With the battle now concluded, I leisurely walked back towards the two who were previously fighting, though my brow furrowed slightly when I saw the disastrous sight of the field, which had ice covering the ground and black smoke rising from the ground from where the lightning bolts had risen from, I guess I should have expected this to happened as they were using this place for their mock battle.
I had told them not to destroy the surroundings more than necessary, but... it seems that was impossible, though I am really surprised by the abilities of the silver fox race; their ability to easily manipulate ice and lightning doesn't seem like any type of magic or spirit arts. And also... Alya's abilities were also impressive. Previously, I thought she was a rear-guard, considering she likes to stay at a distance and manipulate the wind to attack her opponents.
At least that was her usual fighting style. From what I know, her swordsmanship wasn't bad, nor was it at the level of a master; she also seems fairly skilled at close-quarter combat as well.
While thinking about that, I stopped at a distance of five feet from both Alya and Nikita. While smiling amicably.
"Now then, Alya, are you satisfied with the results?"
I inquired while gazing at Alya, who had a somewhat aloof expression on her face, when I suddenly spoke those words, her brow twitched before she heaved a sigh.
"I see... so you were already aware of my plans, huh?"
Alya said her mouth turned up into a faint smile. However, Nikita had a confused expression as she listened to us converse.
"What do you mean? What plan?"
She asked.
"Alya was only testing you to see whether or not you'd be able to keep up with us; it seems she had already predicted that I would try to invite you."
I explained calmly. Hearing that, Nikita turned her crimson eyes towards Alya. However, towards such a gaze, Alya simply shrugs her shoulders before coughing.
"Anyway, this changes nothing. I still find you quite lacking when compared to the silver fox I once knew... however, I will follow with whatever Haruto wishes, as his contracted spirit, it's my job to obey the will of my contractor after all."
"Is that so, humph, I didn't know you have humility for an arrogant woman who has no manners."
"What did you just say?! Do you want me to pluck that silver fur of yours?"
The two immediately started bickering with each other. I think I'm going to have a headache mediating between those two, it's like watching cats and dogs. Though it'd be really bad if I let those words slip out.
"Will you let go of me!!"
"Maybe I'll consider it if you take back your insults from before."
"Tch, insults, I was simply speaking the truth."
Alya raised her voice. Nikita was holding her in place by her two tails. Her face contorted in pain as she was dragged by both sides of her hair. Alya was struggling to break free from Nikita's grasp when a soft and fluffy sensation tickled her nose. Nikita's silver fox tail was going. Swish~ Swish~ before her eyes. Suddenly, a devilish grin formed on her pink lips. She used both her hands and grabbed two of Nikita's silver fox tails
"Wha... H-hey, s-stop my tail is very... sensitive."
Nikita exclaimed as she lost the strength in her legs and went into a crouching position. Her breathing was disordered as she glared at Alya, who held her silver tail hostage.
"Fufufu... interesting weakness, you have here... rub, rub, it's like lying on a pillow."
Alya used Nikita's silver tail to caress her white cheek, which was tinged with pink. Nikita was on the verge of tears as her tail was being cuddled by Alya. Sigh... I guess I'll have to be the mature one.
"Cough, we should wrap this up now... don't forget we should return before it gets dark."
I said, gazing up at the sky, even though the blue sky was being covered by the thick cloud, I could easily tell it was still the middle of the morning, though so much had happened that it felt like we had been here far longer than we had.
"He Hehe... I guess I'll have plenty of time cuddling those tails from now on."
Alya responded to my words as she let go of Nikita's tail while laughing cutely with her hand at her mouth. Nikita glared at Alya with her face red in anger.
"Tch, I'll definitely make you regret embarrassing me."
"Oh... you were embarrassed, huh? Maybe I should do it again."
Alya said grinningly.
"Tch."
"Enough... we should go."
I said, sighing, before turning my back, but...
"Wait! I don't remember agreeing to join you, people."
Nikita suddenly said.
(Hmm... now that you mention it)
I stopped in my tracks as I slowly turned my head, gazing back into those beautiful crimson eyes. It was true that we made the decision to take her without waiting for her to make her own choice. However, I know this is rather impudent of me, but... I won't be taking no as an answer. The only reason we came here was to exterminate the beast that has been attacking the ones living down below. We have also accepted the rewards already, so there's no going back.
"Forgive me, but... won't you come along with us? I can guarantee you'd be much happier than staying all the way out here."
I said with an expected look on my face.
"Hmph, make me happier, you say? What does a human know about making me happy? And how does going along with you benefit me in any way?"
She inquired curiously; her fox tails went 'Swish' 'Swish' as she stared at me closely. However, without fear, I also gazed back into those fierce crimson eyes before opening up my mouth.
