The eyes of the girl who unleashed lightning glowed brightly.
Her aggression was strong, yet there was reason in them.
She was tense, but her movements were not stiff.
The terrified girl finally managed to squeeze out a whisper.
"...Ki… Ki, san."
(...So the lightning girl's name is Ki.)
While feeling spasms in her eyelids, Eve shifted her gaze.
The crackling lightning did not seem to affect the girl in front of her.
There was no thunder.
In other words—it was not natural lightning.
What was the true nature of the electricity?
Magic?
Chanting?
—No.
Eve instantly pulled at the thread she believed to be the truth.
The ability of the girl holding the rapier.
(I see. These people—)
Touka had told her about them.
The ones summoned by the Goddess to defeat the root of all evil.
(Otherworld heroes, huh.)
The tip of the rapier thrust toward her throat.
Eve let out a silent roar.
A voiceless roar to rouse her own body.
She moved her numb body to create distance.
Lightning flowers danced around the girl.
(The range where it exerts strong numbness is fixed… It is not infinite range.)
She predicted in her mind and leaped back.
(With this, I can gain distance…!?)
"No way!? This guy can still move like that even after taking my Unlock Two…!? —Tch, you think I'll let you escape!"
Urgency ran across the lightning girl's face.
Yet her attacks did not falter from impatience; instead, they accelerated.
(Guuh!? This speed!?)
A speed she had never experienced even in the blood fighting arena.
The distance she had opened was closed in an instant.
The girl unleashed thrusts like a mountain of needles.
Eve skillfully wielded both swords to deflect the storm of needles.
Because of the clinging lightning, she could not move at full capacity.
But,
(If I cannot use speed—)
She predicted the opponent's next move and intercepted one step ahead.
Reading ahead.
The experience gained as a warrior,
sharp observation and high-speed processing,
instant judgment,
and the instincts of a beast.
These four allowed Eve Speed to do it.
The lightning girl's rapid assault was tremendous.
No, her strength was not limited to speed alone.
Her combat talent itself was outstanding.
Though still rough, her technique was also at a high level.
She could be described as a fusion of wildness and reason.
She seemed to have no fixed style.
Or rather, it could be called a style that was not cramped and suited her individuality.
"If only the situation were different, I would want to praise how well she built that fighting style."
Moreover, since she seemed to still be growing, she was terrifying.
If she became a blood fighter, she would climb to the top in the blink of an eye.
"I'm seriously not joking…!? Can't I finish it with Unlock One and Two!? I even threw in Big Sis's personally taught golden attack pattern…!? But—Big Sis never makes mistakes! Which means… I'm still not strong enough!"
The one pressing the attack one-sidedly was the girl.
Yet there was no composure on her face.
What could be seen in her expression was frustration.
(...Is she that frustrated that she could not finish it with the attack pattern her sister taught her?)
The girl was blaming herself.
She believed the reason she could not finish it was not the tactic her sister taught, but her own lack of power.
Yet the girl did not give up.
On the contrary, the precision of her attacks increased with every strike.
(She grows during actual combat…)
And Eve had no room to spare either.
Within the lightning's range, she was purely on the defensive.
Even if she escaped outside the range, the distance was closed again in an instant.
Because the girl was too fast, there was not even time to raise a white flag with a "wait."
Since the first strike, the girl had continued her ultra-high-speed assault without even getting short of breath.
(Guuh…! If I can endure until my voice returns…!)
Thud.
A sound rang out.
"——!"
It came from an unexpected direction.
Her gaze was involuntarily drawn toward the sound.
It was not a monster.
It was the sound of the terrified girl dropping to her knees on the mud.
She had probably tried to help Ki.
But her knees had no strength, and she had collapsed.
"Found you."
(Shit—)
For just a fraction of a second, her attention had been taken by the terrified girl.
A gap was created.
The opponent did not miss it.
The eyes of the lightning girl showed the greatest composure yet.
The decisive moment of the match—the instant when concentration must be maximized.
Those who can calm their mind in the finishing phase are strong.
(This is bad! I can't dodge—)
"————Wait, Ki."
Clink.
The tip of the rapier stopped right at Eve's throat.
"…I was waiting for you, Big Sis."
The lightning girl—Ki—leaped back.
She stood in front of the newly appeared girl as if to act as her shield.
Eve observed their appearances once more.
What Ki was wearing was called a "kimono," if she remembered correctly.
Like the sword, it was originally clothing from the otherworld.
The hem was short, and the sleeves were large.
It was subtly different from the shape Eve knew.
Because the sleeves were large, it was hard to see the movement of her wrists.
That seemed to be the reason for the difficult-to-read thrusts.
Accessories were attached to the kimono.
