Log Horizon Book 4 chapter 2

Replace chilliwar with Kyriva

pastebin.com/u/skythewood
http://www.baka-tsuki.org/project/index.php?title=Log_Horizon
Book 2 ebook
http://www.mediafire.com/download/8a64l4z3797f2ff/Log_Horizon_volume_2.epub
http://www.mediafire.com/download/hojheq751lguxrj/Log_Horizon_volume_2.mobi

Chapter 2: A lazy and cowardly princess

1

The group made preparation hastily.

This is the abandoned school campus in Sand Leaf peninsula, the only round table council member present...Crescent moon alliance Marielle made a passive decision.

They are to move in the direction of Choshi town.

These adventurers has no motivational factor driving them to protect a town belonging to the people of the land. But if they leave them alone in this moment of crisis, it will become an uncomfortable memory.

They need to at least warn Choshi town about this...based on this judgement, the group will be heading there for now.

But there is a party that is moving independently from this decision.

It is Touya's 5 men party.

They finished preparation early and is the first among the summer training camp group to head towards Choshi town. The streets seem to be safe for now, but Touya's party have to stay alert. They are currently keeping a further distance away from each other compared to when they were in the dungeon, moving in high alert formation through the fields.

Rundelhaus conjured 'magic light', illuminating the surrounding more than a torch. But in the untamed lands of the alternate world, the darkness seems impenetrable after nightfall.

"What about there?"

Touya says every time he sees a building by the river. The party will act depending on the situation, either shouting loudly or sending Isuzu to check the buildings alone.

If the people of the land is still in the building for some reasons, they might lose their lives easily if they are attacked by sahuagin or goblins. Touya thinks these people have to seek refuge in Choshi town for the night, and they are checking the houses out of their own initiatives.

"Hello...! Is anyone there...?"

Touya shout towards the house then turn towards Isuzu. She shook her head in silence. Seems like nobody is there, so there should no problem. After Touya's party confirm this, they continue towards Choshi town.

"Everyone seems to have evacuated."

"Yeah."

Minori answered Isuzu.

Touya scans the area around them carefully while listening to their conversation.

There are no signs of goblins in this farm that is near the coastline. But it is close to the sea, no one knows when the sahuagin will jump out from the darkness.

The party split their attention in all directions and move on slowly.

...In the evening, Touya saw countless specks of lights on the hills from the school campus, understands the gravity of the situation and steel himself. They might be involved in battles from now on, Nyanta, Naotsugu and Marielle are conversing in a low voice. There are obvious feelings of fear, but there is a strong sense of nervousness in the air.

Touya crosses his arm and looks at the goblins congregation in the distance. His sister Minori came over.

(Is something wrong with Minori?)

Touya was shocked.

From what Touya knew, Minori has never seem so pale as she bit her lips tightly. Minori looks around her, then says to Touya unhesitantly:

"Let's get ready to go, I think we should head to Choshi town... I need to speak to Nyanta again, please help me convince everyone Touya."

Minori turns and left Touya with these words.

Touya seems to be driven by the way his sister say these words, and start to gather his comrades. They want to be the first among the summer training camp to head for Choshi town. If you consider the facts you can see this is a highly risky move, the advance party will have a high chance of encountering monsters.

He thought some of his comrades would object to this, but unexpectedly, he was able to convince them in a very short time. Only Serara was a bit hesitantly, but she agreed after Isuzu plead with her.

Speaking of unexpected events, he didn't think that Isuzu will be so supportive of this plan.

Touya was so calm that he surprised himself, accepting the situation with a high level of concentration. He is not doing this solely for Minori's sake, even if the they are people of the land, Touya cannot allow himself to leave the defenseless townsfolk behind.

(If we don't do something, the town will be destroyed by the goblins in a blink of an eye...)



Touya learned the details about life in the town from Minori, and think of Choshi as a kind and open town for the fisherman. Choshi town is in Sand Leaf peninsula and is not a fortress city or under the jurisdiction of any nobles, they might be able to form militias, but they won't have the military might comparable to an order of knights. But with the influence of Maihama and Tsukaba, they have maintained relative peaceful lives in this fishing town.

With the flow of the Sand Leaf river nearby, the plains nearby are fertile and relatively flat.

The closer the land is to Choshi, the faster they are irrigated. The farm plots are square and shaped like bricks, with wheat, cole crops and some rice growing beautifully in the land.

Even in the darkness, Sand Leaf with the summer breeze from the sea is a really marvelous place.


The members of the summer training camp forms a long line as they walk from the school campus towards Choshi town. Some of them band together by levels, others by guilds, some just walk together with their friends.

Even if they are moving at night, these beginners are still adventurers. They cast their own magical light sources and move tirelessly. There are some riding horses, but it is dangerous as you can't see where you are stepping, so most of them prefer to walk.

Minori's party is much further ahead of the front of this line.

After walking for 30 minutes, Minori suddenly says:

"...I think we must protect this town."

Touya understands her fellings.

Touya also want to protects, and feels they should protect them.

But they have no reason to.

The town is the residence of the people of the land, they have nothing to do with Minori and Touya. They did not accept any quest, so they won't receive any items or gold as reward if they save the town.

It is not a player city, and they don't really know anyone there, just townsfolk they met for the first time during this training camp.

Even though there are no reasons, they still feel an urgent obligation to help. It might be unfathomable, but Touya has this emotion in him, just like a rock in his heart.

But because he can't find the reason to help, he can't describe it well.

Maybe his other companions have the same thoughts, Isuzu, Rundelhaus and Serara are all deep in thought as they move.

There is a black feeling of unease in his heart, he cannot dismiss this sense of helplessness and confinement. Even if he hate his lack of ability and struggles to leave, his limbs feels like they are immobilized in a nightmare. This feeling of helplessness is in the air around Touya's group.

"I think that way because... we don't have any pressing reason to help but..."

Minori is at a loss for words.

Gazing up at the forest on the other end of the mountain, you can see torch lights like needles that is flickering like malice in the dark.


"Although it is scary, I don't think we should stop."

Isuzu was a little unease, but you can feel her determination in her words.

Two thirds of the summer training camp attendees are beginners, and they have various levels among them. Some are between level 20-30, some are even lower, you need to be at least level 20 to battle the goblins.

