Chapter 142 (1/2)

The reason why there weren’t any signs of monsters around the area…

So, that’s how it is.

That monster we killed earlier.

If that thing dies, a lot of those dreadful monsters will vigorously gather here.

What it brings was— destruction and chaos wherever that large movement would pass.

The “Great Turmoil” that’s on a level that even the monsters who live in the Demon Zone were avoiding.

Therefore, the monsters avoided the “trouble” by staying away from here.

From the monster living in here.

That is to say…

Something like this must have already happened in the past huh.

It’s just a hypothesis, but it isn’t impossible.

[………………..]

Should I have stopped it?

No— That would be too difficult.

As a matter of fact, using

would also be a bad move.

That monster was “desperate to die”.

The characteristic of

would also cause some problems.

That if it struggles with all its strength, it would still receive damage and die.

If a monster who wants to die struggles, it would act violently until it dies.

That was the thought that came into my head when it suddenly came out.

At that moment, I felt that I needed to avoid killing that monster.

The most suitable move would have been <Sleep>.

Unfortunately though, <Sleep> has a short range and it isn’t within my reach.

[————–]

I finished the investigation in my brain that bloomed for only a moment.

Right now, I’ve already determined how to overcome this situation.

The birds from the trees noisily flew away.

Just as if, they’re informing us of the coming bad news.

I focused my consciousness on my hearing.

There’s still some distance before they arrive…

On the other hand, I stopped counting how many they were.

It’s meaningless.

All I need to know is that there’s a stupid amount of them approaching us.

Knowing this would already be enough.

At that moment…

“Fyyyuuuuuuu…”

Eve deeply exhaled.

[Everyone, listen to me.]

Eve stood in front of us.

It’s as if she’s the only person standing on the opposite side of a river.

[I will act as a decoy and attract the attention of the monsters. In the meantime, all of you should go find the Witch’s home.]

[!]

Liz became surprised.

[Even by force, I will make an opening for all of you to escape to.]

Eve turned her head in the direction of where we came from.

[I will run towards the opposite direction and I will be joining with you later after I let these monsters go past. Touka, do you still remember the contents of the map? Since we’ve already come this far, you should be able to find our destination even without the map.]

[Big Sist—-]

[Liz.]

Eve’s tone softened like she’s telling something to a child.

[This situation is the result of my action… In that case, it would be imperative that I would take the lead in dealing with this situation.]

……So, she intends to take responsibility for this huh.

Gently placing her hand on Liz’s shoulder, Eve looked towards me.

[As you could see from my appearance, I’m a Leopardkin. In the midst of confusion… Unexpectedly, these monsters might recognize as one of them along the way while I used that opportunity to escape. As you may know already, I have a really good ability to sense others. I’m also pretty good at moving around this terrain.]

As if she’s enduring something, Seras places her hand on her chest.

[If that’s the case, I’m more used to the terrain since we’re in a forest area.]

[But you’re too conspicuous… Fufu, in a variety of ways.]

[Big… Sister…]

Liz’s shoulders were trembling.

[I don’t think we don’t have that much time to spare. Liz… Until I get back, you should make sure that you listen to Touka and Seras…]

[I understand.]

I said.

[If you’re going to say it that much… I’ll leave the job of attracting their attention to you. However, I’ll just say one thing. I will make sure that I will protect the others— so make sure that you come back.]

Her eyes narrowed, Eve appeared cheerful as a resolute smile appeared on her face.

[Yeah, I promi—-]

[But then again, did you really think I would say something like that?]

[Touka……?]

[You sure have lots of ideas to say for someone with just your small intelligence. However, the chance of your survival is too low.]

[But, I will…]

Measuring how far they were based on how loud I could hear them, I continued.

[First of all, you don’t need to feel responsible for this. Perhaps, you could kill some monsters and could usually completely hide your presence, even you won’t be able to lose them when these monsters get really close towards you… or so it would turn out with your character. Someone who was surprised when that monster suddenly appeared and killed that monster in a hurry— I need to think if there would be a monster like that.]

[E- Even so…]

[I would have taken the same action if I was the one standing in your place.]

The intention that I wanted to convey.

Seras already told us something similar earlier.

She’s a really good support for us.

I continued speaking.

[Moreover, Eve Speed’s existence is indispensable part when meeting the Witch. Listen here, okay? The witch entrusted that map to “your clan”. It’s easier to negotiate with her if a person who she entrusted her map visited. That should have been obvious. Therefore, I can’t let you do something that would increase the chance of losing you in this place.]

While we’re talking, I took out the Fly King’s mask out of my luggage.

After that, I picked out the Forbidden Item, Gem of Voice Amplification out of my chest pocket.

It still hasn’t fully solidified yet.

However, it’s already become solid enough.

I then inserted it near the Gem of Voice Alteration on the mask.

Incidentally, I found some time to remodel this Fly King’s mask.

The Gem of Voice Amplification.

A magic stone that amplifies the voice.

This was easier to make among the other Forbidden Items.

It’s because I was somehow able to create it while we’re moving.

However, the material I used is different from a different Human-Faced compared to the one described in the “Encyclopedia on the Forbidden Arts”.

As for the effects concerning that substitution, we still haven’t tried to see if I could get the effect that I want.

I hope it works though.

With the mask in my hand, I spoke.

[In this current situation, the one with the most likelihood to survive is me. No, to be exact, it would be me, Pigimaru and Slei…]

That’s right…

[This team combination is the optimal solution for everyone’s survival. And, in our current situation—-]

I placed my right hand on my chest.

[The only thing that could deal fatal damage against these Human-Faced would only be my Abnormal State Skill.]

[Guh……]

Eve didn’t object to my words.

She herself must have understood this.

If you rationally think about it, it would be the very best option if it’s me that would draw their attention.

I understand that she’s feeling responsible.

However, no one’s blaming her.

[Responsibilities were indeed important, but the one who determines that responsibility is me, the one in charge of this group. Therefore—- if I tell you that you don’t have to worry about it, then don’t worry about it. That’s an order.]

Eve hangs her head.

[………My bad.]

“Fuunnn…”, I snorted.

[Well, I don’t hate that seriousness of yours.]

[Touka-sama.]

Liz softly called out to me.

[Thank you very much.]

[It’s still early for your gratitude. You could say that after everyone safely arrives at our goal.]

[—Yes!]

It’s an energetic reply.

[Touka-dono…]

Seras have a complicated expression on her face.

She must be worried.

However, Seras herself knows.

That there’s no more time for any more arguments.

That there’s no more time for those conversations about our worries.

Pushing down her emotions, Seras kneeled.

Her white tiny forehead is sweaty.