Time Buying

GOON! A dull sound echoes, and the entire dungeon shakes significantly.

Impact and vibration as if tremendous superstrength clashed with superstrength, and fists filled with spirit and guts collided with fists.

“Ahaha~! Carol started already~? So faaaast!”

“Yes, it seems so.”

Around the same time Carol began his blood-boiling battle with Ester, two female students from Class C were advancing through a separate detour route.

One is short in stature with a baby face, hair tied with a flashy giant ribbon to be deliberately conspicuous, and characterized by thick makeup and a smile that seems to mock others: Peroni Garçon.

The other has a fearless face devoid of makeup, hair cut short for ease of movement, and carries two swords at her waist: Elfriede Schwarz.

As the two advance through the dungeon at full speed,

“Geez, I always tell him to do it quieter when fighting. That’s why he’s not popular, that regent!”

“Concentrate on the plan, Peroni. If you let your guard down, you’ll be tripped up.”

Elfriede looks at the dungeon shaking GOON! as usual.

“An impact that shakes the dungeon… Carol is definitely using Body Strengthening magic. The opponent is that strong.”

“You’re overthinking it, Elfriede. For Class F to try and beat us, they’re a million years too early! —Oops.”

Peroni and Elfriede, who were conversing, abruptly stop their feet moving forward.

Because they found silhouettes ahead.

Two of them.

One holds a giant battle axe, and the other a small crossbow.

“—Just as Lady Letitia said. Two rats from the back door.”

“Just as planned, yeah☆”

Blocking the way as if they had been waiting are two Class F members.

They are Rowen Sterajian and Laki Azalea.

“Hoh…”

Seeing their figures, Elfriede realizes.

It seems our plan might have been seen through.

“Peroni, go ahead. I’ll take this.”

“Ehh~, let me do it! I feel like I’d get along with that cute girl over there!”

Peroni glances at Laki.

In response, Laki sticks out her tongue, “Bleh~♠”.

Elfriede draws the two swords from her waist and readies them with both hands.

“No. You are more suitable for solo infiltration.”

“Okaaay. Good luck then, Elfriede!”

Moving nimbly, Peroni passes by Laki and the other.

However, Rowen and Laki do not try to stop her, letting her pass right through.

Thinking that behavior suspicious, Elfriede asks,

“…You aren’t stopping her?”

“Of course not♣ Because that’s part of the plan too♪”

“What did you say…?”

“‘If you see a female student named Peroni, let her pass.’ More importantly, worry about yourself.”

Rowen readies his battle axe firmly.

“Our role is strictly to stall you.”

“You’re the one who decided to be alone♦ Don’t call two-on-one unfair♤”

“…”

Elfriede falls silent for a moment.

Because she couldn’t quite read the two in front of her—or rather, Class F’s strategy.

But immediately, she shakes off the complicated thoughts.

Because she thought it was useless to think with her own head anyway.

Then, she points the tip of the sword in one hand toward Rowen.

“…Your name, is it Rowen Sterajian?”

“Hm? You know my name?”

“Not me, Martin knew. Said you were a promising man among Career Knights.”

Ah, Rowen accepts inwardly.

Martin and Rowen, both Career Knights, knew of each other.

Though not enough to be called acquaintances.

Hence they had never met directly or spoken, but—

“By the way, are you stronger than Martin?”

“Who knows. I’ve never crossed blades with him, so I can’t say—”

“I see.”

In the next instant, Elfriede kicks the ground whoosh and vanishes from Rowen’s vision.

And—brandishing her blade, she rapidly approaches right before Rowen’s eyes with terrifying speed.

“Mgh…!?”

Giin! The metallic sound of battle axe and sword meshing echoes.

Rowen succeeded in defending by a hair’s breadth.

“I am… stronger than Martin, despite appearances.”

“Rowen!”

Laki fires her crossbow immediately to help him.

However, Elfriede deflects the fired arrow with the sword in one hand with ease.

Meanwhile, in the opening where her attention was taken by the arrow for a split second,

“Nuun!”

Rowen knocks the sword away.

He swings the battle axe as a follow-up, but Elfriede dodges it lightly.

“You guys, earlier you said not to think two-on-one is unfair. I apologize, but that is overconfidence.”

Elfriede readies her twin swords again.

“Rather, I gave you a handicap. Even with two, it’s just right for you—or maybe still not enough.”

She directs a gaze looking down at the two.

Hearing her line, Laki—

“…Pfft, kukuku…!”

“…? What is so funny?”

“No~, I just thought Letitia-chan was really right♪”

As if unable to suppress her laughter, Laki lifts the corners of her mouth, chuckling.

Rowen also floats a fearless smile.

“Earlier you asked my name. Then you answering yours is only proper.”

“…Elfriede. Elfriede Schwarz.”

“Elfriede, you certainly look strong. Frustratingly, you might be stronger than me or Laki. But that is also something Lady Letitia predicted.”

“‘The bodyguard for the favorite Peroni should be an exceptionally strong student’ is assigned♤ Honestly I was half-doubting, but bullseye♥”

While loading a new arrow into the crossbow, Laki says,

“I investigated Class C members a bit☆ That Peroni girl is good at weird magic. Perfect for infiltration and solo action…”

“—! You guys…!”

“Intel is my specialty♦ Plus I know Class C was sniffing around us too, so don’t call it cheating♠”

Laki floats a devilish smile on her lips.

In contrast, a certain amount of impatience bleeds onto Elfriede’s face.

Rowen points the tip of his battle axe at Elfriede.

“And didn’t I say earlier? Our role is strictly to stall you.”

Dropping his hips low, he readies the battle axe with both hands again.

“If we can buy time here… this battle is our win.”