It happened in the blink of an eye.
It was hard to believe things could escalate so suddenly.
The train exploding was already a major issue.
It was like our primary means of transport was obliterated, and more than anything, it made a loud noise that drew all the attention.
The Dragon Slayer might come.
I couldn’t be sure from this distance, but it didn’t seem too far from her nest.
But more importantly…
“Asti…!”
We had left Asti in the train to take a moment’s rest.
And of course, it had to explode while she was still inside.
With an explosion like this, I could only think of the horrific consequences she might’ve faced due to the intense heat.
This can’t be happening.
We’re losing a crucial character for our strategic assault this early…?
It wasn’t just the terrifying visuals that were troubling; Snow Castle is the sort of unforgiving game where one wrong choice can obliterate ten clearing possibilities.
There’s a reason they say starting without planning your skill tree and item slots is worse than not starting at all.
Who knows if it would take years to grind out?
And even more crucial than that…
“I was far too complacent.”
Even with a coward’s mode activated, I hadn’t even learned the basic defensive skills from the Knights, including Meditati.
Here I was, unable to protect myself properly, and I was thinking of leaving everything in the hands of a girl who had just escaped from slavery.
A girl who wouldn’t even be enough by herself should someone decide to hurt her.
I fell to my knees, my legs giving out entirely.
“…Tanton.”
Even Muyun called my name solemnly.
This really is a Dark Fantasy world we’re in.
Even with my super coward’s mode on, it seems this softness only applies to me.
“…Asti!!”
“Yes, Master. Did you call for me?”
Amidst the despairing thoughts, I suddenly heard a voice I hoped I wouldn’t hear.
“Uh…?”
“Eh?”
So, I wasn’t the only one shocked; even Muyun’s dazed voice echoed in my ears.
The voice was coming from right behind me.
As I slowly turned my head, I realized Asti was looking down at me, as expressionless as ever.
“Ah! It’s the Assassination Maid ghost!”
“…Don’t worry. I’m still alive.”
Asti said this flatly as I gulped air in disbelief.
How on earth are you still alive after the train exploded?
This is either a miracle or we’re definitely dealing with a ghost here.
“What the hell….”
“I was right by your side the entire time.”
“What do you mean?”
When I asked, Asti tilted her head in confusion.
“Huh?”
“I stay close to my Master. That’s what a maid does, right?”
I almost lost it hearing her.
After all, they mentioned her as an important character in the community, so it made sense she wouldn’t die so easily.
Reflecting on how Asti had acted just yesterday, it was clear she was no ordinary being.
So, it made sense that something impossible had ended up being a reality.
The conclusion was that I was relieved to know Asti’s safety at that moment.
“…Damn it!!!!”
Suddenly, a piercing scream rang through the air.
It was more desperate than when I thought Asti was dead.
Following the source of the sound, I saw the White Mask bent over in front of the train, hands pressed on the ground.
I wondered what had gotten into her, but it didn’t take long to realize her obsession with railroads was no laughing matter.
I learned this the hard way on our way here; she was a serious railfan.
I couldn’t even count how often she caressed the seats of the very train we were riding, filled with affection.
And here, the treasured train of hers had just exploded.
“…You dare mess with my nerves, Dragon Slayer.”
After she said that, a crashing sound echoed from behind her, almost like it was scripted.
Muyun turned and took several steps back, startled.
“Ah, so you’re here. I knew you’d come back.”
The Dragon Slayer had somehow made it here.
After such a loud explosion, it was odd she hadn’t checked on the surroundings.
“You’ll pay for daring to harm my maidens of honor…”
It sounded like she was about to deliver a pompous speech, but the words never left her lips.
She suddenly had to parry a swift strike aimed at her.
As the Dragon Slayer deflected the blow with her fan, the sharp sound of the impact rang out, startling everyone.
It was a narrow crescent cut that looked like a gap between dimensions.
This was the Meditati that the White Mask had shown Muyun on our first day here.
“…You really went and messed things up, you damn outsider.”
The White Mask’s voice was frostily sharp, more threatening than ever.
Even the outsider Dragon Slayer let out a stuttered “Gah…” in surprise.
But despite that, she was still an outsider.
“Who’s the one with the audacity here!!”
She hollered, obviously irritated, while Muyun instinctively covered her ears, and the White Mask lowered her posture as if to resist.
…And to think they were struggling to articulate amidst their irritation.
It seemed the White Mask had no space to back down, and perhaps the Dragon Slayer took her irritated words to be a signal for attack.
Drawing her sword that had been hidden until now in a flash, she lunged at the Dragon Slayer.
Bang! Bang!
The clash of the Dragon Slayer’s fan and the White Mask’s sword produced a strange sound, almost like the clunk of odd-sounding slippers hitting the ground.
It was absurd that a mere human would pit themselves against an outsider like this.
