Chapter 354 – Hidden Truths

————Snap————

A tree branch broke as it hit my shoulder.

With heavy steps, I step out of the forest.

Leaving the forested area of various trees, beyond our path lies a wide plain.

A short distance westward, we would reach Fort Panuva.

I could already see Seras and Slei.

In the middle of the battle, just as planned, they had been evacuated out of the Demon Zone.

Considering what would happen hereafter……

The two of them needed to rest first.

Though I say that, Seras had enough strength left to use her Origin Regalia.

In case of emergency, it’s necessary to have Slei protected.

If anything———–

What is most important is that Slei rests.

Slei seemed to be sleeping and resting well.

Seras was probably resting as well.

However, she was unable to sleep.

She has her contract with the Spirits after all……

Seras noticed our arrival.

I continued on my way, almost falling to my knees from time to time.

Seras tried to approach, but I raised my hand, telling her there was no problem.

However————

My knees buckled.

My body is about to fall forward, but at that moment……

I heard the sound of foliage violently exploding around me.

I felt something fly toward me like a cannonball.

[! Touka-dono————]

Leaping without a howl, it approached my wobbly body.

I turned around to look over my shoulder.

It was a medium-sized Human-Faced———– about 6 meters tall.

I quickly pointed my right hand in its direction.

[<Paralyze>]

I dealt with the Human-Faced with my Abnormal State Skill before it could reach me.

Seras, clad with the Origin Regalia, was about to rush to me.

The paralyzed Human-Faced continued its leap with its momentum still intact———- but I avoided it.

Unable to catch its fall, tumbling on the ground, I finished it off with <Berserk>.

Looking down on it……

[It’s obviously just an act…… Idiots. You guys really never learn.]

In fact, my legs aren’t wobbling that much.

I was just acting, pretending to be weak when stepping out to the open space.

When we were aiming for Erika’s house in the Demon Zone with Eve and the others……

There were those ones who kept on waiting to weaken until the very end.

This time too, I could feel the presence of one of them lurking somewhere.

Was it perhaps being cautious?

It didn’t seem like it would come out.

And so, I decided to put on a show.

“I would be filled with relief when I finally reached the place where my friends are.”

The Human-Faced saw that moment as the perfect opportunity and decided to attack.

I myself could understand the logic in that way of thinking.

It is true that in the moment of relief, an opening would likely arise.

I think they have already observed and understood that Seras was also exhausted.

[However, it couldn’t see that I wasn’t that weakened.]

Seras deploying her Origin Regalia also helped to divert its attention for a moment.

……Well, the result of having her use her Origin Regalia was bad.

Now, Seras looks relieved, realizing that it was an act to trap someone.

[Also…… I have “eyes” behind me. Even if you attacked from behind, the likelihood that you’d catch me by surprise isn’t that great———- Right, Pigimaru?]

[Piggii.]

[Also, partner…… Can I ask for one last cry?]

As I did the first time, I magnified Pigimaru’s cry with the Gem of Voice Amplification.

I waited like that for a while……

However, there’s no sign of additional Golden-eyed Monsters attacking.

Time-wise, I guess this should be the limit for my EXP grind.

Well, even if they were still there……

If they are so wary and afraid that they don’t want to come out anymore, that’s already fine.

[Touka-dono.]

Seras, who had been walking up to me slowly, came close.

[I’m sorry. Because I didn’t say anything, I had you waste your Regalia.]

[No…… I’m glad you’re safe. I did draw the attention of that Human-Faced by using it——— Ah, no…… I knew you could have won without it but……, ———-Ahh.]

Seras tried to say all sorts of things, but I walked past her, patting Seras on her shoulder.

[Thanks.]

[Ah———- Yes.]

With the disturbance she made, even Slei had woken up.

[Panpiii?]

Seems like she’s welcoming me back.

[Have you rested for a bit?]

[Pakyuu?]

She then turns her back to me and shows me her crystal ball.

As if to say she knew we were going to get moving, so I should quickly pour in my magic power.

[I’m sorry for asking this when you just woke up…… I’m counting on you.]

[Pakyuuri.]

After that, we stopped by the fortress where the Demon Emperor’s Vessel had been used.

It was to make sure there aren’t any Human-Faced left.

Also, just in case, to see if there were any survivors.

The inside of the fortress was just as bad as it looks outside.

The stench of death was terrible.

Not only flies, there were even maggots on the corpses.

The devastation inside the fortress…… was too horrific to even describe.

