The Unfathomable
The eyes of the girl emitting lightning bolts were shining brightly.
Although they are very aggressive, they also have a tinge of reason.
There is tension, but the movements are not stiff.
The frightened girl finally managed to squeeze out a word.
"--, ... Itsuki-san."
(...the name of the Lightning Strike Girl?)
Eve moved her gaze as her eyelids twitched.
The exploding electricity had no effect on the girl in front of him.
There is no thunder either.
In other words - it was not naturally occurring lightning.
What is the true nature of the lightning?
Magic?
Chanting spells?
--different.
Eve instantly reels in the thread that seems to be the truth.
The ability of the girl with the rapier in her hand.
(I see, these people――)
I heard it from Touka.
Those summoned by the goddess to defeat the root of evil.
(A hero from another world?)
The tip of the rapier reached down to his throat.
Eve let out a voiceless roar.
A voiceless roar to invigorate one's body.
In order to put some distance between us, I moved my numb body.
The thunderbolts danced around the girl.
(Once you go beyond that range, the lightning stops completely...)
The area where the severe numbness is felt is fixed.
The range is not infinite.
A prediction runs through my mind and I jump back.
(Now, can I put some distance between us…?!)
"You're kidding me!? This guy is myNo. 2TwoYou can’t even move like this even after receiving that…?! ――Tch, I’m not gonna let you get away!」
The Thunder Girl's face was filled with impatience.
However, rather than wavering due to her impatience, the girl's attacks only accelerated.
(Ngh?! What, speed?!)
A speed never before experienced, even in the Bloody Battlefield.
The distance that had opened up was closed in the blink of an eye.
A girl who unleashes needle-like stabs.
Eve skillfully wields the swords in both hands to fend off the storm of needles.
The lightning attacks that were clinging to him prevented him from moving at his normal pace.
but,
(If I can't increase my speed――)
Predict your opponent's next move and quickly intercept.
Read ahead.
Experience gained as a warrior,
Sharp observation and high-speed processing,
Instantaneous judgement,
Beast instinct.
These four things make Yves SpeedSo・R・This makes it possible.
The speed of the Lightning Girl's attacks is incredible.
No, speed isn't its only strength.
His fighting talent is outstanding.
Although rough around the edges, the craftsmanship is of a high level.
Could it be said to be a fusion of wildness and reason?
There seems to be a mold, but there isn't.
It can also be described as a relaxed style that suits the girl's personality.
"I'm impressed with how well you've created that fighting style."
If the situation were right, I would be inclined to give such praise.
What's more, it seems to still be in the process of developing, which is frightening.
If you become a Blood Warrior, you will rise to the top in no time.
「Seriously, that's a terrible joke...! oneone2TwoAnd you can’t make the decision?! I’m throwing in the golden attacking pattern that I learned directly from my big sister…!? But my big sister never makes mistakes! That means… I’m still not strong enough!」
It is the girl who is unilaterally attacking.
Despite this, his expression showed no room for composure.
The look on her face is one of regret.
(...Is it so frustrating that you couldn't land the attack that your sister taught you?)
The girl blamed herself.
The reason she couldn't make a decision wasn't because of the strategy her sister taught her.
I believe it is due to my own lack of ability.
But the girl doesn't give up.
On the contrary, the girl's attacks became more and more accurate with each one.
(It seems like a trait that develops during actual combat...)
And Eve has no room for that either.
Within the range of the torpedo attack, they were on the defensive.
Even if you run out of range, the distance will be closed in an instant.
It was so fast that there was no time to even wave a white flag to stop.
After the first attack, the girl continued to attack at lightning speed.
Without any shortness of breath.
(Guuu...! If I can just hold on until I can make a sound...!)
Splat!
There was a sound.
"----!"
It came from an unexpected direction.
My gaze was involuntarily drawn towards the sound.
A monster――not.
It was the sound of a frightened girl falling to her knees in the mud.
He was probably trying to help Itsuki.
However, he was unable to put any strength into his knees and they just dropped to the ground.
"look・t・hair・Ta・"
(Sh--)
For just a moment, my attention was drawn to the frightened girl.
There was a gap there.
The other person didn't miss it.
The eyes of the lightning-struck girl.
Here he showed maximum composure.
At that moment when the outcome of the match is decided, we must maximize our concentration.TimeTime.
Those who can keep their emotions calm at crucial moments are strong.
(This is bad! Dodge it――)
"――――Wait, Itsuki."
Perfect fit
The tip of the rapier stopped at Eve's throat.
"...I've been waiting for you, Sis."
The lightning-strike girl - Itsuki jumps back.
She stood before the new girl.
It was as if he was using himself as a shield.
Take another look at your outfit.
So what Itsuki is wearing is called a "kimono."
Like the sword, I hear it originally came from another world.
The knee length is short and the sleeves are large.