And they cannot ascertain the enemy numbers.

Nyanta called them as 'a mid size splinter group that is responsible for pillaging', Naotsugu estimate there are at most 200 of them. But it is hard to give a good estimate in the dark.

There are countless reasons why they shouldn't help.

There have no reason to help.

What they do have, is the emotion of wanting to help.


The sounds of the waves surround Touya's silent moving group. The sea is pitch black, only the waves that washes ashore can be seen under the moonlight.

With the moonlight and the sounds of waves in the background, Touya had a stroke of inspiration.

"Do we need a reason?"

"Ah?"

Serara ask in surprise.

"Do we need a reason to help?"

After Touya finish, a strange and wonderful silence fall between them.

"Even if there is no reason, we can still give them a hand, we are adventurers right? Because this is an adventure, so if the adventurers wants to help, we can do so even if there is no reason right?"

As Touya say these words, the murky emotions inside him start to take shape, correct, Touya question himself why he is so troubled over this.

Why was he trying to find a reason?

Did he want to explain it to someone?

You don't need a reason to help people.

"Right? Minori and everyone, since we want to help, we should just help them, it's that simple right? Because we want to help!"

Touya puff up his chest and shout.

"That's right!"

The first to respond to Touya is Rundelhaus, he nod strongly and put his hand on Touya's shoulder, breaking his silence and showing his support.

"Fu fu fu, to think I was in a slight disarray. That is correct, we are adventurers. If we run away now, then why did we become an adventurer in the first place, wouldn't that be putting the cart before the horse? The goblins are nothing!"

Rundelhaus let go of Isuzu slightly worried hand. <TL:when did they hold hands?>

"I am also a small part of the adventurers, I don't want to abandon Choshi town and escape to Akiba shamelessly!"

"Please...Please wait a moment, what are we going to do? How are we going to protect the town? They have no walls, and they have twice our numbers!"

Touya and Rundelhaus are congenial with each other, but Serara raise an objection in a shrill voice.

"We will leave this to Minori."

"Ah?"

Touya's change of subject made Minori's eyes open wide in astonishment. Touya feels sorry for being unreasonable, but if he don't push Minori on, his passion will be all a waste.

Touya understands that being rash like this is the best way to go about it.

"...protect. City walls...impossible...Enemy numbers, impossible..."

Minori started mumbling, her lips moves and say:"What would Mr Shiroe do...". Touya who is watching this scene felt a bit confuse as well as a itching feeling of joy. Since his sister started thinking, there is nothing to worry about.

3 steps, 5 steps.

With Touya's group eyes focusing on her, Minori stop and nod.

"I have an idea, there is one way."

(As expected of my Minori.)

His sister has a strong sense of responsibility, Touya fears that she will be crushed by the pressure, but he also think the pressure will also become Minori's strength. From what Touya sees, Minori has learn to turn this sense of responsibility into a driving force to push her forward after joining Log Horizon.

The source should be from her idolization of Shiroe, Touya also looks up to Naotsugu the warrior from a man's perspective, so he can understand this.

"What is the way?"

Serara ask Minori gingerly.

"Miss Minori, I am all ears."

Rundelhaus and the troubled Isuzu besides him also gathers by her side.

"With our numbers, we cannot successfully defend Choshi town from the goblins. Other then the goblins, we also need to content with the sahuagin, their numbers is more then double that of ours. Not all of the campers might want to take part, even if we fend them off, the fields will be ravaged which will damage the town greatly... that's why... we cannot protect."

Minori is firm with her words, even her brother Touya is also dumbstruck by her attitude.

The party is silent after hearing her words.

Minori look at the faces of her companions, and turn around suddenly like a spring.


"Ah..."

"Hmmm, Minori instinct has become sharp nya."

"The big brothers has come to visit, checking for any naughty boys and girls who are up to no good, baby!"

"I am a old man nya."

"Mr Nyanta!"

Minori sees Nyanta and Naotsugu, Shoryu and Rezarikku was also not far behind. Serara is already hugging Nyanta's slender arms, her feet is off the ground.

"Teacher Naotsugu!"

Touya straighten his back on reflex. Naotsugu is not a strict teacher who stands on ceremony, the problem lies with Touya's consciousness. He will straighten his back naturally in the presence of this veteran guardian, but the two of them usually chat without any inhibition about girls and panties.

"Mr Nyanta..."

Minori expression is a bit worried, she don't want to back down, she look at Nyanta as if she wants to stare him down and says:"Please give you permission", then bow.

"That's right chief Nyanta, teacher Naotsugu, this is the time where you should watch us walk away in silence, that's the manly way to do it!"

Touya stands beside Minori.

Minori must have thought of a way. She looks up to Shiroe and have been learning things in order to catch up to him. She must have a plan to break this stalemate, and if that is so, Touya cannot let Minori be the only one caught in the spotlight.

"There are no need for permissions, adventurers are free by nature nya. If you have made up your mind, even if the enemy has higher levels or if you need help from your guilds, adventurers are free to work towards their goal nya... But Minori, this will be quite a difficult path for to travel nya."

Nyanta seems to know everything, Minori nods her head to show her determination.

"Understood nya, Puck also said that 'night is short, the summer night is shorter.' So we should hurry, right Minori?"
<TL: looks like a line from ’A Midsummer Night's Dream’ by Shakespeare>

Nyanta allows Serara to hang from his arms and give them a sharp look. Touya and Minori look at each other and bump their fist.


2

"1 party approaching from the eastern hill, another party 40m behind them, 2 other party coming from the northwest."

The moonlight cast a dark shadows of the trees in the forest.

Minori uses the binoculars she borrowed from Naotsugu to survey the area from the top of the tree and reports to her team mates below.


"Roger."

"Understood, I will start chanting."

Minori's party is at the tip of the forest in the hills near the Sand Leaf river. It is almost midnight, they are a distance away from road and in a hill the size of a sport stadium, standing by in the forest.

Minori climbed up a big and steady tree to survey the surroundings and relay the findings to her comrades, her duty right now is to reconnaissance the area.

Touya who already have damage intercept magic cast on him uses this barrier which has the effect of a mirror to charge into the darkness.

He is on his way to lure the goblin party from the eastern hills. After a while, there is a sharp sound of a bowstring followed by the roar of goblins rushing nearer through the grass.

