362 Chapter 362: Stasis Uninterrupted (2/2)
”That's what you get for wading into battle instead of relying on your summoning magic!” Redfield guffawed as he slapped me in the back, almost sending me toppling over. I scowled as I staggered forward.
”I didn't have time to summon anything!”
”Yeah, you did. If you hung back and allowed us to take care of the monsters while using the time we bought you to summon, you could have used your Soul Beasts instead of your swords. Aren't you supposed to be a summoner, not a swordsman?”
I tried not to roll my eyes. Given their skills, the Silver Wolves mercenaries would have annihilated the enemy and driven them off before I could summon a single significant Constellation spirit capable of combating the Grey Wolves or Snow Panthers. I would feel bad leaving them to do all the work. Besides, I needed to move, to fight, so that I could take my mind off some…unpleasant memories.
”Amazing.” Melina was staring at me in admiration. ”As expected of the Samurai class! That's impressive, Sensei!”
”Give that samurai thing a rest already,” I growled. ”I already told you I'm not a Samurai. Just because I learned the Miyamoto sword style from my dad doesn't automatically make me a Samurai. Get that through your head already.”
”Make way, kids.” Feng Hai was unamused at our conversation, or more likely just not paying any attention to our dialogue at all. He waved for the kids to clear the ramp, most of the middle school students having emerged to watch the strange procession in fascinated curiosity. ”Coming through. Give us some space.”
”What the hell is that?!” one of the middle school students gasped when they saw the hovering ice coffin that encased Anastasia's beautiful form. However, Anastasia was still shrouded by a sickly green – shimmering toxic mana that was frozen in the midst of pulsing and expanding. Like Feng Hai mentioned earlier, it was a very close shave.
”A comrade,” Brent told the kids shortly when Feng Hai couldn't be bothered to answer. ”A very precious comrade who is in urgent need of medical care. So please understand and give us some space for her.”
”Understood!”
Wow, the mercenary captain was a genius. By appealing to the innocent middle schoolers' sense of compassion, he was able to earn their obedience more effectively than through reprimanding or losing one's temper.
As the middle school students scattered to the sides to make way for the mercenaries and Anastasia's stasis pod, I stayed below with the rest of the escort force. The sentries waved us to the temporarily set up tents, wordlessly instructing us to get some rest. After going through such a grueling ordeal, we were more than happy to oblige.
”Take ten, and hten we pack up and leave.” Feng Hai poked his head out from the underbelly of the hovercraft, having followed the procession into the transport earlier. He smiled, tiredly but triumphantly. ”We're going home.”
*
I watched as the Silver Wolves mercenaries brought Anastasia back to their headquarters, a secure base in their adopted home city, Lupin City.
”We'll bring you guys back to Aurora City,” Brent informed me. Feng Hai had busied himself with Ana's case, and Redfield had followed him deep into the secure vaults that were protected by advanced security that forbade outsiders from entering. Even though I had participated in many missions alongside the Silver Wolves, I was still not officially recognized as a member. Truthfully, I also had no intention of officially joining the Silver Wolves anyway. In any event, with the commander of the Silver Wolves occupied with important issues, he had delegated the taking care of the middle school students and me to his second-in-command.
”Thank you.” I nodded and bowed. ”We'll be relying on you then.”
”We appreciate it!” Adrian added cheerfully, and also lowered his head to express his gratitude on behalf of his class. Beside him, Melina mirrored his gesture by bowing sharply. ”Thank you so much! That will be a great help!”
”All right then…follow me.” Brent then led us to another convoy, where a second hovercraft was being prepped for travel. ”That's your ride, kids!”
He then turned back to me and clapped a hand on my shoulder.
”I'll be leaving them to you then, Richard. Take good care of them.”
”Uh, I'll do my best.” Somehow I wasn't sure that was a good idea, but since I was used to dealing with kids, especially back in my previous life, I theoretically should be able to handle the responsibility.
”Once we're done with Anastasia, the bulk of the Silver Wolves will return to Aurora City. We're still under contract to provide security for the tournament, and for the high school students participating in it.”
I nodded. That made sense. Watching Brent leave, I then glanced at the hovercraft and cracked my neck to the side, loosening my stiff muscles. I was finally returning to Aurora City, huh? It had been a few days. I wondered how the rest of my team was going. First, I needed to drop the kids off at wherever they were supposed to be, before I rejoined my friends.
”That reminds me.” I turned to the middle school students. ”What were you guys heading to Aurora City, anyway? I thought you enrolled in a school in Southampton City. Are you on a field trip or something?”
”Sort of, but the reason why we are going to Aurora City…” Adrian grinned, excited. ”…is to watch firsthand the national tournament qualifiers for the Federation High Schools!”