240 – Glasses Boy, Encouraged and Then Thrown into Hell

The advance party—Instructors Evanesque and Sorichika, Chace, and Trawllul—stopped when they emerged from the forest and joined us.

“—We’re taking a break.”

Chace announced.

I see… If we’re taking a break here, it means we still have a long way to go.

It would be great if we could make it within three days, both mentally and physically. Beyond that, I might start to crack.

And yet.

Looking at them lined up like this, only Chace is breathing heavily.

The instructors and Trawllul are still completely full of energy.

Even discounting gifts, it’s surprising to see Chace, who specializes in running, getting worn out…

The instructors are amazing people to begin with, so it’s no surprise, but Trawllul’s stamina and exercise capacity are terrifying. Beastmen are incredible.

By the way, I, Lisse, and Harriatan are also somewhat worn out.

“Meow. It’s so cold.”

“It’s so hot, stop it.”

Moreover, it seems their bodies haven’t warmed up yet, as Trawllul is clinging to Lisse. Lisse looks annoyed.

…Or maybe they’re cold despite being warmed up.

As a cat beastman, Trawllul might be extremely sensitive to the cold.

Unlike around the tower, it’s quite cold here.

By the way, I, Lisse, and Harriatan are already quite warm.

I wouldn’t say it’s hot, but naturally, sweat is forming.

—The place where we stopped for a break has a river flowing nearby. Since this spot was chosen, the water must be drinkable.

Considering the position of the sun and how hungry I am, it’s probably just before noon.

That means we’ve been running all morning.

And, if we continue in the afternoon as well.

This is a considerate break time, allowing us to rest properly and have a light lunch.

We need to rest well and eat just enough to keep from becoming sluggish.

Speaking of meals, it should be Belge, but he hasn’t arrived yet—oh, wait, here he comes.

“—A break? That’s a relief…”

The three following—Belge, who is severely exhausted, Geodine, who is also worn out, and Florentine, who looks calm—joined us.

“Meow. I’ve been waiting.”

It seems Lisse was just a placeholder. Trawllul abandoned Lisse and went to cling to Florentine.

“…”

Despite looking annoyed, Lisse strangely watched Trawllul’s retreating back with a lonely expression. —It’s so cat-like. How feelings can change so quickly. I wish Lisse were a complete cat.

“…”

Ah, our eyes met. He noticed I was watching.

“…I feel a great sense of loss.”

I see. …A sense of loss, huh.

I don’t have much experience with hugging someone tightly, so I’m not sure… but don’t hug yourself, Lisse. Your sad face makes that pose look even sadder.

“Why not try hugging a tree or something?”

It seemed pitiful, so I suggested finding a substitute.

“Tree? Hmm…”

Lisse, still looking sad, wrapped his arms around a nearby tree.

—Yeah.

“You look like an idiot.”

“If you say something else, I’ll hit you, you know?”

Since I don’t want to get hit, I decided to leave Lisse alone.

As I shifted my gaze to drink some water from the river, I spotted Trawllul, who had discarded Lisse, in my line of sight.

“—Nyaa, ah, aah… my spine…!”

“—Oh, you’re so cute. But you left us behind, didn’t you? Hm? Hm-hm? I’m not letting go now. Not letting go at all.”

…………

Ah, our eyes met.

“—E-Eil… help…”

Since interfering with their reunion might be awkward, I decided to get some water and prepare lunch.

“I’ll handle lunch.”

Belge, as usual, volunteered to cook. I had no complaints since the food was always good.

…Oh, it’s the classic—sandwiches with magic pig mutton bacon. It’s always the lunch for challenges. It’s so delicious.

“Cut it a bit thicker, please.”

“Me too.”

“Make mine a bit bigger, okay?”

“Me too.”

“Got it. Go away, you’re in the way.”

Belge cut into the tantalizing bacon, which was still in chunks of meat. As he worked, Chace and Florentine, who were clinging to the meat, were shooed away.

“Make mine thicker and bigger, too.”

Seizing the opportunity, Harriatan also made his request. Me too, me too.

“I said I got it! Every single time! And Eil! Stop keeping that awkward distance and come tell me directly if you want something!”

It’s my consideration that directly asking might be annoying. But well, as long as the orders are getting through, I guess it’s fine.

…………

Even though Trawllul, who is usually the most annoying and bothersome, is inexplicably collapsed, I decided not to worry about it too much.

“—Eil.”

Ah, Instructor Sorichika.

“It’s rare for you to talk to me, Instructor Sorichika.”

Instructor Sorichika and I had a mentor-student relationship back in Haidiga and had some interactions in the assassin village, including sharing meals.

But since coming to the Tower of Bryne, we haven’t had any contact at all.

Instructor Sorichika doesn’t often teach classes either.

So, this might be the first time he’s talked to me since coming to the Tower.

Though, as usual, his eyes still have that vacant look, as if he’s not really looking at anything. No change there.

“You can just call me by my name if you prefer.”

I also feel a bit odd about being so informal with Sorichika.

“Other candidates, as well as Instructors Evanesque and Yorgo, need to see some form of discipline. At least while we’re here in the Tower, I’ll keep some decorum.”

This is something I need to say as a former student.

From here on, we’ll be instructor and student.

“Right. That makes sense. It’s better this way.”

Indeed.

No matter what, maintaining a sense of propriety and decorum is important.

“By the way, Eil. About this operation…”

Hmm? The operation?

“You came up with it, didn’t you?”

“No, not at all. The leader this time, Geodine, worked hard to come up with it. I only made a few suggestions.”

“Well, that’s just for show—what’s important is that it reflects your personality. Operations do that.”

…Personality?

“I can tell because I saw you back in the village. The strategies you come up with tend to avoid combat as much as possible.”

…………

Ah, I see. Now that you mention it, that might be true.

“This operation also minimizes combat elements as much as possible. If the plan succeeds, victory is assured. That’s the gist of it.”

Well, that might be the case.

The concept is based on a “trap for catching animals”, so combat is not really part of the premise.

But even aside from that, I believe it’s unnecessary to take on risks without reason.

Combat inevitably involves personal danger.

I want to eliminate combat as much as possible.

“—It’s interesting, isn’t it? Thinking of ways to win a battle without using weapons.”

That’s the goal of this operation.

“It’s only if it works out, though.”

If the zombie battalion behaves as expected and things go as planned.

“I’m personally really looking forward to this challenge. Do your best.”

Oh, okay. I’ll do my best.

…………

It seems the reason for speaking to me was encouragement. It’s rare to see that.

Having said what he wanted, Instructor Sorichika was about to leave—except he glanced back once.

“—Oh, by the way, we’re expected to reach the base village tonight.”

Great! This journey is shorter!

“—So, there won’t be any more breaks. We’ll be running a bit longer to reach the village by tonight. Make sure you rest up well.”

…………

So, the afternoon will be hell.