Touya receives an all round battle training in Log Horizon, including the use of the bow which is not suitable for dungeons. Samurai are compatible with bows and arrows and can equip horse riding bows or strong bows. Touya use a strong bow to attract the attention of the goblin a distant away, attempting to lure them to his party's position.

"...Approaching, 2 party noticed us."

Minori's warning made her comrades take up their weapons and steel themselves for battle. In this open space, the distance where a battle will start is much further away, the tactics is different from that of the narrow dungeons. The monsters and adventurers will see each other from far away and range attacks will start before they engage in a melee fight.

But there is a downside to this long range battle as they might attract the attention of the neighboring enemies as well. Touya attack with a bow and draw 2 party of about 10 monsters in. They are unable to confirm the number in the dark, but Minori estimated from the swaying torches and the sound of the grass.

"Please start the count down."

Serara's tense voice stated.

Minori looks closely into the darkness with her binoculars, phosphorescence appears in the darkness illuminated by the moonlight. 'Moonlight Fairy Drop' is an expensive mid level eye potion made by pharmacist, by using these eye drops, you will be able to see clearly in the dark like a cat, the effect last for 24 hours. This was also a consumable provided by Naotsugu.

"5...4...3...2..."

Minori concentrates and start counting down.

Serara fills her staff with the spell she prepared, and activate it when Minori count to 0.

About 30 meters away from the party, a sudden noise came from the forest and the wild grass twist densely in the night.

One of the 3 healer class... Druid.

Each of the 3 class has their own unique spells, but they are not limited to just healing.

Druid is a mage that can use the power of the forest, their magic comes from the mysterious springs of mother nature. They are not prominent in places like dungeons, but in the open world like this, the potential power of nature cannot be ignored. Druid is not a magic attack class, their direct attack magic lacks power, but they are able to use a variety of magic.

The spell Serara cast 'Helpful willow' can affect the surrounding plants, stimulating the grow of branches and vines to entangle and bind the enemy.

"Here they come!"

Touya throw his strong bow behind the tree, draw his sword and face the front. The binding magic Serara prepared in advance has been activated based on Minori's gauge of distant to only trap the enemy at the back, leaving Touya and Rundelhaus to take care of the enemy in front.

"I can see them clearly, I leave the opening ceremony to you Touya, make us proud."

Rundelhaus has been adjusting his thinking in the recent battle trainings.

He understand that he will have a chance to shine even if he leave the start of the battle to Touya. He is more patient about using his magics and will not think about stealing the show. He is now casting a spell to buff Touya's attack, 'frozen blade'.

After Rundelhaus finish casting, a chilling cold entwine Touya's blade, the icy surface flashing in the dark.

"My spell is different from an enchanter, it will only cause a few additional attacks, so go all out right from the start."

Touya nods to acknowledge Rundelhaus.

(We need to end this fast.)

The goblins are more formidable than skeletons, the group at the back broke free from the binds and are on their way here after some time.

Serara's spell can bind all monsters within a certain area and hinder their movement, but the effect is short.

Not only the group behind, the 2nd party are also on their way, they must be even more hidden goblins in the hills.

Nyanta says there are at most 200, but that is wrong. There are squirming movements all around the dark shadowy forest, they cannot imagine how many enemies are still in the dark.

"Rundelhaus conserve your powerful spells, we will win this by superior numbers. I can support for 30 seconds... 'conductor's echo'!"

As Isuzu supports with her magic, Touya and Rundelhaus attacks the goblins.

Swords and magic dance in the air.

Rundelhaus understand Isuzu's instruction and repeatedly use small level spells in lieu of the powerful single shot magic. These spells have low damage, but the cast time and cool down time are short, so it is suitable for consecutive use.

Rundelhaus abandoned his powerful spell with 5 second cast time, opting to use consecutive magic attacks with 1.5 second cast time. The ice and fire he conjured are beautifully echoed by Isuzu's singing.

A dark red music note follows every fire attack that hits, a sea blue note will complement any ice attack that connects.

Isuzu the bard has low attack power.

This is the fate of all support class, something that cannot be helped.

But she is able to do other things because of this.

Isuzu receives information from her 5 senses and duplicates Rundelhaus magic through singing half a beat slower.

Being able to replicate and ally's magic attack, the ultimate skill of the bard.

Sorcerer naturally has high magic attacks, so what will happen if all the magic are doubled? Isuzu's voice can only last for 30 seconds, but it is more than enough to defeat the group of goblins.

Following right after is the 2nd wave of goblins that wounds Touya all over. But Minori's damage intercept spell negates the damage, the balance of the wounds are healed through magic. The 2 healers take turns to heal and Rundelhaus finish chanting his powerful magic after 5 seconds of chanting. The group successfully take down the 10 goblins.


3

"It may be difficult, but it is possible to win."

Serara who is healing Touya respond "Don't be careless."

Isuzu drink from her bottle and pass it to Rundelhaus who is retying his shoelaces. Rundelhaus took the bottle and advise Serara:"Miss Serara, it is a taboo to be careless, but we will lose the chance to take victory if we lack courage."

As the 4 of them catch their breathe, Minori is fighting with a folded map. This was given to her by Shiroe at the beginning of training camp as he say 'although I don't think it is necessary'. It is a map centered around Sand Leaf peninsula, with details of the abandoned capital Eastel, Tsukaba and other cities drawn finely on it.

Even with their enhanced night vision, it is hard to make out the contents of the map. She hid among the grasses where the light will not leak out and conjured 'firefly light'.

"Yes...Yes, we are fine, we are resting for now, heading toward north northwest correct? Okay...about 3km, roger, please ask Mr Nyanta and the rest to take care too."

Serara sounds like she is communicating through telepathy.

Minori's choice of tactic is pure and simple.

They are going to going to infiltrate and attack the goblin pillaging group in the forest on the hill.

Since they cannot completely protect the town, they have to take the initiative to attack and make use of the forest the goblins is hiding in to hold night strikes. There is no need to destroy all their forces, goblins are different from skeletons, they might be evil but they are still demihumans. If you give them a big enough blow, it will sap their morale and make them flee.

