A few days have passed since Sisha's summoning. We are still hunting scorpions in the north cave as we have been since then.
　Right now we're all relaxing in our rooms and deciding what we're going to do today.
　And in the end I decided to sleep on the floor every day instead of in another room. It's lonely.

Hmmm, all we've done is refresh our equipment and all we end up doing is caves in the north.

The equipment is for the labyrinth, and that can't be helped.

　It's as if I've taken the place of heavy armor and I've never had a chance to use it.
　Well, it's only that I don't freak out when the Stinger attacks me.
　It's fine because it's equipment for the labyrinth like Noll said........

''Well........then, for a change of pace, let's go hunting in Asterios as well.

　Putting her hands together and smiling, Esther began to say something outrageous.
　'Let's go out for a bit,' or something light like that.

The only thing you can do is to have a little bit of fun. That's not the kind of monster you go hunting for a change of pace, is it?

　I'm not kidding about going to hunt a monster like that just because I never got a chance to use it.
　I didn't get hurt at that time, but I remember my whole body hurting.

I don't think it's that dangerous now that Sisha is here. Besides, you won't improve if you keep dealing with weak enemies forever, will you, brother?

'Ugh, I'm sure you're right...'

　Indeed, it's true that I won't be able to improve if I continue to deal with a weak one like this.
　I'm still practicing against the warrior chief, but my sense of urgency has waned since I became equipped with this equipment.
　Objectively speaking, I think I've improved to a certain extent, but it's doubtful that I'll be able to move properly when I'm facing a powerful enemy.
　Besides, there's Sisha, and even if something were to happen, I'm sure she'd be fine with it.
　I wonder if we have to be a little reckless after all.....................I don't think we can technically catch up with them at this rate.

"Don't worry, Okura-san. As long as you're alive, I can make you recover quickly. I can heal you even if you lose a limb, I'll be fine!　Oh, but be careful not to fly over the neck.

　No, I don't see where it's okay.
　I know that Sisha is a good girl. She has an honest and polite tone of voice and a cheerful atmosphere.
　When I look at her, I get the impression that I want to support her somehow.
　But, but.....
　I'm sure it's easy to understand, but it's also easy to understand.
　It's certainly easy to understand, but there's a bit of a scary vibe to it.

●

'You're really going to do this...'

"Look, Okura-dono. You will get rid of your past trauma!　Even that time, if we hadn't let our guard down at the end, we could have ended it safely.

　That's why we came to the ruins of the Minotaur again.
　Trauma....I wouldn't say it's so much, but since then I may have become a little more sensitive than necessary to enemy attacks.
　At that time, if I hadn't been so careless that I thought we'd already won and hadn't looked away, nothing would have happened.......
　If I could do well here, it might give me some confidence.

''But first, we have to get Asterios to spring up.

　The minotaurs are still prowling in this hunting ground.
　Estelle quickly took out her staff and grimoire and tried to attack.
　But before that, the wait is over.

'Um, if you don't mind, may I hunt the minotaur myself?'

　No way, Sisha. I mean, he wants to hunt........
　Even I'm afraid to hunt alone, but how scary is that?

''No, no matter how much that is........''

Please!　I'm just happy to finally be able to fight this ...with my own hands!

　Her hands are clasped together and held out in front of her chest, pleading with me as if she were praying.
　She gazes at me with moist eyes, and an anxious expression assaults me.
　It's not possible to say no to such a beautiful woman if she asks you to do it.

"Okura-dono, don't you think you can let her do it?

'Yes. I'm sure Sisha would be fine with the Minotaur.

　As a back-up, Noll and Esther say it's okay too.
　Hmm, I guess they're fine if they say so.
　He seems to want to fight on his own somehow, and if this is enough for an attacker to be able to do it, will it solve the lack of firepower?
　I didn't know how good they were against Kobold, but if they were against the Minotaur, I might be able to find out how good they are.

''Hmm, I don't think there's a problem if you guys say so... but don't be too reckless, okay?　And if you're going to do that Noor, I'm sorry, lend Sisha your bracelet. You'll also need this. And what about the weapon?

Yes, sir. Yes, sir.

'Thank you, Mr. Okura, Mr. Noll!　You can keep your weapon on your staff.

　I'm worried about letting him hunt with his current equipment, so I decided to temporarily equip him with the Nole wind bracelet and power bracelet.
　In addition, I'll also equip him with the Ring of Protection, Nikeh's Shoes, and the Treasure of Life.
　Equipping them with these should be enough for a melee position.

　With preparations in place and support from Esther, I run towards the Minotaur.
　With better equipment, I'm faster than I was the other day.
　I then aimed at one of the minotaurs away from the other minotaurs and began to attack.

　The minotaur, which was facing back, was poked vigorously in the head with its staff and fell forward. It seems to be quite powerful.
　He screamed, swung his axe and turned around, but there was no sign of Sisha already, and this time he was poked in the leg and broke his knee.
　 I have a feeling that if I fought Sisha, I'd lose without being able to catch her in sight.
　It's a lot more obvious than Noor.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this in the future. By the way, what was a priest?

