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c85: One Step Above
Having taken Eclair’s group prisoner we’re currently the closest to victory.
What to do, I think about our formation as it greets that group of Eclair as prisoners.
I feel like it’s fine even if we’re penetrated while defending in this manner for a while.
I suggest that to Till to see her reaction and, she shot it down directly.
「With that wouldn’t this eventually turn into single combat. Because we presently have three colors this can be called a chance for total victory. People who stay to defend, cannot grasp victory you see.」
And, Till’s small body bent back raising her breasts as she spoke so, I was convinced that that was also so.
Furthermore, I feel that in single combat with Kran or, possibly Ilya or such as an opponent, that seems tough for me.
「……I understand, then leaving one pawn, everyone will set out to attack after this.」
This is a double edged sword.
If it’s handled poorly we’ll lose soon.
「Nn, it’s okay master. Since if the enemy comes I’ll kick them away.」
Having become a prisoner Aim did a thumbs up.
Though it sounds promising, since that, would be a loss for breaking the rules right?
Don’t do it okay?
「Was this game that dragon girl’s suggestion?」
「It seems that oneechan and Ilya discussed it together I suppose.」
「Kufu, certainly that sort of consideration is like that girl. You appear to be quite adored.」
Adored……?
Ma, maa it’s fine.
Ilya certainly is older.
By just one though……
「So, would it be best as expected if we attacked starting with Ilya then?」
「If you feel as such then, we should go with that.」
Mou, Till’s as strict as always issn’t she.
She won’t give a simple reply to what I say.
「With the target as that dragon girl, it will not be worth talking about if each member moves as they please? Like with that demon girl’s team.」
Till sent Eclair a no good with her gaze.
On the other hand as if maybe Eclair couldn’t hear such a thing, her heart was elsewhere.
「……My room, did I clean it?」
Eclair, it doesn’t matter whether your room is messy or not right now you know.
Moreover I’m fine with either one you know.
As long as Eclair is there, that’s fine you know.
「But I was thinking this though, that if she’s being chased Ilya should have an overwhelming disadvantage shouldn’t she.」
It’s not that we’re fighting, the objective is just to touch after all.
「That kyo……swordsman is there I assume.」
Kyo……?
While Till groaned like she was having difficulty breathing, she looked at me and rephrased her word.
「It’s simple game but, those who cannot apprehend the group movement necessary for this will lose you see.」
As expected it’s important to move the maid-sans isn’t it.
Ilya’s probably the king isn’t she.
And so the queen is oneechan.
If have the maid-sans face Ilya without a plan, it seems that oneechan will systematically touch them all.
And once the pawns are lost, there won’t be anyone left to stop the king.
「Furthermore it’s also not assured that Kran won’t play her hand is it……」
I really don’t think Kran will watch silently until I’ve finished settling matters with Ilya.
In reverse, if I finish settling matters with Kran first, I feel that it seems that Ilya won’t wait for me.
……That sort of thought is, naive issn’t it.
I’m taking Ilya lightly areen’t I.
「Yosh, the one to target really is Ilya! I’ve decided!」
「Then how will you move the team?」
I nodded once to Till’s test like question.
「Leaving one maid-san, the remaining members will head toward Ilya’s area.」
「The defense is essentially alone then, given that it is over when our base is attacked.」
Receiving Till’s question that seemed to be confirming that, I looked at the maid-san.
「If you receive a surprise attack, immediately contact me. Please hold out for 10 seconds.」
「10 seconds……」
The maid-san’s eyes were confused.
When Till heard that she made an amused smile.
「Is that not against the rules?」
「……I didn’t say I’d attack with magic. I’ll just jump over.」
「Kufu, weaving through the gaps in the rules is a proper act I suppose, isn’t it fine with that?」
And, I was praised by Till.
Praised?
Being praised by Till, my face slackens doesn’t it……
「……An adorable person.」
Whatever she thought while looking at my expression there, Till smiled bitterly as if she were looking at a poorly performing student.
「Saa, let’s go.」
「Haii.」
With that sort of reason, we came to target Ilya and oneechan.
If we defeat Ilya’s group here, the need for further attacks will go away.
If we return to our base and firm our defense until there’s the finish signal, it’ll be our win then.
There would be no further need to boldly fight Kran.
From the maid-sans I sent out to scout, I’m able to discern their general position.
To determine the match with that, while we carefully took the surroundings into consideration, we closed in on the enemy base.
「Mu……?」
Till suddenly stopped and her sharp ears sprung up and down.
……Can she hear something?
Is her hearing ability more exceptional than a humans?
This charm is like a dog isn’t it.
Cute……
「Fumu.」
Whatever it is Till is gazing at the ground.
There doesn’t seem to be anything particularly strange though?
The surroundings are outside of the grassland area, around the entrance to the wooded area.
Since it’s an ideal location for the opponent to hide in, we certainly can’t let our guard down though……?
Without concerning herself with my curious seeming gaze, as Till ran her eyes over the environs’ trees she nodded as if she had convinced herself.
