Walking for who knows how long, I resist like a champion, trying to maintain my awareness by moving my feet and thanks to Imot-chan's rather firm grip. After a few seconds, I think the old lumberjack pointed to a house made of logs; I couldn't really see it or hear him very well, all my concentration was focused on moving my feet according to where the man was leading me...
I've never felt this tired and sore... Well, there was that one time I used up too much demonic power, or mana, but the way I feel now is much more intense than that time. Realizing we're no longer in the forest, I guess we're in a house now. I explore a bit with my blurry vision and, luckily, I can just make out the shape of a sofa, I think.
Sighing with relief, I let go of the old lumberjack's hand, pulled Imot-chan's arm off me with a force I didn't expect, and quickly went to that wonder... The instant I felt something soft touching my cheek, I lost consciousness.
Never in my life, or the next, have I felt so exhausted... Walking in the fucking snow is a bitch, add to that the fact that I have almost no physical strength, with a dressing of the excessive expenditure of mana that I had... Those were the figurines that crowned the cake.
Thanks to the protagonist's luck, the Old Woodcutter was there so we could get out of the woods safe and sound... Although, now that I have a little time to reflect... I also can't rule out the possibility that he's a hardened pedophile, or a killer of redheaded and blonde girls who had his lucky day...
Okay... I need to stop thinking so negatively... In fact, when did I start thinking about my dreams...? No, I'm not asleep, I'm just waking up.
Opening my eyes slowly, feeling them a bit heavy, I see that I'm in a bed that's rather hard than what I'm used to, covered with a very thick black blanket... It looks like it's the hide of a large animal, it's cool. Mmm, I'm nice and warm... Although I feel a slightly more intense heat in my right hand.
Looking to that side, holding my hand quite tightly, I see Imot-chan, fast asleep with an almost angelic expression. She seems to be sleeping incredibly well; I bet it's been weeks since she's been able to sleep like that, or at all.
All the walls of the room we're in are made of wood; they seem to be made of simple logs stacked without any additional joints, but the construction seems very sturdy to me. The room is of a medium size, in my opinion, with a medium-sized window to my left.
Also, next to me, but near the head of the bed, there's a small wooden nightstand and a small painting... I don't know what it is, it looks abstract... Sitting up in bed, some of my hair falls across my face. Shit, I take off my hat... Well, it's common sense.
Anyway, I tidied up my hair a bit and checked the state of my private area, just in case, and seeing that it was exactly as I'd left it, I felt truly relieved... A relief that lasted only a second because, immediately, I had to hug myself. Damn it, it's freezing... I'm even getting a series of chills.
Looking toward the front of the bed, I spot a silver cross hanging on the wall opposite us... Well, that explains the chills. I've always wondered, actually, how did the system of these sacred objects work in Demoniosa8iiq?
The novel and its spin-offs only explained that holy water and anything with "Holy," "Blessed," or "Sacred" in its name was terribly deadly. Furthermore, Issei defeated Raiser by powering up a crucifix with holy water and the Boosted Gear, but what would happen if a normal demon touched something like that?
I suppose it would give me a bad burn or something like that... I know I'm pretty curious in this world, but honestly, I don't want to try that on myself... Besides, I don't think it would work very well because I have a dragon part... Or so I think. So that blessed object wouldn't work very well, yep, that wouldn't be ideal for the experiment... Yep, that's the only reason I'm not doing it...
Getting these silly thoughts out of my head, I pulled Imot-chan's hand away from mine with great effort and got off the bed—or rather, jumped off the bed. Ouch! For a moment I almost lost my balance, but I managed to grab onto the bed.
Wow, I can barely see Imot-chan now... This thing is tall, plus the floor is cold, and I just realized I'm barefoot. Anyway, exploring the room a bit more, I find these huge, furry boots... Did they really have to be so big?
I let out a sigh. Since I came into this world, I've never walked barefoot. I suppose that's the advantage of being born in a Silver Cradle, or whatever the hell it's called. Walking near the silver cross this time, I feel it still send shivers down my spine, much stronger than before, but nothing more—no pain or anything like that. Turning to my right, I see a door and remember the Old Woodcutter. For a few moments, I forgot my current predicament. I suppose I'll have to tell him the truth... or something like that.
I say this because, obviously, the guys we escaped from are going to follow the tracks and they'll lead them to this house/town/city or whatever, and we'll cause this man a lot of trouble, which I would regret, assuming he's a good person.
If we want to get out of this, I'll have to think of a way to finish them off without too much physical effort on my part. Just as I start thinking about it, the faces of the seven men flash into my mind, exactly... Just like I did with you... You'll have new companions in my head... But I'm only doing this for that blonde and my family... Even though one of them doesn't love me... Yeah, I'm still not over it and I'll keep bothering them for a while.
Convincing myself of the fate that awaited those people if they crossed my path, I opened the door with some difficulty, as the handle was rather high. I then explored the new place. There wasn't much to see, really; just a large living room with a sofa—probably the one I'd glimpsed when we arrived—and a simple coffee table in front of it.
On the other wall of this room, there's a fireplace with a crackling fire. Apparently, this is the only thing not made of wood, being made of stone. Although it would be stupid if it were made of wood... Seriously, sometimes I figure out brilliant things, but things like this... They make me realize I'm not really that smart...
On the other side of the room, in the corner of the house, there's a large counter against the wall, and a little above the counter is a window slightly larger than the one in the room I was in. Honestly, I can't see much in it, since I'm so small... Being a Smurfette sucks.
Leaving aside the mystery surrounding the situation, this place is quite cozy, I have to admit. Exploring a bit further, I see another door on the other side of where I came from, and there's the bathroom, which obviously doesn't have a plumbed toilet. Judging by the smell, I can tell it's an outhouse, and I simply won't comment on the odor.
Going into the living room, I climb onto the sofa with some difficulty and settle in. Apparently, the Old Woodcutter is running an errand or working and left us here sleeping. Who knows how long we've been sleeping; I hope it was only one night, otherwise those idiots would have bothered him by now... In fact, they might even be torturing him for information...
Although, come to think of it, it's not very likely since they would have found us easily... So, I definitely need to make a plan for when they come, but for that I'll need to know more about the place and its surroundings... And the only one who can show me is that old man.
As if I were summoning him with my thoughts, the same man I saw when we bumped into him opened the door, giving me the fright of my life. Letting out a small scream, I put a hand to my chest and took a deep breath to calm myself. Ugh, these kids, scaring old guys like me like that... Glancing at the man, I saw that he, too, was a little startled, and when he realized I was just as frightened, he just chuckled a little, and I laughed along with him. 6
• I see you're awake, little one. - Leaving this scene behind, the old man takes off his coat, shaking the snow off it and leaves it on a coat rack that was near the door.
