Chapter 96

Oh no, oh no, oh no! There's no change! Is it not working!?

Gandora raised its head. I can see Koushin and Rada approaching. If this continues, they'll be in danger too. Is there anything! Anything!!

I think while riding the horse. Then, Gandora bent its knees with a thud. The heavy sound of its head falling was like a thud. Good, it's down! It's hitting its face, but it won't wake up from the impact. It started snoring like an earthquake.

"Koushin!"

I caught up with the two in front and jumped off the horse. I sent Blanca and the others running to escape. Koushin was trying to move the unconscious or sleeping beastman, who was limp. Rada was also trying to pull him away from Gandora, panting.

"His legs!"

I look at the beastman's legs at Koushin's voice. They seem to be stuck. I crouch down and put my hands on the ground, pouring magic to soften the earth. The legs came out with a squelch. Koushin put in a strong effort and started dragging him.

If we can just keep this up...

But my wish was in vain, and the snoring stopped.

"Raito!"

Rada gasped. Just a little more, please stay asleep! I turned around and was about to throw the last sleeping potion.

"Whaaah!"

Whether it was a yawn or what, it let out a big breath. That's all it did. But my body was lifted and rolled backward. I rolled and rolled.

"Damn it!"

When the momentum slowed, I adjusted my posture. Koushin is fine. The beastman's body was heavy, so he wasn't thrown. But he's the closest to Gandora. Rada, who had fallen over, seemed to be okay. She came running, half crying. At times like this, she doesn't run away or faint. She has some guts, doesn't she?

"Cough, Raito...!"

Koushin, who had inhaled the dust, coughed and looked at me. No, no, you shouldn't be worrying about me right now!

Gandora raised its head. Is the anger gone?

"No way!"

Seeing Koushin take a step towards it, I ran. Koushin was desperately trying to move the beastman. Damn it!! You guys, remember this!

"Fall!"

Fortunately, its steps were slow. I poured magic into the foot that was bearing its weight. As a hole opened with a thud, a pain shot through my head. Gandora, with one foot stuck, groaned.

"Just a little more, stay asleep!"

I threw the sleeping potion I had been holding onto its face.

"This is a bonus!"

I took another one from my magic bag and threw it. An experimental mental stabilizer. The pink smoke mixed with the green smoke from the sleeping potion. I felt a little dizzy for a moment. Oh no, it might be affecting me too. I hurriedly moved away. As I retreated and looked back, I saw Gandora snoring again.

Please stay asleep. And when you wake up, please forget. A third time is impossible. I can't train Gandora. Please, just go away.

My legs gave out with a thud. I could barely keep from falling face-first. My legs wouldn't move.

"Raito!"

As I was panting, Koushin called me. Are you awake already? As I turned around, my body floated. I thought, "Again?" but it was different. Koushin was carrying me. For some reason, it was a princess carry. I didn't have the energy to comment. You could just carry me like a bag...

"Raito! Are you hurt!?"

We hid behind a rock that could shelter us. As soon as we arrived, Rada clung to me.

"Ah, probably fine. Magic exhaustion."

My head hurts, so don't shake me. I'm not in pain now because I'm hyped up, but I'll probably have muscle aches later.

"How about Rada? Are you okay?"

Rada nodded.

"Scratches only."

"I'm fine too. Thanks to Raito."

Koushin nodded. I see. That's good. Both of you were so close. Well, I know it's a bit much to say, but you guys really did a good job going right up to that big one.

"Raito, we're moving."

Koushin, who had been watching from behind the rock, said in a low voice. We peeked together.

Gandora raised its head. Thanks to the mental stabilizer, it slept longer than the first time. It looked around and tilted its head cutely. Then it tried to move and saw its foot stuck in the hole, tilting its head again. It pulled its foot out with a squelch, yawned, and slowly started to turn. Tension ran through us as it faced the direction of the thorns. But Gandora walked slowly towards the forest of evil as if nothing had happened.

I let out a breath I had been holding.

"It worked somehow."

"Give me a break, Raito."

Koushin slumped against the rock, his face covered in dirt, looking at me.

"I thought my heart would stop..."

Yeah. Which part? No, all of it.

"Sorry. And thanks."

For going along without complaint.

"Both of you, good job."

We removed the cloth covering our mouths and laughed, covered in dust. At least we're safe. Even though it was a matter of life and death, it's not worth risking your own life.

The problem now is the beastman lying at our feet. We managed to save him. He doesn't seem to have any major injuries, but he shows no signs of waking up. He must be a tank because he was holding a shield, but his other equipment is simple.

"By the way, where's the shield?"

It's not nearby. When I asked, Rada said, "It was too heavy to lift." Ah, that makes sense. It must be strong enough to withstand such attacks. But we should pick it up; it's probably the most valuable thing he has.

"Should we wake him up?"

I tapped his forehead, but he didn't move.

Come to think of it, we should have given him a recovery potion and made him run. But he was unconscious at the time. Does a recovery potion have a wake-up effect? It might not have been in time even if we had used it after a stimulant.

As I calm down, I can see various points to reflect on. But as usual, it all worked out in the end.

Tap, tap, tap, tap...

He won't wake up.

Grrrrr.

Instead, his stomach gave a loud response. Not snoring, but his stomach growling. What should we do?

While I was pondering, Koushin went to retrieve the horses. He said they were huddled together on the road, behaving well. When they saw us, they came running and pushed their noses against us. Yeah, yeah, you were scared. You're smart and brave, the best horses.

I brought out a bucket and gave them plenty of water. I'll give them some food too. How about some carrots? None of the three seem to be injured. Oh, right. Don't forget to give them recovery potions too.

"Uuuu..."

As we started preparing a meal, the beastman finally stirred. He stretched leisurely, rubbed his eyes with both hands, yawned, and opened his eyes. Lying down, he looked at me, Koushin, and Rada in turn, and his stomach growled. No, no, no. No matter what, the tension is gone.

"Do you want to eat?"

At the question, his face lit up. He immediately started feeling around for something.

"Sorry, I don't have any on hand."

Ah, he was looking for his wallet. His ears drooped.

"It's okay. I'll treat you. I want to hear your story too."

"Sorry... Hey, weren't you at the Adventurers' Guild?"

He's not wearing a hood now. He seems to have recognized me. Well, height is a big feature. And you remembered me.