Book 5: Chapter 23
Book 5: Chapter 23
You’ve grown bigger—when I heard Lark’s voice, everything that had happened in the last 4 years surged into my mind like a flood.
It has been 4 long years.
It was enough time for me to grow up, and enough time for Lark’s life span to be reduced from her skill’s recoil.
「Wait for just a little while, onee-san.」
There was so much I wanted to talk to her about. But there was a problem at hand that I needed to solve first.
I felt Lark’s body twitch when I called her “onee-san”. I laid her down on the ground. I was also worried about Dante-san, but it seemed that he was just unconscious.
Right now, however–.
「I have to do something about End Fang.」
I took a few steps away from Lark. End Fang jumped back, wary of my magic, but it is not an opponent which can be brought down with that level of magic.
Can I fight and win against it?
After having seen Forest Eater and Human Mimic in the “Back World”, the probability of winning on my own was unlikely. End Fang suffered some damage in the previous attack, but those were just small wounds. In the first place, the 8 giants are opponents who decide the survival or destruction of the races in the “Back World”. Even if you possess Asha’s extraordinary mana, they are not easy opponents.
Then, there is very little I can do.
I chose the single ray of hope available to me – “persuasion”.
「I don’t know if it is okay to call you End Fang… but I would like to hear your side of the story.」
I sent my voice towards End Fang using【Wind Magic】. There was no reaction from the End Fang, but conversely, there was no movement either. The three eyes looked at me with an angry expression.
「What are you doing, little brother? You can’t talk to monsters.」
「It’s okay, just leave it to me.」
Lark’s advice was reasonable, but I have already talked to Human Mimic before.
「I encountered Forest Eater and Human Mimic in your world. Human Mimic referred to Forest Eater as “big goat”… Can you also use “Earth Talk”?」
『……………………』
It was silent. Was it unwilling to answer? Can’t speak? Or can’t hear?
「You are all being manipulated by “Vision Ogre”.」
For the first time, a change appeared in End Fang’s appearance. It was a subtle change, but it seemed like my words were finally getting through to it.
…This might just work.
I still don’t know what Vision Ogre is thinking, but it was clear that it was trying to harm this world.
It manipulated End Fang to widen the Red Gate and to attack this world. It was quite a likely scenario considering that Forest Eater and Human Mimic were rampaging as well.
『…………I…——』
Right when End Fang blinked a couple of times and started using “Earth Talk”–
「—Little brother!」
I looked back in response to Lark’s voice.
「Ah……」
I saw black shadows in the sky – a number of military magic airships were heading here.
The turrets on the airship gleamed, and black shells started to rain down towards End Fang.
The impact from the bombardment which is used for siege battles was tremendous. The bombardment hit not only End Fang, but also the surrounding buildings and roads, and exploded.. End Fang dodged and weaved through the shells, but several shots hit its body.
『GURURURURUAAAAAA!!!!!!!!』
A large cloud of dust kicked up. The sound pressure from the roared slammed my body.
「Shit… I was so close to getting through to it!!」
「Run away! Hurry up!」Lark shouted.
End Fang glared up at the sky with fury.
…My plan isn’t going to work anymore. End Fang is overcome with anger once again.
I turned around, picked up Lark, and started running.
「Idiot! Just leave me!」Lark said.
「…………」
「Leave me! At least you must escape–」
「—Shut up. I can’t concentrate.」
「What concentrate!?」
I tried to recall Wilhelm’s movement.
The movement method that the referee called “Shunpo”.
(Step firmly and — Fly!)
It was a startling experience. Simply put, the scenery in front of me changed instantly. I should have moved quite a distance, but I didn’t feel any air resistance.
「Whoa!? What did you do!?」Lark, who was in my arms, was equally surprised.
However, I had no time to explain it. So I just ran towards Dante-san.
「Ah, uh… Is that you, Reiji?」
「I’m glad you have regained consciousness.」
「What’s going on right now…?」
「They are conducting aerial bombing on End Fang with airships. Dante-san, can you evacuate with Lark for the time being?」
Dante-san got up to his feet, looked at End Fang and then at me, and nodded.
He is truly a great person. He can instantly decide what information is necessary and what should be done even in a situation like this.
「I understand. Come with me, Lark-san.」Dante-san said.
「W-Wait a minute! What are you going to do, little brother!?」
「I can still fight.」
「That is absurd–」
「–Lark, we will talk later. I feel like I have to do something about End Fang.」
Lark fell silent when I said that. When Dante-san extended a helping hand to her,
「It’s okay… I can walk on my own.」
She refused his help.
「…Your name is Reiji, huh?」she asked.
I nodded.
I will have to explain the name later.
「I am Reiji, an adventurer, and a fellow party member of Dante-san over here… And also your brother.」
…Ah, there are too many things to talk about.
「So, I will see you later.」
I turned my back to them and started running.