Published at 22nd of February 2022 03:42:34 PM

526 Regrouping, and Hope

Eldia is defeated as I find relief in finishing combat without incident, I realise that something has happened. Of the three stuffed toy spiders, two have disappeared. They were attached to my abdomen by the atlach-nacha.

Originally, she stuck them to me to act as a signal during her reconnaissance, and as there were no reasons to get rid of them, I left them as is. Now that the second is gone It can only mean that some sort of abnormal situation has occurred at the atlach-nachas location.

Dont tell me, has Lilixira actually headed for Aro and the others?

I hastily kick off the ground and take to the air, feeling the urgency to link up with them. Flying through the mist, I scan the ground below me.

Just Beelzebub or Lilixira alone could pose a direct threat of annihilation for Aro and the others. I dont know where they are now but So that they wouldnt get caught up in Beelzebubs initial attack, I told them to head towards the mountain. Also, if a battle has happened, there should be defeated holy knights around. Theyll serve as landmarks for me. It shouldnt take me too long to find them.

Suddenly, the sound of battle reaches my ears. I hear the sound of the ground being stomped on, the air being cut, and combatants striking each other. With great haste, I fly towards the source of the sounds.

When I arrive, it appears that the battle has already ended. Aro has one knee planted on the ground, and has run out of breath. There are many slash wounds all over her body. Next to her, treant-san is in tree spirit mode.

In front of them, the bodies of three men who seem like Holy Knights lie crumpled on the ground.

Are you alright, Aro, treant!

I call out to the two of them. Aro looks up at me, and her face brightens. However, her expression clouds over right away.

Dragon-god-sama! Its great that weve managed to link up! But, atlach-nacha hasnt Even though she said shed be right behind us, nothing has

The treant shakes his head, and looks downward.

Aro-dono Atlach-nachdono isnt coming

Treant? What do you mean by

I had noticed it. Its unusual for her to actually hurl abuse at us when shes cornered. Well I figured she must have been lying.

In a brief moment, Aros expression worsens, and tears slowly gather in her eyes. I dont exactly know the details, but I roughly guess. The atlach-nacha, she probably persuaded Aro to escape, and took on the responsibility of holding off a strong enemy by herself.

W-why, treant Even though you noticed, you kept silent? Even though youre infatuated with her!

As the treant hangs his head down, he meekly shakes his head again.

I couldnt say it To see her resolution, and then throw it away I was completely unable to do it Im terribly sorry, Aro-dono

After hearing that, even Aro cant bring herself to question the treant further, and ends up hanging her head in silence the same way.

As for me, I dont understand any of it at all. I wonder just who she stayed back to stop. Furthermore Its unsettling that theres no sign of Volk, magiatite-jii, and the black lizard as well.

Anyway, please calm down! Where is she?

They raise their heads.

Atlach-nacha is still alive!

After hearing my words, their expressions change.

I-Is that really true?

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In that situation, if she didnt have some means of escape

Aro and the treant have disbelieving looks on their faces. I twist my body around and reveal to them my abdomen.

Ah the stuffed toys,

Aro unconsciously raises her voice.

Thats right, on my abdomen, the last of the stuffed toys still remain. More than anything else, this is evidence that she is still alive.

The stuffed toys arent toys made out of ordinary thread. Theyre made with the [Doppel Cocoon] skill, and are her body doubles, so to speak. They draw a continuous but small amount of mana from her to maintain their appearances and the strength to cling to me. The fact that the last stuffed toy still exists means that shes still alive.

Ill listen as we move! Hurry!

I bend down, and urge the two to get on.

G-got it!

Aro lifts up the tree-spiritised treant and speedily jumps onto my back. I face the direction she indicates and charge forward.

As I run, I check their statuses Both their HPs are low enough to be threatening. While moving, I use [Fake Life] on Aro and [High Rest] on the treant, and let their wounds recover.

Thank you, dragon-god-sama

Your MP is low as well. Absorb some from me and recover.

Aro has [Mana Drain], and the treant, can absorb MP from me by spreading its roots.

While they draw mana from me, I learn almost everything that has happened since I left from Aro. The fight with the dragon riders, Volk and his party breaking off due to the mysterious swordsman called [Ascetic], and the sudden attack from the monstrous girl with green hair who can control corpses, Aruane

From what I hear, Aruane has stats approaching even Lilixiras. A honestly unbelievable enemy. Im worried about the battle between Volk, the black lizard, and magiatite-jii against that [Ascetic] too, but Right now, rescuing the atlach-nacha from Aruane has to be my top priority.

As I run, I glance at the atlach-nachas stuffed toy from time to time. Really, I didnt think a stuffed toy that looks like this would play such an important role. How unexpected. The moment it collapses, times up

I shut my eyes tightly. Absolutely dont die Atlach-nacha!