After resting, we wandered around for about an hour, still finding no obvious traces.
At lunchtime, we settled down and began preparing food.
Although we brought simple, quick-cooking meals, we still needed to lay out mats and prepare before eating.
But Ars didn't even prepare food, only focusing on looking around.
It seemed he really wanted to see the Hero Devourer.
Seeing him like that, I walked over to Lisbeth and patted her bottom with my front paw, implying that she had to deal with her sexual urges.
Lisbeth gave me a embarrassed look, kicked my thigh, and then went back to preparing lunch.
I couldn't help but smile.
Lisbeth's resistance to me was gradually disappearing.
Her flushed face no longer showed the fear, suspicion, and disgust she had shown at our first meeting.
Her flustered appearance was radiating an endearing aura of a female gradually transforming into a woman.
I confirmed this scene, simultaneously pulling up Lisbeth's status bar from behind her.
......
Name: Tania Lisbeth
Race: Human
Level: 24 (1290/9120)
Title: The Mage Deeply Addicted to member's
Age: 19
Female Skills: [Lewdness LV.4] [Male Scent Addiction LV.2] [Horse Semen Addiction LV.1] [Submission LV.1]
Female Records: [First Kiss: member]
Male Affection: Ryan Ars 60%, Shimo 39%, Others 1%.
...... Looking at Lisbeth's status bar, which had been updated again, I thought to myself, "Just as I suspected."
Although it was just an intuition, I've noticed that Lisbeth's status bar always shows an increase in items whenever there's progress.
Even when I and the other humans checked, the initial status bar remained unchanged, except for Lisbeth's, which kept increasing. I wasn't entirely sure, but perhaps it was updating based on the status of the woman I was eyeing?
After admiring the new and changed items with this thought in mind, I pondered the affection level.
39%... almost 40%. With a little more effort, she could rival Ars, and soon Lisbeth would be my female—just as I was feeling optimistic, the question, 'No, isn't it too early?' flashed through my mind.
Among those women who cheat, there are those who, though deeply involved with their lovers, remain oblivious and maintain their relationships, right?
Thinking about this, even if her affection level surpassed Ars's, would Lisbeth's childhood bond with Ars truly sever?
More importantly, what I longed for was for Lisbeth to actively reject Ars and swear allegiance to me... Thinking about this, a similar or slightly higher affection level felt far from enough.
Realizing there was still a long way to go, I decided to use the affection level as the only reference point.
Staring blankly at the status bar, it seemed the meal was ready. The two of them ate the simple food I had prepared, while I nibbled on some grass nearby.
I could have eaten this kind of simple food, but since it was free, and I had tried the bread Lisbeth bought during the week Ars was away, I could barely taste it.
It seems this horse body even has a problem with its sense of taste.
Please, be more normal when you transform into human form…
We ate lunch and wandered around for a long time, finding nothing except two small, horned-chicken-like monsters.
Just as I was thinking that I had wasted another day, on the way back to Radia, I was considering whether I could persuade Lisbeth to take care of her needs again that night when I suddenly saw Ars, who was walking ahead, suddenly bend down and gesture to us.
"...Something."
What is it?
After a moment of stunned silence, I suddenly understood, and together with the equally startled Lisbeth, we crouched down beside Ars.
Had we really stumbled upon it?
I stared at the ominous black figure across the bushes.
That jet-black form, with two faces and twelve eyes, was spewing scorching black smoke, as if flaunting its malevolent nature.
But…for some reason, its actions contradicted its ominous demeanor, behaving like a cat.
The Hero Devourer, appearing in a slightly open area of the forest, was scratching the ground with its claws, making strange movements as if searching for something.
Looking at it this way, is that thing really the legendary harbinger of destruction?
I couldn't help but have that feeling…
"…What should we do? Ars," I asked Ars, looking at the scene.
"Since you said you wanted to investigate, it's up to you how to handle it."
"As for me, I'm open to running away or fighting.
"If it feels dangerous, I'll prioritize taking Lisbeth and retreating at a speed faster than a horse."
"..." Ars quietly drew his sword, then looked at Lisbeth and me.
"...First, I'll launch a solo charge while that guy's on his guard. After my attack, Lisbeth will observe the situation from the rear and provide support, while Shimo joins the battle while I'm holding him off. What do you think?"