Wow, that coat looks like it's made from the skin of some pretty big, furry animal because it looks really warm... A bear, maybe?
• Yes, sir... And your axe? - Barely using the childlike tone I had when I first met him, I say this without making any mistakes in my speech.
"I leave it outside after work. I think it deserves a breath of fresh air when we rest. Besides, no one in the village has the strength to lift it and carry it away." Chuckling slightly, the man takes a pot with some liquid and places it over the fireplace, held by a kind of small hook.
So this is a town... Generally, these people are good, so I can dismiss the bad theories I had against it... Although not entirely...
"Want some hot cocoa, baby? It just needs to be warm enough to drink." With a smile, he hands me a metal cup, and all I can do is smile somewhat awkwardly...
It's nice when my parents act that way, but with strangers... I feel like they treat me like I'm mentally challenged. I know that's not their intention, but...
• Thank you for that, respectable sir. However, I would like to speak with you first about a rather pressing matter, if you'll allow me, of course. - Now, in my normal tone, like the one I used to speak to Imot-chan, I say this.
The Old Woodcutter immediately frowned slightly, and the air around him seemed to suddenly turn serious. Okay, I accomplished my goal. Now he'll apparently treat me more seriously, and he'll certainly be more defensive, which in this case I'm not sure is a good thing...
Getting down from the armchair, I formally tell her to sit down. Then I start walking to the other side of the coffee table. Standing in front of it, looking towards the sofa, I gesture insistently for her to sit down, trying to snap her out of her daze.
Looking at me intently, and, what I think is intrigue, he obeys my instructions after a few seconds, sitting down in front of me, observing every detail of me... Well, it's natural for him to do that and my mind understands it that way, but it is somewhat uncomfortable that a man of his size has his gaze so fixed on me....
I think this would be the worst possible time to reminisce about my shyness in front of an audience in my past life... Especially with those unknown and terrifying people... That's why I love you, my brain, you're so occasional in these kinds of situations... Shaking my head slightly and clearing my throat, I decide to start the show.
• Before we begin any conversation, I want to express my deepest gratitude for rescuing my companion and me from the embarrassing predicament you found us in. - Drawing on the rigorous manners lessons I was taught, I say this in a respectful, yet slightly firm tone, indicating gratitude but not submission, which is appropriate in these situations, according to Mother.
She took the hem of my half-destroyed dress and lifted it slightly as I bent down. Oh wow... I hadn't realized I still had my dress on. This just tells me this person is one of the good ones, so bad theories can go to waste... Although it's not a bad idea to keep a few, just in case.
Completely impressed by this display of class, or so it seems to me, the man remains silent for a few moments and seems to want to say something, but I stop him as quickly as I can with a gesture of my hand.
• I apologize for my discourtesy in not allowing you to express your thoughts; however, it is absolutely necessary that you be so kind as to listen to my diatribe to the end. - Bowing again, I say this attentively, watching your reaction; everything that follows will depend on your physical and verbal gestures, which I can observe.
Looking impressed, though not as much as the first time I spoke formally, he thinks about my request for a moment and nods seriously.
YES! Great! We're on the right track! Usually, people who see a little girl using that kind of language, like in a college thesis, are intrigued but don't quite believe her. You'd just think she's weird, sure, but, being such a young girl, her problem might not be very relevant; that's what my old self would think, or what I suppose the typical extra characters in stories would think.
However, Old Lumberjack's reaction is noticeably serious, unlike what a random character might have, perhaps even a smile or an expression of fear at the surreal scene. In fact, his seriousness in response to my words is quite surprising... Why is that?... Anyway, all the better for me. I don't have time to worry about that now.
• You might wonder why a child, barely out of the baby category, like me, can speak with such fluency and eloquence. This phenomenon is due to a curse placed upon me by an evil witch while I was still in my mother's womb, just days before my birth. - With a melancholic expression, I briefly dramatize my actions and see the man's face grow even more serious. - My mother mentioned that that witch cursed me to negatively affect the world, with my potential for evil, however... I-I have fought against it and tried to do good... Leaving my past aside, what brought us to this situation was a kidnapping. My kidnapping. - Exactly when I said "Kidnapping," the man's expression darkened even further.
From then on I narrated everything I experienced from the moment I woke up in that dingy room until we bumped into him, doing it all with a little dramatization in some parts, since I couldn't find the formal words to describe it.
I can only offer my sincerest apologies to your kindness; however, it was probably the only way we could convince you to help us, in my humble opinion. - Tilting my posture even further, demonstrating genuine remorse, if I'm honest, I signal the end of all this talk.
For a few moments, everything falls completely silent, with him making a gesture as if to "process everything"... I have to be prepared for all the questions he asks... And hide it as much as possible when he asks the unexpected question, because it could happen... Although I hope not...
• What kind of curse did that witch give you? - With the same expression he had when I started my rant, the man asks me this looking directly into my eyes.
Okay, I was expecting a different kind of question, like, "How can I know if it's true?" or something like that. Everything about him is seriously intimidating right now, but... You can tell he believed that whole curse thing because of his question and his seriousness.
So, following that line of thought, I could say that this man has had some contact with the supernatural. Furthermore, in small, remote towns, there are usually popular beliefs or myths... Given the presence of a cross in his room, and this being his room, he must be religious, or at least to some extent.
• It's a kind of compound curse. The first effect is something called Invasive Wisdom, which makes my linguistic understanding open to everyone, allowing me to understand any language and easily learn any knowledge I deem relevant. And... Crimson Passage, which is the manipulation of a type of energy that can, as its name suggests, pass through anything. - Struggling a bit on what to call my Destruction, I give it that ridiculous name, making a small sphere in my hand. I immediately mold it into a thin stick and pierce one corner of the table between us. - This compound curse was given to me to spread chaos and, in the future, make me the witch's right hand... But I don't want that. I'm convinced that I can, and want to, help those around me with this power... So that I can consider these evils as gifts... - With my hands on my chest, I say this to the man, my voice and eyes strong, or at least I try to be.
In part, what I'm saying is true. I've always been somewhat worried about Destruction, because of everything I've been experiencing with it... It's terrifying that this thing could somehow get out of control and end up, I don't know, leveling a city... Well, this only occurred to me on one of my pessimistic days, but the fear is there... So I'll work as hard as I can with this power, to make it my own.
