Chapter 103 – Dare (2/2)

Facing Hifumi who stopped his feet, he approaches him with the knife in his hand while roaring.

Similar to his strong body, which doesn’t suit the image of elves, his knife is also thick and solid.

In contrast to that, his attacks are precise without any gaps.

“You are quite skilled.” (Hifumi)

The thrusts are accurately aiming at the vital spots and the blended-in slashes are swung in order to close possible escape routes. Hifumi, who deals with those while handling the spells from the surroundings, is slowly retreating while getting more and more small gashes.

However, Hifumi doesn’t take the initiative.

And, Hifumi has a composed expression.

“Fast. But, those attacks are too straightforward.” (Hifumi)

At that moment, the elves including Laboras saw something unbelievable.

The katana wielded by Hifumi counters all of the knife thrusts with its point. The thrust are met with thrusts.

Countless sparks violently revolved between those two.

“I can’t believe that you are doing this!” (Laboras)

Although Laboras frantically raises the speed of his thrusts, Hifumi calmly follows up on that.

“Easily readable attacks won’t work.” (Hifumi)

The tempo accelerates accompanied by creaking metallic sounds.

“Guh, this!” (Laboras)

“That won’t do.” (Hifumi)

Laboras, who grew impatient, unleashes a thrust entrusting the weight of his entire body into it with a force to break through Hifumi’s defence.

However, Hifumi passes alongside the flank of Laboras who pitched forward without meeting the attack.

“Ah?” (Laboras)

Laboras stumbled a step or two forwards as the impact he expected was missing. His knee was stepped on by Hifumi from the side.

Losing his balance, Laboras forcibly twisted his body without collapsing obediently and swung his knife.

But, his outstretched arm is sent flying after getting cut by the katana.

“Damn iiitt!” (Laboras)

“Shut up.” (Hifumi)

The throat of Laboras, who raised a scream after having lost an arm, is torn open by the blade which pierced into it in a smooth and unhindered motion.

Laboras, who spilled hot blood from his mouth and throat, died while glaring at Hifumi.

“L-Laboras-san is…”

There still one young elven man alive.

“U-Umm…”

Throwing away the bow he held in his hands, the elf just bows while only breathing out from his mouth as he is puzzled whether he should beg and what kind of words he should use.

Hifumi approaches the elf, who fell to his knees, while holding the katana in his hand.

“I-I give up…”

“You had a chance to choose.” (Hifumi)

“Therefore this is nothing but the outcome of your choice”, Hifumi swung his katana downwards.

☺☻☺

Once Zanga raised her face due to the sound of the sound of the wooden door being lifted, the bloodstained Hifumi stood there.

“… Did you come to kill me?” (Zanga)

Puuse and Shiku are nestling close to Zanga on both her sides.

“If you still believe that you want to die, I won’t mind.” (Hifumi)

The knife, thrown by Hifumi, pierces into the ashes of the sunken hearth.

“This is… Laboras’ knife.” (Zanga)

Intently staring at the knife which she had sometimes carefully maintained, Zanga had seen it several times in the past.

“Laboras is dead… so, do you yearn to exact your revenge upon the elves who were hostile towards you?” (Zanga)

Puuse’s and Shiku’s bodies stiffened.

“Not really.” (Hifumi)

“… You aren’t angry? This elf village attacked you, didn’t it?” (Zanga)

“I will kill if I’m challenged. If that doesn’t happen, I have no hobby of going out of my way to kill weaklings either. Rather than that, I prefer to go visit the demon race. I will have you guide me there at noon after I got some sleep.” (Hifumi)

When Hifumi turned on his heel, Zanga extended a hand in panic.

“P-Please wait.” (Zanga)

Zanga, who got up vigorously, is supported by Puuse.

“I heard from Shiku. He told me that you discovered something about the final moment’s of an elf.” (Zanga)

“About that, huh?” (Hifumi)

Hifumi explained what he told the elves from before.

Explaining the accumulation of something that entered their bodies and the way it changes by slowly hardening from the extremities of the body, Puuse’s face turns pale. But, Zanga listened while nodding.

“… Finally I’m able to understand, the reason for my strangely long life.” (Zanga)

Zanga tosses a twig into the fire of the sunken hearth which was about to vanish and blows at it with a “Fuu~” Politer than usual, she lowers her body softly.

“I didn’t go outside much since I was small. I didn’t get too close to the forest either because I was scared. If that “something” from the forests’ trees is the reason, then I can understand why my transformation has been slow. Now that I think about it, I have a feeling that those, who spent a lot of time in the forest, died early as well. However, even if I say that now, it cannot be helped anymore.” (Zanga)

Zanga shed tears while talking.

She only weeps while enduring the pain with a dishevelled expression.

“While living with the blessing of the forest and being called the people of the forest, we were getting killed by that very forest… It can’t be something that empty… Grandma…” (Zanga)

What kind of emotions did her grandmother, she ended up abandoning in her childhood, bear, I wonder?

Her mental state, which was burdened with the despair of having abandoned her and the despair of her grandmother not having had a peaceful death; just how heartbreaking was it? I’m not even able to imagine it.

“Zanga-sama…” (Puuse)

Looking at Shiku and Puuse who is uneasily calling out to her, Zanga roughly wiped away her tears with a cloth at her side.

“Hii hi… I ended up showing you something embarrassing. Human-san, I have a single request.” (Zanga)

Standing up, Zanga bowed towards Hifumi who is looking down on her expressionlessly.

“Since I will recruit those who want to leave this village, can you please take us, including me as well, to some other place?” (Zanga)

“Za-Zanga-sama?” (Puuse)

The shocked Puuse raises her voice, but Zanga remains in a state of bowing.

“As leader of the elves of this village I only want to popularize this attempt. One day the elves will be imprisoned by this forest. No, they already are, I think.” (Zanga)

“Didn’t I tell you that I’m going to the demons?” (Hifumi)

“It’s fine if it’s after you come back from there. Also, gathering the interested people of the village will take time. I know that I’m making an unreasonable request, but I will do anything for it.” (Zanga)

“That’s my duty as leader”, Zanga looked at Hifumi.

“Aren’t elves good at magic though?” (Hifumi)

Zanga laughed with a “Hya Hya” due to the sudden question.

“They are. It’s my strong point. Puuse is quite skilled at healing magic, too.” (Zanga)

“Is that something which you were taught by another race?” (Hifumi)

“I don’t think so. It might be possible… No, I guess there’s no other choice but to do it, if that’s your wish, human-san.” (Zanga)

Hearing her answer, Hifumi placed a hand on his chin and groaned.

“… If that’s the case, I will have you do it.” (Hifumi)

“Further talks are after I come back”, leaving those words behind, Hifumi went away.

“Zanga-sama, I will accompany you. … I have also become scared of this forest’s scenery…” (Puuse)

“Are you sure? It’s not like you have to force yourself to leave the forest since you are still young.” (Zanga)

Puuse softly shook her head while smiling.

“It’s my way of thanking you for teaching me magic, Zanga-sama. Even though that method will be some kind of challenge, something like not helping you is impossible for me.” (Puuse)

“I-I will help as well! … Magic is difficult, but…” (Shiku)

Stroking Shiku’s head, Zanga murmured a “Thank you.”

“Somehow it got exciting, didn’t it?” (Zanga)

Although my brethren got killed, I guess I’m truly cruel, Zanga thought within her mind.