172 171. Intermission.txt (1/2)

The carriage rattles and clatters regularly.

The wheels of the carriage kicked against the stones of the earth, and my vision swung up and down. It's a terribly uncomfortable ride, from the perspective of the original world. I miss cars with rubber tires. But that nostalgia for the original world is now annoying.

It's not the shaking of the unstable carriage, but the shaking of an unstable memory that makes me sick.

But I try my best to hold it together and look around.

Everyone (everyone) looked gloomy. They were lined up in the seats in the back of the carriage, with faces similar to mine.

It was clear that they were shocked by their recent defeat.

But I was relentless in explaining the situation.

First, I told the three men who had withdrawn on the way to the battlefield what happened next. Then I shared the information that I heard from Heili with all of them and decided what to do from now on.

''--So, me and Maria, we're going to fight Palinkron now.

The suggestion, in other words, was nothing more than a suggestion that the other four should not follow.

Rastiara and the others were not able to answer immediately.

All of them had been drained of their energy in some form or another. Maybe that's why their thinking hasn't caught up with them. Without a care in the world, I'll tell you why.

I can't leave this 'World Service Team' thing he's trying to do ....... That's dangerous.

In truth, I want to prioritize rescuing Dia. However, after hearing about the danger of the 'World Inquisitorial Team' from Hailey, I had no choice but to change my priorities.

The first person to swallow the conversation was Reaper.

''...... Yeah, I get it. I'm sorry, brother. I guess I'm useless in this 'magic circle'.

He then apologizes for not being able to participate in the pursuit of Palinkron.

That's when Rustyala finally swallows the conversation and insists impatiently.

'Well, wait, Kanami ......!　Take me too: ......!

As soon as I saw that, I shook my head.

No, Rustyala, you're not fit to fight. You are not fit to fight, and you are not a good match for Palinclone. And you're too incompatible with Palinkron.

I was keenly aware of this in the earlier battle.

Anyone who is incompatible with Palinkron is bad as hell.

That guy is involved in the birth (...) of a 'magic stone human (Jewelculus)' called Rastiara. From the way he fought just now, he seemed to grasp all of Rastiara's weaknesses.

''It's okay!　I'm not going to be a disappointment anymore!　This time I will fight to the end, even if I die!

”There's no way you can take someone who says ...... even if they die. Rastiara, you can't do anything in this 'magic circle' as a 'magic stone human' (Jewelculus). That's why I can't take you there. This is one thing I can't compromise--

But still, please!　Because if you break up with me here, you'll regret it!　I feel like it!　So!

She tried to calmly admonish Rustyala for screaming selfishness. But she didn't even try to listen to him and screamed out.

It was an unlikeable appearance.

Even though she has a belligerent personality, up until now she's convinced me when I talk to her in a logical manner. And yet, that Rustyala was just screaming his selfishness like a child.

''It's only just beginning, but it's going to be over--because I feel like it is!

From the bare emotions, it was clear that he didn't simply want to follow because he wanted to fight.

More other emotions were robbing Rustyala of his composure.

Ever since the time he fought Id in that pavilion.

''Maa!　I still haven't told Kanami anything--

'--I know (・・・・・). Rustyala.

Maybe it's the same emotion I've lost, if not conceit. Or a faint emotion much like it. But I don't have time to take it in. Honestly, it's not even close (・・・・・・・・・).

Rustyala's hand was reaching out to me. I held it down with my hand from above and let it drop.

'I also (...) didn't tell you anything ....... So I'll be back. I'll be back, so just wait for me.

In a very cowardly way, he convinces Rustyala that he is a very cowardly man. I know myself that I'm imitating the worst of it beyond cowardice. But I couldn't pretend to be.

Rustyala's body jumps with a jolt as hand-to-hand contact is made.

And with a puzzled expression on her face, she starts to get lost in the words she's going to say in return.

Maria calls out to Rustiala, who cannot affirm or deny it.

'Rastiara-san ......'

...... ”...... Oh, oh, I'm sorry, Maria. ...... I'm only being selfish when I'm on my own.