In the process of protecting the village, if they can reduce the numbers of attackers in advance, the defenders will have an easier job. This strategy seems so barbaric and looks desperate, but it is working more smoothly than imagined.

Minori only have a rough plan in mind, but it is thanks to Nyanta and Naotsugu fine tuning the details and lending them the items that it is going so smoothly.And Nyanta's group is taking part in the operation as well.

Nyanta, Naotsugu, Shoryu and Rezarikku heads straight to the center of the goblins pillaging group.

They lure in the goblins at the heart of the zone and proceed to pick them off one by one. Minori's group are on standby on the south of them to deal with any escaping goblins or isolated parties. They have been executing this battle plan for 2 hours.

Minori's party defeated about 20 goblins during this period. The parties of 5-6 goblins are easy to handle, but the solitary goblin are unpredictable, it is hard to tell what they are trying to do.

They did not have permission from the supervisor... Crescent moon alliance's Marielle to engage the army, so they are acting out of line. Although Minori feels guilty about this, she try not to think too deeply about it. She feel she deserved the fierce lecture from Marielle when she reported in through telepathy.

There is a need for most of the defending forces to station at Choshi village to make this battle plan work. The lesser the number of guerrilla forces, the more the impact and confusion they will create. This will balance out the difference in numbers between the goblins and the defending forces and improve the chances of the goblins giving up the attack.

Marielle was not convinced by Minori, but she end with the words:"Really, if you act recklessly, I won't forgive you okay?" Minori thinks she is willing to forgive her actions. (Just a guess, but it should correct.)

"We seems to have taken out all the surrounding enemies, shall we move?"

Isuzu substitute Minori and survey the area with the binoculars.

"Towards the southwest direction... Ah, they are amazing, moving so stealthily."

Isuzu sounds impressed as she reports in.

The party Nyanta and the others made on the spot is build around Naotsugu and Rezarikku, win the 2 swashbuckler Nyanta and Shoryu as the main damage dealer.

Swashbuckler uses their high attack speed to build up damage on the enemy, the 2 of them don't have flashy or loud explosive spells like sorcerers. They are able to deal consecutive area attacks on the enemy, displaying their terrifying skills in guerrilla warfare in the forest.

(Hmm... Head north northwest 3 km to the top of the mountain ridge... Destination will be the abandoned shrine we visited... We should avoid he forest trail...)

This route will lead down the valley, but they can make it to the other side of the ridge.

"What should we do Minori?"

Minori keep the map with everyone's eyes on her and nod.

"We go down the valley to the west, then head northwest, stay alert."

The group moved as plan.

Minori receive periodic report from Nyanta and relay them to Marielle. Is Marielle discussing this with the people of the land? Have he other campers return to Akiba with 'Call of Home'? No, there must be some who stayed behind to defend Choshi town.

Minori walk in the darkness, a sense of unease and futility fills her heart.

They are just engaging a small part of the goblin army. Minori do not know the details, but Nyanta speak of a large tribe of goblin to the north, they even reached the ruin capital Eastel,  which is the start of this incident.

In other words, they are just fighting the tip of the iceberg of the goblin army, a splinter group of unregulated goblins.

When she think of this, she feels a sense of emptiness.

Fending off this pillaging group might just be delaying the inevitable? Minori cannot stop her doubts from forming like rain clouds.

"It is dangerous to battle at night."

Touya who is leading the group says.

"The silver flash when I draw my blade is blinding even with my enhanced vision. We need to be wary of mud and roots to keep our balance, my heart is beating fast, the stench of the blood and gore stinks, but..."

Touya didn't turn around.

He remain focus and bashes a path through the vegetation as he make his way down the valley.

"But I will do my best... I will just do my part to help."

Touya's voice is like a torch burning in the darkness.

Minori lift her gaze.

She watches the back of her brother, Touya has the strong feeling that he must protect and help. This is a strength Minori do not have, Touya's determination is both simple and straightforward, his speed is fast enough to leave any doubts and confusion behind.

"Yeah, that will be enough."

Isuzu is the first to nod in agreement.

(As I suspected...)

The free spirited Isuzu is actually agreeing with this, seems like Minori's prediction is correct.

Isuzu has been hesitant before the battle and has been concerned about Rundelhaus' safety. Since that is the case, they cannot afford to lose.

Because Rundelhaus is also Minori's comrade.

In order to protect his secret, in order to help her comrade, they have to make it through.

"Why are you saying this? Touya, miss Isuzu, isn't it obvious that we need to help these people since we are adventurers? I am doing this because I want to, because I want to be an amazing adventurer."

Rundelhaus says spiritedly.

Touya agrees in a loud voice.

Minori's duty is to protect this silly but adorable group.


Damage interception spells are not healing magic.

And from Minori's point of view, it is not really magic.

This is a promise to protect her friends. Since they will be fighting on the same battlefield, she wants to protect everyone and to shoulder any crisis. She doesn't even want them to feel the pain of being hit, that is her ability and will as a kannagi.

(I am still too green... I am not strong enough to be help meaningfully...)

She thinks in her heart.

But even so, she carry on to think.

She will not say something vague like 'one day i will', she wants the strength tomorrow or even today.

For this she face the darkness without fear.

"Halt!"

Isuzu's voice pull Minori back to reality.

Isuzu squints at the mountain ridge, there is only a pitch dark forest ahead, but bards seem to be more sensitive in detecting movements in the dark.

She signals with her hand and move ahead to scout.

"It's a demonic beast... Not sure what type, but there are goblins riding on giant canine creatures."

Isuzu reports softly, the wind blowing through the hill will not bring their voice and scent to the mountain ridge so they have the advantage. But the enemy has the higher ground so the terrain is in their favor.

"There are 3 demonic beast and 3 goblins."

"Dire wolves... they are strong enemies."

Minori says quietly.

She only have elementary knowledge she learned from Shiroe. Dire wolves are big feral wolves, but they are not wild animals. They are monsters driven insane by magic and the power of the moon, twice as strong as normal wolves.

"Any weakness?"

"Not many, but for this situation... bright light and loud noises, but that will only work once."

Minori answers Rundelhaus curtly.

But no one is hesitating, even if they are, they are not backing down.

"Let's do this, Mr Rundie please be our main striker, let's protect Mr Rundie and win this one, Minori cast a barrier on him too, please coordinate attacks with Bro Rudie, Miss Isuzu."

