Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 152: Arc 3, - 62: A Long Needed Respite

The tent flap opened; Jotou pushed the professor out. Two of the Hartamat soldiers who were approaching the rogue battalion’s tents and equipment paused.

"Would you like us to take him off your hands Thundering Blade?" one of them asked.

"Please."

"HYack!" Jotou pushed the professor forward into the soldier’s grasp. Both the soldiers nodded, taking him away with his arms behind his back.

The four of them stood, surveying their surroundings, except a brunette who twisted the handle of the dagger in her hand—examining it with a grin.

"You better hide that thing properly," Jotou leered.

"I’ll just keep it in my pocket. It’s not like the defence force even knows this exists," Fumeko stored it in her right pocket—some of the metal and the entire handle stuck out.

"Blast!" A bullet flew in between Asobi and Hotaru, behind Jotou. All three turned immediately from where the shot came from; a rogue battalion soldier brought down his musket from the shot.

The rogue soldier was rushed upon by Hartamat soldiers who pinned him to the ground and disarmed him immediately. All three of their eyes turned to the brunette, who held a hand near her chest and had widened her eyes.

"MEKO!" Jotou yelled.

"Meko!?" Asobi rushed towards her, rainbows already beginning to well up.

Hotaru grabbed Fumeko’s hand away, to see a bullet wound staining her white shirt with crimson, right under her collarbone. Fumeko whimpered, the stinging pain hitting her.

Hotaru crouched down immediately, laying Fumeko on her lap and examined the wound whilst Jotou stood over them; Asobi stared, holding her wand in both hands.

’SHIT! NO, NO, NO!!!’ Jotou’s fists crumpled and she glared to the soldier from afar, but she instead stood nearby, "Come on Hotaru, please!"

"Hang on, hang on," her ears twitched and her tail sat straight on the sand; her hands glowing blue as she approached the bullet mark.

Fumeko panted, gritting her teeth. Hotaru pushed two fingers into the wound, trying to fish out the round bullet, "GAH! AH! SHIT!" as Fumeko tried to squirm.

Jotou crouched down, holding Fumeko’s arms in place. The bluish aura that shielded them, maintained on all four of them, preventing the bullet from piercing too deep.

Hotaru removed the bullet and threw it aside; the water cleared her fingers of blood as she began healing it over, "It’s okay, Meko, it’s okay. I’ve healed you from worse, you’re fine," the redhead breathed out.

Fumeko’s eyes closed slowly, her hand reaching for Jotou’s cheek, "Jotou..." she whispered as her head fell, mouth slightly agape.

"FUMEKO!" the elf screamed, her tears increasing as her body shuddered.

Hotaru furrowed her brows; her heartbeat was fine, the bullet didn’t enter too deep... Jotou stared, a bit of suspicion lighting up in her eyes...

Asobi started to cry, fell to her knees and covered her face. "HA! Got you!" Fumeko snickered awake.

"...Meko...? MEKO!" Asobi giddied up and ran forward as Jotou let her go and Fumeko got up. Hotaru shook her head, her ears bristling.

"You’re okay! You’re okay!" Asobi held her tight before the elf’s eyes widened; she gasped loudly, "You pranked me!" Fumeko snickered further. "Your acting was phenomenal!"

"Not the reaction I was expecting..." Fumeko pouted and shrugged as Asobi let her go.

Jotou sighed as she stood up with Fumeko. Jotou leaned into the brunette’s face as Fumeko’s eyes bubbled... "Slap!" Jotou slapped across Fumeko’s cheek; not too harshly, but enough to sting.

"That’s for making Asobi cry. I’m glad you’re okay detective," Jotou moved back.

"Thundering Blade! Did the gunshot injure anyone?" Major Schroeder, musket in hand, rushed forward with two other soldiers to his side.

"It hit her, but Hotaru healed it," Jotou uttered.

"Is everything fine then?" the major glanced to Fumeko.

Fumeko rubbed her cheek in a pout, "I think I’ll be better if I’m given one of the muskets—any of the firearms really. It’d make me feel a lot better," Fumeko pretended to rasp.

"Alright detective, you can appear behind anyone in the blink of an eye with a dagger, what difference will a gun make for you?" Jotou scolded.

The major sighed, "Well, this victory couldn’t be achieved without the aid of all of you. You have my sincere gratitude. Aside from gaining a firearm, is there anything else you wish to do?"

Jotou gave a soft smile, "Yeah. Get some sleep."

_

Her eyelashes fluttered open—a dreamless night. The sunshine pierced through the closed curtains, making the dust and specks in the air glitter.

In her comfortable yellow nightgown—her blonde locks strewn about her pillow and sheets. The warm air filled her lungs, not cold like she liked it, but at least it was not stale.

Her eyes scanned the ceiling—the same ceiling she had woken up to many times now. Silence... It was quiet. Her eyelids still heavy, she let out a yawn and stretched her legs under the covers.

Jotou’s head fell to her left side, only for her to narrow her gaze upon a slashed nightstand... and a cut going through at least half of it smoothly.

Of course it was not her nightstand, but the brunette’s. Fumeko sat at the side of her bed, holding rubber bands in between her lips as she finished tying up her twin-tails. "Oh, morning Jotou," she removed the bands from her mouth.

"What happened there?"

"Just, faulty furniture..."

"Where’s the dagger Fumeko?" Jotou tightened her lips.

Fumeko’s eyes darted away, "You mean MY dagger? It’s with me obviously," she scoffed, falling silent afterwards.

Jotou exhaled, rolling onto her side. Jotou propped up her head with her hand; her blonde strands falling down like silk behind her glaring eyes, "Detective," Jotou deepened her voice.

