Flanked by knights, we advance into the center of the forest. Progress has been fairly safe so far. The monsters around these parts dont seem to pose much of a challenge to a knight, and the wizards in the back make short work of them as we march on.
There are a few times when small monsters like slimes slip past the knights notice, but they cant escape Yuels sharpened senses and she skewers them with a knife. Ever since we entered the forest, Yuel has stuck close to me, and her ears twitch as she constantly monitors our surroundings.
As if shes trying to pinpoint any lurking monsters locations from the slightest movement or sound. Were safe. No problems.
Firebaahh! Curses! I almost had it!
If only this slightly irritable blonde twin-drills werent next to me, or rather next to Yuel. The blondie, Fran, has been recklessly itching for battle ever since we entered the forest. Seems like she cant wait to slaughter some monsters.
Oh yeah, before we entered the forest, Ruruka was saying something about Fran getting driven out of her house and wanting to stack up achievements in order to return home.
Shes likely trying to make a name for herself as a prominent magic user even among the knights in the hope that word will get back to the lord. Too bad, but the knights are taking out the monsters before Fran can even finish her chants.
However, how do I say this, personally I find this girl really hard to deal with. Theres a precariousness to her, like you cant be sure a magic attack wont come flying at you. Like if you happened to touch her bare skin, your nether region would be reduced to cinders.
Now matter how good I am at healing magic, something like that is no joke.
I wish this unstable girls guardians would keep a tighter leash on her, but right now it looks like Ruruka and Sera are busy deliberating with a male knight over a map. No doubt theyre discussing which direction we should go from here.
Also, I dont appreciate the way that Fran is greedily leering at Yuel every time she dispatches a monster. Yuel seems to have captured her interest in some way, but-
Come now, Yuel, wont you consider joining our party?
I really dont appreciate her trying to poach a slave right under her masters nose, either. Although the same thing happened with Ruruka before.
Um, I want to stay together with Master, so.
Its unthinkable. You may be fine at the moment, but for a man to procure a female slave, he must surely have wicked intentions. In fact, just now he was eyeing Ruruka and Sera with a most lecherous gaze.
Nor do I appreciate her unabashedly bad-mouthing me in front of my face. I most certainly was not looking at them like a total lech. I was just glancing at their chests a teensy-weensy bit, thats all.
Master is not that kind of person!
Well, I shall leave it at that. Nevertheless, Ruruka can be rather careless at times, so having a vigilant vanguard such as yourself would be quite reassuring. If anything were to happen, I shall take you under my care, so you are welcome anytime, alright?
In other words, if I were thinking about selling Yuel? Maybe I would consider it if Yuel told me she wanted to leave me of her own will, but Im being cautious to avoid it ever coming to that. So I wont be selling her in the first place.
Um sorry!
Then, with a single word, Yuel turns back around and starts restlessly moving her ears. She seems to be monitoring our surroundings again. For Yuel its quite the curt attitude, but she might want to remain vigilant. We dont know where monsters might show up within the forest, after all.
When Yuel cuts off the conversation, Fran turns her glare my way next. I wish shed cut it out already. As Yuels master I shouldnt respond immaturely, but I wont be satisfied unless I retort.
Oi oi, give it a rest. Youve sure been running your damn mouth. As for Yuel, I have no intention of doing such things to
-And, the instant I mention that.
Yuel, who was monitoring our surroundings with a knife raised, whips her head around.
Then, completely dropping her guard, she stares at me dumbfounded.
Yuel is watching me.
When I say I have no intention of doing such things its not like I wouldnt ever? Maybe in the future, though?
At my reassurance, Yuel looks relieved and returns to monitoring our surroundings.
And Frans face distorts as if shes about to say uwahh.
Objection overruled.
See, I knew it, I knew it had to be like that! Filthy!
Of course the abuse comes flying. But I couldnt help it. I couldnt betray that look in Yuels eyes just now. Even just suggesting that I dont intend to get involved with her made her anxious enough to stop her lookout, so I dont know what would happen to her if I confirmed it.
Whats more, you may not be aware of this, but I am the daughter of the lord of this city. A man like you shouldnt even be speaking to oooh.
Fran continues to scorn me. Honestly, if some guy said Im gonna put my hands on this kid once shes older then naturally hed be condemned. Even I would denounce him.
But then Fran unexpectedly stops her abuse.
Because Ruruka and Sera have returned.
Ouch!
Sera bops Fran on the head.
I let you out of my sight for one second and you pick a quarrel with a man. Goodness, Fran, what am I going to do with you
With a hint of anger in her voice, Sera admonishes Fran. With experienced motions, she grinds her fists into Frans temples.
