Ch.306Chapter 306 – Lacking Parts

After parting with Gabriella, some time had passed.

Sia had left for a while, saying she wanted to get some fresh air, and shortly after, the demons left to find her.

“Will she be alright if we just leave her alone?”

“She’ll be fine.”

I was confident that Vanilla and Gigas would comfort Sia and bring her back.

There was no need to worry about that.

“More importantly, we need to decide how to proceed from here.”

“But in reality, our course of action is almost predetermined.”

Sera responded to my words.

Then she raised a finger and continued.

“The destruction of the Soul Absorption Formations in Florence and the Kingdom.”

“Yes.”

At my answer, Eve, Sera, and Chris looked at each other.

Then Eve spoke quietly.

“Let’s be clear about one thing first. There’s no problem if we choose to run away. With Ferarius, there was compensation, but this time there’s nothing like that.”

After saying this, Eve continued quietly.

“Are you still going to help?”

“Yes.”

I answered without hesitation.

“No matter what, I can’t ignore this.”

I said, looking up at the sky.

Those ominous magic formations that convert the souls of the dead into magical power to strengthen demons.

If left alone, there’s no telling what the demons empowered by the Soul Absorption Formations would do.

Moreover, considering the nature of these formations that require the souls of the dead, they must be creating victims everywhere to gather those souls.

Innocent victims I would never even know would continue to be sacrificed.

“I may not be a legendary hero, but I don’t want to sit idly by while people are being sacrificed.”

I said, slowly gathering my resolve.

“I don’t want to be someone who easily abandons others just because it’s not my problem or doesn’t concern me.”

Of course, no one would blame us if we chose to run away.

But I didn’t want that.

I didn’t want to become like Idea and Somnus, those two bastards.

After answering like that, I smiled gently at the people looking at me with concerned eyes and said:

“Well, another reason is that Beatrice wouldn’t stand for it either.”

“This is Beatrice’s homeland after all.”

“…I’m sorry.”

Beatrice, who had been listening to our conversation from a slight distance, apologized at Sera’s words.

This situation was partly due to her acting independently out of concern for Princess Gabriella, and in circumstances like these, she would find it even harder to leave.

“I suppose we need to resolve this situation if only to safely take Beatrice with us.”

“…You really are…”

I could see Beatrice subtly averting her gaze.

Meanwhile, Eve, who had been deep in thought, quietly spoke up.

“If that’s what you’re saying, then we have no choice.”

“You’re not angry?”

“Why would I be angry? I’m just worried about Kay.”

Eve said this and then added with a slight smile:

“Honestly, there’s a limit to being nice. I’m concerned you might end up being taken advantage of.”

After saying this, Eve smiled slightly and continued:

“I’ve decided. I need to stick close to Kay at all times.”

“This might sound strange, but wouldn’t it be uncomfortable for you to be so close to me?”

“My goodness, why would it be uncomfortable? It’s actually what I want.”

Eve said with a smile.

“What could be more pleasing than complementing each other’s shortcomings?”

“Is that so?”

“It is.”

Eve smiled as she said this.

Then she soon formed a slightly seductive smile and playfully said:

“Oh, by the way, Kay. Do you know what we call a relationship between a man and woman who complement each other’s shortcomings?”

“What is it?”

“‘Shortcomings.’ Just read the first syllables of each word.”

So if it’s ‘short’ and ‘com’… when combined…

“Eve… that’s too explicit…”

Sera said with a slightly trembling voice.

Come to think of it, I noticed that Sera and Eve had been addressing each other comfortably for some time now.

While I was thinking about this, Eve quietly said:

“Well, regardless of what I just said, whether it’s me or Sera… everyone here will do their best to help you.”

Eve said this and then added softly:

“Because Kay and us are more than just companions.”

More than companions.

Eve expressed it so confidently.

There were other words she could have used, but she probably felt a bit shy to say them.

“…Thank you.”

I answered Eve honestly.

She immediately smiled and said:

“In return, you’ll properly reward us later, right?”

“Huh?”

“As Eve said, we’re more than just companions. You know that, right?”

I felt like Eve and Sera’s eyes had changed slightly.

They had the aura of predators eyeing their prey.