Fumeko blushed, gulping before she crossed her arms and looked completely away. "Where d’you put your dagger?" Jotou coaxed.

Fumeko’s toes curled in tightly, "Ugh! Fine, I have it right here. Happy!?" she pulled it out from under her sheets.

’It’s fun pestering her like this.’ Jotou smirked, pushing herself up, "Be more careful with that. We’re gonna have to pay for damages..."

"Yeah, I thought so..."

"Rise and shine!" a knock at the door swivelled their attention.

Jotou smiled brighter, "Finally, the next day of our adventure can continue."

Fumeko pouted, staring to her dangling legs before smiling a tad, "Yeah; let’s get out of this cursed town."

_

After a nice shower, they left their lodging; some police safeguarded their general area. "Shall we go into town?" Hotaru suggested.

And with that, they entered the revelry of Hartamat. The defence force soldiers were being celebrated on the streets for their victory.

Some mourned the losses, but the residents decided to hold a day of respect and mourning tomorrow. The news about the time device and its consequences spread on the Altanor and by chatter.

Those who still felt uneasy were advised to visit a doctor immediately. The newspapers also announced the arrest of Minister Eustace Saady, but no further information about his crimes were given.

The four walked along, peering around the impromptu celebration of people, simply gathering on the streets. Asobi’s eyes glittered to the smiles passing by.

They were halted by an old woman, holding a basket of baked goods, "Oh, you must be the Thundering Blade and her friends. Thank you so much for your bravery; please, take some," she offered.

Fumeko grinned, taking one in each hand whilst the others took one. The old woman thanked them again before walking off to greet citizens and soldiers alike.

Eating the delicious, homemade breads that lingered on their tongues with a mild sweetness, they made their way through town. People talked, vehicles were in a standstill, kids played along the streets from the holidays their schools provided.

A part-human woman stopped them, in her mid-forties, two dog-like ears that flopped over her brown hair and a curling tail, "You must be the adventurers who helped in the battle.

Oh, I can’t thank you enough. My son was having seizures and I was worried sick. Please, please, take a drink, it’s a hot day, especially for foreigners," she had small bottles of lemonade that dripped with droplets around the glass.

Bidding goodbye, they continued on their little walk, halted by citizens one by one. Jotou peered to Fumeko, who had been given more food than she could carry.

Hotaru’s tail couldn’t stop wagging and her lips were stuck in a smile—crimson ears stood up. Asobi as usual loved the attention, doing little tricks for those who praised them and playing with kids till she had to be pulled back by Jotou.

’So much pain...’ Jotou smiled, a little teary-eyed... ’This is nice. I like this. I helped do this and I feel, happy.’

The soldiers had gathered around a stall that sold coffee and tea as well as some biscuits and bouquets in racks of water; flowers resided in the grasp of some soldiers.

"Oh, there’s no mistaking all of your attires. You must be the adventurers that helped gather information and stop that time device," the middle-aged man who owned the stall stopped them.

"Yes, that’s us," Hotaru admitted, perked up.

"Ooo! I can do a bouquet too!" Asobi held her wand up and popped up illusory jasmines on the tip.

Fumeko scanned the menu, "Can I have a chocolate coffee?"

"Of course, of course, anything for all our heroes," the man told Fumeko’s order to another man working the cookery in the back.

The man then took a large bouquet filled with pink and yellow flowers, "For all of you, my thanks. I feared for my life when my head ached so much."

Before the others could react, Jotou had already accepted the bouquet in her arms, smiling with all her teeth, "Thank you so much! And I hope you feel better," Jotou giggled slightly.

Taking Fumeko’s order, they went along the streets some more, saying hello to the other soldiers who received similar gifts and praise.

Asobi began doing tricks to children who stopped to watch the elf’s illusions; she was soon dragged along to play with them. "Sobi," Hotaru called.

"Relax Aru, let’s have a little fun. There’s people to greet, foods to eat and so many things to see; it’s a party! Let Asobi play a little, we’re not in a rush~" Jotou giggled, twirling around the streets as her blonde hair whipped the air.

Hotaru’s tail wagged, Asobi staring at Jotou whilst Fumeko had her eyes wide open. Hotaru chuckled, "You are completely not yourself Jotou Howllett."

"Hmph, I’m just having a little fun," Jotou grabbed Hotaru by the hand and pulled her into the crowd. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

"Hey! Wait for me!" Fumeko ran in with her, grabbing Jotou by the other hand. They walked around more, till Jotou’s light buzz died down.

"What’s gotten into you?" Fumeko leered, though she hid a bright smile herself.

Jotou took a breath, "Sorry, just got lost in the moment."

"Don’t be. This side of you is sweet," Hotaru’s ears wiggled.

"Well, don’t get used to it," Jotou cocked a brow.

"That’s more like it," Fumeko smirked.

"Guys! Guys! Someone’s giving away chocolate over there! Let’s go get some!" Asobi hopped over to them.

"Hotaru?" Jotou side-eyed.

"Stop it," Hotaru growled a little.

"It’s food and the chocolate here’s delicious, let’s go," Fumeko stated.

However, "Afternoon. Having fun are we?" they were interrupted by Major Schroeder.

"A little too much maybe," Jotou shrugged.

"You’ve earned it, just like all of our soldiers," the major surveyed the streets. "However, there are some things we need to discuss before your departure."

"Oh," Jotou readjusted her cheeks from smiling too much, "Let’s go then. I think we’ve had our fill."

"But the chocolates!!" Fumeko jumped.

"Oh, now you want to show excitement?" Hotaru teased.

"For your information I’ve been really happy wolfy," Fumeko cleared her throat, "But you’ve ruined the mood so, let’s go discuss this then."

"Uh huh, it’s all my fault," Hotaru rolled her eyes.