Chapter 141.3


    [Part 3/4]


    "Eh, what!?"


    I looked around and, when I found a suitable rocky area, I ced Loli Gori-sama there. I activated a protective boundary to keep the remaining youkai away, sticking it to the rocky crevice where she was hiding.


    "You''re not seriously...!?"


    "Of course I am!"


    I replied instantly to Loli Gori-sama''s dumbfounded words, and then I sprinted towards that outstretched hand as if my life depended on it.


    "I''ming now...!!"


    I ran. I ran. I ran. As I got closer, I could even hear a faint, desperate voice. I hurried even more in response.


    "It''s going to be okay!! Don''t give up!! I''ll rescue you right now...!!"


    I rushed desperately. I rushed without a second thought. Ipletely forgot about the possibility of a trap.


    Looking back now, it was a truly foolish decision. It was the result of youthful recklessness, a rash action taken in extreme circumstances.


    And something chuckled, standing behind me.


    "What... Aaaaagghhh!?"


    Before I could realize what it was, I let out a scream as an excruciating pain, like being licked, erupted from my back. Loli gori-sama, peeking out from the shadows of the rocks, also had a look of shock on her face. I turned, my face contorted in pain, and then I saw it. The flytrap leaf that had sliced into my back.


    ''Trying to escape, huh? I won''t allow that, oh my meat.''


    With a sadistic smile that seemed to revel in darkness, the Queen of the flytraps hissed...


    * * *


    The flytrap grass had achieved its youkai transformation, and it had been quite some time, at least not within a hundred or two hundred years. In human terms, it was an incredibly long period, but even among youkai with extended lifespans, the nt-based ones had an even more leisurely sense of time. They could sometimes patiently wait for prey for years. In the scorchednds, there were youkai who waited for lost prey for a hundred years and, once caught, took another hundred years to gradually drain them of nutrients. It was rumored that the density of youkai in this forbidden area was abnormally high, and as a result, they never faced a shortage of prey, but rather had an excess of it. While normal flytrap grass would wither if prey came too frequently, that wasn''t the case with youkai.


    They simply devoured and devoured and devoured, and they had even increased their minions, which were essentially subservient creatures nourished with surplus nutrients.


    They had consumed over a thousand, even over two thousand, and then one day, they became aware. Aware of their own consciousness. They had acquired a clear intelligence, a form of self-awareness, approximately fifty years after bing youkai.


    ''Oh, it looks like some delicious meat again...!!''


    However, such matters were inconsequential to them. The flytrap grass that had risen to the status of a cmity youkai continued to devour the prey lured into their nests.


    And they never, ever let their prey escape...


    ...


    ...


    ''But seriously, this is quite unusual meat, isn''t it? It has less fur, and the taste is different, isn''t it?''


    Licking the blood and flesh clinging to the carnivorous leaves, the cmity youkai expressed her thoughts. It was a bizarre contrast to her seductive aura, or perhaps it was a childish tone that matched her appearance.


    "You... Are you joking?"


    Sitting on the ground, I chuckled weakly. There was nothing else to do. This was just too far-fetched.


    The cmity youkai, reigning before me, was seated as if on the giant leaf of the flytrap, which was opened like a giant jaw. It was as if she was a mermaid waiting inside a mshell.


    She looked like she was in her early teens. With a unique beauty that seemed detached from the mortal world or a seductive appearance, and tattoos all over her slightly exposed body. Depending on how poeple looked at them, she might even resemble an Ezo girl... Clearly, organs that weren''t typical of humans extended from various parts of her body.


    "Of all times... why did you have to show up here!?"


    This was a forbiddennd. Since there were several great youkai here, it wouldn''t be surprising if there were multiple cmity youkai. That was only natural. However, why did they have to appear right now of all times!?


    ''But didn''t you get surprised? Escaping from my mouth? That''s amazing. Even though you''re so weak, you can still escape.''


    Contrary to my inner frustration, the cmity youkai announced in a somewhat silly voice. It was a statement that was truly surprising and astonishing. It was a childlike inquiry that waspletely out of ce in the bizarre atmosphere.


    "..."


    ''Speak, won''t you?''


