The beast tamer exiled from the hero’s party and the cat eared girl from the strongest race meet
A sudden third voice rang out across the battlefield.
It was a voice I knew well.
Cool and clear, delicate like the ringing of a bell… yet cold and razor-sharp.
“Come forth, Lamenting Ice Bullets.”
Countless ice blades flew in.
They all rained down toward Altera, slicing through her body of flames.
If her body has turned entirely into fire, then ice can wound her.
That’s only natural.
“Fufu, how did you like my greeting?”
When I turned around, Iris was there.
No—she wasn’t alone.
“Dragoon Howling!!”
Their voices overlapped perfectly as they cast the spell.
A shockwave mimicking a dragon’s roar bit into Altera.
“Kuhhh, something like this!!!”
Altera exploded with fiery force, scattering flames everywhere as she blasted away the shockwave clinging to her.
Offense and defense as one.
The flames she controls truly are a serious threat…
But if she’s hit with even greater attacks, she’ll have no choice but to take damage.
“Take this…!!”
A dignified voice filled with fierce will.
At the same time, a torrent of overwhelming light came crashing in like sideways rain during a storm.
Most likely, the spell before was a decoy to force her to waste energy.
The real attack—the Dragon Breath—was this one.
“Agh!?”
Altera was swallowed by the light, and though faint, I heard a scream.
There was a harsh grinding noise like something violently scraping apart.
She was desperately resisting.
“Something like… this…! Get out of my way!!!”
Altera screamed, and a column of roaring flames rose high enough to pierce the sky.
The Dragon Breath was scattered apart…
But Altera was breathing heavily.
The composure she’d had only moments ago was gone.
“Weren’t you all… running away? You abandoned elder brother as a decoy and fled, didn’t you?”
“Please don’t say something so stupid.”
“As if we’d ever run away and leave Rain behind.”
“Exactly. Rain is the master of Sora and the others.”
“This was simply… a tactical choice!”
“Everyone…”
Ah… honestly.
What am I supposed to say?
I can’t put it into words.
My chest trembles as warm emotions well up inside me.
“Rain, we’re back.”
Starting with Tania, everyone came rushing toward us.
“Still… you really overdid it this time, didn’t you?”
Tania frowned when she saw my and Yuki’s battered state.
Will we get a lecture later?
Probably…
But somehow, I don’t mind.
No—
It’s not that I want to be lectured, but being scolded by everyone lets me feel that we’re still together.
Even though I fully intended to return alive after acting as the rearguard…
I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t afraid at all.
In a corner of my heart, I did think what if… at least once.
So being able to see everyone again like this makes me truly happy.
“Rain-sama’s recklessness is nothing new, but perhaps because Yuki-san was with you, it seems you were even more reckless this time.”
“Ahaha… sorry. I should’ve been the one to stop him, but I ended up fighting alongside him.”
“Honestly, men are all like this. Try thinking about the women who worry about you.”
“Unacceptable, it is! As punishment, when we return, thou shalt eat a full course of my elder sister’s cooking!”
“Luna? And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Why is Sora’s cooking a punishment?”
“To come this far and still be unaware… thou art truly terrifying, elder sister.”
“Hahaha.”
Even at a time like this, no one changes.
That alone makes me happy—and reassured.
“What about Yunia and Ani… the people who were captured?”
“Rest easy. Sora and the others used teleportation magic to send them back to town.”
“Because we crossed by riding on the dolphin, we roughly knew the distance. By getting as close as possible, we barely made it within the range of our magic.”
“It’s all thanks to you and Yuki buying us enough time.”
“I see… good.”
We saved the captives.
And everyone made it back.
Zero things left to worry about.
And with everyone together, my heart feels stronger than ever.
Yeah.
Now everything is perfect.
“…Hey.”
Altera’s cold voice echoed.
Her eyes burned with rage, like a beast staring down its prey.
“Why are you getting in my way? I was playing with elder brother, and then you barged in and hit me… That’s so mean.”
“Oh my, did I make you angry? So sorry. But your irritated face is absolutely priceless. You can get even angrier if you want.”
“…You’re annoying.”
“Getting mad over something like this just proves how childish you are. You should relax a bit, you know? Are you getting enough calcium?”
Tania’s provocation was on another level.
Probably because she was angry for my sake…
But honestly, her provocations looked way too natural—almost like she was enjoying it.
A queen, maybe?
That’s rude, but I can’t help thinking it.
“Reez. Everyone.”
Altera’s voice dropped low as she called to her allies.
“Forget it. I’m done taking my time and playing around… I’ll crush you.”
“Understood. If that is your will, Altera-sama.”
A demon woman called Reez stepped forward.
The other demons also moved into battle formation…
And the remaining Gigabrands thundered forward.
Altera smiled triumphantly.
“Kyahahaha! Even if elder sister and the others came back, it doesn’t change that I’m still stronger! I’m strong, Reez and the others are here… yes, there’s no way I’ll lose. As punishment for getting in the way of my fun, elder brother and the other one are going to suffer even more. Oh, and elder sister and the rest? I don’t need you, so hurry up and die, okay?”
“Let’s see how long you can keep flapping that mouth of yours.”
“Are you stupid, elder sister? Can’t you see the difference in strength? Whatever. Just die already.”
Altera swung her arm and sent flames flying.
A purgatory-like blaze, burning everything to ash.
“If there is a difference in strength, then I shall be the one to close that gap.”
A voice suddenly rang out.
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