Eve has night vision. But her ears are more amazing than her eyes, especially when she’s focusing on it. It actually feels more of a sensor when she does so. It seems to be one of the traits of a were-leopard.

At that time when the second team had been approaching… I had her check out the second team while hidden in the dark. After that, she put her ears against the ground and listened for footsteps.

The number of people that she had estimated based on the number of lights carried and the number of footsteps she heard.

There was a gap between the two.

She had inferred that there were around 30 people from the number of lights she sees. Though, she estimated there were approximately 45 people based from the footsteps.

There’s a measurement error of about 15 people.

These measurement errors must have been a detached force. En route, Eve reported that there were some footsteps that separated from the main group. It seems the detached force finally left their main unit.

AnimeDaily.Net

After giving instructions to Seras, I entered the forest together with Eve.

I asked Seras to earn me some time… From that unit who carried lights. If it’s that girl, I can rely on her. However, I don’t really expect her to do it perfectly. Excessive hopes on someone could end up just pressuring them instead. She someone who’d always do her best. I thoroughly know that. Therefore, I will never complain about any kind of results that happen. That’s what it means for me to “entrust” something to them. That’s what I’m trying to convey to her.

I separated from Seras and went through the forest… Towards the direction where the detached force went into. Along the way, I brought along Eve and Liz with me. Eve is fully concentrated on her hearing.

[There were about 14… no, 15 people that were heading here through the forest… I’m sure of it from this distance…]

Eve whispered into my ear. It seems that she had grasped the number of people just based on sound. ………………… I may have acquired quite a bargain without my knowledge.

[I understand. Go back and hide together with Liz.] [Are you alright facing all of them alone, Touka?] [You know you can’t leave that girl alone, right?] [But…] [Don’t worry. There would be no problem.]

Currently, the moon is hidden behind the clouds. It’s really dark inside the forest. Really deep darkness. It’s quite a good stage for me. I tap a finger in my temple.

[I may not be as good as you, but I’m quite receptive when it comes to using this. In that certain place, I spent a couple of days standing beside death. Thanks to that, I’m also quite sensitive to their presence.]

I put my hands on my robe.

[Besides, I’m not alone.]

Pigimaru squeaks out a small reply.

[Pii.]

After Eve and Liz went back, I also hid behind the shadows of the bushes. The detached force were finally approaching. Because the moon is hidden behind the clouds, the darkness in the forest deepened. And that was the moment I was waiting for.

[<Paralyze>]

Taking advantage of the darkness, I activated my skill. I also made sure that most of the people were inside the range of my skill.

[What… the…?]

Immediately, I used <Sleep> afterwards. It’s so that they wouldn’t be able to make out any kinds of sound. Taking out my dagger from its sheath… I cut down each of their throats.

One… Two… Three… Four… Five……

While quietly counting in my mind, I quickly disposed of them.

[And with this—]

Hiding my body back into the darkness…

[Fifteen.]

I killed all of the members of the detached force. Just as I planned, I didn’t miss a single one of them. I think these 15 people were fairly capable. However, they were nothing compared to the Five Dragon Warriors. There’s also the proper protection of the darkness. Moreover…

[…You really are quite great.]

Currently, there’s a thin layer of Pigimaru’s protrusion clinging under the soles of my shoes. His protrusion is quite flat. It feels like a cushion that absorbs the sound of my footsteps. Thanks to this, the sound of my footsteps were almost non-existent.

Aside from that, Pigimaru would take care of the sound that may come out while I’m moving.

Thanks to that, I could do my job quite easily. I gently pat the protrusion under my coat.

[You’re really a great partner, Pigimaru. That helped me quite a lot.] [Pinyyuuu~♪]

Pigimaru looked like he’s in quite a great mood as he lightly purred. Now then, next would be… I heard the voice of a man just now. I’m not exactly sure what he said. However, I know that he speaks in quite a loud voice. It’s someone from the main unit who were carrying torches. Perhaps, he’s that aforementioned Muaji. I don’t know if Muaji is within that detached force I’ve just killed. I skipped interrogating them because I wanted to get it done as quickly as possible. Whatever the case it may be anyway—

[This would only end with Ashinto’s complete annihilation.]

