Turning Point

It was quite the struggle, but finally I can take a break. However, I can’t take it easy. There are still a lot of these guys. There’s no telling what Aka might be going through.

Vin called out, “Hey, tell me. What’s your name?”

I replied. “Hold on, I am Terran. I have somewhere to go!”

When I started running to Aka’s house, Vin, who should have been down, got up and ran up to me. Vin said, “Hey, wait a minute! Let’s talk, I’ll listen! So please, don’t go!”

What is wrong with her, she’s still can run. Her clothes got shredded by my shockwave but now is not the time as I need to get somewhere else.

I used my flicker step and took off. I took a goose step to avoid colliding with Vin, who stood in the way, and ran. 

Vin called to me, “Hey, just, I said wait!”

I yelled back, “Daaaaaah~, don’t order me around! Also, your clothes are exposing your body. So, if you don’t mind! Hide your panties!”

Vin is chasing right after me. “Not really, they’re made to be seen without issue! Besides, you can look to your heart’s content, go on!”

 The crazy nuisance. So annoying.

While moving straight, proceed to change direction so as to draw a circle outward. I’ll shake her off at this rate.  

Vin gasped at the magic technique, “Eh, huh!?”

I shouted, “Now is not the time! Your companions may be doing something to my friend, and don’t suddenly offer your hand!”

 Vin was remorseful, “Come on, I’m listening to you, aren’t I? You’re seriously saying that ogre is a friend!”

These guys told me to listen to them yet had no ears to listen to me, and now they tell me to listen, but I’m reluctant to talk and kept on running. The only difference, I’m refusing but Vin kept screaming without a care.

Vin tried to explain herself, “I’m 15 years old from The Kingdom of Insei, the eldest daughter of the Stoke family. I was called a child prodigy, what’s more, my skills at playing Go won me the under 18 tournament championship. The type of man I like is… how should I put it. The man I’m interested in right now is… No, I don’t have to say anymore, do I? Right? Right? Totally infatuated! The bloodlust from our battle, it’s now an exceedingly wonderful, heart throbbing memory!”

Vin rambled on and started blushing due to her infatuation.  Not good. She’s beautiful, and she said I’m her type, but she’s kind of annoying.

I replied. “I-Infatuated, no woman says that so easily!”

I’m flattered, but I may not want to be intimate. she remains so energetic, despite losing to me. If I take her to Aka’s place like this, it might be dangerous.

Vin then said, “Also if you need to stop my brother, in that case I’ll help you! Then we can get more time to talk.”

I was baffled, “That’s why I didn’t have the time to talk to you. How long has it been since your brother went to the ogre's house? Then, I’ll keep getting faster, if it’ll be one second faster then so be it. Too bad for you but I’ll blow your big brother away with haste!”

I face forward, my cheeks and skin get cut by branches on the way and proceed regardless. I glanced back, but Vin was fine and she had no problem. 

Enuma said, "This is the perfect parkour. You could learn a thing or two from her."

I gasped “Enuma?”

Enuma explained, "I would like you to show me such movement"

I lashed out. “Shut up! It’s been a while now! And I’m worried about Aka!”

Then, Enuma was by my side thinking a little as he observed the situation while whispering into my ear. "From now on, I shall direct you on the fastest route. Follow my instructions. I will inform you on the best route to avoid obstacles."

That’s how Enuma explains the route to me. About short words and their basis. Ignoring the chasing Vin, I concentrate on remembering Enuma’s words. Then, as I enter the deep, wooded area, I increase my concentration.

Vin asks me, “Are you all right?”

Enuma said, "Let us proceed."

I hit the route and cut into an angle diagonally after running straight. I just barely avoid a large tree. Then cut diagonally to the right after running straight for a while.

 There’s nothing to hinder me for a while, and I can run through non-stop. Vin suddenly notices the gap between them, “Hey, what? How did he? A swifter running, I can’t catch up!”

Incredible. As I ran, I pondered, which way and I thought about it, but my idea was completely different from Enuma’s instructions. I realize my judgment still needs work.

Thanks to that, I gained some distance from the woman chasing and being annoying. 

Vin started to call out “You’re truly amazing. I respect you! But that’s why you have to wait! You say you’ll blow my brother away, but don't stand a chance against my brother!”

At that time, the words I heard from behind made me a little angry.

Vin continued, “My dear elder brother is much stronger than I am. He has real battle experience, all top-class talent. A genius who was recognized for his ability by the Seven Heroes of legend!”

Yeah, there are plenty of genius prodigies, I’m even a genius drop out. Never been recognized by the Seven Heroes. However, the Demon King who was the nemesis of the Seven Heroes recognized me.

Enuma interrupted, "You are close."

I finally approached a familiar place.  I notice right away, “Hey, Enuma! There’s some smoke. Is it burning?”

Enuma confirmed, "Most Likely."

The smoke is spreading, and the air is gradually getting hot. The house I spent last night comes into view.  It’s burning, Aka’s house, the field, and the crops.

The surrounding trees are destroyed, the ground is devastated, and it was no longer a place where anyone could live. 

What caught my eye wasn’t the burning, the devastation, or the extent. The blood spread abundantly on the ground. Kunai and shuriken stuck all over the place. An audible groan.

A dying figure, so weak that it seems about to expire at any time. I wanted to doubt the sight before me as simply a dream, but all the air I feel on my skin tells me that this is real.

Enuma alone is not so surprised. He is calm as if he expected, this outcome isn’t anything strange. Enuma commented, "Don't ask how."

I croaked, “What?”

That was the only thing I could squeeze out.

When Vin finally caught up, she was surprised at the sight which spread before her. “I’ve caught up. Eh? eh!? This is…”

It is only natural. Because these are Vin’s friends and big brother may be among them, too.

They’re, bloodstained, lying flat down and on the verge of dying.

Vin was nearly in tears looking at the bodies strewn about “Elder Brother...”

There is one figure looking down at the people laying on the ground. It was big, thick, had many shuriken, kunai, swords, sickles, and other weapons stuck to its body, and a lot of blood was shed.

Enuma said, "To step on the tiger’s tail. I say truly, they provoked the ogre’s horn. They are at fault."

The whole scorched body, and a headless ogre sat up against the burning hut. Without the head, Aka sat motionless. Just dead with weapons piercing him. As well as the dead opponents strung about. 

Enuma explained, "No matter how kind of a person, anger has a tipping point. Even among you humans, there are those who when pushed, kill even their blood-relatives. So, naturally the ogre was pushed, too. An enraged ogre becomes a blood-stained beast and loses all control of their emotions. This is definitely an ogre."

The house where he lived in and the fields he tended have all been ruined. The battle among the warriors and ogre was fierce, and the attack left all wiped out. 

Enuma talked as if he had seen through my heart. "This is the turning point, boy. Show me your solution once again."