253 251. Reunion.txt (1/2)

After leaving the Second Maze City Daryl, we headed straight to the north without making any detours.

I'm sure you'll be able to find out more about this as well.

I've experienced passing through a similar battlefield a year ago, and most importantly, I have two reassuring allies this time around.

Rouge-chan from the ”Northern League” and Snow from the ”Southern League”.

By comparing the information these two have, we were able to avoid dangerous areas beforehand. On the way, we sometimes passed through camps and checkpoints where soldiers were stationed, but thanks to the two of us, we were never detained.

It was an uneasy journey through the battlefield in a single carriage, but it was not so much of an obstacle. Soon we had succeeded in crossing the border between countries and entering the country of Viaissia.

We then skipped the cities scattered around Viaisia and headed for the royal capital in the middle of the country without turning aside. As long as we know that the id is in the Viaissia Castle, we have no use for any other city.

This is how we come to the center of Viaissia after a few days. We are just a few days away from the capital of Viaissia, where the Aide is waiting for us.

From the coach's platform, I can see the city road and the vast plains of Viaissia.

Unlike the rough and tumble battlefield we were running on until yesterday, the road we're on now is a beautiful paved road built between cities for trade.

I feel that the plains are even more beautiful now that they are far from the battlefield. The darker colors of the plants and trees against the pale skin tone of the streets are a feast for the eyes.

I can tell from the scene that we've come pretty deep into Vyasia.

Rouge-chan, sitting next to me, probably sensed this as well, and she releases the tension with a deep sigh.

''--Fu. Alright, I guess we're almost out of the dangerous war zone (place) now ......?　Aikawa Kanami-san, we don't need any more search magic.

It's a good idea. ...... You really made it through the barrier and all that, thanks to Rouge. You're a lifesaver.

While thanking him for his face on the road, I reduced the Dimension that I had been putting up so as not to meet up with any third parties.

There is a lot of flat land in Viaissia, and the roads are easy to remember.

Now I'm going to rely on the map at hand and try to recover my MP. Once we get to this point, all we have to do is follow the instructions of the locals, Rouge-chan, and we'll be able to reach the royal capital.

I've been in charge of the coachman and the search for the enemy all this time, but I think we can finally take a break.

However, the two of us are relieved to hear a voice from inside the carriage telling us not to relax.

I'm not sure if we're really out of the war zone. Are we really out of the war zone?　You have not lied to the child, have you?

Titi looked out of the carriage window with concern, looking around and checking carefully.

I had to give her and Rouge a strange look at that.

'We've already gone through all the dangerous areas. You were allowed to go through a number of barrier points yesterday, right?　That was it. Titi.

Well, sister, is something bothering you?

The double reply calmed Titi's eyes, which had been looking around, and she took a breath.

...... That's right. ...... That's the war of the 'now', isn't it?

I could tell from her reaction that there was a difference between us and her perception.

When I think about it, the only war I saw in a decent way when I remembered Titi's memories in the labyrinth was when she was overwhelmingly victorious as 'the one who steals reason'. I haven't seen a war from a thousand years ago in the true sense of the word.

Is the war of the 'past' that Titty experienced so different from the war of the 'present'?

...... We've been passing through nothing but good towns and villages for a while now. Even in the same wartime country, it's a vast difference from what it was a thousand years ago.

Titi looked relieved ...... but smiled a small smile with a slightly unconvinced look on her face.

'Is it that different?'

Honestly, I think the towns and villages along the way were all unsettled and full of killing. Some villages were completely devastated by the war.

For us, we thought we had been going through some uncomfortable places all along the way. Still, Titi even called it 'a good town and village'.

'Oh, no,' he said. For the record, I think a dispute of this magnitude could be ended in a heartbeat with a single 'reason-stealer'. That's how--warm.

I assured him unequivocally.

Perhaps Titi is the most war-tested person on earth. If she says so, then she's not wrong.

'This much ......?

Rouge-chan's mouth opened in surprise at that statement.

I was able to calmly understand Titi's words, but she seemed to be different.

