CH 278

“I’m happy that you came here of your own volition, Rust Struna Hartnicks.”

Says the giant homunculus with a relaxed but haughty tone.

“If you’re so happy, how about letting them go, being whose name I don’t know?”

I try my hardest to bluff and not show how scared I am. It said a name I’m not used to hearing, but I’m letting that pass for now.

“Fine fine, there.”

The giant homunculus snaps its fingers with both hands, and a high-pitched sound echoes.

I peek back, while still keeping my attention on the being in front of me, and see Roa suddenly getting up and then running straight towards me.

“Roa!”

“Kya!”

I call out her name to stop her, and something knocks her back as she tries to go through the hole.

Roa wastes no time getting up again. She envelops the half that remains of her spear with magic elements and thrusts it at the hole.

I hear a dull sound, but the spear doesn’t get through.

She unleashes a series of attacks too fast for me to see, but it all bounces back.

“Hm… Rust Struna Hartnicks, that one really has no manners.”

Says the giant homunculus, sounding exasperated. It then shrugs, still looking arrogant.

I look back and run towards the hole. It looks like there’s an invisible wall covering it, like the repulsive field the alchemist association used in the special storeroom.

When I reach the hole, Roa puts away her spear.

I put both hands on the repulsive field, put my face to it, and quickly speak to Roa.

“Roa, please. Take Taula out of here. Go with Seilook as far away as you can.”

“But!”

“Please.”

Roa puts her left hand where mine is on the repulsive field. She stretches so she can get closer to my face, and speaks with a serious expression.

“I’ll wait for you to come back.”

She says, before quickly turning around.

She grabs Taula, retrieves Rose, and runs as fast as she can.

“Ahh…”

I sigh, as I clench my right hand on the repulsive field.

And then, I slowly turn around to face the being behind me.