BATTLE OR ALIVE
Chapter 17: The Cloaked Girl

[How do you think your world is? Pleasant? Full bliss? But why is it all lacking? You want destruction? Major war? To make the world so much more fun.]

Words that always come to my mind. Am I happy? Of course, but somehow it makes me dissatisfied. The world is cruel, and it will be like that forever. Man is a full individual will be**** and ambition, without which the current civilization would never have occurred.

But even so, somehow this world feels very boring. The absence of something interesting, and the absence of something amazing. The relics of history and tradition have not impressed me, and the entertainment of this world is only the development of previous entertainments.

But even so this world is amazing, and I wonder to what extent humans will always try to improve their civilization, it makes me a little curious.

And if I was asked about what the world is like, I would answer it “Very boring”

***

Arriving at their inn, Jell by taking out all the burdens in her she was drowning in bed, tired was what she felt right now. Likewise with Mai, he was also drowned in the one-man bed, but unlike Jell, he was seen drowning in the body of Jell who was lying down.

A little claustrophobic but that was okay, Jell thought that they could rent another much wider inn, but to rent a larger inn would have to go to district B. So for now Jell is thinking of separating their rooms, they could just rent another room, because their room is currently a cheap room here.

But the choice was in Mai's hands, and Jell felt no objection. By separating the rooms they can keep their own privacy, as they currently live in the room, Jell often breaks Mai who likes to eat at midnight.

And for Jell, she doesn't often make anything suspicious while they're staying in the room.

“Mai, we'll split rooms. I stay here and you can grab the room you like.”

“Eh!”

Mai who was currently lying on top of Jell was instantly shocked by the face of disbelief. Refused it? Is what Jeli saw from his reaction.

“If we separate rooms, we can do everything we like, so you can do as you please if you have your own room.”

“EH!”

The reaction is the same as the initial reaction. But in that state Mai immediately drowned her face into Jell's chest and voiced in a soft tone.

“You don't like my room?”

(Ugh-b)

For Jell who was shown his sad face, he could not help how much damage, he had to hold himself back, for now Jell could have a nosebleed just because of Mai's words earlier.

“Not so, I told you no, if we should have our own privacy, so I thought you would agree to this.”

“Of course not, stupid..”.

Mia answered him in a soft tone, he was like he was not like her, but actually this was the sweet side of Mai. She rarely shows it and more often shows an arrogant attitude and slightly deviated from the feminine attitude of women in general. But even so, the status as the 3rd most beautiful woman in her school can be obtained with her arrogance.

“I don't want to split rooms, the photo I'll one room with you. If you mind I'll beat you up, remember that!”

He got up from his arms and sat down while pointing at Jell with a threat.

Jell who saw him started to smile and he went and went out.

“Hm? Where are you going?”

Mai asked Jell who casually went out without calling out to her.

“No, I only have a little business.”

***

The two of them came out of the inn and Jell was done with his affairs. Right now was the thing that Mai was looking forward to the most, it was a date.

Mai who had wanted to do so from the beginning had never materialized until now, of course the reason was their busy schedule. Being the strongest adventurers of course could not be obtained in an easy way, even if their strength was above that of a normal human average, but Jell and Mai still have to do and complete the quest from Yinn.

Right, Yinn is the reason they've never taken a day off.

After Jell was done with her affairs, Mai forced her to do their first date in this other world, and naturally Jell had a little objection because the room matter was still not finished, as it was, but the unconcerned Mai whines and turns to go on a date, what power is Jell, she can't fight anymore.

“Hey, hey, Jell~ Where are we going? The park? A cafe? Or directly to hotel?!”

(Hit)

“Ugh!”

Jell reflexively hit, of course, what Mai wanted was already too far away, so stopping before it was too late was a top priority.

“Be serious a little, you want a date, don't you? Anyway is there a cafe here?”

“Ugh~ You evil Jell, you hit me like innocent. True too, what in the world there is no cafe huh?”

Mai got a little better, and began to realize what the shortcomings of this world, or maybe this district. He and Jell had not lived here for long, and to this very moment they had never found a place of some kind of cafe here. Are the cultural differences here too lagging behind? That's what Mai thought.

“What is possible in other districts there?”

“You promise we'll only walk around here instead.”

“Buu~ You're boring.”

“Hah... Hm, oh right too, there is one good place I know.”

