The group was pressed by the succubus’s power, partly due to Elana being injured.
“Elana?! Is she alright?” Elana stood up, tattered, from the rising smoke. It seemed she had managed to avoid a direct hit.
“How is it? I’m different from before, I’ve worked hard since then!”
Indeed, she was clearly more powerful than when I last met her. She must have undergone rigorous training. Elana panted, her shoulders heaving, barely able to stand. What should we do? No one here could attack the succubus floating in the air. Should we use Lauren’s threads? But she was drained from the previous battle.
“You all die too!”
She unleashed flames towards Sharin, Nina, and Philiana on the ground. They could only flee, unable to counterattack. If this continued, everyone would be annihilated. Just then, Pauline approached me as I was cowering.
“Are you alright? We should evacuate while we can.”
“Ah… yes. Thank you, I’m sorry.”
Supported by Pauline, I finally managed to stand up.
“If I could fly, perhaps things would be different…”
Her small voice was barely audible. I had become too accustomed to this sight and forgotten. Her race, the Honeybee, originally had wings and could fly. However, Pauline was born with short wings and couldn’t fly, thus being called a Hanenashi. I couldn’t fly from the start, and neither could the others, so I hadn’t given it much thought.
That’s right, Pauline’s race could originally fly. Perhaps she could soar through the air with wind magic like Piyo. But if she reached the enemy, she’d likely be attacked. I couldn’t afford to lose any more people. There was no other way; the succubus’s target was my life force. I had no choice but to give it to her and send her away.
I let go of Pauline’s hand and turned around.
“Hiro! No, please don’t go! She’ll drain your life!”
“This is the only way. I can’t let everyone else be in danger any longer. The enemy’s target is me.”
Yes, the enemy’s goal was revenge against me. I hadn’t done anything, but if this would save them, then so be it. I saw the three of them fleeing on the ground.
“No, wait! If she drains your life force in your current state, you’ll die!”
Pauline circled around and stood in front of me. Her completely black eyes were distorted with anxiety.
“It’ll be alright. We’ll attack all at once when the enemy lets her guard down.”
Even as I said that, she didn’t seem convinced.
“Please don’t give up yet. I… I’m still here! I know I’m not suited for battle, but I’m still a member of the team. Please don’t give up until the very last person…”
Did she not trust me? Sharin’s words echoed in my mind again. I didn’t want to put the small, battle-unsuited Pauline in danger. But even though she was small, she was a warrior. I decided to gamble on the last person.
I headed towards Karubene, who was resting in the shade of a tree.
“Hey, are you awake? Can you still go?”
“Impossible… Ah… it hurts too much. The target is Brother’s life force, right? If you give it to her quickly, it won’t decrease that much.”
I took a wine bottle from my luggage and handed him a cup.
“Alright, let’s do this! We have to save Brother. Come on, bug, don’t just stand there; let’s go!”
Karubene sprang up and chugged it down in one go. His earlier weakness was gone, as if it were a lie. It was wrong, but it was the only option now.
