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Chapter 47 Part 6 – A memory from the previous「108 times」. Beyond sorrowful. The men risk their lives to challenge the monster called Alisa, who is playing with fate.

At this distance, if Arnold could fire six shots in rapid succession, no matter how abnormal Alisa was, there was no way for her to escape.
Alisa looked at him with a deliberate surprise in her eyes.

「…… You’re terrible …… Arnold …… Why are you pointing your arrows at Alisa? Alisa has always worked hard for Arnold’s sake …… Could it be that you didn’t like me doing that? Did you think that Alisa was a nuisance?」

Arnold’s heart ached as Alisa’s tone became her usual one and she trembled like a little bird.
Alisa had tears in her eyes.
The way she clutched the end of the black ribbon when she was nervous brought back memories of his conversations with Alisa.
The tip of the arrow pointed at Alisa shook as his resolve seemed to falter.

「…… Stop!! Stop it!! I won’t be fooled anymore!! Not with that tone!! Nor that expression!!」

Arnold shouted as he shook off his hesitation and tried to take aim again.

「…… Then …… you should have shot me right away without any hesitation …… because there is more than one golden bug. Did you think I was making these children dance just so I could play with them?」

Arnold’s body lost its freedom faster than Alisa could coldly finish her sentence.
The iron bow left his hand and fell to the floor with a clear sound.
The glow of the golden bugs floating around Alisa like a swarm of fireflies turned into countless skulls and sneered at him.

「…… That’s impossible …… How ……!?」

Arnold groaned as he collapsed to the floor.
He couldn’t understand.
Arnold was not that dumb to look directly at the golden bugs again and again.
He had been very careful to look only at Alisa.

「I told you. The golden bugs are diligent killers. You should listen carefully when people are talking.」

A few golden bugs appeared as if they were floating on the floor where nothing had been before.
A cold metallic light glistened on them.
Arnold’s skin was milky white as he came face to face with their cold eyes at a close distance.

「These children are able to assimilate their surroundings by reflecting them back onto their bodies like a mirror. They take their prey by surprise in a two-stage attack, in case the opponent is too wary to see the glow of the golden bugs. They then spray their odorless venom at close range. There is no way to escape the golden bugs, which hunt in groups.」

Alisa smiled scornfully, picked up the sides of her dress, sank down lightly, and greeted Arnold.

「…… Well then, farewell. Idiot hunter. It seems that your beak and wings have not grown enough that it wasn’t able to reach me. It suits you to be devoured by insects. Off you go, children. It’s time to eat.」

At Alisa’s signal, the golden bugs rushed to Arnold.
In agony, Arnold was unable to move a finger and he let out a silent scream.
His tears welled up. Not from fear. It was out of frustration.
He trembled with regret at not being able to take his revenge on the demon that had taken away his loved ones.

If he had realized it earlier, he might have been able to fight together with the queen and exterminate this monster ……!!　

Even the promise with Matzo that he wouldn’t let anyone lay their hands on the queen seemed unlikely to be kept.

「…… Sorry …… Old man Matzo …… I’m already …… Buhaa ……!?」

「…… Idiot!! What are you doing!! Take your bow!! Don’t give up!! Arnold!!」

Just as Arnold was about to give up, a pungent-smelling liquid was splashed over his head with a scolding.
It was a liquor with an extremely high alcohol content that stung his eyes and nose.
Arnold inhaled the smell and coughed violently. Strength returned to his limbs.
The golden bugs dispersed in a flurry.
Some of the ones that failed to escape flipped over onto the floor with their stomach up, their limbs twitching violently as they became immobile.

「…… The golden bugs are now sealed up. This alcohol paralyzes them and disables their dazzle. My best friend’s life is not so cheap that I would let a mere bug take it. Don’t look down on him!! Alisa Diamondi ……!!」

There was a reliable sailor standing there protecting Arnold and glaring at Alisa.
His orange bangs flew up exposing the scar on his forehead and his sparkling emerald eyes.
The familiar red uniform of the ship’s captain roused Arnold’s withering heart.
Both tears and smiles welled up.

