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 cant do it anymore?]

[Pii Piinyyiii]

I still have enough MP remaining.

However, it seems that the burden on Pigimarus 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 Im connected with him.

Thats why I temporarily disconnected my connection with him earlier

[My bad Ive never thought about the burden it may have on your body.]

Theres also some burden on my own body.

I should have thought that Pigimaru might also be bearing the same burden.

However, Pigimaru hasnt shown any signs of fatigue at all before.

[It was my fault that I failed to notice.]

[Pii!? Piyuyuyuuuu~!]

His cries sound like hes trying to frantically defend me.

Pigimaru cries apologetically.

[Pinyuunyuuu]

[Dont worry about it. Im not going to blame nor get angry at you. Its 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 werent able to anticipate.]

Eve called out.

When I looked back at her, I could also see Seras following behind her.

I feel like Ive 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.

[Ive heard of the situation. Ill help you out too.]

[Its okay. Ill 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 Im sorry that Ive let the both of you fight all by yourselves.]

I started thinking about it in another way.

Shes the strongest Blood Champion.

The extremely fatigued Seras.

I planned on having Eve work more later but

[Then, Ill 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 youre saying that if I feel like Im disadvantaged against them, I could freely pull back huh?]

[Its great that you could quickly understand. Then, Seras would be protecting Liz.]

[Understood. Ill leave him to you, Eve.]

[Umu. You dont have any problem with that, Touka?]

[Maybe.]

I couldnt use the super-ranged attacks using the connection with Pigimaru.

However, I could use my Abnormal State Skills without any problem.

Its not like were fighting someone like the Five Dragon Warriors.

Ive 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 Lizs face, Seras asked.

[What is it?]

[If you think its necessary to also have Seras-samas power, you shouldnt worry about me and fight for Touka-sama.]

[Liz?]

[I know that I cant do anything even when I try my best while were going to the witchs 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 dont 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 Lizs determination and feelings?

Seras didnt refuse her offer.

LIz is tearing up a bit.

Ive always thought she was just a child.

On the other hand though, Eve looks quite worried.

For Eve, LIzs personal safety must have been her priority.

I whispered at her.

[Ah, even though she said that, its not like Seras would just abandon Liz defenselessly and rush out in front of the battle. You dont 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 thats 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 Dukes private army should I look out for?]

[The Dukes 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?]

[Its rumored that hes the second strongest person in Monroy after the Dragonslayer. Ive heard that he used to be a member of the Magic Knights.]

I dont 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 havent been able to cross swords with him. Thats why I dont know how strong he really is.]

[So, its unknown huh]

[Umu. However, I havent seen him along with the first team when they were passing by Hmm?]

Eves 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, theyve increased their pace after they saw the light that Seras released.]

The first team was eager for achievements.

The second teams 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 wouldnt rush after something if they could get an achievement from doing that?

They would become someone who received merits.

[Its 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.

[Lets go crush one of them first before the other. First, well go crush the first team.]

Eve unsheathes her sword.

[Understood.]

[If its possible, dont 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.]

Weve 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 didnt 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.

[Weve finally found you, Eve Speed! It must have been quite regretful! Weve already seen through your decoy! You cant escape from us!]

They must have rushed back in a hurry after these fellows saw that light.

Therefore, he couldnt really say something like theyve seen through it.

Moreover, they didnt 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, Ive never liked those people in the first place!]

[The Duke was very angry! If we were to present that were-leopards unsightly body to the Duke, the Duke would certainly get delighted!]

[Umu! Things have been rolling in the right direction for us! Were 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 didnt like it that someone like you who isnt even a human was receiving praises from all the people!]

Eve remained silent.

[Hahahaha! Whats 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.

[Ill 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 cant move?]

[Who is. that man?]

I could see the dismay on everyones 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.]

Thats right Its not over yet.

I could hear the sound of hooves striking the ground from another direction.

And, its getting nearer.

They were about to arrive soon.

The third team.

[Theyre here.]

Eve said.

[Theres no escape anymore, you ungrateful sub-human! Running back to the forest would just be useless, useless, useless! You cant 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.