I called out towards Pigimaru.

[Once again, connect with my body.] [Pii! …Pii?]

Hmm?

[What is it?] [Pii… Pinyyyuuu…]

His cries sound exhausted.

[Perhaps… You can’t do it anymore?] [Pii… Piinyyiii…]

I still have enough MP remaining. However, it seems that the burden on Pigimaru’s body is more than I had expected. Well, this is the first time we have tried using that ability consecutively. That connection uses up an idiotic amount of MP. My MP is also steadily decreasing while I’m connected with him. That’s why I temporarily disconnected my connection with him earlier…

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[My bad… I’ve never thought about the burden it may have on your body.]

There’s also some burden on my own body. I should have thought that Pigimaru might also be bearing the same burden. However, Pigimaru hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue at all before.

[It was my fault that I failed to notice.] [Pii!? Piyuyuyuuuu~!]

His cries sound like he’s trying to frantically defend me. Pigimaru cries apologetically.

[Pinyuunyuuu…] [Don’t worry about it. I’m not going to blame nor get angry at you. It’s my mistake that I assumed that as long as I have MP, I could subsequently use this ability even after using it for a short time.] [It seems there are also some things you weren’t able to anticipate.]

Eve called out. When I looked back at her, I could also see Seras following behind her. I feel like I’ve already told Eve and the others about the situation but…

[My apologies. She said she wants to talk to you.]

There is also Liz standing next to Seras. Eve steps forward.

[I’ve heard of the situation. I’ll help you out too.] [It’s okay. I’ll do it together with Seras.] [Seras looks tired though.]

Seras must have been quite nervous while interacting with Muaji. She could take some short rest after I invoked <Sleep> on her. However, Seras still hardly had enough sleep. In her case, it would be really difficult for her to get rid of her fatigue.

[I will take the role of being the one in front and protecting you. I am full of vitality and strength now. Most of all— I’m sorry that I’ve let the both of you fight all by yourselves.]

I started thinking about it in another way. She’s the strongest Blood Champion. The extremely fatigued Seras. I planned on having Eve work more later but…

[Then, I’ll be relying on you.] [Leave it to me.] [However, if you, our guide so that we could reach the witch were to die, then we would also take our hands off the child. As long as you understand that, then you could fight all you want.] [So you’re saying that if I feel like I’m disadvantaged against them, I could freely pull back huh?] [It’s great that you could quickly understand. Then, Seras would be protecting Liz.] [Understood. I’ll leave him to you, Eve.] [Umu. You don’t have any problem with that, Touka?] [Maybe.]

I couldn’t use the super-ranged attacks using the connection with Pigimaru. However, I could use my Abnormal State Skills without any problem. It’s not like we’re fighting someone like the Five Dragon Warriors. I’ve also had corrections with my status after the level ups I had.

[U- Umm…]

Liz timidly said. Bending down so that her face was in front of Liz’s face, Seras asked.

[What is it?] [If you think it’s necessary to also have Seras-sama’s power, you shouldn’t worry about me and fight for Touka-sama.] [Liz…?] [I know that I can’t do anything even when I try my best while we’re going to the witch’s home… And that the non-combatant me would just become a burden for everyone…]

Closing her eyes, Liz squeezes both of her hands in front of her chest.

[I don’t like the thought that… Big Sister and Touka-sama are in danger just for me….]

Seras looks at her gently. She pats Liz on her shoulder.

[I understand. Thank you for your consideration.]

Is it the result of Liz’s determination and feelings? Seras didn’t refuse her offer. LIz is tearing up a bit. I’ve always thought she was just a child. On the other hand though, Eve looks quite worried. For Eve, LIz’s personal safety must have been her priority. I whispered at her.

[Ah, even though she said that, it’s not like Seras would just abandon Liz defenselessly and rush out in front of the battle. You don’t have to worry.]

Afterwards, I started giving out instructions. Seras would be taking Liz a little further into the forest. Eve and I would intercept them here. To accomplish my plan, it would be necessary that we completely annihilate all of the people in the first team. In short, I want to deal with them all together. We should avoid being dragged into a melee battle in the forest as much as possible. The probability that we may lose sight of some and they escape might increase if that were to happen. If that’s the case, it would be better for us to intercept them here.

[I will act as a decoy and attract their attention. Touka would be hiding beneath the shadows of those bushes. If they were to come within your range, you should paralyze them with your aforementioned ability.]

I took that plan. The enemies’ aim is Eve Speed. If you think about it, Eve would be really suitable as a decoy.