That hurts! That hurts, I say! Wait, Sera, just listen to-!
Hey, how did the atmosphere get so serious in the short time we were gone? Lets all try to get along better, okay?
Ruruka comes to mediate as well.
But I dont say anything to Ruruka about the fact that Fran was scolding me for saying I would put my hands on Yuel. Please just ignore that.
After that we proceed a bit deeper into the forest, when suddenly theres a cold sensation on the tip of my nose. I try touching it, and it feels damp. Its rain.
Huh, is that rain?
It does seem that rain has started to fall. The weather has taken a turn for the worse since before we entered the forest.
Looks like Ruruka and Sera have noticed it too.
For a moment, my eyes are dazzled.
When my vision returns, smoke is rising from the Krankheit Turtle. And, for a few meters surrounding it, the ground is burnt pitch-black.
Fu, fufu. Do you recognize my greatness now, I wonder?
Fran mutters to nobody in particular. That must have used a considerable amount of mana though; she seems lightheaded.
But man, that spell just now was amazing. I bet itd be powerful enough to evaporate the Huge Slime in a single hit.
Its over. That was unexpectedly quick. The mist disperses from around the Krankheit Turtle. One last poison cure, and my job here will be done.
Master, not yet.
At the same time Yuel mutters.
-!!
Theres a resounding roar.
With black smoke rising from its giant body, the Krankheit Turtle stands up. Even that spell didnt finish it off.
Ignoring the nearby tanks, the Krankheit Turtle locks its gaze onto Fran and plunges straight towards her. I thought it was defeated. Evidently the knights thought the same, as even they are surprised.
Rear guard, fall back! Evade it!
One of the knights promptly slashes at its legs. However, it doesnt stop.
One of the knights stabs its head with a sword. Even then, its direction doesnt change.
It steadily closes in on Fran. Theres something almost vindictive about it.
As for Fran shes fallen on her butt. Maybe due to the sudden roar she received while she was lightheaded. Or perhaps she just cant move from expending too much mana on that spell just now.
Because Im the one in charge of curing Frans poison, Im the closest to her. And the Krankheit Turtle is still far enough away.
Dont get mad.
I lift Fran into my arms and distance myself from the Krankheit Turtle.
!? Wai
I was surprised at its sudden charge, but tortoises are slow after all. I run to an area free from bystanders while carrying Fran. Shes unexpectedly light, maybe because her chest doesnt have much weight on it? Its a little heavier than Yuels, I guess.
Even though Im running while carrying her, I manage to avoid the charge. Im a little worried that the ground is so slippery from all the rain, though.
Master, here it comes!
Or so I thought, but it seems to have adjusted its direction. The knights are trying to somehow put an end to it by repeatedly attacking it, but it still doesnt go down.
Perhaps thanks to the knights attacks, the Krankheit Turtles speed is falling compared to the initial charge, but it would still be better to create a bit more distance.
But man, why did it suddenly charge like that? Even though before that point it was huddled up and couldnt move very well.
-When I quickly glance at the place where the Krankheit turtle used to be, theres something burnt sitting there.
Something blackened, cracked, and round.
Its- an egg?
Was the Krankheit Turtle protecting that? And thats why it couldnt move? That last area-of-effect spell from Fran must have broken it.
But it seems the Krankheit Turtle is at the limits of its endurance, too. As a knight delivers one final sword stab to the head, it shudders with a jerk, and its movements become dull.
Then, the Krankheit Turtle falls to the ground with a huge, thudding impact. Its not moving anymore.
This time, it looks like we finally won.
Hey, Wait, let go of me! Where are you touching!?
Fran seems to become aware of me again, and blushes furiously as she starts to struggle.
Look, Im setting you down now, so dont struggle.
-At that moment, I hear an awful snapping noise.
Looking towards the sound, countless cracks are running through the ground below me.
Master!
A few meters away, Yuel cries out.
I didnt notice.
While I was avoiding the Krankheit Turtles charge, and carrying Fran to a vacant area, I ended up coming right up to the edge of the river.
Originating from the Krankheit Turtles corpse, countless cracks - no, fissures - are spreading in all directions. The ground at my feet is about to slide into the river.
Due to the downpour, the soil is loose and the river is high. When the Krankheit Turtle fell, it sent out a huge shockwave.
The color quickly drains from my face. By reflex, I fling Fran in the opposite direction of the river.
My foothold slides away, and I fall towards the river.
Yuel and the knights come rushing over, but they dont make it in time.
I plunge into the river. Right before Im swallowed up by the muddy water, I feel like I see something come diving towards me.