• I suppose if you're telling me all this, you need help with something. - Nodding slightly, as if to himself, the man says this with a much gentler expression.
He seems to have accepted my explanation... I'm sorry to do this to you, good sir, I really am, but I don't think you'd be willing to help me if I told you the truth... That I'm a Hybrid Demon and that I was separated from my Demon parents.
"Unfortunately, that's what I fear, good sir. Those thugs who kidnapped me are going to come looking for us, naturally. So, requiring your cooperation, I need you to give me at least one day to resolve this injustice in a way that is, regrettably, violent. I hope without any casualties in the village, of course." Completely flustered by what I'm asking, I still keep my hands on my chest, squeezing it tighter and tighter. I'm asking for too much, but perhaps they want to get rid of those men too.
The man just stares at me as he leans forward on the sofa, and I can only look into his eyes. How curious, he also has blue eyes...
To be honest, I can say I've got about 15% of a plan to take out those idiots, just thinking about it in quiet moments and whatever comes to mind... All assuming this isn't a very big town and that there's a spot with a panoramic view, which they usually have in these kinds of towns... I need a lot more information and a couple of simulated tests to refine the plan... A real rehearsal would be best to test everything, but I don't think that's possible without attracting too much attention...
It's morning now, so I could dedicate today entirely to planning, tomorrow morning to run a few simulations, and then execute it tonight. What shocks me the most is that all of this occurred to me while I was talking to her... In the past, I never would have been able to do that... Okay, I'm starting to get a little scared. Am I a genius, like Imot-chan said? I don't understand the supposed punishment from the Shitty Goddess... This body is magnificent, even if it's not my gender.
Putting Nara aside, I refocus my attention on the man, who continues to look me in the eyes, waiting for an answer. After a few moments, he scratches his head and sighs. Returning to his seated position, he stares at the ceiling for a few seconds, seemingly deciding something. He looks at me again, his expression serious, but this time, it feels different.
"What you're asking is difficult, considering the kind of thugs those are... But... I'm willing to help, miss. If you promise you can take down those shameless scoundrels, then I'll give you all the support you need." This time, with a determined look in his eyes, the lumberjack said this as he extended his hand toward me, intending to shake mine, I suppose.
Judging from his words, the town has already had problems with that little group. Although, if you think about it, it makes sense. Being a nearby town, it's the main supply point... And I don't think they'll get supplies willingly, based on the Old Woodcutter's words and attitude... It could also be added that this "group" has sexual needs... Women and girls they may have taken who never returned, or sadly returned with severe trauma...
Although the latter might sound a bit like doujinshi porn, hehe...
• I have the basics of a plan, we just need to fine-tune a couple of details, so please, leave it to me. - Taking her hand, it completely surrounds mine and shakes it a little.
I can't say for sure that I can take them all down. I've never been the kind of person who's so confident that when I make a plan, I just assume it'll work. The idea I have right now is pretty vague, with too many holes and too many variables to consider, but... You have to take risks to win... Besides, it's not like our lives depend on it... Oh well.
Thus sealing our agreement, I intended to ask a few questions about the village and any others that came to mind, when suddenly, a thin scream was heard from the room I had just left, the one with my name engraved on it. Immediately, Imot-chan rushed out of the room, her eyes brimming with tears, and scanned the entire place, quickly locating me.
Running towards me, stumbling a few times, Imot-chan ignores the serious atmosphere and hugs me tightly, crying softly as she calls my name... Hey... I understand you're scared if your friend isn't here, especially since she was right next to you when you fell asleep, but we were having a good time here...
Ahh... Whatever. Hugging her and telling her that everything is alright, Imot-chan hugs me even tighter, so tight it starts to hurt. Patting her back, I hurriedly tell her to loosen her grip a little; I think I heard one of my ribs crack. Instantly, she quickly lets go and apologizes shyly.
Ouch... I understand that emotion got the better of you in these situations, but please control yourself, or my body won't be able to take it... I'm a porcelain doll...
Watching this scene with a small smile, the Old Woodcutter chuckles as he gently strokes Imot-chan's head, who appears utterly remorseful. She jumps slightly and slowly turns towards him. Just as their eyes meet, Imot-chan ignores my common sense and moves behind me, at a speed I never imagined she could reach, trying to hide from him, giving him only fleeting glances...
In case you didn't notice, you're taller than me, darling.
With a small sigh, I chuckled a little, and the Old Woodcutter did too. And so the morning passed slowly. After a while, I began to introduce myself to the Old Woodcutter, who said his name was Mare Triator. I definitely hadn't expected his name to be Mare... The name just reminds me of a trapeze, and this man is clearly much more manly than I ever was.
It turns out that Mare-san is, conveniently, the second-in-command of the village, as he himself called himself. Since the village needs someone to cut wood to survive in this environment, he's the one who takes on the task due to his excellent physical condition, also being the only lumberjack in the village, as, he added, all the inhabitants are children, women, somewhat frail men, and many elderly people.
When it came time for my introduction, I considered using a fake name, but in the interest of restoring the name's reputation, I introduced myself as Rias Gremory II, suggesting that you just call me Rias for convenience. Thinking about it, I didn't really have a choice; now that I remember, Imot-chan was shouting my name a few moments ago... Thank goodness I didn't go through with the fake name thing.
After we drank hot cocoa, we went for a walk around town, at my request. However, I'm not sure if Imot-chan is ready to walk around and be seen. Only when I tried to introduce her to Mare-san, as the Old Woodcutter instructed me to do, did the blonde girl hide behind me the whole time and mumble her name incomprehensibly, forcing me to be the one to speak. How did these two even get along while I was asleep?
For a moment I thought he might consider this behavior, I don't know, rude, but according to what he told me, he can perfectly understand her behavior towards people like him... I suppose he means strangers? It's not like I'm an old friend of Imot-chan's, but the point is that Mare-san understands Imot-chan.
He addresses Imot-chan as Tjetevert-chan, and she addresses Mare-san as Bear-Man... That is quite rude, and normally I would correct her, but... Seriously, the man looks like that... Besides, if Mare-san doesn't mind, then I have nothing to say, and apparently, she doesn't mind, mainly, I think, because she doesn't understand him.
Returning to our tour of the village, as we were about to leave, Imot-chan debated intensely and rapidly in her head whether to stay home or come with us. After about ten seconds, she decided to go with us, saying, "If I go with Rias-chan, I'll be fine."... I immediately patted her head.
