Chapter 1165 - A Single Blow
In the end, it took three days.
Well, it made sense. No matter how much my legs could kick away the speed of sound, if I strove for a reasonable voyage, or rather march, about a thousand kilometers per hour was the limit.
When the opponent was an endless road of tens of thousands of kilometers, how small a single step of a human was. No matter what, it takes time, and this is the limit of human power.
Though, if it was just going, it would have finished in a day and a half. Flying, flying, flying, flying, soaring, soaring, bridging the sky to connect the destinations, mostly.
And well, about the story from there...
────Ah? Respawning? ............Listen here, kid (Haru).
I was underestimating it, or rather,
────Thinking you can just die and go back is a spoiled, super uncool, third-rate mindset.
The traveler enthusiasts were crazy, or rather.
No, I said it. I said, 'I don't mind being third-rate, yes,' I did. While turning my eyes away from Sayaka-san, who tilted her head with a face that didn't seem to find the enthusiast's (Yura's) boiling nonsense strange, I said, 'Why don't we go with a third-rate move this time?'
It was no good.
◇Skill acquired.◇
・《Meditation Run》
《Meditation Run》: Passive
When out of combat, the automatic recovery speed of HP and MP increases according to the continuous running distance.
No, that light acquisition sound (pirorin) isn't it. It's not worth it. Rather than system status stuff, I want real mental support, and the things I want to say are a mountain-load of avalanches.
────At any rate, I'll never accept an ultra-long-distance expedition request from 【this person (Screen)】 again... just as I was thinking that, Sayaka-san, looking a bit apologetic, told me, 'Arcadia's travelers are mostly like this,' and while despairing, I returned a few minutes ago (just now).
Already in a state of selflessness, wondering if I should just cut 《Lightning》, but even that would be a drop in the bucket, hahaha, while going crazy, I somehow managed to reach my home... or rather,
Among the several places where my heart settled, the place that was usually lively.
Thinking I had to report for now, I walked to none other than the Eastern Round Table────
"────You went and did it, hey, you playboy!" "Stay right there, I'll punish you, sit on your knees, sit on your knees!!!" "You of all people... does this mean I was the only one you spoke to frankly...?" "Just a little, sorry. I might not be able to let you escape for a while." "Congrats, Senpai. Good luck?" "I wasn't told anything. Neglect of duty as an older brother, once again."
Indeed, indeed.
"......................Can I go home?"
And, I was in such a situation.
I was supposed to have come home, though.
◇◆◇◆◇
Naturally, the silver idiot who went away swiftly on his own after saying "Thanks for the help. I'll contact you again" was the height of resignation, but except for him, everyone was gathered.
I'm back────Everyone wait────since we had contacted each other beforehand, I was prepared, but... well, still, I was drawn back, or rather surprised, by the immense welcome for a while.
"And well, that's how it is."
"「「「「「「「......................」」」」」」」"
As for the details of the expedition, for now, put them aside.
Realizing I couldn't escape, and having had no intention of escaping from the start, I confessed everything, and upon that, the silence of those who had everything confessed to them filled the place.
A total of seven people. In other words, myself, the Sword Saint (Ui-san) who had been told various things beforehand, and the rest of my colleagues, the ranked members, excluding the absent travel maniac. The way each unique individual was beautifully matching their expressions only at this moment... well, I didn't have the leeway to laugh, of course.
"I won't ask you to congratulate me, and"
Still, toward my precious seniors and comrades.
"I won't ask you to watch over me either, but"
Since I had already prepared at least some words.
"Since I've decided to run down this path with my life on the line, I have no intention of stopping my feet no matter what."
Showing the resolve I bet my life on. Exposing a determination I have absolutely no intention of retracting. This is the best I can do, and the limit of sincerity I can hand over to my irreplaceable friends at this point.
Whether it gets through or not is another matter, though────and.
Clearly, saying it all in a few seconds.
"「「「「「「「「「............」」」」」」」」」"
There is fear. But there is no guilt or flinching. Having thrown such things away, or even if they existed, if I didn't pretend not to see them, I couldn't do such a foolish thing.
Thus, pretending to be invincible, including myself, there was silence for nine people's worth.
Probably, she was the only one who had been told beforehand, and she must be feeling guilty about knowing. Seeing my master looking restless and checking everyone's reactions, I received a bit of out-of-place healing... ────just as I was doing so.
Thud.
Me, who had been made to sit on my knees. In front of me, the members lined up in a fan shape. If so, from the latter's line, a single step came forward, and a small but powerful, forceful footstep echoed.
And, raising my face... or rather, there was no need. To show that I had no intention of looking down, I kept my eyes straight ahead, and what entered my field of vision, approaching, was────red.
Thus, Mi-na, one half of the 'Eastern Wings', without showing the slightest sign of stopping.
"Ngh...!"
At the same time as she stepped in front of me, she vigorously swung her right hand up... ──
"────────You did well!!!!!!!!!"
"Fubheh...!!"
Along with a cheer, she slapped my cheek with her small palm.
And then, a dry, pleasant sound. A pathetic voice knocked out of my mouth. A grand, playful sound of falling backward... and, the usual silence of everyone else who was dumbfounded and speechless.
While several sounds played a joint performance, a single small child stood proudly.
"Sigh, seriously...! ──────But I will, you know!!!!"
I had assumed I would be scolded by someone, or at worst, have my cheek slapped like this. However, in various ways, I thought this kind of form would be too optimistic,
"I! Will support you! Though!!!!"
To me, who was dazed by the future (now) that I had unconsciously excluded from my thoughts,
"It's fine. Do your best. Because I thought that was cool."
"O-Oh...?"
"However, if you wimp out halfway, be prepared. I will personally kill you, socially."
"............O-Oh..."
Whether she was happy or furious... but, certainly────
"What's with that wimpy reply?!"
"ッ────I-I'll do my best!!!"
"Then, good!!!!!"
She looked down at me with an extremely satisfied face.
Not an ally of the protagonist. Strictly an ally of the maiden in love.
The result of picking up on her troubled junior's wishes, you see.