I’ve confirmed that there were no other presences nearby. I check my position based on the information I had in my head. After remembering where I am, I returned back to where Seras was. Currently, the Ashinto fellows have stopped their advance. It seems they’ve noticed a broken branch along the way. A man who could easily see through that something’s out of place with Eve. Observation. Insight. I think he’s quite excellent with these two points. If that’s the case, I expected that he will notice that branch. After that, Muaji would feel that something suspicious may be nearby. Then, he will anticipate the situation as there might be a trap if they were to step inside. In that case, they wouldn’t step into the forest. However, on the contrary, that’s my real aim.

This is to keep them from stepping into the forest.

The leading voice had spoken that all of them shouldn’t move. Don’t approach that place. In other words, they wouldn’t enter the forest. And with this, our plan would be successful.

I kept on moving. As I got closer, I could gradually hear their conversation. The leading voice is telling something to someone. It must be Muaji saying something to Seras. It looks like Seras revealed her true appearance. Or perhaps, Muaji realized the true existence Seras was trying to hide?

“As much as possible, try to show them that you’re pulling them over into the forest.”

That’s the instruction I have given here. I left it to Seras on how she would earn time. As I listened to the conversation, it looks like she’s doing quite well.

[………………]

Muaji really is an excellent scammer. He’s wise and alert. There is a trap waiting in his path. At first, Muaji must have felt something was out of place. And Muaji would solve the mystery of what he felt. Seeing that he solved the mystery, he would be satisfied. He’d gain self-confidence. He would get the feeling that he’s omnipotent and what he’s saying is absolutely right.

And that is where he stopped thinking.

The next part is his turn. He has already seen through the plans of this pathetic loser of a woman in front of him. What else could he be afraid of? He had a strong army within his disposal. There’s also that detached force he sent behind the woman. There’s no way she could escape. Everything is all according to his plans. Muaji probably is in that kind of situation right now, huh? I could clearly understand it based on how he’s speaking. Muaji currently feels like he’s filled with omnipotence.

And that omnipotence would turn into a poison that paralyzes his thoughts…

I started climbing a tree. Pigimaru could also morph and act as a rope. With his assistance, I could easily climb the tree. He really is quite a handy guy. Furthermore, there was no sound that came out even while I’m climbing the tree.

It was a bit far, but I’m in a position overlooking Seras and the others.

They weren’t in the maximum range that could be reached by <Paralyze>. However, I could now see all of my enemies. Muaji is standing quite far away from the forest. It seems they’ve thought it’s dangerous to approach the forest. On the other hand, they don’t look like they’d retreat a few distance more. At this distance, the enemy’s trap wouldn’t be able to reach them. They probably believed something like that.

[………………..]

I’m sorry.

If I have enough time, my abnormal state skills would be able to reach all of you.

The moon comes out of the clouds.

I whispered to my partner…

[Pigimaru… Connection start…] [Pii.]

From the back of my head, I could feel his roots stretching out to both sides.

While listening to Seras and the other’s conversation, I connected my magic energy with Pigimaru.

——————Creeaaakkkk—————

I looked over the conversation I’ve heard so far. The leading voice is Muaji’s. Muaji is revealing each of his tricks to Seras. As I thought, the true identity of their curse is just poison. Something unexpected happened though in the middle of their conversation. Seras revealed her true identity. The effect immediately appeared. All of Ashinto’s members had their attention completely shifted to Seras. Now, all of them lost their vigilance to their surroundings. Even at this distance, I could clearly see that they were quite distracted. Everyone’s attention had been drawn towards Seras. Towards the Seras Ashrain who’s bathing in moonlight. Based on what I heard from his words, it seemed that even Muaji was fascinated by her beauty. The whole area began to be enveloped in darkness again.

——————Crackleee————–

Seras is also wrapped in the darkness.

[……………..]

Even though she did that so that she could distract them and earn me some time… That’s quite rash of you, Seras. As the corner of my lips lift up, I mutter.

[Even when she’s alone, she really did it quite well.]

——————Creeaaakkkk—————

Enshrouding power into my voice, I spoke my signal.

[———————Connection complete——————-]

▽

Immediately after, a cluster of light appeared between Seras and the Ashinto. It’s the ability of the light spirit. A light that resembles a flare appeared in front and illuminated towards the Ashinto.

