Roughly six months have passed since I began living with my master.
We were both quiet, and the words we exchanged with each other were not many.
But...
We have communicated eye to eye, heart to heart.
My master and I can communicate without words.
At least, that's what I believe.
Maybe my master does, too.
The look we exchanged just before Master started fighting the bald man.
His gaze, just as sharp and stern as always, told me.
This is a new challenge.
When I understood this, I felt ashamed of myself.
I wanted to be strong, I wanted to have the strength to survive, and that is why I became an apprentice to my master.
I had hoped to be saved by my master without fighting myself.
No, you don't. You don't.
You will overcome this level of crisis by your own strength.
Even if you call yourself my disciple.
Saying that, the master's gaze was reprimanding me.
Because of that reprimand.
I can do it.
That was proof that the master thought so, that he believed in me.
I was happy.
...... I understand, Master.
I will not expose you to any more nonsense.
As your disciple, I will show you the unashamed result.
This situation of being taken hostage and having your life in their hands.
The power I have gained in the six months I spent with my master ...... I will give it all out.
I will overturn this with my own power!
◇ ◇ ◇
“Come, come! ...... I will subdue you!”
With these words from Guru Dahachie, the battle between the two began.
Emmy's master closed the gap between him and Dahcie in an instant, without a sound, and unleashed his fists one after another.
Each blow contained a deadly amount of [Magic Strike].
It is a fist that shatters even a rock.
However, Dahachie is also a first-class influential person who has survived as an assassin.
He continued to handle Master's fists.
However, Master's number of moves were overwhelming.
Dahachie was unable to adjust his offensive stance, and was gradually pushed back....... But he smiled wryly.
“...... What?”
Master, sensing an imminent danger, jumped back.
Then, when he readjusted his fist to Guru Dahachie again, and that's when ...... blood trickled down from a cut on his right arm that had appeared before he knew it.
“Ha ha ha! What a pity! I was going to take one of your arms! I guess the power of the "legendary" is not all talk!”
Dahachie laughed loudly, convinced that his power could reach the man.
“But unfortunately, your style of getting into your opponent's bosom with just your body is really not compatible with me! My "special ability" to cut through anything and everything without anyone noticing, [Invisible Slash]!”
“Ah!”
Before Dahachie could finish, the man jumped and retreated even further.
The ground on which the man had just been standing had been cut open by something invisible, leaving a deep scar.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha! Do you see, my precious God! I am strong! I will not let that man stand in my way! Will you please reconsider your guiding hand, even now! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
With a loud laugh, Dahachie wobbled his hands as if he was conducting.
Each time he did this, the ground around Master, under his feet, was ripped open, and the tree on his back was severed in half.
The man was unable to understand the principle of the [Invisible Slash]...... But in fact, he unconsciously determined the location of the attack based on Dahachie's posture and line of sight, avoiding them.
(.....I can't get close to him.)
Here, for the first time, sweat appears on Master's forehead.
It was not a good match.
Indeed, Dahachie was right.
Master's ability in close-range combat is overwhelmingly higher.
However, he was blocked by the [Invisible Slash] and couldn't get as close as he would like.
In addition, he had his beloved apprentice as a hostage.
This made the man impatient.
A warning was put in place however the other party was a religious cult that didn't grasp logic or reason.
You never know when or if they might go out of control.
...... To be honest, if someone were to ask if Emmy and this man were really communicating with each other just by eye contact, the answer is no.
So far, it just happened to work out somehow.
They were both taciturn and didn't care about trifles, so even if there was a misunderstanding in their thoughts, they just didn't care.
This time was no different.
The man did not expect Emmy to try to get out of the hostage situation on her own, not even for a moment.
He just took one worried glance at his protégé.
That was all.
But Emmy did not take the man's gaze that way.
She assumed it was a challenge, a reprimand, and a sign of trust.
............ Emmy's challenge from her master who doesn't even remember giving her such a task, begins…!
