Chapter 48: Let’s stop here
Seraphine watched as Roxy used her Gift.
’{Power Wall} was what she called her that ability...’
By crossing her arms, the woman had the ability to manifest a rectangular barrier to shield both her and her allies from harm. Naturally, the strength of this barrier scaled in relation to her Strength of Heart.
While Seraphine was busy analysing Roxy’s Gift, Nadia was looking towards Hilda with an urging look.
"Hilda, you have to step in. They’re getting themselves hurt for something so trivial!"
Hilda nodded, her arms still folded behind her back.
"You’re right, meine Dame."
"Then—"
"But~..."
Hilda smirked nonchalantly, clearly uninterested.
"Although we all are fighting to survive, this is still an exam — a competition between every examinee," Hilda then shrugged indifferently, "It’s not my job to talk them out of fighting. Und neither is it yours. It is not our business~"
After that, she added:
"Und if their lives were really in danger, one side would just have to give up their spoils to stop the fighting."
Nadia opened her mouth to argue with Hilda’s words, but... she couldn’t.
She couldn’t come up with anything plausible that would refute Hilda’s argument.
Hilda was completely right; there wasn’t any real risk if either side had a way out of this mess. At this moment, both sides were obviously fighting out of greed to fill their pockets.
Seeing Nadia make a crestfallen expression, Hilda was satisfied, ’Took her a moment to understand.’
She then turned back to watch the fight.
To be honest, the real reason why Hilda hadn’t intervened yet wasn’t something as simple as it not being her "business", but rather that she wanted to measure Roxy’s skills and the extent of her Gift.
That was the only real benefit from this fight for her. She couldn’t care much about the eyes, as she already had a plan to get more by the end of the exam.
So, to lose eyes or gain now, didn’t make much of a difference to her.
That was...
If there wasn’t something else more beneficial, that would change her mind.
Still watching as the fight ensued, Hilda glanced back at Nadia, who had the look of someone considering what to do.
’She still wants to step in after what I just said?’ Hilda sighed.
She then asked:
"You want me to intervene, correct?"
Nadia looked up with a puzzled look on her face, letting go of her mental grasp on her Relic.
"That was... what we discussed, wasn’t it?"
"Hmm... sure. I’ll do it."
"Huh?!"
Nadia’s face lit up with delight, but also confusion.
"W-weren’t you against stepping in...?" Nadia asked, wondering if she had misunderstood anything from their earlier conversation.
"I was. Und I still am."
Hilda turned towards her before quickly closing the distance between them.
She then hooked a finger underneath Nadia’s chin and gently raised it.
"But it’s a bit difficult for me to refuse, if you’re the one asking for my help~..." Hilda muttered, staring deeply at Nadia, who had become rather flustered by their sudden closeness.
"W-wha—"
The German averted her gaze from the Heroine to the floating screen that floated in front of her.
[Quest: Improve your relationship with Nadia Crane]
[Importance: Moderate]
[Reward: 50]
[Status: Incomplete]
Elias continued to command the armoured Predicament.
"ATTACK THEM AGAIN!"
The Scoundrel raised its clawed hand and swiped at Roxy’s crew, spilling their blood as their body now suffered shallow to deep wounds.
It was now clear that continuing on with this fight could prove more of a loss than it could benefit, especially since none of them could pierce through the Scoundrel’s metal armour. And Roxy knew that.
’How exhausting...’ Roxy scowled.
Maybe it was better to throw in the towel; she should’ve expected that Elias would resort to using the Predicament.
’My emotions got the better of me.’
Watching as the Scoundrel came upon her once more, only a couple of feet away from her.
Roxy crossed her arms and summoned her wall, preparing herself for the blow.
But.
Before the Predicament could connect with her wall...
... Something dark fell out from the sky.
A woman clothed in black.
"That’ll be enough for today, you two."
Before Roxy could fully process Hilda’s sudden appearance, she watched as the woman rapidly spun in the air with no leverage.
And within that same moment...
SHATTER!
... Roxy watched as her wall shattered into countless yellow fragments from a single kick from Hilda.
’What...?’
Roxy fell into a shocked daze, unable to comprehend that her {Power Wall} had collapsed from a single attack!
She was then forced to wake up from his stupor when she felt Hilda’s boot drive into the side of her face, sending her flying into a wall.
Equally, the armoured Predicament was given the same treatment, flying in the opposite direction, with the only difference being that it was struck with the back of Hilda’s fist.
CRASH! x2
Hilda planted her feet on the ground, dusting herself off before adjusting her coat in a calm manner — ignoring the shocked looks she was getting to her unbelievable display of power.
After she adjusted her coat and her cap, she walked over to Roxy with her hands in her pockets, watching as the woman slowly sat up from the crumbled mess that used to be the wall.
She nursed the side of her face, which was heavily bruised, and spat out a glob of blood and spit.
Afterwards, she looked up, staring at Hilda, who looked down at her.
She then watched as the German pushed out her hand for her to take.
"Let’s end it here for today, shall we?" Hilda inquired with a kind and friendly smile, which immediately caused Roxy to lower her guard.
"... s-sure..."
After pulling herself up to her feet with Hilda’s help, she quickly tried to compose herself, which proved more difficult than she had imagined with the throbbing pain in the side of her face.
’She’s much stronger than she looks...’ Roxy thought before locking eyes with Hilda, who seemed to have something to say.
"So! Here’s what we’re going to do—"
Unfortunately, the woman was forced to postpone what she wanted to say, as the Scoundrel managed to quickly recover from her strike, and was now charging straight back in to continue.
Hilda frowned in displeasure and placed her hand inside her satchel to fish out a talisman.
Fortunately, or rather unfortunately, she didn’t need to take action.
"STAY WHERE YOU ARE, PREDICAMENT!" Elias shouted, saving the Scoundrel just in time.