And with too much light, everyone weren’t able to see.

Splasshhh!

Tens of protrusions flew out towards the Ashinto.

Even though there were signs of restless within them, Ashinto still looked quite firm.

It seems they’ve never caught up with the idea that they may suddenly be attacked.

I could also see Muaji’s expression warping into surprise.

However, it’s already too late.

I won’t let you escape.

To produce the best outcome for our sake, I can’t let you escape.

Even if you’re just an ordinary person.

I won’t let a single one of you escape.

Therefore, it was necessary for us to crush the detached force earlier.

I just wanted to avoid the situation where the detached force would notice that their main unit had been crushed and they fled in all directions as a result.

If that were to happen, it would be really difficult tracking all of them down.

I open up my status and displayed my remaining amount of MP.

[Status Open.]

Ashinto.

[I’ll show you the curses that you clearly don’t understand.]

Catching everyone of them…

[<Paralyze>]

▽

Going down from the tree, I walked next to Seras.

I look towards the paralyzed members of Ashinto who have fallen to the ground. Even the strongest siblings were also paralyzed. Of course, that includes Muaji.

[You must have not expected that my attack reached even this far, huh?]

If they’re within my reach, I should have attacked them long ago. I think it’s reasonable if he thought like that. Because there was no attack so far, Muaji must have anticipated it as they were outside the range of our trap. However, he didn’t think that we’re also trying to earn some time. I needed her to earn some time because of two reasons. Some time to get rid of the detached force. And some time so that I could connect with Pigimaru.

[I need to spend quite some time just to prepare this power.]

Connection release.

[Where… is the… detached force…?] [I’ve already crushed them. All fifteen of them while you’re busy running your mouth here.] [Ngghhh…? That form you had earlier… What the hell… are you…?] [<Poison>] [Guggaahhh… ggghhh….!?]

I’ve invoked <Poison> to Muaji and the others. I quickly began counting all of them.

[All of the 30 people were present, huh.]

As for other presences nearby… They’re somewhere behind my back. There were two people at a distance. Eve and Liz. There were no other presences that I should get bothered with. I exhaled out a deep breath.

[How should I say this. Eve really…]

I’ve mentioned earlier that all of her reports were just “about” or “approximately”. Isn’t the number of people exactly the same as her reports? All of her conjectures were right. That’s really amazing… Were-leopard’s hearing ability.

[Now then… Should we wait for some time for these Ashinto fellows to die from the poison?]

I don’t really have anything I need to talk about with the Ashinto. Besides, they don’t look like they would listen when we talk with them. They know themselves their own wrongdoings. Even if they were to die, my heart wouldn’t be ruffled at all. It’s enough for me to know that these people were trash.

[Umm…]

Seras called out.

[Hmm?] [Have I met your expectations?] [Yeah, that’s a certainty. You did really well. However, revealing your true identity so that you’d attract their attention, that’s a really daring plan you did.]

Seras looked like she’s reflecting on it.

[Please forgive me… I arbitrarily revealed my true identity…]

Why did she suddenly look like she’s self-reflecting?

[No, I’m actually praising you though?] [Uuuu…]

Seras quickly covers her mouth with the back of her hand. Subsequently, she awkwardly looked away.

[I’m sorry, I quickly jumped into conclusions…]

The smile on my face distorted.

[Well, putting that aside… You did really well. I made the right choice, leaving it to you.]

Seras’ expression loosened up a bit.

[Y- Yes… I’m glad that I could be of help.]

Seras looked really glad as she placed her hand on her chest. I then spoke.

[Could you go and inform Eve and Liz about the situation? It would also be better if you and the others would return as soon as possible.] [Yes, understood.]

Trotting, Seras runs into the forest.

[………………….]

The first stage is clear.

[…Now then.]

They’ve arrived huh… The first team who had been following the decoy horse. I could see a cluster of lights at the distance. They’re approaching this place. That light Seras used at my signal. Perhaps, they turned back after seeing that.

[Fuuuunnn…]

I felt relieved.

It seems that they diligently returned back.

[If they didn’t come back, my plan would have been incomplete.]

The sketch that I’ve imagined is finally approaching its completion.