Chapter 80: Yumiko and the Spirit King (3) (2/2)

”I'm sorry for not telling you earlier, Daisuke.”

With an apologetic expression, Yumiko bowed in front of me.

Though nothing really happened, I still felt a little bad when it was revealed that I was worried about nothing. However, I was also keeping some information from her, especially the ones I heard inside the fortress and the fact that I met the World's Will. I'm going to use it to trade with the Principal again.

Heroes were already burdened saving one world. Though some of them might've already known that the real target is our homeworld, not telling everyone about it is better for the time being.

No matter how much they matured during the 3 years, they're still teenagers. Ah. I'm also one of them but this Adaptability keeps me sober even with shocking things like that.

”There's nothing to apologize to, Yumiko. What do we do now?”

I decided to turn the topic away from that. It's already done and she already told me what's the deal between them so it's already fine to leave it at that.

”Honestly, we've already accomplished what we're here for but for the sake of the help I asked, I have to see to it that the Dark Elves will either be annihilated or be sent in retreat.”

Yumiko said with conviction. When she said she has to see to it, then she's thinking of going back to the battlefield.

”I'd like to say take me with you but I guess I'll sit this one out.”

It's already chaotic there and I'm not like her who can easily fly. When there's an option to slack off, I'll take that one. With the Spirit King at the helm, if they still lose, it will be the end of this world.

”You've done enough closing the breach, even if you insisted on coming I'll have you and Jayna take a rest. Wait for us to wrap this up.”

Yumiko gave me a meaningful smile when she mentioned Jayna. She probably noticed how that girl suddenly turned like that.

She then turned to her three companions. After telling them a simple reminder, she started channeling for another Higher Spirit that could aid her.

As her support, I used the 3 kinds of Boost I could give her and also I used the Orb of Enhancement for her.

Though the bonus of the Enhancement seems negligible for her now, any additional stat points are valuable.

I still couldn't appraise the orbs properly despite leveling up my Adaptability. That could only mean that its level is still insufficient or I'm still missing something else. Do I have to collect a certain number of them yet? Maybe I need seven to summon Shenron?

Ah. I should stop thinking about this for now.

”Daisuke, you two stay here in the carriage, Rei and I will scout the area in case there are some strays thatcould threaten us.”

Ren tapped my shoulder and broke me out of my thoughts.

I turned to him and his twin sister who's also telling something to Jayna. Afterwards, she left Jayna sitting there in the carriage while gesturing for me to look after her.

These two. They're not deliberately leaving us alone, right?

With the sight of ongoing battle at the distance, I went and sat next to Jayna. I noticed how she tried to move away but decided not to in the end. If she won't speak then I won't as well.

Thinking back to what happened with the three girls and now with Jayna. I guess even if I don't deliberately do anything, somehow or another we'll still get drawn towards each other.

This might just be me dubbing them as 'main characters' of their worlds but that's what I want to believe after seeing their progress. This strange connection I had with them, it's really hard to explain.

”Daisuke. What do you think about me being curious about you?

Finally, Jayna opened her mouth and asked me a question.

”Err. It's fine to be curious about someone. The question is, what are you curious about?”

I answered her honestly. If she's just curious, does that mean she's also kind of innocent when it comes to that? She knew about becoming a spirit-pair but she didn't know about the feelings that should come with it.

”That's what's odd. I don't know what I'm curious about in you.”

With a puzzled look on her face, she could only shake her head as an answer.

”Is that why you started avoiding my gaze?”

”Uhm no. I'm just embarrassed about being carried that close by you.”

Ah. So this and that is different. I guess I did overthink again.

”I'm sorry about that. I only did what's the best option for us.”

”Eh? You don't have to say sorry. It should be me. If you don't do that, I will be left behind.”

She hurriedly put her hand up to stop me from apologizing to her.

”Huh? Leaving you behind is not an option. If you're embarrassed then I'll be honest with you, I liked it. Carrying you that close to me.”

Hearing my words Jayna flushed red from her neck up and reflexively hit me with her staff.

”You just made me more embarrassed! Are you an idiot, Daisuke?”

After a few more hits, her embarrassment turned into indignation as she stopped and turned her back to me.

”No.I was expecting this kind of reaction from you.”

I said with a smile. Well, she couldn't see it.

”Idiot. Don't talk to me again.”

Even if I couldn't see her face, I'm sure she's currently pouting and fuming in anger.

”See. Your embarrassment was dispersed.”

I smirked and stood up leaving the surprised Jayna. She probably had just realized that her embarrassment towards what happened was already gone.

After that, I focused on the fortress again, the Spirit King has just bashed his tail on the wall. The defensive barrier they erected was shattered with some Dark Elves on the rampart thrown out because of the impact.

Yumiko on the other hand chased one of the 4-leaf Dark Elves who shouted earlier about killing her. With her borrowed power which provided her with a stronger light element, the poor 4-leaf Dark Elf was burned by it.

Ouram, seeing that there's no hope defending when Yumiko and the Spirit King joined the attackers, issued a sound retreat as they immediately turned back towards the interior of the fortress.

There he will finally find out that he had just wasted some of their troops to defend. With the breach gone and their defenses failed, it's only a matter of time before the end of this fortress battle.