Yes. It's no longer possible to break the cathedral's outer wall and it's no easy task to climb it either. Our survival rate should increase if the two of us work together, rather than going through it alone. Of course, things would be different if you have a convenient method to return inside.”
Alice chewed on her lips in chagrin but immediately replied in a murmur.
”...I would had used it already if I had such a method.”
”That's true. So, can I consider you agreeable to the truce and cooperation?”
”Before that... you mentioned cooperation, but what exactly does that refer to?”
”Helping out each other if the other seems to be falling, just that. We could hold on better if we had a rope or something, but I suppose that's asking for too much.”
Not looking at me any longer, the integrity knight sank into another long silence, but eventually nodded slightly in a nearly imperceptible motion.
”It is a reasonable proposal... I have to admit. There's no helping it...”
As a replacement, Alice continued while giving me one final glare.
30.
Chapter 10 - Integrity Knight Alice.
”I will cut you the instant we return into the tower. Be certain not to forget that one point.”
”...I'l keep that in mind.”
Nodding once more to my reply, Alice cleared her throat as though to s.h.i.+ft her thoughts.
”Wel then... you required a rope? Are you not holding on to any unnecessary cloth?”
”Cloth...”
I looked down at my body, but thinking about it, I didn't even have a single handkerchief in my pockets. I could have taken out piles of spare clothes or mantles from my storage if this was the Alfheim I dearly missed, unfortunately, that convenient function didn't exist in the Underworld.
”...Even if you ask, there's nothing more than this s.h.i.+rt and these trousers. I'll strip if I need to, though.”
When I shrugged only my left shoulder as I replied, Alice made her most profound grimace yet and shouted.
”We will not stoop to that! ...Goodness, it's shocking how you thought to go into battle with merely a sword on you.”
”Hey, hey, the one who rounded up Eugeo and me from the Sword Mastery Academy with only the clothes on our back was you, wasn't it?”
31.
Chapter 10 - Integrity Knight Alice.
”And you broke into the cathedral's armory after that, haven't you. There should have been bundles of high quality rope over...
aah, that's it, this is a waste of time.”