Volume 2 - CH 451

10-37. Weakness

“…However, I want to share this information with others.”

“I agree. Let’s return at once.”

Talking only among ourselves won’t accomplish anything. Let’s regroup and reassess the situation.

Ideally, I’d like to start searching for them immediately, but some individuals might have already exhausted their magical powers, and without being in perfect condition, winning would be difficult. It’s frustrating, but it seems better to follow the two of them here.

I glance around. The ground is torn, the earth split, and the location where the Garott Kingdom once stood is in complete ruin. There are large craters where the Daichi no Mushi walked, and they’re still burning. It will take considerable time just to repair this damage.

What will happen to the citizens of Garott Kingdom now? I must consider that too… Are Asure and Bart safe? The fact that Houen came here should mean they are, but I should ask just to be sure.

“Houen, how is it, the people?”

“We only had a conversation with Asure-sama and Bart-sama. Since the Garott Kingdom has turned out like this, there is going to be another talk again. …When I woke up, they were by my side. They are alive.”

“I see, that’s a relief.”

The voice of the sky seemed to hover in the sky for a while but didn’t do anything in particular. If it had gone on a rampage there, many nobles would have died. It seems like it was just a whim, and we were fortunate to be spared.

At this point, we only know the abilities of the Voice of the Heavens and the Voice of the Earth. We haven’t grasped the abilities of the Voice of the Sky and the Voice of the Land. Considering the possibility of clashing again in the future, it’s essential to have as much information as possible about our enemies.

To discuss this, we need to reunite with everyone. After the battle, our bodies feel heavy, but we manage to walk somehow.

The citizens of Garott Kingdom had a tough time, being blown away or injured by debris, but many of them seem to have regained their composure after understanding the situation. Of course, some are still overwhelmed by emotions, but lamenting won’t change the current situation. They will gradually calm down as well.

In this situation, it’s impossible to explain everything. Even if we tell them to accept the current situation, no one will readily understand.

However, those who observed us closely while we fought and protected others remained calm. It might not change anything, but it’s comforting to know they’re composed.

“… There are many injured.”

“It can’t be helped, considering the repeated blasts of that magnitude.”

“… I suppose there’s no need to hide anymore. Recovery magic.”

“I don’t think anyone is trying to attack you now. Besides, in response, even if you use that skill, it won’t be detected.”

“I see. 【Kouiki Chiyu】  ” (Wide Area Heal)

I activated a magic circle large enough to encompass all the citizens of the Garott Kingdom. Green flowers bloomed, bursting forth and absorbing the injuries. In an instant, their injuries were healed, and everyone was restored.

Though many were still surprised, it seemed to calm down many of them. Everyone was in chaos and anxiety, and this beautiful skill appeared to soothe their hearts.

Healing magic really does affect the mind as well. It seems like my skill hasn’t been detected, so it’s fine for now. Unfortunately, we can’t save those who have died, though.

Once everyone’s recovery is complete, I’ll close the magic circle.

After walking for a while, we heard a voice calling us from a distance. Mana was sitting there, holding Alena and Iubora. Both of them seemed to have fainted.

Noticing them, we rushed over and called out.

“Are you alright!?”

“We’re fine. Alena just fainted after hitting her head. Thanks to your skill, she’s completely fine now. We just need to wait for her to wake up naturally.”

“That’s… good. sigh…”

Around them were Yurie, Roze, Lize, Pacc, Ricc, Racc, and Starhorse, all looking battered, and also Karna and Theik were there.

Finally, I noticed Uchikage lying there.

“… How should I explain this…”

“No need for an explanation.”

“Huh!? You woke up, didn’t you…”

Uchikage, sitting up with a groan, spoke in his usual tone. Maybe that was a slip of the tongue.

With this remark, he might realize that Tenda has died.

… I didn’t intend to hide it, but it’s difficult to talk about. I didn’t know how to convey it.

So, I could only apologize.

“I’m sorry…”

“Ouren-sama, please don’t apologize. It’s his decision.”

“But I wasted all that effort. We were so close… we were so close…”

“There’s still a chance. I’ll be there next time too.”

It didn’t seem like he didn’t mind at all, but I could tell he was considering my feelings.

Uchikage must be feeling the most pain, yet he treated me as if nothing happened. Even if he blamed me more, I couldn’t say anything.

Despite everything, Uchikage was interacting with me in his usual way. He might be trying to distract me even a little, but I wonder where he finds such composure.

His brother is dead.

And it was me who sent him to his deaths.

“…Aren’t you angry?”

“If getting angry would change the situation, I’d yell… But that would be a lie if I said I’m not concerned about Tenda. However, we have enemies we must fight. This is already war. It’s natural for comrades to die. But we must not let their deaths be in vain… Ouren-sama, for now, focus on that alone and act accordingly.”

“…Understood.”

I still haven’t fully come to terms with it… But there’s only one thing to do now.

Defeat the Voice.

I set that as my goal and give it my all to achieve it.

This is the only way to not let the deaths of those who fought and died be in vain.

I made the vow again in my heart.

I will definitely kill them.

The determination to kill, something I’ve never experienced before, gives me a sense of calm.

“Sorry… Can I interrupt the conversation for a moment?”

“Are you okay, Lize? You look beaten up.”

“Thanks to your recovery magic, I’m fine now. Only my clothes are in tatters.”

Lize approached hesitantly and spoke to us.

It seems like she fainted from the pain at that time and was protected by Yurie and Roze.

She woke up a little while ago, seemingly during the time we were fighting the Voice of the Earth.

“So, what happened?”

“Well, you see, I have a special skill called ‘Hunting Instinct,’ which allows me to discern the weaknesses of my target. I saw you all fighting in the distance, so I decided to use that skill on the Voice.”

The Hunting Instinct displays the weaknesses of the target in red.

So, when she used it on the Voice of the Earth, she should have been able to see its weaknesses. But something strange happened.

“I thought it might be difficult to tell from afar, but I thought I could somehow figure it out since it would be displayed in red. But when I used it on the Voice, everyone around here lit up in red.”

【 Eh? 】