''-- Mm, this much. There's too little hatred. To be honest, when we were passing through the war zone, I wondered if we were really at war. There are different kinds of wars, but you have to understand that this is an unusual situation.

I don't know because this war is all I know about ......, but if your sister says so, then so be it. ......?

Rouge-chan couldn't argue strongly with her senior colleague in the war and muttered a bit in frustration. In a manner of speaking, it's like being told that the war we've been engaged in right now is a 'plaything'. It's only natural that your face would contort with a little bit of dissatisfaction.

”As I recall, ......, that guy from Ayde said he was active in the 'Confederacy' and the 'South' at first, too. ......

'Yes, that's what Ragne said in the Confederacy.

Then, the Southern League is definitely under the influence of the Aide. This is a very well calculated war with the consent of both sides. ...... But is this level of warfare really enough to make this ”demon return” plan work?　If you're going to sort out the gifted ones, it has to be a much more intense killing spree: ......--

Mumbling and muttering, Titty begins to think about it. Somehow, she seems to be struggling to know what her brother is thinking. In an attempt to help her, she expands the conversation to something else.

'What do you think Snow?'

I think it's at least possible that they're talking about it behind the scenes to prevent ...... from collapsing together. When it comes to the head of the 'Confederacy', I wonder if he's nostalgic for the Senate around the Hoosiers' Senate?　Perhaps the id was negotiating with Lady Rastiara as well.

Without much thought, Snow goes on to mention the positions above her as Acting Commander-in-Chief.

She seems to acknowledge that there is information that is not known to those fighting on the front lines. Titi's speculation becomes a little more realistic.

'From Snow's point of view, you think so: ......

I'm sure that the reason Ayde wants to prolong the war is to keep Titi active. The reason why the ”Southern League” side agreed to it is because of some great benefit (merit)?

Following Titi's lead, I pondered trying to learn what the war-makers were thinking.

''--Hmm?　Is it a little hectic out there?　What is it?

Just then, Titty, who had been roaring at the back of the carriage, suddenly looked up.

She seemed to have heard a strange noise from a distance. She has good ears.

'Yeah, we're getting close to town. I'm sure this will be the last town we'll be able to stop in. If you want to take a break, why don't we go inside?

'No, we don't need a break, but ....... Let's go in. The air is a little different than before.

'What's wrong with the air?　...... All right. Rouge, if you need anything, please.

With those good ears, Titi seemed to sense a strange feeling from the last town.

While asking the wide faced Rouge-chan sitting next to her in the 'Northern League', who was sitting next to her, she turned her horse's head towards the town, asking what if.

I saw that town ahead of time in the 《Dimension》 and it's not that big.

It's a town located in the middle of the plains, with a little over a hundred houses. It is surrounded by stone walls.

Perhaps because it is the closest to the royal capital, the town does not have a rustic feel to it. It's a good idea to call it a ”town” rather than a ”village” because all the buildings are made of fine brick.

Like the United Kingdom, there is a ”magic stone line” drawn throughout the town, and there is even a cobblestone street.

From the appearance of the surrounding fields, it looks like they are raising livestock, but it's not large enough to live on its own.

I often infiltrate the 《Dimension》, wary of traps and the like.

I found an unusually large house at the edge of the town. An enormous amount of food is saved there.

Maybe it's being used as a transit point for trade. It's also possible that this town itself is a warehouse of some kind. Or--.

”-- Huh?　People are ...... many?

While checking out the town, you realize that the number of houses doesn't match the number of townspeople. This place was out of the war zone, and there weren't many soldiers stationed here. I didn't understand why the townspeople were overwhelmed.

While wondering, the carriage reaches the town.

Since it's in wartime, they are naturally inquired by someone who looks like a military police officer to stop. But as soon as Rouge-chan speaks, it's a face pass. I had heard that she had been an aide to the Aide all along, but the breadth of her face would surprise me again and again.

Thanks to Rouge-chan, we were able to get the whole carriage into the town, and we proceeded to look around.

As Titi heard from afar earlier, the whole town is strangely buzzing.

Even Rouge doesn't seem to understand why.

