"Fels, let's go!"
"Lyd!? What on earth are you saying!"
"Splitting up to find Wiene here is a losing move. We can trust that man!"
'Akumo, I'm counting on you!'
Dash—!!!!!
For a moment, the Xenos' footsteps almost faltered, but Lyd immediately entrusted Wiene's search to Akumo and sprinted toward the entrance of Knossos with Fels.
Lyd was just as flustered by the sudden turn of events, but it was a decision he could only make because he believed in his comrades.
"As if I'd let you go!!!!!!"
"[Ice Edge]!!"
Crack—!!!!!
"Ugh!!!!"
Creeeeeak—!!!!!!!!
Gareth intended to swing his axe again to pursue the Xenos, but his feet were frozen by Welf and his arms were momentarily bound by Mikoto's technique.
"Two humans and one monster, eh?"
Grind—!
"I'm sorry, but you'll have to move aside!"
BOOM—!!!!
However, the restraint couldn't hold Gareth for long. With a mere surge of strength, the ice shattered instantly.
"This might hurt a bit!"
"Welf-dono! I'm using it now!"
'[Futsu-no—'
Gareth began to exert his true power to suppress them. Welf and Mikoto tensed, bracing themselves to stop him even if it meant exhausting every magic sword they possessed, but then—
THOOM—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
""!!""
CRASH—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
A single fist buried itself into Gareth's face, hurling the veteran warrior through several buildings.
"He'll be back on his feet soon. Prepare to stall him."
"....Yes!"
Swish—!!
'S-So fast...!!'
Akumo had delivered a devastating surprise attack to Gareth, making it easier for Welf and Mikoto to buy time. He immediately moved to search for the separated Wiene.
Whoosh—!
Whooooosh—!!
".....Where did she go?"
'There are too many paths...!'
Akumo kicked off the buildings, rapidly scanning the surroundings.
"It's a monster!"
"Everyone, att—"
Thud-thud-thud—!!!!!!!!!!
"Sorry, but stay asleep for a while."
He continued his search, surgically knocking out any adventurers who dared to attack him. Then—
"There it is!!"
"!!"
'They weren't looking at me... which means!'
Whoosh—!!
"Haah...! Haah...!"
CLANG—!!
"Eek!?"
Wiene was fleeing from the pursuing adventurers. However, a massive weapon slammed into the ground before her, blocking her path.
"You can't run anymore."
Thud—!
"Ugh....!!"
The owner of the weapon was Tiona. She had been chasing Wiene for some time and had finally cornered her.
"....."
'Just a moment ago...'
"Um.... Ah....."
Images of what she had seen while chasing Wiene kept flashing through her mind.
A child had been about to be caught in the debris of a collapsing building caused by the battle. Even Tiona had noticed too late to save the child—but another girl had saved him.
"Yeah, somehow, killing you is impossible!"
'I knew it.....'
"You saved that child earlier, didn't you?"
".....!"
Unable to deny what she had seen, Tiona could no longer view Wiene as a mere monster.
"I don't know if you can understand me, but you should leave quickly."
Slide—!
"Not everyone is as much of an idiot as I am."
Tiona took in Wiene's appearance. Anyone could see the wings and the jewel on her forehead that marked her as a Vouivre, but the eyes looking back at her were undeniably those of a young girl.
"This just makes things more complicated...."
Ultimately, the only choice left in her heart was to spare Wiene. As she waited for the monster girl to pass her by—
Twitch—!
'A presence....!!'
WHOOSH—!!!!!!!!!!
Sensing a powerful presence, Tiona swung Urga without hesitation, but—
CLANG—!
"Blocked—"
Grab—!
"Shh~"
Akumo effortlessly parried Urga and placed a finger over Tiona's lips to stifle her startled cry. A faint smile played on his face.
It was likely because he was pleased that Tiona, whom he expected might attack Wiene, had chosen to let her go of her own accord.
'He's strong....'
"Who are you....!"
"....."
"Are you unable to speak, or are you just refusing....?"
'But since he's not attacking, it seems like he can communicate?'
She slowly addressed the being she presumed was a monster, despite him not attacking.
"Um...."
"....."
"Excuse me....?"
"....."
Grin—!
"!!"
Akumo didn't answer; he simply watched her. At first, she truly thought communication was impossible, but as a mischievous smile spread across his lips, she realized she was being teased.
Snap—!
"Ugh, whatever! Just both of you get out of here!!"
"Pfft....!"
"Eeeek!!!"
Grip—!!
Seeing him actually burst into laughter, Tiona considered fighting him after all and reached for Urga, but—
"You're a good girl, aren't you?"
"!!"
—'You're a good girl, aren't you?'
