Alice Tale in Phantasmagoria Chapter 62

Entering the labyrinth, presently we've steadily traversed to the third underground floor.
In regards to the rear guard, although it doesn't need to be said that their coordination is awful, in any case the vanguard cooperates exceedingly, a pinch that can be called a pinch hasn't been invited.

「Ha.」

Even now, Ilya's new spear pierces a monster.
Strong, too strong.
The lack of power is, supplemented by the arms of the exceptional candidate to be a famous craftsman called Saira, Ilya has no enemy before her.
The difficulties up until now, by being protected by meagre equipment like a leather robe, the current defensive ability has become something fearsome……
With the battle finished, we catch our breath.
While doing so, I check the status of Saira's full body equipment.

Weapon: Sagittarius Lance (Quality: Refined) (Artisan: Saira)
Armor: Valkyrie Cuira.s.s (Quality: Refined) (Artisan: Saira)

Fumu…… Sagittarius, does it exist in this world.

「This is excellent equipment, ojousama. It's like fighting alongside Saira-san, it's rea.s.suring.」
「It really is isn't it.」

You say good things don't you, Ilya!
To the extent that it can't be compared to an iron spear, a beautiful spear.
Lightened, blue armor protecting just the upper half of the body.
The lower body is guarded by a long skirt with special fabric tinged with magic.
On just the left hand, the gauntlet in the place of a light s.h.i.+eld.
For the boots guarding both legs, that lightened armor also has only a portion attached.
The concept is ease of movement.
And also, it seems there's a mechanism like the caster glove, such is Saira's arms.
Uumu…… This party, will seize the world……

「Although the material use was high, it is effective.」

Because of the good old man-san material seller gathering the products in the royal capital, generally it's all top cla.s.s items, even secret flavor like items to bring out Saira's originality, fifteen gold coins flew away……
However like this, after bargaining with the completed work, doesn't the furnished worth seem to be even higher.
I won't sell it though.

「This equipment that is too much for me…… Ojousama, this favor―― I will return it with my body.」

……Body?

「Eh? Body……」
「Yes, until my body breaks and my bones crumble, I'll show rewarding work.」
「Ah, Aah! Yes yes, please do!」
「Fufu.」

……That laugh is, what?
Please lay down in bed.
You mustn’t resist, after saying that, just what would this child do……

「However, this certainly is impressive. I also, maybe this time I'll try asking Saira. At this point my sword's also hurting, this sort of sword, it's pretty hard to acquire.」

s.h.i.+on-san, leaked this while looking at the sword that she had grown accustomed to.
Eastern sword, in short, a katana.
If we went east, isn't Zipangu there?

「Because that child loves making someone rejoice, she'll surely practice for a famous sword.」

Leave it to my Saira!

「Fufu, when the people around you are complimented, you seem pleased.」

Rubbing, s.h.i.+on-san petted my head.

「――So, the two in the back, they've grown so quiet that it's like I could forget them, why?」

At s.h.i.+on-san's words, the vanguard all turned around together at the same time.
There, as always the two faced eachother with enmity, that form without any exchanging a single word.

「……It seems like fatigue has set in, so let's set it aside for now.」
「That's true isn't it.」

With that clear, they'll soon begin to get along!
……That should be.

At the seventh underground level, our vanguard's ability was undoubtable, but those who were clearly unable to coordinate well drew out the battles.
Aim and Eclair's attacks were as if they completely ignored hate management, Ilya blocked the enemies that rushed at the rear guard, while s.h.i.+on-san collected the enemy's hate, numerous concerns causing needless effort happened.
Sheesh, those two, although they were both likable people to me.
There's the master of the final level soon enough, leaving it like this might be a problem.

「Eclair.」

Coming up beside her, I call out.

「……What you want to say, I understand.」

Because it doesn't even need to be said!
With that sense, having come to her side I bit.

「……Nee, why does Eclair have such enmity towards Aim?」
「……」

Eclair stopped her legs, inspecting her surroundings.

「I'm going to talk with Eclair for a bit, please wait a little ahead.」

It seems to be a conversation that she doesn't want anyone to hear.
s.h.i.+on-san and the rest called out together, understood, that answer came back.
Staying in one row once they'd advanced slightly down the pa.s.sage, they stopped.
Confirming that then, once more turning back to Eclair.

