Chapter 141 (1/2)

We finally found the place where the cliff breaks in between.

When I made Eve and the others wait earlier, me and Slei went back and checked out where it could lead a bit further from that.

[It seems that it’s good to go.]

I informed them so after I returned back.

It looks like there wouldn’t be any problems.

Perhaps, we could avoid making a large detour through this path.

I was also able to avoid a large deviation from my plans.

The whole area looks like a swamp.

However, it still wasn’t muddy enough that our feet would be stuck in the mud.

There were small puddles scattered around the place.

Those puddles were clouded in mud.

Surrounding us were the dense trees that haven’t changed even when we entered this area.?

Speaking of change, most of the trees in this place were conifers huh.

I looked up towards the sky.

The sky was being covered by thick clouds.

The air is also beginning to become more humid.

Seras and Eve mentioned it a while ago, but it looks like it’ll rain.

[We’ve finally arrived here huh.]

Seras said.

“Umu.” Eve nodded.

She then turned her head towards Liz.

[You also did your best, Liz. As for Touka and Seras… How could I thank you? We wouldn’t have been able to reach until this place if it were just Liz and I.]

[Big Sister.]

[Hmm?]

[What about Pi-chan and Suu-chan?]

Liz told Eve to reflect.

[Mhmm, you’re right. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Pigimaru and Slei… We’re saved that both of you were going along our journey.]

Eve faithfully nodded.

[Well, we also needed Eve’s map after all. Didn’t I say it before? We didn’t help you with just good intentions in our minds.]

A chuckle spilled out as Seras smiled.

[“That’s why, don’t worry about it.” or so, he’s trying to say— You’re really kind, Touka-dono.]

[Well, yeah.]

“Mouu…” Seras eyebrows furrowed as she wryly smiled.

I wouldn’t be particularly bashful now even if she called me kind.

It’s indeed the truth that it wasn’t just good intentions.

Seras who could tell if someone lies could understand if someone’s just being humble.

That’s the reason for her wry smile.

Conversing with Seras Ashrain who had the ability to detect lies.

This is a little conversation training.

Eve then looked in a distance.

Yearning.

I could feel that from what I see.

[Even a small house is fine… I would live quietly in that peaceful land together with Liz, where we wouldn’t be connected with fighting again… The moment that I thought I could reach that after my days as a Blood Champion is about to end, only for that dream to suddenly disappear… However, I’ve finally found hope for this dream again. At last… My wish may come true.]

Eve’s expression softened.

Now, her leopard eyes were tenderly looking at Liz.

[The two of us had been talking about it, that when everything was done, we would then try raising some crops… That wish of ours may not be so distant anymore, Liz.]

[Unn… You’re right, Big Sister.]

Liz was a little moved.

There were some tears on the corners of her eyes.

[———————Eve.]

Seras unconsciously called out to her.

Above Eve.

It was so sudden that it appeared.

You could even say that it suddenly appeared out of our recognition.

It appeared.

Neither sound nor presence.

Without any of those, it suddenly appeared.

It was floating in the air.

That thing has a strange shape.

If I were to express it, it’s a creature that looks like a human’s face from everything below its nose.

It’s a monster that just consists of a lower jaw and its mouth.

Two of its front teeth were slightly longer than the others and they had a golden color.

Those are— its eyes huh.

Its size is about two meter wide.

Those golden front teeth were swaying about like tentacles.

Looking at it, Liz turned pale.

[Big Sist—–]

[————]

What is that?

That monster…

[Kuh….!]

The dumbfounded Seras regained her consciousness and brought her hands towards her sword.

However— Even faster than her, with movements as fluid as flowing water, Eve unsheathed her sword.

With the momentum of unsheathing her sword, she brandished her sword like she’s drawing an arc over her head.

Her actions kind of resemble that iai I’ve seen somewhere.

With a beautiful speed, she slashed at the monster’s body.

(T/N: Iai – A sword art that emphasizes being aware and capable of quickly drawing the sword and responding to a sudden attack.)

[!]

That’s when I noticed…