"Aren’t we there yet?"

Seiya, walking diagonally behind me, grumbles.

How many times has it been now?

"Looking at the Map, we’re almost there."

Since I’ve kept the jewel constantly activated to light the surroundings, we’re somehow managing to walk even in the dark.

"Didn’t you say ‘almost there’ just a while ago too, Kaname?"

Yukine, slightly out of breath, lines up on my left, opposite of Seiya with me in between.

"We’re closer than before. So yeah, almost there."

"Hey, how come you’re more energetic than us even though you’re middle-aged?"

"Don’t you think your stamina is weird?"

The twins glare at me resentfully as I walk silently without even losing my breath.

"I work out to stay healthy. Adults need stamina too, you know."

I lightly leap over a small stream about a meter wide.

In fact, I go to the gym and never miss my self-defense classes on weekends either.

"Let’s slow down a bit. We’re fine, but..."

"Yes. We’re okay, but she’s not."

The twins glance back behind us.

Following their gaze, I also look and see Fuka staggering as if she’s about to collapse.

She’s picked up a stick of convenient length to use as a cane and is somehow managing to keep up, but she’s likely at her limit.

"Games, huff huff, are, wheeze, not supposed, to be, this, exhausting..."

Fuka, sweating profusely, starts to complain but stops midway.

She focuses on catching her breath.

"These days, games can read muscle mass and physical capabilities from 3D data. Gamers have nothing to lose by working out."

"I heard a lot of people who want to master immersive fighting games even go to gyms or dojos. We know someone like that too, right, Yukine?"

"That musclehead... I’m not fond of him."

So we have a mutual acquaintance who’s into fighting games.

By the way, “immersive-type” refers to games where instead of controlling a fictional character, you operate your own body within the game — that’s the online slang for it.

"Games are supposed to be more of an indoor activityyyyyyy!"

Fuka collapses to the ground but squeezes out her remaining strength to assert her opinion.

"There are even VR games that help you train your body. Apparently, if your brain misinterprets in-game movement as actual physical movement, it can lead to real physical improvement."

Yukine knows quite a lot.

"It’s a technology gaining attention in the fitness world. Most versions involve moving your body while wearing goggles, but recent studies are exploring ways to train while lying down. Though the real-world effect rate is still below ten percent — it’s still in the testing phase."

"The fitness world, huh... Otaku sure get talkative when it comes to stuff they like."

Even though she’s tired, Fuka never misses a chance to jab at me.

"By the way, where are we heading again?"

She’s so exhausted that her memory’s going fuzzy. Or maybe she never paid attention in the first place?

Might as well re-explain while we take a break.

When I sit down on a nearby rock, the twins also plop down.

They remember the explanation, so no need to repeat it for them. They can just chat and gaze at the night sky.

"To a fortress."

"Um, the one we defended?"

"No, the biggest fortress we didn’t go to."

"Why that one?"

She clearly didn’t remember a thing from the previous explanation. Or rather, she never intended to remember.

"I explained this already. We got TDS as a reward from the emergency quest. We received four and divided them equally — one for each of us. But in the fortress that had the most defenders, the number of TDS and the number of defenders doesn’t match."

It’s only speculation, but the biggest fortress likely had many Guardians.

If it was filled with Tower Defense veterans who had cleared high-difficulty content, there would have been many who deliberately chose the harder challenge.

I myself was torn about going there.

The fact that it was successfully defended also suggests a large number of defenders. Probably over ten.

Personally, I think... maybe around twenty people.

"There are probably more than ten people there, but only four TDS. There's no way that won’t cause trouble."

"Right. The ones who didn’t get one might sulk."

"If sulking was the only issue, that’d be fine. But I doubt it’ll end there. Even if they try to talk it out, it won’t lead to a resolution, don’t you think?"

If I were involved, even if we decided it through discussion, it would leave lingering resentment and probably cause falling out.

"Well, yeah, that’s true. So, like... rock-paper-scissors or drawing lots?"

"Normally, that’s how it would go. But given this situation, don’t you think there’s another option?"

When I pose the question, Fuka furrows her brows in thought.

"Yes! I have no idea!"

She energetically raises her hand and answers, but come on, think a little harder.

"What starts tomorrow?"

I could just tell her outright, but I’ll try giving her a hint.

"Tomorrow? ...It’s the third day, so... Battle Royale?"

"Exactly. And if that’s the case?"

Even though the answer’s practically given, Fuka continues to agonize over it.

The twins already understand and are watching Fuka spin her mental gears with amusement.

"Sensei! I still don’t get it!"

"You’re not even trying to think. If you put yourself in their shoes, the answer’s obvious. They’ll postpone claiming the TDS rewards until tomorrow, and when the Battle Royale starts — they’ll settle it by force."

Now that I’ve said that much, Fuka finally seems to get it. As she imagines the scene, a wrinkle forms between her brows.