As soon as he saw Maria's face, he became sullen.

Although Rustyala's body was large, his gestures made him look like a child his age.

Maybe that's why. Maria pulled Rustyala's head to her chest and held it as if she were caressing a child.

'No. I know what's going on with Rustyala now. ...... Let me take care of him.

”ugh. ......

With that word, Rustyala went quiet.

She nodded once with a small 'yes' and took a distance from me and Maria.

Then, slowly, Rustyala headed towards 'Connection'.

She was about to leave without saying a word. I hurriedly ask the knight who was waiting on the gyoja stand to take care of the rest.

''Sera-san, please take care of Rastiara.

Yeah.

As if it were natural, Sera nodded back briefly and went through the 'connection' with Rustyala.

I was relieved to be able to return the ailing Rastiara to the ship and called out to my next companion.

''--Snow.''

Yes!

I just called out to him, but Snow stood upright with a pizzazz.

He seems to be making a bit of a misguided effort after reflecting on his earlier mistake. Chuckling at that, I show him the 'Treasured Sword of Aleis, Lowen' that I have lowered to my waist.

''Snow, can you use this sword?''

'What, Rowen ......?　You can't use a sword and ......, and then there's .......

Fumbling with his mouth, Snow turns away from the sword.

Apparently, there is more than just a different weapon to handle, there is a sense of dislike for Rowen.

Seeing that, I spit out the words as I had originally planned.

'Well ....... Then Snow, take care of everyone. I think you're probably the most qualified to lead us.

What?

Snow rolls his eyes at the abruptness of the story.

'Being timid is not a bad thing. It's an advantage, as long as you're not in a hurry. If you're serious, you'll be stronger than anyone else. So, if you--

I slipped up and almost said something I shouldn't have.

I won't say the rest of it, just the most important thing.

You're going to take care of everyone on the ship while I'm gone.

...... eh, uh, yeah. ...... Okay.

Honestly, Snow nodded.

She seemed to know herself that she was useless against the Palinkron - or rather, against the 'one who steals the truth of darkness'. She pulled back without letting out any particular complaint.

'Reaper, help Snow out.

Yeah. Okay, brother. ...... come home safely.

The Reaper nodded and retreated. Only, perceptively, she added the last word.

Then, two more people go through the 'connection'.

Four of my friends leave, and silence falls in the rattling carriage.

The party that had originally numbered seven is dwindling, until at last there are only two of us, Maria and I.

When we first left Lauravia, I thought there was no such thing as an enemy in the Living Legend Party, but before I knew it, it was half destroyed. Looking back, it's harder to recall a decent win.

But I can't drag the defeat out of my mind forever. Pulling myself together, I shout from the bottom of my stomach, ”Maria, let's go after them.

'Maria, let's go after it.'

...... Yes.

Taking Maria's reply as my cue, I intensify my 'Dimension'.

I move to the gohja-dai and take hold of the horse's reins, grasping the enemy's location and the path. Maria sits next to the gohja-dai where I sit.

The thinly stretched Dimension informs me of Palinkulon's movements.

Like us, Palinclone was using a carriage to head to the main Confederate camp to receive treatment. He is escorted by a soldier who can use sacred magic.

Due to the strandedness of the fort, the distance between them and the carriage is quite large.

While compiling the information on that 'Dimension', he let the horse pulling the carriage advance. At the same time, I confirm the next steps of the battle with Maria.

It's the same as when we fought in the fort. We decide to fill in the holes on the answer sheet.

''- After all, the soldiers around us are in the way of fighting Palinkron. I don't want to be speared by soldiers like at the end of the fort, so if I had to do it, it would be when the soldiers from the north and south are clashing. ......

'You're going to jab in the middle of a war?　I know it sounds very difficult: ......

'But there's no better time. Let's try to split the Palinclones and the soldiers, aiming for a time of crowded war when the soldiers around them can't afford to rescue the Palinclones. If that doesn't work, we can lock them in with Maria's Wall of Fire. Worse still, we'll manage the rest.

There would be a lot of danger in jumping into the middle of an engaged army. There's no doubt about that.