Chapter 147: While He Slept

Two days had already passed since Ayane returned with Reima slung over her shoulder.

I stood in the private inn we’d rented out, watching my best friend sleep. Finally, a figure appeared who looked like she could actually provide some answers. I threw a question her way.

"So," I said, "any idea what happened?"

"I only know what I heard from Dia, so the details are a total blank," Merli replied. "The only thing I can say for sure is that someone showed up who could beat my disciple in a fair fight."

I already knew that.

Looking at the state of my unconscious friend and the devastated coastline, it was obvious he’d faced an anomaly. Honestly, I hadn't even considered the possibility that anyone could take him down right now.

"The one summoned to fight her was Dia, the one among us best suited for protection and lethality," Merli continued. "That dragon girl over there probably knows him better as Satan—the King of Demons."

"...Against the one who governs envy, Leviathan?" I asked. "In the hierarchy of the Great Sins, it feels like Satan should have had the upper hand. What happened there?"

I remembered hearing about the Summoned Beast named Diabel during our barbecue. He was supposed to be one of the strongest assets Reima could currently call upon.

I’d done my own research, too. Satan was the King of Demons, a Demon King considered the great adversary of God. I'd heard about his capabilities, and the realization that something had crushed him head-on made the cold dread in my gut intensify.

"Leviathan... also known as 리ヴァイアサン. The counterpart to Behemoth, destined to bring about The End of the world and sweep everything away in a flood," Merli said. "It’s an existence that didn't even exist in Mythologia. I only knew about it through records, but man, talk about dangerous."

Her tone was light, but unlike our first meeting, the woman in front of me didn't seem to care about anything except Reima. I knew that was her nature to begin with, but she wasn't bothering to hide her irritation now. More than anything, her mana was leaking out in heavy waves, enough to make my skin crawl.

"From what I could see from inside Reima, it looks like that thing intends to sink this entire country."

"...That’s just great. Truly the worst-case scenario," I muttered. "I have to ask—is there anything we can do about it?"

"Not a chance. No matter how much you struggle, the difference in rank is just too high."

I knew that. But hearing it stated so plainly made a surge of anger at my own helplessness bubble up in my chest.

I thought I’d been training. I’d been putting in the effort to catch up to where Reima was... but clearly, that alone wasn't going to be enough to bridge the gap.

"Will Reima-dono wake up?" Goro asked.

"I think so," Merli replied. "That girl was healing his wounds, after all."

"Merli-dono..." Tsubaki began. "Is there a way for us to become stronger?"

"There is, in a manner of speaking. You could fight us, for instance. But we don't know how much time that opponent is going to give us. I don't think we have the luxury of taking things slow."

In other words, we were out of time.

I understood that much. I hadn't been there for the fight, but I knew exactly how difficult it was to knock out someone like Reima—someone capable of combat on such a massive scale.

"I know it's a bit late to ask, but do you all actually intend to fight?" Merli asked. "That thing is an outlier. No one would blame you for walking away. Besides, the people who would complain are going to be at the bottom of the ocean anyway, so it’s not like you’d have any responsibilities left, right?"

I realized then that this was her own twisted version of kindness.

We hadn't known her long, but it was clear she was Reima’s ally—or rather, that she’d been won over by him. Her point was logical, and I could tell she was actually worried about us. But the answer to her question didn't require a second thought.

"Obviously," I said. "Letting ourselves get kicked around without hitting back leaves a bad taste in my mouth."

"An Adventurer’s duty is to protect the innocent," Goro added. "More importantly... if it were my friend, he would do the same, wouldn't he?"

"I would prefer to talk things out," Tsubaki said, her tone stiff and formal. "But if a clash is necessary, I shall not hesitate."

Once I’d spoken, Goro and Tsubaki followed suit.

The remaining two, Ayane and Laura, had stayed silent throughout the exchange. However, their resolve was already written on their faces.

"...I’m fighting," Ayane said. "I’m sick of being a burden. I’m tired of being useless."

"As am I," Laura agreed. "That creature must be made to pay for what it did to Reima."

When we’d finished stating our intentions, the woman in front of us let out a slow, gentle smile. It was a look of affection—and perhaps a hint of disbelief that people like us existed.

"I see. So that’s your answer. In that case, I suppose I’ll help. Fortunately, I’m something of a rule-breaking existence even within Reima. I’ll train you until he wakes up. Laura, you’re helping me. I can’t handle this many people alone."

"Fine," Laura replied. "Understood. Let’s be thorough."

With that, the plan was set. We would become stronger in the time it took for Reima to open his eyes.

No matter how far we had to go, no matter what happened... we would stand beside him. We would fight with him. We had to move forward, if only so that he—after everything he’d done—could finally get the reward and peace he deserved.

"Then let's get started," Merli said. "Steel yourselves. I’m not exactly known for being 'kind'."

A staff appeared in her hand.

Mana flooded the room, and we were suddenly pulled into a barrier in another dimension.

It was a strange world, laid out like a giant game board. A landscape of trees perpetually stained by the colors of twilight.

Sent into this alien realm that felt like a Dungeon, we spent the next two days enduring a living hell.