It took one full day to get through this forest and arrive at the nearest town. If we kept walking without needing to rest, we might be able to get to the city a lot faster.
But, of course, as a true protagonist, trouble will always come our way. It was at that time when I was walking vigilantly with my traveling companions when I suddenly heard a scream from far away and I immediately went to investigate the source of the screams.
At first my comrades dissuaded me, but I am a kind-hearted person who would never abandon someone who is in trouble. Of course, I will go to save them.
When I got there, I saw a noble's daughter being attacked by bandits. As someone who had killed a dragon like me, the bandits weren't that big of a deal. I beat them all in the blink of an eye.
The duchess was in awe of my heroism and suddenly she said that she liked me and wanted to make me her husband. However, I am the hero who will defeat the Demon King, my way is cruel, so I refused with the excuse that I should leave to protect this world and help others.
After that, together with my comrades again, we continued our adventure. Until finally, one day we will definitely save—
"—Hey, Riku, why does your face look even more stupid than usual? Oh, could it be that you're having hallucinations from this pollen? You really are careless… [Recovery]."
After Alicia cast [Recovery] magic on me, my eyes opened wide.
I woke up fast. "Cecilia!" I shouted, with an outstretched hand that seemed to be trying to grab something.
"Cecilia? Who's that? Don't say something stupid. Break time is over, let's set off again."
"…."
Since Alicia said that, without being able to complain, we continued on our way. The woman naturally climbed onto my back and I also carried her naturally as if it was only natural.
Seeing this relationship, makes me want to cry.
"H-Hey, what's wrong? Why are you suddenly crying?"
"Nothing."
Please take me back to that hallucinatory world!
****************
Like that, our journey back continued.
There really wasn't much trouble on the way, as Alicia asked the spirits to show them the way with the least amount of danger.
It's just too boring. So, to kill my boredom, I chatted with Estella who was walking beside me.
"Hey, Estella, since you can turn into a child like that, can you also return to your adult body again?" I asked and she looked at me like a walking trash.
Geez, I was just asking. You don't need to be that cold, right?
Do you want me to punish you again?
Perhaps, instinctively sensing a signal of danger from me, the girl let out a resigned sigh. "Well, I can. But that is if you return my powers."
"Is that so? By the way, if your power returns will you still be under my control?" I asked with a straight face.
"Why do you ask that? Stop it, you're scaring me! What exactly are you planning to do with my adult body?!"
"Don't worry, I won't touch you directly."
"I told you what exactly are you planning?!"
Oh my gosh, this girl can't be bothered.
"Hey, Riku, enough with your sexual harassment. I know your brain has lost its senses from all the walking, but hold on a second."
This woman too, what is she saying?
Do they really want me to punish them?
While I was thinking about what kind of punishment would be appropriate to shut the goddess' mouth, she suddenly said something shocking.
"The spirits tell me that something is coming."
I am surprised. "Is it another pervert?" I asked seriously, because previously we also had a pervert who claimed to be Elvy's older brother. But, Alicia immediately refuted my guess.
"No, it's something big— Oh, it's already here."
"Eh?"
When I called out in a stupid voice, the earth suddenly shook. I can hear the sound of heavy footsteps coming this way. It is something big.
'Boom! Boom! Boom!'
It was rapidly moving, as if it was chasing something. The earth shook every time he took a step.
My heart instantly froze.
"Hey, Alicia, do you think the monkeys in this world like bananas?"
"Why don't you try it? Do you have any bananas?"
"I have a different banana, but I think that's impossible."
"Good, looks like we've come to the same conclusion."
"No, don't give up just yet. Estella, are you— Ah?"
Just as I was about to ask that Demon Lord Leader if she had any way to deal with this situation, she had already entered my shadow.
"GOOOBUUU—!!"
The giant ape roared and I immediately ran as fast as I could as it chased us.
"Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!"
***************
"GOOOBUUU—!!"
The loud roar of the King of the Forest boomed until it made the earth tremble. He was a gigantic demonic ape that reached 20 feet in size.
"Riku! Riku! He's getting closer! Run even faster!"
"Shut up, I also have to focus on seeing the way!"
The goddess screamed hysterically against my back as I continued to run as fast as I could.
This was really a very annoying situation, because both my hands were busy carrying Alicia, I couldn't retrieve any items from my [Inventory]. Meanwhile, Estella never came out of my shadow.
I will definitely punish her later.
"Hey, Riku, don't you have a way to get out of this situation?!"
"Dropping you to serve as bait, then showering it with [Debuff Powder] to put it to sleep!"
"I won't let it! I definitely won't let you do that! Don't even think about using me as bait!"
When I revealed my diamond plan, the woman hugged me tighter and kept hanging on my shoulder. I could feel hers chest pressing against mine, but this wasn't the time to be thinking perverted thoughts.
I have to find a way to get out of here soon. Just continuing to run like this won't do any good either, we'll just end up being killed by that ape in the end if we don't think of something soon.
But, it seems my time limit for thinking is up.
"GOBU! GOOBUU—!!" The ape suddenly stopped chasing, which gave me a bad feeling. He uprooted two trees using his big arms and then threw them right in front of me.
'Boom!'
"Hwahh!!"
"Kyahh!!"
As a result, Alicia and I bounced and fell.
It really hurts, but I don't have time to complain. I quickly pulled my face off the ground and stood up again. However, when I turned around, a large shadow covered my view.
The ape was already right behind me.
"GOBUU! GOBUU! GOBUUUU—!!" He roared loudly while pounding his chest like he was playing a drum.
"Hyaaaaaahhhh—!!"
At that moment, Alicia and I screamed hysterically while hugging each other, our bodies shaking with fear. There was no longer any way to escape.
It is over.
….
….
….
….
"Gigantic Punch!"
'Boom!'
Suddenly, when we were ready with our death. A loud sound descended from the sky and smacked the giant ape to death. Then, the figure stood above the ape's body with a big smile.
"We meet again, Riku-san, Alicia-san," she said.
Seeing that, I thoughtlessly jumped at her.
"Elvy-channnnnnn—!! Waaaaaaaah!!"
Being in the girl's arms, I cried hard.
Elvy smiled awkwardly as she calmed me down.
"Haha, now everything is fine, Riku-san."
I don't know why I felt like I had been treated like this before, but I decided not to think about anything.