「……Did something come up?」
「No? I thought this was about the area where that dragon girl’s sphere of influence reaches.」
Mu～.
Something’s suspicious issn’t it.
「……Maa it’s fine. Everyone, as Till said Ilya’s group’s base is near. Go while focusing all the more from here okay!」
Maid-sans answered my words with a sort of reply that had plenty of spirit.
There’s thus no mistake that they can give more than an even match in battle.
I nodded remembering my satisfaction, we faced the enemy base in that manner and advanced our legs.
Advance――
「HyaAAAAAAa!?」
We didn’t……
Just when we advanced a few steps, it suddenly felt like the ground at our feet may have swollen up and we dangled in the air due to a rope net.
「Thi, this is……! What a classic trap!」
But if you think I’ve been done in, don’t underestimate me!
By all means don’t underestimate me!!
「You all, it would be good to remember this. This is letting your guard down.」
「If you knew then please teach us alright!?」
Even though I don’t want to carry out negative example teaching!
Was the strange behavior before about this!?
「――Ara, you thought it would be fine to get caught so, ojousama personally came to get caught didn’t you? I am grateful.」
「Ilya!」
And so the culprit’s form has finally appeared from within the forest.
Shining golden hair blinding to the eye, an elegant seeming smile, because it is her who has that appearance she’s like a young lady.
At this point she’s a girl at a level where rather than my right arm, it would be better to call her half my body.
「――Since you like this sort thing donn’t you, Alice.」
Oneechan has her hands behind her head and, is also coming out from behind Ilya while glaring over here.
Or rather……
「It shouldn’t be that I like this you know! That’s a false accusation!」
Please stop speaking of people like a comedian alright!
Or rather, it’s unexpectedly difficult to fix my posture while dangling suspended in mid air, I can’t exit the trap simply.
It feels like, the time hanging unable to do anything after leaping into a bungee jump.
「We should harden the defenses in our base area for now is it.」
Till’s glare at me is cold and, I’m in a state where Ilya’s evaluation of me is falling to a degree.
……Miserable.
「Hai, great teacher-sama. Since I knew they were coming to attack, I predicted the environment and invasion route and had this prepared in advance.」
「That is indeed like you.」
In being immobile be like a mountain……That is exactly Ilya!!
Moving the maid-sans well, is this sort of thing is it.
「This, this sort of……this is cheap!」
「But ojousama, there’s no rule saying that setting a trap is forbidden so.」
This side is also weaving through the gaps in the rules too.
「U, UUUuu!」
「Even if you look at me in such a reproachful seeming way……you are too cute, ojousama.」
It’s no good, without magic it’s impossible for me to escape from this situation with my own efforts.
Think, think Alice!
You still haven’t lost!
I can still, fight!
Ilya, is in front of her prey because of this situation right now……It’s that sort of situation!
I’ll teach you that fearsomeness for you!
From here is a single strike with heaven and earth staked upon it!
Desperately spinning my head, I bet upon a certain possibility.
Taking out the king exclusive communication magic stone, I resolved myself.
「Coome, Krann!!」
My voice echoed, within the mountains.
Ilya and oneechan and everyone as well, what is this person saying, they made that sort of face.
――But, a miracle occurred.
「――Fufufu, to mistake the timing of an appearance is what is called a daikon actor. Alice, I join in answer to your appeal.」
「Kran!」
Below pink colored hair, a princess-sama with a fearless smile.
Appearing in this location is the third power.
That group showed their faces while coming out of the forest from a different direction from our or Ilya’s group.
Within that there’s also Saira’s form making a flustered face while looking at me dangling in a rope net.
……Fu, it seems like I showed a pathetic side of mine didn’t I.
Forgive me okay, my people.
This is your goshujin-sama.
「So you really came, noble daughter. Did you come aiming to steal a fisherman’s catch?」
「For Ice and Snow-dono, if this can be handled without fighting then that is the optimum hand. At the least, I have not found value, in competing on the battlefield.」
「Kufu, interesting. Then perhaps it is as that holy knight merely anticipated.」
On that note since before my o-shishou-sama has had no desire to do anything but observe and discuss though hassn’t she.
Perhaps it’s my imagination issn’t it.
As Till looked up toward my struggle with lukewarm eyes, she blew out a sigh.
「And? Do you intend to engage in a three color fight here?」
「I do not mind, there is a chance at victory.」
「I suppose so, then how about we make the one called Alice the extra prize?」
Why me!?
「Objection!」
「It is rejected.」
It seems like they won’t admit the objection to the extra prize.
Or rather, what is an extra prize?
Unreasonable!
……As I’m unable to take bodily action I’m no different from koi on a cutting board though.
Perhaps her eyes caught my anxious seeming face, Kran looked at me and――expressed a sadistic smile.
I don’t like this……
I think the smile right now is suspicious.
It’s suspicious isn’t it?
「I suppose so then, for example, dressing up Alice and admiring her or such――or maybe tickling her down to her limits or such?」
Wait wait!
