Anyways, we somehow managed to calm Elma down, then I tried to
give a rundown of the situation with Agartha but,
――Boing boing.
"So, uh, what's up with that…?"
"Mind your own business."
I was somewhat distracted by Elma's unnatural big breasts.
It seemed to be an air defensive wall given by Turbo-sama, but why
would she need to activate it now?
No, considering the earlier ruckus was caused by the topic of
breasts, it might be her protest action…
Still, just what kind of defensive wall was that…
Being together all the time since we were kids, I inevitably followed
Elma's growth in breasts department, and this look of hers felt very
incongrous to me…
As I released a little sigh at Elma turning her face away, I pulled
myself together and said, "Anyway, the only one left is the 'Axe' Saint
Boreios, but considering his movement speed, I think I can carry all
of you in Phoenix Form and still catch up to him. Isn't that right,
Shiva-san?"
"Yes. In the first place, the minotaur village is located deep
underground in an isolated island, and his swimming speed isn't at
alarming level, either. Well, whether it can be called 'swimming' is
another matter, though."
"Why? Is his way of swimming weird or something?" Tirna—who was
poking Porco-san's belly—asked, looking interested.
Shiva-san shrugged her shoulders, "Yes, it's weird… no, amazing
would be a better way to put it, perhaps," and said, "I mean, he's
running on the ocean floor. Furthermore, he's as fast if he's on land."
"!"
Yep, that was definitely amazing.
But I don't think that counts as'swimming'…
As I was thinking inwardly, Zana nodded, "I see," and said, "In other
words, there's a possibility it'd turn into an underwater battle, right?
But I think that'd give us a big advantage."
"Yeah. It's possible depending on the situation. There's no need to
go out of our way to fight on equal grounds with him," said Shivasan.
"Fumu. In that case, Exa can first incapacitate him in underwater
battle with Tirna's"Superior Arms", then have Ophir purify him with
her Holy Armament—I think this is the safest and most effective way
to go about it at the moment, what do you think?"
To Arca's proposal, the girls nodded one after another.
Though as they did, a couple of people raised an objection to this
strategy.
"H-hang on!? If we do it that way, I wouldn't get a turn to activate
"Superior Arms", would I!?"
"E-exactly!? If it's about moving underwater, I can do so as well! Aand, to be safer, I think it'd be best if we engage him at long distance
with my"Superior Arms", don't you agree!?"
Yes, they were Ophir and Magmell.
So far, due to time constraints, I only brought a minimum number of
people to take down the saints.
And now that restriction was lifted, it'd be best to switch to a safer
strategy but…
"However, Magmell wouldn't be able to move that fast, and if Mr.
Cow is running at the same as speed as on land, he may be able to
avoid large-scale long-range attacks. Visibility is also a matter of
concern. With all that taken into consideration, I'm the most suitable
one to deal with him."
"Ugh…"
As Tirna puffed up her small chest, Magmell clenched lips, looking
vexed.
However, there was still one other person needed to be persuaded.
It was Ophir, who had the same rare skill of"Axe"as Boreios, "Ooi, what 'bout me!?"
"There'd be no point for you to fight underwater to begin with, Ophir.
Beacuse only on land can you bring out your full power. Your attack
power would also be the highest among us, then."
"W-well, that's natural." Ophir grinned, scratching her nose.
"No, what are you grinning for? She's basically saying you're
excluded from the battle, get it?"
"Wha!?"
At Elma's retort, Ophir opened her eyes wide, shocked.
◇ ◇
Meanwhile.
Having absorbed both Terra and Fluga, Phinis was searching all over
the world with her sense, which had been sharpened thanks to Terra
and Fluga's powers.
Needless to say, she was looking for the 'Sword' and the 'Shield'
Saints.
The 'Shield' was one thing, but she couldn't get how the 'Sword' was
able to conceal his presence from her. But that was fine.
Because she had found a person… no, 'people' to substitute for him.
"Oh…? This is…?"
At that time, Phinis suddenly picked up something.
Although it was weak, she sensed that that the number of presences
in the northern town had increased by one.
"Ufufu, I knew you were there…" Phinis sunk her body into the black
aura under her feet, laughing happily.