At least, I could immediately tell what kind of reward they wanted.

“…Sure.”

As I turned my gaze away slightly out of embarrassment, Eve and Sera began to smile at me.

And then I noticed my arm feeling slightly heavier.

“Chris.”

“Is this what they call feeling left out?… Somehow I feel like I’m falling far behind…”

It was Chris, who had suddenly clung to my arm.

Perhaps because she was holding on too tightly, the feeling of her firm ribs helped me regain my composure.

“…Kay? Don’t you have anything to say?”

“No.”

I deliberately ignored the lukewarm gazes that Eve and Sera were sending my way and gently averted my eyes from Chris.

If I opened my mouth, I felt like I might comment on her firmness.

After a moment, Eve cleared her throat slightly and spoke.

“First, we need to cooperate with the Princess Faction to resolve this situation.”

In the end, the only ones who could help us were the Princess Faction within the resistance.

Of course, being the smallest faction within the already weak resistance, we couldn’t expect tremendous help.

“Still, it’s better than nothing.”

Even if they were weak, their numbers were on a different scale than ours, so they could be of some use.

For that, we first needed to join hands with them, but this part wouldn’t be much of a problem either.

“The Princess Faction is facing an extremely unreasonable demand right now.”

“Even so, destroying the convergence point in the royal palace within five days…”

As Sera and Chris said, the Princess Faction was currently in a position where they had to accept an unreasonable demand.

Although the meeting had just ended, by now the Princess Faction must be in turmoil, declaring a state of emergency.

In other words, it was a very easy situation to extend a hand and offer to join forces.

“I’ll leave the negotiations with them to Beatrice.”

“Understood.”

Since Beatrice currently belonged to the Princess Faction of the resistance, negotiations would be very easy.

However, if we were to act together with the Princess Faction, we would also become quite busy.

“The preparation period is at most 2-3 days.”

Eve said quietly.

“We can’t afford more time than that. Even if we use warping to travel, considering the travel time and operation time…”

As Eve said, we didn’t have much time to prepare.

So we needed to make the maximum preparations possible within that limited time.

We couldn’t know what the demons had prepared to protect the Soul Absorption Formation, and we couldn’t let our guard down against the Emiris Order either.

Above all, there was him.

“The Dragon Slayer will definitely make a move.”

Eve said, looking at me.

As she said, I too expected that he would definitely make a move.

After all, his target was us from the beginning.

There was every possibility that he would attack while we were trying to destroy the Soul Absorption Formation.

Of course, there was the option to run away, but that choice was already off the table.

“We’ll have to plan assuming we’ll fight him.”

“We need to make all possible preparations.”

Beatrice and Chris said.

“But the scope of preparation is quite broad. Demons, the Dragon Slayer…”

“And the Emiris Order too.”

Sera responded to Chris’s words.

Indeed, there was a lot to prepare for.

Above all, we were in a situation with limited time.

“Now that we’ve confirmed our approach once more, let’s each start our preparations. We don’t have much time.”

“Of course.”

Beatrice answered my words.

Naturally, not just the two of us, but everyone nodded.

Soon, Eve and Sera exchanged glances, then turned toward the carriage and said:

“I’ll check the supplies and equipment.”

“I’ll go prepare the tools.”

With those words, they immediately walked toward the carriage.

Watching their backs, Chris took a deep breath and then spoke.

“Then I’ll go pray for a while.”

“By the way, are you feeling alright?”

It was a question I had asked because Chris seemed to be feeling a bit off before the meeting.

I was worried about what might be happening to her, since she had become a god, albeit not completely.

And Chris, perhaps to reassure me, smiled gently and said:

“Well, I suddenly feel my divine power decreasing a bit, and there’s an irregular feeling of my vessel expanding… but I’ll be fine. If I pray properly, I’m sure I’ll recover sufficiently.”

“Let me know immediately if there’s a problem.”

“Yes! …But I think I’ll be fine.”

Chris said with a smile.

“I’ll keep feeling my divine power draining and refilling, but since the vessel itself is being strengthened, I feel like I’ll recover quickly.”

She smiled and told me not to worry at all.

“If you need any help, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

“I don’t really need…”

Just as I was about to say I didn’t need anything, I remembered something.