''Wait a minute, Aikawa Kanami-san. I'm going to go and ask him.''

I thought it would be okay for me to use magic to gather information, but considering that the duel is coming up, I'll leave it up to her. If possible, I'd like to go to the duel with my MP full.

After getting off the carriage, Rouge-chan found a familiar face walking around town and talked to him. It appears to be the same ”Jewelcrus”.

This ”Jewelcrus” has a dignified appearance, and you can guess that it has some kind of important position.

”Hey, what's going on here?

'Oh, rouge ......?　Didn't you say, about a month ago, that you were going to infiltrate south to see that witch?　Why are you here?

The 'Magic Stone Human' (Jewelculus), who was dressed unsuitable for the town, was surprised and tilted her head.

Rouge-chan replied to that with a smile.

I was just about to go back to the capital since I met someone better than the witch,” she said. You're the one who's supposed to be working in the castle of the royal capital, so why are you here?

Hmm. ...... In case you're wondering, is it treated as an evacuation drill?

An evacuation drill?　At a time like this?

Yeah. The plan that we had previously planned was implemented under the guise of conducting a 'boot-up experiment' of the 'castle'. That's why all the people in the capital have come to rent accommodation in the surrounding towns.

”Wake up 'Castle' ....... But by building it, I mean .......

That's where their voices get quiet. They try to talk only to their relatives, but I have the 'dimension' so I can hear them.

...... I'm going to say this because Rouge-chan has a right to know, but right now the royal capital is in what's called an assumed pattern B crisis. Anyone with a certain amount of authority knows that this is a real evacuation.

''The B in Dr. Ayde's assumed pattern is the level of the enemy's main force approaching the ...... royal capital.

I'm not going to be the only one who can do that.

She must have sensed that we are a danger comparable to that of the enemy's main force. I understand the reason for this strange evacuation and go to end the conversation.

'Thanks. Now I know what this strange situation is all about. I'll be evacuating as soon as I can.

No. Okay, I've got some work to do to get everyone together, so I'll see you then.

Soon, Rouge-chan leaves her acquaintance, the 'Magic Stone Human' (Jewelculus), and returns to the carriage. As she goes up to the gyoja-dai, I ask her the meaning of the word I didn't understand earlier.

''Hey, Rouge-chan. I kind of figured out that the people of the castle are evacuating, but what's a 'startup experiment' for 'castle'?

The 'castle' is Vyisea Castle in the royal capital. However, it's not just a castle, it's a huge magical tool with a lot of magic and plants. It's a huge magical tool with a large number of magical formulae and plants. ...... Sensei seems to be 'activating' the 'castle' in preparation for his duel with Aikawa Kanami-san.

With a terribly serious face, Rouge-chan explains.

Then she recalls the Viaisia Castle, which was located behind the sixty-sixth layer of the labyrinth. However, in the midst of the fight against Titi, that one never showed any signs of being able to be called 'activated'.

If I remember well, when the back side of the 66th layer was engulfed in warfare a few days ago due to Nosfi's trickery, only the castle was safe the entire time. In other words, at the time of Vyasia's destruction a thousand years ago, only the castle had not been reached by the war fire?

If you're ......, what happened to the last (...) of the ”Vieisia Castle” in its original history?

I glanced at Titi, who was listening to the conversation nearby, but she shook her head and replied that she didn't know. I guess she didn't see Vyasia's last moments clearly because she left the front lines halfway through.

'Be careful, Aikawa Kanami. If that 'castle' is 'activated', Sensei will become a 'tree fork that pierces the heavens as well as the heavens', as the Foozeyers' lore says. That power is just as the lore says.

Rouge-chan tells me the danger, but I still can't catch up with my understanding.

As I recall, ...... a tree big enough to trample that city?　Was that thing an id?

My sister, Titty, answers my question immediately.

Wait, that's a subspecies of the Hashihito Tree People.　You can't be that big--

'Is it going to be 'Vyasia Castle Fused to the Teacher', exactly?　Anyway, it's a state of being so incredible that it's hard to even describe it in words. I heard the doctor fought the enemy army in that state at the end of a thousand years ago.