「…… It’s another one of Orange Privateers’ special alcohol with strange effects? …… This alcohol tastes really bad …… Give me a break, man. …… I really wish you could do a different pattern sometimes …… but it really helped. Thanks, Seraphy ……」

It was Seraphy Orange, one of the five heroes, who saved Arnold from his predicament.

「…… The reason you don’t enjoy Orange’s drink is because your taste buds are childish. It’s not my fault. And what better way to celebrate the reunion of warrior and sailor than with a drink? If you have another idea, let me know. I’d like to consider it for our new product.」

Arnold broke into a smile as Seraphy threw down the empty container and chuckled.

A warrior …… How can this friend of mine give me courage so casually with such a few words?
If he were a woman, I’d want to give him a bouquet of flowers so huge that both of my hands are full with it.

「…… Got it …… but the reunion drink will have to wait after we defeat this monster. You must have suspected Alisa’s true colors since you helped me out like this.」

Seraphy nodded at Arnold’s question.
His emerald eyes flashed with fury like lightning for a moment.

「…… I know. I also know Alisa’s true origin and what she has been scheming …… We have been deceived. That woman is a demon who plays with people’s fates. She wants to burn this country to the ground just for the fun of it. She has put all the blame on Queen Scarlet, who was really a great ruler …… Even if I suddenly told you this, you might not be able to believe in it ……」

Arnold patted Seraphy on the shoulder as he hesitantly cut off his words.

「…… No, I believe you. Alisa turned into the queen’s appearance right before my eyes. There’s no way that Alisa is a〈Maiden of Salvation〉from the shrine. If you hadn’t come along, I would have been helplessly killed by her. What the hell is she? Is she not a human?」

「She is a human …… even though she’s like that …… a monster born of the darkness of a family murderer …… I’m glad you believe me, Arnold. I thought it would be impossible to convince you …… since you have a deep resentment against the queen after the execution of your family. Especially since you were so devoted to Alisa. No one would believe that Alisa was the real mastermind. I was going to fight against her alone. But I knew you were a hunter with an eye that can see through the darkness. …… As expected from you, my best friend. You always give me courage.」

Arnold was embarrassed when Seraphy murmured in a relieved tone.

「…… You …… How can you say such embarrassing things with a straight face …… Well, if I had to choose between a woman’s lie or a friend’s truth, I’d take my friend’s truth. ……」

He said it while trying to hide his embarrassment, but his ears turned red.
Far from seeing through the darkness, he had been gripped by his love for Alisa in his memories, and his mind was tossed about like a small boat in a storm. Now he can feel the ground firmly under his feet. Because a trusted friend pointed out Alisa’s wickedness and gave him confidence in his own thinking. It was rather him who got courage from Seraphy.

「…… Fufufu …… A friendship between two passionate men …… You innocently believe that you can overcome any crisis as long as your friend is with you. How foolish …… You would have been happier if you had been fooled by a woman’s pretty lies. …… You’ll regret it. Lies are sweet, while truth is bitter …… because knowing the truth comes at a price ……」

Alisa looked down at them from the dark mezzanine hall and scoffed.
She looked at them as if they were insects. She was no longer trying to hide her overwhelming presence. The resistance of the two were not taken as a threat at all. There was no longer the slightest hint of love in her eyes. Just facing the monster, sweat soaked their entire body.

「…… You rendered my golden bugs useless. You’re terrible, stripping the accessories off a powerless woman. It was my favorite …… and I can’t even use dazzle anymore …… What should I get from you guys as an apology? …… Let’s see …… I’ll take a golden cat’s-eye and an emerald. …… Those audacious eyes that glared at me so insolently.」

Her mouth hung like a crescent moon.
Arnold was horrified and his hair stood on end.
Alisa decided to gouge out their eyes.

「…… Not good!! Shoot her!! Arnold!!」