Ch.117117. The Inverted Tsunami

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My head feels hazy.

I’ve been feeling this way for a while now, but it’s much worse at the moment.

“…”

Riru Garda stared at her own trembling hands.

That bitch who needs to be torn apart—I want to find her as soon as possible and grind her into dust.

And an overwhelming power boiling inside me makes me feel like I could definitely do it.

‘…No.’

It’s not just her that’s the problem.

All the irritating and infuriating things that happened recently are flashing through my mind one by one.

I want to crush and destroy them all with this power.

“…”

There was a thin thread of awareness that something was wrong with my state, but a torrent of emotions overwhelmed even that, shaking my entire consciousness.

Irrational anger. Unreasonable destructive impulses.

-Hello, Riru.

And in that state, a familiar voice reached my ears.

That’s the only way I could describe it. Because this was “my own” voice.

“…”

Riru stared blankly with unfocused eyes.

Who is this?

Why does it have my appearance?

-I suppose having a conversation like this… well, you’re probably the only Demonic Vessel with just one fragment. The others couldn’t do this even if they wanted to—the difference in “caliber” is too great. Being weak helps in times like this.

…Fragment? Vessel?

I don’t understand what it’s saying.

While those thoughts floated hazily through my mind, the other continued speaking.

-As much as I’d like to help you… I’ve already made a contract, so that won’t be possible. We’re all bound by contracts, after all.

The voice continued to spout incomprehensible words with a chuckling laugh.

“…Who are you?”

-I’m the part of your personality responsible for femininity. It’s been a while since we talked, hasn’t it?

“…”

-That’s a joke. Hehe.

The drawling voice chuckled, then continued speaking.

This time, the voice was more serious than before.

-You’ll find out everything soon enough anyway… but I can’t tell you now. I smell those Inquisition bastards. It’s best to minimize any issues with them, you know?

“…If you’re just going to spout nonsense, get lost. I don’t know if you’re a ghost or what.”

-Oh my. If you can answer like that, it seems your consciousness has returned quite a bit.

The unidentified “something” bearing her appearance placed its hand on Riru’s forehead.

And then.

In an instant, her mind cleared.

The anger that had been clouding her head subsided in a moment.

-But… I can tell you this much.

As Riru stood there with a dumbfounded expression at the sensation, the other threw those words at her.

-Let’s meet again in a few days, Riru.

“…What?”

-We can do something fun “together.” You understand, right?

Though she couldn’t understand what it was saying at all.

She felt like she was being pulled out.

She didn’t know why she felt that way, but that was the first sensation Riru experienced.

Simultaneously, the blue energy emanating from her body disappeared all at once.

“Ah, whoa!”

As soon as the blue energy that had been covering everything around her vanished, Riru, no longer able to stand on the sea, splashed down into the water.

Fortunately, swimming wasn’t particularly difficult, so she could easily keep herself afloat.

“What the, what am I doing he—”

As she tried to continue speaking.

She saw Darwood Campbell clinging tightly to her body.

“…”

“…”

What is this now?

How long has he been clinging to me?

His eyes are closed. As if he still hasn’t regained consciousness.

Looking around, she saw what appeared to be flesh and blood scattered everywhere.

“…”

How did she end up in this situation?

As she continued that train of thought.

Darwood’s body, which had been keeping its eyes closed, moved smoothly and embraced her tightly.

“…!”

She turned toward him with a start.

“If you’re conscious, hurry up and let go…!”

Immediately, Riru opened her mouth with an angry voice. The blue energy that had disappeared earlier was slightly seeping out of her body again.

She absolutely hated being swayed by him again. Whatever he was going to say, if she heard another strange excuse, she would really—

“I’m sorry.”

At the quiet voice, her body froze.

It didn’t take much effort to realize that something was different from the usual atmosphere.

He’s normally someone who never reveals his true feelings completely. Anyone with a sense of perception would know that this guy always has something hidden up his sleeve.

But, just now.

The atmosphere truly conveyed that he was speaking with his heart.

So, even Riru, who had been about to confront him, could only awkwardly rub her nose and respond.

“…What’s with you suddenly?”

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

It was an apology that came out of nowhere.

But it was a sentence that stabbed right into her heart.

“…”

Although Riru herself always preferred direct speech, strangely, the first thing that came to mind was the sentence “Do you even know why I’m angry?”

Despite countless times thinking she couldn’t understand women who said such things in relationships.

Simply as an expression of her psychology that she wanted this man to “take care of her” a little more.

“I’m sorry.”

But.

Before she could continue with those words, another sincere apology flew in.

“I never imagined I would be this important to you.”

Again, something stabbed into her heart.

Her face turned even redder than before.

Normally, she would have retorted that she didn’t like someone like him at all, but the conviction in Darwood’s voice made her tongue stiff.

It was a voice full of certainty, as if he had “seen” it somewhere.

And even Riru herself.

If asked to deny such words now, she wasn’t confident she could strongly deny them.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

Come to think of it, this was like hiding one’s eyes and saying “boo.”

She had already been swayed quite a bit by this man. While there were certainly things to be grateful for, there were many more things she wanted to confront him about.

So.

She should be angry.

She should be angry, but.

“I’m sorry for ignoring those feelings. I’m truly sorry for using you as I pleased. I’m really, really sorry you had to go through such a terrible experience because of me.”

Like this.

When she sees him embracing her and apologizing like this, as if making a confession, as if revealing his sins.

It’s simply impossible.

“I’m sorry.”

“…”

Her chest feels ticklish.