On one hand, her attitude worries me; she can't depend on me like that forever. But on the other hand... it makes me happy and relieved that she needs me so much. It means she's not going to leave me, which, honestly, comforts me. It slightly eases the guilt I still feel about those seven men and greatly eases the pain Kushimi-Okassan left me with.
In my previous life, at school, my so-called friends only used me as a helper in class... Likewise, it was my fault because I thought they would like me if I helped them even more, but it wasn't like that... In the end, in the last days before my death, those "friends" from school were just strangers who didn't even recognize me when I tried to greet them on the street.
The only sort of best friend I had... She's completely gone... I think I should have made peace with her before something like this happened... Anyway... I can't keep crying over spilled milk... Besides, if I keep thinking about it, I'll start feeling like garbage for taking advantage of a traumatized and, apparently, lonely girl...
Ah, shit... Too late...
With a sigh, I return my thoughts to the village tour. The first thing that comes to mind when I see this village is how picturesque it is, just as Mare-san described it before we left the house, adding the adjective "small." It only took us half an hour to walk around, barely seeing a bit of it. Visiting each shop took us about 40 minutes longer.
This place consists of a small bakery, a tailor/shoemaker, a market, and some hot springs... The latter really appeals to me; I've never been to one of these in my past life, and they looked so comfortable in anime... If we don't die on this trip, I'll definitely go there. In the center of town, there's a plaza with a pretty fountain, and right in the center of town, directly across from the fountain, is a large church. Of course, it had to be a church.
Just as I imagined, everyone we've met has been kind and gentle, and they've already given me several... sweets? I don't know what they are, but Mare-san said they're delicious. Obviously, I introduced myself as just a little girl; I don't want to attract any more attention than a couple of lost girls who arrived in town yesterday are already doing... Besides, thank goodness I put on that hat before leaving—another point in my favor for blending in.
The moment I went to get the hat in the room where we slept, I explained my whole lie to Imot-chan, who obviously clung to my arm when I said I was going for the hat. The blonde just smiled and told me she had a feeling I'd done something like this. Uhh... Do I really seem that predictable?
Currently, the attention we're getting is all because of my dear, and previously mentioned, Imot-chan, who just shrinks further behind me when people try to greet her in a friendly way. That's when Mare-san intervenes and gives them the speech about our mommy and bear, earning pitying looks from everyone, and then gives me the sweets that Imot-chan doesn't get.
I'm currently carrying a small bag, given to me by a woman and her son, completely filled with these sweets... Whose names I don't want to remember... Mare-san already told me the names of these things... But... I've already forgotten, Te~he :P.
After our tour of the village, Mare-san led us to the town hall, the building next to the imposing church, sending a shiver down my spine. There, we met the mayor, Marcus Triator, Mare-san's older brother. As you might guess, this man was much older than Mare-san himself, to the point that he had to use a walking stick.
I introduced myself just as I had with Mare-san, and Triator-san's expression was priceless. After the explanations, Mare-san outlined the deal we had made. For a moment, Triator-san's gaze was fixed on me in a way I can only describe as intense. After a few seconds, he offered words of encouragement, saying, "You have very interesting eyes. I'm dying to see what you'll do for this village."
Stop, déjà vu... Why are they saying that to me? That's two already, Venelana-sama and him... What's wrong with my eyes? I'll have to look in a mirror and see if I have a book in my eyes to see how interesting it is. After thanking these men who agreed to help us, I ask Mare-san for a favor, earning a puzzled look from Imot-chan.
Leaving the building, we headed towards the church, and with just one step taken, my chills began to intensify. As we slowly approached the church, these chills only grew stronger, to the point where Imot-chan had to be my support to keep me walking.
The moment I opened the doors, the chills stopped, but an enormous pressure immediately filled my entire body. I can't breathe properly, but it's nothing compared to the pressure I felt when my parents glared at Venelana-sama with me in their arms.
To cover all this up, I had to tell Mare-san that my curses make it difficult for me to enter churches. She suggested we leave, and Imot-chan agreed, but this visit is essential to the plan, something I hope I'm not wrong about. Taking Mare-san's hand, I lean on him as well, and we step inside the church.
Immediately the pressure intensified, starting a moderate trembling in my legs, along with a strange warmth in the soles of my feet. With a distressed look from Imot-chan and a worried one from Mare-san, sensing my trembling, we continued inside the church.
After a short walk around, the Old Woodcutter introduces me to the Father in charge... For a moment, I feel like my bodily fluids are about to spill out... I can't describe it, but... I feel like this man could kill me at any moment, causing a fear, which I could call instinctive, to begin to form. Trying to hide it as best I can, I nervously say my name as I lean slightly toward him.
As if it were some kind of fucking joke to him, the Father just laughs and strokes my head, making me squeeze my two companions with all my might... all my fear triples and tears threaten to spill from my eyes, among other things... Shit, he's just a fucking shitty priest!! With that thought, I try to calm myself and wipe my tears with trembling hands.
Mare-san apologizes for me, frankly I didn't pay attention to what he said as an excuse, I have to concentrate on the thought that he is just a Priest, that he will not attack me if I do nothing to provoke him.
Taking a deep breath, I tell Mare-san to guide us to the highest point we can reach. He quickly asks for directions from one of the Priest's assistants, who offers to take us, but Mare-san politely declines. Even though he's not the Priest, I feel he could kill me at any moment, though certainly not like the Priest.
Walking through areas where there are obviously religious figures, Imot-chan tries to shield me with her body, constantly asking if I'm alright. Thanking her for her kindness, I simply tell her I'm fine, and then ask Mare-san to please pick up the pace a little, without worrying about me.
With a doubtful look, Mare-san considers my words for a moment and simply nods, quickening her pace. I know it's difficult for me to keep up, but it's better to go a little faster; that way we'll get out of here soon. Damn it, my feet are on fire... Climbing many steps, my breathing and Imot-chan's begin to ragged, but Mare-san doesn't slow down. Finally, opening a door, we're on a narrow rooftop where we can see a beautiful, completely white landscape.
Calming my breathing and letting go of all the negativity I'm feeling, which lessens a bit on this rooftop, I take in my surroundings. Stepping out ahead of the group, I can see the whole town in detail, obviously with Imot-chan glued to my back this time. Damn, I have a good view, but I can't see the whole town as I'd like...
She'd need some kind of drone or something... Wait, she'd need to sense people's presences to do that... But who in this town would know that...? Well, there is someone, but... If she thinks about it, it's the most likely option. I still don't know everything about her...