"Well, you want to prove to your clan that you're not useless, right? I don't really know the details about your circumstance, however. Based on what I observed so far you seem really determined to prove those guys wrong, am I right?"
"You're not wrong. Someday, those guys will regret looking down on me, but... how does going along with you help me with that goal?"
She cocked her head to the side curiously, her beautiful silver hair followed her motion and went 'Swoosh' as they flowed to the side. It was a beautiful sight that could easily captivate any onlookers.
"Well, my goal is to become stronger, as well as find a way back home. But I want to help you with your future goal. If you want strength, then I will assist you as best I can. Why don't we both get stronger from here?"
I asked as I stretched out my right hand towards her. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she gazed at my outstretched hand. Complicated emotion could be seen in her eyes. Alya watched that scene with deep interest, and the corner of her mouth was upturned into a faint smile as she spoke.
"You don't really have much of a choice here, considering that we will have to terminate you if you keep causing trouble for the common people living in the villages nearby."
Alya casually spat those lines while shrugging her shoulders. You... why would you go and say something like that? Nikita's brow convulsed when she heard the word 'terminate', but she ignored the words of Alya and reached out her own hand.
"Sigh, well, I don't mind having a master if that master is strong. Considering you're contracted to that spirit, you must be a capable man, so I'll accept you as my master but only until my goal is complete."
She said, turning her face away in a huff. A small smile formed on my lips when I heard that, even though it was only temporary, I guess this is the best option since I'll be going back home eventually.
"Okay, glad that's settled, can we go now?"
Alya asked.
"Wait, let me gather my belongings first."
Nikita said, rushing towards the icy shrine. I was now standing alone with Alya.
"So, did you also predict this outcome?"
"More or less, after learning she could talk, I had a hunch you would want her to join us on our long journey."
Alya explained
"... I see."
"Though I'm surprised with how different you are when compared to the boy who was neutral back on earth, ever since you came here, you've been a completely different person. Why is that? Can you tell me?"
Alya asked her miniskirt, and her twin tails that were tied up on either side were fluttering in the wind; in addition, her sweet scent tickled my nose. Hearing her question, I paused while humming, I've indeed been like a different person since I came to this world before I didn't care about the matters of others and would have mind my own business, but.... thinking back maybe it was good that I got send to this world if I had stayed home, I would have just continued living the same mundane life without noticing my flaws, I was disappointed about my shortcoming I couldn't be like my mother nor could I be like my father, in the end I was born without a particular talent no matter the effort I put in I will always be only 'average' and so that realization hit harder than a speeding truck, why should I put in more effort knowing it doesn't amount to anything in the end?
Why should I try helping others when anyone else could have easily done the same or even a better job than I? I eventually lost interest in the world, completely blocking everything and everyone away. But even then.... for some reason, I don't regret my decision in saving Princess Scarlett, even now, who knows how my life would have been without her.
"Hmm.... that look in your eyes is much better than the one I saw when I first appeared to you, when you were on your deathbed and cursing the world that had unreasonably abducted you from your home."
"Please stop making fun of me."
I said a bit embarrassedly, while keenly remembering that time with a faraway look.
"Cough, I don't mind helping others, especially when I have the powers and ability to do it, but... I won't allow myself to become anyone's slave. If I can get something from helping, then I'll help. I won't be anyone's hero and help without receiving anything in return, and I'm not someone who is obligated to help others either; I definitely won't turn my back on those whom I am capable of helping."
I explained in a serious tone. Alya kept a cheerful smile on her face as she listened.
"Fufufu.... of course, I agree with that mindset, it's okay to be a little selfish, but please don't close off your heart from the world, okay?"
She said, gazing at me with a friendly smile.
"Okay, I won't."
I replied somewhat awkwardly, she really does know everything, huh. I feel bad for making her worry. As though she understood my concern, she shook her head lightly.
"There is no need to make that gloomy face after all, Haruto's sorrow is my own and Haruto's pain is my pain as well, which means your happiness is also my happiness."
She said those lines with blushing cheeks. I gave a weak laugh. I'm not used to having these kinds of conversations.
"I'm back..."
Nikita came running over as her nine silver fox tails swayed from side to side and her fox ears twitched softly in the wind.
"Great, now let's go."
Thus, we made our way back down the mountain range.
***
Meanwhile, in the royal palace of the Alberta Kingdom, a girl who seemed to be 16 years old was standing by the window in one of the many rooms, her light brown eyes reflecting the scenery outside, though there were complicated emotions mixed in those bright brown eyes.
The girl's short black hair swayed from side to side by the wind oozing from the opened window; her clothing was of the highest quality, and she had two beautiful pairs of daggers in both her hands. She is one of the legendary heroes summoned to this world, "Mona Lewis."