I called out towards Pigimaru . [Once again, connect with my body . ] [Pii... Pinyyyuuu...] His cries sound exhausted . [Perhaps... You can’t do it anymore?] [Pii... Piinyyiii...] I still have enough MP remaining . However, it seems that the burden on Pigimaru’s body is more than I had expected . Well, this is the first time we have tried using that ability consecutively . That connection uses up an idiotic amount of MP . My MP is also steadily decreasing while I’m connected with him . That’s why I temporarily disconnected my connection with him earlier... [My bad... I’ve never thought about the burden it may have on your body . ] There’s also some burden on my own body . I should have thought that Pigimaru might also be bearing the same burden . However, Pigimaru hasn’t shown any signs of fatigue at all before . [It was my fault that I failed to notice . ] [Pii!? Piyuyuyuuuu~!] His cries sound like he’s trying to frantically defend me . Pigimaru cries apologetically . [Don’t worry about it . I’m not going to blame nor get angry at you . It’s my mistake that I assumed that as long as I have MP, I could subsequently use this ability even after using it for a short time . ] [It seems there are also some things you weren’t able to anticipate . ] When I looked back at her, I could also see Seras following behind her . I feel like I’ve already told Eve and the others about the situation but... [My apologies . She said she wants to talk to you . ] There is also Liz standing next to Seras . [I’ve heard of the situation . I’ll help you out too . ] [It’s okay . I’ll do it together with Seras . ] Thᴇ link to the origɪn of this information rᴇsts ɪn NoveIＦire.net [Seras looks tired though . ] Seras must have been quite nervous while interacting with Muaji . She could take some short rest after I invoked on her . However, Seras still hardly had enough sleep . In her case, it would be really difficult for her to get rid of her fatigue . [I will take the role of being the one in front and protecting you . I am full of vitality and strength now . Most of all— I’m sorry that I’ve let the both of you fight all by yourselves . ] I started thinking about it in another way . She’s the strongest Blood Champion . The extremely fatigued Seras . I planned on having Eve work more later but... [Then, I’ll be relying on you . ] [However, if you, our guide so that we could reach the witch were to die, then we would also take our hands off the child . As long as you understand that, then you could fight all you want . ] [So you’re saying that if I feel like I’m disadvantaged against them, I could freely pull back huh?] [It’s great that you could quickly understand . Then, Seras would be protecting Liz . ] [Understood . I’ll leave him to you, Eve . ] [Umu . You don’t have any problem with that, Touka?] I couldn’t use the super-ranged attacks using the connection with Pigimaru . However, I could use my Abnormal State Skills without any problem . It’s not like we’re fighting someone like the Five Dragon Warriors . I’ve also had corrections with my status after the level ups I had . Bending down so that her face was in front of Liz’s face, Seras asked . [If you think it’s necessary to also have Seras-sama’s power, you shouldn’t worry about me and fight for Touka-sama . ] [I know that I can’t do anything even when I try my best while we’re going to the witch’s home... And that the non-combatant me would just become a burden for everyone...] Closing her eyes, Liz squeezes both of her hands in front of her chest . [I don’t like the thought that... Big Sister and Touka-sama are in danger just for me... . ] Seras looks at her gently . She pats Liz on her shoulder . [I understand . Thank you for your consideration . ] Is it the result of Liz’s determination and feelings? Seras didn’t refuse her offer . LIz is tearing up a bit . I’ve always thought she was just a child . On the other hand though, Eve looks quite worried . For Eve, LIz’s personal safety must have been her priority . [Ah, even though she said that, it’s not like Seras would just abandon Liz defenselessly and rush out in front of the battle . You don’t have to worry . ] Afterwards, I started giving out instructions . Seras would be taking Liz a little further into the forest . Eve and I would intercept them here . To accomplish my plan, it would be necessary that we completely annihilate all of the people in the first team . In short, I want to deal with them all together . We should avoid being dragged into a melee battle in the forest as much as possible . The probability that we may lose sight of some and they escape might increase if that were to happen . If that’s the case, it would be better for us to intercept them here . [I will act as a decoy and attract their attention . Touka would be hiding beneath the shadows of those bushes . If they were to come within your range, you should paralyze them with your aforementioned ability . ] The enemies’ aim is Eve Speed . If you think about it, Eve would be really suitable as a decoy . [Which of the Duke’s private army should I look out for?] [The Duke’s Imperial Guards were the people who held the most ability within his private army . If