Chapter 26.3 - Dark Fog (2/2)

Tears are streaming down from my eyes. Why am I so weak? I can’t even protect the woman whom I love.

「Huhm, it seems that I’m taking lightly of a woman」

Orua comes closer and kicks me. Receiving such a kick, I tumble toward the end of the passage.

Just like that, Orua went toward Almina.

「No way…. Almina….」

I’m truly saddened at not being able to do anything but watch it.

「Now, come obediently with me」

Even without looking at her face, I know the fact that Orua is smiling delightedly.

「NOOO! HELP ME, REIJI-SAMA――!」

Almina shouts the name of the hero.

「Fufufu, calling the name of the hero huh. That I~」

When Orua was about to say something, something is shining in front of Almina.

「WHAT!」

Orua is retreating by jumping above me.

「REIJI-SAMA!」

I could hear Almina’s delighted voice.

After the light settled down, standing there was the hero.

「Almina! I have come to save you!」

The hero is smiling at her.

The expression that Almina showed to the hero was an expression which she never displayed toward me.

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◆ Sword Maiden, Shirone

「DEYAAAAAAAAH, SUNLIGHT BLADE! ! 」

I swing my sword incessantly and defeat zombies one after another.

「GEEZ, what is this shadow-like thing!」

I mutter so with a vexed tone.

It seems that Reiji-kun summoned a sun, but this black fog-like thing spreading in this region prevented it from displaying its full power.

My sunlight magic also couldn’t reach them, so I have no choice but to use my sword.

I’m breathing heavily.

I notice that I’ve exhausted far earlier than usual.

When I glance at my surroundings, I saw the freedom fighters, including Gallios, fighting against the zombies.

If not for them, those zombies might have attacked the civilians.

Though it was unexpected, I was saved by the fact that the freedom fighters mobilized right away. Moreover, it feels like the movements of the palace guard and the knights of this kingdom are rather slow.

Could it be that something’s happening in the royal palace?

I want to confirm it, but I have to do something about the zombies before my eyes for now.

I tear apart the zombies that are approaching me.

Gallios-tachi also managed to somehow fend off those zombies.

But, the zombies keep coming without any interruption. They might reach their limits soon enough.

In fact, even I can’t exhibit my full power.

「Could it be that this black fog-like thing is the cause?」

Maybe our strength is suppressed by this black fog.

「Could it be that…. We’re actually in a really dangerous situation?」

=== === ===

◆ Rox Kingdom’s Knight, Rember

「Amazing….」

The hero and the temple knights were fighting against each other in front of me.

I’m spectating that fight with my wounded body.

The hero is defending against the attack of Orua and the temple knights against whom I’m powerless.

「It’s okay, Rember. Reiji-sama will definitely save us」

Almina is snuggling closer to me.

It seems I was unconscious about the blood flowing out from my wound.

But, it’s strange. I get this feeling that one of the hero’s wives was stronger in the tower.

For some reason, it seems that the hero isn’t going all out.

「Reiji-sama….」

Almina’s also looking at the hero with a worried look on her face since she might have noticed the strange situation of the hero, too.

「O’ great goddess, please…. Protect Reiji-sama」

Almina is praying.

Subsequently, I closed my eyes while praying for the same thing to the goddess.

=== === ===

◆ Black Haired Sage, Chiyuki

「So there’s this kind of underground passage in this country」