The well-Balanced Yamamoto-san Gets Caught up in a Death Game

Chapter 81

“Yawn… What’s going on?”

After a night of feasting and drinking, I had crashed in the tent. When I woke up, there was quite a commotion outside.

Wondering what it could be, I opened the tent zipper and stepped out with my parasol, only to find an early morning headache standing right in front of me.

“Finally, you’re up! You lazy bum!”

Making her energetic entrance first thing in the morning was Tennouzu Airu.

She had her five companions in tow and was in top form.

I silently tried to retreat back into the tent and zip it up, but Airu grabbed my shoulder.

“And just where do you think you’re going!?”

“I think it’s more unreasonable to make me deal with debt collectors right after waking up…”

“I told you we’re not debt collectors!”

Why don’t you bother Tsuna with this kind of trouble instead?

Why come to me?

Is it because of my approachable appearance?

I guess it’s a bit scary to pick a fight head-on with a muscular tengu mask wearer.

Does that make me easier to approach?

…

Should I be happy about this? Or should I be sad? But the comparison is with Tsuna, so… Hmm.

“Come on out already!”

“Whoa!”

My body, halfway back into the tent, gets yanked out.

And I’m forced to stand face-to-face with her.

“Yawn~ So, what is it?”

“Hey, stop yawning! We got up earlier than you, you know! We’re the ones who should be sleepy!”

“Um, Airu-sama, about the main topic…”

“I-I know!”

She’s being admonished again by the guy with thread-like eyes.

I wonder if he’s the strategist of this party?

Come to think of it, it’s strange for one player to use honorifics for another, isn’t it?

Could Airu be some kind of celebrity?

“Airu, are you perhaps a famous streamer or something?”

“H-How did you know that!? And don’t call me Airu!”

“…Are you famous?”

“She’s a controversial streamer, so she’s somewhat well-known.”

“Getting roasted online and sulking is part of her routine, right?”

“You guys! And I’m not getting roasted! Those are just loving guidance and encouragement!”

That’s one way to put it.

Well, at least I understand now that she’s a controversial streamer.

No wonder she can barge in without considering others. Makes sense.

“Anyway, the reason I came here today is because I’ve obtained decisive evidence that you are the woman in silver armor!”

Decisive evidence!

“Hmm.”

“Ah! You don’t believe me! Those eyes show you don’t believe me at all! You’re in for a surprise! Prepare yourself!”

It’s probably just some ridiculous fabricated evidence, right?

I can only see a future where I nod along and this ends quickly.

“This happened last night! Some players walking through town reported an incredibly delicious smell! And when we came to check, there was indeed a mouthwatering aroma! Yes, I caught the scent from just beyond this wall!”

“Okay. …And?”

“A fragrance so strong it wafted over the wall! That means a large amount of food was being grilled! There’s also information that the woman in silver armor caught a big fish in the sea just before defeating the named monster! Considering these two facts, the woman in silver armor must have caught and defeated a big named monster, obtaining a lot of materials! And if she grilled the edible parts of those materials, being from a large creature, there would be a lot of smoke! In other words, the one who camped here yesterday and produced a large amount of smoke must be the true identity of the woman in silver armor! Which means it’s you!”

“Hey?”

“What!? Have you given up?”

“Did you come all the way here just to tell me about your flimsy deduction? Can I go back to sleep?”

“Who are you calling flimsy?! My deduction is perfect! Right, everyone? …Eh, why are you all looking away?!”

Isn’t it because your reasoning is so full of holes that even your party members are averting their eyes?

“Look, we did camp here yesterday, but that’s because we hunted Rapoos in Shinomori and had a barbecue. I’m sorry if the smoke was a bit much, but…”

“Rapoos!? You’re saying it was Rapoo smoke!? That can’t be! It must have been from a named monster! Say it was! If not, my dignity as a leader will…!”

“Even if you say that… Hm?”

At that moment, I heard the sound of many horses approaching from afar.

I instinctively checked PROMISE’s position.

They were standing in a way that blocked the entrance to Second, as if to show off their righteousness, but isn’t that a bad idea?

“Airu, that position might be a bit dangerous.”

“Huh?”

“Look, you should move more to the side of the road.”

“Why should I have to do that?! This road doesn’t belong to anyone! There’s no reason for me to move aside!”

“But it’s dangerous, you know?”

“Shut up! If someone wants to use the road, they should be the ones to go around us!”

“But, you see…”

The horse hooves grew louder, and then they stopped.

It was then that Airu finally seemed to notice, turning her gaze towards the town of Second.

“You lot! How dare you block the path of Sir Fier, commander of the Kingdom’s Fourth Knight Order! You must have a good reason for this, or you’ll be punished!”

A large knight on a black horse roared.

