After I try climbing for a while, I came out into an area where there were a large amount of giant snake corpses piled up.

    The wound openings seem like they were cut open by a sharp blade and, there’s frostbite visible there.

    「The culprit is a magician! And furthermore they’re an expert a ice magic aren’t they! No mistake.」

    「Anyone could understand that if they saw this.」

    Maa wait, don’t rush to judgement.

    I cross my arms and, look down at a certain corpse.

    「However, there are burn marks on the corpse here, that is to say, the culprits are multiple people!」

    「I’m telling you, I understand. What does it matter, whoever this culprit is.」

    「No, nothing in particular. I just tried creating an atmosphere……let’s go.」

    Un, actually well, I feel bad okay, and it reeks of blood……

    Since we just took an ambush a bit ago, I pass through while paying attention to the fallen snakes.

    Fuumu, but there are people besides us who are also aiming for the summit while defeating snakes then.

    「Are they our comrades then?」

    「I wonder how it could be, I suppose that if they’re Shigen’s troops there might be no difference in the act of defeating the giant snakes that ended up reviving. There’s no meaning in that if they don’t offer a living sacrifice at the mountain peak. It could be that they’re protecting her, while holding onto her until then.」

    But, the people who fought here probably, fought with the snake without producing any one loss.

    Exceptional mastery was blended into this.

    If it’s like this, could we defeat it even without relying on a living sacrifice if we cooperate?

    「Either way, it’s an indeterminate factor isn’t it……for now let’s hurry and aim for the summit.」

    「Let’s do that.」

    ……Kuu.

    「Oi, your facial color is bad. Are you okay?」

    When I staggered again, that really got Jin-san to come over.

    「Please don’t mind it. I, was weak to begin with so, this is normal.」

    「That’s something arduous isn’t it……」

    「Truly.」

    ……Wrong, I understand.

    This, isn’t a conversation of the sort that accompanies endurance.

    There’s a tingling pain in my arms.

    Was it the attack earlier?

    The possibilities I can think of are…………Poison is it?

    I take a handkerchief out from my road supplies and, I try tying it in a position on my arm closer to my heart than the injury.

    「Nn, shouto.」

    Using one arm and my mouth, I tied it relatively well.

    It might be a little late but, I suppose it’s better than not doing it.

    「……Oi.」

    Maa, even if the positions were reversed I’d also question this wouldn’t I.

    「……」

    「Don’t feign ignorance, what happened?」

    「Haa……it’s poison. It’s probably, hemorrhagic venom. The blood won’t stop.」

    I think the Regenerate Robe is working but, this is a venom with power that exceeds it.

    Most likely, if I didn’t have the robe I’d already have fallen from extensive bleeding……

    「……Turn back, I’ll promise to save the miko.」

    「No, I’m sure it’s pointless even if I turn back……」

    I try putting the words out and, even I knew that I’d turned pale.

    「Yamata no Orochi’s serum……is it available?」

    「……」

    Haa～～～～.

    That was careless wassn’t it……

    Thinking about my life from here forward, the view before my eyes reached the brink of darkness.

    「……Even if we defeat the giant snake, the possibility of saving me is……it might be difficult.」

    I ended up smiling without intending to.

    It was rather short wasn’t it……

    「Foolishness……」

    Jin-san staggered with a dumbfounded face.