Going to the place Jell was referring to, Mai had no idea what she meant, so she just followed Jell from behind. Usually to do the fun together, Mai was the one who always planned it, and Jell would follow her as long as it was fun.

They were heading in another direction from the guild, Mai whom Jell had pulled couldn't help but wonder and ask.

“Where are we going?”

“You can see for yourself.”

They walked quite far from the inn and ended up in one building. The building is wide and has a terrace in front of it, a terrace that is not too wide, but enough to put some seating there. Right, the place Jell is headed to is this.

“Towest?”

“True, this place was recommended by Yinn when I went to the guild earlier, he said this place has just opened and is quite famous when we are in the dungeon loh.”

“Ohh! Dating in a restaurant! Good, this is good Jell! Let's go straight in.”

Eagerly, Mai was impatient with what this restaurant would provide for their first date, so her excitement could not be held back. After all this is a place that Jell wants to be, so it will be fun, Mai said excitedly.

““Eh-””

(Close, we'll open next month)

Destroying hope, the current hope of one of them was shattered with just a ridiculous fact.

“Eh.. Close, when he said this place is open every day.”

“Ap..”

“Hm? Did you say anything? ... Uh!”

A black aura shot up from Mai's self, an extremely black aura appearing out of nowhere. Jell who saw it was immediately shocked, as well as the people who were walking there, felt the aura of Mai.

“What the fuck! You're kidding, aren't you, Jell brought me here and closed down.”

Mai is angry not because she was betrayed by the hope given by the restaurant, but she is angry because this place is shown by Jell closed when they date. Mai appreciates and is very happy with Jell's participation in their date, but it is betrayed by the closing marks.

“Well how else. Never mind, let's go to the next place.”

“But..”.

“Already come, there are still many places you want to visit, right?”

Embracing Mai and taking her away from that place, they headed their direction earlier, towards the guild.

In district A, the guild was the central point of all the streets. So to head North to South, you have to cross the guild first, just like the other directions.

They were planning on asking Yinn for advice to show her suitable places for dating, since Yinn was the guild leader, she definitely knew all the places in this A district.

Towards the guild the same atmosphere as the previous days, they had indeed been around a week on the ground, but the warmth of being on top was a special impression for Jell. There was no change even during their week underground, but maybe this was just his feeling, but it seemed like the town square seemed crowded with people.

“Hey, this is just my feeling alone or the square looks more crowded than before?”

“Hm? Oh, right.”

Mai answered without even looking at the direction of the square that Jell pointed at, she was frustrated just because the restaurant was closed, excessive but it was very meaningful.

Jell looked and just shook her head while inviting Mai to see what was really going on.

“Excuse me, what are so many people gathered here?”

Jell touched the shoulder of a man from many people who swarmed the square, the man also responded and turned around.

“Oh, don't you know? Tomorrow there's a contest for the next King's election.”

“P-King Selection?”

“True, it has been six months since the last King came to power, and it is time for a new King to be present. A little strange, but this is the first time the election of the King is done in a way I contest, that's the reason many people gather here.”

With enough information the man told Jell what and the reason they had gathered and the large number of people in the square the past few days.

(Otnah-san said it yesterday about the competition, but he didn't tell me it was for the King's sigh.so that's why he told us to go home.)

Jell who listened could only gape, just like Mai she had also gathered all her strength to be able to realize the condition.

(The election in competition, what exactly the nobles thought. No, the King's family, what are they thinking? In addition to this is an open competition that can be followed by all people without exception. And the spy or enemy of this kingdom will definitely take a quick step in this.)

Jell was drifting in her mind, and just like Mai, she was also drifting in her mind.

“Jell, do you think this is weird? The royal family conducts a contest for the election of the next King, they are not afraid of losing the position of the royal family? It's weird.”

“Ah... I think so too, but there may be a reason behind all that.”

Jell and Mai turned around from the square and headed for the guild, they wanted to find out more regarding this incident, so the current date was delayed first.

***

“I don't know the details either.”Yinn replied in a low tone.

Until and directly talk to Yinn in her office. In this case Mai is different from usual and she is serious this time to talk about this strange incident, as well as with their failed date, Mai does not bring up any more about it.

Yinn relayed her answer about the lack of information about this condition, but she was the guild leader, so she definitely had information that was also useful albeit a little. And that's why Jell went to see Yinn.

Knowledge and information, as expected of the guild master. He's very helpful at times like this, and that's one of the reasons Jell has so much respect for Yinn.