There were no Golden-eyed monsters, nor Human-Faceds.

There were also no survivors.

Leaving the fort, we headed for the direction Rohm and the others headed to.

While riding Slei, I checked the state of my Fly King mask.

[This doesn’t look any good……]

In this battle, we killed quite a few Human-Faceds and Golden-eyed Monsters.

All those battles were easily won…… isn’t something I could say.

I won’t go as far as to say it was a hard fight though.

However, I guess it’s to be expected from the Human-Faceds from the Northern Demon Zone, which are said to be the strongest.

After Seras left, there were times when I felt my battles against them were tough.

There were also times when Pigimaru had to rest after he was exhausted from us using his combination technique.

That time when I had to fight on my own was probably the most nerve-wracking time.

However, the level-ups up to that point definitely were effective.

I wouldn’t say it was dangerous.

I couldn’t say it was an easy win either.

Because of that though……

My Fly King mask and robe were pretty much tattered.

Seras, riding in the front, curiously looked back at me at my words, and upon knowing what I was referring to, she giggled.

[The robe had undergone a lot of repairs, so I suppose it’s about time it reached its limits……]

[Right……]

Guess it’s time for me to have a new Fly King mask and robe huh.

▽

We returned to the encampment where Rohm and his men were.

When the Rohm and the Mira soldiers discovered us, they rushed to us.

I told them about the fortress and the results of the battle.

Everyone was surprised.

At the same time, they seemed to have been cheered up considerably.

We were now treated like heroes.

But well……

“We have an ally who was able to defeat enemies we didn’t think we could beat.”

I can understand how such a thought had given them hope.

On the other hand though, I was not able to bring back survivors.

I suppose this is one reality we must accept.

I could only offer my condolences to their fallen comrades.

However, I guess I should have expected as such from military personnel……

While I was on the way back here, they seemed to have sorted out their feelings in their own way.

They did not look away from the situation.

They did not let their emotions drag them excessively.

They were in sorrow, but accepted it in order to move on.

……I guess this kind of thing really feels just like a soldier huh.

After that, I asked them to send out magical war pigeons to Liese and the others to tell them that the suspension of their march had been lifted.

[Just in case though, please tell the Harpy soldiers to scout for any Human-Faced or Golden-eyed Monsters that might have come out of the Demon Zone.]

[Understood.]

[Well then, please look after the people from the Faraway Country.]

[Please leave it to me. Ummm, Fly King-dono…… Although it’s a hastily-prepared encampment, why don’t you take a short rest here? While you are resting, you may even be able to meet up with the people from the Faraway Country……]

[No, I’m going to continue our way back on my black horse.]

[I see…… Understood. His Majesty would also be reassured if Fly King-dono returns soon. I pray that we will be able to meet again on the eastern battlefield. Well then, please take care.]

I thanked him and riding Slei, we continued east.

Currently, Seras is riding in the front and I am riding in the back.

Yes.

This is the reason why I let Slei leave the Demon Zone first.

I wanted her to rest so that we would be able to return to the main encampment where Hijiri and the others were without taking too much wait time.

[Seras, I think I’m going to sleep for a while…… but do you mind? I certainly want to recover my MP by sleeping…… but as expected…… I’m a little tired.]

[Yes, please don’t hold back and get some sleep. Please…… lean your body on my back. Slei, can I ask for your cooperation so that Touka-dono doesn’t fall?]

[Burururu.]

[……Sorry, both of you.]

Wrapping my arms around Seras’ waist, hugging her from behind, I leaned my body on her.

I rested my face on Seras’ back.

……How should I say this……

This feels rather reassuring.

Even when Seras was rather embarrassed back when we just left Monroy……

She should be used to it by now.

…………Hmm?

Seras?

[………………….]

You are…… used to it already now…… right?

However———— before I could even confirm that……

I immediately felt drowsiness taking over my body.

Moreover…… These intermittent vibrations were lulling me to sleep.

At that moment……

As I was wrapped in deep comfort, on the verge of losing consciousness……

[I love you, Touka-dono.]

Those few words suddenly reached my ears.

At those words……

[Yeah…… Even without you saying it now, I already know about it…… I feel the same way.]

I think I probably said something like that back.

■

<Touka Mimori>

LV 5999

HP: +17997

MP: +197967

Attack: +17997

Defense: +17997

Endurance: +17997

Speed: +17997

Wisdom: +17997

<Title: E-Rank Hero>

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