While the villagers had temporarily weakened thanks to Gruszka, they started tugging once more on Gaokerena’s orders.
“That was rather surprising, but insignificant in the end. That traitor spent so much time with you that you tried to form a path with him before I attempted to connect him to mine.”
“Damn it! At this rate...”
“Ha. It would be wise of you to simply surrender. Or do you expect yet another miracle?”
A miracle, huh? I guess Gruszka regaining consciousness while connected to his path was nothing short of a miracle. Huh? If that were the case... “Then what about Fresa and Datil? They’re still connected to my path.”
“Did you call, Apple-san?” a man’s voice said behind me. I couldn’t help but turn around to see Datil’s smiling face.
“See, Datil? I told you so! Apple-san’s a good-looking guy!” Fresa said, smiling happily. Their faces were no longer vacant and lifeless.
“Let’s do this, Fresa-san!”
“I may not look it, but I’m, like, pretty strong!”
In the next moment, the path that was tugging me forward stopped.
“Oh, careful with your posture! You don’t want anyone looking down there, do you?”
“Heeey! I know that, you pervert!”
It’s...a miracle.
Datil grinned. “Hey, don’t worry. We’re right here by your side.”
Fresa apologetically winked at me. “We’re sorry for being late! I was unconscious for a bit there, but I got the general gist of the conversation.”
“I’m not really sure what you guys were talking about, but I assume we’re supposed to be pulling on this path, right?”
If this isn’t a miracle, what is? “Fresa, Datil...” I could tell that the rope was now being pulled in the opposite direction—I was no longer getting dragged forward one-sidedly.
“I-Impossible! How are these humans conscious as well?!” Gaokerena roared, staring wide-eyed at the two. He seemed more surprised by this than when Gruszka came to his senses.
“Is that strange old man—the god-ish fellow there—is he that big tree?” Datil asked.
“He’s surprisingly young. But really buff men are totally not my type,” Fresa said.
As I could hear the path growing even more taut, I felt it slowly moving toward me. “You guys are amazing!”
Datil laughed. “Look at them, with their vacant expressions! I could take on dozens of them at once without fear!”
As Gaokerena had said, this was a battle of mental fortitude. In this case, Fresa and Datil, who’d regained consciousness, would never lose to these villagers.
“Awww, I just got to meet Apple-san in the flesh. I wanted to take some time to talk with you,” Fresa said.
“I feel the same way. I never thought the day would come when we would get to talk to you, face-to-face. But it seems now isn’t the time for that,” Datil said.
Gaokerena had still not tugged on the path himself. We had no idea how strong he was, and we weren’t going to let our guards down.
“What is the meaning of this?! Why are they...? You! Humans! What are you doing?! Pull harder!” Gaokerena ordered his villagers, half-panicked.
“Raaaah!” The villagers’ grunts and groans turned into shrieks and screams, and the path stopped moving once more.
“Oh, they’re pretty strong,” Datil said.
“Hmmm, but they seem to be in pain,” Fresa observed. Sure enough, the villagers all had pained expressions as they kept pulling.
“We’re holding fast, but we’re not gaining any ground either.” It seemed our strengths had reached an equilibrium; the path refused to move.
“I’m sorry, you guys. I always seem to drag you all into dangerous situations,” I apologized.
Datil laughed. “That goes both ways. If you’re in a pinch, I’ll be more than happy to help!”
“Me too! In fact, I’m totally in your debt!” Fresa said.
I could hear their kind words coming from behind me, and it warmed my heart.
“Thank you, guys.”
“I’d like to thank you as well, Apple-san!”
“You’re really nice, aren’t youuu?”
The strained path started to creak. I can feel our mental strength heightening! I feel so much stronger!
“Gah! Where did you find this power?!” Gaokerena yelled in confusion.
Good, we clearly have the advantage now.
“How you humans regained consciousness in this Theatrum is a mystery to me. How interesting indeed!” A thudding sound echoed through the room.
“Eek! Th-That took me by surprise!” Fresa yelped.
“Wh-What’s going on?!” Datil said.
They both proceeded to glance around, trying to find the source of the sound.
“Fresa, Datil, calm down! That was just the sound of Gaokerena firmly digging his heels into the ground!” I saw his arm muscles clearly grow in size and his veins started pulsating. Is he finally gonna make a move?!
“It seems the vast difference in numbers made no difference to you. Then I suppose I have no choice,” Gaokerena said coolly. “I shall personally provide you with your requiem.” As he started to pull, the tables suddenly flipped.
“I didn’t think he was this strong!”
All three of us were starting to get dragged forward. Crap! I didn’t think we had this much of a difference in power!
“Ugh... Apple-san, th-this is bad, isn’t it?” Datil said.
“I can’t believe it! Why’s he this strong?!” Fresa wailed.
The white line was slowly inching toward me.
“Okay, then how’s this? Cell Manipulation!” Datil yelled. He was only met with silence.
I can’t hear that familiar ding.
“Huh? That’s weird. Cell Manipulation!” Datil’s ability didn’t activate.
“Huh?! Wait, is it the same for me too? Activate King of Apples!” Fresa yelled. Like with Datil, nothing happened. No apples appeared, and the usual announcement didn’t come. “I can’t use my ability either!”
Does this place restrict the effects of the Cards of Fate?!
“Oh? Are you two attempting to activate some sort of special abilities? Unfortunately, that is impossible here. Only rulers can use their abilities to the fullest extent.”
What’s with that rule?! First, explain what “rulers” are!
“Oho? Is that the extent of your power? Then I suppose this is the end for you then?”
Ugh, at this rate, we’re gonna lose! What can I do?!
“This battle is over. I shall connect you three to my path.”
Damn it! Nah, I think I’m good! Besides, there’s more than three people here. I’ve got Grida inside of me. I can’t end my journey here—I have to take her out of the storage card!
“One more pull to go, and your feet will be past that white line.”
Damn it! Am I just gonna break my promises?! I have to free Grida!
I heard a giggle. “Furutsu, you seem to be in trouble.” A cute young girl suddenly appeared in front of me. “But you get what you deserve. You forgot about me for a bit, didn’t you?” The girl raised her index finger and made an angry face, but she looked a little troubled too. “I knew it! You did forget about me! Then I don’t care anymore!” Almost in tears, she folded her arms in front of her and looked away.
“Huh?! Where did this girl come from?!” Fresa said.
“She’s dressed in the same attire as Apple-san and that big old tree man...” Datil said.
The girl was around twelve or thirteen years old, similar in age to Berry. She had glossy golden hair, pale skin, large round eyes, and as Datil had said, was wearing the same white clothing as me and Gaokerena.
“You forgot about me for a bit there, Furutsu. So it was awkward for me to come out!”
Wait, this voice is familiar. And she calls me “Furutsu.” Sh-She must be...!
“Is that you...Grida?”