Touya has the support of the group, and they turn their attention to the ridge.

The moon is high in the sky, the long night is just beginning.



4

Night falls in the 'Ancient palace of eternal frost'.

A meeting for interested parties is held in the brooding atmosphere. It is not meant to be a compulsory meeting but almost all the nobles and advisers for the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' and all 3 ambassadors from the round table council are present, so it is as good as the grand meeting that was planned for the 2nd half of the 10 day event.

A meeting with many attendees is usually a noisy place with people fidgeting and coughing. But today no one is making any noise, as if they are afraid of triggering something.

The topic is 'the security situation in Yamato archipelago'.

The proposer for this meeting is Baron Craindit of Utsurugi Shrine city. But the Baron did not start this out of his own initiative, but because he is unable to withstand the pressure of the situation, which is obvious to everyone.

Baron Craindit who is chairing the meeting as its proposer is acting so awkward that it is a pain to watch, fidgeting his beard and wiping off cold sweat under Shiroe's stare.

"Even if you say that..."

"Hmmm..."

"Fu..."

The meeting is goes in circles when it gets to the main point, they have not made any progress.

"The goblin army that appeared in Yamato archipelago came from the 'fortress of seven falls'... that... ah... came to raze... our land...that's it."

After Baron Craindit who has been obviously forced to chair the meeting stammers out this speech in a shrill voice tens of minutes ago, there have been no further progress.

(From the view point of the nobles, they want us to go into this topic ourselves and gather our intelligence and force more concessions. Or they are trying to guilt trip us for not attacking the 'fortress of seven falls' in the first place...)

Shiroe observes the nobles as he think. The lords have looks of fear, despair, anger and pleading on their faces.

Their attitude is full of unease, Marquis Kyriva from Tsukaba can't seem to sit still, occasionally glaring at the round table council members.

(Tsukaba... and Maihama are the closest cities to the goblin army, the front line of this war. Compared to the biggest city Maihama in the east, Tsukaba is weak and their walls are fragile... I remember they are focused on the study of magic and sages, so they must hold a grudge against us.)

"Ah, Eh, cough, and so... the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' is facing a great crisis, the demihuman attacks is the most disastrous thing in history, regarding this..."

Baron Craindit pushes the meeting forward with his dull words, but there are numerous chatter breaking out in the room, the lords conversing with their advisers and their neighboring nobles. Their voices are so low you cannot make out what they are saying, but combined together it gives an air of commotion.

Looking to one side, he sees Michitaka shrugging.

The meeting is out in order.

But with the future of the round table council at stake, they can not give too much ground right now.


"May I ask, do anyone know the whereabouts of 'The Knights of Izumo'?"

Shiroe has no choice but to ask this way, and he seems to have poured cold water over the room, some of the nobles stares at Shiroe with wide eyes and gaping mouth.

(What is this reaction? Do the people of the land think we are monkeys that cannot think? I guess this can't be helped, we were looking down on the people of the land and treating them like NPC not too long ago, so that makes us even, but... Seems like 'The Knights of Izumo' will not be deploying. From their reaction, they seem to be engaged in another crusade? Or is there a deeper reason?)

"The...'The Knights of Izumo' is the guardian angels of Yamato, we cannot trouble them to intervene in this fight. Moving on, may I ask why has the members of the round table council present why Akiba is not intervening in the face of this grand crisis of Yamato? I heard of the elite order of knights led by Crusty is mighty and strong, are the round table council not deploying troops for this incident?"

"I don't think this meeting is to question what Akiba thinks, but to ascertain what to confirm what all the nobles of the league wants correct? The decision of the round table council is to gather more information about this incident."

Michitaka scratches his head and says nonchalantly.

Since they are attending a meeting, they do not mind being asked to express their views. But it is irritating if it is used to stir the conversation off topic. That is the attitude Michitaka is showing.

"I heard the knights of Akiba has never failed before!"

A skinny and tall noble whose name he can't remember adds in a loud voice.

"I don't know where you heard that rumor from, but the round table council and Akiba do not have a regular military force or order of knights."

Shiroe shrugs helplessly.

He finally understand the military unit for battle power is judge in units of 'order of knights'. This seems to be the case among the people of the land. The order of knights does not refer to elite soldiers who ride on horses, but means professional soldiers. It is correct to equate 'order of knights' to 'ever ready military force'.

There are almost no mercenaries in this world, militia made up of normal civilians can only be seen when farmers defend themselves. Part of the reason is the nobles is not happy with the existence of armed civilians.

In other words, 'order of knights' is the only way nobles can understand a military unit.

But even if that is the case, Shiroe doesn't think Akiba needs to accommodate their way of doing things.


"Then what is the use of adventurers!"

Kyriva says rudely with bloodshot eyes, making Michitaka retort.

"What is the use of adventurers? What is the meaning of this?"

"What else could it mean! Adventurers' ability is a gift from the gods, you have the obligation to save this land!"

"I never hear anything like this before."

"What baffling words, immortality! You have such powers, and you want to forsake your duty to this world? Shameless, why are you so arrogant when you have such abilities?"

"...Bullshit!"

Michitaka's thundering roar shock the air in the whole room.

Shiroe's group has been collating data. discussing about the lost of memories before the meeting and also the possibility of sending out and expedition force.

It is a frightening experience to lose your memories, losing the memories of the real world means losing your home and being lost in this alternate world, making the feelings of uneasiness more intense. But they cannot avoid living their lives in this world, this is a clear concept.

For adventurers like Shiroe, even death doesn't mean the end. Although they have no idea how long this will continue... but they only carry on living this never ending live.

Even if they can avoid sending forces to attack the goblin army, they will inevitably be involved in war one day. The round table council has the consensus that since war is inevitable, they are fine with fighting against the goblin king too. They have already come out with a war plan to win this fight, and the round table council is aware of this when they delegate the decision to the 3 ambassadors.

But it will be troubling if they let the nobles manipulate them so easily. Shiroe express that providing military aid so readily will leave a scar on the round table council, Akiba and the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal'. They don't mind working with the people of the land, but they must go through due process.

The 3 of them has a specific role in the meeting tonight.

Shiroe will be supportive of the round table council sending forces, luring them to cough up information.

