Ahate Appears and Dies Casually

* * *

Illuminated by the setting sun.

I run through the forest.

The flowing scenery is red and black.

The color of the bright red sunset and shadows.

<Whats wrong, Emi? You seem kind of poetic all of a sudden.>

Ah, I wonder if thats it.

Maybe my artistic sense just exploded here.

<Its okay, Emi. Its poetic, but definitely not good.>

Whats okay? Ill beat you up.

Thats just embarrassing!

While talking about random things with Extra-sama, I run, run, run through the forest!

If I put strength into my jump, from there on, its forest-limited aerial movement.

Kick, kick, kick the trunks of the numerous large trees!

Moving as if literally flying.

Adjusting my strength so as not to destroy the footing.

For me, who feels like Im getting stronger day by day, that strength adjustment is the most difficult.

<Ah, Emi, theres a body of water.>

Being told that, I focus on whats in front of me, and there is a relatively large, beautiful circular spring.

Alright!

I kicked the trunk of a large tree and flew straight into that spring!

Splash!!

Water droplets scattered high into the sky, sparkling as they caught the setting sun.

I gazed at that sight while floating on my back in the spring.

While gazing, I washed off the blood and dirt that had clung to my whole body underground.

Peel, Peel, Peel!

If I use my unique ability, even stubborn dirt can be easily removed.

Without even scrubbing with my hands, just by floating, I become clean.

Ah, it feels so good.

<By the way, was it okay not to ask?>

Whats with the suddenness, Extra-sama?

What are you talking about?

<About Leseida. You suspected that person might be related to Kamasse by blood, right? Was it okay not to confirm it?>

Ah thats what you mean.

The hair color, facial features, eyes

That scholar teacher called Leseida-san really resembled Kamasse.

Theyre definitely siblings or cousins or something like that.

<So, was it okay not to confirm it?>

Its fine, its fine.

Even if I confirm it, it wouldnt change anything.

If that face dies, I couldnt sleep at night, thats all there is to it.

Since he didnt die, thats good enough.

Floating, floating.

This time, I held my breath and flipped over on the water surface, lying face down.

Peel, Peel, Peel!

Now the front of my body is also sparkling clean.

<Even so, today was really a disaster, wasnt it?>

No, it really was.

Just when I thought I had finally escaped from my overly restrictive mother, I get caught up in an incident like this.

Im surprised.

<I never thought that while walking in the forest, the ground would suddenly collapse.>

The shrimp were delicious, so its fine.

No, really, every single time I get involved in something.

Im really unlucky, arent I?

<Yes, indeed. That may be your fate Yes, um, maybe, yeah.>

Rotating again and taking a breath.

Having become completely clean, I leisurely swim to the shore while lying on my back.

Filling my vision are the bright red clouds flowing across the sky, bathed in the setting sun.

And the stars that have started twinkling.

Even so, Extra-sama.

<What is it?>

That guy named Mitran.

He was kind of weak, you know.

Is he really a reincarnator?

<I think theres no doubt. He had that kind of smell. Sometimes, a little bit of divine energy was leaking out.>

But he was weak, right?

<He was quite strong, though. Besides, its common for gods to not over-strengthen the protagonist from the beginning in order to make their own isekai reincarnation broadcast story interesting.>

Hmm?

<Besides, if you fought Mitran, you would lose. If hes cornered, he would be forcibly made to awaken by the gods. If that happens, its over. I was really nervous when you punched him that last time>

Well, you see.

Since hes a reincarnator, doesnt that mean hes also my classmate from my previous life?

I dont know who, though.

I had to punch him at least once.

What Im worried about is whether it will be found out that Im a reincarnator too.

In my previous life, I was thoroughly and incomprehensibly hated by everything in the world.

The moment its known that my previous life self was Emi Rune, even Mitran, who didnt hate black hair and black eyes that much, might become hostile, I think. TL Note: I think Author meant to say Aihara Runa here, but they wrote Emi Rune instead.

<Its not definite, but rest assured. Basically, the reincarnators who appear in the gods isekai reincarnation broadcasts have their thoughts controlled so that the idea of there might be other reincarnators besides me doesnt occur to them. If they start searching for reincarnators, not only their own but also other gods stories would be messed up.>

I see, thats good.

Then I can feel at ease.

<If anything, the problem is the gods who will end up watching Mitrans activities this time. They cant possibly not be interested when a strong person like you, who they dont understand well, suddenly appears.>

I see, thats not good.

Then I cant feel at ease.

<But we have countermeasures for that too. I am an existence that clings to your soul and only gazes at the present world, but I am working to conceal your soul and make it as invisible as possible to the eyes of the gods.>

Huh, really!?

You were doing that for me, Extra-sama!?

<If I dont do that, your soul is distinctive, you know. It will be immediately discovered by the gods. The result of that, the interference you would receive is not amusing to me.>

Ah, I see.

My soul really stinks, doesnt it?

<Ufufu, thats not the case at all. Its just that those who cant understand your good points have a low level The topic has strayed, but I want you to be able to enjoy this world freely and live as you like. To that end, I will provide this level of support as much as you want Anyway, you still wont be captured by the gods. Rest assured.>

Phew, I see, I see.

Then I can feel relieved.

Now then, splash.

Having reached the shore, I stand up and shake my body.

I use Dry to dry myself.

After that, I turn around.

And standing there was.

A pure white giant deer with its fur dyed a burning red color by the setting sun.

It was a huge deer that I felt like I had seen somewhere before.

* * *

<<<You filthy human! How dare you defile this sacred land guarded by me, the guardian sacred beast Ahate!?>>>

That giant deer, its body trembling with anger, spoke those words the moment our eyes met!

Huh, what!?

The deer is talking!

<No way a deer can talk, right?>

No, smart deer can talk!

Rather than talking, this is Telepathy!

Its not an impossible story, this world is quite fantasy-like!

<<<Hey! Cant you hear me!?>>>

The giant deer doesnt seem pleased with me spacing out and conversing with Extra-sama.

It swings its antlers around and kicks the ground with its front legs, intimidating me.

But, you know.

I feel like Ive seen a deer like this before.

<Ah We hunted one on that night a while back, didnt we?>

I had a feeling that giant deer was also talking or something.

It wasnt just my imagination after all, probably.

<That one was delicious, wasnt it?>

<<<Tch, you cant even speak from too much fear Well, whatever. Either way, the moment you invaded my sacred spring, your death sentence was set in stone. Atone for that rudeness with the pain of death!>>>

Declaring that in a high-handed and one-sided manner, that giant deer began charging towards me while swinging its antlers!

Even if stabbed by those sharp antlers!

Even if kicked by those huge hooves!

If it were an ordinary human, instant death would be certain!

<What will you do?>

Extra-sama asks that while watching the scene.

What will I do?

Its obvious, isnt it?

That thing became hostile towards me.

Ill kill it.

* * *

That night, I grilled and ate a large amount of meat.

It was delicious.