109 Episode 5 "Encounter and Frustration".txt (2/2)

Afterwards, Tyra suggested that we take a look around the village.

Perhaps to tell Elfi about the village, Verdia is the first to follow Tyra.

Me and Idler followed a little later.

The part of the village that caught my attention was still the number of races.

Humans, sub-humans, demons, and many other races live here.

Maybe that's why there are not a few halflings of various races.

On the way, I saw a number of half-elf women.

They all have a uniformly gloomy expression.

Idler was looking at them with a somewhat grim expression.

''What's wrong?''

When I called out to him, the idler returned to his usual expression.

'No thanks,'

It bothered me a bit, but not enough to pursue it.

We spent an hour or so slowly making our way around the village.

Many of them had heard about us, and many of them came to talk to us.

This may be the first time I've been in friendly contact with anyone other than Elfi and the demon race.

Basically, I only met the demon race on the battlefield.

'...... coexisting with the demon race?'

Hmm?　What did you say?

No.

Remnants of an ideal held.

They have been trampled on and ridiculed too much.

It doesn't matter to me anymore.

I don't care.

When the sun began to set, we rounded the village and returned to the guest house.

◆

The time passed unhindered when we entered the guest house.

We weren't attacked, nor were we poisoned for dinner.

Perhaps it was because it was the same inn, but it reminded me of an inn I stayed at in some spa city.

Idler and Verdia are in a room right next to each other.

The reason is that they chose the room next to each other so that they could join each other if they met in any way.

The drawback of being so close, though, is that I can hear Idler's voice.

............

Alone in the room, he adjusted his magic and checked his weapons.

Even though I know the conditions for activating it, I can't say that I'm completely proficient in mind-image magic.

It would be better to be prepared in case of a shortage.

Distortion and disappearance.

The Four Heavenly Kings would be given titles that matched their abilities.

The Four Heavenly Kings who fought in the past were also given titles such as ”Freeze” and ”Revolutionary” that matched their abilities.

Volk's ”distortion” must have come from the mind magic.

Gracia's title for holding Elfie captive is ”Disappearance”.

I'm sure it comes from the instantaneous movement-like ability I showed in the Teaching Country.

I've seen many times the magic of movement such as ”summoning” and ”transference” using magicians.

But I'm not sure I've ever seen anything as useful as what that woman used.

I've already examined what kind of magic it is.

If my expectations are correct, it shouldn't be so complicated.

I've already thought of some countermeasures.

Perhaps we should consult with the idlers later.

Maybe he'll know something about it.

Let's go to ...... and take a bath.

I was told there was a bathhouse for guests.

I remembered Tyra's guide and headed to the bathhouse.

Thanks to the hot spring city, I feel like the culture of 'soaking in hot water' is more widespread than it was thirty years ago.

The bathhouse was reasonably spacious.

I'm not sure if I'm using a magic grant or not, but the water in the bathtub is still warm.

It's just a little bit hot.

After rinsing off your body, soak in the water.

”............

It's not going to be as relaxing as a spa city.

A sense of frustration is always smoldering in my chest from the teaching country.

There are two reasons.

The fact that revenge is being postponed.

And most importantly, Elfi is gone.

What the hell am I doing in this hot water?

I can't help but think so.

That woman who betrayed me is alive and well at this moment.

Just thinking about it is enough to make my head spin.

And there's no guarantee that Elfi is safe now.

A minute later, he could be slashed off a limb and sealed away.

...... shit.

I understand that there's no point in rushing it now.

............

Chill out.

If you slow down your thinking, you won't be able to do what you can do.

Just do what you have to do to accomplish what you have to do.

I was just about to get out of the tub to wash up when I came to terms with my emotions.

'Hmmm,'

With a hum, the door to the bathhouse opened with a rattle.

Before he could call out, an idler walked in.

Naturally, he wasn't wearing any clothes.

'Fufu ............ hmm?'

I locked eyes with the idler who came in on the skip.

'----'

............

There was silence for a while.

............

The idler flushed himself with hot water.

'...... don't try to come in without a fight.

'People can't complain about seeing my divine skin, even if their eyes are glazed over if they're normal!　Yeah, for you, it's okay.

It's not good.

”I will give you the honor of an audience.

...... This woman ain't listening to me.

Ignore her, and the idler comes into the tub.

