CH 36

The Kyuubi pushed through the bushes and advanced deeper into the mountain. This mountain, filled with large trees and thickets, was perfect for hiding.

As soon as we entered the mountain, a Cectiara butterfly landed on my finger. The butterfly started to fly as if to guide us, probably avoiding enemy soldiers.

“…This is strange. We can’t contact the teachers.”

Ray said. The soldiers can communicate with the Crystal and their own generals, but they should also be able to contact the teachers in case of emergency. But that connection was not working.

I thought we should leave it to the teachers, but it seems that’s not possible. The teachers, unlike previous events, do not interfere in any way unless there is an abnormal situation in the final event of the year [Winter]. Even so, they should still be watching the situation in real-time, but no one has come yet. Probably the communication and the video are being interfered with. Emilia was healing Ray’s Phantom Beast, a hedgehog, while nodding in agreement with the conversation.

I contacted Cectiara-sama through the Crystal, “It’s an unusual situation, but since we can’t judge whether the game will flow or not, please just protect the formation.” And she responded with a strong [Leave it to me]. Also, enemy soldiers were gathering in Olivier’s camp. I thanked her and ended the communication.

And then I spoke out what I had been thinking since earlier.

“Those soldiers may have been manipulated.”

Ray furrowed his brows, and Emilia let out a gasp.

This time, I thought Ouka wouldn’t show up, but with the reenactment of the “Accusation event”, the possibility of him being involved has come up. If that’s the case, those students may be manipulated like Kyaran was before.

In the first place, if there is someone who would order to attack the prince’s fiancée in the middle of an event, then they are definitely mad. And those who obediently carry out those orders are also mad. It’s natural to think they are being manipulated.

“Then, we can use dispelling magic.”

Emilia said.

“Yes. But it will be quite large scale… Ray-sama, how about magic?”

“I’m sorry, but it’s tough when it gets that large scale.”

“Is that so. Then, I will.”

In this situation where we can’t contact anyone other than our own troops, I have to do it myself. Christina is captured, so I can’t use her power. But there is one method.

We moved quite a distance without encountering anyone, guided by the butterfly. But at that time, another butterfly appeared from the front and we saw several people following it.

The person leading them was someone I was familiar with. Emilia and I couldn’t help but shout out loud.

“Melinda?!”

“Ah, finally we meet. I’m so tired. Are you all safe?”

Melinda slowly approached, her expression tired and with a Phantom Beast owl on her shoulder. “I’m exhausted,” she said, slumping against the Kyuubi.

Why was Melinda here? Because,

“Miss Melinda is with His Highness Llewayne’s army, if I recall correctly,” Ray said.

Emilia nodded in agreement.

“Yes, that’s correct. The four of us, including myself, were part of a reconnaissance team for Olivier’s army.”

Melinda began her explanation in an exhausted voice. The other members of the reconnaissance team seemed uneasy, standing there.

“His Highness launched a full-scale attack on Vanderlei’s army from the start. He even used transfer magic to fly to the front of the flag himself. He left our own army to Fried-sama and about a dozen others, and sent only a small reconnaissance team to Olivier’s and Rebecca’s armies.

Therefore, His Highness cannot use the transfer magic today. Besides, there is quite a distance from His Highness’s and Vanderlei’s formation to yours and Olivier’s formation, right? We, the reconnaissance team, were also watching you and Olivier’s army take Olivier’s flag, but that was because His Highness sent the eagle there. The eagle then carried another reconnaissance team and headed towards Rebecca’s formation, so there were no more hands left to wait there. In other words, His Highness currently has no means of transportation. Even if he comes here, it will probably be a while later, since there is also the battle with Vanderlei’s army.

And so, I was hiding and watching the battle while reporting everything as a reconnaissance team. But His Highness… only keep asking for descriptions of Rebecca’s bravery in the worst situation…Can’t you fight for yourself? I thought I was chosen for the reconnaissance team because of my good ears from Phantom Beast… His Highness just wanted to know about you, that’s for sure.

Well, things got weird, so I reported it, and he said I could give up my reconnaissance duties and join up with you guys to help. I had been hiding in stealth until then, but that butterfly that’s been flying around us recognized us because of the Phantom Beast’s ability as the reconnaissance team’s guy over there. Even though it couldn’t see it, it could sense us. And that’s how it led us here.

Hold on, I’ll call His Highness now.”

