When Fiacur woke up, the kobold had already finished getting ready for the day. As he rubbed his eyes and got up, the kobold silently offered him some berries and some water.
“…You’re tough. Weren’t you running around a lot yesterday?”
On top of that, he and the wolf had been making preparations during the night.
There were no signs of the bed of leaves having been slept on.
“Hunting all day. It is normal. Took a little nap, just before. Totally fine.”
He had recovered his bow, gloves and quiver. Still, he did not look very reliable. He was a kobold, after all.
“I’m counting on you, Fi. This time, your power, is needed.”
“…Hey.”
“What?”
Perhaps he shouldn’t ask such things. It would not help.
But he had to.
“Aren’t…you afraid?”
“I am.”
“Then…why?”
“If I run, because of fear. I will, die.”
He said quietly. It wasn’t resignation or anger. Just the plain truth.
In that moment, the kobold’s body looked a little bigger than before.
“I, want to live. The world, says I should die. And so, I fight, to live.”
“…Is that why…you were able to fight the first Hero?”
He was not able to hear the answer to that.
Because they had heard the flapping of great wings, piercing through the morning forest mist. And the kobold’s expression changed to that of a hunter’s.
“Let’s go, Fi.”
Fiacur nodded.
Seeing it like this, it really was big. Sheto thought.
The head was as high as the trees, and the face was that of an expressionless human. Its body glimmered under the morning sun, and was stronger than steel.
And then flying protectively above its head was the wyvern. This creature could spit flames. Sheto remembered how the Heroes had scattered and burned.
Neither were something that a tiny kobold could defeat. It was clearly impossible. They were among the strongest of monsters.
And behind them, as if to hide, stood the Hero. He was staring at them.
“I am Sheto, Saliashe’s Ganari.”
“I’m Satoru Yagami. Monster Tamer.”
Both sides were nervous. There was a sense that a single move could set things off. However, Sheto looked towards the young dragon, and sighed to see it frozen.
“Fi. You introduce. And don’t forget, plan.”
“Huh!? Uh, ah, sorry.”
Fi coughed and then stepped forward.
“Uhhh… I am Fiacur, young dragon of Elm Aud, the Glimpser of Eternity… As a tamer, I challenge you to battle!”
“Huh!? Ta-tamer? You’re a monster tamer!?”
“What else would I be? Also, you’re going to let me choose the battle format, right?”
For some reason, the boy looked rather happy. Fi was surprised but nodded.
“Alriaght. Since my monsters are likely a higher level.”
“Aye. My entries are Sheto the kobold and Guto the star wolf. As for the format, it will be a tag battle. No changing monsters. No resurrection. The person who loses two first is the loser.”
“Uh…sure! Got it!”
The Hero had looked a little sad until now, but his face was now filled with happiness. Sheto did not know what the boy was thinking, but it seemed like Fi’s words had improved his mood.
“Your rule. Gives him, advantage?”
“It’s just the tournament format. But it looks like it makes him happy.”
‘Still, it’s true that we pulled him out into the ring, just like we planned. Now we just have to see how Evacus acts.’
After exchanging a few words, the Hero turned back to them with a smile.
“I’m ready then! Let’s hurry up and do this!”
“…He really is laid back.”
“Heroes, all that way. I, feel jealous of them.”
He muttered while inspecting the arena again. Thanks to golem going wild, there was now a nice clearing in the forest. There was no place to hide. Though, the fallen trees and golem footprints would make it difficult to move in some areas.
Also, the sky was now open, meaning the wyvern had more freedom. Everything seemed to give their opponents the advantage.
“Guto!”
“Wuff!”
He had given the wolf that name last night, and it answered to it without problem. Once it was used to it, it stuck as if they had known each other for ten years.
However, the wolf then turned its head for a moment, towards the Hero. And then it turned back to Sheto.
“What is it, Guto?”
Was it nervous for the upcoming battler? The wolf sighed, but then it licked its paw as if to say that it was nothing.
“…We, ready as well! Declare the duel!”
“Yes. Alright. I challenge Sheto and the others to a duel!”
That familiar feeling spread out. And they were isolated from the world. Now that he thought about it, this was the first time the enemy had made the declaration.
Sheto checked his equipped weapons and then climbed onto Guto. Then he grabbed the stunned Fi by the neck.
“Gah!? Be-be more gentle!”
“Let’s go! Fi! Guto!”
“Awooo!”
And then the three rushed forward.
Towards the decisive battle.