New chapter of Ordinary Person is out! (3/3 chapters)

 

 

Chapter 109

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I had intended to rely on Mira only as a final measure, yet I found myself cornered and, before I knew it, had confessed everything. However, I had firmly safeguarded the matter concerning that particular side of things. So far, I had only been questioned about abnormal behavior, and no concrete evidence had surfaced. If I could somehow ensure that Senpai remained silent…

“I see, then, the impure scent had been directed toward Adelaide, had it not? It is because Adelaide is, after all, rather alluring, that your eyes were inevitably drawn to her, is that correct?” (Sofia)

I could not easily reply with a simple yes or no. It would be impossible to lie and claim that my eyes had not wandered. There was no way I could say that I had been engaged in even more impure acts. Therefore…

“Well… something along those lines.” (Kouta)

That was the sort of answer that emerged. The women appeared satisfied with my explanation, but, for some reason, Haruka-kun wore a look of dissatisfaction.

(“Kouta, I have given you my warning, you understand?”) (Sofia)

She whispered that to me. How did she even know!? From my perspective, I had merely been exploring the dungeon as usual.

Yet, everyone had noticed something. Moreover, I had believed I had shared all that I could, but Haruka-kun had pressed me further with his insistence.

Could it be that my emotions were so easily written across my face?

Mira arrived, insisting that we halt the exploration. She had evidently chosen not to leave the problem unattended. Her decisiveness was remarkable, far beyond what I would have expected from someone of our age. We, naturally, accepted her decision.

On the way back from the dungeon, I could not shake the feeling that Haruka-kun’s gaze was piercing my back. And then, calamity struck repeatedly.

“No, nooo!!… Stop it!” (??)

The shriek of a woman and the laughter of multiple men reached my ears.

“Let’s go!” (Emilia)

“Both of you, do not forget to start your cameras!” (Mira)

“Yes!” (Haruka)

The women acted faster than either Haruka-kun or I.

Led by Emilia, the female members ran toward the source of the voices. There, more than ten men were laughing gleefully while two women were being assaulted. Their frivolous expressions and flashy clothing were utterly inappropriate for dungeon exploration, with some even exposing their groins. It was painfully evident what had transpired. The women’s bodies were battered and marked, scars and bruises visible on their bare skin, looking utterly devastated.

“What are you doing!? Let go of that girl immediately!” (Emilia)

The men seemed momentarily surprised at Emilia’s sudden appearance, yet they responded to her words with derisive laughter. The apparent leader lazily moved to stand before Emilia. The others, smirking, encircled us.

“Hey now, if you want to join in, just say so. We’ll welcome you, won’t we?” (??)

“Help…!… Ugh…” (??)

One of the women cried for help, only to have her face struck by the man restraining her.

Those bastards!

I summoned all my reason and considered whether I could justifiably annihilate these men without incurring legal repercussions. Surely, it would be acceptable. The laws, revised after the dungeon incident, guaranteed my safety.

While I hesitated for a brief moment, the situation escalated…

“Get fired up, everyone!! Today, we have plenty of prey!!” (??)

At those words, the supposed leader thrust a knife into Emilia’s chest.

Emilia had not been standing idly by. Although she had not drawn a weapon, she had been vigilant. Yet, before she could react, she was attacked. I had not seen his hand draw the weapon, and before I realized it, Emilia was under assault.

“““Emilia!?””” (Kouta/Mira/Sofia)

“Gahaha! Amazing, right!? My [Illusion Magic]! I won’t let a single one escape!!” (??)

The knife he had drawn was coated in blood, and Emilia collapsed limply. I leapt to Emilia’s side in panic.

““Kouta! Fight!”” (Mira/Haruka)

Mira and Haruka-kun shouted at me as I ran to Emilia.

Sofia had taken Emilia, and though I was shaken, I turned to face the enemy.

Do not die, Emilia!!

“Ahhhhhh!!” (Kouta)

I stood alongside Haruka-kun and Mira, cutting down all who crossed my path with indiscriminate fury. Rage propelled me forward.