His Highness must be aware of what’s happening now. His ability to gather information is impressive. I don’t have the luxury of sending out a reconnaissance team, and I still don’t know anything about the northeast. Despite having Cectiara, this is the difference between being a commander and not.

Melinda was looking at her chest as she took out a crystal. And a few seconds later, the voice I heard made me feel greatly relieved.

[Rebecca, are you there?]

“Yes, Your Highness.”

A low, calm voice. It felt like I hadn’t heard it in a long time.

“Thank you for sending Melinda, Your Highness. I’m safe. But I left behind Ceden-sama and Christina. They have defensive magic, so they won’t get hurt, but I’m not strong enough… I’m sorry. The soldiers may be controlled by magic. I’ll try to refill my magic power and use a spell to release them. If it goes well, it will all be over in one go…”

[Wait, Rebecca, let me speak first. Good job.]

“… Eh?”

His Highness, who gently blocked me who was flaunting and boasting, [good job]. I was complimented. But what for?

[I heard in the report. Even when my name came out, you denied it head-on without hesitation, and took a resolute attitude.]

“…That doesn’t seem like something worthy of praise.”

[Good job. My fiancé is outstanding and excellent.]

“…”

The sudden accusation event. Honestly, at that time, my feelings were confusion and fear. The one who gave me the power to shake off those feelings was none other than His Highness.

I don’t know. Right now, I really want to see him.

“…Your Highness.”

[Ah]

“I love you very much…”

[…]

“Your Highness?”

[…I love you too]

“Yes…”

“Hey, I know your relationship as a couple is good and that’s the most important thing, but if possible, can you do it just the two of you?”

Melinda made a surprised voice.

I snap back to myself. Oh no. I let my emotions take over and confessed my love in front of people.

An uncomfortable atmosphere flowed in the room. Without being able to look up, I opened my mouth to say something when Emilia sharply raised her voice.

“Rebecca-sama, the enemy is approaching very close!”

“What did you say?”

It is probably because the Kyuubi sensed it. I wonder why we didn’t realize it earlier, because we should have had Cectiara(‘s butterfly) with us.

I search for the butterfly while looking around. I can’t believe it.

———Cectiara’s butterfly, when did it disappear?

There is no way that Cectiara would retrieve Phantom Beast without informing me.  In other words, has Cectiara been defeated or been driven to a similar state? Did she not even have time to contact me?

“…Impossible.”

I couldn’t believe what was happening now.

As I muttered, a large number of soldiers suddenly appeared. Surrounding us.

“What?! Where did they come from?!”

“Rebecca-sama!”

The surroundings suddenly became noisy. I quickly counted the number of enemies. There are too many.

Suddenly, an enemy army of around fifty appeared without warning, with the power to control their numbers, the strength to seal away the three strongest, Cectiara-sama, the ability to block communication with only the teacher, and magical tools that should not be able to be easily taken out, including a legendary beast, Christina, to seal away.

I had suspected Ouka, but is it really just him? Is it possible for him, who was just sealed, to do this? I can’t help but feel that there is another mastermind behind this.

Among the approaching enemies, I stopped thinking too much and jumped on the Kyuubi’s back, breaking through the encirclement alone.

“I’m here!”

“Rebecca?! Wait for me!”

“Ray-sama, use your barrier! Protect everyone!”

I heard Melinda’s voice trying to stop me. But there’s no time to stop.

I faced the enemy and ordered the Kyuubi back along the way we came. I was worried if the Kyuubi would follow me, but it seems not to be a problem.

As I cut through the wind and looked back, as I thought, many enemy soldiers were chasing after me.

Ray, Emilia, Melinda, and the three members of the reconnaissance team, a total of six people, should be able to protect themselves with Ray’s Phantom Beast barrier. The enemy’s target is only me, so I should escape alone.

However, I need the Kyuubi. Without Christina, this is the only way to use powerful magic. To borrow power from the Kyuubi. It would be reckless to use someone else’s Phantom Beast, but it is possible with the Kyuubi.

There are many fast enemies, but the Kyuubi is as fast as expected. Despite being quite exhausted.

I confirmed that I was not about to be caught, and somehow managed to steady my position on the swaying back.

“…good.”

From now until we reach the bottom of the mountain, I will refill my power with The Kyuubi’s magic. If I can even release the magic of the controlled soldiers with release magic, this match is mine.