Volume 4 - CH 15

Act 4-15: A Strange Team Composition

Each team formation was announced, and a pair of man and woman stood by my side.

The man was of small stature with a young master-like haircut, he stood while sticking the tetrahedron object to his body, and had a youthful face that made him look like in his teens; the other was a docile looking woman with long, blonde, and braided hair. The woman on used her long forelocks to cover half of her face, as if to look like someone in her teens as well, I wouldn’t be surprised if she turned out to be someone in her thirties though. Her appearance wasn’t clear.

「I’m Ramune, an aspiring sorcerer. My best regards.」

The small man who had blue-colored hair, gave a short greeting without turning to me as he kept hold of his tetrahedron.

「I’m…Kiki, I’m good with…sword. Best regards…」

On the other hand, the blonde-hair woman with braided hair introduced herself with a small voice.

「I’m Kai Heineman. A swordsman. Best regards to you two.」

I replied to them with smile on my face while raising my right-hand. I heard a familiar quarreling voice.

「HAVING TO BE IN THE SAME TEAM AS YOU IS ENOUGHT TO SEND A CHILL RUNNING DOWN MY SPINE!」

Roman shouted without even trying to hide his displeasure.

「THOSE ARE MY WORDS! AREN’T YOU THE NEXT PATRIACH OR WHATEVER!? JUST GO BACK TO LAMOUR AND STAY IN THERE FOREVER!」

Not wanting to lose, Lumine spat out equally spiteful remarks,

「THE SAME GOES FOR YOU! DON’T YOU KNOW THAT YOU COMING HERE IS JUST BRINGING MORE TROUBLE FOR LYLA-SAN!?」

Roman snarled back at Lumine.

「I’m inseparable from my big sister. BIG SISTER’S HAPPINESS IS MY HAPPINESS! WHY SHOULD I LOWER MYSELF TO FOLLOW YOUR STANDARDS!?」

「WHAT!」

「WHAT!」

The two snarled at each other at point-blank range. These two never betrayed my expectations. They’re not kids anymore, shouldn’t they calm down a little? In fact, their teammate, a youth with brown-coloured cropped hair seems to be cowering in fear listening to the two’s quarrel.

Nevertheless, Roman and Lumine were put together in the same team eh. No matter how you look at it, it is too much of a coincidence.

I couldn’t help but feel anxious knowing that there was a sudden change of test this year. I guess… better safe than sorry.

（Deimos. Are you there?）

The black skeleton who became Girimekhala’s kin just a while ago―― he went by the full name Deimos Lich.

（Yes! I’m by your side.）

""

The black skeleton wearing black robe kneeled while hiding his figure behind the shrub nearby. He who received Girimekhala’s boot camp to fix his rotten attitude was very strong.

When I heard that Deimos Lich was a sorcerer when still human, I got the feeling that he was more suited for a behind-the-scenes job. Or rather, he wouldn’t even show himself if not for instructions from Girimekhala and the others in the subjugation picture book. On the other hand, it wouldn’t even be considered a test if he caused a commotion by showing up during this practical test and displaying that showy swordsmanship of his.

Having said that, nowadays, I mainly entrusted the matter to Oboro or Lucas, whose fanaticism toward me rose up to a dangerous degree. Sure enough, I admit that their strength had also experienced tremendous growth. Yeah, they could still grow, but to be honest, I could only imagine that the two of them would only create Girimekhala-like effect if I left this matter to them.

With such consideration, I decided that Deimos was the most suited for this task.

（Do you know about the girl called Lyla Hellner over there?）

（Yes! I received orders from Girimekhala-sama to stay by your side in secret.）

So, knowing that his subordinates were flashy fellas, Girimekhala dispatched Deimos, a former human, under the consideration that the latter knew better about human society and could act properly behind the scene.

（Then I’ve a request for you. Go protect Lyla Hellner.）

（As you wish! Am I allowed to erase anything hindering her?）

（Yeah, her safety is your top priority, everything else come after. As for the other problems, you may move to your own judgement）

（Your wish is my command）

（Godspeed, Deimos）

I heard clacking sound of bones,

（Thank you… it’s my honor.）

His presence vanished with an extremely delighted voice.

Well then, time to move on. I had no idea what kind of plan that foxy elf woman had in her mind, but if she went too far, I will have no choice but to fight back. Yes, at that time, I will crush her thoroughly.

「Let’s move on, guys. We’ll be in trouble if we get a late start, you know?」

I warned the two quarreling children who having their usual routine.

「Shut up! I don’t need you to tell me about such obvious matter!」

「Yeah! Don’t butt in into our problems!」

They snarled at me and then went toward the forest as if competing who will enter first. The brown-haired youth with crop hair was following them from behind in hurry.

These two were way too careless. To be honest, Lyla was much more prepared than them to face any kind of situation. Roman was my cousin, and Lumine was a little sister-like existence to Lyla. Honestly, I couldn’t just rest on my lapel knowing that they might be in danger. Especially in this situation, where I couldn’t even grasp the intentions of that foxy elf woman. I guess I will have to invoke [Divine Eye] just to be sure.

Good grief, it feels like I turned into their babysitter in this gambling den.

I cursed inside upon realizing that the odds kept stacking against me with all those outside factors involved.