Even the Earthworm Lizardfolk’s tunnel was discovered.
I was wrapped around something cold and tight. I couldn’t see clearly because it was dark and narrow, but it seemed the Earthworm Lizardfolk had protected me.
“Hey, are you alive?”
“Ah, Todoroki? Thanks for saving me, but…”
I had somehow gotten into a terrible position. Sharin’s leg was buried in my face.
“The tree roots are blocking most of the path.”
Even in this narrow space, Todoroki moved, creating holes in the wall to advance. That’s good, but they need to hurry or I’ll run out of air. It wasn’t a space three people could fit in.
Thanks to Todoroki’s movements, a small gap was created. Just as he said, hard, twisted tree roots were spread everywhere. If our survival was discovered, these roots would move again.
“Sharin, are you there?”
“Ah, don’t worry. I’ll follow from behind.”
Though I couldn’t see, I felt my way through the tunnel Todoroki had dug. Finally, I saw light above. The moment I saw it, I suddenly felt calm. I knew it was Nigpyura’s strategy, but I was relieved to know we could escape.
When we emerged, everyone who had escaped earlier was waiting for us.
“Hiroaki-san, Sharin! I’m so glad.”
Pauline pulled me out of the hole. Ryoku seemed fine too.
“Thank you. Todoroki, you were saved too. We would have been buried alive like that.”
“You guys didn’t come out, did you? But our nest is destroyed.”
That’s right, there was nowhere left to run. Then, Philiana and the others, who must have come out from another hole, joined us.
“Everyone, I’m so glad you’re safe. Hiro and Karubene too! I was surprised to hear you two charged into enemy territory alone.”
“That’s right, why did you go without telling us!”
I felt similar gazes from behind. We had acted on our own when we were told to wait.
“Well, I just couldn’t stand by and do nothing.”
“It’s good we’re alive. You were too reckless, Hiro, you even collapsed.”
I was truly sorry. I was also at my limit. Perhaps the effect of the treatment was wearing off, as my body gradually started to hurt. Just as the doctor had said, he had the power to ease pain but not to heal it.
By the way, where exactly are we? How far are we from Nigpyura? We want to gain as much distance and time as possible. Our situation is also quite dire. If possible, we want to regroup somewhere and formulate a plan.
“Hey, Cowardly Ear, is there a place nearby where everyone can rest? I want to make it a base camp.”
“Well, I think the southern village is close. But I don’t know if it’s safe.”
Does that mean the Dark Elves might have occupied that place too? At this point, we have no choice but to rely on Ryoku.
“Hey Ryoku, where is a safe place? If this continues, we’ll all be wiped out.”
He remained frozen, staring fixedly in one direction. It seemed like he was looking past me, at something behind. Nina looked down at Ryoku with her arms crossed.
“Hey, is this kid useless? I think we have to figure this out on our own.”
“Even so, with our current strength, I don’t know if we can even beat the lower-ranking Dark Elves.”
Just then, the roots moved again with a tremor. The ground cracked, and roots began to surface.
“This is bad, let’s run!”
The roots, as if overturning the earth, pushed down even the trees they grew from. In an instant, they emerged from the ground, forming giant masses and towers. Could this be…?
“Were you here? I’ve been looking for you.”
Nigpyura emerged from the mass, splitting it open. Had they already caught up? Everyone readied their weapons and stood in front.
“You manage to survive tenaciously like rats. But it’s time for you to disappear.”
Several thick roots that had been lifted up began to fall towards us. I grabbed Ryoku and Cowardly Ear and ran. The other Hummingbird Harpies behind us also fled at once.
A giant shadow approached. No, we can’t escape, we’ll be crushed. On impulse, I hugged the two of them tightly and hunkered down.
The roots that had approached right up to us stopped momentarily due to an explosion heard from behind. Turning around, I saw Elana riding behind Philiana. Even with an injured leg, she could move like this.
“Riding a horse isn’t so bad. It’s quite convenient, isn’t it?”
Next, Philiana cut down a whip-like vine that came from the side. Her sword glowed crimson, like a blazing sun.
“It’s not bad having an Enchanted Sword at my disposal.”
I’ll leave everyone else to it. I’ll take these two and Pauline and escape.
“Pauline, let’s go! Hey, where are you going?”
She suddenly ran off, leaving me behind.
“This way, hurry!”
I didn’t know what she was basing it on, but for the time being, I started running behind her.