    "Aghhh!!"


    Silently, I was ruthlessly stepped on, right on the wound where the flesh had been gouged out. Despite the seemingly delicate barefoot appearance, an unbelievable strength emanated from her, and an unpleasant, grating sound filled the air. This was no reward for being trampled by the beautiful girl.


    ''Oh, so you can speak after all. I thought it was strange. Other meats can talk this much. I''m smart, you know?''


    (Keep talking, you monster...!!)


    In a bizarre tone that didn''t match the atmosphere, the flytrap woman boasted of her intelligence. I had no obligation to listen to her story with any sincerity.


    (More importantly...)


    I nced at her, and she looked at me while I was still crouching. I anxiously observed the twitching wrist protruding from the gap in the carnivorous leaves. Since when had they been trapped? I needed to help them as soon as possible.


    ''Distracted, huh?''


    Immediately after, the human-like pupils blocked my view.


    "Huh!?"


    ''Oh? Are you interested in that? It''s well-made bait.''


    As the vines extending from the carnivorous leaves writhed, the wrist trembled as if convulsing madly. It wriggled and twitched as if to boast of this fact.


    "No voice, see? Like this. ''Help, help...'' like that!"


    Almost as if in response to the monster''s exnation, the surrounding vines shivered, producing a pitiful sound of entreaty. It was like ying a grass flute, a cunning mimicry of vocal cords through pseudo-voice box maniption—typical youkai cleverness.


    "...What about the body?"


    ''Hmm?''


    "What happened to the rest of the body, especially that wrist?"


    That was crucial. So I asked, staring into the monster''s face and inquiring.


    ''The body? Ah, it was delicious!''


    With pride, the cmity youkai responded with a carefree smile. It was in the past tense. Past perfect. I see. I see...


    ''Oh, right, right. I almost forgot. You see, you see? There should be one more meat running away with you. But, you see, I''ve been looking, and there''s only you as the meat. So, I want you to tell me where it''s hiding!''


    Analyzing the somewhat nonsensical exnation, it probably had something to do with Loli-Gori-sama. Somehow, even if not directly attacked, it seemed that the nt had recognized the existence of Loli-Gori-sama. And, by inquiring about its whereabouts...


    (Does this have something to do with the talisman...)


    I nced briefly at the exit of the flytrap garden. Our eyes met through the cracks in the rocks. It was tense and anxious. The emotions in those eyes wereplex and difficult to put into words.


    At least, there was impatience...


    "Are you asking me to help you find it?"


    ''That''s right. The meat that''s hiding must be incredibly delicious. So, finish your nap and help me find the tasty one first.''


    She wants to eat strawberries first... Wait, what''s that expression?


    ''Everyone.''


    As she pped her hands, they appeared with a rumble. The bosses of the passing flowers emerged from somewhere. Great youkai, serving the queen like attendants. All five of them.


    "This is... again."


    Impressive. The worst. Despair. The difficulty level of getting out of this situation had skyrocketed.


    ''Alright, alright, help me find the delicious meat, okay?''


    She asked me again, this time demanding help in searching for another meat while nning to eat me. There was no hesitation or reluctance, just a matter-of-fact request. Of course.


    Typical youkai self-centeredness...


    (No matter how long I stall...)


    I thought hard, spinning my thoughts. Saying no was not an option. If I gave a response she didn''t like, I''d be killed. Even if I epted the request, it would only dy the inevitable moment of being eaten. Buying time wouldn''t help, and even if I did, she might get bored.


    (...And if I stay silent until the talisman expires, what then?)


    I was truly cornered. No matter which path I chose, the situation was at its worst.


    ...In other words, it was time for a showdown.


    "If that''s the case, then I... know where it is."


    ''Huh!? Is that true?''


    She reacted to my words, spoken with difficulty as I struggled to breathe. She moved closer, looking into my face. Scrutinizing me. It was as if she could see through my soul.


    If I lied, I was certain I would be mercilessly killed.


    "With the talisman, youkai''s recognition is inhibited... So, it would be difficult to find it just by searching, you know?"


    In reality, you wouldn''t even recognize it even if it were right in front of you, right?


    ''Does the meat understands?''