Chapter 28: A Blow with All My Might

How long had we been staring at each other? She’s really cute, I thought. Big, round eyes and soft, cherry-pink lips. The way her gaze trembled with uncertainty gave off a fragile aura that stirred my instinct to protect her.

"...Who are you?"

Tilting her head slightly, she spoke with a gentle, stroking voice. That finally brought me back to my senses. I forced a polite smile and responded.

"Ah… um, I’m Sora. As you can see, I'm in the same boat as you."

I raised my bound hands lightly as I said it. Her eyes twisted in sadness when she saw them. She held up her own arms to show me — she was wearing the same kind of shackles.

"I'm Ferelynn."

A strange name, but it had a beautiful ring to it.

"I see. That’s a lovely name… Can I call you Fere?"

It’s just a bit too long to say normally. Better check if it’s okay to use a nickname.

“…Y-Yeah. Then, can I call you Sora too?"

She looked slightly flustered, though not in a bad way. Maybe she’s just not used to this kind of interaction.

"Mind if I come over there? Let’s talk for a bit."

"Yeah… okay."

She nodded multiple times. I climbed up the ladder to her tank. The lid had an external lock, but the key I’d taken earlier made quick work of it. I smiled at her widened eyes.

"Excuse me for joining you."

"...Okay."

Sitting beside her, I got a better look. Her arms looked human, except they were covered in feathers from the elbow down. Her lower body was fish-like, though her skin was smooth and free of scales — more like a dolphin or an orca, maybe? She even had a navel. I suppose she’d be classified as a mammal.

"S-Sora… why are you here?"

She asked hesitantly, tension clear in her voice. Somehow, this moment stirred a faint memory.

"Well…"

I decided to explain. When I told her the tearful tale of my escape, she seemed a little downcast.

"I see… So that man was your master? I’m sorry… I dragged you into this because of me..."

She looked like she was about to cry. Even though she’s the one suffering the most, she’s still thinking of others. Such a kind soul.

"You don’t have to worry. I was the one who insisted on helping, and in the end, I couldn’t even save you… But it’s okay. My master will come for me — and when he does, let’s have him help you too."

When I said that to encourage her, she lifted her head and gave me a small, softened smile.

---

As we shared bits of our pasts, I got to learn a little about her as well. Apparently, her race is called a Siren—a rare kind of merfolk born only once in a great while. Their songs are said to hold immense magical power. But even in the ocean, her wings made her stand out, and in the end, she was cast out of her village.

Lost and with nowhere to go, she wandered the sea alone until she happened to stop and rest near here—only to be chased by some strange men. They eventually caught her and locked her up in this tank. That’s how it all happened, or so she said.

Her master had made it in time, but it seems they were beaten by someone with teleportation magic. When I gave her a careless sort of comfort—telling her she’d definitely get out, that she’d make it back to the sea—she slowly lowered her gaze and let out a quiet confession.

“Even if I get out… there’s nowhere to go. I’m a one-of-a-kind race, all alone…”

She looked like she was about to cry—so lonely it hurt to see—and I could feel my bad habit surfacing again.

“…Then, would you like to come with us? Master doesn’t make a move unless someone asks, so it’s safe.”

…Except with me, but that’s different. He might make a sour face, sure, but I doubt he’d turn her down outright. Still, I’m starting to get worried—if I don’t start repaying my debts soon, things might get a little dicey.

“Is it okay to just decide that on your own?”

“U-uh, well… if he comes to get us, I’ll ask him…”

Yeah, deciding things on my own would definitely be bad. So, we’ll put it on hold for now… I really hate how helpless I am when I can’t do anything myself. When I gave that weak, unsure reply, she giggled softly.

“Sora, you really like that master of yours, don’t you?”

And then, still smiling, she went and said something completely off-base.

“…How did you come to that conclusion?”

“Well, you believe in him, don’t you?”

Well… yeah, I mean, he’s kind of a cheat character. I do believe he’ll be the first to move in a situation like this, and I trust that he’ll come for us. But that’s totally different. Let’s not lump this together with that. One love-struck airhead like Yuria is more than enough.

“Then… do you dislike him?”

“…………”

I couldn’t help but avert my eyes. If I had to say I liked or disliked him… I guess I don’t dislike him? Ugh, no, let’s drop this gloomy talk. It’s no good for the body or the soul.

“Hey… I want to hear more of your singing.”

“Ah! You changed the subject!”

Must’ve been your imagination.

“Geez… fine, I’ll sing for you.”

She said “fine” with her mouth, but her face looked genuinely happy.

“…Ehehe, it’s the first time I’ve had a friend who’d listen.”

…That’s nice and all, but why is she singing something that sounds like a love song?

---

For some reason, after about three songs in a row that were all ballads and love songs, her recital came to a sudden end with an explosion of sound. I wonder who’s the one setting off such flashy fireworks... but I can only think of one person.

That was way faster than I expected. I wonder what kind of trick they used.

“It seems like someone’s come for us. Can you… come with me?”

As I looked at her fins—was it her legs or fins?—she slapped them against the water’s surface and gave me a reassuring nod. Looks like she can move on land, huh? Despite being smaller than me, she's a bit more physically capable, so I can’t just pick her up and run. That would be way too reckless.

But, ignoring my concerns, she skillfully stood up using just her tail, hopping around on the platform with ease. She’s got some strength after all.

“If I had my arms, I could fly with my wings…”

Ah, I see… she’ll rely on her tail to move on land. At least she’s able to move on her own for now, which is a relief.

“Then, let’s go together.”

“...Yeah.”

Still, she seemed to hesitate for a moment, but after a strong nod, she was ready to go.

Now, the escape begins.

