CH 203.2

Chapter 203 A Reliable Man

Part 2

However this time, it was a fight that we could have won. Even if we didn’t win, we could still have a draw. The rules were absolute, but that did not mean the fox-mask couldn’t use loopholes.

The fox-mask gave a small sigh and headed for the depths――The boss room as the humans called it. Inside the room, 『Kaa-san1』 was curled up in a ball.

“Kaa-san, so you lost . Even though I had purposely 『Guided』 him here.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

An encounter is a coincidental meeting. It is playing with the word but if it is not a coincidence, it is not against the rules. If that happens, at least she won’t be bound by the words she told him the last time he left.

At the words of the fox-mask, the “Haha Kitsune (Fox Mother)”――The Phantom of 『The Fox that was once called God』 narrowed her eyes and raised her head. Two of the thirteen tails that once existed had been removed, leaving only eleven tails left. But even so, her power is absolute. Every move she makes has enough power to kill a human thousand times over.

The “Haha Kitsune (Fox Mother)” shakes herself and says while narrowing her eyes.

『I can’t stand it…… The thought of that man, with his dwarf size body, showing mercy to me.』 (Kitsune God)

There was powerful anger in her voice. The higher-up fox-mask was convinced when he heard her.

It was not even a contest of wits. It was not even a contest.

It would be far more humiliating for a god to be forced to win thanks to a far lesser being conceding his victory than to admit defeat.

After all, that human with no sense of danger――Is a sharp and able person. His lack of a sense of danger makes him, on the contrary, incompatible with us. A normal person would not be able to abandon an overwhelming advantageous situation by himself.

And yet, to traverse the Treasure Shrine that is so different from the power you have, you need abilities other than pure strength.

“Kikkikan-san and his friends have been released in accordance with the agreement. We may need to alter our course.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

”Haha Kitsune (Fox Mother)” didn’t say a word. She just looked at the fox-mask with her shining eyes.

The fox-mask raised his shoulder and continued.

“I kept our end of the bargain. Other than that, I do not care. They are――Going to crash. It was an interesting ride, but the core of the vehicle was destroyed. The only reason they have not fallen before is because they were stuck on us.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

『…… We are not going to interfere.』 (Kitsune God)

My “Haha (Mother’s)” tail was taken. I don’t hold a grudge, but that does not mean I do not feel anything.

Although he is an interesting human being, we do not have any obligation to help him.

The Phantoms born in the 【Lost Inn】 are extremely fair. Then the fox-mask smiled.

“Now then, I will go and collect the price from the two that are left. Kaa-san should rest for a while.” (Kitsune Onii-san)

§　§　§

The change was abrupt. The airship greatly shook and tilted.

Franz-san tumbled down the sloped floor. I was the only one who was comfortable.

“!? It is bad, we are falling! Desu!” (Kruz)

“!?” (Cry)

I thought they were going to let us go safely!? However, Kruz was right.

I don’t know why it keeps on flying when it is flying, but when it starts to fall it will keep on falling which is very problematic.

The crew hadn’t even been treated yet. We had confirmed that everyone is alive, but very few could move. (By the way, Term and the others were not there. They may have escaped.)

“Kruz, can’t you do something with your Magic?” (Cry)

“Magic isn’t that versatile, desu!” (Kruz)

“This is…… Unexpected, isn’t it.” (Cry)

As making a fuss wouldn’t help, I sat down on the floor which was *gatagata* shaking.

So after all, we are going to crash…… I am not worried about falling to my death, because I have a flying carpet and my Barrier Rings, but it is bad for the others. Humans strengthened by Mana Materials are sturdy, but a fall from this height will usually kill you unless you are Anthem.

Some of them may have their own countermeasures. So I don’t think all of them will die, but there are also non-combatants on this ship.

“Maybe Franz-san and the others are people who will be fine even with a fall like this?” (Cry)

“!? There is no way, that it is possible!” (Franz)

Even Franz-san’s tsukkomi2 didn’t have much of an impact. Just at that moment, Franz-san’s subordinates came back.

“It isn’t good, all the parachutes have been destroyed!” (Knight)

Term, that bastard, he really has been throughout…… I want to go back in time and start all over again from the member selection.

For the time being, I can save at least the Emperor and the Princess by using the Rebellious Carpet…… I think. For Kilknight…… I will let Kruz handle him. I can lend my Barrier Rings to some of them. But even with all that, there’s only so much I can do to help.

“Can you manage it if you jump with the intention of dying just before it crashes?” (Cry)

I half-seriously said those words, but the knights turned pale. Franz-san said to me as he crawled over to me.

“《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 you have to do something for His Majesty!” (Franz)

“…… Franz-san, despite your face, you are a good guy.” (Cry)

“!? I’ll kill you!” (Franz)

“Well, calm down, there is still time. My Magic could awaken, or we could fall into the water.” (Cry)

“We are already in the desert!” (Franz)

“…… I know! You have a bed, right? You know, you could tie the sheets around your hands and feet and glide around like a flying squirrel……” (Cry)

“Yo-Yowaningen, are you really saying this seriously, desu!?” (Kruz)

“…… Do your best and at least endure the fall, you know.” (Cry)

“Don’t put us in the same basket as a Level 8!” (Franz)

All my excellent ideas were rejected one after another. Even though if it were a member of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, they would have accepted it.

When I got up and looked at the window, I could clearly see the ground. It was a desert. Franz-san was right, it was a desert. I don’t know how many more minutes we have before we crash.

“…… Desert sand looks so soft, right.” (Cry)

“O-Oi! Don’t tell me you are out of ideas?” (Franz)

“…… Everyone, you are all relying on me too much, you know. You should think a little bit by yourself. This is why I told you it might fall, you know……” (Cry)

You know, I have been desperately trying to use my Magic to turn the airship into a bird for a while now……

Of course, I am a Level 8 so it might be normal to rely on me. But it is your life, so you have to protect it yourself……

For the time being, I will save the Emperor and the Princess by putting them on the carpet. No, wait. Since the Emperor can use Barrier Rings, I should give a Barrier Ring to the Emperor and put Franz-san on the carpet. Kruz is an Awesome People, so she will somehow be able to manage it.

For the rest of the members…… After all, they have to jump at the timing of the crash, heh. I don’t have any evidence, but depending on where you jump, you might be able to survive since the upper part of the airship is a balloon. Is it impossible after all?

I feel a lot of pressure. Everyone seems to be waiting for me to come up with a good idea. From now on, I think you should limit the passengers of the airship to only those who can survive a crash.

And there, I opened my eyes.

Outside the windows――The Sheet Ghosts were flying. People wearing tattered sheets were flying on a big kite, it looked like a big joke. It was a ridiculous sight.

Apparently, they didn’t get caught up in the Treasure Shrine. I gave a badass smile and snapped my fingers.

“It can’t be helped. I’ll do something about it.” (Cry)

I desperately sent my thoughts as I watched the Sheet Ghosts.

Lucia! Use your Magic to make the airship float! Lucia, if it is you, you can do it! An airship is just like a big balloon! I’m begging you, do something to make it fly! Luciaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

FootnotesKaa-san: It means mother.Tsukkomi: A comic act where you point out something ridiculous or silly that someone said.