Chapter 48: Those Who Arrive Late

"Lulu!!"

A pained cry rang out from behind me—Yuria’s voice, choked with anguish.

“Lulu-chan! How dare you!!”

“Yuria! Fere! Stop! Calm yourselves!”

I turned around on reflex and called out to stop them. Yuria had taken a stance with her bare hands, while Fere had spread her wings protectively in front of Chris, conjuring blades of ice.

That strike from Lulu earlier was practically a perfect sneak attack—yet their opponent swatted it away like nothing. And Lulu's no slouch; she’s solidly mid-tier among intermediate fighters—an elite adventurer—and the strongest among us here.

Even if we fought back now, Yuria and Fere wouldn’t stand a chance.

“But—!”

“They’re not resisting. So please, let me tend to her wounds.”

If you listened past the chaos, you could hear the sound of someone groaning in pain.

Judging by that smug, narrow-eyed expression, the cut wasn’t meant to kill. Taking a life would be crossing a line. Since one of the king’s goals is my body, they probably want to bring me back intact if they can help it.

They won’t jump to murder unless it’s absolutely necessary. At least, that’s what I’m hoping.

…At the very least, until they’ve fulfilled their objective, they won’t be actively trying to kill anyone.

“Ah, sure. As long as you’re not going to resist.”

“Yuria, tend to her.”

“…Understood.”

Still glaring daggers at them, Yuria dashed toward Lulu.

Fere dispelled her magic and, though still glaring alongside Chris, held herself back. Without interference, Yuria made it to Lulu, quickly helping her up and checking her condition.

“Ugh… I’m sorry…”

“…Lulu, hang in there! You’re okay—it’s not deep.”

Yuria tore the hem of her coat and wrapped it around Lulu’s bleeding abdomen, starting first aid on the spot. Now that I got a better look, the bleeding wasn’t that bad, and her consciousness seemed clear.

As I suspected, they’d held back.

The crushing pressure in my chest eased slightly as I let out a slow breath, trying to calm the panic within.

If only we can stall them until Master returns… How long can we hold out? As I stared, the narrow-eyed one approached with a mocking smile, raising a hand to his chin as he looked down at me.

“Oh, right. While we’re at it—mind guiding us to the village?”

“…I refuse.”

I replied flatly. The man looked vaguely impressed.

“I thought you weren’t going to resist?”

“If I leave this place, there’s no longer any reason for you to keep them alive.”

If they manage to restrain and drag me off, the others lose their value as hostages.

To them, capturing me without injury would be a complete victory. Even if I’m hurt a bit in the process, they’d still count it as a win. It’s precisely because my powers are unknown that they’re relying on hostages as a failsafe—to ensure nothing goes wrong.

“I see. Fair point. Don’t worry—so long as you come quietly, I promise their safety.”

“I don’t trust you.”

When I said that, the narrow-eyed one burst out laughing and gently took hold of my chin.

“I could just capture you by force, you know. Maybe you should be a little smarter about this?”

“I am being smart, believe it or not.”

Hmph. So what he’s really saying is, once they have me restrained, they can do whatever they want. That just makes me trust them even less.

More than anything, the village is unprotected—its combatants are all away. Just a rough count of their group means dozens could breach it. If I let them in, there will be casualties for sure. That must not happen.

“～～!! Get your hands off Sora!”

“Fere, no!!”

The narrow-eyed man, who had leaned in with an unpleasant smile, clicked his tongue and backed off just as an ice arrow zipped past him. The knights bristled with killing intent.

We don’t stand a chance in a fight. If he wanted to, that man alone could wipe us out in an instant.

If there’s any chance at all, it’s in stalling. Confusing them, drawing things out.

“Ugh… but still!”

“You mustn’t resist.”

As I turned my eyes back to Fere, who was groaning but holding back from casting, the narrow-eyed man turned his killing intent toward me. But intimidation won’t work. Compared to a jealous Master, this guy isn’t scary at all.

“So, what’s your decision?”

“If you’re taking me, then we all go together. I won’t guide you.”

The best chance for everyone to survive is if they stay where I can see them. But they’re not likely to accept that.

“I can’t do that. We didn’t come prepared to take anyone back with us.”

So that means I’m just an afterthought, and they didn’t come to capture the young man they claim to be looking for.