"So... the winner takes all?"

"Or maybe until there are just four people left — same number as the rewards."

It’s even possible that they’ve already formed groups of four.

Those groups could be lying in wait inside the fortress, and once the Battle Royale is implemented, the fighting begins — that’s probably what’s going to happen.

"But but, if that happens, isn't it dangerous?! Why are you deliberately heading to such a risky place? Do you have some kind of death wish?"

"No. Think carefully. If things go as I predict, the winner there will have an overwhelming advantage. Not only the temporary quest rewards, but we can also steal the TDS of the other guardians who fought there."

"That's true!"

It seemed she hadn't considered that, as Fuka clapped her hands and showed admiration.

Glancing briefly at the twins, they remained silent with serious faces, showing no surprise.

"The folks at the fortress don’t expect outsiders to join their fight. So our plan is to sneak in quietly and stir things up."

"In other words, we're freeloaders! A scheme to snatch only the tasty parts!"

It sounds bad when said like that, but to put it plainly… that's exactly right.

"They don't know we exist, so they’re off guard. The fighters at the fortress know each other's abilities, but they don’t know ours."

"It's sneaky, but advantageous. But, but, we don’t even know what their TDS is, right?"

For Fuka, that was a rare, accurate point.

I was also worried about that.

"If we surprise them without being noticed, there won't be a problem. We could start by observing quietly to understand their abilities, then move to action… but, you know, be flexible."

Planning ahead is important, but things don’t always go as expected.

The key in the end is everyone’s judgment.

Besides, our TDS are suited for surprise attacks. Using Spiked Trap and Iron Ball Trap, we can handle opponents one by one.

And if worse comes to worst, Fuka’s TDS, which has plenty of firepower, can take them all down at once.

"If it’s improvisation, leave it to me!"

"Fuka, follow my instructions. Seiya and Yukine, you’re free to act as you please."

I trust the twins, so no problem there.

Letting Fuka do as she pleases… never ends well, judging by her past behavior. This is not a guess, it’s a fact.

"Isn’t there too big a gap in how much you trust me compared to the two of them?!"

"Put your hands on your chest and think about it."

As told, she put both hands on her chest and, for some reason, lightly squeezed.

"Sexual harassment!"

"Why?!"

Talking with Fuka never leads to a serious atmosphere.

Since the explanation took some time, this break should be enough.

"Shall we get going? I want to arrive near the fortress by morning."

"If only we could teleport straight to the fortress like during the defense battle, that’d be easier!"

The convenient feature from that time no longer worked, no matter how many times we tapped the map.

"Alright, let's go. Yukine, are you okay?"

"Piece of cake. I'm young, after all."

The twins got up, glancing sideways at the slumped Fuka.

"That counts as provocation! Hmph!"

Fuka stood up with spirit but staggered and almost fell into the river.

I hurriedly grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

Fuka ended up leaning against my chest, looking surprised but then quickly turning her face away.

"In this situation… if I act all sweet in a kitten voice, maybe I’ll fall for it? Alright, pressing my chest firmly..."

I could hear all her scheming.

"Kaname-san, your chest is so broad—so cool. Kind of powerful."

Monotone. Expression stiff. No vocabulary.

Also, her face was bright red and sweating.

She’s trying too hard at something she’s not used to.

"I’m tired, so I want a piggyback ride. Teehee."

Fuka touched her cheek and tilted her head.

I might have to admit she has the guts to keep going.

"Seiya, Yukine, what’s your judgment?"

I asked the two who were watching quietly.

The twins looked at each other, whispered something, then turned back to me.

"Big sis, your acting is minus ten thousand points!"

"You’re a complete amateur at using the female weapon!"

Harsh critiques.

"Ugh, I tried my best..."

"Haah—see?"

"Eh, eh, maybe you’re super easy? Hah, after all, you’re just a guy."

I crouched in front of Fuka after turning the backpack I was carrying to the front, and said something rude.

"Time is precious. I’ll carry you piggyback for a little while."

"Ah, uh, is that okay? Then, I won’t hold back."

She tempted me herself, but now that the moment came, Fuka hesitated and blushed, as usual.

I stood up, trying not to notice the two soft touches on my back.

"But, won’t carrying her slow us down even more no matter how strong I am?"

"Exactly. Won’t it just waste more time?"

The twins’ concerns are reasonable.

But I’m not without a plan.

"That’s fine. Watch this."

I activated Arrow Trap at my feet and let go of her.

Fuka, caught off guard, fell onto the ground but immediately slid forward two meters in that position. Stepping on the trap again, she moved another two meters.

Repeating this, she moved ten meters forward in no time.

"You tricked me! Isn’t this cruel? I thought you’d be gentle!"

I could hear Fuka’s howl from a distance.

"Kaname-san, that’s out of line."

"I think it’s cruel, too."

I thought this much would be forgiven, but apparently, the twins disapproved as well.