Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 247: Arc 4, Act II, - 92: Sober Reality

Daiyu half-closed her right eye, "We won didn’t we?"

"One observation out of many; you’re missing the word ’barely’," the blonde glared.

Daiyu shook her head, "Lighten up will ya? Like, of course it’s gonna be like, hard, but if you’re not gonna savour the small victories, what’s the point? And I wouldn’t like, call this small either," she took another sip.

Jotou exhaled, letting her brows relax, "I’m not saying I’m not happy we won or anything-"

"Then quit complaining and just let yourself go for a bit. You’ve done a lot today, kay?" Daiyu glugged every last drop. "We can get just a little tipsy," she raised her mug, "Another please!"

Some random soldier stood up immediately, rushing over the other soldier who was attempting the same to get a beer for the princess.

’Ugh, every time.’ Jotou massaged the bridge of her nose and Hotaru soothed the blonde’s shoulder. The two fastest soldiers made it back, wrestling to put both mugs on the table.

"Ah, fantastic, which one to pick..."

"I mean, I’ll have one," Hotaru raised her arm.

Both soldiers did not seem to mind at all; for the person who healed so many of their comrades? Why not after all. Daiyu slid a mug over.

Arabella made it back, a teapot with several cups on a tray and some grilled meat and long beans for herself. She placed it on the table and took a seat as Asobi began pouring it into cups.

Jotou leaned on the table, arms folded into one another, "Let me just give a bit of rationality while you’re still sober," she pinched her fingers together. The other six peered to her.

"One," her finger lazily rose. "That was the second most powerful elite soldier, we still have the first to deal with."

Daiyu shook her head and tipped her mug to cover her face.

The second finger rose, "Two, the others are gonna have different abilities than him so it’s not gonna be the same fight. It might not come down to brute force.

Gale quite literally screamed out that he’s killed thousands. I for one completely believe that statement. Winning against him is something to brag about, but-"

Daiyu’s eyes darted away, Fumeko had finished all her beers as Asobi slid tea to Jotou and Arabella. Another finger rose, "Three.

It took five master level casters to barely be able to take him down without getting ourselves killed. I’d say we had the advantage and even then look how the fight ended up."

"With us winning!" Daiyu clinked into an empty mug. "Besides, I only came in at like the last second cause I was doing wall duty."

"Fine, is four a better number? I was running on fumes, Arabella’s fingers got broken and got battered everywhere else, Fumeko was thrown into the side of a cliff-

It’s like every major fight comes to the point of getting that injured... Isn’t there a way we can’t do that?" all her fingers dropped and she slurped her tea. ’Ugh, too bitter.’

Hotaru hummed, "I’m surprised that’s coming from you." Her beer was half gone.

"I understand your sentiment Jotou, however, injuries will be sustained in a battle. Especially one of that magnitude," Feyan opted to take a cup of tea.

"Yeah Joey Toes, what do you expect us to do?"

"I know very well what I got into, but I’ll be damned if I don’t bitch about it the entire time," Jotou set her cup aside. "Come up with a better plan I guess?"

"Isn’t that your job?"

"Oh yeah, cause everything went according to my plan," Jotou stared. "I leave room for spontaneity, but I hate that it gets that close to death every time.

And," she looked up with a soft smile to the magician. "You did really well Sobi. You even blinded him when that wasn’t part of the plan. Your butterflies are getting better."

A tired Asobi sipped her tea and beamed brighter than the lights, "Mhm! Thank you! But I couldn’t keep him blind for a long time; I think he removed it."

"My point exactly. They might have secret tricks up their sleeves we don’t know about. We were really lucky," Jotou replied.

"I’ve seen it before. The archduke did it to Arabella when Countess Keya blinded her. It’s the same spell she taught me," Asobi added.

"So he had an enchantment affinity alongside his manipulation," Fumeko summarized. "Luckily, he didn’t seem to use it too much. Must be weak with it."

"What about you Fumes? Any thoughts?" Daiyu leaned on a fist.

Fumeko raised her head, her eyes sharp and unaffected by the alcohol. "I agree with Jotou, we almost bit it today; and if it wasn’t for Hotaru or Feyan guess where half of us would be right now?

If we’re beaten and battered after fighting one of them, what if they send two instead of one? Not to be paranoid, but Gale was the first sent and after this utter failure, I doubt they’re not re-strategizing while we cheer cups."

Hotaru had leaned her arms onto the table, her eyes closed, "Now, now, don’t fight. There’s no reason we can’t celebrate, just keep it low. We haven’t won everysthing," she slurred a little.

"Not like I’m throwing a parade," Daiyu set the beer down and sighed. "I hate to say you have a point, so I won’t. What’s going on in that head?" she faced Jotou.

"Well, one down five to go. We’re not sure if five’s even the number, it might be lower. No word of that haros level caster and look around."

The others took a glimpse of the soldiers. Although they wore the same uniforms, some sported the symbol of Luxinor, some Burnetrout while most were Cravolta.

"You think they might be a no show?" Jotou queried.

"Perhaps. However there might be some other reason for that," Feyan shrugged one shoulder.

"We’ll just have to rely on the seven of us then. The elites may be ranked in power or strength or whatever, but they will be different. The Poison Feather? I don’t think she’s gonna punch us with her bare fists," Jotou replied to which Fumeko side-eyed.

"We have the info from predicting things, right? You’ve fought Frost and you said she has offensive and mobility magic," Asobi recalled.

"Yup and Jotou also said there’s no chance we’re getting her," Daiyu quoted.

"She can blink like Meko. How often does Meko get caught?" Jotou put her hands up.

"That just means I can get her," Fumeko gave a smug grin.

"Don’t let one elite kill get to your head," Jotou smirked and shook her head.

