Dark Fantasy: Super Coward Mode

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The meeting wrapped up after just outlining a rough story.

Considering it had been a long time since a being altered the ways of humanity, rushing in with a complete plan after just one day felt pretty reckless.

Today, we merely crafted a strategy on how to confront our opponent, leaving the details for later.

As I walked out of the Knights Headquarters, I noticed Muyun trailing behind me; she seemed eager for a response to her earlier remark.

Hmm.

If this keeps piling up like this, it might really turn into a big deal.

Maybe it would be something if I followed what Paura said, but there’s no guarantee that others would comply.

Sigh.

Alright.

“Miss Muyun.”

“Y-Yes.”

Seeing her stiffen with a flustered voice made me feel a bit guilty, but I figured I should put that matter aside for now.

First, humanity had to survive; whether it loved afterward or not was secondary.

“We’ll discuss that after this war is over.”

“…Huh?”

“Depending on my answer, you might feel differently, right? If I accept here, you might get so happy you make a mistake, and if I refuse, it could really bring you down.”

As soon as the word ‘reject’ came up, I saw Muyun visibly shudder.

Cough.

It was somewhat sad to see her so easily swayed by my words.

Muyun was also someone who could be swayed by her emotions, but she wasn’t someone without thoughts.

Luckily, she nodded as if my point made sense.

“You’re right, Tanton. I’m sorry… I was too hasty…”

“No worries. I will definitely give you an answer after this war.”

I placed my hand on Muyun’s shoulder.

Blushing and stumbling over her words, she looked embarrassed, but it was something that had to be said.

“So you must survive. Absolutely.”

“…”

Did my wish reach her?

Muyun pulled back her emotional side slightly and nodded seriously.

“Yes, I understand. I’ll survive for sure!”

After saying that, Muyun grabbed her heavy axe and started swinging it around as she ran off.

Knowing her personality, she was probably rushing off for training right away.

“…No rejection, huh?”

Just then, a chill voice tickled my ear.

It was Fiore’s voice.

“Ah, n-no. I explained the reason earlier….”

“You were so resolute to her, yet you’re this kind to her?”

Ah, no.

Wait a second.

“Bark! You’re such a discriminatory human!”

“…But I like that Leydan.”

“Wait a minute!”

It was supposed to be a strategic stance, yet here I was being pushed into the garbage bin?

It’s true I was acting like trash, but still!

And Apta, don’t take advantage of the confusion to say things like that!

Thud, thud.

At that moment, I heard quiet footsteps behind me.

This is it.

I had discovered the one and only gap to escape the pressure from the Divine Race!

“Nutricia! Where are you going?”

“…?!”

Calling her exaggeratedly made Nutricia tremble and shoot me a resentful look.

Sorry, Nutricia.

To put out this fire, someone has to grab the fire extinguisher.

“Hey, hey, you garbage!”

Unfortunately, it seemed Nutricia realized my intent, as she gritted her teeth and spoke.

But the water had already spilled.

The eyes of the Divine Race fixated on me, and I started getting the reactions I desired from them.

“Now that you mention it, I had something to discuss with her as well.”

“Right. Wasn’t the one to be called before us this child?”

“Really? Hmm, that’s quite interesting.”

Fiore and Zumiya displayed a hint of hostility, while Paura and Bell followed them with amused smiles.

Nutricia could only tremble, unable to do anything.

Then Apta, who had been hovering above my head, sighed and joined them.

“…Be gentle.”

I finally sighed in relief after the four from the Divine Race left.

So, I managed to buy myself another day.

#

Returning to the branch office, I borrowed the multipurpose room.

I needed to discuss matters with the Divine Race.

Sitting between Paura and Bell, I kept stealing glances at Nutricia, who wore a world-weary expression, but thanks to her dedication, I could now discuss the main issue at hand.

In honor of her sacrifice.

“So, what were we gonna talk about now?”

Fiore sighed as she placed her hand on the paper I laid out.

The paper I had on the table was a map of the Empire.

This map was something I received when I met with the Saint before.

