Chapter 152: One last step

It didn't take me long to notice the approaching group. But when compared to the people from this world, I couldn't help but get slightly salty about the fact that in terms of their bodily capabilities, they were far superior. 

Just like I needed the mercenaries to get a little bit closer before I could spot them, the same would apply to all my senses. Even without speaking about noticing the minute details, it seemed as if the sheer physical disposition of the people from Ayda's world was on another level.

Thinking about this, I could come up with only one reason why a situation like this occurred. Unless it was something that was beyond the scope of what I could understand, then it all boiled down to the simple laws of survival.

Exactly like in the animal kingdom, Ayda's world had to get above the level of strength ruling everything else. That's why, those who were born strong would prosper and statistically get laid more often, while those born with lesser potential in brawns but greater in brains, would be likely to be ostracised and met quite a lot of trouble on their path to prolonging their name.

While such a law didn't apply to the individuals, once expanded the scale to a city, country or even world, such fine details of the society would quickly start making huge differences when compared to the samples of smaller size.

"With the vicious circle it creates, I guess a civilisation need to be almost completely broken apart for any kind of change to happen." 

It took me quite a while to reach this conclusion. By the time it finally escaped from between my lips, not only did the mercenary group manage to reach our position, but our entire group managed to join and absorb them, before finally setting off. 

"What do you mean?" 

Inching closer from the side, Ayda took over my arm, glueing herself to my side. 

"Nothing much, just some silly thoughts." 

With the strength put at the pedestal, those who would otherwise drive the intellectual revolution of any world would find themselves heavily suppressed. The longer such situation would go on, the harder it would be to change it. 

And with such a self-reinforcing problem, only a huge, external force capable of overturning the world's priorities would be capable of saving the world from being eternally plunged into the middle ages.

Going back to the past of my own world, the event that started the wave that brought an end to the middle ages was generally traced back to the black death plague. With the loss of some insane percentages of the total human population, drastic social changes had to follow. And the process was properly set into motion, the continent that was hit the hardest by the plague, suddenly experienced rapid growth.

"In a sense, what I'm bringing upon this world is quite similar. Once one's natural talent will no longer be the sole criterium of one's position in the future…" Before I could even finish my words, I suddenly shook my head.

"Are you okay?" 

Once again, Ayda started to worry bout me. Looking at my inner state, I would have to be an idiot not to notice how slowly fixing my emotional state was plunging me deeper and deeper into those kinds of philosophical thoughts. 

Thankfully, before I could dive too deep, I managed to realise how arrogant those thoughts of mine were. 

"Ah, sorry. I think the burden of all those deaths is finally starting to get to me." 

As lacklustre as this answer was, it was still what I really believed to be happening. With more and more clogs on my emotions resolved, all the regret, thoughtfulness and self-disgust that were barred from my soul before, now filled me with this kind of nostalgic thoughts.

Because who gave me the right to decide that guiding Ayda's world towards the civilisation path that Earth took was something good? Who said that was the right thing to do? In other words, any attempts at adding some kind of lofty reason behind the senseless slaughter from a few moments ago was nothing but a spit on the graves of those who I killed. 

But rather than attempting to talk me out of my current state of mind, Ayda simply snuggled even closer to my side, before hugging herself all over my arm. Without even a single word, she allowed her presence alone to slowly dispel my worries. 

Step by step, our group continued to move. After the initial two attacks of the wizards, the pressure greatly lessened, as even they weren't dumb enough to send their people against us if it would only result in their untimely deaths. 

With our group enlarged by the mercenaries, our speed also ramped up. While the soldiers for hire didn't bring any coaches or wagons with them that we could store the victims on, the hand-coaches that they used to carry their supplies around somehow sufficed.

Given how I never stopped clearing the clogs on my emotions, my mental state would normally continue to sink lower and lower. Thankfully, whenever I would reach my limit, Ayda's sweet presence would clear my mind, allowing me to take an even further dive into the healing process.

Before I could even notice, the group already reached the point where the witch village was already visible. But rather than being as peaceful as it was when we left it, with occasional forces of Wizards lying in ambush in hopes of killing some stranded witches, the place now looked like a damned battlefield.

And in fact, the fighting was still going on. 

"Break the barrier! Avenge the fallen! Only the blood offering can stop that demon!" 

Various shouts filled the air, as countless masses of people continued to charge at the barrier, only to be violently thrown out whenever they collided with it.

"Eh, and here I thought they were smart enough to at least attempt to run…" 

Shaking her head for a moment before placing it right back on my shoulder, Ayda sighed heavily. As little as those people could do to stop our return, dealing with them would still be quite an eyesore. 

With the village that I strived to protect being so close, firing any of my big weapons would easily result in a disaster. Due to that, not even speaking about recurring stones, even some of the normal, hard-hitting stones could endanger my allies confined behind the barrier.

But to my surprise, before I could even figure out the proper approach to the problem, Hubert suddenly grew from the ground, right to my side. 

"Sir, just say the world and I will cut the path for everyone."

Kneeling on the ground and respectfully lowering his head, the arrogant man from before was already replaced by a perfectly obedient soldier under my command. 

"Take the mercenaries with you. As weakened as those people might be, if they won't be able to make this short walk, then they will only have themselves to blame." 

Taking a step forward, I reached the inner pocket of my coat before passing three barrier stones to the man.

"I'm not going to use your life just to obtain a safe passage for those poor people. An expert like you has way greater value. You see this small bit on those stones?"

After two sentences of introduction, I pointed at the activator part of the stone with my finger.

"Once you press it, you will be enveloped by a barrier capable of withstanding quite a lot. Sadly, I can't quantify its strength, so it will be up to you to test them out yourself. Stay safe and good luck."

Not giving the man any time to digest the gratitude of obtaining a gift from someone he clearly valued quite a lot, I dismissed him. Turning my head to the mercenaries, I wanted to tell them to follow Hubert, but before even a single word could escape my eyes, those swords-for-hire already made their move. 

Looking at their rapid pace, I could tell that they had no fear of wizards in their hearts. Whether it was due to their own magical abilities or just some kind of skill that allowed them to fight off their magic, it took only a moment before the group heralded by Hubert cut right into the thickest crowd.

"Slaughter, slaughter and slaughter… If only there was another way…" 

Staring at the bloody festival, Ayda muttered silently. Surprised by her unusual fit of emotional openness, I was at loss at what to do. But instead of letting me take my time to figure out the best way to cheer her up, Ayda quickly trodded to my position before pointing her hand at the bloody corridor that Hubert already managed to create.

"Let's stop wasting time. While moving the wounded shouldn't be a problem, I'm slightly worried what would happen if they would learn that their general is with us."

Sending another look at the ongoing battle, Ayda sighed once again before resting her back against my chest. 

"In the end, a cornered enemy is the most dangerous one."