The words escaped Akumo's lips unconsciously.
"...Akumo?"
'That's definitely what Akumo said to me before.....'
Was it a memory etched into her soul, or was it a phrase Akumo uttered instinctively, proud of her growth?
"..."
Whoosh—!
"A-Akumo—"
Grab—!!
Startled by her words, Akumo immediately took Wiene and vanished from the spot.
Tiona tried to grab the man before her, but Akumo disappeared so quickly that she had no choice but to let him slip away.
Slide—!
".....That just now....."
"You heard it too, didn't you.....?"
"Yeah.... Tiona...."
Tione, who had arrived and was waiting atop a building, had also heard Akumo's words. Her eyes trembled, deeply shaken by what the departing entity had said.
"Akumo...!"
"I'm glad you're safe."
Having secured Wiene, Akumo focused on the sounds echoing from the surroundings.
"Wiene!" "Lady Wiene!!"
"....!!"
'These voices...'
Hearing Bell and Haruhime's voices nearby, Akumo immediately headed toward them.
Dash—!!!
"You two!"
""!!""
"Bell! Haruhime!"
Seeing Akumo appear with Wiene in his arms, Bell and Haruhime rushed to him, relieved that she was unharmed.
Hug—!
"Thank goodness, Wiene."
"I'm so glad you are safe...!"
Wiene, equally relieved, called out their names and threw herself into their arms. They shared a brief moment of joy, holding each other tight.
—"I'm sorry, I'm sorry....!"
"Phew.... What a relief..."
'That's one weight off my shoulders....'
—"Thank you, I love you all!"
Wiene repeatedly expressed her apologies and gratitude. Hestia, listening through the crystal, sighed in relief that they had reunited safely.
"Then, once more, I will cast [Level Boost] on Lord Bell...."
Twitch—!
"!!"
Whoosh—!!!
"Lord Bell....?"
Their remaining goal was to reunite Wiene with Lyd's group and help the Xenos escape.
To that end, Haruhime intended to cast [Level Boost] on Bell to finish the operation swiftly, but Bell sensed a threat and immediately pulled his cloak tight to hide himself.
'This presence....'
Step, step—!
"Come on out!"
"You can't erase your scent, so just show yourselves!"
The savage voice of a wolf echoed through the street. Haruhime immediately knew who it was.
'Bete-san... we have to hold out...'
Slide—!
"!!"
As Bell considered how to evade the werewolf hunting them, a man walked past him.
"Don't worry."
"But.... the opponent is Bete-san....!"
Slide—!
"Haruhime-san...!?"
Bell, unaware that this was another Akumo, judged that the man's strength wouldn't be enough to face Bete. He was shocked again to see Haruhime willingly step out in front of Bete alongside him.
Step, step—!
".....!!"
'That guy.... the one from before...!'
"There is no one here but us."
"That rabbit brat, tell him to get out here too!"
"There is no one here but us! So please, leave!!"
Haruhime's words weren't meant for Bete.
"Haruhime-san....!"
'I understand! Everyone....!'
Whoosh—!!
Tap—! Tap—!
Recognizing that her repeated shouts were a signal for him to go, Bell decided to leave the situation to her. He took Wiene and leaped up the buildings to escape.
"Don't give me that crap!"
BOOM—!!!!!!!!!!
"Kyaa!?"
Bete also read Haruhime's intent as Bell's scent began to fade. He stomped the ground, intending to bypass her and pursue Bell.
Grab—!
"Thank you...!"
"Don't mention it. Get started!"
"[──Grow. The vessel for that power. Countless treasures, countless wishes. Until the moment the bell tolls, grant glory and illusion.]"
Shoooooo—!!!!!!!
Haruhime almost fell from the shockwave, but Akumo caught her. After thanking him, she immediately began her chant.
"!!"
'Is it [Level Boost]....!!'
Bete raised his guard to the maximum, preparing to lunge.
Having clashed with the robed monster before, he knew it was stronger than him. If it received a [Level Boost], the situation would spiral out of control.
"I am not your opponent, wolf."
"What....!"
Flash—!!!!!!!!!!
"[──Grow. This body that has consumed the divine offering. This light offered to the Gods. Reach the hammer and return to the earth, grant your blessing. ──Grow, Kotsuchi.]"
"!!"
"[Uchide no Kozuchi]!!!!"
Bete was momentarily flustered by Akumo's words. In that instant, an Amazon charged forward, wreathed in the light of a giant hammer.
Vroom—!!!
"What are you doing, you fledgling fox!"
Shoooo—!!
"But well, I'll forgive you since you've finally learned to make a decent expression."
Aisha smiled proudly at Haruhime. Haruhime returned a warm smile, grateful for Aisha's help.