「……Alice, you magic power isn't normal. It's not human.」

That makes sense.

「I'm a half elf.」

However, my vast magic power is, not racial, it's my own will.
No, is it possible that the upper limit is different because of race?
Since I didn't research that far.

「Half elf…… didn't you confess easily.」
「Because, it's Eclair.」
「……Fu, fun. Eclair will also teach you so, lend me your ears.」
「Eh? Wa, you don't want to do that?」
「There's no way I'd do that!」

And like that, I offered Eclair my ear.
Seems she's a rather cautious childー.

「Eclair is, actually――」
「Ticklis.h.!.+」
「Do you have any intention of listening seriously!」

But having breath blown into my ear, somehow!

「It's, it's fine, so come!」
「You are, mou…… Eclair is, a demon.」

Demon.
I see, a demon is it.
Therefore that magic power.
Having made the important confession she distanced her face, and that Eclair looked at me anew with a mysterious expression.

「Eh?」
「What is it……」

What is it, this atmosphere?
I messed up, demon―― is that a keyword?
Different worldｘdemon.
At this place, just what secret is……
Because she's lived normally in the royal capital, it shouldn't be like a race of wanted men.
Magic also, there should be people who would notice her true form upon seeing that.
U～～n.
But, just what sort of problem is there, then?

「Wha, why are you suddenly petting Eclair's head, Alice.」
「No……」
「I, I don't need your sympathy so! So the fact that Eclair is a demon is, something I hold pride in!」
「Well, this isn't something like sympathy. This is…… a feeling like love.」
「Alice……」

As Eclair made a somehow sad expression, without noticing I hugged her.
I hugged her.
……Vigorously.

「Wha, what is this! Alice! Really!」
「No, this……naturally.」
「What is this…… idioot.」

Eclair also circled her hands behind my back.
Relatively, this might be a moving scene.

――Together, if we were connecting.

Sorry Eclair.
We, actually aren't connecting at all!
Lesson.
Stop obfuscating this as skins.h.i.+p.
It's extremely rude to the other side.

――But, the feeling of cheris.h.i.+ng Eclair is, not a lie!

Underground ninth floor.
With the rear guard grasping their coordination, the fights have become easier.
At this rate rus.h.i.+ng to the boss might be okay, though I think that, as expected we should do what we can.
Following the same principles as before, I began making contact with Aim.

「Aim.」
「I know, don't let unnecessary emotions interfere with work.」

Although the att.i.tude is completely different, doesn't this response closely resemble hers.

「I am, a person who feels it's actually fine to bring emotions in though. I think what's important might be modulation.」

Because we're only human, there should at least be those who match or don't match.
If that's forcibly repressed, even the original performance will be affected so that's meaningless.

「Emotions…… If emotions are brought in, people can't be shot.」
「――」

Aim's eyes narrowed sharply.
……There's no reply is there, to that.

「Sorry, Aim. For speaking like I understand. But, the current Aim isn't something like an a.s.sa.s.sin. Just, my archer. Wrong?」
「……That's not wrong. This bow is, already entrusted to master.」

Saying that, she raised the magic bow created by Saira and looked at it.

「……In truth, I don't think anything of that crimson one as an individual.」

With those few words, putting in power, Aim gripped her bow to the extent that her hands turned red.

「But…… If just she is treated specially, the demons shot up until now…… then it'll all become worthless.」

Demon.
Impossible, does that mean demons are connected to this?

「……Why did you know, that about Eclair? If it's just her magic then, shouldn't I also be suspicious?」
「Clairvoyance…… If it's something that's slightly hidden, I can understand it.」

Clairvoyance, is it a skill?
Aim stared at me and, looked away as if it was nothing.

「Master also, lived a difficult life it seems.」
「……Spreading rumors is, no good.」
「I don't speak all that much.」

True.

「Because I'm a dwarf.」
「Eh?」

Pointing to herself, Aim answered.
Ah, didn't she feel that just her knowing my true form was unfair.
Integrity.
But she couldn't find the words for grand persuasion.
Because this child, for the children who lost their place to be, came and pulled her bow.

「Un, I understand. Aim with Aim's style then, if you'll help me that's plenty.」
「……Master is, I think in a position to give more self important commands.」
「Ehー, that's a little impossible.」

Aim's expressionless seeming face, unusually changed to be like a bitter smile.