The older sister's outfit was similar to Ki's but subtly different.
It was clothing called "miko attire," if she recalled correctly.
Like the kimono, it originated from the otherworld.
Though it showed a bit more skin, it still gave a pure impression.
Or perhaps that impression came from her appearance and demeanor.
A long sword hung at her waist.
(...So the one in miko attire is the older sister.)
Eve also created distance and lowered her posture, readying herself.
(Even so…)
Eve felt something strange.
The match had been just a hair away from being decided.
Yet Ki had withdrawn her blade without hesitation.
There was not even a hint of regret on her face for pulling back.
"Kashima-san seems to be unharmed."
"Hehe… Well, it was a close call."
Ki readjusted her rapier.
Without taking her eyes off Eve, she asked her sister.
"Big Sis… Can I at least ask why you stopped the finishing blow?"
"That is not a monster."
"Huh?"
"It is different in nature from the monsters we have encountered so far."
"A female lion?"
"A leopard."
"?"
"…?"
"?"
"…A leopard?"
"…Are those two somehow different?"
The older sister only smiled faintly without answering.
It was not a mocking smile.
Then she returned to a calm expression and looked straight at Eve.
"The difference from other monsters is that it possesses high intelligence. The nature of its intelligence is different from the monsters until now. The will dwelling in those eyes and its behavior seem closer to that of a human."
Ki brushed her wet hair back.
"So basically, what the hell does that mean???"
"It means we might be able to have proper communication."
"Ah, I see… Hm? But Big Sis, this guy looks like it can't talk."
"Your inherent skill may have affected its vocal cords in some way. Though it cannot produce sound, the subtleties of its gestures are close to those of a creature that uses language. Well, personally I think judging intelligence solely by whether it can speak a language is rather foolish."
Ki held her head and crouched down.
"…Did I mess up? Damn… I messed up, I really messed up…"
Meanwhile, the other terrified girl—Kashima—remained sitting on the ground.
She looked up at the sisters with a dazed expression.
It seemed her mind could not keep up with the situation.
The older sister stepped forward.
Reflexively, Ki reached out to stop her.
But the older sister slipped through her sister's hand like a ghost.
(She entered my attack range without hesitation… but there are no openings.)
The older sister—lightly bowed her head.
"First, as the older sister, allow me to apologize. I do not sense any hostility from you… The battle likely occurred because my impulsive younger sister prioritized my orders and charged ahead recklessly. …Ki, you should apologize quickly as well. Whether you will be forgiven is uncertain."
Ki stood up and gave a small bow.
"S-sorry… I'm the type who acts on impulse… When Big Sis isn't around, I often rush ahead without thinking… Um, so… a-are you okay?"
Ki waved both hands around in a flustered manner.
"Not using Kashima-san as an excuse for your apology is the correct way. However, it is also true that my instructions were insufficient. It is not solely your fault."
The older sister seemed like someone she could talk to.
A golden opportunity.
If handled well, they might avoid any further fighting.
But her voice would not come out.
The older sister brushed her wet, drooping hair back.
Even as another woman, Eve found the gesture alluring.
"I will ask a few questions now. If you still cannot speak, may I ask you to express your intentions through gestures? Raise your right hand for affirmation and your left hand for negation?"
(Hm, I see…)
"May I ask questions?"
She raised her right hand.
Affirmation.
"Just to confirm. Do you have any hostility toward the three of us?"
She raised her left hand in negation.
"Then, is there no problem if we simply part ways here?"
Affirmation.
"…That is all the questions for now. We only came here to retrieve the girl over there. We are not here to fight you."
Eve felt a chill.
There were emotions.
She was not taciturn.
The intent behind the words came through.
However, she could not grasp the true intentions sleeping in the depths at all.
(She feels somewhat similar to Touka, but the "type" is different. Who exactly is this girl…?)
Her composure was also abnormal.
Could she really remain that calm in the Demon Zone?
She must have felt the great monster migration to some degree.
Kashima was obviously affected, and even the carefree Ki showed emotional fluctuations.
But the older sister showed no fluctuation at all.
She was like a water surface without a single ripple.
No,
(The only slight fluctuation I could detect was during her conversation with her sister…)
In any case,
(Her depths cannot be measured.)
She had not seen her fight.
She had not seen her engage in sharp debate.
Yet,
(My instincts are telling me… She is not an opponent I can match in a battle of wits. In this situation, I have no choice but to accept the current proposal. However… if Touka were to face this girl, what would—)
"!"
Something suddenly rushed past Eve's side.
When she looked, the older sister was in the posture right after throwing something.
The long sword at her waist was gone.
"—Gueeh."
A short groan from a monster.
When she turned, a monster with a blade stabbed between its eyebrows was standing there.