[From the information Yinn gave me was,

It is known that there are rumors that say the reason for the election of the King in this competition is related to the incident six months ago. It was a terrorist incident that occurred in one of the villages of the E district. And the information about the case was sealed by the royal family.

Still related to the case six months ago, there are also rumors that the reason for this election was because the crown prince had betrayed and left the kingdom, and therefore the first and second Daughter of the King could not take the position of King, and the reason for the contest was to see who was suitable to be the next King.

And the last rumor is that the nobles have staged a coup with the action of****** that happened six months ago. It was supported by the attitude of the nobles who were very enthusiastic in the election competition of the King. Not only that, there are also those who say that the nobles have cooperated with other kingdoms to subjugate this kingdom.]

Information that although still just a rumor has been conveyed to the two of them. For that information Jell and Mai were speechless and unable to say anything about this, and what caught their attention the most was, all the rumors related to the case six months ago. What happened six months ago.

“For the time being I want to pass on one suggestion to the two of you.”

“What is it?”

“I hope you guys didn't follow that contest.”

“...”

Jell could not respond and Mai could not either. They had no reason to follow the contest on the grounds that the kingdom was in grave danger. So to make that reason their goal to follow the competition, would only give a very big burden to both of them.

For now seeing the situation is their top priority, and neither do they have to deal with the nobles who blindly win the King's competition.

Seeing their silent attitude, Yinn smiled looking at them. Whether it was a smile of excitement or a smile with other intentions, Jell did not know.

Jell moves on and invites Mai to leave, not forgetting to thank Yinn, Jell and Mai to go and go home.

“It's getting fun...” (one's voice from behind the darkness.)

Arriving at the room, Jell in a slightly bad manner sat down and lay down on the table, while looking at Mai who was taking a drink, Jell let out her heart at this moment.

“Nee, will this be okay?”

“You want to be King?”

Raising his face lying on the table, Jell made a troubled face and replied.

“That's not what I mean .. You know, no, right now the kingdom is in a very bad condition. Poverty, infrastructure development, and many others are not well taken care of. So what if the next King is an enemy or perhaps a traitor? Worse what if the winner is a person who does not know the current state of the kingdom.”

Jell explained everything she thought and worried about the future of the Athera kingdom, but she did not have the power and the right to it. He and Mai were only players sent in this world, and not humans who came from this world.

Even so, the anxiety of the continuation and future of this kingdom still makes Jell uncomfortable and not calm, but he can not do anything, except one way.

“Have I said, you want to be King?”

“No... .. May..”.

Mai who heard him threw a face, smiled and while holding Jell's cup, she served a drink.

“You are very cute if in this condition Jell.”

“Whispering..”.

While drinking and throwing away all the burdens, Jell immediately felt excited and bright.

“This drink! It's milk shake!”

Jell's gloomy face instantly disappeared and became very radiant, she really enjoyed the drink presented by Mai. Share the disbelief, he greedily drank his drink.

“As to where can?”

Asking Mai who was serving drinks, Mai with an arrogant face puffed her chest.

“How? Delicious no. I bought milk in the market and I made it myself.”

“Ohh~”

Jell's impressed face is not lost even though Mai looks arrogant with Jell's praise.

“Back to topic, so Jell what are you going to do?”

Jell could not answer, but with her silence Mai was able to get what the answer was. While stretching her body Mai slept on the mattress while shouting with excitement. But not with Jell who had just sat down and drank.

“You are very good yes, Jell.”

“What do you mean?”

Smiling with a sweet face thrown from the face that always irritated Jell, she answered with a feeling.

“You like it in this world don't you? Although often remembered something that might have happened in the previous world, but you here look very happy.”

“I am the same as before, nothing has changed.”

“The bad guy won't admit to being a criminal. And I'm the only one who knows everything, what and what Jell Kiyomizu likes or doesn't like. So I'm the one who knows best if you're happy or not.”

“Jelika, mother and father more than you.”

“Janga strong support basic siscon, I do not lose to them.”

“Oi, watch your mouth, I'm not siscon.”

Laughing at Jell's reply, Mai could only laugh and lay on the bed. In contrast to Mai, Jell looked gloomy instead and looked at her with an irritated face.

“Hah... You really are a very good person Jell.”

“I told you already, what do you mean anyway!”

