Chapter 400 – Let's Encounter

◎ Tsuvara Kingdom, Vessa Plateau

The time was 8:30 am. After their break at the foot of the Jiritia Mountains ended, Kazane and the others started racing across the Vessa Plateau on Yuuko-nee's Thunder Chariot II; Hippomaru-kun, which was previously in the Mysterious Warehouse, was pulling the carriage.

Since this Thunder Chariot II was being used thanks to synchronization with Kazane's Skills, it had the same shape as Kazane's Thunder Chariot and was larger than the Thunder Chariot that Kazane first obtained.

Naoki was sitting in Thunder Chariot II's coachman's seat, while Kazane and Tatsuo were inside. And both of them were currently sleeping. Furthermore, Yuuko-nee was curled up and sleeping on top of the carriage.

Both Kazane and Yuuko-nee were sleeping to heal their fatigue and absorb natural magical power. This incident wouldn't be resolved simply from catching up to Yumika and the others. Naturally, they would have to confront the mastermind afterwards, so now was the time to save up their power.

Anyway, Kazane was currently sleeping, and as the sounds of her sleep breathing came from inside the carriage, Naoki was extremely troubled. Moreover, Kazane's『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』was taken off and set aside; in other words, Kazane was only wearing underwear under her futon.

If she turned over in her sleep a little, the futon might slip off. But right now, Naoki had to be vigilant of the surroundings and control Hippomaru-kun.

Fundamentally, Hippomaru-kun operated almost automatically, but Jinrai said that it seemed to move better when a person was holding the reins and steering it. And from his own experience, Naoki also understood that.

(Uu, I want to look. Uuu, but I have to fulfill my role)

Naoki's conflict continued. He knew this wasn't the time for such a thing, but after staying up all night, Naoki's self-control was slightly off. Or maybe it was as usual.

「Mmm」

And as Naoki was conflicted, together with Kazane's sleep breathing, he could hear the sound of slipping cloth behind.

(Oooh, seriously? Dangerous…. but the front…)

Something had happened. He understood that. And he could hear further sounds of something gradually slipping. That was likely the sound of the futon falling off. In other words, that meant… perhaps Kazane's underwear figure was uncovered? Naoki was conflicted. Kazane was trusting in Naoki and sleeping. He couldn't betray that expectation. However, wasn't it fine to get a reward? What to do?

「Ah, oops. My bra's shoulder strap came off. Up you go.」

A voice like that came from behind the conflicted Naoki, and immediately after, there was the sound of rustling. And when he said「Eh?」and turned around, there was only a round mass of futon. Apparently, Kazane had curled up in the futon and fallen back asleep.

(Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa)

And the lament of Naoki's heart resounded in his brain. Wasn't that a once in a lifetime opportunity? Wasn't that a scene deserving of pressing his brain's REC button and viewing? Naoki shouted that in his mind.

(Ooh, God. Why are you giving me such a trial?! Dammit, dammit!! ….Nn?)

And Naoki shed tears of blood, but something appeared ahead of his line of sight.

「What… is that?」

It was a cloud of dust. He could see it ahead of them on the plateau. And that cloud of dust looked like it was gradually spreading to the sides. Furthermore, he started hearing a rumbling noise, and the ground seemed to be vibrating. Naoki sensed that a tremendous number of somethings were approaching.

「A, Aneki! Danger, something dangerous!」

Realizing the identity of the dust in front of him, he panicked and shouted at Kazane behind.

「Mu, what? What in the world?」

Kazane suddenly raised her body and woke up.

「There's a huge cloud of dust in front of us. It seems dangerous. Or rather, that's due to Issenman Buffalos, right?」

「Muu」

After Naoki's words, Kazane also looked ahead. Then Kazane activated her Circlet of Wisdom's Remote Viewing to peep at the beings creating that cloud of dust and replied「Yeah, those are Issenman Buffalos.」She also grumbled a few words at Naoki.

「Rather, couldn't you have looked with your own Remote Viewing?」

After Kazane pointed that out, Naoki said「Ah.」

「Aah, that's right. I forgot.」

So saying, Naoki also activated the Distant View earrings he was wearing.

Thereupon, in Naoki's mind, he could certainly see the figures of cattle with huge, sharp, protruding horns heading toward them. Dozens of them were running side by side in the front, with considerably long lines of more stretching behind them.

「As it is, we'll collide with them. What will we do, Aneki?」

After Naoki's words, Kazane pondered. However, she only thought for a slight amount of time before she opened her mouth.

「Let's break through.」

Kazane answered simply. Naoki's eyes widened.

「Are you serious?」

It was natural for Naoki to say that. The scene he saw with Remote Viewing was obviously dangerous. But Kazane nodded after Naoki's words.

