Chapter 147 – Breathe Easy (1/2)

“Oh, what did the tiger cub see?”

Malfas ran off towards Hifumi in silence.

On the other side of Malfas, who fully demonstrated the physical prowess of beastmen with an expression of rage, the figure of Gengu, who chased after him in a hurry, appeared in the field of vision of Hifumi who is leisurely lying in wait.

“You are aaaahh!” (Malfas)

Despite there still being distance left between them, he leaps up while revealing the sharp claws on both his paws.

There’s also the difference in physique, but more than anything, something like an attack that was sent in a straight line to the degree of being stupid can be dodged by Hifumi with closed eyes.

Hifumi, who avoided it by tilting his head slightly, delivered a frontal kick into Malfas’ soft belly.

“Gyan!” (Malfas)

While watching Malfas who is rolling around while holding his belly, Gengu stood out-of-breath in front of Hifumi and bowed.

“Sorry for not contacting you ~ssu. I brought this tigerboy along as he said that he wants to receive training from you, Hifumi-san, but…” (Gengu)

“Oh, is that so?” (Hifumi)

Hifumi nods lightly while apparently having forgotten about being attacked.

Hifumi, who stood in front of Malfas who has fainted and is smeared with dirt, looked down on him with the hands in his sleeves*. (T/N: says pockets here but I don’t remember hakama‘s having any outer pockets like western jackets or such)

“Hey, tiger child.” (Hifumi)

The best Malfas can do is glaring at Hifumi who starts to ask a question.

“You are far too weak. Let alone you having not changed at all from before, you got even weaker? I told you that I would kill you the next time we met, but this won’t do. I don’t have even any motivation to kill you.” (Hifumi)

“Hifumi-sama.” (Origa)

Origa, who approached from behind Hifumi without making even a single sound, addressed him in a low voice. The iron-ribbed fan is in her hand and she is gripping it tightly to a degree that blood is spilling.

“Did you finish your talk? If you don’t mind, I want to get rid of this rude fellow with my own hands.” (Origa)

Her cold gaze seizes Malfas.

He was also surprised about her having approached him, who is a beastman, without getting noticed, but rather than that, it was a shock for the beauty, that looked at him with a smile until not long ago, to request permission to kill him.

“W-Why…?” (Malfas)

Tears due to a mix of pain and sadness overflow.

Trying to cut in there, Gengu kneels in a way of protecting Malfas.

“M-Madam! Can’t you please show some leniency!? This fellow is misunderstanding something as well, I think…?” (Gengu)

“How bothersome.” (Hifumi)

Muttering a brief complaint, Hifumi decided to explain it briefly at this place.

It’s about Malfas being one of the two children he overlooked at the time of crushing the village of tiger beastmen in the wastelands.

And about having told him to get strong the next time they met each other.

He didn’t tell his name though.

“… Then, without abiding to what he was told by you, Hifumi-sama, he is still as weak as he was. After all he is a brat who is stubbornly difficult to save. Well, even if I didn’t know, it was my mistake to have brought a guy like this in front of you, Hifumi-sama. Please punish us, including this dog as well, for being responsible. It’s the same sin for the elf and rabbit as well.” (Gengu)

Hifumi’s hand grasped Origa’s right hand which was raised overhead.

“Won’t you wait…? Hey, why do I have to stop you? Even though I’m enduring for the sake of Alyssa and that stupid queen, you…” (Hifumi)

While feeling the pain of her wrist being tightened to the limit, Origa gulped with a 「Ha」.

Shouldn’t I be the one knowing better than anyone that Hifumi is constantly thinking about wanting to kill others more than anyone else? Once she recalled, Origa, who noticed that he got angry at the time when she killed Ayperos, the younger brother of Imeraria, as well, felt as if it was Hifumi’s kindness to scold her, also including the pain of her wrist being constricted with a force similar to a vise.

“E-Excuse me. G-Grasp it tighter, punishment for me, more…” (Origa)

“Idiot.” (Hifumi)

“Ah.” (Origa)

Flinging Origa away by releasing her wrist with a “phooey”, Hifumi brings his face close to Malfas who is squatting down.

“So, what will you do? I will kill you now if you give up. However, right… Gengu.” (Hifumi)

“Aye!” (Gengu)

“How is Reni’s group doing?” (Hifumi)

Gengu, who was beffuddled for just an instant due to the abrupt question, swallowed his spit and began to talk.

“Having reached the point that many are living in the human city, the slums have grown rapidly ~ssu. There are also quarrels with the human part of the city, Reni-san and Helen-san are protecting the city by doing their best now… ~ssu.” (Gengu)

“There’s plenty of beastmen and humans. On top of that the elves are living together with them. If it goes on like this, the power will reverse in regards to the human-only city”, Gengu explained earnestly.

“Moreover, it’s been discovered that beastmen can use magic, too. Look there, the rabbitwoman Viine-san who is over there, she has learned magic with her whole heart in her wish for being helpful to you, Hifumi-san. Because of that she was able to come here to meet you ~ssu.” (Gengu)

“Hmm… then let’s do it like this.” (Hifumi)

Grabbing Malfas head, Hifumi forcibly matched his line of sight with Malfas’.

“You, go back to the wastelands. And then show me a part of your power by making good use of what you possess and destroy a human city. Once you are able to do that, I will be once again your opponent.” (Hifumi)

“A human city…” (Malfas)

Hifumi asks the shocked Malfas 「You can’t?」.

“Ah, how regrettable. Though you probably thought that even I won’t be able to win if you were able to unify the beastmen. Rather, a tiger has to refine a tiger-like group combat.” (Hifumi)

While making fun of him in a strange tone, Hifumi separates obviously having lost any interest in him.

By the way, it’s Hifumi’s misunderstanding, but tigers originally hunt individually and not in groups.

“At any rate, don’t disturb me as I’m currently observing.” (Hifumi)

While Hifumi sees them off with a wave of his hand, Malfas stands up after being helped by Gengu. Tears were glittering in his eyes, but his look has become completely that of a beast.

“You are called Malfas, right?” (Origa)

When called out by Origa, Gengu’s and Malfas’ shoulders quivered with a jolt.

“Work hard this time for sure to not make Hifumi-sama disappointed.” (Origa)

Gengu receives the paper, Origa quietly held out, in place of Malfas.

“It’s probably good for you to return to the wastelands by going back to Fokalore now since they can give you several soldiers to guard and guide you. Train for a while in Fokalore before you head into the wastelands. Show this paper to a staff member of Fokalore. It should serve you well.” (Origa)

“It’s a welcome offer, but why…?” (Gengu)

“Don’t you understand?” (Origa)

Although she’s smiling, she’s scary.

“Realizing Hifumi-sama’s desires are my goal of life now. If it’s for that cause, I will do anything. I will kill anyone.” (Origa)

While caressing her right wrist preciously, Origa looks up to the sky.

“Fight. Fight by involving all those who can fight. And kill Hifumi-sama with all of them.” (Origa)

“However”, Origa glared once again.

“If you are unable to do anything but lukewarm attacks like the one just now, your life and the lives of the ones in your surroundings will simply vanish. Engrave that into your heart.” (Origa)

☺☻☺

“For there to be such magic…” (Tannin)

Was it a mistake to have deployed the magic soldiers in one go in order to win easily? Tannin grind his teeth in vexation, but it couldn’t be seen on his expression.

“It’s already fine to pull back the magic soldiers. We will reform the ranks by bringing the infantry to the forefront while screening with suitable spear fire.” (Tannin)

Tannin reviews the current state while listening to the soldier, who received the instructions, relaying them in a loud voice.