The monster's body swayed.
Thud.
The monster collapsed onto the muddy ground.
Eve had also sensed its presence.
It had been on the verge of moving.
The timing of Eve's and the older sister's initial reactions had been almost the same.
But the older sister had been faster.
This was no ordinary matter compared to the younger sister.
(Even though the effects of the lightning still remained… To think I would fall this far behind…)
She was a bearer of terrifying talent.
(The only one among those I know who might be able to match that combat talent is probably Seras…)
While feeling respect, Ki casually walked over and retrieved her sister's sword.
"The stronger I get, the more it feels like I'll never reach Big Sis's level…"
Yet Ki, who said that, somehow looked happy.
"There is no such thing as a person who is special from the beginning. It is simply that layers built from the accumulation of small actions eventually become a uniquely powerful and unparalleled force. And that is a realm anyone can reach through awareness and habituation."
"Please say it in words I can understand."
"It means that steadily accumulating correct effort every day is very important."
"Hm? Isn't that… just normal stuff?"
"That 'normal' is surprisingly difficult."
During this exchange, Eve was desperately thinking.
(Otherworld heroes… In other words, the ones summoned together with Touka… But Touka said he is currently hiding his identity…)
In the Demon Zone, Touka had spoken a little about the otherworld heroes.
He probably had not told everything…
(It seems Touka is thought to be dead by the heroes from the same world. His tone suggested he wants to hide the fact that he is even alive… In that case, I should avoid bringing up Touka here.)
"Are you thinking of outwitting us—would it be rude to assume that?"
Eve's heart skipped a beat at the older sister's words.
The sensation of having her mind seen through.
"——I was thinking about a certain person."
(Hm?)
Her voice came out.
"It spoke."
Ki, who had just handed the sword back to her sister, brightened up.
"Haaah~ I'm so glad… If it had lost its voice after that, I would have been tormented by guilt… No, I'm really sorry."
"I also bear responsibility for carelessly reaching toward Kashima. As a result, thanks to your sister, the situation has calmed down."
"…Big Sis, this guy seems like a really good person?"
"You… are not alone, are you? For example, you are searching for a separated companion… Am I wrong?"
"Hm…"
It was not like Seras, but it felt as if any lie would be seen through.
So she answered honestly.
"That is correct. I am searching for my master."
"That human seems like a good master."
"Indeed."
"I see…"
"!"
(I slipped up.)
She had let slip the information that her companion was "human."
Her voice had returned, but she now had to be careful with careless statements.
The situation was unfavorable.
Eve decided to leave the area quickly.
She turned her back on the otherworld heroes.
"I am in a hurry. I may take the previous negotiation as mutual agreement, correct?"
"Yes."
"I ask that you refrain from any further prying."
"I am sorry for the clumsy prying."
"...You are a strange girl."
"Hijiri."
"Hm?"
"Hijiri Takao—that is my name. An otherworld hero summoned by the Goddess Vysis of Alion… Well, you already seemed to have noticed."
Her intentions could not be read.
"Why did you give your name?"
"It is my own form of courtesy, Eve Speed."
"——!"
Another blunder.
With that reaction, it was as if she had named herself.
"I predicted the name that best fit the information I gathered. Stories of a vanished leopard tribe blood fighter had also reached my ears. However, I have no intention of telling anyone that I met you today, so please rest easy."
"…Is there any benefit for you in staying silent?"
"A person with strong will and power who is good… Connections with such individuals, even if thin, should be maintained. Especially in this world."
Eve thought silently for a moment.
Then,
"Hijiri Takao—I will remember your name."
From behind her, Hijiri said,
"Even so… your master is truly intriguing. The fact that you are 'searching' means you are confident that person is still alive even after being caught up in that great migration… But I have heard that the humanoid species mixed in that migration are difficult even for the Four Holy Saints or Vysis's followers to handle. The only ones who could defeat them unscathed and with ease would be the former 'strongest of humanity' or Goddess Vysis herself."
"..."
"In other words, that person possesses the ability to survive even when facing humanoid species—at least, the kind of ability that makes one imagine they could survive."
Eve let out a low laugh in the back of her throat.
"I am impressed by your insight. However, my master is—"
Eve declared,
"A person who cannot be measured by a simple yardstick like me."
▽
After separating from the otherworld heroes, Eve once again became a beast and began following the scars of the deadly battle.
The path she advanced was in the completely opposite direction from where she had encountered the otherworld heroes.
Along the way, the rain gradually lost its intensity.
A clear sky began to peek through the clouds.
The sun was starting to set.
The setting sun illuminated the raindrops, making them sparkle.
Like a flying spear, Eve Speed increased her speed.