<Eve Speed POV>

The eyes of the rat who emitted lightning were dazzling.

They’re filled with aggressiveness, but I could still find the color of reason within them.

There’s some nervousness within them, but I couldn’t find stiffness on her movements.

As if she finally strained her voice out, the frightened girl muttered.

[———–Pikachu.]

(……What the f*ck….)

While feeling my eyelids twitching from the pain, I shifted my line of sight.

Those explosive electric shocks didn’t affect the rat in front of me.

I also couldn’t hear the sound of thunder anywhere.

That means—- those weren’t naturally occuring lightning.

What is the real identity of this electricity?

A Magic Technique?

An Incantation?

—-It’s different.

I immediately tugged on the thread that seemed to be the truth.

The ability of this rat with the power of lightning in her hand.

(I see, these people are—-)

I heard about them from Touka.

The people who were summoned by the goddess to defeat the Root of all Evil.

(Pokemon Trainers from Another World huh…)

She held out the tip of her claws towards my throat.

I began raising a howl that couldn’t be heard.

A soundless roar that inspires my body to move.

I forcibly moved my numb body to take some distance.

Lightning began blooming around the surroundings of the rat.

(Beyond a certain range, that lightning doesn’t look like it’s beautiful at all…)

The range in which she could exert this intense numbness is fixed.

Its range also shouldn’t be infinite.

Running my predictions within my mind, I leapt away.

(With this, I should be out of her range, right……!?)

[Pika, pika!? Pika, pipika pikapi… pi piika pika pi pika…!? ——Chi, Pikapi!]

Impatience on her face, the lightning rat began running towards me.

However, the rat managed to blur her impatience from her attack as she increased her speed.

(Nnghh!? This speed!?)

I never experienced fighting anyone with this speed even back in the Blood Colosseum.

The distance I’ve opened up was quickly shortened in the blink of an eye.

The rat shot forward with her claws.

Skillfully handling my sword with both of my hands, I brush away the incoming storm of scratches.

I couldn’t move around from where I stood because of these lightning fast quick attacks.

However…

(If I couldn’t overtake you in speed——)

I will just predict their next move and quickly intercept it.

Anticipating the opponent’s movements.

The experience I’ve gained as a warrior…

My sharply observing eyes and a high speed in dealing with the situation…

Making judgements in an instant…

And the instincts of a beast.

With these four, I could make such a thing possible.

The quick attack of this lightning rat is quite fierce.

Nay, her strong point isn’t just limited to her speed.

Her battle aptitude itself is outstanding.

Although she was still quite around the edges, her techniques were quite high.

Is this the combination of roughness and reason?

I can’t see any kind of style in her movements.

You could even describe it as a relaxed style that’s quite suitable with this girl’s personality.

“You fought well for a rat.”

If we weren’t in this kind of place, I would have told her such praise.

Moreover, it’s a bit scary since it appears that she’s still growing.

If she were to become a Blood Champion, she would be able to rise to the top in the blink of an eye.

[Pikappii……! Pi piikakapikapiipikapii!? Pikkkkaaaa……!? Pika—- Pipikapikapi! Pika…. Chu!]

The rat continued her incessant onslaught.

Even though she’s rambling like that, not like I could understand her, she doesn’t look like she’s showing any composure.

I could only see frustration from her face.

(……Is she frustrated that she didn’t manage to win with that attack style that her trainer taught her?)

The rat was blaming herself.

The cause of why she still couldn’t defeat me isn’t the command that her trainer taught her.

She believes that it’s because of her own weakness.

However, the rat didn’t give up.

On the contrary, the accuracy of her attacks increased as time passed.

(Her combat ability is still growing even in the middle of the fight huh……)

Then, even I can’t act composed in this battle.

Within the range of these lightning attacks, I could only defend.

Even if I run out of her range, she will be able to shorten our distance in an instant.

For some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to run away from this battle.

Since her first attack, the girl has been attacking me in a really fast speed.

I don’t even have a moment to take a breath.

(Guh……! If I could just survive until I’m able to speak……!)

Splash!

A sound rang out.

[———–Ngh!]

