Volume 4 Chapter 12.3 (1/2)

Volume 4 Chapter 12.3

「I’ll detect the pitfalls and suspended ceiling, so you can stomp on all the traps.」

「Yer just gonna use brute force again！！」

Hiroshi burst out in objection to Mio’s egregious proposal. Sure, most traps weren’t scary, but forcing people to deal with all of them was no joke.

「But then we wouldn’t be able to deal with sudden traps, right？」

「Just as Haru says, we won’t be able to deal with those. But actually, it would be safer to cause them to all activate and ensure safety beforehand.」

「Grrr……」

Unlike when they snuck into Wulls Castle with Aearis, this would be an afflicting decision, as Mio’s voice suggested. Haruna was groaning, conflicted between logic and ethics.

Mio herself didn’t want to try this method. Not only would she be discarding her role, but she would be pushing a dangerous position on someone she liked. This time around they could not guarantee the safety of activating traps all around them. Only someone insane would try this. Mio herself was very sane, which was why she had an extremely apologetic, frustrated, bitter expression on her face.

「I dunno right now. Seems like it’d be better to activate ‘em from the safe zone ‘n then consider the rest from there.」

「Yeah. Experiment a bit.」

Agreeing with Hiroshi, Mio tried throwing a pebble at a fairly faraway location. Right after that, there was a flashy explosion.

「……I’d say…about ten poms all together?」

「Wouldn’t it be a bit dangerous for Tatsu or Haru？」

「Pretty much. Not as dangerous as extra large poms though.」

Analyzing the results of the explosion trap, Mio and Hiroshi thought about it a bit.

「How ‘bout we check three more?」

「Okay」

Hiroshi gestured, and Mio activated the next three in succession, which consisted of a falling stone from above, spikes from below, and spears from either side.

「……From the looks if it, this wouldn’t be anywhere near the power of an evil ent.」

「……Yeah, but don’t you think it would be plenty lethal for me or Tatsuya？」

「Sure, but I don’t think Haruna-san or Bro will get an instant K.O. It’s just that if ya git hit by several traps in a row that’s when things get a lil troubling……」

Checking the activated traps, Hiroshi analyzed them alongside Haruna before concluding.

「So are we okay with our speed plummetin’？」

「Wait, do you seriously intend to step on all of them！？」

「Yup, looks like the best idea. Of course it ain’t gonna feel good to take ‘em all head-on, so we’d just move slowly usin’ Fortress in full plate mode. That okay？」

Hiroshi appeared to be getting ready to do something crazy, and Mio halted him.

「Sensei, you don’t need to overdo it.」

「This is the safest way, Mio, ya said it yerself.」

「Yeah, but……」

Mio hadn’t thought the situation would develop like this, feeling confused. It was her turn to be indecisive.

「……Ah～、come to think of it……」

「What is it, Makoto？」

「Hiroshi did have this tendency to get carried away with going on dangerous missions that no one else can……」

「Oh yeah……」

Recalling when he used overaccelerate, Tatsuya and Makoto nodded at each other with indescribable expressions. Considering all that, this time around was probably not an issue for Hiroshi.

「So I know we’re going to activate everything, but please don’t get us caught up in it. That would defeat the entire purpose.」

「I know. I’ll make sure to use Around Guard when steppin’ on ‘em.」

「Okay. Judging from your demeanor I’m tempted to believe you’ll be fine, but just remember that not all the traps are going to have equal power. If you suffer a great wound then I can’t guarantee we’ll remain calm. Seriously, take good care of yourself.」

Nodding at Tatsuya’s warning, Hiroshi activated full plate mode. Mio, who saw this, looked apologetic but set to ascertain the variety of traps with earnesty.