Michitaka will be against the provision of military aid, baiting them to give concessions.

Crusty will be responsible for making the final decision.

Put simply, Michitaka opposition against Marquis Kyriva's request is going by the script, but there are a fury beyond his acting in his roar.

(...Because we are immortals and there is no risk so we must work? Of course we will be angry if you put it that way.)

For adventurers who knows about the loss of memory, these words are taboo, of course Michitaka is furious.

(The arrogance that the strong have against the weak...No, don't laugh, we might be acting arrogantly without knowing it.)

"We are not a noble of the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' because we did not go through the joining ceremony, isn't that why we were not invited to yesterday's meeting?"

Michitaka stares at the crowd with a fierce look in his eyes.

Akatsuki found out about the secret meeting the lords and nobles held last night.

Because if the effort of the noble's spies, she is unable to find out the content of that meeting. But the content can be deduced from the current meeting.

"There is nothing wrong since we have not been bestowed with any titles through the ceremony. But to hold a meeting only between the nobles and then making a one sided request from Akiba and the round table council for help, what is the reason behind this? We did not take part in that meeting, do we have the obligation to accept the request in this meeting? What do you think Baron Craindit?"

"Yes, we definitely do not... have this sort of thinking. Lord Michitaka, you are mistaken."

"I am not a lord, didn't I just say I wasn't bestowed with any title?"

"Even... Even if you say so... We the nobles of the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' did not come to a... collusion? Anyway... we did not gather together to request Akiba to send troops, there is no such thing..."

Baron Craindit stammers badly under the intimidation of Michitaka.

"The request for troops is Marquis Kyriva's personal request and has nothing to do with the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' correct?."

Shiroe respond.

This made Marquis Kyriva panic.

"Eh! You mean I orchestrated all of this out of my own selfish desires? My dear allies, Earl Kashiwazaki! Marquis TaiHaku! Chief of lake Suwa! Why are my dear allies not saying anything to the adventurers!"

"This..."

"It is not the opinion of all of us, not a consensus... But many of us hold this view, is glorious and mighty Akiba with the fine with Yamato falling into crisis?"

A middle aged fat noble presses Michitaka relentlessly.

"We are not cats or dogs. 'Because you can't die, so go take care of the goblins', is that it? If we try to convince out people to go to war with this reason, how can we earn the trust of the citizens!"

Shiroe restrains the passionate Michitaka and let him him sit down.

Shiroe doesn't mind Michitaka opposing loudly out of his duty, but if he lose control of his emotion and leak the fact about the memory lost, things could get complicated.

(Yeah... This is going to be troublesome...)

Shiroe think the current situation is a bit of a failure.

Marquis Kyriva and Michitaka's hostility is forcing this into a stalemate. Shiroe does not mind sending an expedition force to help them. No, he think that it is inevitable they need to help.

He need to find a common ground for both party to work on, but the meeting is breaking up before he can do that, and it is hard to interject his opinions at this stage.

(We want to bait them into giving concessions, but we did not aim what kind of concession to work for, that is a failure... Examples would be financial or economical aid, or signing a contract. No matter what, attending this meeting without a goal is a mistake.)

The meeting is frozen under this heavy atmosphere.

Even Duke Sergead is unable to speak in this situation. As Shiroe attempt to break the stalemate after thinking for a while, the meeting room door opens suddenly.

Coming in along with a breeze of wind is a beautiful princess.

It is Raynesia wearing a dress the color of dawn with her hair coiled up.


5

Raynesia is regretting this.

She has been regretting non stop since a moment ago.

Those who are familiar with how Raynesia actually is will be moved to tears seeing how hardworking she is at regretting. Regretting is an unproductive action, so it cannot be describe as hardworking, but let's ignore that for now.

Raynesia do not have any energy to spare with the details today.

The hall is bigger than Raynesia imagined.

Raynesia has been eavesdropping on the other side of the door for a while.

As came from a clan of Dukedom, she cannot do such lowly things like eavesdropping (she also lack the skill), the one doing it is Elisa.

She seems to be driven by the procession of the meeting as she barges in, her legs are trembling and her heart beating fast. Raynesia is a daughter of a noble family, so she is used to smiling and dancing gracefully under the eyes of the crowd. But this is her first time appearing in a political setting, and there was no plan for her to ever attend one.

'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' is heavily influenced by the culture of nobility, and woman will not be seen as an independent entity, even more so for single ladies. No woman has ever been given permission to express her views in such a setting, and there won't be any in the future as well. Raynesia has been educated to be an ideal, virtuous and low profile lady, so she knows this very well, and is fearful of her colossal actions.

But a certain emotion in Raynesia's heart is pushing her on, to stand up on her own away from the shelter of her parents or knights.


Raynesia with her heart is dripping with cold sweat is moving elegantly into the meeting room on the surface.

"This is..."

"She is still as beautiful..."

"It's Duke Corwen's grand daughter lady Raynesia."

"Just like a fairy dancing on the surface of a lake under the moonlight."

It is not only the nobles, there are also many advisers and knights in the meeting room as well. Many of them has been mesmerized by Raynesia when she debut that night.

Some of them have looks of curiosity and even lust.

The smooth contour of her face and her delicate face, sorrowful eyes, clear bridge of her nose and her hair like silver strands coiled high up in a bun. A beautiful line extends from her slender neck down to her collarbone complements her gown wonderfully. She has a thin figure with alluring curves, there should be no objections in calling her a 1st class beauty in the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal'.

If you marry her, you will be part of the Corwen family, one of the two most prestigious clan in all of Yamato. So it is not only gazes of adoration and love, she also attracts attention of ambitious suitors.

The table in the meeting room is arranged in a U shape, the one seated at the center at the deep end of the room is Baron Craindit who is chairing the meeting, besides him is her grandfather Duke Sergead.


In Raynesia's eyes, her grandfather appears more strict and terrifying than normal. She pray that he will not fuss over this too much today and walk to the middle of the room and does a curtsy, the traditional greeting. First to the front, then to the east and finally to the west.

She has stopped thinking.

Her brain seems to be stuffed with cottons, unable to think of anything. She is just moving gracefully like a puppet from her years of training as she greets the nobles. The 'real Raynesia seems to be watching this scene  as if it has nothing to do with her, trembling and hiding deep in her heart, panicking and holding an imaginary pillow over her head.