• II-Imot-chan... - With a trembling voice, which I didn't think I'd manage, I caught her attention. - D-Do you know, by any chance, sense presences?... - Still holding on for her, I tilted my head almost automatically.
She just makes a puzzled gesture and slowly nods. "Hmm? Why the confused look?" "I can't know everything, darling... It's true that in your eyes I'm almost a goddess, but the truth is I'm just a fat, somewhat depressed otaku... Well, I wasn't that fat, that's why I was at the gym."
Putting these silly thoughts out of my head, I smiled at Imot-chan and asked her to teach me everything she knew about the subject today. Something had to stick, and it would be very useful for executing the plan tomorrow night. She was just stunned for a few seconds by my request. "Sorry to bring down your idol," I said.
After a few seconds she nods and with a shy smile and, in an insecure tone trying to sound confident, Imot-chan says a phrase that simply makes me laugh out loud: "D-Don't worry Rias-chan, OO-Onee-chan will teach you well."
Technically she is my Onee-chan but, haha... After Imot-chan puffed out her cheeks, I asked Mare-san, who was watching us from behind with a smile, to please take us to her house and again I went through the same hell as at the beginning, seasoned with a kind goodbye from the Priest.
I had never felt so relieved to leave a church in my life. Some distance from the church, my chills subsided but didn't stop, and I felt an excruciating pain in my feet. Quickly removing my shoes, I discovered that the soles of my feet were completely burned. Mare-san had to carry me like a princess the rest of the way.
Honestly, Imot-chan suffered the most, trying to stay away from Mare-san while simultaneously clutching the hem of my dress. I feel bad for the blonde girl because the entire time we were in church, she looked at me like my mothers did the first time I slept alone.
This is how some characters in certain stories feel when they hurt their loved ones with their own actions... It sucks. Well, saving myself a long scolding from Mare-san for my carelessness, we arrived at the house and he kindly treated my feet. According to him, I'll recover in a week, but that time seems to be shortened by my demonic features. I'm sure I'll be fine tomorrow.
Now I need to think a little more about the plan. I already have a view of the town and the venue for my performance; the only detail to curse is that it's a church rooftop, but oh well. Already seated on the sofa, resting from this mini-adventure, Imot-chan suddenly pinches my cheek. With teary eyes, I protest the pinch. She looks thin and all, but she always displays a strength that hurts me.
Right now, Imot-chan is wearing the Winter Dress I made for her, and underneath, another outfit I asked Mare-san for this morning, which I altered for her. It consists of a t-shirt, pants, tights—because I'm not going to let you go around showing off—and thick stockings. Aside from my somewhat ruined dress, I could barely manage to make myself some socks with the leftover scraps of the blonde's pants.
This time it was Imot-chan who scolded me for not taking care of myself and giving her the best materials. After I made excuses and apologized, the class on sensing presences began. What Imot-chan explained first was a basic theory of mana and how it flows through our bodies; I didn't really understand the latter, so it was very interesting.
From what I understand, this flow of mana is like the flow of chakra in Naruto, having its own circulatory system and its own Tenketsu, or Flow Points. The theory about mana that Imot-chan explained to me is exactly the same as that of chakra, except that mana is much easier to use and Tenketsu are released much more easily for supernatural beings than for normal humans.
I imagine this is a theory unique to the Elves, since Midori-san definitely would have taught me this if she'd known it in the few basic magic power lessons we had. Now I wish I had my smartphone to investigate exactly where the Tenketsu are...
He asked me if I could ever develop something similar to the "Eight Trigrams, 64 Palms" technique, or learn it if it's already been devised... It would be the ideal technique for hand-to-hand combat... I hope the creator of Naruto exists in this world and makes the manga; with that, I won't just start from my memories, I'll have to develop it.
Just as we were about to address the main topic, Mare-san interrupted us with lunch... Damn, time flew by too fast, it felt like minutes but according to him it's been several hours since we arrived.
Throughout this entire session, we were in our own little world, and Imot-chan was a completely lively girl, explaining to me what Baiasu-sensei had surely taught her. Just as Mare-san interrupted us, the blonde girl reverted to being the shy girl who hides behind me, but now she doesn't seem as afraid of Mare-san; she just hides a little. Anyway, after lunching on bear meat and steamed potatoes—delicious, by the way—we continued with the class, and things got complicated.
It turns out that sensing presences is sensing other mana circulation systems along with your own—Imot-chan's exact words. Now that I think about it, she might have warned me about those guys at some point during our escape... She was definitely testing me somehow... This girl's no fool; she was suspicious of me until, I don't know, some point during our escape...
Although, maybe I'm being too paranoid. After putting that thought aside, Imot-chan gave me a much more complicated explanation that I barely understood, and it's clear she didn't understand it well either. Apparently, the blonde only needed the first explanation to grasp sensing presences, and the rest were explanations she didn't pay much attention to... I don't blame her; I wouldn't have paid attention to something that already works for me either... Or maybe I would have...
I suppose the first explanation was easy for her to understand since, according to her, she'd been taught this theory of mana circulation systems her whole life, but for me, having just learned it, it will be a bit more complicated. Thanking Imot-chan for her very interesting lesson, I told her to let me experiment from now on. Obviously, she was a little sad because she couldn't explain the main points well, and I comforted her by asking her to help me be the first to feel it.
Let's see... It's supposed to be "Feeling others' mana circulatory system with my own..." First, I don't think I should take it literally. I suppose that if one part of the brain manages all the body's physical functions, there's also a part that manages the mana circulatory system. So it must be with this part of the brain that sensitivity towards others could develop, or at least, it could start from there.
To be able to sense the mana of others, I suppose you first need to have good control of your own, and I think I have that. Second, you need a kind of sensitivity range for what you're going to feel... Mmm, all this reminded me of a Discovery or History Channel program... They presented a very interesting theory that says what makes us human is that we question everything around us, and that animals follow some philosophical theory, or something like that, which dictates that only you are real because you know you exist...
Well... I'm not sure if I made myself clear, but from what I understand, this part that manages mana is only aware of itself... So we have to make it sensitive to others, through questions that can be answered by using it, and thus, making it sensitive to the world... Maybe I'm just creating crazy theories in my head and I simply have to let go and "feel the system of others with my own"...
Anyway, all this talk needs to be put into practice... Just focus on circulating your mana and feeling it swirling, managing it... From there, the questions... And then... Answers...
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The moment Rias Gremory settled into a deep meditation, closing her eyes, Forsner Tjetevert Imot could only focus his gaze on her. He sincerely wanted to explain to her more clearly what it meant to sense the circulation of magical power, but she understood it herself with just that phrase Baiasu-sensei had told her some time ago, back when Forsner was eight years old, rejected by the village, and her teacher was the only one willing to teach her.