"Nope, I’m taking this paranoiac. Second most powerful of the elite soldiers from Trailon, the first of the enemies we’ve faced. The winds were quelled, the storms subsided and the one who gave his expiration date was none other than the great detective, Fumeko Namora," she posed.

"Yeah!!!" Asobi clapped.

"I believe everything we can discuss has been discussed. Other than facing them directly, our time to gather intel has dwindled and we simply are forced to make up the plan as we go," Feyan rationalized.

"I suppose so." Jotou went silent after. ’I can’t tell them what Frost told me. Blue fire, poison used by soldiers, that Dread is the person we faced in Kria...

There’s just no way to spin those tales without showing my hand. I hate it, but at least I know. If it comes down to an emergency, I’ll have to tell them, no quarrels there.

How many times can I gamble a country’s safety? Sigh... Would it be better if they knew? That’s not even the problem. If I betray Frost’s trust, no matter how discreet I think I am, she could always be watching.

Then bye-bye any info other than Trailon. It’s just how it has to be; I’m choosing to do this, so no point backing out now.’ "Who gave Hotaru another beer?"

"Don’t tell me what to do," Hotaru sneered. "I’m exhausted after all that healing, I deserve a little~" she took more of a gulp than a sip.

"Ya done being cranky?" Daiyu smiled.

"Ai, ai, ai, fine. Still not drinking," Jotou stuck her tongue out.

Daiyu responded in kind. "Don’t worry, we’ll just get you some beer with something creamy; like milk."

"You want me to substitute whiskey and cream with beer and milk?" Jotou knitted her brows.

"Come on, we never tried it," Daiyu coaxed.

"Pass."

"How about we take bets on who’s the next elite we’ll fight?" Fumeko steered.

"Bet, I call Rainstorm," Daiyu leaned back with both hands on the bench.

"Really?" Hotaru queried.

"One storm to another, makes sense," she shrugged.

"I wanna say Frost so I can get her," Fumeko smiled.

"Ara?"

Arabella had finished her meal and then looked up. She shook her head and signalled something. "Don’t care huh..."

"Alright, I’ll say either Cinder or two at once," Jotou split her bets.

"It’ss not like I’m gonna be ffighting any of them," Hotaru finished her second glass.

"What if it’s none of them?" Asobi tilted her head.

"That’s your bet then," Daiyu replied.

"Wait! No! That can’t be my bet!"

"Too late, you betted your wand," Jotou smirked.

Asobi gasped, "Then I get your sword!" she pointed.

"You’ll have to fight me with your wand for it."

The magician pointed her wand and giggled, "Bring it on!"

"Hey! I said no fighting," Hotaru sternly glared. Daiyu dipped her fingers in the glass and splashed beer across the redhead’s face. Hotaru glared the other way, water formed in her hands...

_

The night went on, perhaps needing a clean up in a certain section of the mess tent... Jotou had the pleasure of having a more solitary tent this time; one she requested of the soldiers present.

The night had reminded her of a night not too dissimilar. She walked into the dark interior, smiling. Pessimism, beer and shenanigans...

Her eyes welled up, "I’ll find the rest of you. I will." ’Let’s just not see this story take the same turn...’ "CRASH!!!" Her arm twitched alongside a sharp inhale.

She took a deep breath, "It won’t. I care for them too much. We’ll all have a huge party, old friends and new. Hopefully a palace’s a good substitute for a mansion," and pushed the thought away.

The soft lips were in a warm smile while she lied across the sleeping bag. ’Is that why I started bitching? I just wanted the same feeling again. Never change you stubborn idiot.’ Jotou shook her head.

"Jotou~?" a singsong voice flowed into the tent and with it crimson strands and a swishing tail.

"We’re all supposed to be alone pervert," Jotou mocked with a grin.

"The audacity," Hotaru pouted and raised her nose. She zipped up the tent and turned back, gradually falling onto the sleeping bag next to the blonde, "Am I not allowed to join you then?"

"No, you’re not," Jotou made space for her. The redhead wasted no time to curl up into her. Jotou could feel the red ears poking under her chin before she bit one of her ears lightly.

Her other ear flickered, "Heyyy... Stop it~" her head squirmed slightly and she tittered.

"So sensitive~" Jotou let go.

"Hmph."

"Are you that tipsy?"

"Hmm..." Hotaru curled up closer. "No, not really. I’m not feeling too like myself. I’m really tired and today really took a toll. I’m just a bit scared..." she admitted.

"Of?" Jotou laid a hand behind Hotaru’s back and Hotaru promptly put her leg above Jotou’s thigh, both lying on their sides.

"It should be obvious... I healed a lot of soldiers, my hands were working with blood constantly... And I can’t be there in the fight, so I can’t heal any of you then.

So I just have to wait patiently before I see any of you come back; either a bloody mess or a bit dirty. I’m just worried if, if my water just drenches you instead of doing what it’s supposed to do."

"Hey, hey, shhh," Jotou held the back of her head and soothed down her strands.

Hotaru chuckled, "I’m okay, it’s just a thought. I know you understand."

"You’re allowed to be scared, it’s only normal. And yeah, it’s not like that thought isn’t in my mind. I’m sure it’s in everyone’s mind."

"Even so, I think we’ll win. As long as we give it our all. I," she yawned, "just wanted to be held," she drifted off.

’I hope that ’all’ won’t mean all... Who all will die...? It’s not like I haven’t seen them dead before... No. No one will. Shut up brain. It’s time to sleep.’ "I’ll be here, all night; you did amazing today firefly," Jotou shut her eyes and held her close.

Hotaru buried her face into Jotou’s chest, finding comfort and warmth next to a heartbeat. She hummed and muttered, "Boobies."

Jotou giggled as she drifted asleep.