The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet

Chapter 358: Holding hands, but ignoring the heart

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

"…They've broken through ten floors in thirty minutes?"

At the top of the tower, Alpha, who was waiting for Rain and his party, sensed the situation on the lower floors and slightly furrowed her brow.

This tower was a part of Alpha's barrier, allowing her to monitor their progress from anywhere.

Although she had been observing Rain and his group due to their imminent clash...

She was astonished by their unexpectedly rapid advance.

"Iris-san is from the strongest species... moreover, she's a Celestial with particularly exceptional powers. I understand that, having seen her create the barrier around this city... but Rain-san, what in the world...?"

Wasn't he just an ordinary Beast Tamer? He might have gained considerable power by having the strongest species as his companion, but...

Even with that in mind, his strength was beyond expectations.

Why? Alpha wondered.

Alpha generally lived a secluded life, detached from the mundane world.

She had been pursuing research aimed at creating a world where everyone could be happy, making her oblivious to worldly affairs.

Thus, she had no knowledge of Rain's exploits.

"It might be presumptuous of me to say this, but... the one we should be wary of is not Iris-san, but Rain-san."

Monica was also present at the top of the tower.

The enemy of my enemy is my friend.

With such a proposal, Alpha had temporarily allied with Monica and her group.

However, she did not trust them.

She didn't know much about them, but they seemed suspicious nonetheless.

They appeared friendly at first glance...

Yet she felt a precariousness, as if they might smile while biting at her throat.

Therefore, although she might consider them allies, she did not regard them as friends.

When the time came, she could abandon them without hesitation.

If necessary, not only that, but she could also defeat them.

All for the sake of her utopia.

To realize her dream, Alpha continued to move forward.

"You think Rain-san is stronger...?"

"Yes, that's right. I believe both his heart and body surpass Iris-san's."

"Unbelievable... a human surpassing the strongest species?"

"Rain-san is quite special. As proof, he once defeated Iris-san."

"A human... defeated a Celestial?"

Alpha was about to laugh off Monica's story as absurd.

However, Monica remained serious, showing no signs of lying.

If this were a lie, she could be an incredible actress.

She had thought that Rain wasn't an ordinary person, given that he commanded the strongest species.

But to have defeated a Celestial was unexpected.

If he possessed that much power, she might lose.

Alpha felt a sense of urgency...

And at the same time, a frustration similar to anxiety.

He must have experienced many things to gain such power.

Not just good things, but also things that would make one want to cry, or overwhelming despair.

Yet, why does he not accept her dream?

Why does he reject the idea of happiness?

Why? Why? Why?

"Alpha-san?"

"Ah, no. I'm sorry. I was lost in thought."

Returning to herself, Alpha coughed lightly in embarrassment.

"How are Rain and his party doing?"

"Well... they've just broken through the 40th floor. Truly... they're incredible."

Lin was using the power of the rainbow crystal to summon monsters to intercept them...

But all of them were being repelled.

At this rate, they might have to rely on the tower's guardian.

If possible, she wanted to avoid that...

If she held back, Rain and his party would soon reach her.

And if she lost then?

That wouldn't do.

Her dream being crushed here was absolutely unacceptable.

She must make people happy.

That was her mission.

The purpose of her life.

"Therefore... I absolutely cannot lose."

Alpha muttered a reaffirmation of her resolve, clenching her fist tightly.

"Alpha-san, I plan to assist Lin-san. Is that alright?"

"Yes, that's fine. Maintaining the tower and barrier is something I can handle alone."

"Then, I'll leave the rest to you."

Smiling brightly, Monica descended the stairs.

Watching her retreating figure, Alpha pondered for a moment...

Then shortly after, she refocused her attention on Rain and his party.

――――――――――

The tower has a total of 100 floors. Lin was on the 80th floor.

"Mmm..."

She clenched the rainbow crystal tightly, using its power continuously. By connecting the inside of the tower with the outside space of the city, she summoned monsters to intercept Rain and his party.

However, since the rainbow crystal was a legendary item, its magic consumption was intense. Despite Lin's ability to wield a thousand spells, there was still a limit, and she was beginning to feel fatigued.

"Ah, this is so tiring... Maybe I should just stop."

"Please, hang in there a little longer."

"Ugh, Monica?!"

Lin had the look of a child caught in mischief.

"Ah, how should I put this... my previous comment..."

"Don't worry about it. More importantly, I'm sorry to burden you with such a difficult task."

"O-oh... Well, yeah. This is really tough."

"But could you manage just a bit longer? I don't have enough magic power to handle the rainbow crystal properly..."

"Well, if you say so, Monica, I'll keep at it. But sending those monsters won't do much good, will it? It's not like we can catch them off guard, and those guys will just fend them off easily."

"No, it does have an effect. Even dealing with minor enemies causes some fatigue. Just like you are feeling now."

"Hmm."

"That kind of fatigue cannot be ignored. It accumulates, and even if it seems manageable at first, it will eventually cause a breakdown."

"I see. But in that case, isn't Alpha, that oni, the only one benefiting from this? We're just setting the stage for her."

"No, that's not the case."

"Huh?"

"In other words..."

Monica said with a smile,

"We just need to use Alpha as a stepping stone too."

TL Note- Three sides in this arc, the Good, the Bad and the Evil.......

Next

Prev