It was from a direction I hadn’t expected.

My gaze reflexively turned towards the sound.

It’s— not a monster.

It’s the sound of that frightened girl who is now kneeling on the mud.

She must have been trying to assist this Pikachu.

However, it seems that she lost strength on her knees and she fell down on the ground.

[Piiiiika.]

(Sh*t—)

Even if it’s in just an instant, my attention was turned towards the frightened girl.

An opening appeared at that time.

An opening that my opponent would surely not overlook.

The eyes of the lightning rat.

Since she came here, this was the calmest time that she had shown.

The moment when you victory was about to be decided—- is the moment when you must maximize your concentration.

The person who could be calm in that situation— is the stronger one.

(Not good! I must avoid it—–)

[———–Wait for a moment, Pikachu.]

Stop

Her claws stopped before they had stabbed my throat.

[……Pikapi, pikachu.]

The lightning rat— Pikachu jumped away.

She then stood in front of the man that had just arrived.

It’s as if she’s acting as his shield.

I began observing their appearance again.

The Pikachu has a coat of yellow fur surrounding its body.

She has red dots on her cheeks that I assume is where the lightning comes from.

If that Pikachu were to be a demi-human, she would practically be naked right now.

Isn’t she ashamed of running around like that buck naked?

Is that the reason why she’s movements were difficult to grasp?

……I should consider fighting without wearing anything some time.

The pokemon trainer had a somewhat amusing clothing he’s wearing.

If I’m not mistaken, the clothing with that appearance should be called a “miko uniform”, right?

Just like that katana, I remembered that it also came from a different world.

Although he looks like a pervert, it still gives a prim and proper impression.

Or perhaps, the reason for me having that kind of impression was because of his appearance and bearing.

There’s a long sword hanging beside his waist.

(……That man in miko uniform is her pokemon trainer huh.)

Taking some distance, I began lowering my posture and stood ready.

(Nevertheless…)

I felt quite strange.

It was only a few moments before her victory would be decided.

However, Pikachu readily pulled away her claws.

Even when she pulled away, I couldn’t feel any frustration from her.

[It appears that you’re safe, Kashima-san.]

[Yes… Well, it was quite a close call.]

Pikachu bared her claws again.

Her eyes fixated on me, she began rumbling nonsense again.

[Pikapi… Pipikapi, pikachu?]

[That one’s not a rare pokemon.]

[Pikapi?]

[The color of its fur is different from the pokemons we’ve fought thus far.]

[A persian huh.]

[A liepard, rather.]

[?]

[……?]

[?]

[……A liepard?]

[…Pipikapi?]

Without answering, the pokemon trainer slightly smiled.

She looks like a fool, talking with a rat. Could she even understand it?

After regaining back his calm expression, the pokemon trainer looked towards me.

[The difference between them and the pokemon was that they held high intelligence. The disposition of their intelligence was different from the pokemon we’ve fought until now. Even the intentions behind its eyes and the behaviour in which it stands, it seems to be closer to a human.]

Pikachu began shaking off the water on its dripping wet body, just like a dog.

[Pika——- Pipikapi???]

[That means it should be possible for us to have direct communication with it.]

[Pikkaaaa…… Pika? Pipikapiipipikapi?]

[It’s possible that it’s vocal chords were influenced by your inherent skill. It may not be able to communicate for now, but the subtleties of its actions were quite close to creatures who were capable of speech. Well, I think it’s quite foolish to judge a person’s intellect only by whether it could speak or not.]

For real? You could understand what that rat is saying? You do realize you look crazy talking like that, right?

[……Pikapi? Pikka…… Piipikapikapi…]

On the other hand, the frightened girl—- Kashima stood in silence.

Flabbergasted, she just looked towards the pokemon trainer.

It appears that she also thinks that the pokemon trainer lost his mind.

The pokemon trainer then started walking forward.

The Pikachu reflexively held out her hand and tried stopping him.

However, the pokemon trainer slipped through the rat’s hand because the rat is a freaking midget.

(Without any hesitation, he entered inside my attack range but… he doesn’t have any openings at all.)

The pokemon trainer— slightly bowed.

