Book 9: Chapter 2

「Gaaaaaa!」

「Come at me, damned Mazoku!」

One knight slashed at the pig Beastia that held what looked like a club.

Easily evading the recklessly swung club, the slash that was fired cut through the pig Beastia’s stomach, and the successive attack sent its head flying.

After kicking away the corpse that made a *dou* sound as it collapsed in unsightly manner, the knight headed towards the next Beastia.

「Follow me! We will protect the citizens!」

「Ou!」

Kain and Ein blankly gazed at the knights that headed towards the pig Beastia together with that shout.

Even the voices of the people delighted by the strenuous efforts of the knights could be heard in the distance.

「……I thought that you would have been one of the first to rush out there.」

「I can’t stand out in a place like this. Besides……this is probably staged.」

「Staged?」

After Ein asked that back, Kain nodded.

「Those Beastia……there isn’t a single one that is holding anything with a blade.」

Being told that, Ein thought “indeed”.

Their weapons were nothing but things that looked like clubs, and there weren’t any Beastia that possessed a blade.

However, that was something on the level of “so what”. Compared to blades that required processing, being inclined to make a stick that was easy to obtain their weapon was only natural in a certain way after all.

「Well, that sort of thing is probably also a factor. But no matter how dexterous Beastia are with their fingers, it wouldn’t be easy for them to procure blades.」

「……That’s true. But, Beastia are also cunning. For them to attack a place where there are armed knights with this sort of timing, is strange.」

When limiting it to those that were living in the Shutaia Continent which was mankind’s territory, the Beastia were cunning.

Unlike the Goblins that would charge in immediately once they found an enemy, they would carefully survey the timing to attack. Trying to fight in a situation that would be even slightly advantageous, such as attacking the opponent with great numbers while they were asleep, was part of the basics.

However, what about this time?

Sure there were pleasant chats going on, but they appeared in a place where knights were the defense and with a number that wasn’t all that significant.

Like this, it was the same as them saying “please annihilate us”.

The reason why Kain didn’t rush out was because that sort of out of place feeling had exceeded his will to protect the people.

And then, as expected, the pig Beastia were easily annihilated, and shouts of joy for the knights’ victory resounded.

「Look, the Divine Protection of the God of Light is with us!」

The shouts of joy surrounding the knights that held their swords high became even louder.

In contrast to how there were even people who were deeply moved to tears, Kain’s head chilled even more.

「……It’s like they came out in order to be defeated, isn’t it. It is way too strange.」

「……You’re saying that they’re connected?」

「There’s no need for them to be connected. There’s any number of ways to instigate Goblins and Beastia. At any rate, there’s someone that started it with this timing. And the objective was……」

Kain and Ein’s gazes captured the people accompanying the knights as they were in wild enthusiasm.

A look of thick hope dwelled in their eyes as they shouted the God of Light and Narika’s name.

「The formation of a joint ownership of the feeling of having overcome a crisis. I think there is no mistaking that.」

「So it’s the final preparation for the brainwashing?」

「Probably. After this, I think we’ll advance towards Kashnart with the shortest route.」

That’s right, all of the preliminary arrangements in order to meet with Princess Narika were complete.

Overcoming numerous difficulties, they arrive at the capital of hope……that is probably the plot of it.

「……Truly absurd. Would it be fine to call it a farce?」

At the feet of Ein who spat out, the mouse made a small cry.

After looking down at the mouse that cried several times as if to tell her something, Ein tapped Kain’s shoulder.

「……I will be stepping away for a bit. Don’t get hit by that brainwashing or whatever.」

「Yeah, I know.」

Without turning his gaze to Ein who vanished into the forest, Kain answered.

Kain gazed at the people of the plaza, and pursed his lips. Things would start for real after they arrived at Kashnart. In order for him to accomplish his own duty, he couldn’t get engulfed in those waves.

「What wrong. Thinking about something?」

「Nn? Yeah, pretty much.」

The one who suddenly peeked in at his face was that young girl who said her name was Lys.

Noticing that young girl that expressed a smile that looked just like Ys, Kain deployed an Illumination Magic spell overhead.

「Ara, was it that dark?」

「It’s because the dark isn’t good for the eyes.」

「Is that true?」

「Yeah.」

Lys laughed sounding like she found Kain’s answer strange.

When Kain stared at that Lys, Lys made a wry smile.

「What’s wrong? It’s troubling if you look at me with such passionate eyes.」

「No……I was just wondering what your objective was.」

「Objective?」

「What kind of profit would you have, from getting close to someone like me……that’s what I mean.」

Hearing Kain’s words, Lys put her index finger to her mouth and showed a look that seemed like she was perplexed.

「I want to get along with you……is that no good?」

「Get along?」

In response to Kain who asked that back, Lys replied with 「That’s right」.

「I said this earlier but……It seems like you’d flourish if you go to Narika-sama’s side. Thinking that I’d want to get along with that sort of person……wouldn’t that be normal?」

「……That’s true.」

「Yes, it is. Fufu, that’s why……let’s get along, okay?」

In response to Lys who said that and held out her hand, Kain only shrugged his shoulders.

「Sorry, I have a fear of strangers. Can we do this after we’ve gotten along a bit more?」

「Ara, you say some surprising things, don’t you.」

When Lys’ eyes went round, she took back her hand looking like it couldn’t be helped.

「It’s true that I want to get along with you, you know? Remember that.」

「Yeah, I’ll remember it.」

Seeing off Lys after she said that and went off somewhere again, Kain erased the Illumination Magic with a single wave of his hand.

「……」

「Nn? What’s wrong.」

Coming from behind Kain as he sat down in silence, Ein returned with a *gasari* sound.

After Ein looked down at Kain with a puzzled look, she made a light kick at his back.

「Oi, did something happen? Your redeeming quality is being pointlessly cheerful.」

「Eh? Ah, yeah……Ein, welcome back.」

Ein unpleasantly looked at Kain turn around and answer her, then called out to him sounding cautious.

「……Seriously, what’s wrong? This is disgusting.」

「Nn? No, it’s just a bit……see.」

Seeing Kain make a vague mutter, Ein made a puzzled looking expression.

Making another kick at his back, Ein plunked down next to Kain.

「Don’t pass it off. Clearly tell me what happened.」

「Well, how should I put it.」

「What is it. Tell me only the conclusion.」

In response to Ein who said “I won’t listen to a long story”, Kain answered while scratching the back of his head.

「The matter this time, by some chance……I think that various things, might go smoothly.」

「What do you mean by that?」

「……This is just a guess but. If we stay like this and wait for the timing, I think that we’ll be able to meet directly with Princess Narika. Wouldn’t that be better?」

Hearing that, Ein thought.

Kain saying astounding things was something that happened often. And then, in general, he would be right.

「……It would surpass the range of what we were asked to do but, if we are able to meet face-to-face with Princess Narika, then we would naturally meet with Mazenda as well……No, on second though, wait. Kain……What are you thinking?」

In response to Ein asking that, Kain replied with a small, yet powerful voice.

「I feel like I need to meet her. And then……I feel that everything, will be clear.」

「Will be clear……? What are you saying you’ll understand.」

Kain, with a serious expression, spoke with a small voice that only Ein could hear.

「Who this civil war’s……Who Princess Celis’ real enemy is.」

What Kain’s eyes stared at, was the burning bonfire and the people who danced around it.

The bonfire that was reflected in his eyes looked like flames of Kain’s resolution to Ein.