I were to point out someone among them, it would probably be the captain Costello . ] [It’s rumored that he’s the second strongest person in Monroy after the Dragonslayer . I’ve heard that he used to be a member of the Magic Knights . ] I don’t really know how strong the Dragonslayer is though . [If that were to be compared to Eve Speed?] [There were many people who wanted him to fight me just to know who was stronger between us two . However, I haven’t been able to cross swords with him . That’s why I don’t know how strong he really is . ] [So, it’s unknown huh...] [Umu . However, I haven’t seen him along with the first team when they were passing by— Hmm?] Eve’s ears twitched . She then looks towards the back . The opposite direction from where the first team is coming from . There were lights approaching from that direction . [The third team huh...] I spoke out my guess . [They may have been walking slowly until now . However, they’ve increased their pace after they saw the light that Seras released . ] The first team was eager for achievements . The second team’s Ashinto may be similar to them . Everyone wanted to be the first one to find Eve and make an achievement for themselves . Now then, is there anyone who wouldn’t rush after something if they could get an achievement from doing that? They would become someone who received merits . [It’s possible that even the Duke himself is mixed in along with the third team . ] In terms of their speed and distance... The first team who is returning back would be faster to reach this place . As these two squadrons join and increase in number, the probability that someone may be able to escape may increase again . [Let’s go crush one of them first before the other . First, we’ll go crush the first team . ] Eve unsheathes her sword . [If it’s possible, don’t let a single one of them escape . Therefore, I want you to attract their attention as much as possible before engaging against them . Well, only if you can do it . ] [Just see for yourself . ] We’ve grasped how much people the first team had when they passed by earlier . At the time they were passing by, the other soldiers who had been searching in the forest also joined up with them . Therefore, that should have been all of their members that were coming . [Did you figure out how many people there were in the first team that was present now?] Eve started concentrating . After just a moment... Eve informed me of their numbers . It matches the number of people they had when we first recorded . They didn’t divide their squad just like Muaji did . It seems to be a group of idiotically honest people who plunges on everything in their path . The sounds of hooves began to get even louder . The first team finally arrives . [We’ve finally found you, Eve Speed! It must have been quite regretful! We’ve already seen through your decoy! You can’t escape from us!] They must have rushed back in a hurry after these fellows saw that light . Therefore, he couldn’t really say something like they’ve seen through it . Moreover, they didn’t even mention that light at all . [Muu!? Those people collapsed over there... Are those the fellows from Ashinto!? Fu— Fuhahaha! In the end, your sorceries were nothing but a sham! Well, I’ve never liked those people in the first place!] [The Duke was very angry! If we were to present that were-leopard’s unsightly body to the Duke, the Duke would certainly get delighted!] [Umu! Things have been rolling in the right direction for us! We’re not going to let the heads of those Imperial Guard fellows to get any bigger!] [Hahahaha! We even wanted to thank you for running away, sub-human! To tell you the truth, we didn’t like it that someone like you who isn’t even a human was receiving praises from all the people!] Eve remained silent . [Hahahaha! What’s wrong!? Did you lose your will to fight after you saw our number!?] The leading man approached Eve while riding his horse . The leading man then brandished his sword . [I’ll be taking your head!!!] All of them were finally within my range . To make sure that all of them were within my range, I jumped out of the shadows of the bushes while sticking out my hand . The private army and their horses suddenly stops . The leading man became paralyzed while his sword was raised . The other members of the private army also stopped due to paralysis . They looked like they were sewed on the ground . [Wha... I can’t move...?] [Who is... . that man...?] I could see the dismay on everyone’s faces . Screams began resounding around the area as I invoked poison on the private army . Range, Area of Effect and Affinity . The trusty combo of paralysis and poison is really convenient for me . Eve called out to me . That’s right— It’s not over yet . I could hear the sound of hooves striking the ground from another direction . And, it’s getting nearer . They were about to arrive soon . [There’s no escape anymore, you ungrateful sub-human! Running back to the forest would just be useless, useless, useless! You can’t escape anymore! You thought you could make a fool of me!? You thought you could get away from this Duke Zuan!?] Baring her fangs, Eve let out a low beastly growl .