Chapter 113 - Senior Holy Knight and Sunny Land [4] (2/2)

A large wooden bungalow towering over the seafront – the active Senior Holy Knights seem to be based here.

When I opened the large door in the front,

「Nn? Ah, it’s the uniform of Thousand Blade Academy… which means! You guys are the super strong『reinforcements』from the report!」

「I heard the story from Chief Clown! I am told, you three are the treasured pupils of that Black Fist!」

「Tomorrow is finally the scheduled day of『Extermination Operation』…! I’m counting on you guys!」

The Senior Holy Knights, dressed in pure white uniforms, stared at us with eyes filled with expectation.

「R-Reinforcements? Extermination Operation?」

I was puzzled by a series of disturbing words. A large man standing at the back of the room slowly approached me.

「Welcome to the temporary Holy Knights Association of Dagrio Branch! I’m the temporary branch chief here – Ben Trioc! Nice to meet you!」

Ben Trioc.

He is in his late thirties.

About 180 centimeters tall.

Clean skinhead and tanned brown skin.

A deep sword scar ran across the finely-chiseled face.

You can see his well-trained body and swelling muscles bulging through the uniform.

He gave his name in a quiet voice and had a charming smile.

「I’m Allen Rodore. Nice to meet you.」

「I am Ria Vesteria. Nice to meet you.」

「Rose Valencia. Good to meet you.」

After the brief self introductions, I asked about the dangerous sounding words I heard earlier.

「Excuse me. What is Extermination Operation?」

「Eh? You haven’t heard yet?」

「Y-Yes… I heard from Clown-san that Dagrio is a relatively calm place. 」

『I don’t think it’s a bad idea for a first-time expedition destination』is what he said.

And then,

「Seriously… As usual, there’s no helping that Clown.」

Ben scratched his hairless head and started talking, saying『Well, that’s fine』.

「Unfortunately,『Dagrio, the Sunny Land』, is a conflict zone. A place completely opposite to the word calm.」

「「「……What?」」」

The three of us involuntarily stiffened at the unbelievable remark.

「This country has been effectively controlled by Black Organization for several years. Since then, there have been conflicts every day.」

「I-Is that so!? But I’ve never heard of such news!?」

Even though it was a small country, an entire country had fallen into the hands of the Black Organization.

It surely would have been a huge incident, where newspapers would have started distributing extras.

「Well, information is being regulated. It’s not surprising if you’re hearing it for the first time.」

Ben-san continued talking, as he shrugged his shoulders.

「I-Information regulation?」

「Yes, it’s a natural measure. It will bring shame to the Holy Knights Association’s reputation if the news of a country falling is leaked. So, it couldn’t be made public. This is confidential information known only to a handful of Senior Holy Knights and the superiors of nations.」

「I, I see…」

「Well, let’s talk more about this country. Sunny Land of Dagrio is in a miserable situation.」

And we heard a lot of stories from Ben-san.

Currently, Dagrio is effectively controlled by Black Organization.

Twenty percent of Dagrio is the territory that the Holy Knights Association managed to recapture.

Eighty percent is still dominated by the Black Organization.

And one of the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle, with terrifying power, have taken up residence in the royal castle located at the northernmost point of the country.

According to the rescued Dagrio people, it has been raining every day since the day Black Organization took control.

「Something like that…」

As we were speechless, Ben-san spoke of a brighter prospect.

「Well, the hard years of the Dagrio people will be all settled by tomorrow’s Extermination Operation. From what I’ve heard, you three are pretty skilled, aren’t you? That『Hentai Clown』gave you his stamp of approval, and you three are also the treasured pupils of Black Fist.. Fufu, I have high expectations of you!」

「E-Ermm… We will be troubled if you expect that much…」

I think I can fight better when compared to students, but…

Compared to a swordsman like Ben-san who plays an active part in the world stage, I don’t feel all that confident.

「Hahaha, don’t be crazy! Of course I have expectations for you! After all, that Clown and Black Fist acknowledged you!」

The moment Ben-san raised a loud laugh, the alarm sounded.

「Nu!? Excuse me for a bit!」

He excused himself and began to walk to the back of the room.

「-What happened, was there any movement?」

Shortly after Ben-san’s loud voice rang, he immediately received a strained reply.

「We confirmed a signal flare at『Lao Village』located in central Dagrio! The color is『red』- an emergency!」

「Tsk… How many enemies are there!? Is there any movement from the Thirteen Knights of the Oracle!?」

「The signal flare that has been confirmed now is only five『black』! The enemy is approximately fifty members of the Black Organization! Thirteen Knights of the Oracle still unconfirmed!」

「Alright, understood! Those damn bastards! All men, get ready for battle!」

「「「YES! 」」」

And the Senior Holy Knights got ready and formed into ranks.

「Oh, Allen! It’s a big job right away! Before tomorrow’s Extermination Operation – show me how good you are!」

Ben-san said, “I have high expectations for you,” patting me on the back.

「Y-Yes!」

In this way, I was sent to a violent conflict zone, and thrown into a battle right away.