Ch 182: That’s all I could say to her.

Ch 182: That’s all I could say to her.

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"Is it my idea or does the atmosphere seem strange?"

After leaving the forest, I entered the rear army, and I immediately noticed that something strange was going on. The soldiers seem to be in a hurry. They have alert looks, and the conversations are very serious. And even though they are in the same position as always, I see new faces.

"Don't tell me..."

To corroborate my suspicions, I head towards Commander Cael's tent. Inside, I see him looking very calm, as if nothing is happening outside.

"Oh, how unexpected. The renowned Golden Archer comes to greet his superior. Should I be honored or dismiss this fellow for missing his work?"

Emir: "..."

'Hmm, not much has changed here...'

To start off on the right foot, I walk over to his desk and drop off 10 remnants of enemy soldiers. Plus, the map rolls with the location of their groups.

"You came prepared, huh? Well, whatever. You are not on any list, and no one seeks your assistance. From that point of view, you don't even need to work. But hey, there are people who work late without getting paid extra. Are you by any chance a masochist?"

'Haa, seriously, what did I come here for? At least not to be insulted!'ander, what's going on outside?"

To divert his attention away from me, I changed the subject to the strange atmosphere outside.

Tapping the desk with his index finger, he said, "You already know that the guilds of both kingdoms fought each other to test the enemy's strength, right? Well, everything was going fine until a certain guild made a fool of itself..." He got up from his seat and said, "Good grief, that guild crapped their pants from fear! They're the shame of the kingdom!"

Emir: "..."

'Why does this situation sound familiar?'

"Now everyone is calling them 'The Shitters'! No one remembers their original name!"

Emir: "..."

'Golden Lion Guild... Is that you?'

"And worst of all, this story spread far and wide! Remember the balance of power? It doesn't exist anymore! In everyone's mind, the Castemira kingdom is the weakest!" Cael continued speaking angrily.

"So..." I say without fully understanding what he wants to tell me.

He sat behind his desk and said, "Even if the priests who witnessed the battle between guilds proclaim that the rumor is exaggerated, it doesn't matter anymore. The only way for the Castemira Kingdom to regain its honor is to fight... Be prepared for full-scale war to start in 75 minutes."

'It can't be... My casual revenge ended up fanning the flames of war! Did I go too far in my revenge? But they deserved it! Using the lives of the three annoying beauties as a threat against me is unforgivable. In fact, they should be thankful I still keep the horse poop in my inventory. I originally planned to use it against them! Well, this is not the moment to think about it. There's something more important I need to worry about. Alessia and Delia are in this place. I must get them out of here as soon as possible.'

I turned around and walked towards the exit.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"This is no place for Emilia. I must take her" I replied.

After taking a step, someone suddenly appears in front of me. And, waving his hand, he jabs me with his index finger on my mask.

"Easy man, I know about your relationship with her. I can't make you leave just to protect her, so I used my authority to pull the strings backstage."

"Stop right there. No one is allowed to enter this area."

I tried to approach the tent in which Delia performs her healing, but an unknown Knight stops me.

"I am the Golden Archer, Victor must know about me."

"Golden Archer?" The man looked at me from head to toe and then said, "Go ahead; we knew of your arrival"

From his look, he most likely recognized me from my Perception Inhibitor. Or rather, since he couldn't remember my appearance, he understood that it was me.

After getting past the guard of different soldiers, I managed to get to Delia.

Almost at the same time I looked at her, she discovered me.

"Em-.... Mnn Mnh Mgh"

I covered her mouth with my finger as she was about to say my name.

''Was it the spear that tipped you off to me?'' I whisper to her.

''Mn, she figured you out right away.'' She answers me in a low tone, understanding her error

'It's a good thing Saint Delia's Spear is doing her job. I'd use her as a clothesline otherwise.'

"Victor must have already warned you, or am I wrong?" I say, looking at the man who is a few steps behind Delia

"Yes, I know about 'that'. And he also told me you were coming." Delia say with a thoughtful face

After being silent for a few seconds, she looked at me again.

"We discussed it all this time, and... We want to stay here." Delia said it in a serious tone.

"Why?" I know she wants to help others, but this situation may get out of our hands.

"Because I am happy to help and... Um, we even already planned an escape route; we have everything ready to escape underground."

Noticing my gaze, Delia immediately changed her reasoning, making the escape route known. I'm sure this was due to the spear, as her silence was long enough to make me believe she was listening to someone else.

"Victor... why didn't you say anything to Commander Cael about me attacking you?"

"Because it was all due to my incompetence"

'- Protecting her is the only way to atone for me... I was about to be unable to do so. That won't happen again'

Although he has few expressions, I could read the look in his eyes.

'I know he is telling the truth.'

Emir: "..."

"Explain to me the escape route." I say, turning to look at Delia again.

Delia: "!!!!"

I know Delia understood my words. If the escape plan doesn't convince me, then I will take her away by force if necessary.

Unfortunately for me, the escape route seems to have been created by a twisted mind. I fear that even with my user interface, I would have trouble following it.

That's why...

"...Take care of yourself."

That's all I could say to her.