❤❤❤
ALTHOUGH the monster encounters got progressively tougher, the four managed to successfully reach the Land of Mythical Creatures.
“I suggest we take a short break.”
They treated themselves to a nice cup of tea out on a beautiful grass field.
“Tell us a bit more about these two checkpoints, Seb. All I can remember is that they’re run by some kind of knight orders?” Alice asked.
“That’d be the Lion Knight Order and the Unicorn Knight Order, with the former being the first one we’ll have to cross. I’ve crossed them myself once, actually.”
“Do you think they’ll let a bunch of travelers like us through?”
“Oh, they’ll let anyone through. But only if you prove yourself worthy.”
They tilted their heads in confusion.
“Put simply, we’ll have to open the gate ourselves. But, of course, there’s a catch. Due to its sheer size, the gate won’t budge an inch without applying a tremendous amount of force.”
“So…you’re saying we can’t get it open? Even with our combined strength, Seb?” Hatta asked.
“Even with our combined strength—unless you happen to have an item that conveniently buffs strength.”
“Sadly, I don’t. But I’m sure Haigha’s buffs’ll carry us…” Hatta glanced at his sister. “…through?”
“Can you see it, Hatta?” she said, staring off into the sky. “Onion Boy’s so frightened, he started shivering.”
“Seb…is that who I think it is?” Hatta followed her gaze until he stumbled upon a flock of winged beasts.
“It most certainly is. Get him down here, if you could.”
“No problemo.” Hatta fired his flare gun.
“Aliseb, long time no see.” Dodo came down to ground level.
“Do you know him, Alice?” Haigha asked, hiding behind the table.
“Oh right, you haven’t met before. Haigha, I’d like you to meet the perv who can clear a hundred meters in a whopping five seconds, otherwise known as Dodo.”
“Who you calling ‘perv?’ Besides, there’s nothing ‘whopping’ about my five-second record. You smashed it like it was nothing.”
“I did? Well, anyway, moving on. Dodo, I’d like you to meet our local bulging muscle enthusiast Haigha.”
“Local what enthusiast?!”
“You’re into muscles too? Hoo boy, have we got a looot to talk about. How about we start with biceps?”
“How about we don’t?! S-Stay away from me, you freak!”
Both Haigha and the onion monster seemed genuinely afraid.
“Suit yourself then.” He turned to Seb. “So, what do you want with me?”
“Off somewhere, I see?”
“Thought I’d pay my dragon buddy a visit. Just need to fly past that checkpoint.”
“Must be awfully convenient being able to just fly past any checkpoints, isn’t it?”
“Get to the point.”
“I’ve got a favor to ask.”
Seb asked Dodo to lend a hand, leaving out certain unnecessary details like the fact that they were out for the Demon Lord’s blood.
“Sure, I’m down. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to put these bad boys to good use. Go ahead guys, I’ll catch up with you once I’m done helping out my main man Aliseb.”
Dodo hopped in the coach.
“Hatta, are you sure it’s a good idea to be bringing a monster to the checkpoint?” Haigha asked.
“I’m sure we’ll be just fine. He’s no different from your average overly-jacked middle-aged man, aside from, you know, the wings.”
“I didn’t think we’d ever stoop low enough to ask a monster for help.”
But, sure enough, they did. And so, the five set out for the Lion checkpoint.
✦ ✦ ✦
❤❤❤
“AND these right here,” Dodo tapped on his shoulders, “these are my deltoids.”
“Please stoppppp. I can’t take it anymore!”
Dodo did nothing but teach Haigha about all the various muscle groups the whole ride. Hatta was fake-sleeping to escape the Dodo’s wrath. Meanwhile, Alice was, of course, catching some sweet, sweet shuteye.
After traversing the mountain roads for a while, they finally reached the coveted checkpoint.
“Freedom at last.” Haigha burst out of the cart, on the verge of a mental breakdown.
“And who might you be, girly?”
“N-No. No more muscles!” An order of burly knights surrounded Haigha. “Goodbye, cruel world…” she murmured and passed out.
Alice took her spot as they carried Haigha back to the coach.
“Which one of you is the commander?”