「Now that you mention it, what comes of tickling a person to their limit then?」
「Oneechan!?」
「It was a joke.」
Stop having strange curiosities!?
「……To do something like tie ojousama with rope and, tickle her to her limit on a bed.」
Ilya……?
Tie with rope, was added on but, that is?
Why are you making a face like, your interest was piqued……
If a human’s limits are surpassed and such a thing is done to them, surely you can imagine as much as that it won’t become anything beautiful!?
I don’t want to I don’t want to I doon’t want to!!
「It is a, touch then.」
「――Eh?」
At the point where my face was turning pale from imagining such a thing, Till naturally, went about and touched Ilya’s maid-sans like it really was completely ordinary.
That lack of presence and movement without any unnaturalness, no one noticed it.
Regardless of how it’s said that their attention was taken by other matters, it was abnormal.
With that excessive lack of unnaturalness, it’s enough to make me think that on the contrary, it’s unnatural.
While I was taken aback, dread ran down my back.
……What height, is this person at?
「……Impossible, has a person of your level become serious? Ice and Snow-dono.」
Perhaps Kran also felt a shudder as expected, she lost her expression.
「As play is fun because it is done seriously, if I do not do as such then it would simply be a waste of time. Ma, such a thing as wasting time is a trivial matter to me. In any case, I will not avoid accompanying you after all.」
「Speaking of wasting time, there’s no one who surpasses Till is there!」
「Alice, even if I win I will tickle you down so, it would be best for you to look forward to that.」
「……Hai.」
That’s wrong, how to say this, Till relaxes me.
That’s why I keep on saying things that it’d be better not to say.
How to say this……maybe, I think, she’s really like a mother……
「As this location’s pawns have been annihilated, with this ojousama’s defeat or, the stopping of Krancesca-sama is impossible isn’t it……」
「……Incredible isn’t she, that elf o-chibi-chan.」
Of course Ilya and oneechan couldn’t hide the surprise in their appearance.
……This is, perhaps, a chance!
It seems like Till has taken their attention this time but, I have always been measuring the timing for my escape.
I finally managed to right my posture, I searched for an opportunity to escape through the rope net’s opening in the sky overhead.
That is now.
In truth, I’ve only been caught so I still haven’t lost.
The match isn’t known until it ends.
When things become pathetic this has been said since long ago hasn’t it?
It’s not the one who is strong that wins, the one who wins is strong!
With Ilya’s group’s threat half eliminated for the present, I decided my aim by betraying Kran who had purposefully shown her form in response to being called out.
The objective is――with her ears hanging while still not having become calm, Saira.
If the queen is taken, that will put everything to rest right?
「Haa!」
I jumped out of the rope net with a moment’s gap, using a nearby tree trunk as a foothold, I set my eyes straight at Saira and flew to her.
「Alice!?」
Kran raised her voice but――It’s already too late!
「Wa waa!?」
While I felt pity toward her as Saira flusteredly made a commotion, I touched Saira without hesitation.
Fu, don’t think poorly of me okay?
This is also competition.
「――I forgot to say this but.」
Kran narrowed her eyes and, spoke to me.
「Saira is, a pawn.」
「………………Ha?」
「Eto, touch nya, Alice-san.」
Touched by Saira as if she were clinging to my sleeve, I looked at that arm as if to confirm.
……The silver ribbon that marks the queen wasn’t attached.
Looking over the surroundings, I saw a silver ribbon wrapped around the arm of one member of Kran’s team’s maid-sans with an apologetic face.
……Which means?
「Is this not Alice’s loss?」
「This can’t be, such an unnfaaiir!!?」
Kran also reeaached a gap in the rules!!
As I had done an unneeded deed, Till responded to me with a lavish sigh.
In the end, without overturning Kran’s superiority, Ilya’s group was also overcome as such.
Within this world there exists a being one step above.
Modestly, without letting her guard down, and occasionally boldly.
I want to become, such a person……
「It’s already impossible, since it’s impossible! ……Aah, Hyaa! Stoo!!」
And so that night, I cried and screamed in Kran’s bedroom.
「Kusu, there was worth to using a precious day off. Alice……Please cry out with a cuter voice.」
「NOOOoo.」
Even though there shouldn’t have been a penalty game to begin with, at Kran’s residence it endlessly……That is, various things were done to me.
And so as I was served up in that manner…………Eclair was well?
She became reeaally sullen didn’t she?
She did didn’t she……
If you can’t protect your promises you won’t become an adult.
I want, to become……such a person――
「――Nnn! Kran, it’s already no good……let me off……」
「……You excite me, Alice. That crying face, you don’t show that simply to anyone but me do you?」
I nodded with a tired out, and probably befuddled face.
A fully satisfied seeming face and an apologetic seeming face, Kran snuggled into me while making a complicated expression.
「I went too far. Please forgive me, Alice……I love you.」
「……Un.」
And so like always, Kran acted passionately.