Published at 27th of July 2022 11:33:10 AM

618 Rest Before the Battle

Sprawled out on the ground of the Ngai Forest, we decide to take a proper rest.

Aro and treant have levelled up. So after this, well head straight to the origin matter.

Were in a hurry, but all of us have also reached the point where any further levelling will inevitably be slow. We wont get much stronger just by spending a little more time hunting now. Moreover, the monsters here strong enough that its possible we could step on a landmine and lose someone if we rush too much.

Were not in a situation where we can avoid all risk. I know that. But, the return for the risk isnt worth it now. We should fight the origin matter at our current levels.

With Aro and the treants assistance, its possible that we could win smoothly. Besides, even though the origin matter has a lot of one-hit-kill skills, Ive already seen its status. Ive also seen a lot of the skills in action, so I know the ranges and attack patterns. We might be able to plan our approach better than last time.

But, even though time is precious, the origin matter isnt an opponent I can face while exhausted. Before the battle, I need to completely rest up.

I have [Presence Perception], and, treant aside, Aro is sharp. Even if we were all sleeping, one of us might be able to notice an approaching monster. But the monsters here are all dangerous theyre all former divine skill holders and their subordinates. Its probably a good idea to always have one of us on watch duty.

The sky is unchanging here, so well need to estimate our shifts, waking each other up in turns until my HP and MP have fully recovered.

As an oneiros, I can recover from exhaustion and health just by staying motionless, so we might not strictly need anyone else to keep watch. But, time is of the essence. I want my rest to be as efficient as possible.

Until now, Aro has been unable to sleep, but as a walpurgis, it seems she can now. After all, she doesnt seem to technically be an undead any longer.

Im fine without sleep. Ill stay on watch the entire time

I cant force you to take all the burden. Besides, arent you tired after all the battles here? You havent been able to sleep until now, so please properly rest. If anything, your sleep is a priority here.

But

Besides Ill need both of you to help me in the battle with the origin matter. Even if things go smoothly, Ill probably not be able to do everthing by myself. The opponent is a maximum level Legendary, after all I cant plan out for all of how it may go. Well need to be able to think on our feet, or one of us could die. Rest well, Aro. Its not just for your sake. Its so that we can defeat the origin matter, and get out of this world and back to our own.

Thats right, Aro-dono! It would be terrible if you were to make a mistake from a lack of sleep at a critical moment!

I understand.

As treant chimes in to support me, Aro nods her head.

Mu? Whats wrong, master-dono? You look concerned.

Treant asks, and I hurriedly smooth my expression over as the two examine me Ah, if I stay quiet here, thatd just make them worry more.

I-its nothing, it was just that when you said that, I thought it sounded like a flag.

M-master-dono! What is it that you think of me!?

Sorry No, it really was just a passing thought. Anyway, rest up properly, okay?

The details aside, I will take master-donos advice to heart

The lookout order will be me, then Aro, then treant. When Aro switches out, shell wake me up briefly so that I can check how the recovery is going.

My watch passes by uneventfully, and I wake up Aro to switch. Later, I watch as Aro switches out with treant.

I dont know how much time then passes, but I awake of my own accord. I had quite a lot of exhaustion built up, so it seems I slept surprisingly deeply. Setting up a watch was a good idea.

To start with, I check Aros status, who is leaning against my face as she sleeps. It seems shes fully recovered.

Next, I check the status of the treant, who is sprawled out on the ground. Hes also fully recovered. Great, we can go fight the origin matter now.

Wait a second.

Why were all of us sleeping!? Treant was supposed to be the last watch! Treant, why werent you on watch?!

Treant stirs and looks up at me.

Good morning, mater-dono! Is it time for our rematch against the origin matter? I have rested fully! With my power as a world treant, I will fight as well as I can!

He strikes a pose with his wings, then tilts his head to the side.

Huh? Was it strange that I was sleeping?

It seems he took my advice of getting well rested to heart too much. I clutch my face with my forefoot. W-well, we werent attacked in the end, so its fine, yeah.

Ah! I apologise deeply, master-dono! Ill, Ill make up for this blunder through my efforts in battle!

Treant-san

Rubbing her eyes, Aro looks up at treant. He bows down to her repeatedly.

W-well, I also slept more deeply than I was expecting. He was probably tired too. I suppose its good that hes now fully recovered from his tiredness.