Vol 4 Chapter 4.3 (2/2)

How is the fighting force of Balmel? There are Chosen Ones from the adventurers guild, right?

Indeed apart from the dispatched people, there are powerful people who are close to an upper-cla.s.s Chosen Ones. But most of them are melee type. Only few people who can attack a wide area.

It was alright if the monsters were in small number, but when it comes to several hundreds of thousands, defeat would happen in the long run. Since the monsters appearing in the Flood were low-level, even with a general soldier it can help to keep it occupied.

Though the course to go over there was changed, s.h.i.+n decided to contact Schnee just in case.

(This is s.h.i.+n, is it alright to talk now?)

(Yes, did something something?)

After making sure there was no problem to communicate, s.h.i.+n told the Flood things to Schnee.

(I cant say anything about the scale unless I see them myself. It its the normal scale, we dont have to worry about Balmel at least.)

Schnee judged calmly after she listened to s.h.i.+ns story.

However, there was an irregular this time.

(Have you taken that 1 Chosen Ones absence into account?)

(If the Chosen One who is not there is not a mage, it would be all right. Since the monster itself can be dealt with just Balmels forces.)

Although I have not considered the victims, Schnee continued.

(I got it. Im going to rush up to Balmel from here, you should hurry as much as possible there, too.)

(Understood.)

With Schnee there, it should not be a problem without the Chosen One and so forth.

Though Tiera was not able to move so quickly, she would not be late if Kagerous with her.

Now then, weve had enough rest. Lets move soon, s.h.i.+n.

Thanks to having rested for a while, Rionne seemed to have recovered, as she stood up swiftly.

The talk with Schnee had just ended too, so s.h.i.+n also stood up at the same time.

Okay, but Ill carry that.

Saying so, s.h.i.+n carried Muspelm which was placed on the ground to his back.

It wasnt much burden to s.h.i.+n due to the height of his physical strength, he determined that it would be hard for Rionne to carry it and run for a long time.

Mu! I can carry my own weapon

Rather than fussing over that now, its more important to move quickly. You were worn out halfway, you know?

Ugh, when thats said, I cannot talk back

Since that was the reason they took a break, Rionne couldnt argue.

The top priority here was to proceed ahead, and the Muspelmwas entrusted to s.h.i.+n.

Mumumu!

Why are you groaning?

We have to hurry up, must to butd.a.m.n, Im ashamed to be tired out at this amount.

You unexpectedly hate to lose, huh

Although they were talking, their running speed has not dropped.

Rionnes burden of Muspelm has diminished a lot, she can afford to talk as a result.

They kept running most of the day, and finished preparation for camping before the sun set.

As one would expect, to keep running for days without sleeping was difficult no matter how much the stamina, so they decided to get enough sleep in a simple tent they set together and stood watch by turn.

After finis.h.i.+ng a quick meal, and s.h.i.+n cleaning up, Rionne began to speak. She casually approached s.h.i.+n and sent a flirtatious glance.

You really have a lot of stuff that comes up. Even if I am prepared, isnt this thoroughly prepared?

I was prepared for a journey to begin with. Because I was summoned there, these are the only things I have. Once you convert them into cards, its not very bulky.

Its because you can use item cards, huh? I wish my country had a person with that ability.

In the story s.h.i.+n asked Wilhelm, there should be a possibility that Rionne and other countries Chosen Ones possessed an Item Box if they had items.

I will not talk about cooperation.

s.h.i.+n didnt know the detailed information, and either way he wouldnt do it.

No good?

No good.

No matter what?

Never. Hey! dont come closer!

He distanced himself from the leaning forward Rionne who approached him.

Around the area that emphasized her chest, Shes actually aware of her own charm, isnt she?, s.h.i.+n thought. How did the princesss manners and so forth have fallen? He wanted to ask.

In the darkness of night, Rionne who was illuminated by the bonfire, the lively state she had during the day quieted down, and wore an atmosphere that seemed to be slightly strange.

For you to be somewhat fl.u.s.tered, is this body even attractive?