That only deepens the mystery of their objective—and who he really is. If I get out of this safely, I’m going to make them explain everything.

“Then please leave me here too. You won’t be able to stop me from heading back to the village anyway.”

The path is fairly well maintained, but it’s not easy enough to follow without someone familiar guiding the way. And with this many people moving through snow, they’ll lose a lot of time. As long as Master returns, we win.

“…Ugh, this is starting to get annoying.”

“——Huh?”

With that mutter, the man with the thread-thin eyes caused something to shimmer silver across my vision, and with a soft slicing sound, long golden strands scattered across the snow.

“Milady!!”

“Sora!!”

I cautiously reached behind my now-much-lighter head, and found that a thick portion of my hair had been sliced off near the nape of my neck.

“Trying to buy time, are we? But I’m getting tired of humoring you.”

…I may have misjudged him.

He cracked his eyes open just slightly, twisted his lips into a sneer, and lightly tapped the flat of his sword against my neck. A cold wave surged through me, like all the blood in my body had just drained away. I hadn’t expected him to be this short-tempered.

“I-Is this really okay? If you kill me…”

“It’s fine. That lolicon freak’ll cheer up just fine if we toss some random little girl at him.”

So this is his true nature. From the way he acted, I had hoped he’d be a bit more gentlemanly… what a huge mistake.

“Tell me—do you think the one we’re looking for will come crawling out if I tear you to pieces right here?”

The blade, now horizontal, began to press slowly into my neck, sending sharp pain slicing through me. Who would’ve thought that taking off my collar would come back to haunt me? They said they’d make a replacement, but before that could even happen…

I clenched my fists and glared at him, trying to hold back the fear.

“If I just—”

“You don’t have to.”

A familiar voice rang out—and with a dull thud, the man with the slit eyes vanished from my vision. At the same time, I felt myself suddenly become weightless—and the next thing I knew, someone caught me in their arms. I immediately saw Master’s tense, worried face.

“…You’re always so late, idiot.”

“Sorry.”

---

“Teleportation…?”

The girl with the curled twin-drills looked at us with a face painted in shock, which quickly turned suspicious as she narrowed her eyes. In her hand, she held a drawn rapier, clearly ready for battle.

“…Who are you?”

Even the thread-eyed man, now farther away, had his sword at the ready and was visibly on guard. The knights were also inching closer, their intent clear—they were ready to strike at any moment.

“Master!”

“Shuya-sama!”

“Ah ah, don’t move now. You don’t want these two getting hurt, do you?”

“Uu… President, I’m sorry…”

“We’re sorry…”

Just as Yuria, carrying Lulu, tried to run over to us, a sharp voice stopped her in her tracks. At some point, the twin-drilled girl had moved and was now holding her blade toward Fere and Chris.

I felt like there was quite a bit of distance between us, but when did she—?

"You coward, using hostages like that, you old hag!"

"...Yes, but I don't hesitate to use any means necessary to complete my missions."

What a disgrace of a knight—she brings shame to the very name!

"Seriously, not only are you an old hag, but you're despicable too. Gross."

"Aren’t you supposed to be on our side!?"

"Everyone, you held on well. It’s all right now. Lulu, I’ll get you treated right away, just hang in there a bit longer."

"Y-Yes..."

Master was staring at my hair with a face that looked like he was barely holding back his anger.

I gently touched my neck. As I suspected, it had been cut, and it hurt a little. But as a soft light began to glow, the pain gradually faded away.

"Whew... Anyway, please hand over that elf to us. I may be facing demi-humans, but I have no desire to harm women or children."

"That's a lie. You’re just jealous of that cat-girl’s youth and big boobs. You’re burning up with ugly envy because she makes your fake self look bad."

"Would you please be quiet for once!?"

Good. Keep going, dark little girl! The more infighting among them, the better it is for us!

"And you're jealous of that elf too, right? Having a hot boyfriend and all—totally deserves death."

I’d heard it before, but I guess Master really is considered attractive by local standards. His shallow facial features—probably from being East Asian—made him look kind of baby-faced. I mean...

"Who are you calling whose boyfriend!? Don’t spout nonsense, you damn flat-chested shrimp! There’s nothing going on between me and this depraved perverted freak!!"

"Lie. You’re actually happy he saved you. Flirting in this situation? Learn to read the room. You should just die."

"Don't spout baseless lies! I’ll carve away your chest so far it goes negative!!"