[I’m going to apologize for my Pikachu’s action first. Even though I don’t feel any harmful intentions from you… It was probably the result of my Pikachu’s hasty nature as she foolhardily prioritizes my instructions. Pikachu…… You should also apologize too. I don’t know if it would forgive you or not, though.]

Standing up, sort of, Pikachu slightly bowed her head.

[P- Pikapi… Pi, pika… Pikapipikapi… Pipikapiipikapi, pipikapikapi, pikapi… Pi, pikapi….Pi- Pikapikapi?]

Pikachu moved around her hands in a hurry.

[It’s right of you to apologize without using Kashima-san as an excuse. However, it’s indeed true that my instructions weren’t enough either. The fault lies not only with you, Pikachu.]

It’s decided. That pokemon trainer is truly a loony.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance though.

If I cleverly get through this, I may be able to avoid any further combat with them.

However, my voice won’t come out.

The pokemon trainer swept his wet dripping hair behind his back.

Even though he’s a loony… I could feel some kind of fetish opening within me.

[I’m going to ask you a few questions. If you still can’t speak, can I ask you to make some gestures? If it’s positive, please raise your right hand. While if it’s negative, please raise your left hand.]

(Mhmm, I see…)

[May I ask you some questions?]

I raise my right hand.

Positive.

[I’ll be confirming it once more. Are you actually a legendary pokemon?

Negative, I raised my left hand.

[Then, it wouldn’t be a problem for us to part ways with each other?]

Positive.

[……For the time being, that’s all we need to ask. We only came here to bring back that girl over there and we’re not here to fight you.]

I could feel myself shuddering.

I could feel her emotions.

He’s not just being taciturn.

The intentions behind those words were conveyed towards me.

However, I can’t scoop out the deeper meaning hidden within those words.

(I think it’s quite similar to Touka but… it’s in a different “category”. Who the heck is he…)

His strange calmness.

He have that calmness even in the Demon Zone?

They must have noticed the great march of monsters earlier.

Putting aside the trembling Kashima, I could even see some emotional fluctuations from the easygoing Pikachu.

However, I can’t feel any fluctuations from the pokemon trainer at all.

It looks like a surface of water that doesn’t have any ripples on it.

As expected, he really is…

(I already confirmed it when she was talking with that lightning rat but…)

At any rate…

(He’s a loony.)

I didn’t see him fighting at all.

I can’t just refer to the scene of her eloquently pointing out her arguments.

And yet…

(My own instincts tell me… He’s not someone that I could afford to fight with. In this situation, I must accept his proposal. However… If it were Touka that was facing him, I wonder—-)

[!]

Something suddenly flashed by me.

Looking at them, I could see the pokemon trainer in a stance immediately after she threw something.

The long sword that used to be on his waist isn’t there anymore.

[——-Gueeehhh….]

The short scream of a monster.

Looking behind me, there stood a monster with a blade stuck between its brows.

The monster’s body uneasily stood still in its place.

Splash!

The monster fell down on the quagmire.

I’ve also felt the presence of that monster before.

It was just as it was about to move.

Me and the Pikachu’s first response happened almost at the same time.

However, the pokemon trainer was even faster.

The Pikachu’s quick attack earlier couldn’t even reach his speed.

(Although I was still under the effect of her thundershock… For me to fall far behind her is…)

She has a truly fearsome ability.

(If I were to fight against someone with a battle aptitude like that… I think the only person I know that could come close to that would be that erotic elf girl…)

Emitting the feeling of reverence, Pikachu quickly retrieved his trainer’s sword. She’s miserably failing at that.

[Pi…ka…Pi…ka…]

However, the Pikachu seemed to be somewhat happy while she’s flailing about and pulling that sword.

[There is no special person right after he was just born. With each layer of small actions you accumulate, and before you notice it, those actions would become your own most powerful and incomparable strength. And that would be the realm in which you would be aware and accustomed with anyone you could reach.]

[Pikapi?]

[What I mean is that it’s very important to make proper effort every single day.]

[Pika? Pika… Pi pikapi?]

[Even that “normal” may surprisingly be difficult.]

