[Part 4/4]
There is only one entrance to the hollow tree. There is no possibility of being attacked from behind. Go around and aim from the front, hiding in the bushes and using projectiles. It will be difficult to surpass this attack in a situation with little cover and hindrances.
(Then... I should move quickly)
Always take the initiative. Don't give the opponent the upper hand. Keep them on the defensive. That is the secret to surviving and maneuvering in a long battle without much spiritual power, like a household member...
"Princess! Let's go!!"
"Huh...!?"
Immediately after the shout. Hisame's eyes confirmed the figure jumping out of the hollow tree. At the same time, three needles were released. Two were deflected, but the last one hit the mark.
"Ugh!!?"
The third needle pierced the man's palm, causing him to drop the throwing star. A scream escaped, and the throwing kunai fell with a sound at his feet. It should be hurt for him. But ignoring all of that, the man fled while carrying his injured hand. The preys started fleeing with all their might. However, she knew that it was the man's last weapon. There were no spare daggers or throwing kunai left.
"He's quick to react...!!"
He must have realized that staying would lead to a dead end. His reckless action seemed like a desperate move, but it was a decisive move that took advantage of the momentary gap in her judgment. Whether it was a few seconds earlier or later, it would probably have failed.
...However, even if she admires him, she has no intention of letting him escape.
"Wait...!!"
Hisame's eyes started pursuing the injured prey, beginning the chase to end it all...
"She's chasing us!! To the right diagonally!"
"Take this...!!"
In response to Aoi's warning to keep an eye on our back, I twisted my body and prepared the slingshot. I shot stones one after another without much aim. It didn't matter if they hit or not. It was just a distraction.
...Or rather, it could only be a distraction.
"D*mn it, what a quite junior to keep poking holes in people's bodies...!!"
The sound of another stone being deflected. The pursuit momentarily stopped. I concentrated on the front again and ran through. I ran and spat out blood. When I looked at the palm holding the stone, it was overflowing with red blood. It was because I forcibly removed Hisame's needle. It hurts.
"What should we do!? Do you have any other moves!?"
"I'm still thinking...!!"
I answered Aoi's scream-like cry with a slightly irritated tone. D*mn it, curse tools that can penetrate trees...!?
"At least if we can get close to Stegoro (ステゴロ)...!?"
To do that, I need to take the initiative and get close... but that was an extremely difficult task. With Hisame's detection ability, even if I tried to launch a surprise attack, it would surely be detected if we focused on hiding.
"...Wait, will it be detected?!"
While fleeing, I suddenly came up with the demon's idea. As I came up with it, I also randomly shot stones while avoiding the thrown needles. And to also counter her curse tool, we blended into the moss and ivy-covered rocky area. We temporarily lost her in pursuit.
"Detection, detection, find an opening... or maybe!?"
"What, did you come up with a good idea!?"
"I'm not sure if it's a good idea. And I can't do it without Princess's cooperation..."
I hesitated as we ran. Is it really a good idea to ask for her help? After all, if this were to be realized...
"Fine. Just tell me anything!!"
As if blowing away my hesitation, Aoi shouted. Her statement surprised me, and when I looked at her face, she was also staring at me intently. And she smiled fearlessly.
"Please don't underestimate my observational skills. I didn't say it irresponsibly. I said it while being prepared! ...When you get home, be prepared for punishment, okay?"
She understood what I had in mind from her expression and statement. She understood and spoke about it. That if we don't take action, we won't be able to overcome this situation.
"...I guess I have to write a farewell letter, huh?"
Thinking about the cruel role I expected from her, I truly felt it from the bottom of my heart.
It was truly a short game of tag. With the physical strength of a servant who had been injured multiple times, they couldn't keep running forever. Moreover, there weren't many places to escape within this narrow boundary.
Therefore, she had arrived there just before dusk.
"I found you..."
The location was right near the edge of the boundary. Her eye had noticed that there was prey hiding in that place. More accurately, she had noticed that they were hanging a decoy and planning a counterattack.
A peach-colored outfit peeked out from the shade of the trees. The outfit was not just for show, there was definitely someone hiding inside. She could sense that she was huddled up, wrapping herself in a dirty silk kimono and holding her knees.
On the other hand, Hisame clearly felt the presence of a person from the rocky area where she could aim. If she approached the princess hiding in the shade of the trees, she would be in a position to shoot with a slingshot.
"..."
To be honest, she was disappointed. It turned out to be just like that. And the suspicion she had been holding onto for a long time was confirmed now...
"If that's the case..."
If that's the case, then there's no hesitation. There's no doubt. She just have to fulfill her role.
Emotionless, impassive, just setting up this malicious and cunning stage.
"..."
Using stealth techniques to hide her presence, Hisame sneaked around the bushes. She circled around to the rocky area and found it. The wrist of the person peeking out from the rocks. The arm that held the slingshot, which was expected, still had the marks of the needles that had been thrown, looking painful.
Despicable... Hisame narrowed her eyes while thought so. She clenched her teeth. She knew from her previous experiences. When cornered, a person's true nature is revealed second only to their good side. Even though he had acted so virtuous, this is how he would be when truly pushed to the limit. It shows the depths of one's character.
Surely, this man was the same at that time too...
"Tch."
With a small click of her tongue, she approached. Without making a sound, without the sound of cutting through the wind, without even hearing her breathing, not a single sound, not a single presence could be felt. Her stealth technique was truly top-notch.
And yet, she didn't let her guard down.
"...!"
Just before launching her attack, she activated her own ability. Although she lacked spiritual power, she was the biggest factor in the Onitsuki family's secret division, not just a servant or a subordinate. The power to deceive even the world within the time limit. The power specialized in infiltration and hiding. The power perfect for dirty work... She enveloped herself in that power and approached the target with full-body enhancement, without even caring about making any noise. She circled around the rocks and quickly closed in on her prey.
"Huh...?"
And right after capturing her prey in front of her, the hunter unintentionally stopped moving with the dagger still raised. In her mind, there was confusion, agitation, and astonishment...
"?, Oh, what a shame, you missed. ...You're quite the fool, aren't you?"
And finally, after the time limit had passed, the princess, who had just become aware of her presence, calmly declared even though she was in a crisis.
She, who was wearing a servant's outfit, brought her blood-soaked palm to her mouth, holding a blood-soaked needle in her other hand, and mocked Hisame.
As if watching a trapped beast.
"...!?"
Hisame turned around in a panic. Someone was approaching from behind. No longer even wearing the hakama, a man dressed only in a loincloth was approaching with a confident smile... holding a muddy loincloth in his hand.
"I told you, didn't I!? Instead of a dagger, you should have chosen a bow...!!"
Wrapping the dagger that was swung to him, the servant tackled his junior with all his might...
Fanart:
Title: Dignified and Proud Onitsuki Hina
URL: [Link]
Title: Cute Mascot Princess
URL: [Link]
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