Shaking his head to clear these sad thoughts, Forsner notices Rias's expressions constantly shifting. She's surely trying to understand, in her own way, that single line he told her; after all, she's a genius, even if she refuses to admit it.
At first, when she saw them bring her to the room where Forsner had been several moons ago, the blonde thought she was an unfortunate little girl who had the bad luck to be targeted by those bandits. Kidnapped from her village and handed over to them, Forsner thought the girl would be in a similar situation, since that luxurious dress she was wearing must be from a prestigious house, which simply made her look like a spoiled brat.
What happened next was incredibly fast. After the redhead noticed him and their eyes met, she lured the guards with a loud scream, having set traps in the lower corners of the room. But those wicked humans didn't notice them, and taking advantage of their distraction caused by a twisted sexual arousal, those filthy men fell victim to the redhead's traps. Afterward, Rias spoke to him in his own language, which terrified him, and even more so when he learned she was a Demon.
However, after this spoiled little mama's boy turned into a monster, she reached a point where she became a scared child, who went so far as to swear to Forsner, in the name of the God of the Bible, that he would not hurt her, this being like poison for the redhead, who fell to the ground holding her head tightly, a second after she uttered those words.
Forsner quickly deduced, seeing the little girl writhing on the floor, that she was just as frightened as she was and needed her help, even to the point of risking her own life. To confirm that the red-haired girl was serious, the blonde made her swear by the High Elves, symbols of utmost respect in her eyes. If the redhead truly wanted her help, she would take the oath with impeccable seriousness, swearing in the name of what she passionately believed in, and so she did.
What came next was a blur; she revealed her name, which was terrifying for a moment. She broke down for a few moments, but with her own help, she found the courage to continue. The blonde has to admit that when she called her friend, it touched her deeply; she'd never experienced anything like it.
Would it be wrong to consider her a true friend? Perhaps she said it as a casual remark... But, considering today, the way their relationship has progressed, and based on the descriptions of friends that Baiasu-sensei gave her, Rias is acting like a best friend to Forsner, and that simply puts a smile on her face.
The mere thought of her—especially her, a girl smarter than herself, which was odd—being her friend thrilled her and made her incredibly happy, so happy that the blonde could cry. But as Baiasu-sensei said, if she cried all the time, her friends would get angry, and since she had found such a good friend, she couldn't let her leave her.
Speaking of the redhead, she was incredibly careless today, going to a church—deadly to her kind—just to test the viability of a plan. Not that it's unimportant, but… putting her own life at risk for that… She's a fool… And her only friend is a fool, just like her master. She doesn't know if that makes her love her even more or if it's just a gesture that annoys her.
With a heavy sigh, relieved to have overcomplicated his thoughts, Forsner looked back at Rias and saw her neutral expression. He noticed that, on occasion, her brow furrowed slightly before returning to its previous expression. He had already discovered how to sense the circulatory systems of magical power; now came the most important part: applying what he had found.
Even as she looked at the redhead's face, Forsner chuckled a little at the endearingly confused expression she made. Despite Rias's mature demeanor, she was incredibly cute when she did things that didn't quite fit that image. It was because of all this that the blonde felt she wanted to protect her, despite her own deep emotional dependence on her.
Looking around, Forsner searches for the Bear-Man, as she's feeling hungry. She doesn't trust him much, but... he's the only one feeding them at the moment... Suddenly, the blonde realizes it's already night, and they're barely illuminated by the fireplace... When did it get dark...?
"Imot-chan..." Suddenly pulled from her internal monologue, the redhead opened one of her beautiful eyes, a hint of worry etched upon it. "Maybe it's a beginner's mistake, but... I'm sensing three presences outside the house?" Her tone a little worried, the redhead shifted her gaze to the door, and Forsner froze. He'd completely forgotten to be vigilant, his focus solely on her...
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Okay... I think I've started to understand how sensing people works, by applying the questioning system and trying to find answers through the sensation of the circulation and production of my power of Destruction. This is so strange... It's something I don't fully understand with my brain but I do with my body, and I simply can't explain it... I just feel it.
Concentrating even more, with deep breaths, I began to sense Imot-chan in front of me, and a little behind me, another presence—Mare-san resting in his room. He told us, after lunch was over, that he would rest in his room because today had been very intense for him, and along with the fatigue from cutting down trees, he was exhausted.
Damn, this is proving harder than I thought. Up until now, everything mana-related has been easy for me, but this is much more complex. Sensing presences is weird... I don't know how to put it into words, but it's like you're certain someone is there and you can pinpoint their location, but you're not seeing them with your physical eyes, but with... fake ones? Made of mana?
Anyway, for now I can sense the presence's position, not its strength, so to speak; that, I think, is more advanced. Oh dear... I think I'm starting to make a mistake because... I seem to be sensing some presences a bit further away from where Mare-san is... I'd say three...
This can't be happening, it must be my paranoia playing tricks on me. It's become a habit for me to think the worst when everything is going well... Shaking my head, I take a deep breath and refocus on the presences around me, but I still sense those three additional presences, and this time, they're closer than last time... They seem to be moving this way...
Okay, I'm getting scared now... Wait... I know! They might be animals! They have mana too, right?... But... since when do animals move at the same time?... Besides, it's still worrying that they're getting closer... Yeah, I'm scared now. I have to figure this out; I hope it's just me imagining things.
"Imot-chan..." Opening one eye, I see her jump slightly. I must have startled her when she was almost asleep; it can't be very entertaining watching me do nothing. "Maybe it's a rookie mistake, but... I'm sensing three presences outside the house?" I say this to Imot-chan in a low, somewhat worried tone, and I see her face pale.
He quickly seems to concentrate, closing his eyes, and then immediately opens them wide... Oh shit, that can't be a good sign.
Taking my hand, Imot-chan runs quickly to Mare-san's room and opens the door with a care that's quite unlike her usual hurried demeanor. I almost fall when she pulls me down from the sofa; it's still a bit high for me, and besides, she seems to have forgotten that the soles of my feet are burned... I try to keep up with her, swerving my feet sideways, feeling like they're about to break from the force with which Imot-chan is dragging me.
I know you're scared and worried about those presences, but remember my current state, "friend"...
Slowly entering the room, we found Mare-san asleep in bed. Imot-chan tried to take my hand again, but I caught her attention and pointed to my feet. For a few moments she looked confused, but remembering my condition, she closed her eyes tightly, followed by a few tears threatening to spill, and gave me a tight hug.