“You’re looking at him.” A man with a lion’s mane-shaped hairdo stepped forth.
“We wish to cross.”
“You do know that this path leads to the Demon Lord’s castle, right? What business could some pretty little princess like you have he—” He noticed Seb out of the corner of his eye. “Why, I’ll be…if it isn’t Seb.”
“Hello to you too, Lionel. Haven’t seen you around since our days in the Monster Hunting League.”
“Oh, I see. That kind of business. Did you get the king’s permission?”
“We’re in a bit of a hurry, shall we say,” Seb said, deflecting the question.
“You may pass. But don’t expect any help from me or my men.”
“That’ll do just fine. Thank you.”
The knights cleared the way, revealing a massive gate.
“Alice, this thing’s at least ten-meters tall,” Hatta said, staring at the gate. “How do you expect us to get it open?”
“Didn’t you say you crossed it once yourself, Seb?”
“I had obtained the king’s permission beforehand, so I had the Lion Knight Order backing me, and even then, we just barely managed to get it open. Twenty burly men had to all be pushing the gate simultaneously for it to even budge an inch.”
All they could do was sit and marvel at the gate’s majesty.
“Hahaha!” Lionel suddenly burst out laughing. “Run along now, kiddies. Come back when you have the king’s permission.”
“Wait ’til you see our secret weapon. You can come out now.”
Dodo hopped out of the coach, his ominous aura prompting the knights to shift into battle stance.
“Wh-Who the hell’s this?”
“He’s my uncle,” Alice said, not even flinching.
“Why are there wings sprouting from his back?!”
“Oh, those? Those are just props. He’s really into cosplay. Isn’t that right, Uncle?”
“Hi! I’m Alice’s uncle, and I’m really into cosplay. Today, I’ve dressed up as an…angel,” Dodo asserted, also unflinchingly.
The way he just stood there, arms crossed menacingly, brought more to mind a demon than an angel. Hatta, meanwhile, was dying from laughter.
✦ ✦ ✦
“I-Is he really just your uncle who’s really into cosplay?”
“Did I stutter?” Alice looked him right in the eye.
“O-Okay, sorry.”
It seemed to have worked, surprisingly enough.
“Aliseb, you want me to rip open this gate right here?”
“If you’d be so kind.”
“This won’t take long.” Channeling all of his energy into a single point, Dodo managed to make it budge.
The knights started cheering, as this was the first time anyone had ever made it move all by themselves.
“Hatta,” Alice whispered, not amazed in the slightest.
“Yeah?”
“You know how physical exertion makes humans prone to laughing for seemingly no reason?”
“Actually, now that you mention, yeah. Like when you’re lifting a heavy object and then burst out laughing at something not even that funny.”
“Think the same goes for monsters?”
“Only one way to find out.” Hatta walked up to Dodo, face flushed, pushing the gate open with all his might, and pulled a silly face.
“Pfft!” The tension in his muscles dropped. “Hey, what gives?!”
“That’s his way of showing support.”
“I thought I’d cheer you on a little, you know? Like any good kid would.”
“Oh, my bad.”
What’s even going on anymore? Lionel thought, having completely lost the plot. I’ll just ask Seb. Oh…never mind then.
Seb was busy having tea in the back without a single care in the world.
“You can do it, Uncle! One last push!”
“You got it.” He resumed the intense gate pushing. “Nrrrgh!”
And finally, it opened just wide enough for a coach to squeeze through.
“How do you like our secret weapon?”
“I-I didn’t think it was even possible to open that thing alone. What kind of a monster is he?”
“He’s no monster! He’s my uncle, silly!”
“I see…”
The Lion Knight Order would go on to pass down the legend of Alice’s uncle for many generations to come.
“Come with us, Uncle. We’ll drop you off at your friend’s place.”
“Don’t mind if I do.”
And so, they set off once more.
“Hmm?” Haigha opened her eyes. “I think there’s something wrong with my pillo—”
“Rise and shine, sleepyhead.”
“Eh?” The first thing Haigha felt was Dodo’s lap against the back of her head. “Goodbye, cruel world!” She passed out again.