Chapter 270

"Mr. Clael, Mr. Clael!"

"Nngh..."

"The blizzard has stopped. Let's go back."

"Ah, sorry. I completely fell asleep."

I only meant to take a short nap, but I feel like I slept pretty deeply.

I don't know the exact time, but judging by how it feels, it's probably close to evening.

"How long was I asleep?"

"Just about an hour. It wasn't that long."

"I see... Ah, the snow really has stopped. I was wondering what we'd do if we had to stay here overnight."

Even if we have fire and food, I really don't want to spend the night in a mountain hut.

Of course it's better to eat a delicious meal at the hotel, soak in the hot springs, and sleep in a soft bed.

"If it had gotten any darker, descending would've been difficult... I'm glad it stopped before sunset."

"Yes, shall we go?"

Reina seems to be in a better mood now.

I have no idea what made her upset earlier... but I'm glad she's feeling better.

Clael and Reina left the mountain hut and began walking down the descent route.

What was that blizzard earlier...? The snow had completely cleared, and visibility was great. There were signposts too, so it was an unmistakable mountain path.

"Ah, Mr. Clael! Reina!"

"Ah, Mr. Yurii. Is something wrong?"

"Of course something's wrong! You both suddenly disappeared, I was worried sick!"

Once they descended the mountain, they were able to reunite with Yurii.

Near Yurii were three of Reina's friends. It looked like everyone was safe.

"The snow suddenly got stronger, and before I knew it, you two were gone! I was so shocked!"

"Ah, I'm sorry about that. Were you all okay?"

"Yes, the snow settled down quickly. Honestly, we were more confused about how you two disappeared."

"...I see."

It's true... it felt like we teleported—suddenly, we were lost.

Why did we even get lost in the first place? It's still a mystery.

"............"

I glanced at Reina behind me, and she looked away with a blank expression.

She was oddly grumpy at the mountain hut... but now, at least, she's back to normal. Still, what was that all about?

(Well, I guess getting lost on a ski trip would put anyone in a bad mood. There's no way Reina did anything, so maybe I should just hurry back to the hotel.)

"Sorry for worrying everyone. It's getting dark, so shall we head back to the hotel?"

There was a little incident, but... for today, we'll return to the hotel and have dinner.

Clael and the others began their journey back... but incidents tend to be clingy things. When they happen, they tend to pile up.

"Huh... isn't that kid from our school?"

Yurii was the first to notice.

She pointed at a boy walking along the side of the path.

"His name was... Haizen, right?"

"Ah... yes. That's Shura Heizen."

Clael's face stiffened.

Since the Songstress Shedelielya's event was happening, he figured he'd be somewhere around... but he didn't expect to run into him here.

"I guess he came on the trip too. Though he's totally giving off a 'don't talk to me' aura..."

"Yeah, he doesn't seem to talk to people much at school either... Ah!"

Yurii shouted.

Suddenly, Shura, who had been walking along the path, clutched his chest and began to writhe in pain.

"Haizen! Are you okay!?"

"Ah... Mr. Yurii!"

Yurii rushed over to the kneeling, suffering Shura before Clael could stop her.

"Hang in there, Haizen!"

"Don't... come... any closer... Stay away...!"

"This isn't the time to say that! We need to get you to a doctor...!"

"Stay... Ugh, GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!?"

"Eh...!?"

And then... it happened.

Shura clawed at his chest in agony, and his body began to swell.

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

Shura transformed. Into a black lion the size of an African elephant.

That form was unmistakable... it was the Monster that had attacked the party venue last night.

"GROAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

"Wha... what!? Haizen!?"

"Mr. Yurii! Watch out!"

Clael shouted and tried to run toward Yurii.

But... before he could, the black lion raised its arm, its sharp claws swinging down toward Yurii.

"Ah, no... enough of that already."

"Ah..."

"Grah!?"

It was sent flying.

Repelled by the barrier deployed in front of Yurii, it bounced and rolled along the path.

"We're going home for dinner now, so cut it out."

"Reina..."

Standing beside Clael, Reina held her hand out toward Yurii.

Shura Heizen may have been a main character, but... with a completely indifferent expression, Reina handled the incident like it was a bother.