But as she straighten herself and raise her gaze, she look straight into the eyes of her target.

They have been meeting almost everyday for the past week and acts contrary to the customs of the nobles, a scornful brawny man who appears polite on the outside.

A monster that can read minds. Looks like a veteran knight on the surface, but is actually an expert of sarcasm on the inside.

The senate leader of the round table council... Crusty.

With a huge body from Raynesia's view, he is wrapped in a black attire with few decorations. He is calm as usual even in this hapless meeting.

Hiding his eyes behind his square glasses with a hint of a smile on his lips, an expression of mischief.

Raynesia stares intensely at Crusty.

Crusty is also looking at Raynesia, and he says in a low voice with his mouth barely moving.

"... Not thinking of being a lazy bum today?"

That's obvious.

Of course I want to.

Raynesia wants to return immediately to her comfortable bed room, change into her slightly stretched but very comfortable flannel pajamas and roll around on her bed.

She want to sleep until noon and not talk to anyone, get up slowly and eat lunch before washing her face, then go back to sleep again.

That's why she is looking straight at Crusty.

She has no spare energy to smile elegantly like a noble lady.

Clenching her teeth, her lips closed tight, she is staring at Crusty with this uncouth expression. Raynesia can feel the displeasure of Elisa behind her, but she has no time to mind with the details as she continue to stare at Crusty.


A commotion started in the meeting room.

What is this sudden intrusion all about?

The noble think this could be the arrangement of Duke Sergead, but they cannot help asking quietly.

"Raynesia..."

"Sir Crusty."

Raynesia interrupt her grandfather without even looking his word and speak to Crusty.

She pray in her heart for voice will not tremble.

Even if she has a feeling that there is no turning back, she still disregard everything and make a request to Crusty.

(This is not a man, he is a monster, a monster...)

Raynesia who is shaking in her heart recalls the calm and steady demeanor of Crusty, she have not any intimate contact with him in all their peaceful time together. She remembers he has never told her any gentle words, and his godlike observation powers.

Recalling his kind action and words as well as his fake exterior.

He make sure everything looks fine on the surface and make necessary arrangements. She and Crusty are accomplices in this.

They have work together to lie to everyone in the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' this past week, using their kind smiles and gentle actions to hide the truth about them, obscuring their laziness and mischief, protecting their little secret.

(That's right... I probably... trust in the dishonesty of this man, trust in the lies of this conman, believe that he can see through me and help me in this ridiculous joke...)

"Please go on Miss Raynesia."

Crusty says politely and Raynesia act in concert and move closer to him, the 2 of them less than 1 meter apart.

"I want to go to Akiba, please escort me."

Raynesia informs clearly.

Her heart is peaceful and calm, even the noise from the meeting seems to be so far away.

Her heartbeat, burning earlobe and the change in Crusty's slight squint of his eyes as his expression changes all seems so clear to her.

"Sir Crusty once swore an oath to me as a knight to stay by my side during the period of this meeting, so I beg of you, I have to make a trip to Akiba."

"Head to Akiba... to do what?"

"To recruit a volunteer army."

She can feel the nobles gasp at her words, the round table council governs Akiba, the adventurers of Akiba are the military forces of the round table council, the military forces refer to 'order of knights' in this world.

So she is heading to a city not under her jurisdiction without permission to request the 'order of knights' for aid directly. According to the common sense of the nobles, this is an action that belittles the round table council's authority.

But if Crusty, senate leader of the round table council, accompanies her for the trip to recruit a volunteer army, the situation might be different.

Raynesia is only asking Crusty the knight to escort her, so even if Crusty accepts this role, the round table council might not be so forgiving. The worst case scenario would be her execution by guillotine for inciting a war.

But her actions might have positive effects on the round table council since the adventurers will likely avoid executing a princess escorted by their senate leader.

But will Duke Sergead allow her granddaughter to act so willfully? The nobles lets out a moan that seems to be a mixture of disappointment, acceptance or joy.

Crusty will most likely reject her, this is just a whim of a little girl after all.


But Raynesia continues to look at Crusty straight in the eye.

"I think this is a very very troublesome matter, correct?"

"...Yes it is."

Raynesia nods with a gentle expression of a lady.

But she is not as calm as she appears to the people in the meeting. If possible, she wants to lean on Crusty and cry, that is how desperate she is.

"Why are you doing this?"

"...Sir Crusty said that adventurers are a free people, I am just an ignorant girl... I do not understand political affairs, and also why my grandfather and the others are hiding the news that 'The knights of Izumo' are currently missing."

The meeting room is engulfed in curses and swears this time.

Criticism of Raynesia's ill-conceived words is loud enough to shake the walls. Elisa draw her dagger to protect her mistress, the nobles is even more animated upon seeing this.

"You have really done it this time."

"Please accompany me when the time for apologizing comes."

Raynesia replies Crusty with an expression of resistance from the bottom of her heart.

This is not an expression befitting the blooming winter rose of Eastel, but almost no on notice the slight change in Raynesia's expression in this vast meeting room. The accusation that Duke Sergead's granddaughter has betrayed the league and leak information to the round table council is still reverberating in the room.

"What are you thinking about?"

"So Sir Crusty is not all knowing... nothing, I am not thinking of anything... I just don't want to be a disgrace to the Corwen family."

The young man besides Crusty who looks like a mage clap his hand loudly. The sharp sound shake the air, stunning all the lords and knights and silencing the room.

It is probably a form of psychological magic.

Raynesia turns in the sudden silence as if she is protecting Crusty and says

Just like what she told Crusty, she is not thinking about anything.

She is just going with the flow in her heart and making it up as she goes:

"The adventurers are free!... We might be weaker than the adventurers, but that doesn't mean we cannot use our weakness to bully the adventurers and use them like tools. I want to go to Akiba and plead with the adventurers in that city. Sir Crusty says the adventurers are free, so if any adventurers is willing to help, they will not intervene. Be it 10 or 15 people, I want to volunteers who are willing to aid us. Since we want to ask the free spirited adventurers for help, we need to have the proper etiquette. My grandfather taught me that proper etiquette cannot expressed with only elegant words, so I want to go there and stand on the street to plead with each adventurer face to face!"