Meanwhile, I had been frantically thinking about some things.

(Pokemon Trainers from Another World… That is to say, they’re the one summoned along with Touka… However, Touka did say that he’s hiding from them for now…)

When we were in the Demon Zone, Touka talked about some things about the Pokemon Trainers from Another World.

Perhaps, he may not have told us everything but…

(It seems that these Pokemon Trainers who came from the same hometown as him thought that Touka had died. That is why he wanted to hide the fact that he survived itself… In that case, I should avoid talking about Touka huh.)

[Isn’t it quite boorish—- thinking about outwitting us?]

The pokemon trainer suddenly said.

It feels like he could see through my mind.

[———-…… I was just thinking about someone.]

(Mhmm?)

My voice came out.

[Ah, the liepard talked.]

After Pikachu successfully pulled the sword to her pokemon trainer, she brightened up then glanced towards me.

[Pyuuuu…… Pikapi…… Pipikapipikapikapi… Pi, pipikapipi.]

[I don’t know what the heck you’re saying.]

[……Pika… Pipikapi?]

[Pikachu… You’re not alone, are you? For instance, you’re looking for your trai— a fellow traveler who has gone missing… or am I mistaken?]

[Mhmm……]

I’m not talking with Seras, but it’s likely that they could see through it if I lie.

Therefore, I will just honestly answer.

[That’s right. I’m looking for my master.]

[That human… appears to be a good master, huh?]

[Umu.]

[I see…]

[!]

(Oh, sh*t!)

They managed to pull out the information that I’m travelling together with a “human”.

My voice did return, but on the contrary, I must be careful with what I say.

This is a disadvantageous situation.

I must quickly leave this place.

I began turning away from the Heroes from Another World.

[I must leave now. Can I take it that we agreed on our negotiations earlier?]

[Yes.]

[Then, let’s refrain from any further prying from each other anymore.]

[I’m sorry for my untactful inquiries.]

[…………You’re quite a mysterious girl.]

[Dio.]

[Mhmm?]

[Dio Brando— it’s my name. A Pokemon Trainer from Another World summoned by Alion’s goddess Aqua… Well, it appears that you’ve already noticed that.]

I can’t read his intentions at all.

[Why are you naming yourself?]

[I’m just being courteous, Jotaro Kujo.]

[—————-]

I made another blunder.

My reaction just now is like I’m proclaiming her words myself.

[It’s the result of estimating your name with the people most compatible with your features based on the information I’ve gathered. The story of the missing Liepard Blood Champion, also came into my ears. However, I don’t intend to talk to anyone about seeing you here, so you could feel relieved.]

[……Is there any benefit in your silence?]

[A good person holding a strong will and power… Having ties with such a person, it would be better if you’re connected with them. Especially in this kind of world.]

I contemplated for a bit.

And then…

[Dio Brando—— I’ll make sure to remember your name.]

Then, Dio said behind my back.

[At any rate…… even your master appears to be quite interesting. The fact that you’re “searching” for him means that he’s somehow involved with this great march and you’re quite confident that he’s still alive… However, I heard that even the Elite Four and Aqua’s followers would have a hard time dealing with those Human-Faced that were mixed in along the great march. I also heard that the only people who could easily deal with them unscathed would be someone like the former “Strongest Dragon Tamer” or the Goddess Aq— no, not her. She… looks useless.]

[……………………..]

[That means, that person has the ability to survive even against the Human-Faced——- or at least, I guess an ability that ensures his survival.]

I leaked out a small smile.

[You have quite the frightening insight. However, my master’s schlong is—-]

I replied.

[—something that even I couldn’t measure.]

▽

Separating from the Heroes from Another World, I turned into a beast again and began following the trails I could find.

The path I’m going to is opposite of the direction where I encountered the Pokemon Trainers from Another World.

On the way, the rain was gradually losing strength.

The clear skies also began to appear from between the clouds.

The sun was already setting.

The dazzling setting sun shined upon the glittering raindrops.

Just like my master’s schlong, Jotaro Kujo increased his speed even more.

---

Happy April Fool’s Day. Here’s the real of Failure Frame.