This is just a pseudo one though, I add.

It isnt exactly the same copy as the original.

I just borrowed the general idea.

For instance, there is no torii or the characters for man and woman written on it.

Eve, who has been listening, runs her eyes over the parchment.

(T/N: / man and / woman were apparently in a version of kokkuri-san.)

[Kokkuri-san? It only looked like a piece of paper with just a bunch of letters written on it though]

On the other hand

[I see]

It seems that Erika understood what I meant.

Her instantaneous comprehension really is impressive.

On the parchment, theres a string of characters that resembles the so-called A-I-U-E-O order that is written in the language of this world.

I also didnt forget to add the yes and no letters written in this worlds language.

However, I dont know the rules for arranging the characters that way.

Thereupon, I asked Seras to help me make one before dinner.

[You can control how your familiar moves, right?]

[Yeah.]

[Then, you should be able to point out a letter on this table with your familiars limbs, right?]

[Its possible.]

[In that case, you should also be able to point towards the yes and no words here]

[Of course, I can do that.]

The transmission time using this method is a bit longer than making her familiar speak.

However, it would greatly reduce the burden that Erika would have to bear.

On our journey- Yes, for example, right when we are resting or before bedtime.

If the situation isnt urgent, we can use this method to communicate information slowly.

I normally should have thought of this before we went to save that princess.

I revalidated the information I knew from Erika.

[You can pick up human conversations through your familiar, right?]

[Thats the selling point of the familiars. Thats also why the familiars are so useful that they are considered very dangerous and have been almost completely eradicated.]

[In other words-]

Tap

I tap on the parchment with my fingertip.

[When we talk with your familiar, you should be able to understand what we say.]

[Yeah.]

[Were able to acquire a great deal of information, even if youre able to answer with just a yes or no.]

Thats right, Erika nodded.

[It would be easier to convey if its just questions that can be answered with yes or no.]

In that case, asking questions that can be answered with yes or no would be better.

Its akin to how Pigimarus affirmative and negative answers by changing his color.

However

That also means that the familiars

are the ones who gather important information.

That is the major premise of this conversation.

In other words the majority of the results will depend on Erikas side.

The ability to gather information can make a difference.

That said

Erika had gathered that much information without ever leaving the Golden Demon Zone.

You could say that I could rely on her when it comes to her information gathering ability.

Putting her thumb under her chin, Erika looks like shes deep in thought.

[Certainly, with this paper Its going to take some time to convey what I needed to say, but its going to allow us to communicate information without having to burden myself by speaking through my familiar. I see, I hadnt thought of this.]

[Its not that you didnt think of it, its that you never had any reason to think about it. Youre living here, hiding from others, so communicating with someone from the outside would more of a risk.]

[Well, I guess so.]

[Besides, the familiars arent beings that were open for the public, right?]

[They arent.]

That means there was no one she could communicate with.

They were only used for their own information gathering.

She never had a chance to communicate with others.

[Even if that were the case, I think I should have at least thought of it.]

Erika said, with a slightly vexed pout on her face.

[No, well, once you understand it, you would think that The heck, that doesnt sound so imaginative at all., but this not so imaginative idea would sometimes be hidden in a blind spot, until youre told otherwise]

Fuunnn I snorted.

[It isnt actually that imaginative.]

[Youre just being modest, Touka.]

[Im not being modest, Im just stating the truth.]

This idea that came upon me, this Kokkuri-san isnt something I invented.

If I remember correctly, I think this Kokkuri-san was originally derived from a western practice of table-turning.

Thats why I couldnt say that this is something I invented.

At the end of the day, the amazing ones are those who came up with this in the past.

Im not included among the amazing people.

Cutting the story short, I roll up the parchment.

[Anyway, with this, I think we could rely on the information that you acquired from the outside world. With this method, you wont collapse on your own every time you speak with your familiar. Thereupon- I want to ask you again. Will you lend us your strength?]

[Thats what I intend to.]

[Thanks.]

And with that

Erika moved on to the next part of the conversation.

[What kind of information does Fly King-dono want Erika to find out?]

I told Erika that I wanted her to find information about some people I wanted to be investigated.

What I mostly want to know was what the heroes are up to.

I also told her the reason why I wanted them to be investigated.

