102. Love of Fighting
A few days later.
After all the twists and turns, we got together in "Hidden Village" for the first time in a long time, but
「......I see. Philly is missing.」
Lilyza, who had returned from her training, muttered, her eyes slightly glazed over.
「I've gathered a fair amount of information in Bele, but it's far from conclusive.」
「But instead, according to the "B information" I received from the Tonelico's old man in return for fulfilling his request, there are some mysterious people gathered around "Jimina's Tower".
「By Jimina's Tower, is that tower on an isolated island in the Gulf of Hanaria, ...... west of Hanaria?」
「Yeah. According to Mr. Dolpone, over the past year, people from outside the island have gradually begun to settle there, and before long, the tower has become a "den of ruffians".」
「Jimina's Tower was originally built more than 150 years ago as a "lighthouse", but discussions with the residents of the small village at the foot of the tower didn't go very well. Instead of collecting taxes and other fees, a certain amount of autonomy has been granted.」
「For that reason, the residents of Hanaria would not go to Jimina without a good reason―Therefore, it has become a hideout for unknown people and criminals, but in some ways, it is more convenient.」
「It's easy to gather such "notorious", so it's easier to do something about it, huh」
Geographically, it was perfect, and I thought there is a point in that it would be more helpful to have them all in one place than to have them scattered around.
「The clues I'd seen before certainly included "Jimina's Tower" ― but Philly was headed to Bele, and what was this "Argos" that she said she left behind? I don't know.」
「...... might it be an observation device that the Union of Nobles was secretly working on?」
Suddenly, Jean mentioned something like that.
「I don't know the details either, but I have heard that they are developing folia in cooperation with a foreign company to observe the weather and investigate the flow of spiritual veins.」
「Hmmm. I see.」
It was rather suspicious, or rather ...... too fragrant, even artificial, but
「Anyway, if it's "suspicious," I guess you have no choice but to go there. It's just.......what about the members?」
There are too many people for all of us to act together.
And as for whether we need to do so or not, I can't decide at this point.
「Assuming Osada-kun will come with me――」
「If that's the case, I'll go.」
Lilyza came forward herself with a wry smile on her face.
I, for one, would be reassured if she were by my side.
「Well, then, could you accompany me? Fortunately, I know some people in Jimina, and I know the area.
「Then it's settled.」
「So we'll just stay here?」
Barbara said that but...
「Ah! If Barbara and Jean-san are going to stay in the village, why don't you help me and the other Korobokkuru gather materials?」
Nora said, and Jean and Barbara each agreed.
「Then, as soon as we're ready, we'll head to Jimina ― it'll take five days just to get there.」
Lilyza said, but...
「Fufufu―I thought something like this might happen, so I learned the folia of 【Transfer】 in Bele. I think we can head over there right now?」
When I said this, everyone in the room was surprised, 「「「Whaaaaaaaaaattttttt!?」」」, but...
「Ah! Did you have some kind of secret agreement with Tonelico's old man?」
Osada-kun has pointed me right in the eye, but
「I know the risk, but there are advantages for us too.」
I admitted. Then,
「Yuuto. I don't mean to criticize your decision, but――Mr. Tonerico is truly a "big businessman" with tremendous power and ability. I have a business relationship with him as well, but.......Be careful never to let your guard down around him.」
When she told me with a serious expression, I nodded to Jean, saying "I know that♪" but since her eyes were so serious that I had to pull myself together a little bit.
(Come to think of it, I can even use half-demons and divine beings ago(アゴ?).)
However, now that we have signed the contract, there is nothing I can do about it now.
「Then, let's get ready as soon as possible――Yuuto. Can you keep me company for a little while until we leave?」
When I received an invitation from Lilyza, I asked her, "Is this perhaps a 'nau~ughty invitation'?" I said in a playful tone.
「In a way, I guess it could be. I mean, I just wanted to reiterate that Yuuto is not the only one who has made rapid progress in the past few days♪」
She seems to be challenging me with a great deal of confidence, not overconfidence or condescension.
(Apparently, she has passed the level 20 requirement, though.)
How much has she improved her skills? I wanted to find out, too.
「Then, Liliyza. Can you try using the equipment I made for you? I'm quite proud of themー♪」
「Heh. For Nora to say that―maybe are you going to choke the life out of Yuuto?」
「Hey, hey, hey」
It sounds like a horrible thing to say, but we decided to meet up at the plaza on the outskirts of the village in 30 minutes and split up for now.
◇◆◆◆◆
...... I didn't mean to disrespect or underestimate her in the slightest. However,
「Goboaahhh!」
「Gahahhgg!?」
「Gaaaagghhhhhh!!!」
The "hands-on" to check on Lilyza's progress―but from the other side, it was nothing more than a gruesome show in which I was tortured one way and the other.
「W-Wait! You're taking it too far, Lilyza!」
Barbara, who was in charge of my treatment, said so, but
「Taking too far? At this level?」
The person herself was confirming the feel of her new equipment―the "Trias Armor" and "Tekkouken" created by Nora, but from the look on her face, she seemed to like them very much.
I, on the other hand, after being treated by Barbara, could not help but feel both frustrated and ...... pleased at the power of her blossoming talent and abilities.
「Lilyza ...... you. You really are the best! By the way, what level are you at now?」
When asked, Lilyza answered simply, "23." Jean, Luia, and Nora, who had been watching from afar, were astonished.
「In just 10 days or so, she's raised her level by 4...and unlike me, she's got a solid, down-to-earth "certain ability," which really pisses me off♪」(?)
「Well, I was actually driven to the point of almost dying. ......And what about you, Yuuto? Don't tell me you think you're getting stronger just because you've learned 【Transfer】?」
A blatant provocation――At that moment,
「Jean! Luia! I'm sorry, but please keep it under control there so the damage doesn't spread!」
I announced loudly and unilaterally, and immediately after that, I went behind Lilyza's back using 【Transfer】. But
「Naive!」
She must have been calling my thoughts because she easily dodged my attack, but...
「【Thunderbolt】!」
When I fired it at close range, even Lilyza couldn't dodge it and received a direct hit. But
「Wha!?」
I was sure she must have taken some damage, but Lilyza still punched me hard and then kicked me in the face with a kick on the bank.
I took it hard and was sent flying like a ball for a while―crashing back against a tree trunk. And then.
「Haaaaah!!」
Lilyza, with all the force she could muster in her right fist, came at me, but...
「――What!?」
It was Lilyza who muttered in a daze.
Of course she is.
「Too bad. It's a miss.」
In an instant. I, who had switched with a phantom using one of Nemu's folia 【Water Shadow】 with which I have a contract, kicked Lilyza in the back as if to repay her for what she had just done. And then...
「...... Fufufu. As expected of Yuuto♪ I thought you were always sleeping with women, but I'm relieved to see you're steadily getting stronger♪」
「No, no, no. As you have said, I've been using my lower body all the time,......, but I've had a few fights with strong enemies, so I can just barely stay on my feet.」
「Looking at you like that, you can fight more, can't you?」
「Of course♪」
To be honest, I was starting to enjoy fighting with Lilyza.
After that, we continued to fight each other without holding back at all - and in the end, we couldn't stop until the sun went down.
So, the plan to go to Jimina by the end of the day was canceled, and we had to leave again the next morning. ...... I think everyone probably realized that me and Lilyza, with our minds and bodies on fire, were going to have a "fierce night fight" after dinner.
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Tftc
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