◇ ◇ ◇
<<It goes without saying that you're going to reverse the situation, Emmy ......! >>
I was still being restrained by old man No.2 while watching my master's battle.
A sharp knife was still held against my neck.
<<How do you plan to escape from this restraint?>>
Certainly, that is a difficult task, Omake-sama.
But it's a task my master gave me because he believes in me!
Surely there's a solution somewhere ......!
“Hey kid…Don't move. Don't think about unnecessary things either.”
“.............”
The old man who was restraining me, Old Man No.2, increased the force with which he was twisting my arm, and placed the knife more forcefully against my neck.
The skin that had been strengthened by the [Body Strengthening] did not get even a scratch from a random blade, but if it keeps being pressed down with such a strong force...... I'm sure I'll have at least a blue-black bruise by now.
Now, what should I do? What should I do?
Should I be more focused, more precise in [Body Strengthening] to the point that a knife can't cut my neck ......?
<<That is reckless, Emmy. No matter how much [Body Strengthening] is done, its strength is not absolute. Perhaps this man, this priest Ogado, is also a professional fighter ....... If that is the case, then it should not be difficult for him to smash through your defence and inflict a fatal wound on you.>>
Then, should I invoke [Flying Locust] and jump away in an instant?
Activate [Mantis] and slash the Old Man No.2's arm and escape?
...... No, I can't.
Both require a preliminary planning.
If I even flinch a little, I will be crushed by Old Man No. 2, who would strengthen the restraints before I can even activate them.
[Magic Strike] ...... Also the same.
[Paper Fish] ...... This is not a useful technique in such a situation.
Even [Intimidation] is ...... I'm sure that Old Man No.2 is not going to be intimidated by a little girl's [Intimidation] even if I used it.
Think, think ...... Think what you can do!
Fortunately, Old Man No.2, who was holding me, had been ordered by that bald Guru to keep me in check.
It is an order from his own boss.
He will not harm me against it.
In other words, I still have time!
...... I do, don't I?
“...... Hah, hah......! Oyasama...... Are we there yet...... Quickly, quickly, I want to cut off her head...... I want to offer my soul to our precious God......!”
Oh, Oh my god!
Old Man No.2 is breathing more heavily than before, and if you listen carefully, he's mumbling something awful!
He's starting to express his murderous desires in full force!
<<It looks like we're running out of time ......!>>
Think, think, think, think ......!
Think about what you can do!
Grab it with your own power!
My life, my future!
What have I been doing for the last six months?!
What have I learned !
<<But, Emmy, those are all the skills you've learned! You have no chance to use them now that you've been captured!>>
Omake-sama screamed.
<<Emmy, it's frustrating, but after all, you still don't have the power to do anything about this situation right now. ...... The outburst of this man called Ogado or something like that is frightening, but all you can do here is to wait quietly, believing that your master will defeat the enemy. ...... >>
Oh, no! Don't say that, Omake-sama!
This is a challenge from my master!
It's an expectation that the master has placed on me!
<<Even so, Emmy ......! >>
I would never betray that!
Absolutely not!
I can't just sit here and watch my master fight!
I will fight with him!
“Huh! ......! Hey, kid, I said don't move! I can't take it anymore ......!”
Ugh......!
Old Man No.2's restraints have tightened even more.
I can't move.
I can't do anything.
This really means that the only thing I can do is watch my master fight.......
…
Ah.
I see.
<<Emmy… ?>>
In front of me, my master and Baldy were fighting. Master was blocked by [Invisible Slash] and couldn't get close to Baldy. Avoiding Baldy's attacks with a fine line, he continues to move as if he was dancing.
If it weren't for these circumstances, I would have liked to watch him more closely.
The master's every move is refined and beautiful.
It is not only his bodily movements.
His manipulation of magic power, which is usually invisible to the naked eye, is also precise, lean, and wonderful.
The solution to this situation.
It was precisely in the battle that was unfolding before my eyes.
However, it is not the master's wonderful fighting technique that is noteworthy.
The clue to the solution,
It was the very "thread".
