The group finally defeated Delia and Labona.
We left the bound twins behind and walked down the night road. Everyone was quite a bit damaged.
“Karubene, are you okay? You got hit by a rock earlier.”
“Huh? Brother, you’re worried about me? This is the first time my kind Brother has worried about me. Can I have some sake?”
“No.”
Karubene slowly moved away from me, like a dog that knows it won’t get a treat. If we keep going like this, we should reach the town by dawn. It would really be better to leave after dawn, but staying here is more dangerous. With Veronica and Karubene at the front, I walked while supporting Philiana. Now he’s pestering Veronica for sake. He never learns, but thanks to him, even this dark atmosphere feels somewhat brighter.
Philiana also let out a relieved smile. But their brief peace was short-lived. The two at the front stopped.
“Geez, I can’t help it. They wouldn’t let us go just like that, would they?”
“Oh dear, we’ll be up all night again, won’t we, older sister?”
Veronica’s cigarette smoke mingled with the moonlight, looking hazy white.
“Up all night? I’m awake at night. Well, fine. Listen, kid, take the others and run.”
I could feel an ominous presence from the darkness. Thegentle atmosphere changed drastically, becoming lukewarm and caressing our skin. Soon, several Dark Elves appeared from the shadows of the trees. They had been waiting in ambush for us. My companions drew their weapons and became alert.
At a whistle, one of them came towards us. Veronica immediately sprang from the side.
“What are you doing? Hurry up and go!”
“But if I do that…”
As I was saying that, the surrounding hidden enemies suddenly attacked all at once. There was no time to talk. I supported Philiana and hurried forward. I was being jostled from the sides and the back. Someone grabbed my shoulder and tried to pull me down. But the enemy groaned and fell. Nina had saved me.
“This is endless! Go!”
Before I could stop her, she threw herself into the enemy ranks. She was quickly swallowed by the darkness and disappeared from sight. The explosions happening behind us were Elana’s, I couldn’t tell anymore. Only Sharin, Philiana, Piyo, and Pauline were nearby. What about Lauren? She’s not suited for close combat either.
“N-no, let go! What are you doing? It hurts, it hurts!”
Lauren’s scream could be heard from somewhere. I had to go help, but I couldn’t leave Philiana. If we split up, we’d be at an even greater disadvantage. But, but, how could I leave a companion calling for help? Lauren’s voice was fading away. What should I do? Is there something, anything, anyone, please help me.
Shouting in the middle of the enemy like this wouldn’t change anything. I had underestimated them. These guys were different from the Dark Elves we had fought before. What we had seen was just a corner of the countryside, only the tip of the iceberg. We couldn’t do anything about this overwhelming darkness. We shouldn’t have embarked on this journey with such half-hearted intentions of saving the world. Now I understood why even the Light Elves were at a loss. But it was too late. This journey was a journey to the end of our lives.
