The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
A girl appeared at the end of the corridor, flanked by several demons.
She looked young… but I forced myself not to be deceived by her appearance and stayed on high alert. Just standing opposite her sent a shiver through me — there was a pressure that made my body want to tremble.
“Hehe, nice to meet you.”
The girl smiled sweetly and bowed.
“I’m Altera… one of the Four Heavenly Kings — Altera of the Blazing Flame. Pleased to meet you.”
“You are…”
Gigabrand was a massive man, taller than three meters — a giant of a sort. So I had pictured Altera as something similar…
But the surprising truth shocked me.
“Rain, this is…”
“Looks like it was a trap.”
Our infiltration had already been discovered… Altera must have deliberately let us move around a bit.
“It seems she let us do as we pleased up to this point… but why?”
“Oh? You figured it out? You figured it out? Kyahaha — because it’s more fun that way♪”
“Fun?”
“We let them think they were about to escape — they hold onto hope, thinking everyone will be saved… and then—surprise! — we crush them with despair. Isn’t that fun?”
“…”
“We’ve done that to human captives a few times. Then they all make such interesting faces, crying and wailing… ahaha, I can’t help it. Thinking about it makes me laugh — my stomach hurts.”
Yuki and the others’ faces hardened. I probably wore the same expression.
We’d only just met her, but I could already say Altera’s personality was the worst.
“Sorry, but we’re not going to give in to despair that easily.”
I drew Kusunagi. Then I nodded to Tania with a look that said I’d leave the three of them to her. Tania nodded once, held Ruie tightly, and moved Yunia and Ani close to her.
Yuki picked up his twin swords, Gray took his greatsword — they each armed themselves.
“If you’re going to be in the way, we’ll just force our way through.”
“Nooo — Onii-chan, scaaary.”
She was ridiculous, but that only showed how much composure she had.
In reality, we were overwhelmingly disadvantaged.
The exit was blocked by Altera and her subordinates. Trying to go back would be pointless — demons were probably posted along the way we came from as well.
“Tch, I told you so.”
“I’ll take responsibility.”
Gray’s anger was justified. So I decided to do what I could.
“I’ll take Altera and the other demons. The two of you support Tania. Find an opening somewhere and run.”
“Huh? You… you mean you’ll sacrifice yourself so the young master can get away?”
“I don’t intend to be a sacrifice. But someone has to hold them off. Otherwise we’ll all be wiped out here.”
“…”
“I suggested this plan. So I’ll be the one to hold them back.”
“You said you were too soft… let me add something. I won’t correct the ‘too soft’ part, but it seems you do have resolve.”
Thank you. That was a very welcome compliment.
“Gray! You wouldn’t actually leave Rain behind, would you?”
“Master, you understand, right? We can’t all go. Someone has to be the sacrifice in moments like this.”
“That is… ugh.”
To get out of this situation someone literally had to stake their life. Yuki understood that and made a very bitter face.
He clenched his fist and bit his lip.
After a while he looked ahead.
“…Rain, could I ask you for a favor?”
“Leave it to me.”
“…I’m sorry.”
“I would prefer something other than an apology.”
“Do your best.”
“Yeah!”
The plan was set.
I gripped Kusunagi and charged—
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