It was subtly different from the form Eve knew.
The sleeves are too big, making it difficult to see wrist movement.
That seemed to be the cause of the elusive stab.
The kimono is fitted with braces.
The older sister looked similar to Itsuki but was subtly different.
I think the outfit was called "shrine maiden outfit."
Like the kimono, I recall it originating from another world.
Although it is somewhat revealing, it still gives a neat and clean impression.
Or perhaps the reason for that impression is her appearance and demeanor.
He had a long sword hanging from his waist.
(...That girl in the shrine maiden outfit is my sister.)
Eve also took some distance, lowered her posture and got ready.
(Even so...)
Eve felt strange.
It was just a matter of deciding the game.
But Itsuki simply drew his blade.
He didn't show any sign of regret about pulling out.
"Kashima-san, you seem to be safe."
"Hehe... Well, it was a close call though."
Itsuki readjusted his rapier.
Without taking her eyes off Eve, she asked her sister.
"Big Sister... can I just ask why you decided not to finish him off?"
"That's not a monster."
"teeth?"
"It's a completely different monster than we've encountered so far."
"A lioness?"
"Leopard."
"?"
"......?"
"?"
"...a leopard?"
"Are there any differences between those two?"
My sister didn't reply, just smiled faintly.
It was not a mocking smile.
Then her expression returned to a calm state and she fixed her gaze on Eve.
"What sets them apart from other monsters is their high intelligence. Their intelligence is different from that of monsters we've seen up until now. The will dwelling in those eyes and their behavior seem to be more similar to that of a human."
Itsuki stroked her wet hair back.
"So, what does that mean???"
"It means we can communicate properly."
"Oh I see...huh? But sis, that guy can't seem to speak."
"It's possible that your vocal cords have been affected in some way by your unique skill. But even though you're not making a sound, the subtleties of your movements are similar to those of a creature that can use language. Although, I personally think it's foolish to judge someone's intelligence solely based on whether or not they can speak a language."
Itsuki crouches down and holds his head.
"...Did I do it? Shit...I did it, I did it..."
Meanwhile, the other frightened girl - Kashima - was slumped on the spot.
She looks up at her sisters with a blank look on her face.
It seems like he can't keep up with the situation.
My sister has stepped forward.
Reflexively, Itsuki reached out his hand to stop him.
However, the older sister slips through her younger sister's hands like a ghost.
(He entered my attack range without any hesitation… but there was no opening.)
My sister――lightly bowed her head.
"First of all, I, as your older sister, would like to apologize. I do not sense any ill will from you... The fact that we engaged in combat was probably the result of your younger sister, who tends to rush into things, prioritizing my orders and rushing headlong into things. ...Itsuki, you should also apologize quickly. I don't know if you'll be forgiven, though."
Itsuki stood up and bowed his head.
"S-sorry... I, well... I'm an impulsive idiot... When my sister wasn't there I would act without thinking... um, well... are you okay?"
Itsuki was in a panic, his hands moving back and forth.
"Not using Kashima-san as an excuse was the right way to apologize. That being said, it's true that my instructions were also lacking. Itsuki is not solely to blame."
It seems like my older sister can speak.
A once in a lifetime opportunity.
If we're lucky, we might be able to avoid any further fighting.
But I can't speak.
My sister pushed back her dripping wet hair.
Though they were of the same sex, Eve found it to be a seductive gesture.
"I'm going to ask you a few questions. If you can't speak yet, may I ask you to express your feelings through gestures? Could you please raise your right hand for affirmative, or your left hand for negative?"
(Hmm, I see…)
"May I ask a question?"
Raise your right hand.
positive.
"Let me just check. Do you have any animosity towards the three of us?"
The left hand of denial.
"So, is it okay if we just break up like this?"
positive.
"...That's all the questions for now. We just came to bring back that girl, we're not here to fight you."
Eve felt a shudder.
There are emotions.
He's not silent either.
The intention of the words is also conveyed.
However, the true meaning that lies deep within is completely unclear.
(She does seem similar to Touka, but... she seems to be a different type. Who is this girl...?)
His composure was also strange.
Is it really possible to remain so calm in this demonic zone?
You must be aware, to a greater or lesser extent, of the recent mass migration of monsters.
Not only Kashima, but even the easygoing Itsuki shows signs of emotional fluctuation.
However, my older sister is completely unwavering.
It's like the surface of water without a single ripple.
no,
(The only thing I could see was a little bit during my conversation with my sister...)
in any case,
(Unfathomable)
I didn't see them fight.
I have never seen him make a sharp argument.
And yet,
(My instincts tell me... she's not an opponent I can defeat by tricking her. In this situation, I have no choice but to go along with her proposal. However... if Touka were to face this girl, what would happen――)
"!"
Next to EveFlashTosenBut he ran through it.
