kscans

Chapter 383 - The White Journey Unburdened, Part Seven

The 'vermilion' one collapsed with a tremor a few minutes after my intervention. I thought they were in a completely hopeless situation, but it seems they had been mounting a comeback of their own.

As expected of my two great seniors—hold on, sorry, I'm at my limit. Let me rest for thirty seconds…!

"Hah…! It's rough… impossible…!"

My avatar, about to fall backward from exhaustion, was caught by someone. Irori—I wish it had been, but the blonde samurai, wearing a rare look of fatigue, was standing three meters in front of me.

Therefore, the soft sensation supporting me… well, I'm sure I'll be forgiven. I've worked this hard; I'd like to request that mitigating circumstances be considered in my guilty verdict.

"…You really saved us. Thank you, Haru-kun."

"Not at all… It's debatable whether I made it in time, so I apologize."

I managed to get to the two of them just in the nick of time, but when I jumped into this 'Boundary,' the other nine members were already gone.

Unfortunately, that must mean they were taken down by that monster—

"—You were in time. No doubt about it. Thanks."

"Whoa… that's a rare one. I'll take it."

Just then, Irori walked up to me, a genuine smile on his face, and offered a fist bump. I returned it, but… it's embarrassing, so I'd prefer it if you went back to being your usual blonde samurai self.

"The fact that you came means that's how this mechanic works—how many is that?"

"This is the third one here… Ashe is probably faster. More than half might be done already."

"You split up?"

"After we blitzed the first one with everything we had, three holes opened up. So, me, Ashe, and the remaining nine split up and jumped in."

"…You and her would be more effective moving solo, I suppose. What about the second location?"

"It was a rear-guard-heavy unit with Tetra and the others, so I had them all jump into one. Seeing as they managed to get by with group stealth until I arrived, I figured the casters would be safer with him—…Anyway, we don't have time to be chatting."

Thanking Hinayo-san for supporting my back as I sat, I stood up. I'd caught my breath somewhat, but this was no time to be standing still.

"There are two holes here. What's the plan?"

"—Let's split up."

It was Hinayo-san who answered my question without hesitation.

"It feels strange saying it myself, but… we were unlucky. If we'd had a more balanced formation with other rankers, I don't think we would have struggled this much against that opponent."

"…The fact that I was out of gas was also a big factor. That's probably true."

Are these two okay? They seem more down than I thought—

"They should at least be at a stalemate… In that case, it's better to split our forces and ensure reinforcements reach every battlefield. We should be able to tip the scales in one go."

Just like a certain someone—she said, giving me a dazzling wink… to my surprise, my head automatically turned away. The impact must have been too high.

"Then I'll take this one. Haru, I'm counting on you to escort Hinayo."

"Aye, roger that. …………Irori."

"What—"

Considering our compatibility, it was a conclusion I couldn't argue with. I called out to the samurai as he started walking toward the rift in the 'Boundary.'

I called out to him—and pressed a 'sword,' sheath and all, into his chest.

"Your two-sword style is out of commission for a while, right? Show them what you're really made of, Lord [Peerless]."

"Ngh… hey, you, this is—"

"Treat. It. With. Care."

I was well aware he was about to lecture me, so I wasn't going to listen.

Even I, while having no hesitation in doing so, feel a slight pang of reluctance… but it's okay. If it's for you, I'm sure Master will forgive me.

"………………—Haru!"

I gently pushed Hinayo-san, who was watching the two of us with a meaningful 'ufufu' smile, on the back and headed straight for the opposite rift.

On the way, a voice called out to my back, and I turned just my head.

"—, ————"

Were the words that escaped his slightly moving lips thanks, or was it a sarcastic remark?

Irori, who had placed the [Samidorizuki] I had forced on him next to his [Frostblade Shirosou], was once again holding out a fist toward me—you really like that, don't you.

Not that I dislike it, though.