It's quite a feat. It's an excellent way of positioning yourself and moving your body and making decisions. It's a shame to leave it to the priests.

And you're using defensive magic as well. I guess you're a priest warrior if you want to call it that.

　While toying with the minotaur, she started doing not only thrusts, but kicks as well.
　Because of the difference in size, she's away from me after one kick, but with Kobold, she was kicking in the air after a foot sweep.......
　A blue light covers her as if she is also using defensive magic just in case.

'Huh, it's great to move your body after all. The sense of accomplishment of defeating a demon with your own hands, the feeling of attacking it, and the sounds it makes are cute and exciting.''

　After a while, the minotaur turned into a particle of light and disappeared.
　After the battle, she has a very nice smile on her face. I can think that if a man saw her, he would definitely fall in love with her at first sight.
　But from my point of view, that smile is rather scary and I can't feel it very much.
　What you're saying is subtly funny, too.

　After that, Esther and the others joined in and began to eradicate the minotaurs.
　After that, we hunted for a few minutes, and finally we could see a minotaur wearing lightning coming towards us from the ruins.

''Finally, a rematch........''

Then you two can do the rest. Brother, I'm rooting for you.

I'll help you if you're in danger. I just want you to be comfortable.

　I thought they were all going to take on the challenge together, but Esther only did support magic and quickly backed off along with Noll.

''What........Wait, seriously?''

Okura-san, let's do our best, shall we?

　The only ones left were me and Sisha. As if she knew beforehand, she cast a defensive spell on me without seeming upset.
　Wait, wait!　I'm not listening to this!
　How heartbreaking that the girls who had fought with me until now were not there.

　As I was thinking about this, Asterios finally came running with a red aura.

''Whoa!　Ugh ... that's too tight.

　Last time, Noor took it, but this time, she wasn't there.
　Naturally, Sisha couldn't catch it, so I did, but the tremendous impact made my arm go numb.
　I'm holding the lid of the pot with both hands and stepping on it to endure the rush, but every time Asterios moves his head forward, his body drops backwards, gouging the ground.
　I started to break out in a cold sweat, wondering if I would have to endure it until it was over, but soon it was over too. It was because Sisha had slammed her staff into his neck while they were fighting.
　There was a thud, and his head came to a halt as it stuck straight into the ground.
　This is my chance, and while I'm still moving, I stab the arm holding the axe repeatedly with the crowbar to cut down my HP.

''Sisha, can you attack this guy while using me as a shield?''

Yes, I'll take care of it!

　I was hoping that he would be knocked down like this, but it doesn't seem to be that easy.
　Asterios, who pulled his head out, is screaming and snorting loudly.
　He's so angry. But strangely enough, I don't feel scared.

　Then I counterattack with a crowbar while I block the attack with my axe, and Sisha sees an opening and slams her staff into it.
　When my attention turns to her, I'll have her hide behind me for a moment, and when I see an opening, I'll hit her.
　I'm focusing on defense, but it still seems to damage my arm, so I'm having Sisha recover from it.

　This solid flow, there is no longer any element of defeat. Huh, our victory is certain.
　Oops I was about to get carried away again.
　I won't let my guard down this time. The most dangerous thing to do is to let your guard down when it ends like this.

　It would still take a long time for the two of us to cut down on Asterios' HP.
　Such an offensive and defensive attack lasted for several tens of minutes, but it's about time for him to reach his limit, he pokes one knee while breathing heavily.
　When this is over, I grabbed my crowbar again and tried to get closer, but the axe was thrown just like the last time.

''Yessha--, woo-hoo!

　The axe that flew at me was flicked, and now that my weapons are gone, let's just get this over with.
　When I looked at Asterios with that in mind, before I knew it, he was wearing a red aura and sticking his head out right in front of me.

I'm not going to be able to get it right.

　Oh no, seriously!
　I catch it again with the lid of the pot and endure it, but unlike before, it's sudden and I'm not prepared to stand on it at all.
　I've managed to be competitive, but if I keep this up, I'll be blown away like Nol before.
　d*mn, I still can't even play a shield role to my satisfaction?

"Haaah!

　I almost pulled my hand away from the lid of the pot to say no more.
　But before I could, with a scream, Sisha slammed her stocking-wrapped foot into Asterios' neck.
　Her golden hair shook violently and her heart danced as she swung her leg down in one spin in the air.
　The blow she delivered was like a decapitation guillotine.
　The attacked Asterios sank from the neck to the ground with a thud, and her neck was bent and broken in a strange direction.
　From the way he was foaming and gasping for air while sticking out his tongue, you can see how bad the blow just now was.

'Okura-san!　Are you okay!

Oh, yes, I know, something...

　The object of my antagonism disappeared, and I sat down, losing my strength.
　She approached me and reached out to me with a smile. The sunlight shines behind her, and coupled with her clothes, it's mysterious.
　Normally, this might make me fall in love with her.
　But having been shown something like that in front of me, I can't stop shaking.
　I was spiteful that this girl would be in trouble if she was offended just like Estelle.