Everyone listen to me and run together!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
The vexed Asuka started shouting loudly. The chaos instantly died down, everyone was neatly saluting to Asuka.
After that everyone started to run towards the cave's exit in an orderly manner, showing quite a fantastical scene.
Asuka, who was escaping from the grand march of the rats by following the rear-most of the group, started feeling suspicious towards the enemy's true colors.
(The gift to manipulate hadn't disappeared yet....! So what is going on.....?)
The rats were still focusing their chase on Asuka.
Even if she had the power of manipulation, she was still an ordinary human, so she was slower in terms of speed compared to beasts. Not long after, the rats began to attack Asuka, having reached their target range.
Undaunted by the blade that was swung by Asuka, the rats continued to attack her.
Their method of attacking seemed to let Asuka realize something.
(It can't be......Their target is this child...?)
Asuka looked at the immature faerie that was tightly grasping on to her shoulder.
The pointy-hatted faerie was tightly grabbing onto Asuka, showing a face as if she was going to cry. To the faerie that was nearly the size of a human palm, the rats were definitely huge monsters in her eyes.
"...........................Guuuuu~!"
Since the target was the immature faerie, Asuka would be able to escape from the situation once she threw the faerie off her shoulders.
However, Asuka's pride did not allow her to abandon a trembling young figure that was scared.
Asuka dismissed the fragile thoughts in her mind, daringly pulled her chest clothing and squeezed the faerie inside.
"Wuahh?"
"Hide inside! Don't fall off!"
Asuka, having decided what she must do, used her full power to sprint ahead on the rat-infested floor.
The current motive was to get to the exit. Although the red dress protected Asuka from being harmed by the rats, the parts of the body that weren't covered suffered a different fate.
Getting bitten by the rats' sharp teeth, Asuka's hands and legs started bleeding.
Even so, the option to [Abandon the young faerie] still did not appear in Asuka's heart.
(The exit is not too far away from here....!)
The one who kept on running was Asuka and the one who wouldn't give up on the chase was the devilish group.
However, at the next moment, countless blades of shadow appeared, with a silhouette of a person nearby.
"——How dare you, mere rats, bare your fangs at my compatriots!"
The high-speed razor blades of shadow, like a tornado, started making a stirrer-like action inside the narrow cave, mincing and absorbing the rats in just a matter of seconds.
Not even having a chance to blink, the action was already completed, exterminating the enemy without breaking any of the exhibits.
Asuka held down her hair that was blown by the wind, with a surprised action, she exclaimed.
"Th.......The shadow......In such a short time just finished all those rats....?"
Asuka turned her head to look, and was surprised again.
According to the voice earlier, Asuka determined that it was Leticia who came to her rescue. But Leticia's appearance was totally different, leaving Asuka stunned.
Leticia's appearance did not match the usual look of the young maid.
The cute young girl transformed into a lady that exudes out a flirtatious temperament, the ribbon on the beautiful blonde hair was taken off, flashing out a dazzling brilliance.
The maid uniform changed into a dark red leather jacket, with an intriguing skirt that seemed to have restraints on it. People who looked at the dramatic transfiguration couldn't think that it was the usually gentle Leticia.
Because of anger, Leticia's beautiful face was distorted, she let out a ferocious roar, revealing her vampiric fangs.
"Where is the manipulator! Come out now! You dare to attack in a public place, you should be prepared for the consequences! I shall bare my fangs and claws and let you taste the power of my community's flag! Come out and give me your name and community!"
Leticia's indignant roar echoed in the cave, but there wasn't any response from the opposition. The originally ginormous group of scary rats started pulling back in retreat.
The cave was filled with utter silence, it appears that the perpetrator had also escaped.
Looking from the side, Asuka breathed out in relief, although she didn't know what to say, it was still better to ask the transfigured Leticia:
"Are........Are you Leticia?"
Mondaiji-tachi ga isekai kara kuru soudesu yo v02 107.png
"Yup. Okay, Asuka, what exactly happened? Although the number is larger, for the rats to gain the upper hand, it's not like the usual you, right?"
The tone of Leticia was the same as before. Although she changed into an adult, her expression was still as gentle as always, but Asuka who was hit hard by her true strength murmured.
"......So you were this impressive."
"Ah?"
Leticia tilted her head. After she had understood Asuka's praise, she replied with an unhappy tone;
"Th......That, master. I'm happy for you to praise me, but it's a little bit rude to me. Although I look like that, I was once a [Demon Lord], a pureblood vampire! The proud [Knight of Little Garden]! Even though I've lost my divinity, I can defeat millions of those things without breaking a sweat!"
Leticia pouted her lips unhappily. Without a doubt, this reaction was exactly the same as when she was cute, but the look in Asuka's eyes was a different matter. Probably having deprecating thoughts about herself.
Asuka lowered her head, letting out a complicated tone of voice.
"But, I..."
"Asuka!"
Suddenly, the pointy-hatted faerie probed out of Asuka's chest.
Although her face was full of tears, she still happily called out her name and hugged her neck.
"Asuka! Asuka....!"
"Wait.....Wait a moment ....."
The faerie tightly hugged Asuka, letting out a voice that sounded like she wanted to cry or laugh, maybe it was their method of expressing gratitude. Leticia innocently looked at the current scene unfolding.
"Aiyaya, she is completely stuck to you. We should take her back with us, it's dangerous now that the sun has set."
"That's .....right."
A bit hesitant, but Asuka still nodded in agreement, as it was still not guaranteed that there wouldn't be any more attacks. Both of them and the faerie started walking down the streets illuminated by the red-colored lights, heading back to the [Thousand Eyes] branch shop.