These bastards dare to lay hands on women for absurd reasons! Creatures without remorse or reflection! Filth of society, worse than goblins or terrorists!! How dare they touch Emilia!

My strength betrayed me, and I struggled to control my weapon. Even that frustration, I directed at them. Knives driven forcibly shattered ribs and sank into their bodies up to the wrists. With my opposite hand, I struck again to wrench them free. I kicked, broke legs, and stomped down upon those who had fallen.

Amid the chaos, I recognized someone familiar attempting to flee.

“Numaataaahhh!!” (Kouta)

“Tch! Hah! Try me!! Always meddling in my plans!!” (Numata)

I lunged at Numata, who had assumed a hesitant stance.

Without Haruka-kun’s support, I could not move as freely as during the terror incident. Yet the stark difference in our statuses allowed me to tear him apart. My blood boiled, and I cannot even remember exactly how I carved him. It seemed I had dropped my knife along the way and finished him barehanded. I struck another attempting to escape and crushed the one who began apologizing, ripping him apart.

Once all others had fallen, I rushed to Emilia’s side.

“Emilia! Emilia! Emilia!!” (Kouta)

She lay painfully on Sofia’s lap, Mira pressing against her wound. I held her bleeding chest and called out to her. She was still breathing. Yet something seemed lodged in her throat, making each breath labored.

“Kouta! Stay still! Do not move her!” (Mira)

“Emilia is still alive. Calm down. Let us fetch someone to help.” (Haruka-kun)

I stood instantly, blood rushing back from my head, recalling my skill. I had rarely used it, fearing exposure, and had almost forgotten it. My hesitation lasted only a moment. I was determined to save Emilia.

“Mira, please move your hands.” (Kouta)

Mira looked at me suspiciously as I resettled beside Emilia.

I forcibly moved her hands aside and cast [Healing Magic] on the wound. I could feel the injury writhe and begin to mend beneath my palms. After some time, Emilia’s breathing began to stabilize.

“…Haa… haa… haa… Kouta…” (Emilia)

“Emilia, are you alright?” (Kouta)

“…Ah, it does not hurt anymore…” (Emilia)

“That is good, but you have lost a great deal of blood. Do not overexert yourself.” (Kouta)

“…Ah.” (Emilia)

Mira gently withdrew her hands to inspect the previously wounded area. I could hear the intake of breath from both Mira and Sofia. I confirmed it with my own eyes.

“Mira, if you open your clothing so much, people will see.” (Kouta)

“Hm? Ah, my apologies. But we have already touched quite a lot, have we not?” (Mira)

“Even so, there are others here, including Haruka. This should be done in private.” (Kouta)

“That is true.” (Mira)

“This is a medical procedure! It is a medical procedure!” (Kouta)

I hurriedly asserted my innocence.

This was a matter of life and death! How could I know if the unfamiliar magic would function properly? This was entirely unavoidable! It was equivalent to performing CPR!

“So, Adelaide’s chest is acceptable, but Emilia’s chest is not?” (Mira)

“It is not that it is unacceptable…!” (Kouta)

…Had I been set up?

“Good for you, Emilia. Kouta says he is satisfied with your chest as well.” (Sofia)

I had not actually said that.

Seeing Emilia grin broadly, I withdrew my protest. To assist the assaulted women, we provided them with clothing from the fallen men and our own garments and escorted them outside. Mira asked whether they wished to deal a final blow to the men, but both refused. Therefore, we left the defeated men in the dungeon. There was no obligation to carry them outside.

About half of them were already dead, and the remainder would soon follow. Those who had harmed Emilia had evidently been killed by Mira. Their upper bodies were obliterated. I did not reveal my magic to the assaulted women.

Although I thought it would be better for Sofia to carry Emilia, the decision to have me carry her was approved unanimously. It was a unanimous decision, including my own vote. I hoisted Emilia on my back and slowly ascended the dungeon stairs.

I was profoundly grateful that she was safe.

 

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