If shes able to, Id also like to know what the goddess is doing but

[You dont have to force yourself to gather information on Vysis. I dont want her to know that someones investigating her movements and I want to avoid being noticed by her as much as possible.]

If its that f*cking goddess, she might know about the existence of the familiars.

She should be seen as an opponent whose risk detection is much higher than the Heroes.

[Then, should I just give priority to the Heroes from Another World? And Acquiring the information of Sogou is the top priority among the Heroes huh.]

[Yeah.]

[Do you have a bad relationship with this Sogou?]

[No, shes rather a friendly one. I mean, shes probably the friendliest person among the class.]

[That means Touka is worried about this girl, so you want to know what shes up to.]

Looking like shes probing my reaction, Erika added.

[or so Id like to say, but it doesnt look like that huh.]

I let out a sigh.

[Its a bit more complicated than that.]

She may be the friendliest.

But shes also the one Im most anxious about.

In addition to that inherent skill, she even uses an ancient martial art called Kisou-ryu.

I mean

Please think about it again.

An ojou-sama high school girl whos a user of ancient martial arts sent to another world

When were in our previous world, Ive always felt that were living in different worlds.

Shes wearing too many protagonist factors around her.

[What about the other Heroes?]

No. I denied.

There are also those people who I felt were living in a different world, though in a different meaning.

[There are also the Takao Sisters Even back in my previous world, I dont have any clue what theyre thinking about. Especially the Older Sister, shes like an alien.]

[-Hijiri huh.]

Eve interrupted.

[Ive only met her once, but Hijiri certainly isnt just an ordinary human.]

Fumu fumu fumu, Erika closely listened about the Heros personality.

[That Hijiri girl is one of the three S-Ranks, right? Then, should we prioritize Sogou and the Older Takao for surveillance?]

[Yeah. The first priority is Takao, then the Older Takao. Its just that]

[As I thought, you would also be bothered about the remaining S-Rank?]

[Its this guy called Kirihara At least, he isnt someone I can easily be friends with.]

Although I was able to get information about the skills and other information about each S-Ranks from Sogou

I dont even know the comparison of strength between the three S-Rank Heroes.

Who is the strongest among them?

Theres a possibility that Kirihara and Takao Hijiri would rapidly grow on the eastern battlefield.

The Heroes of Another World can grow rapidly as they level up.

Skills too, have the potential to greatly change.

Im not the only one improving.

Even Sogou is said to have been transformed by her own inherent skill.

Thats why- shes difficult to read.

Its difficult to formulate countermeasure guidelines against her.

Thats why I want to acquire real-time information about them as soon as possible.

[If it looks good, please give me the information on Kirihara too.]

[Ill see what I can do. What about the A-Ranks?]

There are two other people other than Takao Itsuki.

Shougo Oyamada and Yasu Tomohiro.

[The whereabouts of the A-Ranks Oyamada and Yasu disappeared during the battle in the Anti-Demon White Castle, and whether theyre still alive or not is still not sure. If you found some information related to whether theyre alive or dead, Id be grateful if you could inform me as well.]

[Fumu fumu. What about the lower rank Heroes?]

[Theres one.]

Eve opens her mouth.

[Kashima huh?]

[No- Its actually someone named Ikusaba Asagi.]

[However, this Hero Ikusaba Asagi is two ranks lower than the highest rank, right?]

[Shes certainly lower in terms of ranks But shes a smart one, thats for sure. Moreover, shes a bit]

[A bit?]

[]

A bit

[Touka?]

I felt like she resembles me.

After the details related to the familiar were settled, I called out to Eve.

[Do you have a moment?]

[Hmm, me?]

[Yeah. I need to talk to you.]

Eve looks over at the other three.

[Is it just me alone?]

[Just you alone.]

Seras is going to take a hot bath after this.

Erika was taken to her room by Liz and a golem.

Doesnt seem like she has an ounce of suspicion, Eve nodded.

[Okay.]

I go outside with Eve.

Its currently dark outside.

However, the pseudo-moonlight provides us a clear view of our surroundings.

As we descend the wooden stairs, Eve asks.

[Speaking of which, when are we going to leave?]

[Im thinking of leaving tomorrow. Theres no reason to stay here too long.]

[Acknowledged.]

As I thought.

[Eve.]

[Umu.]

