"Thirk! Shut up. You didn't need to do that," He said as he stepped out of Ui's arms.
"I know, but I wanted to."
She said that, but I knew deep down her thought was different. The way she ran desperately toward Izumi didn't seem like someone who was aware of it. However, I was surprised that she had spotted Izumi from so far away; she must have had special vision.
But seeing through the clouds was not something an ordinary person could do. Furthermore, the color of her hair was identical to Izumi's. Could she be a half-breed? I had no basis to make such an assumption, as Izumi was the only half-breed I knew, but I decided to keep this information in mind.
Izumi was covered in blood, but gradually the blood faded, and his wounds began to heal. I was unaware of this ability, as I had never seen him injured before.
"Too bad you didn't die."
Idalme approached. She probably came running, but she didn't seem concerned. As usual, she was taunting Izumi.
"Are you talking about your breasts?"
"You!" Idalme replied angrily. "Ask the only one who had the chance to see them naked," she said with a slight smile, casting a discreet glance in my direction.
"Did you mean "only ones" nerrr?"
"Say what you want, monster."
"Idalme!"
The moment I spoke, Idalme stopped abruptly, and Izumi looked at me and then at her, smiling.
"She's really a cow. If the shepherd decides, the cow obeys."
"You son of a bitch!" Idalme shouted angrily.
An intense killing intent seemed to envelop the entire place, making my skin tingle intensely. Probably, all of us felt the same shiver down our spine. Izumi's face took on an extremely serious expression. I had felt this intent before, but this time it was different. Usually, it was directed at a single target, but now it seemed to have become generalized.
In this tense moment, Izumi began to draw his swords slowly, his expression showing total concentration. Meanwhile, Idalme was paralyzed with fear, her face betraying the terror she felt. I realized that if I didn't take action immediately, she was at serious risk of losing her life. So, I decided to act without hesitation.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"Izumi, stop, let's talk," Ui said, approaching him. I took the opportunity to position myself in front of Idalme, protecting her.
"Protect your cow, shepherd. She'll suck your milk in gratitude, but that will be in hell."
"Izumi. Calm down. We have an enemy to defeat," I said.
"Yes, Izumi. Let's leave this for later."
"Shut up! Max, you protect this milk jug too much. I see you've already drunk the poisonous milk. You're beyond salvation. Speed I…"
"No!!!" Ui jumped on Izumi.
"Let me go, bitch."
"I won't let go."
I was surprised by the scene. Ui managed to grab Izumi's waist without encountering resistance, something that would normally be impossible due to his reaction speed. However, with Ui, he couldn't react effectively.
"I'm going to kill you!"
"You can't kill me, can you?"
"What?!"
Something must have happened between these two on the second floor for Ui to say that. I didn't know exactly what had happened, but I realized that we would have to rely on Ui to help us; otherwise, we would all be in danger.
"Don't pay attention to what the cow said. Your mother is truly amazing, and I'm sure her child is equally remarkable. I know you well enough to know that you're genuinely a good person. Let's just put this aside, Izumi, and move forward together."
For a few moments, Izumi remained still, as if he were at a standstill. Then, surprisingly, he slowly lowered his swords, as if making a decision. Gradually, the intense killing intent that surrounded him disappeared, and his face regained a calmer and more controlled expression, as if he had overcome a moment of rage.
"Ui. Let me go. I understand now."
"I won't let go until I feel you're okay."
"Do what you want," Izumi smiled slightly as he spoke.
I didn't understand. Was this the Izumi I knew? Now it made sense what my father said.
'A woman can change a man.'
"Idalme. I told you before. Watch what you say. Idalme?" I looked back, and she was unconscious, standing.
"That cow deserved it," Izumi said.
I slapped her cheeks a few times.
"What? What? Where am I?"
"You died for a moment."
"What?" She looked around and saw Izumi. "Kyaaaaaa!" She fell to the ground.
"Lhiahahahahahaha!"
"Idalme. This time you got lucky, but be careful with your tongue next time."
"What? Yes," She was still confused.
We could continue the conversation, but we didn't have time for it.
"Izumi. About the fearless one."
"What's up, Max? I won't let you steal my prey."
"So, is your prey up there in the sky?"
"Who knows."
"Izumi. You must know that you can't fly."
"So what? I'll figure it out my way."
"I have a plan."
"The last time I heard that. You killed my prey."
"Let's make a bet."
"A bet?"
The only way to get Izumi to work with us was to test her pride, and I was very familiar with the strategy to use.
"Let's create plan A and plan B. In plan A, you kill the fearless one, but if you can't in plan A, we'll use plan B."
"Thirk! You really know how to annoy me, but I accept. There will never be a plan B."
"Yes, Izumi. I'll help you a lot with plan A," Ui said excitedly.
"You don't need to."
"Insect, since I can fly. You'll need her help," Ziro said as he crawled out of Ui's shorts pocket.
"You're still here, insect."
"I know you knew I was here."
"Well. Listen to my plan."
The plan was simple. Ziro would carry Izumi to the fearless one, and I would go along. With my help, we would execute plan A, but if it failed, I would be plan B. Elaborating a complex plan with multiple steps would not be accepted by Izumi because he had an aversion to following orders.
"Insect! I can be fast, but carrying someone much heavier than me, I'll be a snail."
"I understand."
"Insect, do you want to screw up my plan?"
"No, insect, but I wouldn't be fast carrying you."
"Izumi, I can kick you to the fearless one, and you go there and kill it," Ui said excitedly.
"Don't be an idiot. I wouldn't even get close to the clouds."
"Sorry."
"I have an idea. — Idalme spoke nervously.
"What?" I asked.
"We could use my arrows as propulsion."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm saying I'm going with you," She continued. "I'll ride on Max's back, climb up to the top of the fearless one, and then use my parachute to launch my arrow attacks" She looked at me discreetly and gave a silly smile.
"And?"
"And the de… I could use my arrows as a boost to attack."
I was uncertain whether she intended to improve the plan or take advantage of the situation, but I understood what she wanted. We could use her as a long-range attacker. However, the original plan was just Izumi and me, with him clinging to my back. Unfortunately, everything was ruined. I could have adjusted Ziro's idea, but with Idalme, the situation would become more complicated since she was notably intelligent.
"Agreed then."