Rouge-chan responded to that objection with everything she knew. Apparently, the expression has always been vague, because I've never seen 'activation' and heard it from others.

But Titi and I accept that.

I guess there's a part of me that thinks it's not an impossible story.

'Hmm. It's like a spell that Ayde invented all by himself after the boy disappeared.

--Aid's own magic.

I can only slightly imagine what Ayde was thinking about when he continued to fight during that war a thousand years ago, after the disappearance of the ”Lord” from the ”North”.

I'm sure that he had sworn to protect the 'North' even if he was left alone. At the end of that vow, he may have thought and thought and thought it through, and come up with that 'magic to fuse with the castle'.

However, it's just that there is no longer a 'person' to rely on, so it's as if he was hanging on to the remaining 'Vyssia Castle' ...... a little sad.

”The 'castle' or ....... But from what I've heard, I think it's anti-military magic, so it might not be a problem for us.

'What, no problem ......?　It gets big enough to reach the sky, you know?

'If it's just big, it's just a target. I think the titties there could break it with one kick.

Perhaps it might be vulnerable to my 《Distance Mute》. If I really became one with the castle, then it's possible that I could extract the soul of an id just by touching the edge of the castle.

Seeing my simple attitude, Rouge-chan seemed to know that I wasn't lying. She turns her body upside down and moves away from me a bit.

''Say, the legendary heroes ...... of the quintessential stones. Come to think of it, there was something in the folklore of a thousand years ago where the earth could be split with a single fingertip ......

To which Titi replies.

'Hmm. The boy can do something close.

She replies with a bit of bravado, as she has a record of splitting the land.

Looking at the titty, Rouge-chan anxiously turns her head to the carriage behind her and asks for help.

''Um, sister ....... If possible, the castle town will be safe .......

I'm sorry. If you are serious about this, you will not be safe. To be honest, I don't even think we're close to this city.

'Oh, you don't think the aftermath from King's Landing to here ......?

Hmm.

Huh. ......!!!

Rouge-chan exclaimed. Her body shook as she realized that the power of the lore she had thought was an exaggerated fairy tale was real.

Titi seemed to understand that it was the emotion of fear. She paid attention that she wouldn't have been able to do not long ago, and spoke gently to Rouge-chan.

'Rouge, there's no need to force yourself to follow the children. We could just wait here in town, you know.

”...... No. I'll be there. I'll definitely go to ....... There's something I want to talk to you about, too.

It was a powerful response.

Even though I felt fear, there seemed to be something more than that that I could not give up.

After seeing that Rouge-chan's resolve, Titi turned her eyes to me with a nod.

''Hmm.''

They want my opinion as well.

If you think it's safe, it's best to leave Rouge-chan in this town, even if it's by force.

But I quickly nodded in return.

I agree with her. I'd rather have her come. I think there's something only little Rouge can do.

The 'Future Vision' magic, 'Dimensional Decisive Arithmetic (Dimension Graduate) 'Realize',' which I activated yesterday while there was still time to spare, taught me that Rouge-chan would be necessary for the upcoming battle.

I learned from the battle with Titi that you need to use your greatest magic before the decisive battle, so I carefully performed ”future vision” on the road.

I am not careless or careless at all now.

However, unlike when I fought Titi, I didn't use the ”substitute” chant, so my vision of the future was even narrower than before.

Without chanting, even if I spent all of my current magic power, I would only be able to see the future of my friends here dimly - and the best options that lead to victory would be a little easier to understand.

It's a magic that was fierce in the Battle of Titi, but it's vague in its original use. Most of its effects are only ”somewhat understandable” and not at all reassuring.

However, even so, there is no doubt that beyond that faintly visible future - beside that possibility of victory, there is only Rouge-chan's figure.

Titty, who knows the effects of my magic firsthand, nods back with a trusting look.

And as soon as the conversation about the 'castle' and the id ends, the inside of the carriage becomes quiet.

The battle is approaching and everyone's tensions are rising.

Naturally, the voices of the townspeople begin to reach the carriage as it quietly makes its way through the town.