I have no idea where one gets such a thing, but I was grateful for it as it was helpful.

“I’m planning to draw up a strategy before going to intercept the Second Princess.”

“Was that ordered by the Knight Commander earlier?”

“Yeah.”

Since I knew all about the Divine Race, they wanted me to whip up a strategy.

In reality, the Divine Race seemed the only ones not going insane and were the ones I got along with best, but I wasn’t really smart enough to make those plans.

It’s like a math professor struggling to solve high school math quickly.

“Actually, Paura and Nutricia’s roles are clear. Nutricia can revive the knights who have been rendered incapacitated due to mental contamination, and the knights’ physical recovery and ability enhancement will come from Paura’s food.”

Paura and Nutricia nodded as if that was the case.

They excelled primarily as healers rather than fighters.

Having experienced all of this firsthand.

So, with their help, I genuinely believed no combatants would die.

“But how should we arrange the rest of us to fight effectively?”

I nodded at Fiore’s question.

I had never seen their combat capabilities.

I had only seen Fiore make a half-hearted attempt to chase me off.

Zumiya had fought with the White Mask but hadn’t gone all-out due to a bit of guilt.

Bell was always busy fooling around.

And Apta couldn’t engage in direct combat.

What this meant was if I carelessly placed them and told them to fight, some knights could vanish without a trace.

It was like miscalculating artillery coordinates and ending up with friendly fire.

Their attacks had a wide range, so they particularly required careful attention.

“Can we even fight as the main body? I heard that the closer the main body gets to humans, it becomes quite lethal.”

“Nutricia will handle that. If she diligently manipulates the unconscious….”

“Wait! Then I’ll be the one overworked!”

Nutricia had been quietly listening, but she exploded, slamming her hands on the table and standing up.

I was aware of her grievances.

But if we didn’t do this, it was evident something similar to the Snow Mountain expedition would occur.

Did she understand my heart? The Divine Race collectively glared at Nutricia.

At that gaze, she froze.

“So, you’re saying you won’t do it?”

The pressure from Fiore particularly was fierce, causing Nutricia to scrunch up and sit back down.

Nutricia was a frequent visitor to the Gardener’s Park.

If she displeased Fiore, she could be banned from entry.

Sigh, I really feel bad for her since earlier.

I started thinking that I should gift her something later.

“Bark! Let’s just smash it!”

Bell’s simplistic suggestion, although a pure thought, elicited only a bright smile from me.

She tilted her head as if my response was strange.

“Leydan wants to save that girl too, Bell.”

As Apta stroked Bell’s head and spoke, Bell opened her mouth in a dazed manner.

Since we were talking about battle and war, she probably thought we were just heading out to fight and win.

“Huh, this is really difficult.”

Bell scratched her head, looking sad.

Yeah.

There were so many factors to consider that I couldn’t figure out what to do.

“Hmm. By the way, have you thought about that?”

“What kind of thing?”

Hearing Fiore’s words, I tilted my head in doubt, and she sighed.

“Considering your reaction, I guess you haven’t thought it through. Who’s going to approach the princess?”

“First, it’ll be me.”

“You wouldn’t go alone, right?”

“Uh… right?”

Fiore nodded and gestured for me to hand her some paper and a writing instrument.

Rushing to provide those to her, she began scribbling something down while muttering to herself.

“First off, the Knight Commander absolutely cannot go. She needs to lead the knights. It’s a sad fact, but neither can we. With so many knights to support, we can’t afford to leave for even a moment. Your maid could accompany us halfway, but her abilities would match that crazy woman’s, so in the end, she’ll have to stay back and add to our strength. This means we have this much power left.”

Calling the torturer a “crazy woman” must’ve been Fiore referring to her.

In fact, only three names were jotted down on Fiore’s paper.

Hunter.

And Apta.

…It was incredibly curious that they were composed of the same individuals who started in the Underground Prison.

Fiore handed me the fully written-out paper and said,

“Alright, now that it’s roughly decided, what do we do?”

Fiore shook her head as she looked out the window.

“Go fetch the Hunter.”

 

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