Ichikishimahime's roar echoed through the devastated canyon.
It struck the exposed faces of broken rock, then bounced back like a ball.
The owner of that roar stood far, far away, hands on her hips as she stared at the three of them.
"Look, even if you ask me, I don't know what's going on either."
With Tagorihime blocking him, Hayashi couldn't see Tagitsuhime's face at all. He could only imagine what she was trying to do.
Tagorihime's back was ramrod straight, completely shielding him from view.
Was she furious?
Surely not. A snake princess of Ryūchi Cave wouldn't be that petty.
Besides, hadn't he deliberately sent most of the energy from his final slash sweeping past her side?
"You little brat, when did you win Tagitsuhime over?!"
Ichikishimahime's furious voice rang out from some distance away.
"This is a sage trial, you know! This isn't somewhere you come to pick out a snake princess!"
As she spoke, she took another two steps farther away, as though something here might be contagious.
"Huh?"
"Win her over?"
Utterly bewildered, Hayashi slowly leaned out from behind Tagorihime.
Tagitsuhime still looked dazed, but she was reaching a hand toward him.
That hand hung in midair, traces of unmelted frost still clinging to her fingertips.
Did that last hit traumatize her...?
Surely not...
With that thought, Hayashi reached out and patted Tagorihime's back, then said softly:
"It's all right, Tagorihime. We agreed on our contract before the trial."
"Now, let me see how Tagitsuhime is doing."
At his words, Tagorihime turned to look at Hayashi. She gave a reluctant little huff, then slowly stepped out of his way.
Even as she moved aside, she made sure to glare back at the black-haired snake princess opposite her.
The warning in her eyes was so intense it