Chapter 34
The Embrace
Translator : PolterGlast
"I've found the
Ogres' reaction, and they're quite a bit closer than yesterday."
"So it seems the
Ogres you sensed are the targets of this subjugation after all!"
"But... I'm also
sensing another reaction in front of them. A group of the Lesser Ogres we
defeated yesterday is moving ahead of the main Ogre force."
"Does that mean
there are two Ogre hordes?"
"Not two hordes,
more like they're moving in two separate groups, one in front of the
other."
The main force is the
Ogres in the back; the Lesser Ogres must have been ordered by the Ogres to
advance ahead.
The only adventurers
ahead of us are on Aoi's level at best. If they engage a coordinated Ogre
horde, there's a high chance they'll be easily annihilated.
"What have you
been saying this whole time? Explain it so I can understand too!"
"In short, we
need to hurry. There's a high probability that every adventurer on this plain
is about to be overrun by Ogres."
"Overrun by
Ogres? I know you're strong, Graham, but that's impossible! A C-rank adventurer
can easily defeat an Ogre, and while fighting a horde would be a hassle, they
wouldn't get overrun!"
"Think whatever
you want, but Ginia and I are going on ahead. I don't want to see people die
needlessly."
"Sorry, Aoi-chan!
We've got to hurry, so we're going on ahead."
"Even if those
Ogres really are strong, what can an E-rank adventurer do by heading over
there! ...Haaah, I guess it can't be helped. I'll go with you!"
Ginia and I picked up
our speed, and Aoi, despite her complaints that it was impossible, came along
with us.
I was constantly
sensing for presences to keep an eye on the situation, and just a moment ago,
the battle between the adventurers ahead and the horde of Lesser Ogres began.
We're still about ten
kilometers away, and the main Ogre force following behind will soon join them.
If I run at full
speed, I might still make it, but Ginia won't be able to keep up with my true
pace.
I want to avoid people
dying, but for me, the option of leaving Ginia behind is one I don't want to
take... or rather, I can't take it.
If she'd let me carry
her, it would be fine, but it's hard to ask a woman two decades my junior to
let me carry her—but if it means saving people's lives, I have no choice but to
ask.
"...Graham-san,
are you alright?"
"Yeah, I'm fine.
Actually, the adventurers ahead of us have started fighting the horde of Lesser
Ogres."
"What, it's
already started! Ugh, I want to get there fast!"
"In that case, I
have a proposal. Would you mind hearing me out?............Let me carry you
there."
At my proposal, Ginia
and Aoi stopped in their tracks and tilted their heads.
Their expressions were
exactly like they were looking at a weirdo, and I immediately started to feel
embarrassed myself.
"Huh? W-what do
you mean, carry me?"
"Exactly what I
said. I'll carry you both and run to catch up to the adventurers ahead. Or
rather, if I don't, the adventurers ahead will be wiped out."
"The adventurers
ahead will be wiped out? That's impossi...ble, right? If you're just trying to
scare me, you can stop!"
"I wouldn't lie
about something like this. Just answer me. We don't have time. If you don't
want to, I'm sorry, but you two will have to turn back here."
"...Okay! Please
carry me!"
Ginia held out both
her arms towards me, so after taking a breath, I lifted her up effortlessly
with one arm.
I was surprised by how
light she was, but I managed to not let it show.
"Aoi-chan! Hurry
and let Graham-san carry you!"
"I don't mind
being carried, but if what Graham is saying is true..."
"We'll be fine as
long as Graham-san is with us! It's safer behind him than waiting here!"
Listening from the
side, it sounded like a pretty absurd argument, but perhaps because she had
seen me defeat the Golems and had a light match with me herself, the persuasion
seemed to have worked.
Aoi gave a small nod
and jumped onto my back.
"Hey, that's
tight. Don't wrap your arms around my neck. Grab my shoulders. ...Are you not
scared anymore?"
"Like Ginia said,
if you're strong, then behind you is the safest place to be! If you're weak,
then your story about the adventurers being wiped out is a lie! That's how I've
rationalized it!"
"I see. But if
you've decided to come along, then stop jumping out recklessly. I can't protect
you if you charge headfirst at the enemy."
"Aoi-chan! As
long as you follow Graham-san's instructions, you'll be fine! His instructions
are so precise, it's like he knows how to move my body better than I do!"
I'm happy she's been
praising me so much, but it's getting embarrassing to be lauded so openly.
Making sure not to
shake the two of them off, I started running at full speed to catch up with the
adventurers fighting ahead.
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