CH 97

After that, many people approached us, starting with that man. And without exception, they all knew our names. I won the championship, so it’s not surprising that people know me maybe… But Suzu, how? Is it because of that logout incident?

「Are you going to the next city?」

「Um, yes」

「Take care! I’m rooting for you!」

「Yes. Thank you very much」

After dealing with the last girl, I finally made it through the crowd. All that was left was to go straight to the south gate.

「… Waaaaaa… I’m tired……」

「Hahaha… You’re right… Maybe it’s because we’re not used to it, but it’s exhausting…」

「Aya has become a celebrity…」

「That includes Suzu!」

「Well, yes, but…」

「I mean, how does everyone know about Suzu?」

「Maybe it’s because of the photograpy album?」

「Ah! I remember you mentioning that!」

「I heard it’s selling well. Thanks to that, my finances…」

「I see. I can’t wait to get my own workshop…」

「Want to buy another house?」

「… Nope. Not now, I guess…」

I’m a little shaky, but I can’t be spoiled by Suzu all the time. Besides, I think it’s nice to have a sense of accomplishment when I buy a workshop with the money I’ve earned. When I buy a workshop, I’ll need to set up the proper equipment… And then I’d have shelves to display my creations… Then after that…

「We’re almost at the gate」

「Ah, that’s true」

We were almost at the gate when I was fantasizing about my own workshop that I plan to buy in the future.

「To Farrell, I see. Please put your hand here… Yes. Thank you very much. Please be careful」

「Yes. Thank you very much」

「Thank you」

I greeted the kind-looking male gatekeeper and left the capital. There were the same checkpoints as when we entered, but we were able to leave the city without any problems.

「Hey, Aya…」

「What is it, Suzu?」

「…… Can I… Can I hold your hand?」

「Okay?」

「Yes! … Then」

───tightly…

Suzu grasps my hand in a way that makes our fingers intertwine with each other… I don’t know much about that kind of thing, but I can tell… This is what is known as “a lover’s connection”, right… ?

「Suzu… ?」

「What is it?」

「… I- Is this…」

「Hmm? We’re just holding hands??」

「……… I- It’s nothing, after all」

「Yeah? All right」

I felt a little… No, I felt so much pressure, I stopped pointing it out… We’re just holding hands… I don’t think you need to worry so much about… It’s fine, right?

While Ayane was troubled as she walked, Ryoka was walking with a very satisfied smile on her face. She looked so happy that she could almost be humming……

─────

──

「Bumooooooo!!!!」

「Ku!! Now!! Do it!!」

「「Oh!!」」

───Zanzzan!!

At the shout of the man who had blocked the boar with his great shield, the other men moved at the same time and slashed through the boar, which was several times larger than their own.

「Fugoffugo!!」

「Everybody get behind me!! 《Wide Shield》!!」

───Daaaaaaan!!!!!

A boar over 3 meters in length collided with the transparent wall deployed by the skill. This caused it to fall down in a daze, probably due to a concussion.

「Just do it!!」

「Riyo!!」

「Leave it to me!」

───Gusa! Zaku! Zupan!!

「… Bumooooooo… !!!」

「Haa… Haa… Somehow… Did we win… ?」

「Dangerous, this place is… Isn’t everything getting stronger all of a sudden?」

「… That’s it… Is that how it is?」

「… No, I don’t think so, right? According to my informant, there’s no such thing as wild boar around here…」

「Then why is it here… ?」

「Don’t know」

「I knew that」

────Biki… Bikibiki!!

「Bumo o o o o o o o o!!!!!」

Ayane and the others are about to be caught up in another disturbance…

○Today’s Skill○

It’s been a while since I’ve had a skill like that, 《Wide Shield》!

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【Name】《Great Shield Art》: Wide Shield MP consumption: 100 consumption per piece

【Effect ① (LV. 1)】 You can put up a transparent wall of skill level x 50cm around your great shield. The strength of the shield depends on your DEF.

【Effect ② (LV. 5)】 It will be possible to change the shape of the shield to some extent.

【Effect ③ (LV. ☆)】 You will be able to activate it continuously, which will increase the strength of the shield.