It was something I had discovered while fighting Idea.

“Come to think of it, there’s something I wanted to research with you, Chris.”

“Research? That sounds more like Sera’s field…”

“No, it’s definitely your area.”

I showed her the sacred relic, which was currently in the form of a sword, as I spoke to Chris.

“I need to properly understand what changes occurred when your divine power was imbued in it.”

After the repairs in Ferarius, I needed to properly confirm what changes had taken place.

For that, I naturally needed Chris’s help.

And Chris, seemingly pleased, nodded her head and said:

“I’ll help you with all my might!”

“I’m counting on you.”

The more we could understand, the broader our tactical options would be.

As Chris and I exchanged smiles, Beatrice, who had been watching us cautiously, quietly muttered:

“…I can help with many things too.”

Her tone was slightly sulky.

She had always been helpful when asked before, but this was the first time I’d seen her actively offering her help, saying she could do many things.

Of course, that was one thing, but there was no reason not to take advantage of her willingness to help.

“Beatrice, can you help me?”

At my question, Beatrice immediately put on a serious face and said:

“Tell me. I’ll do anything for you.”

“I want to do the training we did in Ferarius.”

I was referring to the magic that allows one to fight against beings from memory.

Due to time constraints, I wouldn’t be able to achieve dramatic growth.

But it could help me delve deeper into understanding the powerful enemies we might face.

And naturally, the being from memory I would face was already decided.

“The Dragon Slayer, I see.”

Beatrice quietly said.

“I hate to say this, but are you sure? He’s really not a good match for you.”

“But we need to be prepared for whatever might happen.”

I couldn’t face Idea again without any preparation.

I obviously needed to devise countermeasures against him.

“So I need to understand him better, even if just a little.”

That way, I wouldn’t be defeated so easily like last time.

I spoke quietly, looking at Beatrice.

Soon, she nodded.

And quietly asked:

“…But you know there are limitations, right?”

The problem with Beatrice’s training method was that it relied on my memories.

In other words, even if I wanted to properly gauge the Dragon Slayer’s capabilities, I couldn’t accurately measure them unless I had seen the cards he had hidden.

He was about to use some dangerous technique, but Beatrice had stopped him, so I hadn’t seen it properly.

In other words, within the range of my memories, I couldn’t accurately gauge the Dragon Slayer’s capabilities.

That’s right.

“I” don’t know.

“Fortunately, I can gain a better understanding of his combat style.”

“What?”

Beatrice asked as if she didn’t understand what I meant.

After a slight pause, I smiled at her.

“Time is precious, so can you prepare first?”

“Wait ten minutes.”

Beatrice immediately began drawing a magic circle.

Perhaps because she had done it many times in Ferarius, the work was quickly completed.

“As requested, I’ve set the opponent as the Dragon Slayer.”

“Good.”

I quietly said, looking at Chris and Beatrice.

“I’ll fight him once, then research the sacred relic more.”

“I’ll wait while praying. Please let me know if anything happens.”

I nodded with a smile at Chris’s words.

And Beatrice hesitated for a moment, then quietly said:

“Be careful.”

“…It’s strange, it’s not like I’m going to die.”

It felt slightly odd, but not in a bad way.

I slowly looked at Chris and Beatrice and said:

“I’ll be back.”

Soon, Beatrice began manipulating magical power.

My vision turned white.

And soon, a familiar face appeared.

“Idea.”

Looking at the Dragon Slayer I was seeing again, I raised my weapon.

And along with that, numerous scenes flashed through my mind.

‘Pia did it properly.’

She had said it would take time before it became mine, but it seemed that time had come.

‘I’m counting on you.’

Memories emerging in my mind as I looked at the Dragon Slayer.

Recalling the memories of Pia and Yuto, I thought.

I immediately read his first move and moved my body to block the attack.

It was a speed I normally wouldn’t have been able to react to, but I was able to because I could somewhat understand his habits.

I continued to block the rapid sword strikes that followed.

I began to read attacks that “I” had never seen before, through the memories of the dragons.

Soon Idea stepped back slightly, and I smiled slightly at him and said:

“Well then, let’s do this.”

I swung my halberd toward Idea.

For a while, the sound of sword and halberd clashing echoed around us.