"...Sarilang! Sarilang!!!"
Fang Mo supported Natsuki Subaru and immediately craned his neck, shouting at the top of his lungs.
"Subaru!"
Seeing this, Emilia cried out and hurried over. She pressed both hands against Natsuki Subaru's stomach, preparing to cast magic.
"Emilia, Brother Dongwen..."
Natsuki Subaru's consciousness had already begun to blur, but the stimulation of magic made him seem to regain some clarity in a final flash of lucidity. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to hold on. "Don't worry about me! Please deal with that vicious woman first... She's very good at sneak attacks!"
"Subaru! Stop talking first!"
Emilia was in the middle of casting healing magic when Natsuki Subaru got agitated, causing blood to gush from his stomach. She was practically on the verge of tears.
And at this critical moment—
That terrifying, ghostlike figure appeared again.
Elsa Granhiert darted out of the shadows. This time, her target was not Natsuki Subaru, but Emilia, who was concentrating on casting magic. The sharp gutting kukri in her hand traced an arc through the air and stabbed straight toward Emilia's lower back.
"Watch out!"
Natsuki Subaru had clearly seen it. He immediately shouted frantically, "Behind you! Defend yourself! Hurry and defend yourself... Puck!!!"
And at that very moment of danger—
A burst of frost erupted, and the moisture behind Emilia condensed into an ice shield.
"Clang!!!"
Solid ice collided with the blade, producing a deafening crash.
"Tch."
Seeing that her sneak attack had failed, Elsa did not linger. She immediately leaped backward, retreating a considerable distance.
"...That was close."
Along with an androgynous voice, Emilia's spirit emerged from her hair. Yes, it was that strangely shaped little cat. "Subaru really was a huge help."
"Hmph, of course."
Natsuki Subaru forced out a smile, then immediately coughed up blood with a