Otherworldly Warriors Volume 3, Chapter 8

Chapter 8 - Tracking

　In the morning, I went to the Kenjutsu dojo as usual, and in the afternoon, I headed to the West Tower, but Ione was still coming with me.

"Ione, it's going to be dangerous after today because Shin will probably come after us, you know?"

"Yes. Then, even more so, I have to stay by Alec-san side, don't I?　I'm confident in my skills. I'm a licensed swordsman at the Welbard Kenjutsu Dojo."

　Ione, who smiled as she said this, was a beautiful blonde girl with a gentle appearance rather than a strong one. She looks better in a dress than in her silvery-white armor, but, well, she's certainly skilled. I tried my hand at it once, but I was no match for her.

"Do what you want. But I have the rare skill of [Charm]. I'm not as good as you think I am."

　Ione seems to have a thing for me, so I'll tell her that too.

"Aahh ...... that's why. I'm getting more and more attracted to you, so I was wondering why. Does that work on men too?"

"No, it's only for women I like."

"Oh. Then it's okay, because my father and Fritz both of them say that Alec-san is a good man."

　I don't remember doing anything that would make my reputation that much better, but I did help her kill the bandits.

"And you just said woman I like ......, that means you like me too, right?"

"Well, yes..."

"Fufu, I'm glad. I thought that I was totally different from your taste. But if that's the case, why hasn't that ...... you ever invite me out?"

"I'm afraid of your father and Fritz."

"Huh? I don't think they'd be offended if we got into that kind of relationship."

"I don't know about that."

"Then, I'm, going to leave home and become an adventurer."

"Hey, hey, ......, think a little more. Besides, aren't you the heir to the dojo over there?"

"Fritz is the number one disciple. My father doesn't seem to want to leave the dojo. He said he just likes to teach."

"I see. Well, I guess it is his vocation. He is a good teacher."

"Yeah.

"Well, okay. Then, follow me."

"Yes, sir. Please take care of me everyone."

"Oh, yes, same here."

"P-please take care of me too..."

"Yeah.

"Umu. best regard."

"Sylvie, you're different."

"What? That's terrible. You're the one who laid me out and made me your bitch."

"You make it sound like I forced you to r*pe you. You're the one who dragged me into the pit."

"Well, don't sweat the small stuff."

　I do.

"Lily, how it is?"

　I ask Lily, who has been watching my back for a while.

"Well, there doesn't seem to be his track."

"I see, that's fine. He's already in the tower anyway."

"Do you think so?"

　He's probably the type of guy who waits rather than moving around. Aside from being alone, It's easy to get noticed if you're following being in party. I was also noticed me when I followed Karen.

"Anyway, let's make sure that no one is alone and be careful."

　Serina was right. I nodded.

　We walked with caution and came to the West Tower.

"Let's go then."

　I walked in through the half-open door and relied on Meena's nose.

"It's okay. They're coming through here, but they're not close."

"How can you tell?"

"Because, I'm dog-eared race."

　Meena wagged her white tail happily.

"Can you retrace his steps?"

"I'll try."

　I let Meena lead the way and we moved in our usual formation.

　We took the shortest distance to the tenth floor and headed for the next staircase, but Meena got a little lost on the eleventh floor.

"Let's see……"

"Well, you don't have to be in a hurry. The sun will be setting soon. Let's take a break and get something to eat."

"Yes."

　We entered a small room in the safe zone and nibbled on some bread and cheese.

"I wonder if they are waiting for us in one of these small rooms?"

　Serina said, looking around.

"I don't know. They might attack us in our sleep, but if they leave a trail here, the adventurer's guild will be notified. They'll know he's not a monster. He doesn't want to be recognized as a PK, so he'll probably attack you on a floor with suitably strong enemies."

"I see."

　If possible, I want to get it done before it's time to go to bed. I don't want to stay up all night.

"Let's go, then"

　When everyone had finished eating and had caught their breath, we set off again.

"Master, I'm not very confident, but it might be this way."

"Yeah, let's go."

　If we can find them first, we can make a surprise first strike.

　But on the way, Meena twisted her neck.

"What's wrong?"

"It's just, the smell is gone here."

"Hmmm. Well, they know we have a dog-eared race, so they might have used an item to remove the smell."

"Hmm, they're tough."

"Yeah."

　He may look plain and unremarkable, but he's done well enough to buy three slaves solo. I hate to say it, but he's probably better than me at adapting to this world.

　However, I have friends here who are more capable, including Meena. His companions also seemed to be strong in their own way, but there were only three of them. There are five of us here, Meena, Serina, Ione, Sylvie, and Lily.

　If we're not careless, we should be able to fight with an advantage in numbers.

"Then the stairs are this way."

　Serina said.

"Okay, let's go up.

　We're currently halfway to the twelfth floor of this tower. It would be dangerous to go beyond that point, so it would be better to discuss what we should do together. Shin won't be able to stay in the tower for more than a few days, and he'll probably come down when he runs out of food.

　At this point, we just assumed that Shin would be upstairs, and didn't expect to be separated from us.

　We paid attention to the top of the stairs as we went.

"Ughh!?"

　I felt as if I had been kicked in the back of the knee of my left leg. There was no sign of anyone behind me.

　I immediately thought it was an arrow from a bowgun.

""Alec!""

"Master!"

"Alec-san!"

"G-Get ready for battle! Stay in formation!"

　I shouted as I fall.

　I was caught off guard when he attacked me from behind, but this wasn't the end yet.

　What would I do if I were in Shin's position?

　I know that everyone will be worried about me here and will gather around me, so I place my friends behind me, at the top of the stairs.

　Sure enough, a swordsman and an archer appeared from the top of the stairs as well.

"Damn, that's a new one! There's one at the top of the stairs. Two of them!"

　There was no doubt that they were Shin's friends, but I had never seen them before. And one of the swordsmen had dog ears.

　They got me.

　They've completely ambushed us.

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