I just stroked her head and whispered for her to wake Mare-san. I don't mind, besides hurting my feet again, I understand you did it for both of our sakes... But, now, stay still, it really hurts like hell to use my newly healed feet, it's a shame this weak regenerative factor of the Demons doesn't take away the pain...
Leaning against the wall, I watch as Imot-chan stretches as far as she can and, barely reaching him, gently shakes Mare-san. Having woken up quite easily, in my opinion, he raises his head, somewhat confused, and looks at the blonde, who jumps slightly and, I think, gestures towards me.
Mare-san turns his gaze toward me, still half asleep. I make a three with my hand and point to the back of the house. For a moment, I see Mare-san's face look confused, but he immediately opens his eyes, just like Imot-chan did a little while ago. Jumping out of bed incredibly quietly, he lifts the enormous bed from one side, as if it were nothing.
Leaving her bed aside, Mare-san comes towards me and picks me up. Then, I see her approach the place where her bed had been, where there's a small trapdoor, cleverly camouflaged with the floor. I gesture to Imot-chan to come, and Mare-san opens the small door. Inside, I see a rather deep hole with a small, dusty backpack, a pickaxe, and a rope.
I suppose it's something like emergency equipment. Mare-san gently lowers me inside, and Imot-chan looks somewhat unsure and fearful, watching from the edge of the hole. Suddenly, Mare-san gives her a slight push, and the blonde falls on top of me. Quickly, the man closes the small trapdoor, and I can hear him putting the bed back in place.
After a few seconds, we can hear footsteps leaving the room. That was quite agile, both physically and mentally, for someone who had just woken up... It's as if he did it automatically... That only suggests this man has been through this situation before, several times... He also has something to hide...
Although it could also be that I'm being paranoid because of how everything is unfolding and how quickly it's all happening... Well, most likely if those presences are what I think they are, they'll find us, so we have to do something... And that's where my dear colleague comes in, who, I'm sure, also knows more than she lets on.
• Imot-chan, do you know any kind of magic? Like illusion or something? - Taking the blonde's hand, seeing that she is somewhat scared in the dark, I say this in a whisper.
For my part, I can see perfectly well here. Thank God I'm a Demon... Hmm?
• D-Of illusion... But Rias-chan, it's not time for a class... - Trembling slightly, Imot-chan answers me in the same tone in which I spoke to her.
I could laugh a little at what he just said, but there simply isn't time.
• That's not why, silly Imot-chan. - Giving my silly friend a light tap on the head, I continued with my idea. - Whoever comes will find us, so we have to do something to prevent them from finding us - With teary eyes from my tap, Imot-chan made a completely confused face.
She probably assumed we were safe, but you should never let your guard down just because Mare-san hid us. This is where my paranoid nature comes in handy—always imagine the worst-case scenario, darling. And the worst-case scenario is that whoever's looking for us is a bunch of complete idiots who come in aggressively, searching for us, and discover the little door... Which, to be honest, is the most likely outcome.
I don't think those guys are polite or classy, the kind who would politely ask for us and then, upon finding us gone, simply thank Mare-san for her courtesy and leave apologizing for the misunderstanding. Enough with the sarcasm, the point is, those savages are definitely going to search the house, and there are two possibilities.
The first possibility is that they'll search everything, destroying it in the process, and in their haste, miss this trapdoor. The second possibility is that those idiots will destroy the bed and be clever enough, or lucky enough, to notice the door... In which case, it's best to start moving.
Creating a sphere of destruction the size of a basketball, I begin to make a hole in one of the walls of the pit. Regarding our location, it's as if someone had dug into the ground, making a fairly large hole, so I think it will help us blend in more easily.
Making the hole a little lower than the original, I dispel the Destruction sphere and step inside. It's a bit smaller than I planned, but that doesn't matter. I quickly signal to Imot-chan to get in. The blonde hesitates for a moment, and seconds later, she puts on a worried face and apologizes... Why is she doing that? Then I see her take a running start and jump lightly to where I am, landing on top of me.
Damn it!! Why did she jump on me?! She could have done it to the-... Wait, I made this little space in a hurry and left it for just one person... I'm an idiot for getting angry... Anyway, bearing the weight of my now fat friend, she settles down until she's not crushing me too much, but she's crushing me.
• I'm sorry, Rias-chan... - While still trying to distribute her weight with her arms and legs, Imot-chan apologizes many times.
• You don't have to apologize, I'm the one who made this tiny hole... Although that little jump was unnecessary, it hurt. - Raising my arm slightly, I give the blonde girl, who's on top of me, a light tap on the head.
She just sheds more tears and I chuckle softly... This would be a cute and funny scene... But it's not the time to be laughing!
Suddenly, a loud sound is heard slightly in the distance; it's the front door of the house being abruptly opened, I suppose... Shit, they're here. In the lowest voice I can manage, barely audible to my dear blonde, I instruct her to create an illusion of dirt that matches the original hole where we were, simulating the part I destroyed.
Imot-chan nods with a worried expression, and immediately her hands begin to glow with a purple light... She must be conjuring and visualizing... As she concentrates, I see a transparent layer of something begin to form in front of us. That's definitely what you expect when you arrive in a world with magic... Cool.
Focusing again on the situation, he encouraged the blonde with some kind words and quickly tried to sharpen my listening skills to find out how much longer we had.
• I already told you I haven't found any girls around here! - With a furious voice, Mare-san says this, maintaining a heavy and intimidating tone that I had never heard him utter before.
I suppose he gave the typical excuse that "he hadn't seen the girls and they walked right past him."
• We'll see, old man. - Hearing these words from a voice that simply sounds like a gang member's, calm footsteps are also heard entering the room, followed by strong and hurried ones, or rather, savage ones, being the best word to describe them...
"That's right, bitch." A slightly higher-pitched voice than the previous one says this... It definitely sounds like a Level 2 gang member. "Even if you're Boss's father, you can't believe you have immunity, so we'll be checking this hovel." Accompanied by laughter, he starts to ransack the place, throwing things on the floor and breaking the more fragile items in the process.
Ho ho... I just heard some very interesting information... But, for now, it's no use to me. Opening my eyes, I see how Imot-chan's progress is going; she's almost completely covered the entrance to our makeshift hole.
"I have absolutely no connection to that stupid jerk anymore!! Besides, like I told you at the entrance, you won't find anything!! Why on earth would I help a couple of girls who are clearly involved with their kind?!" Mare-san said furiously, stomping her foot on the ground...