She never knew it would be this embarrassing for this man to sincerely express his feelings to her.

“…Hey.”

After a long silence, she finally opened her mouth hesitantly.

“Are you really going to stay just friends?”

Come to think of it, was that why she got so angry at this man?

Over that one sentence.

“…”

It’s strange.

She doesn’t quite understand her own heart.

“If that’s what you want.”

“…”

I don’t want that.

Rather, a little more.

A little more, intimately.

“…I don’t know. Shut up.”

But, she didn’t have the courage to say such things right now.

Still.

“Hold me tighter.”

She could at least demand this much.

“…Pardon?”

“If you’re sorry, hold me tighter.”

“…”

Darwood, with a puzzled expression, put more strength into the arms that were embracing her.

This man’s body pressed against her more intimately.

“…More.”

“…”

“…Just a little, more.”

Closing her eyes, she buries herself in the warmth that surrounds her.

Riru closed her eyes and buried her forehead deep in Darwood’s chest. She also wrapped her arms around this man’s back to secure him.

In that state.

She feels this man.

She listens to his heartbeat. She listens to his breathing.

“…”

A feeling of her entire body relaxing.

How should I put it?

It’s incredibly reassuring.

“Thank you.”

Riru opened her mouth haltingly.

“…I saw something awful. I needed something reassuring.”

“…”

Seeing Riru speaking like that, Darwood’s gaze slightly turned away.

Allan’s body floating on the sea. And the “body” of the Garda clan attached to it.

Riru’s body was trembling slightly.

As if she was scared from seeing something she never wanted to see.

“…”

Darwood closed his eyes for a moment and sighed.

“Riru.”

“Yes.”

“The one who did that will pay the price.”

“…”

“I’ll make sure of it.”

And, as Darwood said that, his eyes.

“And. From now on, I.”

Were fixed on the massive sinkhole forming again in the nearby sea.

Phase 2. The body of the Inverted Tide.

The “gods” that Tatiana serves. The most powerful beings that woman can command.

“I’ll prove that I have the ‘ability’ to deal with that thing.”

With those words.

A massive “marine creature” that seemed to tear apart heaven and earth finally revealed its enormous body from beneath the sea.

●

“Elkieeeeee!”

“…”

Kasa Garda, sitting on the cliff, narrowed her eyes and tapped her pipe on the ground.

Yes. She thought someone would come around this time.

But she didn’t expect such a dramatic entrance.

She turned to look at the human bursting out from behind her, still with narrowed eyes.

‘…A child with unbelievable talent.’

Kasa thought as she watched the orange-haired girl charging toward her with tears in her eyes.

Behind her was a short girl with ghostly white energy streaming from her, following closely.

“I mean, the teacher caused the trouble, so why are you coming after me—!”

“But, Elia, you definitely seem to know where Darwood is. You seem to be hiding it from me. I think if I torment you a bit, you’ll tell me.”

“Interrogating me with that strange speech pattern won’t help because I don’t know—!”

“…”

“Kyaaaaaaah—!”

Elia Krisanax barely dodged the white slash that came flying at a terrifying speed, and Yuria Greyhaunter leaped from the ground beside her.

It was a movement almost like teleportation.

But Elia, too, “reacted” to such speed.

She twisted her entire body to avoid the slash, and using that centrifugal force, struck away the black-clad girl who had rushed at her with her sheathed sword.

“Ooh.”

Kasa, who was watching, couldn’t help but let out an admiring sound at such efficient movements.

Her improvisational skills and sense were already far beyond student level.

Just looking at how the black-clad girl who had been rushing so terrifyingly was sent flying helplessly was enough to tell.

The distance was considerable. Enough to fly past where Kasa was sitting and over the coastal cliff.

“…”

She probably won’t die.

Judging by appearances, she’s not an ordinary girl, so falling off a cliff won’t do much to her.

In fact, if I recall what that Darwood fellow said, her flying away and falling off the cliff like that seems to be part of the “plan.” Given his tendencies.

Rather, this one looks more like she’s dying.

“Huff! Gasp! Ahaaack…! Teacher, never, listening, again, ughhhh…”

“…”

“But, who are you?”

“…Have you caught your breath?”

Kasa smiled wryly and responded to Elia, who was addressing her with a nearly dying expression.

“I suppose I’m something like the master of the person you call teacher.”

“…”

At those words, Elia looked at Kasa with a dumbfounded expression.

Wondering if this was a reaction-worthy statement, Kasa tilted her head.

“…Can that person now cover even this age gap? Just how wide is his defensive range…”

“…Stop talking nonsense and come sit beside me.”

Kasa said, clutching her throbbing head with her one remaining arm.

“You’re a hero candidate, aren’t you? If so, you shouldn’t miss what’s about to happen.”

Elia’s eyes widened.

“You know me?”

“Of course I do.”

She said, putting the pipe back in her mouth.

Tobacco had always been her good companion.

Especially when watching something this interesting.

Her gaze rested on the shore, where a massive monster was emerging from beneath the sea.

Near where Darwood and Riru were.

Not just one, but three in total.

It would be an impossible fight.

“…The ancient gods of the Otherworld are monsters that would require national-level forces to confront at a human level.”

Undoubtedly, despite being covered in all sorts of mysterious abilities.

It’s not an opponent that a single human can face.

But.

Her gaze was not on the ancient monsters breaking through the sea.

“Watch carefully, future hero. This will definitely help you reach such a level.”

Alone.

“You’re about to witness a human who fights the impossible and wins.”

Her eyes were fixed on a single man charging toward such an absurd opponent.

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