[Which of the Duke’s private army should I look out for?] [The Duke’s Imperial Guards were the people who held the most ability within his private army. If I were to point out someone among them, it would probably be the captain Costello.] [Is he strong?] [It’s rumored that he’s the second strongest person in Monroy after the Dragonslayer. I’ve heard that he used to be a member of the Magic Knights.]

I don’t really know how strong the Dragonslayer is though.

[If that were to be compared to Eve Speed?] [There were many people who wanted him to fight me just to know who was stronger between us two. However, I haven’t been able to cross swords with him. That’s why I don’t know how strong he really is.] [So, it’s unknown huh…] [Umu. However, I haven’t seen him along with the first team when they were passing by— Hmm?]

Eve’s ears twitched. She then looks towards the back. The opposite direction from where the first team is coming from. There were lights approaching from that direction.

[The third team huh…]

I spoke out my guess.

[They may have been walking slowly until now. However, they’ve increased their pace after they saw the light that Seras released.]

The first team was eager for achievements. The second team’s Ashinto may be similar to them. Everyone wanted to be the first one to find Eve and make an achievement for themselves. Now then, is there anyone who wouldn’t rush after something if they could get an achievement from doing that? They would become someone who received merits.

[It’s possible that even the Duke himself is mixed in along with the third team.]

In terms of their speed and distance… The first team who is returning back would be faster to reach this place. As these two squadrons join and increase in number, the probability that someone may be able to escape may increase again.

[Let’s go crush one of them first before the other. First, we’ll go crush the first team.]

Eve unsheathes her sword.

[Understood.] [If it’s possible, don’t let a single one of them escape. Therefore, I want you to attract their attention as much as possible before engaging against them. Well, only if you can do it.] [Just see for yourself.]

We’ve grasped how much people the first team had when they passed by earlier. At the time they were passing by, the other soldiers who had been searching in the forest also joined up with them. Therefore, that should have been all of their members that were coming.

[Did you figure out how many people there were in the first team that was present now?]

Eve started concentrating. After just a moment…

[Got it.]

Eve informed me of their numbers. It matches the number of people they had when we first recorded. They didn’t divide their squad just like Muaji did. It seems to be a group of idiotically honest people who plunges on everything in their path.

[Thank you.]

The sounds of hooves began to get even louder.

The first team finally arrives.

[We’ve finally found you, Eve Speed! It must have been quite regretful! We’ve already seen through your decoy! You can’t escape from us!]

They must have rushed back in a hurry after these fellows saw that light. Therefore, he couldn’t really say something like they’ve seen through it. Moreover, they didn’t even mention that light at all.

[T- That is!] [Muu!? Those people collapsed over there… Are those the fellows from Ashinto!? Fu— Fuhahaha! In the end, your sorceries were nothing but a sham! Well, I’ve never liked those people in the first place!] [The Duke was very angry! If we were to present that were-leopard’s unsightly body to the Duke, the Duke would certainly get delighted!] [Umu! Things have been rolling in the right direction for us! We’re not going to let the heads of those Imperial Guard fellows to get any bigger!] [Hahahaha! We even wanted to thank you for running away, sub-human! To tell you the truth, we didn’t like it that someone like you who isn’t even a human was receiving praises from all the people!]

Eve remained silent.

[Hahahaha! What’s wrong!? Did you lose your will to fight after you saw our number!?]

The leading man approached Eve while riding his horse. The leading man then brandished his sword.

[I’ll be taking your head!!!]

Alright.

All of them were finally within my range.

To make sure that all of them were within my range, I jumped out of the shadows of the bushes while sticking out my hand.

[<Paralyze>]

[—-Uooo….!?]

The private army and their horses suddenly stops. The leading man became paralyzed while his sword was raised. The other members of the private army also stopped due to paralysis. They looked like they were sewed on the ground.

[Wha… I can’t move…?] [Who is…. that man…?]

I could see the dismay on everyone’s faces.

[<Poison>]

Screams began resounding around the area as I invoked poison on the private army. Range, Area of Effect and Affinity. The trusty combo of paralysis and poison is really convenient for me.

[Touka.]

Eve called out to me.

[Ah, I know.]

That’s right— It’s not over yet. I could hear the sound of hooves striking the ground from another direction. And, it’s getting nearer. They were about to arrive soon.

The third team.

[They’re here.]

Eve said.

[There’s no escape anymore, you ungrateful sub-human! Running back to the forest would just be useless, useless, useless! You can’t escape anymore! You thought you could make a fool of me!? You thought you could get away from this Duke Zuan!?]

[Duke Zuan.]

Baring her fangs, Eve let out a low beastly growl.