「Master, this work, free is fine.」
「Eh? But that's……」
「It's fine. At the least, another fifty times, I have enough reasons to pull my bow for master.」

Is it like she isn't honest, or is it more actual integrity.
Aim quickly left me, and walked ahead.
Franticly I also went with her.
Since even so, I'll deliver Aim's wages, after earning a lot!

「Ah, but if the master drops a surprisingly rare item, a strike from the back might happen.」
「It won't okay!?」
「Master is, amusing.」
「It won't okay!!」

And it's not amusing!

We arrived.
Underground tenth floor, those depths.
Within the drifting chilly air peculiar to the underground, an intimidating door that seemed to challenge invaders is before our eyes.

「What to do, Alice. I think there's also courage in pulling back.」

At the final confirmation from s.h.i.+on-san, I looked over everyone's faces.
Ilya, Eclair, Aim, and s.h.i.+on-san.

「……However I think about it, I can't feel that this lineup will not defeat it.」
「That's obvious isn't it.」

That self a.s.suredness of Eclair's, she clearly not opposed.
It also seems the other members don't have any objections so, it's decided.

「Un, let's go.」

Nodding, the door is opened.
Within a dark room with low visibility, everyone entered carefully.
After going in to a degree, like it had been aiming for this, magic ore set variously throughout the room lit up.
In the room, or rather, that quite expansive s.p.a.ce.
And so, what came into view――

Behemoth Lord: LV50

Turning back around, the door is firmly sealed.
Once more, looking forward.
Behemoth, like it was modeled after an elephant or a hippopotamus or the like, it's a land monstrosity.
But, this one is not so large as what's called a monstrosity.
Indeed, it's size is, about the height of a standing elephant.
Although I couldn't understand it regardless of what I'm told, it's actually standing.
Held within those two hands is a ma.s.sive club, it's standing on two legs.
Growing out of the head two warped, bent, evil horns and, a face almost like a cow's.
To call it a minotaur, that image bubbles up.

「――We're going, Ilya!」
「Yes, oneesama!」

While I was befuddled, the allies I had come to rely on were moving.
Facing the behemoth from the front s.h.i.+on-san, attacked with counter strikes.
s.h.i.+on-san delicately dodged it, then with one stroke she bathed her sword.
However the opponent's attack, from the air pressure and sensation of weight its sense of power was clear, and in addition to that its speed!
Continuing further s.h.i.+on-san's attack, without receiving it, that giant leaping away to evade.

「Incredible……!」

For adventurers to have their position reversed!

「Oneesama, behind me!」
「Pardon me!」

After fighting s.h.i.+on-san temporarily pulled her body behind Ilya.
Attempting to blow the two of them away together the club swept, Ilya readied the gauntlet on her left hand and received it.

Magic s.h.i.+eld.

Buried within the gauntlet, particularly rare white magic stones obtained from the material seller, the magic stones called as such.
By using those a magic s.h.i.+eld.

「There's no mistake that it's a powerful enemy but, defending has become quite easy.」

In the gap left when the club was received, s.h.i.+on-san once again came slicing.
But, the enemy's defense is also somehow considerable.

Which means…… It's our debut!
The three members of the rear guard, exchanged glances.

「Vital point…… aim shoot.」

The one to light the fuse was, Aim.
Preparing her magic bow, the arrow is normal.
Saying that, this bow, since it's a bow that displays its true worth when charged with 『Someone's』 magic power.
However, since depending on the enemy's attribute there's suitable and unsuitable, it's fairly difficult to charge it in advance.
Furthermore, with a normal arrow, it's also that to Aim that seems to be plenty.
Pulling back the ma.s.sive longbow with full force, she faced the behemoth and fired.
That was, the enemy's right eye warily focused on s.h.i.+on-san, it excellently embedded itself!

「As expected!」

To the behemoth releasing a roar, following attacks are delivered.

「Lightning!」

But, somehow it has lightning resistance, the effect is shallow.
I don't think it took all that much damage.
Saying that, for me to enter close combat alongside this party is meaningless……

「Aren't you useless, Alice.」
「Don't purposely say that!?」

Even though I kind of noticed it!
I think I can also act, because I still have a variety of methods!

