Published at 14th of March 2022 03:59:25 PM

542 Defeat (side: treant)

I fall to the ground via [Meteor Stamp]. Being metallised by [Statue], my roots slam into the ground and dig in, sending out a huge shockwave.

Im so sorry, Im so sorry, Aro-dono I, I

Aro-donos [Rope of Regret] was torn off by my heavy landing, and scatters into clouds of sand and grit. Her and Aruane are each sent flying in separate directions.

Aro-donos body tumbles along the ground. Both of her arms are blown off from receiving my [Meteor Stamp], and her skin has lost its normal youthful radiance, becoming dry and cracked. I think that shes completely unable to move, but She weakly gets to her feet.

Tre ant

Aro-dono says, straining, as she looks at me.

Im so sorry, Aro-dono Destroying you together with the enemy, something like that is impossible for me

Aruanes body trembles violently, and she rises with strange movements.

That was a surprise Honestly, Aruane was surprised. She thought, Aruane thought she mightve died then. Really, to decide in an instant to kill Aruane in a suicide attack was unexpected. But it seems that sprite-san over there didnt have the resolve.

Sprite-san is referring to me, it seems. Its as she says I couldnt go through with a method that would kill Aro-dono.

I weakened my [Gravity] enhancement to reduce my momentum as I hit the ground, and I stuck a branch between Aro-dono and Aruane, sending them flying. I couldnt let myself deal a direct hit to Aro-dono with [Meteor Stamp].

However, I understand that it was a bad move to make. With the last of her strength, Aro-dono gave it her all to tie down Aruane Even if I didnt hit her directly, she would have still taken a lot of the force of the [Meteor Stamp].

She is no longer in any condition to fight. In addition We have completely revealed our hand to Aruane.

Theres already nothing left that can bridge the gap between our stats. Now, shell probably kill me and Aro-dono, and then dispose of atlach-dono So I could have at least saved atlach-dono and returned to master-donos side alive I should have struck both Aro-dono and Aruane directly with [Meteor Stamp]. I understand that my actions have rendered Aro-donos resolve naught.

However, even so even so, I couldnt do it

Thats no good No good at all. You cant be greedy like that. You need to have your priorities in order. Like Saint-sama, you know? If you dont, youll end up losing what you most want, too.

Aruane speaks. Even though its her, she shouldnt be uninjured. Blood dribbles from her lips, and her black dress has been dyed red with her own blood. Her legs have clear signs of being broken as well, but somehow shes standing without any issues.

Its [Blood Doll] It looks like shes forcibly operating her own body,

Aro-dono observes Aruane with narrowed eyes I see, if shes able to freely control corpses using her blood, it wouldnt be strange at all for her to be able to force her own body to move, ignoring any damage its taken.

It should just be a little more! With my [Gale]!

Aro-dono slowly raises her arm, taking aim at Aruane.

Its a bluff, a bluff. Im sorry, so sorry, undead onee-san. Aruane can through lies, you see? Its pointless to try and make threats. Dont come closer, dont lay a finger on my friends; Aruane can see youre frantically thinking such things. Its not because of these eyes though, its obvious even without them.

Aruane speaks with wide-open eyes As I thought, her eyes have the power to see through other peoples hearts. No matter how much Aro-dono persevered using logic, she wasnt able to escape Aruanes predictions.

But thats fine, Aruane will go along with what you want. Theres nothing to be gained by playing with desperate onee-san and sprite-san here. Aruane didnt expect to receive this much damage, either. So, Aruane will hand you her retreat.

R-retreat? I have no idea what her intentions are. She is heavily injured, but Aro-dono and myself now are in a state where we should be easy to kill

ngh

Looking behind Aruane, I finally realise what her aim is.

Shes undoubtedly taken considerable damage, even for her. Rather than foolishly taking on the near-death Aro-dono and myself directly, shes instead choosing the safer option of healing with Ools magic once shes gained some distance.

No, if she doesnt have the energy left to pursue us, then she might be thinking that its fine even if we manage to escape. Even if she were to defeat both of us and atlach-dono, shes only able to bring one of us with her.

And, with that, Aruane will be able to sufficiently shave away at master-donos willpower. After killing off atlach-dono, shell bring her along by controlling her body with [Blood Doll], and all shell have to do is tell master-dono that she killed Aro-dono and myself. Whether or not were actually dead isnt particularly important for her.

The time for master-dono to end things is probably nigh. Even if we were to head for the location of the decisive battle, being covered in wounds, we would likely only get in master-donos way. Even though we might survive this, we cannot afford to rush to master-donos side to support him.

As she declared, Aruane leaves us with frightening speed. It looks like she is forcibly maintaining her bodys abilities using [Blood Dolls] power. The undead man Ool, too, charges off after her.

I can only glare at her back as she goes to kill off atlach-dono. My trunk pitches downward in despair. Why Why am I so powerless?

Sorry Im looks like my limit

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Aro-dono has been just barely managing to stand, but her legs give out and she collapses on the spot.

Aro-dono!

Run, treant, even if its you alone That girl, she said she would let us escape but Once after shes used that Ool person to heal and thrown him away, shell kill off atlach-nacha to make her into a pawnThen, shell come to finish us off. Were certainly low on her list of priorities, so I dont think shell put much effort into a search, but

S-so lets escape together! Ill carry Aro-dono on my back!

Aro-dono looks up at the sky and shakes her head.

Your normal form stands out too much and will definitely be seen, even in this mist. Using [Tree Spiritisation], escape by yourself For dragon-god-samas sake, too

B-but, thats Leaving Aro-dono and atlach-dono behind and running Something like that!

All of a sudden I recall what Aruane said earlier.

You need to have your priorities in order. Like Saint-sama, you know? If you dont, youll end up losing what you most want, too.

In those words Finally, I come to the answer. Im indecisive. Even when Aro-dono was restraining Aruane, I was worrying about whether or not I should aim for a direct hit with [Meteor Stamp], up until the moment of impact. Rather Its the worrywart attitude Ive adopted.

The answer was there from the very beginning. After that, I apologised to Aro-dono, but I didnt regret the choice I made at all. Something like sacrificing her is unthinkable after all.

At that momentif I didnt make the decision to kill Aro-dono together with Aruane, Aruane would have killed both of us. That was what should have happened. But, as a result of our vain struggle, Aro-dono and myself are still alive at the moment.

My top priority has to be making a firm decision. Thats right, what I really want is for everyone to return alive. So theneven if it means ignoring the other paths open to me, I must decide now.

Aro-dono Please forgive me for leaving you here. However, Ill return right away.

I gently cover Aro-donos face with leaves from my branch, and turn my back towards her.

Treant?

Ill definitely bring atlach-dono back with me, youll see! Definitely!

I dash off in the direction that Aruane ran away in.

Treant! Dont! Please run away!

Aro-donos voice comes resounding from my rear.

Im too much of a coward. Even when we challenged the slimes forces hiding in the royal capital of Alban, I was told to wait in the Great Alban Mine alone Even though I felt shocked, at the same time, I felt some degree of relief.

Even here, I had been leaving all the decision-making to Aro-dono. She has a better grasp of the situation after all, is what I desperately told myself, but that was simply me being afraid of hindering Aro-dono with my unnecessary actions.

However Im not going to be a coward any longer. No matter how grim this path will be, Ill punch through for the sake of my real wish!