PROMISE’s companions trembled at the intimidation of the large knight and quickly moved to the side of the road, but Airu alone refused to budge, even as her knees shook.

Hey, isn’t that dangerous?

“T-This road doesn’t belong to anyone! If that’s the case, y-you should be the ones to go around!”

Come on, just move already!

Why are you choosing now to show your guts!?

Isn’t this the wrong time and place?!

“What did you say!?”

“Eek!?”

If you’re going to squeak like that, why not just move?

I don’t want to witness a murder scene first thing in the morning.

“Hey, Airu, this is really bad…”

“Airu-sama, surely against the knight order…”

See? Even your party members are saying so, so why not move? Come on?

“S-Shut up! I am the leader of PROMISE, under SUCCEED! SUCCEED will eventually become the heroes who end this death game! And PROMISE will be remembered as legendary heroes who supported SUCCEED! How can the supporting cast of such heroes bow down to the tyranny of such arrogant knights?!”

“What did you say!?”

“Eep!?”

See?

The battle’s already lost when you’re squeaking like that! Your legs are shaking! Just move already, Airu.

Besides, both PROMISE and the knight order are being overbearing.

The fact that neither of them realizes it makes them both incredibly inconsiderate.

I wish they’d both reflect on that.

“You, I’ll teach you a lesson!”

“Hiiiii…!”

“…What’s going on here?”

“Sir Fier!”

Wow!

He’s huge! The horse is as big as Black Jack, and the person riding it is as massive as a post-apocalyptic warlord!

Is that Fier, the commander of the Kingdom’s Fourth Knight Order?

He’s so big, I’m starting to doubt if he’s really human!

The sight of such a huge person approaching on an elephant-sized horse is overwhelming!

The ground is literally shaking with each step of the horse.

Ah.

Overwhelmed by the sheer presence, Airu has plopped down into a sitting position.

I’m a bit worried she might have wet herself.

This game has such unnecessary features, after all.

Oh, right.

To avoid future harassment, I should take a screenshot of Airu like this. *Click, click*

“This person refused to make way for us…”

“Oh?”

“Eek, w-what is it…?”

Polite speech! You’ve suddenly switched to polite speech, Airu! If you’re going to do that, why not just give up already! Just let them pass!

The other side is clearly in the wrong, and you probably have all the reason on your side! All your efforts are in vain, but it was somewhat entertaining to watch. So why not just back down now? Okay?

“We, the Fourth Knight Order, are the shield that protects the entire kingdom. Do you understand that our arrival at the scene could save more lives of our citizens?”

“Y-Yes…”

“And do you understand that if we were to take a detour and arrive even a few seconds late, lives could be lost?”

“Y-Yes…”

Well, a delay of just a few seconds wouldn’t make much difference, would it?

That’s exaggerating things a bit too much.

As I was thinking that…

“Then why! Why do you block our path?!”

“Hiiiiiii!”

What?!

Please don’t suddenly shout like that!

My ears are ringing…

My vision’s going black and white…

“Or are you an enemy of our kingdom?! A traitor siding with those filthy monster folk over there?!”

“N-No, that’s not it…”

“Then move! Or do you wish to be cut down?!”

“I-I can’t… my legs won’t move…”

Ah.

She’s reached the point where she wants to move but can’t.

But not understanding that, Fier’s giant horse starts moving forward with heavy steps.

Huh?

Isn’t this on course to trample Airu?

Hey, PROMISE members? Aren’t you going to help her…?

I thought that, but it seems they’re all paralyzed by the overwhelming presence.

Ah.

The giant horse has already raised its hoof, about to crush Airu.

Geez.

I said I didn’t want to see such shocking scenes first thing in the morning.

I guess I have no choice. I quickly approach the horse’s feet, scoop up Airu, and swiftly move to the side of the road, dropping her there.

This all happened in less than 0.1 seconds.

Well, I don’t know the exact time, but you get the idea.

Yeah, even though I’m wearing high heels, it seems I can move normally thanks to [Balance].

It’s nice to be able to move without worrying about falling.

“Ow!?”

“Huh!?”

“Ehhh!? What?”

“When did…?!”

“Did she suddenly teleport!? Is it a bug!?”

Airu’s cry of pain from landing on her backside startles her party members.

It seems PROMISE members couldn’t see my movement.

Well, my agility stat is ten times higher than theirs.

I guess it would look like teleportation to them.

But you can’t fool the eyes of a true expert.

Fier has stopped his giant horse and is staring intently at me. Those are definitely the eyes of someone who understands that I did something.

“Sir Fier, is something the matter?”

“No, it’s nothing. …Let’s go.”

And with one last glare at me, he leaves.

Hmm.

I might have caught the attention of someone troublesome.

Oh well.

For now, I’ll ignore the commotion from PROMISE and go back to sleep.

I cheerfully return to my tent and settle in for a second round of sleep.