CH 416

–It has been two days since the Gospel’s Descent rampaged through the town of Gust.

Yesterday, the town was busy cleaning up, but thanks to the cooperation of the people of the town, things were quickly getting back to normal.

The stores and the academy had reopened as usual and things seemed to have returned to normal, while the adults and the key figures of the town gathered at the Irving’s mansion for a meeting.

“I’ve heard about it roughly from Dedite. It’s almost a miracle that all the residents of the town are safe under such circumstances. First of all, I want to say thank you.”

When Roen bowed, Hauzen scratched his cheek and opened his mouth.

“It’s our job to protect this town, so it’s nice to see you bowing like that. Let’s start with the current situation. First, the main members of the Gospel, Erekhim and a man named Akzeryus, fled, and the others were killed by Akzeryus, leaving no one left to talk to.”

“Hmm …… since the relevant Kreeda is still unconscious ……”

The purpose and organization of the group are known through Lars and this case, but in the end, we don’t know why they are targeting the territory of the Reflexion Kingdom, so Roen is waiting for Kreeda to wake up to ask that question.

Then Ryuuze raised his hand and asked a question.

“He turned to an Ogre, right? It’s similar to when we saved Luciel and the others a long time ago, but maybe the Gospel’s Descent was involved that time too.”

“Could be. I feel like he was talking about his client …… That’s what I feel it is!”

“Sis, don’t say too many random things. But it didn’t look like the people who kidnapped me acted on the spur of the moment.”

“Well, we can’t be sure because the people who took you were also wiped out. It’s not about the past now, it’s about the future. Roen-san, the next time they come, they’ll be coming with a war-size force.”

Tigre interrupted the conversation between Ryuuze and the others and began to speak. When Roen heard the word “war,” his eyes widen in surprise.

“How do you know so much?”

“…… Because I’m from the Berias Kingdom. If that king is still trying to get another country, he will use the failure of the Gospel’s Descent as a reason to attack. The idea of occupying the territory and getting it from the surrounding areas is probably a trick put in by the Founder and the like, but in the end, they haven’t been able to get any of them …… because they should have.”

“Hmm …… Since we’ve barely interacted with Berias, if that information is correct, that means we’re in danger ……”

Roen put his hand on his chin and grumbled, breaking out in a cold sweat. And then the headmaster, Libre, spoke up with his opinion.

“I’ve heard about how Lars-kun saved Oriola and Glasco. But there are many other territories in this Reflexion. It doesn’t mean that they haven’t moved, but it would be better to report to His Majesty and ask him to deal with this matter as well.”

“Yes. I’ve been advised Dedite to do that too, so I sent them a letter as of yesterday. I’m sure we’ll get some kind of response, including countermeasures. It’s just–“

“Just?”

Roen’s face was grim and he held his tongue for a moment. When Hauzen asked him suspiciously, he shook his head and answered.

“In the meantime, there is the question of what to do if they attack. There are not many people in this town who can fight in the event of war. Even if we could, the cost would be high. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

“Hmm.”

When Libre mumbles with a sigh and a difficult look on his face, Sarge and Verna each raise their voices and announce their suggestions.

“You’re right. Also, why don’t we ask Luitzar Kingdom to help us? Even if we only borrow one knight order, I think we can ensure our safety.”

“Sarge aside, asking for Luitzar Kingdom’s cover will be difficult, Verna.”

“Why?”

“There are many knights, but there are always holes. I don’t know what’s going on in Berias right now, but I’m sure they have enough soldiers for two countries, and if they find out that Luitzar doesn’t have enough people, the King of Berias might want to take care of that first. “

When Tigre said this while stroking Verna’s hair, Verna gave a short ‘Ahhh’ and dropped her shoulders. In fact, if you add up the number of soldiers from Everlide that Berias has occupied, the Gospel’s Descent, and the mainland of Berias, the number will be quite large, Tigre said reluctantly.

“So we’re still relying on the country …… I hope the letter gets delivered quickly ……”

“Should I ask Sarge to fly there? It’s the place where Lars-niichan is, right?”

“If Sarge is gone, we lose our deterrent, and that’s a no-go. Sorry, Aina-chan.”

“Buu-“

“Lars is going to learn transfer magic and take us to the Monsters’ Garden.”

Dedite chuckled and patted Aina.

“Is Lars is doing something interesting ……? Well, I’ll ask more about it later, until we hear back from the king, we’ll have to make do then. All right, I’ll do the training along with the request. It’s better to increase the number of people you can deal with by yourself and I’d like to pay back that Akzeryus guy too.”

“Hmm. Ryuuze-kun is right. It would be helpful if Roen-san could notify the town to be on maximum alert. And I’ll see what I can do too.”

“I understand.”

“Mizuki and her team did a great job, but even more so. I’m going back to the guild.”

“I’ll have to make sure Tilia-chan doesn’t go out without permission!”

“Please keep it in moderation …… Then we’ll go with that.”

When Libre realized that the conversation was going to go in a different direction, he left his seat and Roen nodded.

Brao, who had not said a word, opened his mouth with his arms crossed.

“…… Seriously, I can’t relax in this town. It’s not for me to say, though.”

“Well, dad is. But mom told me that he used to drive back the goblins that attacked him with poison.”

“Mmm …… talkative. Roen, make sure you notify the other territories, okay? And Sorio.”

“W-What is it, Brao?”

“I don’t have a lot of money, so I can’t tell you what to do, but why don’t you hire some mercenaries and get your daughter some good equipment?”

“Well, that’s a good idea, Dad. Sorio-san, isn’t that a good idea? If it comes to that, I’ll go to Arjan-san and ask him for you.”

And then Ryuuze shouted with joy and said that he would go there to repair the armor.

“I’d appreciate that. Thanks to Luciel, we have some good minerals, so you can have them processed.”

“Yes. I’ll also train in magic so that I don’t slow you down. I’ll ask Verna-sensei for help.”

“I guess I’ll train with Kudelica, too? Ah, It’s okay, I’ll prioritize protecting instead of fighting. I can’t beat a guy like Akzeryus, after all.”

Luciel clenched her fists, wanting to be more useful, and Luciela had grown up and stopped saying reckless things. Then Dedite opened his mouth.

“We’ll all work together to deal with this. We will spare no effort to help you, so please let us know if there is anything we can do.”

“That’s right. If Lars comes back, I’ll ask him to be my training partner.”

“Haha, he’s probably traveling around looking for transfer magic right now, so that might be difficult.”

“Well, I’m looking forward to fighting a stronger Lars, so I’ll wait. Aina, be sure to let me know when Lars comes back, okay?”

“Yes!”

“Yeah ……”

When Sarge and Luciel muttered with their eyes down, Ryuuze and the others who were present kept their mouths shut and their faces straight. While thinking that you never know what will happen next. 

–The town of Gust has won a brief victory. However, they returned to their daily lives with various feelings and anxieties that they could not shake.

Fight against a stronger Lars …… The words that Ryuuze said will come true sooner than he expected.

The Lars had now returned to the castle town of Reflexion, near Illuminate.

I’ll tell you about the activities of Kuderica and the others next time! I wanted to show Mizuki-san and others ……

Thank you for reading!

[Afterword Theater]

“Well then, next is ……”

An Intermission, I guess?