While fleeing, I encountered a Hummingbird Har that revered Nigpyura as its father.
The Scorpion that was at the opponent’s neck vanished in an instant and returned to Blue Moon. The snake immediately released its mouth. But it was already too late; the Grim Reaper’s fangs had surely taken down their prey.
“…”
The dark blue Hummingbird Har clutched its neck and collapsed. The snake, without changing its expressionless head, quietly disappeared from its master’s side, turning towards this way.
“Being too fast can be problematic. But you two, hurry.”
Although I didn’t quite understand, Karubene and I mounted our horses again.
“Where’s Blue Moon?”
“I… will be here a little longer.”
I really wanted to ask her more, but right now, as she said, we should hurry. Karubene spurred his horse forward.
“…Hey, you said that was his child earlier, right?”
“I don’t think he’s a real child. He was probably picked up after running away. That’s why he calls him father and adores him.”
Right, he tried to kill us. There’s no doubt he’s an enemy. Still, there was something about him that made me unable to fully hate him. He didn’t have the air of a vicious criminal who had committed murder. Rather, he seemed like a lost child searching for a safe place… No, I should stop thinking about it.
It was surprising that Blue Moon, who said she wanted nothing to do with it, lent us a hand.
We’ve been riding for a while, but there are no pursuers so far. Has Nigpyura given up? Or has he simply lost us?
I dismounted and searched for the hole dug by the Earthworm Lizardfolk. But isn’t it impossible to find a hole hidden discreetly within the bushes?
“Hey, this way, Hiroaki.”
Somewhere, I heard a voice calling me. Turning around, Todoroki’s head was peeking out from the ground.
“So you were there.”
“You were late, so I came to look. What about the others?”
“I think they’ll come later.”
For the time being, let’s just hide ourselves. The hole had been dug in a winding path to make it easy for us to descend. Thanks to that, we didn’t crash into the cave floor.
“This way.”
We passed through the dark cave and returned to the Empty Room. There, just as when we left, Hummingbird Hars and Earthworm Lizardfolk were gathered. Sharin and the others had succeeded in rescuing them, and there were more Hummingbird Hars than when we departed.
My companions were only Pauline and Lauren. Pauline ran towards me with a small trot as she saw me.
“Hiroaki, are you safe?!”
“I am, but Ryoku was bitten by a snake. I gave him water from the Spring of Life, but I don’t know if it’s working.”
He was still listless. He seemed to be breathing faintly, but it felt like it could stop at any moment.
One woman from among the sheltering Hummingbird Hars came to my feet.
“Um, my son, what happened to my son?”
This is the mother of that mischievous boy, Kaynes. Right, Kaynes got separated on the way, and then…
“Uh, he got separated along the way.”
“You met him?! He ran out, saying he’d help you. What happened to my son? Surely not…”
“He fought bravely, you could say. I think he’s probably alive.”
“No! Why, what do you mean?!”
The mother burst into tears and was comforted by her husband. Then, others began to say the same thing one after another.
“Did you not see my daughter?”
“What about my brother?”
“The captured ones? Didn’t you help them?”
Pushed by the small crowd, Pauline was moved further away. Once one person started, there was no end to it.
“Calm down, we let them go. They should be back soon.”
“Soon? You left them behind?”
“You only saved one person?”
“Who was it?”
My head throbbed as if it were being violently shaken. Wait a minute, I have to do something about Ryoku for the time being.
“Yes, yes, make way. Brother has things to do.”
Karubene pushed aside the Hummingbird Hars that were flocking around. Even so, the flames of unease that had been ignited spread one after another and grew larger. In the end, some people even started saying they would go themselves.
“Pauline, I’m counting on you with Ryoku. He’s close to dying from the poison spreading.”
I entrusted Ryoku to Pauline. The surrounding commotion faded. Karubene was saying something to me. I couldn’t hear him clearly.
The strength drained from my legs, and I couldn’t stand. Leaning against the wall, the panicked Hummingbird Hars rushed towards me. Everyone seemed to want to know about the safety of their own families and friends. They also asked about what happened to the village and where the Chieftain was, among other things.
I don’t know about any of that. Anyway, my whole body ached and felt heavy. Staring blankly at the ceiling of the room, I closed my eyelids.
