Now that I think about it, Sato might have been a little crazy today.
After working together for a while, I've learned that Sato-kun is a worrier, to the point of banging on a stone bridge to get across.
Especially remembering what happened in the Kantinen Labyrinth, he tries to be very well-prepared when fighting demons, and he's more careful than anyone else about curses.
At school, Sato-kun was a little unapproachable, but now he puts everyone's needs first and makes every effort he can, even though I haven't talked to him that often.
Normally, Sato-kun would never suggest that we act apart in such a dangerous place.
What came to mind was the curse I saw on Sato-kun in the Kantinen Labyrinth.
Mr. Ueno said that the curse of that time had been lifted, but it's possible that the curse hadn't been completely lifted because his profession level was still low at that time.
Or, he may have been hit by a new curse.
I haven't come in contact with anyone suspicious, so the former would be more likely.
Whatever it is, all's well that ends well.
Surrounded by wooden demons, the shield I was holding was shattered and the single sword I clutched was trembling loudly.
The injured Ueno-san and Sato-kun are behind me, so I can't take a single step back.
In front of them is a powerful enemy that I cannot possibly defeat.
I don't want to die with such a pathetic personality, as the person I hate.
In order to survive, I must overturn this situation where I'm outnumbered and outgunned.
I wonder what Asahina-kun would do in a situation like this.
In your mind, you think of the person you admire.
If he is like the protagonist in the story, he would probably calmly do what he can do, even at times like this, without hesitation.
That's why I have to do what I can do too.


''Ugh, Ueno-san!''


I raised my voice, shaking pathetically, and called out for Ueno-san with my face facing forward.


''W-what's going on!


Ms. Ueno's voice trails off in surprise.
Indeed, this is almost the first time I've approached her.
If it was, I shouldn't have been so surprised.
But the extra thought helps me calm down a bit.


''Unfortunately, I don't have the power to defeat these guys right now. If it goes on like this, all three of us will die here.


I heard a gasping sound behind me.
Mr. Ueno couldn't escape because of his injured leg.
I can't even buy myself any time against the enemy that has weakened Sato-kun to this point.


"Fortunately, these guys are licking our chops, and I think they're planning to hurt us slowly. So we still have a little time.

That's not luck at all! ...... You're not going to say you're going to leave Tsukasa-kun and run away, are you?


He chuckled at what Ueno-san said while defending Sato.
The worst thing to do would be to leave Sato and run away.
The death of Sato-kun, a brave man, is the last thing you need to avoid here when you think about the future.


'That's not true. I don't have the power to defeat it. That's why I'm going to let Sato-kun, who has the power to defeat me, defeat me.


Sato, who was seriously injured in the Kantinen labyrinth, but continued to stand up for us to protect us.
Even now, even though he's unconscious, he's struggling to stand up.
I think he's a horrible man because he's trying to use it even harder.

I took out a bottle from my backpack and threw it toward Mr. Ueno.


''Hey, this is it!


After receiving the bottle, Mr. Ueno took it and gasped.
Perhaps Ueno-san would recognize it.
They were the life force potions that were given to each of us five bottles of life force potions before we hid in the Kantinen Labyrinth.
Most of my classmates have used up all of their potions in the labyrinth, and although they are not very expensive, they are not something an adventurer can afford, so that must be the last one.
We've seen the effects of life force potions firsthand in Commander Saran's demonstration and in the Kantinen Labyrinth.
I'm sure it will heal Sato-kun's wounds.


Just in case you have to break the spell. You knew that Sato had been acting strangely today, didn't you, Ueno-san?

Okay, okay.


I can't see Ueno-san's expression because she's still looking forward, but she apparently nodded to me.


"...... curse, disappear from my presence--'unholy'


The fact that the chanting is shorter than it was in Kantinen Labyrinth is due to Ueno-san's efforts.
A magician's chanting will become shorter as their profession level and skill level increases, and eventually they will be able to release magic without chanting.
Magic that is used in the work of adventurers like Nanase-kun and Hosoyama-san, but magic that is limited to a limited number of places to use, called dismissal, is difficult to raise the level.


'Tsuda-kun, Tsukasa-kun's dismissal is over!

All right. I'll give you time to recover fully. Just take care of the rest.


I grabbed my sword and ran out.
The fact that I was a kendo player does not mean that my level of kenjutsu is high.
It's not that high of a level of swordsmanship, and I'm not sure if I've mastered it, although I've been training to correct the habits that are not necessary for swordsmanship, and I've been focusing on correcting those habits.

I swung my sword, avoiding the branches that attacked me with whip-like movements.
My attack hits, but it doesn't cut the branch, but ends up grazing it.
Until now, I would have given up on this attack and thought it would be a complete loss of enemies.
But this time, I'm a bit different.


'Tsuda-kun! We'll finish Tsukasa-kun's recovery in a while!

Yes, sir!


I avoided branches wielded from all directions.
But my reflexes couldn't avoid all the branches, and a few shots were taken on their bodies.


''Guaah!''


The last attack sent me flying.
I felt a jolt in my back and my consciousness almost jumped.


'Tsuda-kun! I'm done recovering!


I stood up at Mr. Ueno's words.
Sato-kun, who had been seriously injured and could not even stand up, was standing next to Mr. Ueno.


I'm sorry, Tsuda-kun," he said. I'm sorry, Tsuda-kun, but I hope you'll take care of the rest.


Sato-kun raised his eyebrows apologetically and held up his sword.
I chuckled and said.


'I'm the one who's sorry. As soon as I recover, though, I'll leave the rest to you.


I dragged my dull, aching body down to where Ueno-san was standing.
I was relieved when Sato nodded vigorously as we passed each other, and my consciousness was shrouded in darkness.