Its not that I understand what you have been doing. I mean I should say, is this the kind of thing you should be doing in this situation?

I thought youd say Its useless to even be fl.u.s.tered, s.h.i.+n! If thats the case, Ill make good use of the time when I dont have anything to do.

Wheres the effective use of time? Where?

Its time effective at least for me. In this way, I can speak to you without reserve.

While smiling somewhat lonely, Rionne corrected her sitting posture.

Without reserve, huh? Rionne, well, there will be such a partner, like when you talked with Gadras, I think that was pretty frank though.

Gadras is my swords mentor. Im more comfortable with him than other people. Although, there is still something like a wall to royal family. In that respect, you really have no constraint, s.h.i.+n.

That, in other words, am I just being rude?

Sometimes I also want to talk with such a partner, who humbles himself all the time, but it doesnt suit me personally; although Im accustomed to such things.

Rionne often went out to towns, but due to bad publicity, even the adventurers who wasnt particular much about social status seemed to humble themselves.

How about your family? Ah well, you dont have to say it if you dont want to. There seems to be a lot of discord in some places.

Its not the things I conceal particularly. Youre right, our familys interpersonal connections hadbeen long gone. Although were not on a bad terms, I dont know whether I want a subst.i.tute family.

Its that kind of royal family, huh? Well, in case you need someone to talk, Ill be your companion. Hey! Why are you getting clingy!

Sometimes even a princess will want to depend on someone. You may hear my selfishness a little while hearing my story.

Was she teasing me?, s.h.i.+n thought, but Rionne never did anything more than cling to s.h.i.+ns arm.

I cant show this to the people in the castle.

n.o.body is around. Its been a long time not being monitored everywhere other than in the battlefield.

Good grief, this princessonly this time.

After a sigh, s.h.i.+n tossed a branch to the bonfire with his free arm.

It was easy to pull away if he intended to. However, the unhappy speech he listened to was making his intention fade away.

A family was something very important to s.h.i.+n. Though before the death game, his parents were in good health, and his relations.h.i.+p with his elder brother and younger sister were also good. It was noisy fun, and the place where he should have returned. As he thought to himself, he couldnt help but to feel something in Rionnes circ.u.mstances.

The serene expression of Rionne relieving her burden, s.h.i.+n would like to see it a little longer. Speaking furthermore, there was none of the monitoring that Rionne spoke of. Its mean that Rionne was constantly monitored.

You probably have time to relax now, s.h.i.+n thought.

s.h.i.+n, youre warm.

Is it cold?

I dont mean that.

I know, he muttered in his mind, and threw another branch on the fire.

*Pop* sounds and the noise of branches split open were heard. s.h.i.+n was not that thickheaded to be mistaken on the meaning of this situation.

Was this the original Rionne? s.h.i.+n couldnt arrive to a conclusion. Where was her usual spirited mood?

Sleep soon, we will keep on running tomorrow. Dont reserve the fatigue.

Muu, it cant be helped. Or I have to wait for the next opportunity?

Vacate such thinking until we pull through completely over the Flood.

s.h.i.+n who put out a mantle, wrapped up Rionne, and warned her for formalitys sake.

Rionne probably would understand that. Somehow, she took a rest well.

The transition to Sacred Place, the defeat against monsters, and the impatience due to the Flood. When such various factors were put together, the manner until now was expressed, s.h.i.+n thought.

The deep darkness of the moonless night.

Groups of monsters from behind.

What can be relied upon by fellow travellers, was only a small bonfire.

Regardless of the strength of capabilities, it was no wonder that a feeling to seek one who can be relied upon was sought, s.h.i.+n thought.

Speaking of why he understood it, it was because s.h.i.+n had experienced similar things.

s.h.i.+n and Rionne, Schnee and Tiera, Yuzuha and Kagerou were heading toward Balmel.

A great army of monsters exceeding 1000, approaching moment by moment.

In order to fight against the looming threat, everyone would meet at Balmel.

*For your reference