ch61-ch80 · 070-ch69

Chapter 69: Thumbs Up

"This is... my power has returned...?"

The Green Knight lady looks confused. She doesn't seem to understand why she can transform again either.

But Papa doesn't hesitate for a moment—he moves immediately.

"Haah!!"

"!"

In the blink of an eye, Papa's standing in front of the black-haired lady, striking her wrist with a chop.

The black-haired lady doesn't look like she's in pain at all, but she drops her knife.

Papa quickly kicks the knife far away, then moves behind the black-haired lady, tackling her and pushing her down face-first.

He's moving like his injury was a lie. Wait, is he really okay with that much bleeding...?

"Don't move! ...Though I suppose that's pointless to say."

"..."

Papa grabs the arm that was holding the knife, pins it behind her back, and straddles her back.

It all happened in an instant.

Kiri and Rei-chan next to me are still too stunned to process what's happening. Sumi, who got up while rubbing her cheek, has this sparkly look in her eyes for some reason.

"Amaziiing! Ai's Papa is amaziiing!?"

Ah, right, this is the first time she's properly seen Papa as the Black Knight.

Sorry she's getting excited, but this really isn't the time for that.

"Rock-san, be careful! Fuchsia has eiyō-armor!"

It was the green lady warning him, but Papa shook his head.

"No, she can't use eiyō-armor while being controlled remotely. Armor doesn't respond to those without a will."

"Ah..."

Wait, the black-haired lady is being controlled? Like Yamanai-kun was before?

Come to think of it, I feel like she suddenly became expressionless partway through. Even now, with her arm pinned tightly, she doesn't seem to be in pain.

But, she was originally targeting me—what's the point of controlling her just to attack us?

<There is a point. An attack without killing intent is harder to detect. In fact, the Green Knight didn't notice the surprise attack from behind.>

"Waaah, Penta! Can you stop reading my mind!?"

Penta flashes again and starts talking to me. Unlike Melkid, the mascot doesn't move or anything, but it's shining super brightly.

<I don't intend to read minds. It's just that this is the only way I can communicate—directly through your inner thoughts. And even then, I can only reach certain people.>

Right now, Penta's voice can only reach me, Papa, and the green lady.

While we're having this exchange, Papa creates shadows and wraps up the black-haired lady completely.

The green lady approaches Papa as he releases her and stands up.

"Rock-san, there are many things I want you to tell me."

"...I understand, but first let's move. It seems the commotion has gotten rather loud."

From far away, I can hear the sirens of police cars and ambulances.

"Charru, secure that knight who's collapsed over there. You know her, right?"

"Yes."

"Then let's meet up on the roof of that building over there."

Papa pointed to the tallest building in the area.

Wait, how are we supposed to get all the way up there? The green lady just nodded normally and ran off—will she be okay?

"Alright, Ai, let's go. Sorry everyone, but I'm taking Ai with me."

"H-hey, Papa. Isn't it dangerous to leave everyone behind?"

"Earlier, this controlled woman could have cut all of you down with daggers if she wanted to. The fact that she didn't means the enemy has no intention of killing people from this world."

Oh, right. That's true—Sumi and Kan-na-kun were just knocked down, and Shudo-san seems to be completely conscious too.

Ah, Kan-na-kun is lending Shudo-san his shoulder to lean on. He really is such a good kid.

"Can we come listen to the story again later?"

"Ah, me too!"

Kiri casually raises her hand, trying to get in on the other world talk, with Sumi hopping on board.

Rei-chan is still flustered and hasn't quite caught up emotionally. I'm really sorry.

"Yeah, some other time. I'm always sorry for this... Taiyo-kun, you should show your face to Gou-san once in a while. He'll be happy."

"Ah, you noticed? That's right, I'll try to go without my grandma noticing."

What's that about?

Do Shudo-san and Grandpa have some kind of relationship?

"Alright, let's go properly this time. 'Black Dash'"

The shadow at Papa's feet expands and reaches under me.

Whoa, what? I'm sinking into the shadow!?

"Pa, Papa!?"

"It's okay, this will get us to the roof all at once."

His expression isn't clearly visible through his helmet, but Papa gives me a thumbs-up to reassure me.

...Wait a second, he's not seriously planning to give me a thumbs-up and then sink away, is he!?

"Are you doing it too, Ai?"

"No way!"

I'm not going to do it! I'm thinking about everyone who's genuinely worried about me!