「Fun―― Oh breath of the stars rotating above the land, become crimson and cleanse sin with fierce brilliance! Star Flare!!」

An overwhelming crimson explosion.
Eclair's, serious magic.
Destructive power, that is…… comparable to the magic within my left hand!?
As expected normally that should be impossible…… I looked at Eclair reflexively.
Doing that, just what is it, Eclair with that sort of face.

「Chant enhancement, to Eclair it's therefore large!」

A skill is it!
Chant enhancement…… With that said, Eclair began chanting along with the battle's start.
Taking so long despite that, thinking that……
In short, is it the opposite of chant shortening?
And thus power of that extent, such a thing.

「It's still not finished. Rejoice prematurely and, die therefore.」

At Aim's warning, I and Eclair returned to ourselves.
During that time, Aim released two shots.
Striking into the shoulder, it's tough.
Although compared to mine, Eclair's magic did far more damage, even so it still appeared to be energetic.
Shortly after the commotion as it came to smash us rear guard, s.h.i.+on-san and Ilya blocked it.

But―― Amazingly, with a ma.s.sive jump the behemoth lord, leaped over to here!

As such it came swinging its evil club down.

「――I'm firing, one more shot.」

Aim was before the iron gavel of death, she unconcernedly readied her bow.
It's clearly too fast!
This child, she was like this at that time as well!
Looking toward Eclair for a moment.
Our eyes met, a slight nod.

「――It's fine over here so, please take that idiot with you and evade, Alice!」
「Understood!」
「Ah, master.」

As she pulled her bow, feeling her body I grasped Aim and jumped away.
Alongside the thundering noise, the ground behind us collapsed.
Confirming this, on the other side Eclair also jumped away.

「Value life, Aim.」
「……As able, I'll be careful.」

Seeming that it had decided to aim over here as the behemoth lord tried to jump up once again――

「Stop jumping like a rabbit! So aggravating, this big thing!」

Eclair, using a whip she coiled around the enemy's club and pulled it back, but――

「Wai, kyaaaaa!」

Blow away with one swing, Eclair flew into me.
Franticly receiving that, rolling twice, thrice across the wide s.p.a.ce's ground, we tumbled together.
……It's good that there wasn't a wall.

「Oww, what ridiculous power!」
「……Since I knew this would happen the moment I saw that, maybe I have the foresight ability.」
「So, so I made a mistake, Alice!」

Don't be rash, Eclair.

「Fun, maa fine then―― Aim!」

Once again the enemy is halted by s.h.i.+on-san and Ilya.
Glancing back at that, the called upon Aim came.

「What?」
「From outside, doing narrow attacks, achieves nothing. Burn it away from within.」
「Nn, understood.」

Like that, Aim presented her magic bow to Eclair.
Eclair took that, and channeled crimson magic power into it.

「Because you're borrowing Eclair's magic, please finish this in one shot!」
「I won't let the enemy go. If this doesn't defeat it, your power is insufficient.」
「Fun…… Fine then, that's great!」

More and more strongly s.h.i.+ning crimson.
Channeling into that, Eclair's body shook.
Momentarily, I supported Eclair's body.

「――Defeat it, Aim.」
「Doesn't even need to be said.」

Taking the bow once again Aim, in one breath readied it.
An arrowhead isn't needed.
Pulling the string, a crimson arrow shone forth upon it.

「Oneechan, Ilya!」

Calling out, they nodded and took distance from the behemoth lord.

「――The end.」

The crimson arrow is released.
That single shot striking between the eyebrows, in an instant the behemoth lord's body burned from within.
Smoke blew out from the ears and mouth, the behemoth lord collapsed.
And so―― that body thinned and melted away.

――Victory!

「If you try, you can do it can't you.」
「Acting all arrogant, shorty.」
「What was that!?」
「It was on the point so, you're being annoying.」

…………

「Since we won, let's just upfrontly rejoice……」

These two, somehow I just don't understand……

「Well done, ojousama.」
「Un, Ilya as well.」

Gazing at the two yelling energetically, Ilya softly drew in closely.

「Ojousama, vanished didn't she.」
「Eh!? I, I didn't vanis.h.!.+? I performed an important role too!」
「Fufu, is that the case. My eyes seem to have become a little poor, my apologies.」

I gave away this time's highlight scene!
Don't, don't misunderstand!

That day of labyrinth conquest, ended safely――