"Try it, if you think you can. When it comes to strength, I’m guaranteed to win."

Spreading such outrageous lies—I'm going to smash that damn cutting board to pieces!!

"Hey, you’re healed, so stop squirming."

"Master, give me a weapon! I’ll be the one to smash that plywood to bits!"

"Bring it, acorn girl! I’ll ram some dark magic up your ass and make your molars rattle!!"

For some reason, Master let out a sigh and gently patted my head. But in the next moment, his expression turned cold again, anger simmering as he glared at the narrow-eyed guy.

"So, the one who hurt you was that man, right?"

"Eh—y-yes."

The overwhelming killing intent made me nod without thinking. He feels... different than usual.

"...I see."

"Looks like he can use some magic, huh? The world’s a big place—better watch yourself if you want to stay alive."

He put me down, then cast what looked like a faint blue barrier around me before stepping forward toward the narrow-eyed man. Wait, now I can’t get out! I can’t go beat up the little girl! And what about the hostage!?

"I told you not to move, didn’t I? If you do, these children—"

"What the hell do you think you're doing to my girl!?"

"W-What!?"

Suddenly, Kasai-san burst out from the forest with incredible speed, slicing through the snow in an instant and closing the distance on Ringlets. He struck with his blade at the very moment he drew it.

Caught off guard by the instantaneous attack, Ringlets looked stunned, but just before the sword hit, her figure vanished and reappeared beside Slitted Eyes. I see—so she can use teleportation magic too.

"Makoto-san!"

"Chris, are you alright!?"

Even as Kasai-san glared at Ringlets and Slitted Eyes, he embraced Chris, who had flung herself into his arms the moment she was freed, overcome with emotion. I pointed at the dumb couple and shouted at the foolish black little girl who clearly didn’t understand the situation.

"You see that, Black Loli!? That's what you call an oblivious, air-headed couple!"

"...True. Compared to them, you're still more self-aware and less annoying."

I'm glad she accepted my logic.

"But you two were flirting earlier too. You’re both dumb couples."

"Fine, I get it. I’ll strip you down right here, wrap you up and send you to the Lolicon King."

"Got it. I’ll decorate you properly and line you up on that stupid king’s dinner table, so relax, you pointy-eared monkey."

She always has a comeback! This little girl’s sassier than the village kids!!

"Now then, the tables have turned, haven’t they?"

"Are you stupid or something? You clearly haven’t even grasped our strength properly."

While the Black Loli and I were exchanging sparks across the barrier, Chris and Fere, saved by Kasai-san, came rushing into the barrier alongside Yuria, who was carrying Lulu on her back. Outside the barrier, Master and Slitted Eyes, Kasai-san and Ringlets were locked in a tense standoff. The other knight-like figures looked more than ready to attack as well.

"Let me teach you your place."

"Is that all you’ve got to say?"

"You seem quite skilled... how troublesome."

"You’ll pay dearly, Ringlets, for what you did to my cute little cat-ears."

"You should just stay trapped in Parasite Wood, in the fantasies of the perverts from the capital!"

"And you should get featured in some messed-up book where you’re paired with an orc!"

Our first real large-scale battle since coming to this other world was about to begin.

---

◇◆ADVENTURE RESULT◆◇
【EXP】
NO BATTLE
◆【Sora Lv.88】
◆【Lulu Lv.36】
◆【Yuria Lv.35】
◇―
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
Sora Lv.88 [887]
Lulu Lv.36 [366]
Yuria Lv.35 [351]

【RECORD】
[MAX COMBO] >> 34
[MAX BATTLE] >> 34

【PARTY-1 (Main)】
[Shuya] [Lv95] HP2100/2100 MP3460/3460 [Fury]
[Sora] [Lv88] HP42/63 MP1253/1253 [Angry]
[Lulu] [Lv36] HP60/835 MP40/40 [Injured]
[Yuria] [Lv34] HP1840/1840 MP89/89 [Normal]
[Ferre] [Lv30] HP282/282 MP1030/1030 [Normal]

【PARTY-2 (Sub)】
[Makoto] [Lv66] HP3450/3450 MP150/150 [Normal]
[Chris] [Lv13] HP200/200 MP20/20 [Normal]
＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝＝
【Final Words】
"Garurururururu!!"
"Gururururururu!!"