When I looked, my sister was in the same position as if she had just thrown something.
The long sword at his waist is gone.
"--Guh."
A short cry from the monster.
When I turned around, there was a monster standing there with a blade stuck between its eyebrows.
The monster's body wobbles.
Splat!
The monsterMudDeineiHe collapsed on top of it.
Eve had also sensed his presence.
It was already on the verge of moving.
It could be said that Eve and her sister's initial movements were almost the same.
But her sister was faster.
This is much more than just a sister issue.
(Even though the effects of the electric shock were still lingering... I wasn't going to fall behind this much...)
He has an incredible talent.
(As far as I know, the only person who could rival that kind of talent in battle is Seras...)
With a feeling of respect, Itsuki walks off to retrieve his sister's sword.
"The stronger I get, the less I feel like I can get closer to my sister's domain..."
However, Itsuki seemed somehow happy when he said that.
"Nobody is born special. It's just that the layers of earth formed by the accumulation of small actions become unique and powerful. And with awareness and habit, anyone can reach that level."
"Please use words I can understand."
"The point is that it's very important to make the right effort every day, little by little."
"Hmm? Isn't that... a normal thing?"
"That 'normal' is surprisingly difficult."
During this time, Eve had been frantically thinking.
(The heroes from another world... in other words, the ones who were summoned along with Touka... but Touka said that they are currently in hiding...)
In the Demon Zone, Touka talked a little about the heroes from another world.
Maybe I haven't told you everything...
(It seems that the heroes from his hometown believe Touka to be dead. It seems that they want to keep her very existence a secret... so maybe it's best to avoid talking about Touka here.)
"Is it rude to think that you have a plan to outwit us?"
My sister's words make my heart skip a beat.
The feeling of having your heart seen through.
"---... I was thinking about a certain someone."
(nothing?)
A voice came out.
"He spoke."
Itsuki, who had just handed the sword to his sister, suddenly brightened.
"Haaaah, I'm so glad... If I had lost my voice after this, I would have been tormented by guilt for the rest of my life... No, I'm really sorry."
"I was also to blame for carelessly reaching out to Kashima. In the end, the situation calmed down thanks to your sister."
"...Sis, this guy seems like a really cool guy."
"You're not alone, are you? Perhaps you're searching for a companion who got separated from you?"
"nothing……"
I'm not Seras, but I feel like if I lied, I'd be seen through.
So I'll answer honestly.
"That is correct. I am searching for my master."
"That human seems like a good master."
"Um."
"I see……"
"!"
(Damn it)
The information that emerged from the companion was that he was human.
Although my voice had returned, I had to be careful not to say anything careless.
I'm at a disadvantage.
Eve decided to leave the place quickly.
He turns his back on the heroes of another world.
"I will hurry on. Can I take that as an agreement regarding the previous negotiations?"
"Yeah"
"Please refrain from prying any further."
"I'm sorry for prying so inappropriately."
"You're a mysterious girl."
"Saint."
"nothing?"
"Hijiri Takao--my name. A hero from another world summoned by the Alion Goddess, Viscis... well, it seems you've already noticed."
I can't read his intentions.
"Why did you tell me your name?"
"My courtesy, Eve Speed."
"----!"
Again, a blunder.
With his reaction just now, it was as if he had given his name up.
"It's the result of predicting the name of the person who most closely matches the information I gathered. I had heard about the missing Pantherman Blood Warrior. However, I have no intention of telling anyone about my meeting with you today, so please rest assured."
"...Is there any benefit to you in keeping quiet?"
"Good people with strong wills and powers... ties with such people are something you should keep in touch with, even if they are tenuous. Especially in this world."
Eve thought for a moment.
and,
"Hijiri Takao - I'll remember your name."
Said Hijiri from behind.
"Even so... your master is a very interesting person. The fact that you are 'searching' him means that you are certain that he must be alive even if he was caught up in the great migration... but I've heard that even the Four Reverend Saints and the Followers of Viscis have a hard time dealing with the humanoid species that were caught up in that great migration. I've heard that the only ones who could easily defeat him unscathed would be the former 'Strongest Mankind' or the Goddess Viscis."
"…………"
"In other words, that person has the ability to survive even if they are faced with a human-faced species - or at least the ability to be expected to survive."
Eve let out a low chuckle in the back of her throat.
"I admire your insight. However, my lord--"
Eve spoke up.
"He's someone who can't be measured by a simple ruler like me."
▽
Having separated from the heroes of the other world, Eve transformed into a beast once again and began to follow the trail of death.
The path they were heading down was the exact opposite direction from when they'd encountered the hero from another world.
Along the way the rain gradually subsided.
Clear skies begin to peek out from between the clouds.
The sun was setting.
The setting sun illuminates the raindrops, making them sparkle.
Like a flying spear, Eve Speed increased its speed.
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