Hikari suddenly jumped out from mid-air, catching me completely off guard.
In particular, she pulled me close to her as if no one else was around, saying things that were very easy to misunderstand.
Even though I had my back to everyone, and even though my body could completely conceal her petite figure, I couldn't stop the curious glances that kept coming from behind me, trying to pry into my life.
No way! Wasn't this girl quite shy when we first met in the miniature garden? How come she's doing something so bold now?!
"Don't look around!" Hikari forcefully held my head still, protesting softly, "I'm the one in front of you now, and I'm the one asking you questions. Don't look at anyone else!"
Although that's what I said, you little idiot, your face is really red right now, you know that? It must have taken a lot of courage for Hikari to do something like that, right?
I sighed inwardly, and gently enveloped the girl's slender, delicate hands with my lowered hands. Gazing at her increasingly flushed yet still stubbornly taut cheeks, I chuckled softly and whispered to her, "It's simple, because I don't want you to get hurt."
“But I also said that Hikari isn’t just a pretty face or a mascot. I also have my moments of purpose,” Hikari protested softly.
"Yes, I'm sure I've heard that."
"Then why..."
“But,” I interrupted the girl’s next questioning, “I understand this and hope that you won’t get hurt.”
The girl lowered her head and turned to one side, seemingly deep in thought, her expression mostly hidden in the shadows I couldn't see directly.
I continued, "You must have noticed, right? It was a gamble that Miyuki and I made at the same time. We were confident that we had a trump card that could turn the tide even in a crisis, so we were willing to put our lives on the table to face what might exist behind those attacking tendrils."
“But Hikari, you are different. I am not sure if I can protect you at the same time, nor am I sure if you have a way to escape or protect yourself. In that case, the best way is to send you away from the possibility of danger directly.”
"In that case, even in the most critical situation, I won't have to worry or be bothered about not being able to protect you, and I'll have the confidence to turn the tide in the face of any difficulty."
Hikari was silent for a few seconds, then puffed out her cheeks angrily: "...The way you say that makes it sound like I wasn't worried at all. Do you know how anxious I was when I was suddenly sent back! Seeing someone I knew about to be in danger, and then I was suddenly back in safety... Humph! Mr. Yumi is a big idiot!"
She abruptly pulled her hand away from mine, shrinking back as she tried to retreat the way she came. But after struggling for a while, she realized that it wouldn't change her current situation at all. In the end, she could only raise her eyes, which were brimming with tears, and look at me pitifully.
"I think I'm stuck..."
Hikari said softly, then hung dejectedly in mid-air as if all her strength had been used up. For a moment, I didn't know whether to comfort her or to hold back my laughter.
"What's so funny!"
Hikari glared at me, half annoyed, her face as red as a ripe apple: "It's just that the door was too small and got stuck! I rushed to learn this technique from Sister Yao, so what if there's a problem the first time I tried it!"
Yes, this is the first time I've seen someone get stuck in mid-air because they opened the void portal connecting the two ends too small. I suppose this deserves a place in the top 100 of "Examples of Foolish Spell Usage".
However, was it really possible to successfully perform Void Walk in such a short time? Although it wasn't a complete success, this talent alone is enough to amaze people.
Back then, I only dared to conduct my first actual test after studying the theoretical knowledge for a long time. Even after opening the door, I didn't dare to walk in directly. I tested it several times to make sure that the passage would not suddenly collapse or trap me in mid-air before I went in. In the end, something still went wrong.
That was definitely a bit reckless. I don't know if I should say something to this idiot... Well, I guess that old hag has already scolded him. Even if we don't have it now, we won't lack it later.
Just as I was thinking this, Hikari's clear eyes darted around in their sockets: "Oh right! 'Master of the Box Garden, after you come back, please don't think about running away. I need a quiet time to talk to you face to face... Yes, that's what Yao-nee said, and she asked me to make sure to tell you." She then gave me a pitiful look and gently shook my clothes. "Mr. Yumi, let's go together later."
Well, very well, damn it, I can't escape either.
A calm, light cough sounded beside us. The icy female swordswoman, who had been ignored by the two of us for a while, glanced at us with a cold face, holding her sword. "Although I don't really want to interrupt your conversation, if possible, could you please be a little more mindful of your behavior?" She glanced intentionally or unintentionally at Hikari, who was staring blankly at her. After noticing my gaze, she immediately turned her head to the other side. "It'll be our turn soon."
Following her gaze, one could see that the convoy that had previously stretched for hundreds of meters had now dwindled to only a dozen or so, and that number was still decreasing. This was because the convoys entering the city at this time were mostly small groups of scattered mercenaries, and there was not much cargo to inspect or guard against.
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