Supporting her as we climbed the stairs, I could hear the voices of the guards and some thugs loitering in the hallway. From a distance, I could also hear the sound of clashing swords. If there’s ever a time to act, it’s now—while everything’s in chaos.

“Hey… hey, don’t you think we should go back?”

But, maybe because of the fight noises, she seemed anxious. I can’t blame her for that. It’s a natural response, but if we don’t push forward now, we’ll never get the freedom we want.

“It’s okay. I might seem unreliable, but I’ll protect you until reinforcements come.”

I’m a girl, after all. It’s too embarrassing to keep relying on Master like I always do. As the one who started this, I at least want to be a bit heroic, not just another nameless extra. I want to be the one to save the day for once.

“...Okay.”

Together, we moved quietly down the hallway, making sure to stay hidden. Fortunately, the guards are too busy dealing with things outside to pay much attention, so we proceed cautiously, looking for a way out from the back.

We were doing fine up until just before reaching the door leading to the garden, when a sharp voice called out from behind us.

“Wait, you little brats.”

When I turned around slowly, there stood the scrawny man who had kidnapped us. His name? Doesn’t matter, he’s just a nuisance.

“Tch, I saw you sneaking around. You can’t fool my eyes.”

His attitude is so pompous for a mere thief. But the situation is bad. My physical abilities are weak, and my magic is sealed... the same goes for her. The moment we’re spotted, we won’t even have the chance to fight back.

That said, I’m not about to be captured so easily. As a woman, at the very least, I’m going to make sure she gets away.

“Fere, I’ll create an opening. You’ve got to escape. Please go get Shuya with the black hair and Clarice with the red hair.”

I don’t know if Master will show up, but at least Clarice should be here. If we can just meet up, we might stand a chance.

“You think you can escape?”

He’s got a short temper, and before I even finished speaking, he pointed his staff at us. As I shielded Fere with my back, I began slowly backing away.

“Sora…”

“It’s okay.”

He’s just a hired hand, so there’s no way he can attack us with full force. If there’s any chance for me, it’s in that. Luckily, he looks as weak as he seems, so if I put all my weight behind a strike to a vital spot, maybe I can make it work.

“I’m not gonna let some gloomy guy like him do anything to me.”

That was meant to encourage Fere, but it was the scrawny man who reacted immediately.

“…What did you say?”

His bloodshot eyes widened, and he shouted, spitting foam from his mouth.

“What did you just say!?”

“Ugh...!”

I was blown away by a shockwave, slammed into the ground along with Fere. It hurt a lot more than I expected, and honestly, it’s not looking good. Did I trigger some kind of sore spot with the "gloomy" comment, or is he just that sensitive?

“You, you slave—how dare you talk to me like that!!”

“Sora…!”

“Fere, don’t leave me!”

Every time his staff swung, another shockwave hit. Each time, I heard a high-pitched sound from my collar, and a thin barrier would briefly flicker around us. It seems like a defensive magic is at work.

I endure the shocks as best as I can, using my body as a shield for Fere. The pain was only bad at first; now it’s more of a tremor in the air that I can handle. I think the real pain came from being slammed into the ground earlier.

At least I can manage if I just endure for now.

“Sora, are you okay!?”

“I-I’m fine, ughh!”

“Don’t you dare mock me!!!”

I grit my teeth, still holding Fere protectively. Now that I realize there’s no real pain anymore, I feel a little more at ease, but the constant shocks are starting to wear me out. If things keep going like this, it’s going to be bad... but the fact that he’s getting so worked up might be our opportunity.

“Hah… hah… how dare you, slave!”

Magic requires concentration. If you keep firing it off without thinking, you’ll run out of energy fast. He’s already panting heavily, shoulders heaving.

“Sora… Sora!!”

His voice cracks, almost crying out my name. The shockwaves left my body tingling, but it’s nothing I can’t handle. I feel bad for deceiving Fere like this, but I really need her to hold on a little longer.

“Ugh…!”

I groan deliberately, crouching low.

“Hah… hah… how pathetic!”

It seems like he was convinced of his victory. He came charging toward me, his steps wide and carefree. Just a little more… just a bit closer… Once he was within range, I sprang into action.

With all my strength, I thrust my knee upward, catching him squarely in the groin.

“―――――――”

It was a clean hit, the man completely unguarded. He must have exhausted his magic, because there was no barrier to protect him. It was a critical strike. I could feel the disgusting squish of my knee pressing into something soft. Honestly, it felt awful.

The gloomy guy let out a sound between a scream and a whistle, his eyes rolled back in his head as he fell to the ground, frothing at the mouth. He collapsed on his back with a loud thud. Heh, now he’s just like that pig, isn’t he? Heh heh.

"Sora!!"

"Hah, hah, did you see that, Fere? Big victory for me!"

"…Uh, yeah."

Anyway, I got my revenge for being kidnapped, so take that, you jerk. Sure, I'm a little beat up, but still. But Fere's eyes are giving me this weird look... I wonder what that's about?

"Hey, Sora... why are you bent over like that?"

"...Because it hurt like hell, okay?"

I’m not sure, but maybe I did go a bit too far for a guaranteed win. I might have gone a little overboard. At the very least, I should offer a little prayer for the dead. As I silently pray for him, I spot someone running toward us from down the hallway at full speed.

"Sora!!"

--- Too late, Master, as usual.

---

ADVENTURE RESULT

EXP

NO BATTLE

◆ 【ソラ Lv.50】

◆ 【フェレ Lv.14】

ソラ Lv.50 [509]

【RECORD】

[MAX COMBO]>>33

[MAX BATTLE]>>33

【PARTY】

[ソラ] [Lv.50] HP31/50 MP182/420 [Normal]

[フェレ] [Lv.14] HP140/140 MP330/330 [Normal]

=================================

【Comment】

"Finally, I can calm down now…"