Chapter 34: They (Part 2)
“Hmm, I see.”
Despite the circumstances, Omi’s voice was surprisingly bright. Pulmy, sensing this, felt a surge of excitement and her voice rose in anticipation.
“Lady Omi, can you do something about this situation?!”
“Well…”
From the Communication Orb came Omi’s thoughtful murmur.
“I can say I can, but I can also say I cannot.”
Omi’s ambiguous response to Pulmy’s earnest question left much to be desired. Orphelia interjected with a hint of urgency in her tone.
“First of all, whoever you are, Omi or whatever, aren’t you worried about Ichiro?”
Perhaps out of anxiety, her words were forceful.
“Azure Flame and Angelica said there’s someone who can turn this situation around, so I was hoping for something, but this is quite the letdown.”
Omi smiled softly at Orphelia’s sharp words, letting out a light chuckle.
“Don’t misunderstand me. It’s not that I’m not worried. However, I still have faith.”
The four of them waited for Omi to continue.
“Who do you think trained our son-in-law?”
There was a confidence in her voice that resonated with certainty.
“The son-in-law that Sena and I trained will not be easily defeated.”
If Ichiro had been listening, he would have surely bowed his head and thought, “This is seriously impossible… I might just die.”
“You can say that because you weren’t there. You didn’t feel the evil Qi of that pitch-black giant on your skin—”
Orphelia recalled the grotesque form of the Corpse Person and the dark mass it had unleashed, sending a chill down her spine. She shook her head as if to dispel the memory.
“You all know nothing about our son-in-law. He is not like any ordinary young man. No matter how battered he becomes, no matter how many times he is broken, he rises again each time, displaying an even stronger will while foolishly laughing—he is like a finely crafted blade forged by a master.”
It was a compliment that could only be said in Ichiro’s absence. If he had been there, he would have pressed his hands to his head and cried out, “Stop it, please!” before fleeing on an Eagle Dragon, disappearing for a couple of days.
“Well, that being said, I can manage things on my own, but I have my own circumstances. Reluctantly, I plan to enlist the help of my daughter, Sena.”
With that, Omi declared.
“As for the rest, you can leave it to us.”
They had secured the reinforcements they desired. However, all three felt that Omi’s words drew a line between them and the situation at hand.
“You all should rest easy now.”
Their instincts were not wrong. Omi had concluded the discussion. From the other side of the Communication Orb, they sensed her rising and moving away.
“Wait!!”
It was Angelica who called out to Omi.
“Is there something else you need?”
Omi, barely halted in her tracks, inquired about the matter.
“I was asked by Ichiro to deliver a message to you.”
“Hmm, then speak quickly.”
“Ichiro asked me not only to convey his words to you but also to a girl named ‘Sena.'”
“And why does the master wish to convey that to me now?”
“I have a responsibility to deliver Ichiro’s words directly to ‘Sena.’ So please, take me with you.”
Hearing this, Sensei let out a deep sigh.
“There’s no need for you to tell me that now. Just say it, and I will relay it to Sena.”
Sensei’s tone carried an air of authority, as if addressing unruly children.
“Then—”
Angelica was about to raise her voice in protest, but Orphelia stopped her.
“Take me with you too, to where this Sena girl is. I want to be there when he leaves, to hear his message. I have just as much right to follow you as Angelica does.”
Orphelia stated firmly, without a hint of hesitation.
“Lady Omi, Orphelia’s words are my words as well. Please, can I come along?”
Pulmy, who had mostly remained silent until now, also raised her voice.
“What? Anon too?”
From the other side of the Communication Orb, it was clear that Anon shared the same sentiment, though the details of their exchange remained unknown.
“You all say ‘I’ll follow you’ so easily, but even if you come along, I cannot guarantee your lives. Can you still say you want to follow me?”
Her voice had shifted from its previously carefree tone to a solemn inquiry devoid of playfulness.