Chapter 43: Counterattack; Ants are Humanity's Greatest Threat (LOL)

[This is back when Ciel, Fleur, and Fina just fell down into the sink hole. 3rd POV]

Purin: "Milady!!"

Leila: "Wait, you-!"

The girl with the red hair and yellow eyes was about to jump in into the crumbling hollow, but the little girl with a huge hammer in her hand jumped towards her to hold her down.

Leila: "What do you think you're doing?! What were you going to do by jumping there as well??"

Leila, who could only see an ordinary Human in the girl, forced Purin down, who in return forces her way to get out of Leila's grasp to save her master.

But to no use. Though it was too late as the hole had already closed in from the crumbling, the miners also helped holding her down to prevent her from pursuing a dangerous stunt.

Leila: "Don't add more trouble to what's already in our hands!"

Purin: "Milady!! Scoundrel…!! How dare thee hinder Purin?! Art thou not worried about thine companion?!"

Purin grabbed Leila's arm so tight, it is almost as if she is trying to rip the little girl's arm off her body. In actuality, Purin's fingernails have already bore a wound on Leila's skin as a result of her monstrous grip.

Leila: "I AM!! BUT THERE'S NO MEANING IN ADDING MORE TO THE VICTIMS!!"

Purin: "…!! Th-That is…"

Hearing Leila's loud and grief filled voice, purin was struck silent. Carefully looking at Leila's face, tears have begun to form at the corner of her eyes. Realizing that she herself is trying to contain her own emotion, Purin's senses was forcibly brought back to her.

Leila stifled her tears with a sniffle and stood up after judging Purin's action.

Leila: "Everyone, forget about the Merata Ore for now. We'll plan our way to rescue those three."

She quickly wiped away the tears forming in her eyes as she instructed the miners who are also dumbstruck by the sudden turn of events.

Everyone nodded and placed all their tools on the ground to listen.

Purin: "… If something happened…"

Purin, on the other hand, still could not contain her distress, and tried to voice them. But after seeing Leila's pained expression as she instructs the men to prepare, she could only swallow the following words in trepidation.

Leila: "Fina… Wait for me. I promised your mother that I'll protect you."

Purin: "…"

There, Purin came to understand. How precious that girl, who fell with her mistress and Ciel, is to Leila. How she is filled with unease now that she knows that the girl might be in grave danger.

Just like how she sees her Mistress.

Purin: "… I shall help thee."

Leila: "… That'll be greatly appreciated."

…

..

.

[Ciel's POV]

Now what to do?

I've erected a wall made of soil for the time being. I've also used Barrier to cover the rest of the open space. Now, the ants are trying to break through that barrier.

The only thing behind us is the lake, so I think we're safe for now.

I look at Fleur, she's still breathing raggedly and is flushed red as a tomato. But this time, it's not about her horniness that's worrying me. It's her HG that is gradually decreasing second by seconds. There's no pain in her expression or something of the sort that I feel through the Link, but I can't be too sure right now.

And… that gibberish skill…

It's taking form now, but… As much as possible, I don't want to leave Fleur's condition as it is. The sooner I can make her at ease, the better. I can't let me curiosity win the better of me here.

So right now, Fleur is incapable of combat. Fina is still flustered and is in deep thought.

Hmm…

Excuse me, Fina.

Analyze.

[The daughter of Sera Euralec and Finedric Euralec. A Half-Human and a Half-Aelf born at a small village called, Auguria Village. (Intelligence Level: 100%)]