She doesn't even pretend to hide it.

...... Get out.

I'm already soaked.

Okay, I'll get it.

I was about to leave when the idler grabbed my arm.

Don't say I wasn't a good companion. I just wanted to talk to you for once. Now's your chance.

Let's wait till we get out.

You see, you can't talk about things you can't do much out there.

If you're ......, at least cover your body.

There's not a single part of me that's ashamed of my skin. ......

Letting out a sigh, the idler turns back.

'............'

That's when I caught a glimpse of it.

A cut, deeply etched into the idler's back.

”Oh, do you mind if I have a great back?

The idler noticed my gaze and laughed nonchalantly.

”I got bashed in the back a long time ago. Well, it's called a badge of honor.

...... Right.

Don't worry about it.

Then they turned their backs to each other.

'Is that all right?'

...... Yeah. So, what's the story?

A muffled voice echoes in the bathroom.

'I thought you weren't going to do anything,'

What do you mean?

''This is enemy territory, and the Four Heavenly Kings are the enemy. ”This is enemy territory and the Four Heavenly Kings are the enemy, and they don't want to attack us. That means they can turn around and do whatever they want to us.

It was a lower, colder voice than usual.

'You were wise not to mess with me right there. Aside from Tyra, the two men who were standing back were keeping a close eye on you. Even now, I don't think they've let their guard down.

The idler continued on with his words.

His unusual appearance made me a little more wary.

'But you should be able to move freely now.

...... what's the point?

What I'm saying is that you can do whatever you want with your enemy in this hostile territory now. Since you don't have much of a lookout, you can do anything you want, right?

'Of course. But the priority now is to rescue Elfiszak.

If we fight here, we'll have to go through a lot of trouble.

Even if we can kill the 'distortion', we'll still be called to the Demon King's Castle for help.

I'm not going to risk anything by wasting my time.

...... Hmmm. Well, if that's how you feel about it, then I guess you're right.

Idler affirms curtly.

'Well, how about we try not to call for help?

...... what?

Smiling, Idler said.

'--Let's kill them all (・・・・・・・).

His voice sounded frosty with emotion, nonchalant.

'Let's not give them time to call for help, let's kill them all without leaving anyone behind. That way, the Demon King's Castle won't hear about us.

----

Yeah, a couple of hostages might be a good idea. I don't think they'd want to mess with us if they were concerned about their own safety. Yeah. You don't want to be a problem for the Four Heavenly Kings, and you don't want to be a problem for my men, so best of luck.

--------.

'Idler'

What is it?

Are you serious?

Silence.

'...... Don't sound so scary, right?'

............

I don't like it. I'm just giving you a choice. I can't do that. It's your choice.

A little flustered, Idler excused himself.

'...... I'm not going to take such roundabout measures. I'm going to avoid as much wear and tear as possible until I get to Elfie.

'Hmm. ...... That's so sweet of you, too.

A splash, a shake in the water.

You have to have a good reason for this and that, otherwise you won't be able to move. This must be very difficult for you.

...... I guess it's better than living in the stream and not thinking about why.

I doubt it. Wouldn't it be easier to just go with the flow?

There's no point in making it easy and there's no need.

It doesn't matter if it's easy or hard.

I've decided to move on, and I've decided to move on.

...... You've stepped in quite a bit, haven't you? You're usually such a tease.

Mmm, that's rude to play around with. I'm a smart guy and I'm always serious.

'Just,' said Idler.

That was my kindness to you. It's my kindness to you, the bearer of that 'sigil'.

............

Well, if that's your choice, then go ahead and live your life. --Until the day you rot in hell.

Thawing, sweetly.

Idler said in my ear.

I'm scared.

”...... What do you mean,

............

I haven't heard back from him in a long time.

”Hey,

I looked back in disbelief.

...... oooh.

Red in the face, Idler was floating in hot water on his back.

”I had a cool ...... feeling, so I had to resist ...... but I can't even ...... it.

............

...... eye rolls... ......

He's leaking.

”Iori-kun ...... help me.

I was ripe too, or maybe my head hurt.

After carrying the idler and letting it out.

The night breeze would cool him down.

”Till I catch hell.

It's too late.

Hell, I've seen it all before.

So, it's my turn to burn.

We took a vengeance together, along with a few of my accomplices.