Chapter 86: Tortoise.
Neither of the devils could immediately make up their mind how to respond to Lee's illogical behavior. Fortunately he explained right away.
"We don't know what they're attacking." He said, "Let's wait for a few moments to see what's going on!"
Wait was not the word the brothers particularly liked, but they could spare a few moments. But while Lee was closely observing the fight, the two inspected the surroundings to see whether there were other treasure hunter groups eyeing the pack.
Apparently the beasts breathing fire was a clear indicator they possessed the sparks, but no matter how he looked, Lee couldn't understand what they were about to do with the tortoise they were currently abusing.
The poor thing was squeaking and whimpering, obviously in agony, but just as Lee was about to let the two devils loose, the tortoise dashed at one of the lizards, and bit it in halves. Right after, though, it hid under its shell once again, but now there were only nine lizards left.
The sight cooled the two hot heads down a bit. Neither was certain they could've avoided the sudden attack, although they didn't show it on their faces.
"I think we should let them cook for a bit." Lee said.
"What if they they run away?" Thorax was worried.
"Who? The tortoise?" Lee teased, but then added, "We can surround them, just in case. Me and Jiraxa will stay here, you two take spots to the left and right. If for some reason the lizards decide to retreat, we all go assist in the direction they move.
The two brothers nodded and darted away, but Jiraxa looked at Lee with eyes full of admiration. Apparently she thought he considered himself as capable as the two devils, but she couldn't know his train of thoughts was completely different.
'No matter whether they kill it or not, we're on the hillside, and it's unlikely the fire breathers will come our way.' Lee though. According to the common sense the only logical place to retreat for the beasts was the forest on the opposite side of them.