“Feeling anxious about this kingdom when most people don't care about it. Fear if this kingdom falls, debts are everywhere, traitors, wars, and others. That's your good side Jell, you're not afraid to take risks if you want to help people and sometimes overreact which makes you look scary, that's your good attitude Jell.”

Silence after hearing the opinion of the person who had been living with him made Jell unable to raise any more voices. However after listening to that Jell felt a little ill from not realizing that she had brought Mai in on her excessive troubles. So to blame Mai for her attitude all this time was unfair.

“But you know? I like your attitude so much. I used to say no? Whatever path you take, I will always be with you no matter the reason. Haha..and that's the Jell I admired and loved last night.”

Adding, Jell could only be glued to Mai and could not raise any more voices. He felt stingy happy, he was unable to channel his feelings towards his attitude, but at the moment Jell was really happy.

“So well.. I think I'm a little better now. I want to sleep.”

“Hehe~”

Can't decide what he can do, but for now Jell really feels better and will think about it tomorrow, and whatever his decision Mai will always be with him even if Jell becomes King.

***

“Jell fucking, always busy and until forget about me, what the hell is he doing? Maybe he was on his way with another woman! God fucking. I did give freedom to Jell, but if it had been this often I would definitely not be happy, I would have caught him!”

A beautiful and calm sunny morning in the kingdom of Athera, immediately felt very bad, that is what Mai felt today.

This morning Jell left for her business, and it was getting more and more often that it made Mai suspicious, but it didn't seem like she thought it would. But this morning Jell looks more excited than usual days, isn't that suspicious? That's what Mai thought.

Searching for Jell around the inn was not found, so Mai decided to look for her in the guild, and if there was none, she would put up a missing person poster to look for her.

However, it did not seem like what Mai thought.

“It turns out you were right here.”

“Hm? Who are you?”

There were three women and one girl who were in front of their inn. Each of them used adventure clothes and a full set of armor that was more complete than his first.

“Damn it, don't mess with us.”

“You guys... Oh, you guys are the big guy's woman.”

“Big men?…”

One of the women with a gloomy and gripping face responding to Mai's answer, she is a woman with a full set job Mage.

As if about to explode, the woman flushed with a scary face, but it was not scary at all for her.

“You prostitute, how dare you look down on Lhava-san with the designation “big man”. I'll make you regret what you said!”

The woman with the full set of armor mage cursed Mai with very spicy words, but in contrast to Mai, she just put on an ordinary face. The female full set armor mage advanced and followed the other two women behind her. Each of them uses different sets, Mage jobs, Fighter jobs, and Support jobs.

For a moment the aura between the two martial wills looked extremely dark and gripping, nothing could stop the discord between the two, and vice versa, the people who were around could do nothing and could only watch from the fall.

“Actually what do you want, I'm busy, so go.”

“What do we want, you say?”

The woman with the job support replied with a laugh. Among the three women, it was this woman who put on the most gripping aura of the two. The woman came forward and while showing Mai she shouted.

“Duel with us, and bet the treasure you took from Lhava-sama!”

The woman represented the two women who were behind her, the woman with the job support with a completely unchanged face from before, she challenged Mai to a three-on-one duel. And out of all that chaos only one person did not act like the three women, it was the girl who was with them.

“Please stop this Samarima-Sama, Raina-Sama, Wilata-Sama! Lhava-sama already said no more bothering them, so let's go home.”

The robed girl shouted and pleaded with the three women. It seems that these three women were named Samarima, Raina, and Wilata. The girl's voice was soft, yet somewhat hoarse, like rarely drinking water, the girl's voice seemed to run out of saliva in her mouth. Mai who knew that fact made a difficult face.

“Do not talk at will, you do not know yourself!”

The woman with the job support kicks the girl's little body, and if she adjusts her bike she's a woman named Samarima. Mai saw the girl being hurt, giving off a deadly aura. Making the three women realize her whereabouts, Mai opened her voice.

“Alright, let's lose the duel, and bet all your treasures this time.”

Mai mentioned her request, making the three women slightly change their expressions, they looked annoyed.

“As I expected, you are indeed a treasure-mad prostitute. I don't know what makes Lhava-San interested in you, but I know what you really want.”

“You guys talk a lot, yeah. Quickly finish this, I still have to take care of something.”

Mai replied to the words of a woman named Raina. By putting on a serious face Mai said the pledge as well as the three Lhava women.

““AITIS””

***