Ho ho!... More character development... It seems to be the typical story of the black sheep... Only, this time, the father is not so kind to his offspring.
• Yeah right, you fucking old man. We know what you're like... - Level 2 Gang Member says this and suddenly you hear him violently lift the bed. - Haha, what do we have here? An escape hatch? - Exactly the words I didn't want to hear.
Checking Imot-chan's magic again, we can see how a kind of veil completely covers the entrance to our hole... Okay, this is sounding really weird...
For a moment I hear hurried footsteps coming this way but they are abruptly stopped; it must have been Mare-san trying to stop Level 2 Gang Member, but he was stopped by Level 1 Gang Member.
Swallowing hard, I see the small door open and a tall, seemingly muscular man leans out... Is it just me, or does he look exactly like the guys in the house we escaped from...? Where do you get your generic gang members? Seriously... They're identical... Scars on their faces, bald, wearing that thick gray clothing, and carrying that hunting rifle.
Returning to the one I assume is a Level 2 Gang Member, he examines the hole briefly, as it's only illuminated by a dim light outside. After a few seconds, when he can make out the inside of the hole, he notices the backpack, the rope, and the pickaxe... Gradually, his smug and confident expression shifts to one of confusion and annoyance.
Omega Good Job Imot-chan!! Your magic is really good!! It's obvious you managed to fool that idiot, he didn't even notice where we were.
• What the hell is this, man? - Turning his face upwards, Level 2 Gang Member says this in an annoyed tone.
After a few seconds of silence, I think I see a glimpse of Mare-san's face, slightly confused. Well, I'd be surprised too if the two cute girls I just left with my emergency team weren't there anymore. Clearing his throat quickly, the man's voice echoed through the room.
"This is the emergency kit I keep in case something happens. You never know what might happen on this mountain." With the same annoyed tone as before, Mare-san says this as I hear footsteps suddenly moving; she must have pushed Level 1 Gang Member. "Those of your ilk know better than anyone that you shouldn't underestimate this place." Finishing these words, I see Level 2 Gang Member look at the kit again and slam the trapdoor shut.
Almost immediately, the veil in front of us dissolves, and Imot-chan's arms plummet to the ground. Reacting to their fall, I catch them to prevent a sound when they hit the earth... Perhaps it's unnecessary; I don't want to tempt fate. Whoa... It's clear Imot-chan has used up all her mana and is on her last legs because she's no longer making any effort to avoid crushing me... It must have been difficult to maintain an illusion without any prior preparation... I'm sorry for making you work so hard, my dear.
Again, focusing on my ears, I heard those violent footsteps and two more pairs of footsteps leaving the room. The gang members shouted a lot of typical warnings, and Mare-san responded boldly. My favorite response was, "How about you check the latrine now? Maybe I hid them in my shit." I almost burst out laughing at the seriousness with which she said it, but I held it in like a champ.
Wait a minute, weren't there three presences...?
Taking a deep breath, I close my eyes and focus on the exercise I started earlier. After a while, I begin to feel a heavy presence above me, and a little further away there are three more presences together, and one a little further still... One of the three together must be Mare-san's, obviously... The one farther away must be keeping watch, I suppose.
Still focused on it, I feel Imot-chan start to move again; perhaps she momentarily lost consciousness due to excessive mana expenditure.
Struggling out from under her, almost taking off my dress, I sit on top of the backpack and stroke Imot-chan's head, whispering, "Good job." She just gives me a tired look and smiles in a way I can only describe as beautiful... God!! I want to pinch her cheeks and scold her for being prettier than me!!
Returning to the exercise of sensing presences, I notice how the trio of presences moves away from the house... Ahhh... Now only Imot-chan's and Mare-san's remain... In this way, I relax and wait for the man to come and get us out of here.
A few minutes later, Mare-san opens the small door, and all I can do is smile in response. He lets out a small, relieved sigh and leads us out. Leaving us on the floor, I sit down and stare at him. He must have noticed me looking at him because he sighed wearily and sat cross-legged across from me. I put Imot-chan's head in my lap and start stroking her. Apparently, she fell asleep while we waited for Mare-san to come.
"I suppose you heard what happened, Miss Rias." Scratching the back of her head, Mare-san said this in a soft tone, and I just nodded in the same way. "But first I have a question, what did you do?" This time, shifting her gaze to the small door and then back to me, Mare-san focused all her attention on me.
I created a hole with my power to one side, and Miss Imot performed an illusion, simulating one of the earthen walls of the hole. In a calm and gentle tone, I replied to the large man, who only made a small, astonished sound. Apparently, he believed the magic; I thought he would look apathetic and ask me what really happened.
"Now I believe it's my turn to ask questions, Mare-san." Clearing my throat, I looked intently at him. "I'm surprised you didn't question the veracity of some of the information I gave you, such as the elven identity of my friend here, or the part about Illusion Magic involved in the previous explanation. Based on a simple conjecture, made on the spot, I can only assume your son is involved, but just as I told you the truth, I expect you to be honest with me as well." With my most serious tone, I said this, and I could feel Mare-san tense up.
Now I feel like trash for telling him this when my whole story is a huge lie, but I need to know who I work with to gauge how much I can depend on him.
While I relaxed waiting for Mare-san, I was thinking about the plan to end this, called Plan EscapeLoliElfo, for now. From what I've figured out, I'll have to use Mare-san and Imot-chan's services... I don't like using such unreliable variables as people I barely know in plans, but there's no other way... First, because I'm new to formulating battle plans, and above all, because one of these variables is the one I want to save...
However, she's vital to the plan's success. According to what Mare-san told me, after she shared her side of the story, those idiots gave her an ultimatum. "Tomorrow night I'd better find the two girls, the blonde and the redhead, or the whole town will have a raucous party the next morning."
It's great that they gave him until tomorrow night; I'll be able to put the EscapeLoliElfo Plan into practice and develop it in that time, so it's ideal. Besides, I bet the "Boss" of those idiots will come with all the others to further intimidate his father... Although I might be wrong, since he'll surely bring enough people to cover the whole town, as it's quite logical that the redhead and blonde girls would try to escape... I hope these predictions are correct because, besides looking like a complete idiot, I'm not alive to regret them.
Ah, whatever. Ladies and gentlemen, the EscapeLoliElf Plan is officially scheduled for 24 hours from now. Dear parents, and Kushimi-san, I hope you'll be proud of your daughter even if this plan goes wrong, because, well, I'm going to put everything I am into it.