Chapter 1430 Cloudy Night Sky: Unreliable Look Part 2

「I also guess that it was my own fault for not seriously giving the strategizing aspect of battle any real consideration in this situation.]

What was it according to one of those Buddist sayings? Ahh, yes, that’s right. “Beyond the twisted road of trials, truth is what you shall find. It might not be clearly visible at all times, but the truth is always there with you”. …… Whoa there, I have arrived at my destination already? Time sure flies by when you are thinking about things while on the move.

「………Hmm?]

Even if the dragon-snakes were to attack the frontline base at some point, I am more than sure that the Players would easily be able to overcome them. I mean, it wouldn’t be the first time that the Players here would be forced to fight against a Raid Boss-class of enemy against basically six Super Strong monsters all at once. And seeing how we managed to overcome, the result this time around should be the same, ending in a decisive victory for us.

Although some damage has occurred to the frontline base during that last battle, the frontline base was currently more or less intact, since the reconstruction efforts were finished roughly five days after the battle was finally over.

There are just a few exceptions to that overall picture.

For example, in ShanFro the light source at night uses moss and ore that shine like the ones in your typical fantasy setting, but in the absence of those things, naturally a primitive fire lighting is used instead.

For example…… Yes, the ‘Sanke’s Apple” café which looks like a “rogue hangout” from the outside, has not yet been compensated for the glowing moss lighting that was damaged by the attack of the Colored Dragons, so the entrance to the establishment was illuminated by the light of a primitive bonfire.

「……………]

「What’s wrong? Master?]

─── The wind started to blow.

It was so weak that it couldn’t blow away the clouds that covered the entirety of the sky at all, and it was a weak wind that just patted my cheeks lightly and left once it did just that.

Only this much, it was only just that light of a breeze, but……

「…… Huh.]

It was more than enough to show me the right answer.

「What’s that … solid……]

「Ah! Hey, Sanraku! What happened to you, man!?]

「Ah, Survival, huh? Nothing, I just happened to get caught up in a shit-tier losing event. Is all.]

「A shit-tier losing event, huh……? But wouldn’t that be an event where both of your legs are broken and one arm is blown away completely?]

「I was surprised to hear that there are three big snakes that were attacked out there, and now they are here seeking refuge.]

「…… Haha, yeah? No shit.]]

「By the way, what about those three over there?]

……………

Hmm, I see, I see.

So it would seem that Wimp did not leave her own room inside of the Snake’s Apple after all.

As for both Shuu and August, apparently those two managed to get to the Church and as for asylum inside of its walls. That is actually well within the acceptable turn of events, because the Giuards out there should have been notified about Goldunine the Inexhaustible and her Unique Scenario…… But not like it matters all that much anymore.

「……………]

「Ah, hey! Where are you going, Sanraku?]

「I feel like I’m a little short of parameters right now…… Sigma, I think it’s useless endeavor, but approach me if Wimp responds properly.]

「Question: Where are you heading, Master?]

「Well, you know…… I mean, after clearing about two tasks lightly and easily, I’ll settle for a dispute with my little bro.]

…

………

……………

* * *

Survival was thinking about going to bed right about now, but when he saw the unusual appearance of Sanraku, he was worried and lost sight of the time.

「Goldunine the Inexhaustible, huh……?]

Unfortunately, Survival was unable to participate in the “event in which a dragons attacked the frontline base all at once”. The reason is simply that it took an extraordinarily long amount of time to get his pet cat vaccinated and he simply could not go back home in time. But it seems that the dragon attack, as well as the dragon-snake attack not so long ago was related to some greater Unique Scenario EX.

What Survival saw when he logged into the game in a hurry after seeing the excitement on SNS servers was the moment when the Conquest Doll contracted to Sanraku disappeared, but it would seem that she was forced to make a run for it towards the “Snake’s Apple” in half-destroyed state.

And from the perspective of Survival, even though the wounds of those three were serious, he also found them to be pretty nostalgic for some reason. During the five days when Sanraku did not log in, the two Gordunines left the store, and Wimp withdrew into her room and went out not even once.

What the hell happened here? And where did Sanraku, who logged in just now, go without even going to see Wimp?

Was it somehow related to the fact that the “disappearing white snake” that was always with Wimp was now nowhere to be found?

At least Sanraku, who probably knew the answer to some of those questions, returned to the store after about eight hours and thirty minutes managed to pass.

「……………]

「Uwaah!?]

One of the Players belonging to the “Tias-chan Dress-Up Corps” screamed out loud as the swaying and ragged mass of black rags entered the “Snake’s Apple”, looking as though he was about to keel over at any minute now.

While the Players who then started to turn around also started to scream like little girls and make various other reactions to that sudden appearance……

Survival was the only one who was laughing.

「Oioioi…… What’s the deal with all those tattered rags that you are wearing, Sanraku?]

「Ahh, those……? Well, I have been doing some solo capturing. That’s why.]

Sanraku, who had changed his gender and equipment before going out, answered the question of Survival without even trying to hide the fact that he was fatigued as all hell right about now.

A jet-black mourning dress, a transformation item “R.I.P.” that drops from the ghost of the Black Death that appears triggered by slaughter of a large number of monsters, has fought against an enemy that was able to tear it into shreds without a even breaking a sweat, probably for almost eight hours straight. That was the answer that Sanrraku gave to Survival’s question.

His appearance was certainly miserable, but…… No, it was precisely because it was so miserable that Survival saw a little girl with her eyes peeking through the tears in the veil, which was half gone at this point.

「Well then, I guess that this is going to be more than enough……]

Sanraku climbed the stairs leading to the room that was given to Wimp, with the kind of walk that made you fear that he might actually fall right off of those stairs at any moment now. Fortunately, nothing like that ended up happening.

No one had the courage to stop him. Even Survival saw off Sanraku without forcing him to stop.

「Kuku, kukukuku……]

「S-Surviv-san?]

「Hmm? What is it?]

「No, it’s just that…… You started laughing all of a sudden like that……]

「Oh, that? Well, don’t worry about it. I just happened to remember something that made me laugh. It’s all.]

After all, he saw a pretty nostalgic face just now.

And he would never mistake that for anything else. Because in the past, his “Baibaal” has been killed by the person bearing that look more times than he could possibly count.