I see Argo and the others raise their voices and run, and this strange sight throws me off. But Siphon’s voice quickly gets my head going again.
It’d be hard to catch up to them from here. Or rather, I can’t see us catching up to them and stopping them. That difference was born from this single moment.
From what I saw of the giants fighting, they’re merciless, but for some reason they’re not coming after us unless we approach them.
More importantly, I’m curious about their expressions, because I see fear in them. Even while they were killing the orcs, I saw some suffering in them.
That’s why I thought we shouldn’t recklessly approach them… But I have one idea. A very dangerous one.
I look over at Geitz, and our eyes meet just as he’s raising his shield.
“…Can you go around and get in front?”
He asks. I’ve told them about my skill, because I’ve been getting tips on techniques and advice on how to fight when we do mock battles.
But there’s a problem. I can get in front of Argo and the others with my Gale skill, and I can take people with me if I touch them, because it sees them as part of my body. It places a bigger strain on me, but it’s not something I can’t do.
The problem is what comes after that. The recoil will probably make it so I can’t move properly, and Geitz won’t be able to stop the others by himself.
Also, we don’t know what they’ll do if Geitz stands in front of them alone. They’re clearly acting strangely.
Will they ignore him and keep moving forward, or try to get Geitz out of their way? It’s one thing if it’s the former, but I don’t think even a shield master like Geitz can stand the latter.
“I have a bad feeling about this. Take me, Rurika.”
He says straight while I hesitate, so I look at him and nod.
“And… Give me your hand, Kaede.”
I ask her. She usually fights with a spear, but her style is typically defensive.
I’ve seen her use a lot of defensive skills while fighting monsters too.
She thinks about it for just a moment.
“Very well. Kotori, support us with Spirit Magic. And Miharu…”
She starts giving instructions.
“Let’s go.”
Geitz and Kaede approach me, and I grab each with one hand.
We’re heading to the space between Argo and the others and the giants, but we can’t get near the giants.
I remember how they fought the orcs, and more specifically, when they moved forward. I think we’ll be fine if we don’t cross that line.
I turn my eyes to this side, and see Siphon’s back.
If we buy time, the others who are running forward should get to us.
I take a deep breath, and activate the skill.
The scenery goes by in an instant, and we’re there immediately.
But the moment I feel my feet touching the ground, it’s like I lose my strength.
I almost fall, but Kaede catches my hand.
“Are you all right?”
I try to nod, but can’t quite do it. I would be on the ground if she didn’t catch me.
I think it’s my stamina that’s depleted.
“We’ll take over from here. Kaede, cast support magic and look after Rurika.”
Says Geitz while holding up his shield, and using multiple skills.
He uses Provoke to draw the attention of Argo and the others, and Aura Shield to protect an area. He’s also using other skills I don’t know, but my head isn’t working too well.
I slowly kneel, take a stamina potion out of my item pouch, and drink it.
It soothes this languid feeling a little, but it’s still no good. I try to clench my fists, but I can’t really put strength into it.
I’m not going to be able to hold a sword either.
And as I check how my body’s doing, I hear metallic sounds. When I look up, I see Geitz block an attack from Argo.
Then Leight comes from the side to attack Geitz too. He twists his body to dodge it, and quickly moves his shield to repel another attack.
There are other dangerous moments, but Kaede moves to support him at just the right time.
He throws his shield… Ah, it’s connected to a chain.
The intense back and forth continues for a few minutes. Sometimes they try to run past Geitz, but he doesn’t let them.
But he’s clearly at a disadvantage. He can’t block every attack, and the wounds start piling up.
At this rate, they’ll probably push through.
“Good job, Geitz.”
Siphon and the others are finally here.
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