「Since they're coming at us from the front like this, it seems like we'll be caught even if we try to avoid them by going to the left or right. We could temporarily make a U-turn, get some distance, then slip through by flying with Dragonization, but I don't want to waste time or Magic Power right now. If we charge head-on and cut through the herd diagonally, I think we can pass through.」

While analyzing the situation, Kazane replied to Naoki.

「Moreover, they can't U-turn easily, so we should be able to manage. For that reason, Naoki. Face forward.」

Kazane told Naoki that. The battle was about to begin. She had to put on her armor. It was time to change clothes.

「Oh, right.」

Then Naoki turned to the front, but Kazane glared at Naoki,

「You're not planning to activate your Distant View Earrings and look this way, right?」

She said that. Like his heart had been seized, Naoki's expression stiffened.

「Of, of course not.」

Replying like that was the best Naoki could do. He hadn't turned them toward Kazane yet, but the thought had crossed his mind. Acting without being noticed by Kazane's『Intuition』wasn't easy. The likes of Naoki's wicked thinking would be instantly exposed.

「Alright!」

When Naoki's gaze was gone, Kazane stripped off the Indestructible Futon. Then she called out「Berserk Ogre, please」to the『Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor』beside her.

Thereupon, the armor moved on its own as it stood up and covered Kazane's body; without pause, the metal fittings opened and closed by themselves as it was put on Kazane. It was armor with a fully automatic equipping function. It was convenient, but a little scary to look at. Tatsuo was a little worried that his mother would be eaten by her armor as he watched. By the way, Tatsuo's imagination would become reality if a person who wasn't acknowledged by the armor tried to wear it.

「Husband's Full Burst!!」

Lights of the seven prismatic colors were emitted by the countless crystals growing on God Dragon Emperor Naga toward the dust cloud in front of them, and a shock ran through the Issenman Buffalo herd.

Name: Yuihama Kazane

Occupation: Summoning Fighter

Title: Ogre Killer, Dragon Slayer, High Beast Summoner, Rea King, Liberator, Guardian

Equipment: Staff 『White Blaze』, Draghorn Tonfa x2, Dragon Eating Ogre Army Armor (True), Indestructible Cloak, Mysterious Pouch, Crimson Saint Coffin, Heroic Spirit Summoning Ring, Circlet of Wisdom, Aim Bracelet, White Magic Accumulator (Revised) ×2, Rainbow Necklace, Rainbow Dragon Ring, Angel Bracelet

Level : 39

Health: 155+20

Magic Power: 363+520

Strength: 78+45

Agility: 80+39

Endurance: 44+20

Wisdom : 75

Dexterity : 53

Spell : 『Fly』『Torch』『Fire』『Heal』『Firestorm』『Healer Ray』『High Heal』『Golden Dusk「Dragon Exclusive」』『Mirror Shield』『Rabbit Speed』『Flare Mirage』

Skill : 『Kick Devil』『Kick Decapitation Wave』『Warrior's Memory: Lv2』『Night Vision』『Crushing Blow』『Dog's Sense of Smell: Lv2』『Golem Maker: Lv4』『Aegis Shield』『Fire Principle: Third Chapter』『Healing Principle: Fourth Chapter』『Air Jump: Lv2』『Killing Leg: Lv3』『Fear Voice』『Invisible』『Tiger Eye』『Wall Walking』『Intuition: Lv2』『Cheat Death』『Nimble』『Charge』『Material Shield: Lv2』『Information Link: Lv2』『Optical Camouflage』『High Dash』『Bloodsucking Blade』『Dragonization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Regenerate』『Soul Breaking Blade』『Stealthy Hand Placement』『Thunder Chariot: Lv2』『Sturdier Teeth: Lv2「Dragon」』『Crystallization: Lv2「Dragon」』『Devil King's Intimidation』『Stone Minotaur: Lv2』『Mega Beam: Lv2』『Space Expansion』『Pseudo-Silver Creation』『Poison Claw』『Fireball「Dragon」』『Cuticle「Dragon」』『Arms Creation: Black Flame』『Ingredient Connoisseur: Lv3』『Dragon Pheromone「Dragon」』『Boost』『Monkey's Strong Arm』『Two-sword Style』『Boobies Plus』『Living Armor』『Alarm』『Six-sword Style』『Mental Attack Complete Protection』『Spider Web』『Wire Cutter』『Flexible』『Magic Power Absorption』『Red Body Transformation』

Kazane:「We'll cut through without stopping.」

Naoki:「Issenman Buffalo? I wonder if they're delicious?」

Kazane:「… Shall I get some takeout?」