Preparations

“Why don’t we wait until night to leave?”

We hadn’t been attacked by any monsters during our trek from the church to the river.

Although it might’ve been a coincidence, I suggested we wait in hopes of increasing our chances of survival.

After discussing our options, we decided to stay put during the day and make a move once night fell. We’d make our necessary preparations in the meantime.

I used the goblin’s club that Homura lit to build a fire and boiled some water from the river. 

I scooped up the water using an aluminum lunchbox that I found at the bottom of Futoshi’s backpack, making sure to lay some flat pebbles underneath so it wouldn’t catch fire.

Once the water had boiled, I transferred it to some empty plastic bottles.

There. That ought to last us for a while.

“This should do for a torch, right?”

Surprisingly, Saburo made himself useful without complaining.

He’d brought a Swiss Army knife with him, which he used to cut branches and create torches for us.

“I’m not much of a team player, but I like camping on my own.”

Did this situation feel like a camping trip to him? I wondered.

He seemed to relish his tasks, though, so I decided not to say anything.

“I found another bag. Yes, there are snacks inside! Score!”

Chika returned in high spirits.

Chika and Shizuka were collecting the bags that the other troops had left behind.

Since we were attacked by the lizardmen while we were resting, a lot of our classmates’ stuff had been abandoned in the scuffle.

We highly doubted they’d come back for them, so we decided to take whatever we needed.

“How’s Shizuka doing?”

“She’s either puking at the dead lizards, apologizing to them, or crying. It’s pretty bad.”

Looks like Shizuka can’t handle this situation after all. I wondered if she’d be all right moving forward.

On the other hand, Chika seemed to have gotten over it and was proving to be quite reliable.

“I’ll have her take over the fire instead. Will you be okay, Chika?”

“Of course! Anything for snacks!”

If only Shizuka had even an ounce of Chika’s energy.

I approached Shizuka, who was sobbing into her hands next to a dead lizardman.

“You don’t have to do this anymore. I want you to go back and check on the water instead.”

As I tapped her gently on the shoulder, Shizuka flinched.

“I-I’m sorry. Everyone else is working hard, but here I am, not doing anything.”

I shook my head and stopped Shizuka.

“It’s okay. I’d say your reaction is normal considering the situation we’re in.”

We lapsed into silence and moved to the fireside together.

“That’s very sweet of you.”

Charlotte was watching our exchange with amusement.

“What would you like me to do? I’ll do anything.”

“I don’t care what you do as long as you don’t explode. Just stay where you are.”

“Oh? No nice words for me?”

Hell no, I nearly spat out before biting my tongue.

I had more important things to deal with instead of Charlotte right now.

“Can you lend me your knife, Saburo?”

I asked him, ignoring Charlotte.

“Sure. Whatcha gonna make?”

Being a non-skill user, I needed a weapon.

I’d thought of one when I first saw the lizardmen’s sharp claws.

“It’s a surprise.”

I don’t want to lose anyone else.

I stabbed the dead lizardman with Saburo’s knife, determined to make a weapon.