But given the White Mask’s strength, it proved that she was indeed a formidable foe who had honed her skills, equivalent to that of a Deputy Director in the Knights.
If anything, perhaps the White Mask’s accelerating strength gave her the advantage momentarily, pushing the Dragon Slayer back.
“Nggh…”
The Dragon Slayer seemed to put up a fight, but it was clear her balance had faltered.
Because of that, they both fell off the cliff, where we had once fought against the dragon.
“Master!”
“Lady White Mask! Tanton, we should follow!”
“Yes!”
After seeing Muyun jump down, I grabbed Asti’s shoulders, who had been silently watching.
“The station hasn’t collapsed yet, we should have a place to stay. Wait there for a moment.” (Tanton)
“…Yes. If it’s Master’s command.” (Asti)
I didn’t know why, but there was a strange sense of anguish on Asti’s face as she said that.
I had never seen that expression on her before.
If her goal was truly to take my life in a place where no one else is around, she really wouldn’t need to show me such a face right now.
Asti politely bowed her head and walked slowly toward the station.
Watching her tiny footfalls, I was intent on wrapping this up and returning safely.
Wait a minute.
As she hurriedly took a few steps away, I thought to check on Asti once more, only to see something odd.
Asti suddenly dropped a stone—the fuel of the train—from her hand onto the ground.
Why was she carrying that?
Didn’t she need to go up front?
But I didn’t have the time to dwell on it.
The situation was critical, and every second counted.
Well, maybe she just happened to pick it up while running.
With that as my last observation, I followed the White Mask down.
When I landed below, the White Mask was in a fierce battle with the Dragon Slayer.
However, it seemed impossible for a mere human to take on an outsider alone, as parts of her doll mask were torn, and she was gasping for breath.
“You’ve improved. Your skills have grown since the last time. It seems the concept of evolution spoken by the mystics isn’t just empty words…”
“I don’t know what you’re rambling about, but shut up, you dragon-head.”
“…I even made your face pretty. Are you still not satisfied? I guess I’ll have to teach you some manners.”
The White Mask, not understanding the outsider’s words, cut her off before she could even finish.
The two then resumed their clash.
“Hiya!”
It was probably her way of trying to unify her psyche despite her terrified expression, but the White Mask dove forward with her axe pulled back, preparing to attack despite the fear etched on her face.
It looked like the Dragon Slayer’s remarks had indeed paved the way for inspiration.
However, even while engaging with the White Mask, the Dragon Slayer skillfully managed to deflect Muyun’s attack with minimal effort.
Perhaps it might look different to them, but to me, it was apparent that she was using her fan to block Muyun’s axe and extending her vacant hand to deflect the White Mask’s sword.
“Damn it!”
“You two ganging up like this is shameless.”
The Dragon Slayer exclaimed that and then detonated something from her hand, causing both the White Mask and Muyun to be thrown back.
Fortunately, as trained knights, they landed smoothly without sustaining damage.
However, continuing this battle posed difficulties.
The White Mask and Muyun would also hit their limits, and it was risky to fight thoughtlessly without understanding the full capabilities of the Dragon Slayer.
“Human, are you in danger?”
Just then, Bell chimed in.
From observing the Dragon Slayer’s movements, it seemed borrowing the Gardener’s abilities again would end poorly.
Thus, the conclusion was that it would be more favorable to leverage Bell’s powers right now.
Quickly, I put the party whistle in my mouth, and the same strange energy began to swirl around me as it had during the Gardener phase.
Then…
“Human!”
At that moment, I felt something hopping onto my shoulder when Bell’s voice came from right behind me.
Not only that…
Lick, lick, lick.
I found myself being ambushed by Bell’s eager assault that playfully licked my face.
What I anticipated from Bell’s power was speed and her skills as a Watcher, those two traits.
How effectively those abilities applied to me was something I had to test out.
“Time for a walk!”
Bell suddenly shouted, and I felt a lightness spread through my body.
It was like all my muscles were finding an optimal position.
Simultaneously, the deformed eyes of the Watcher appeared over my doll suit.
And once those eyes collectively pointed toward the Dragon Slayer, I felt all my senses zeroing in on her.
“What, what is this!? How does a human have such power!?”
Taking advantage of the Dragon Slayer’s surprise, I leaned forward and loaded up my weight, then exploded into action.
I zipped forward in a flash, arms outstretched, aiming right for the Dragon Slayer’s horns.
Usually, I would be looking to facilitate her wishes through communication or unleash a linchpin in this world.
But…
“I absolutely despise those villainess stories.”
Especially those annoying protagonists who just cause collateral damage in romance fantasy.
As adrenaline pumped through my veins and the avalanche settled around us as if to illuminate our world, I smiled at the bewildered expression on the Dragon Slayer’s face.
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