Chapter 195: The Next Day
Feeling a strong light, my groggy mind clears . I raise my head . The sunrise can be seen over the desert’s horizon .
Finally, tomorrow is the date that Nina is scheduled to be executed . Before the day is over, I must get past the lower levels in order to defeat that hero .
For that sake, I have no choice but to attack the red ants’ nest . That C rank monster den, I will completely destroy it .
I feel bad for the red ants, but not killing them would be impossible . I don’t have the option of abandoning Nina .
“…Are you awake?”
Adofu stops swinging his sword and turns his head this way . He was awake the entire time . I’m not sure of when to attack the monsters, but it seems possible to take revenge on the red ants when they are asleep .
Even if they aren’t completely asleep, they can still become stiff from fatigue . This was a tendency from the time I spent as an Evil Plague Dragon .
Even now, has he not stopped swinging that large sword? …As expected, he must have some regrets .
Even with my [[High Rest]], I can’t heal Adofu’s arm . Because it’s my skill, I somehow understand it instinctively . The [[Rest]] skill line most likely strengthens one’s vitality and accelerates the healing process .
[[Autoregeneration]] could regenerate the damaged body part but… it can heal only me . If I keep raising my level, could I learn a skill to fix Adofu’s arm? .
With a wry smile, Adofu puts his large sword back in its sheath .
…He just made an awkward expression, didn’t he? It’s too much to worry about .
“Guooouuuu…”
In the middle of this awkwardness, my neighbor yawns . T-this person, at such a wierd timing…!
I gently headbutt my partner .
“Guau?”
My partner, now awake, lightly shakes her head and barks “Guaau!” Her head suddenly shines with light . She seems to be using [[High Rest]] .
Being wasteful again… Well, I guess it’s fine . At least I will have recovered by the time I next need it .
Because of that fellow, I was not able to eat a thing last night . She was agile when she took the food and swallowed it whole . Well, in the end it goes into the same stomach, so there shouldn’t be a problem . Though there is a longing to put something in my mouth which would help in relieving my temper . In any case, I won’t have to worry about having another mouth to feed since our meals will be the same .
I’ll leave the support up to her . I’m trusting you . I’m really trusting you to do it . Yesterday’s poison dumplings barely had any effect . This time, Adofu will also not be there too . Although the total number of ants should have greatly decreased, having two heads is a minus to my fighting ability, but it is still sufficient enough to say that it’ll be easy to kill several at once .
The time limit is close . I need to start leveling soon . Ball Rabbit’s MP should have already recovered . Once it comes out, we’ll quickly head towards the red ants’ nest .
“Guau- Guaaau!”
My partner sticks her nose into the ground and starts digging . It’s similar to what I’ve seen dogs do in my previous life…
Moving as if digging up prey, my partner raises her head . Ball Rabbit scratches her teeth with its ears . While being lifted up, Ball Rabbit shakes itself right and left . Its eyes look at me in annoyance .
“Pefuu…”
I-It’s not my fault! I was going to wait until you woke up! This fellow used [[Presence Sense]] at her own convenience to dig you up!
For the time being, let’s look at Ball Rabbit’s status to make sure it’s fully recovered . Alright, it looks good . There’s no choice but to get up already . The Ball Rabbit is in a bad mood from being woken up, but it doesn’t want to go back to sleep .
I decide to have Adofu wait near the red ants’ nest . He himself thinks that he could become a burden . There’s no need to forcibly bring him along . I want Adofu to stay alive . Although he was at one point helping the hero, we’ve already been living together for a few days . I owe my life to him . After this battle is safely over, I want him to live happily somewhere .
The red ants’ nest comes into view . Should Adofu separate from us here?
“Guuo…”
I look down at Adofu and bark . My intention seems to have been understood and Adofu stops walking .
“…Well then, I pray that you have good fortune during your fight . I am sorry that I am unable to help . ”
“Guoo…”
Thank you . Leave this fight to me .
“Pefuu! Pefuuu!”
(Let me down! Let me down!)
Once again, my partner holds Ball Rabbit’s ear in her mouth, drooling . She seems to like carrying the Ball Rabbit . While unskillfully trying to regain control, she bares her fangs at me . Because I did not want to disturb her mood, I allowed the Ball Rabbit to be the sacrifice .
However, this will be a battle . It will be troublesome if I also have to fight the other head . She won’t be able to fight well if her mouth isn’t empty . I must get the Ball Rabbit back .
“Guou!”
“Guau! Guau!”
Because she was trying to resist, I firmly hold her head down with my forefoot and have her release it . I place the Ball Rabbit on my head . The Ball Rabbit clings tightly to my head with its ears .
“Pefuuu!”
(Detestable! Jeez . That girl . Detestable!)
It looks very angry… Now will you stop bothering the Ball Rabbit? Am I going to be hated for this?
My partner looks lonesomely at the ball rabbit intermittently . Although she doesn’t like it, she does seem to like the ball rabbit .
(D-Detestable!)
The Ball Rabbit shakes its body while clinging to my head . It’s the first time that I’ve seen the Ball Rabbit this angry . Honestly, she looks satisfied for some reason .
When I think about it, she is part of me . What should I say? I’m getting a subtle feeling that I’m on bad terms with my friends . I’d be happy if we got along well… Well, before that, I should first listen to what they have to say .