Roughly six months have passed since I began living with my master.
We were both quiet, and the words we exchanged with each other were not many.
But...
We have communicated eye to eye, heart to heart.
My master and I can communicate without words.
At least, that's what I believe.
Maybe my master does, too.
The look we exchanged just before Master started fighting the bald man.
His gaze, just as sharp and stern as always, told me.
This is a new challenge.
When I understood this, I felt ashamed of myself.
I wanted to be strong, I wanted to have the strength to survive, and that is why I became an apprentice to my master.
I had hoped to be saved by my master without fighting myself.
No, you don't. You don't.
You will overcome this level of crisis by your own strength.
Even if you call yourself my disciple.
Saying that, the master's gaze was reprimanding me.
Because of that reprimand.
I can do it.
That was proof that the master thought so, that he believed in me.
I was happy.
...... I understand, Master.
I will not expose you to any more nonsense.
As your disciple, I will show you the unashamed result.
This situation of being taken hostage and having your life in their hands.
The power I have gained in the six months I spent with my master ...... I will give it all out.
I will overturn this with my own power!
◇ ◇ ◇
“Come, come! ...... I will subdue you!”
With these words from Guru Dahachie, the battle between the two began.
Emmy's master closed the gap between him and Dahcie in an instant, without a sound, and unleashed his fists one after another.
Each blow contained a deadly amount of [Magic Strike].
It is a fist that shatters even a rock.
However, Dahachie is also a first-class influential person who has survived as an assassin.
He continued to handle Master's fists.
However, Master's number of moves were overwhelming.
Dahachie was unable to adjust his offensive stance, and was gradually pushed back....... But he smiled wryly.
“...... What?”
Master, sensing an imminent danger, jumped back.
Then, when he readjusted his fist to Guru Dahachie again, and that's when ...... blood trickled down from a cut on his right arm that had appeared before he knew it.
“Ha ha ha! What a pity! I was going to take one of your arms! I guess the power of the "legendary" is not all talk!”
Dahachie laughed loudly, convinced that his power could reach the man.
“But unfortunately, your style of getting into your opponent's bosom with just your body is really not compatible with me! My "special ability" to cut through anything and everything without anyone noticing, [Invisible Slash]!”
“Ah!”
Before Dahachie could finish, the man jumped and retreated even further.
The ground on which the man had just been standing had been cut open by something invisible, leaving a deep scar.
“Ha-ha-ha-ha! Do you see, my precious God! I am strong! I will not let that man stand in my way! Will you please reconsider your guiding hand, even now! Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!”
With a loud laugh, Dahachie wobbled his hands as if he was conducting.
Each time he did this, the ground around Master, under his feet, was ripped open, and the tree on his back was severed in half.
The man was unable to understand the principle of the [Invisible Slash]...... But in fact, he unconsciously determined the location of the attack based on Dahachie's posture and line of sight, avoiding them.
(.....I can't get close to him.)
Here, for the first time, sweat appears on Master's forehead.
It was not a good match.
Indeed, Dahachie was right.
Master's ability in close-range combat is overwhelmingly higher.
However, he was blocked by the [Invisible Slash] and couldn't get as close as he would like.
In addition, he had his beloved apprentice as a hostage.
This made the man impatient.
A warning was put in place however the other party was a religious cult that didn't grasp logic or reason.
You never know when or if they might go out of control.
...... To be honest, if someone were to ask if Emmy and this man were really communicating with each other just by eye contact, the answer is no.
So far, it just happened to work out somehow.
They were both taciturn and didn't care about trifles, so even if there was a misunderstanding in their thoughts, they just didn't care.
This time was no different.
The man did not expect Emmy to try to get out of the hostage situation on her own, not even for a moment.
He just took one worried glance at his protégé.
That was all.
But Emmy did not take the man's gaze that way.
She assumed it was a challenge, a reprimand, and a sign of trust.
............ Emmy's challenge from her master who doesn't even remember giving her such a task, begins…!