This looks like a dangerous operation.
Is Ars truly reckless or just fearless...? I think the best plan is for Lisbeth to use the flamethrower-like magic she demonstrated last time during the attack, then Ars and I will attack simultaneously.
Honestly, even so, considering the last time we thought we'd finished the fight but were instead killed, it's probably still going to be tough.
"Ars..."
"Lisbeth. Of course I know it's dangerous, but like I said, I want to confirm my strength. I would never do something so reckless if I were alone, but we have Shimo, right? Think about Shimo's running speed; escaping in a crisis should be possible."
It seems he trusts my speed and is willing to act recklessly. But what if we can't get anyone else in time? I don't care as long as Lisbeth is safe.
Lisbeth looked at Ars with a worried expression, then at me. I didn't really care about Ars, but to ease Lisbeth's worries, I forced a smile and said something against my will.
"Well… I'm a little worried too, but since you've said that, let's give it a try. If anything happens, I'll rush over to save Ars, then take you both and get out of there immediately."
Hearing her say that, Lisbeth nodded, gripping her wand tightly with both hands, as if she had made up her mind.
After Lisbeth agreed, Ars discussed the specific timing with us and then crept towards the bushes diagonally opposite the Hero Devourer, which was still digging in the ground.
Lisbeth and I watched Ars as he distanced himself, remaining vigilant for the Hero Devourer's movements while waiting for his signal to charge.
Ars, hidden in the bushes, monitoring the Hero Devourer.
A tense atmosphere filled the forest; only the sound of the monster digging in the ground was clearly audible.
He slightly bent his body, gripping the black hilt of his sword tightly.
The instant Ars took his first step forward, eyes wide—*crack*.
The sound of a dry branch snapping exploded through the forest.
"Eekyaa ... I had intended to just carry Lisbeth and escape quickly, but seeing her pale face after witnessing the horrific scene, my body moved involuntarily.
When I reached Ars, he lay motionless amidst billowing black smoke.
The black breath had spread a considerable distance, and Ars remained motionless, as if unconscious.
Although he tried to dodge, the wide-ranging breath seemed to engulf him.
I swiftly grabbed Ars and tossed him onto my back. In my haste, I didn't have time to consider whether my posture was proper.
"Lisbeth! Prepare to evacuate!" After carrying Ars, I yelled at Lisbeth and ran.
The Hero Devourer roared and charged from a considerable distance, its piercing howl almost tearing my eardrums.
"Lisbeth! Get on!" I crouched down beside Lisbeth, and she hurriedly climbed onto my back.
Just as the Hero Devourer was about to touch my nose, feeling Lisbeth's weight on my back, I concentrated all my strength in my legs and burst forward.
"Aa ... "Ars! Ars!" As I stopped, Lisbeth immediately laid Ars flat on his back and shook him, trying to wake him, but he remained unconscious.
Black patches, resembling traces of dragon breath, remained all over his body, and his face was so pale he almost looked like a corpse.
Quickly, Lisbeth confirmed Ars's breathing, placed her hand on his chest, and closed her eyes. After a brief moment of concentration, she said in a hurried voice:
"There's a… aura similar to [magic core]. Could the Hero Devourer be a demon? If so, current medicines or potions are ineffective. We must get to the church as soon as possible!"
Lisbeth frantically packed her belongings, her hands trembling uncontrollably, unable to hold anything firmly. Her face was deathly pale, as if struck by a heavy blow, and she kept muttering to herself.
"Lisbeth."
"Should have stopped it sooner… What do we do… He was injured by a monster… If even the church can't heal him…"
"Lisbeth!!!" I shouted at Lisbeth, who seemed completely dazed, and she suddenly snapped out of it and turned around.
"Ah, ah!?"
"Calm down. The Hero Devourer is gone. Calm down and help Ars onto my back. He's not dead yet, and he doesn't seem to be seriously injured. As long as we get back to Radia as soon as possible, he can get treatment."
After I sorted out the situation, Lisbeth's pale face regained some composure.
Slightly calmer, Lisbeth nodded, helped Ars onto my back, and then climbed onto my back from behind.
"Thank you, Shimo…"
"Don't mention it. I'll try to go as fast as I can. Just tell me where to go."
And so, carrying the two of them, I sped towards Radia.