[This journey with you-]

In this place

[ends here.]

For a while

Eve showed a confused expression on her face.

I guess having that reaction should be natural.

Its because Im still going to continue my journey for revenge.

[This]

Grip

Eve invaded my personal space.

[This operation to rescue the princess of Neia Was there something wrong with my performance?]

[Thats not it.]

[Then, why]

[Oi oi.]

I sit on the railings.

[Do you remember what we talked about from the start? You would lead us to the Witchs home, and I would lend you my strength to get you here. Right from the start, it was supposed to be this kind of deal.]

[Mngghh]

Come to think about it, thats right.

I could see something like that from Eves expression.

Her expression is even easier to read in her human form.

[Do you understand? In the first place, the contract between you and me was fulfilled the moment we arrived here. Therefore, you have no reason to cooperate with me anymore. However, you participated in this operation because you said you havent repaid some kind of debt to Seras. Right?]

[U- Umu]

[And now, Seras got what she needed with your helped. You lent your strength to Seras and I. Thats enough. You dont need to go along this journey for revenge any longer.]

Looking down me while she still stands, Eves lips crooked a bit.

Its like shes trying to come up with an idea.

A bit later, Eve spoke.

[However Erika will still cooperate with you in the future, wont she?]

[She hates Vysis so much. Ive already confirmed with the person herself. In fact, its all Vysiss fault that she isnt able to do the things she wants to do and stuck in this place That is to say, she has a reason to go along my journey for revenge.]

However, I continue.

[What about you?]

[Mnghh]

[The deaths of your parents and the Speed familys friends is certainly inexcusable. However, was Vysis involved in that?]

After a few moments of silence, Eve spoke.

[I dont know. I dont even know who those children were]

Thats right.

Eve has no clear reason to take revenge on Vysis.

[However, isnt it the same for Seras?]

[If you trace back to the cause of why she ended up becoming a fugitive, youll end up with Vysis. Its all because that f*cking egotistical goddess wanted her. That means, she has every reason to hate Vysis too.]

[However, Touka I can lend my power to]

[Besides, Eve. Most of all]

I said it.

[Its for Liz.]

With those few words, Eve reacted differently than she had before.

It was like she was surprised.

As if shes digesting the meaning of those few words, Eve pondered about what I said.

[for Liz]

[Yeah. You said it yourself, right? You said you wanted to live quietly in a peaceful life together with her.]

Eve turned silent.

[In the previous operation, I allowed you to come with us because I could use the Gem of Teleportation even if its to just send only you back here. Without knowing the details of the enemys forces in advance, I couldnt be sure that wed be able to protect you.]

Nevertheless

If I deemed the enemy as a considerable danger, I would have immediately sent back Eve alone.

Eve looks like shes thinking back on what I said.

[Eve.]

[Umu.]

[After I was thrown away by my real parents I got to spend time with my aunt and uncle I can say that I was happy because of the memories I spent with those people. I can assure you of that.]

I continue.

[However, I know Liz hasnt made that many memories with you yet.]

That child still hasnt gotten much of the peaceful everyday life with Big Sister that she dreamt of.

[She had her birthplace razed to the ground and wandered around Chased by slave traders and ended up captured Made to work in that sh*tty store After finally managing to escape Monroy, she has to come along a dangerous journey with us to reach this place And finally, from the battlefield where lives are in danger- the most important person in her life safely came back.]

[,]

[Im glad that you feel that way. However You should think about Liz feelings.]

I should probably clearly say it here.

Im sure that child would say something like

Ill be waiting for you, so Big Sister, please help Touka-sama and the others.

Thats how she would probably say it.

Thats How should I say this

I couldnt help but think that it would be possible for that to happen.

If I just let the situation take its course, it will most likely happen.

Im sure that Eve will agree to that situation.

Im sure that Liz would accept that situation too.

Shell end up accepting it.

Thats because- shes a good person.

Just like my uncle and his family.

Therefore

[Let me get this straight, Eve.]

Thats why, I have to tell her.

I need to tell her.

As clearly as possible.

Looking up at Eves face

[Our journey with you is over.]

Without any hesitation, I clearly told her that.

<Authors Notes>

I somehow managed to update this chapter this week (just barely though).

I will be updating the next week as well I hope. Ill do my best.