◇ ◇ ◇
<<It goes without saying that you're going to reverse the situation, Emmy ......! >>
I was still being restrained by old man No.2 while watching my master's battle.
A sharp knife was still held against my neck.
<<How do you plan to escape from this restraint?>>
Certainly, that is a difficult task, Omake-sama.
But it's a task my master gave me because he believes in me!
Surely there's a solution somewhere ......!
“Hey kid…Don't move. Don't think about unnecessary things either.”
“.............”
The old man who was restraining me, Old Man No.2, increased the force with which he was twisting my arm, and placed the knife more forcefully against my neck.
The skin that had been strengthened by the [Body Strengthening] did not get even a scratch from a random blade, but if it keeps being pressed down with such a strong force...... I'm sure I'll have at least a blue-black bruise by now.
Now, what should I do? What should I do?
Should I be more focused, more precise in [Body Strengthening] to the point that a knife can't cut my neck ......?
<<That is reckless, Emmy. No matter how much [Body Strengthening] is done, its strength is not absolute. Perhaps this man, this priest Ogado, is also a professional fighter ....... If that is the case, then it should not be difficult for him to smash through your defence and inflict a fatal wound on you.>>
Then, should I invoke [Flying Locust] and jump away in an instant?
Activate [Mantis] and slash the Old Man No.2's arm and escape?
...... No, I can't.
Both require a preliminary planning.
If I even flinch a little, I will be crushed by Old Man No. 2, who would strengthen the restraints before I can even activate them.
[Magic Strike] ...... Also the same.
[Paper Fish] ...... This is not a useful technique in such a situation.
Even [Intimidation] is ...... I'm sure that Old Man No.2 is not going to be intimidated by a little girl's [Intimidation] even if I used it.
Think, think ...... Think what you can do!
Fortunately, Old Man No.2, who was holding me, had been ordered by that bald Guru to keep me in check.
It is an order from his own boss.
He will not harm me against it.
In other words, I still have time!
...... I do, don't I?
“...... Hah, hah......! Oyasama...... Are we there yet...... Quickly, quickly, I want to cut off her head...... I want to offer my soul to our precious God......!”
Oh, Oh my god!
Old Man No.2 is breathing more heavily than before, and if you listen carefully, he's mumbling something awful!
He's starting to express his murderous desires in full force!
<<It looks like we're running out of time ......!>>
Think, think, think, think ......!
Think about what you can do!
Grab it with your own power!
My life, my future!
What have I been doing for the last six months?!
What have I learned !
<<But, Emmy, those are all the skills you've learned! You have no chance to use them now that you've been captured!>>
Omake-sama screamed.
<<Emmy, it's frustrating, but after all, you still don't have the power to do anything about this situation right now. ...... The outburst of this man called Ogado or something like that is frightening, but all you can do here is to wait quietly, believing that your master will defeat the enemy. ...... >>
Oh, no! Don't say that, Omake-sama!
This is a challenge from my master!
It's an expectation that the master has placed on me!
<<Even so, Emmy ......! >>
I would never betray that!
Absolutely not!
I can't just sit here and watch my master fight!
I will fight with him!
“Huh! ......! Hey, kid, I said don't move! I can't take it anymore ......!”
Ugh......!
Old Man No.2's restraints have tightened even more.
I can't move.
I can't do anything.
This really means that the only thing I can do is watch my master fight.......
…
Ah.
I see.
<<Emmy… ?>>
In front of me, my master and Baldy were fighting. Master was blocked by [Invisible Slash] and couldn't get close to Baldy. Avoiding Baldy's attacks with a fine line, he continues to move as if he was dancing.
If it weren't for these circumstances, I would have liked to watch him more closely.
The master's every move is refined and beautiful.
It is not only his bodily movements.
His manipulation of magic power, which is usually invisible to the naked eye, is also precise, lean, and wonderful.
The solution to this situation.
It was precisely in the battle that was unfolding before my eyes.
However, it is not the master's wonderful fighting technique that is noteworthy.
The clue to the solution,
It was the very "thread".