She said.

She said it out loud.

Raynesia has lost all her vitality and almost collapse dizzily, but a pair of hands support her shoulders.

"Can I leave the rest to you Shiroe?"

"Allow me to reject, it will be a shame if I miss this."

"...Then let's leave it to Mr Michitaka."

The lightheaded Raynesia feels the conversation seems to be coming from far away.

There is a sharp sound of a flute, and there is an uproar in the meeting room.

This is followed by a rush of footsteps and the voices of angry arguments.

Raynesia move as if she was guided by her partner in a dance and she is in the open balcony with the gentle night breeze before she knew it. She turns her head and sees the meeting room in chaos and a few knights rushing after her. The one leading the knights is her respected and stern grandfather.

"Will you be going there?"

Her mind is confused and unable to think about anything, but her grandfather's voice is like shining letters in the clear night sky going straight into her mind. She nods to acknowledge and seems to feel her grandfather's smile, but that is probably her imagination.

She only hold on to this thought for an instant.

A horrifying winged beast... griffons glides in with the rising air. Raynesia was lifted off her feet like a luggage before she can scream.

"Please excuse my impudence."

This leisurely voice comes from the warrior Crusty.

He held her with his strong arms and jump onto the back of the griffon with the power of his legs.

"You will be fine if you hold on tight."

Raynesia might have fainted if his voice was not so casual. The griffon took off into the starry night sky with the 2 of them on it.

The griffon with the young mage and a girl with black hair flew besides them.

Her grandfather and the nobles meeting are left behind.

Raynesia hold on to Crusty's chest tightly to avoid her gown from being blown away.

And so the whim of Raynesia cause her to tumble down an endless slope.


6

"What are you laughing about my lord?"

Akatsuki twist in Shiroe's arms and look him in the eyes.

Shiroe has been snickering for a while now, making a 'fu fu fu' sound deep in his throat.

The griffon tears through the air of the starry night sky, flying northeast. They can reach Akiba within minutes at this speed. A journey that take a few hours by horse only takes about 20 minutes by the flying griffon.

"Nothing, I just find this very amusing."

"Hmmm?"

Shiroe is laughing happily.

"This is the first time I see Crusty make that face, even though he tried to conceal it... But he totally cave in back there... This is really soothing."

"My lord... you are still bearing a grudge about the dance?"

"No way... well, maybe."

Shiroe reply Akatsuki who is completely in his arms.

"And that princess is very daring to pull that move at that time... Etiquette, I have never thought of that, but she saved the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' that is trapped in a dead end. No matter what others may say, she did this to save the league, and she succeeded."

'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' need the military might of the round table council. Shiroe does not know why 'The knights of Izumo' are not deploying, but the adventurers will need to join the fray. It will be a long battle of attrition if they fail.

This might create some vacancies among the 24 members of the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal'.

To avoid that, the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' need to pull the round table council and the adventurers to the battle field no matter what concession they have to give.

But there is a major misunderstanding on their part.

The round table council is a governing body that administrate the function of the city, but they do not rule over Akiba.

The adventurers are free individuals, the guilds and individual are not restricted in any ways. This concept is an unspoken rule in Akiba. For players like Shiroe who view Elder Tale as a game, this is something obvious and not worth mentioning.

If Akiba is riddled with rules and bind the freedom of the adventurers, it will create undue stress among the adventurers.

The ambassadors from the round table council led by Crusty has the authority to provide military assistance against the goblin army, but they also need to fulfill a condition. There is only one condition, they need to get the support of the adventurers in Akiba when they announce their decision to send aid.

If they fail to do this, Shiroe and the other ambassadors will lose their standings in Akiba.

Although the current Akiba is unable to sustain itself economically in terms of food, it is very strong in the military aspect. With the development of new product using the knowledge of the old world, they will definitely improve on this and build a strong economy.

Put simply, it is hard to entice Akiba with rewards since Akiba is a prosperous and rich city.

Since neither gold nor provision of technology will work, 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal' has nothing to negotiate with. In reality, Akiba need a lot of raw resources such as food. The players with their knowledge of the old world is always striving for comfort, they would not be satisfied with tasteless soggy crackers anymore.

But the nobles did not notice this in their short period of time together.

Shiroe already has a plan in mind to hint at what concession the round table council will want if the meeting progressed peacefully and to handle the necessary negotiation.

But some of the nobles led by Marquis Kyriva explode emotionally forcing the meeting to a stalemate and Shiroe was unable to play his cards.

(She might not know this, but she did not only rescued the nobles, she also saved the round table council.)

Honestly, Shiroe agrees with sending out an expedition force.

This is something they cannot avoid in order to live in this world. Since it is inevitable, they should fight when the conditions is in their favor.

The nobles treat the adventurers as some invincible army and wants them to join the fray, but there is a flaw in this view. Adventurers also bears some risk as well, and that is memory lost. Crusty proved that just one or two death will not wipe out all your memory, but it is still a terrifying pressure.

This information is still classified within the round table council, but they will need to announce it to the people of Akiba one of these days.

When the time comes, what elements would the round table council need to maintain security? Shiroe has lost a lot of sleep over this, but now he think the element will be acceptance, the awareness of the risk involved.

Because death has lost its meaning, so life without an end point will be chaotic. The concept of going from the beginning to the end is not applicable, so life will go on without a destination and lose their way.

The ambassadors of Akiba might be willing to assist the 'League of Freedom Cities Eastal', but they mustn't be manipulated by the league, or they will lose the acceptance of the populace.

(She wants to do this directly...)

Princess Raynesia says she want to convince them personally.

...plead with each adventurer one at a time.

She said with determination.

(World fraction...)

This foreboding term pressures Shiroe's heart.

Where does he stand in all this?

In Shiroe's eye, the demihuman are monsters, an enemy in the game. Re-Gun says they are the cursed result of the first world fraction, a twisted nightmare.

Shiroe is a normal graduate student living on earth, Elder Tale is just a game. Re-Gun says the adventurers are summoned to this world in the second world fraction.

It is only natural that Shiroe is immortal since this is a game. Re-Gun thinks that the soul theory and the process of the reconstruction of the body with the soul is a system linked to the secrets of creation in this world.

Where is he physically right now?

Shiroe worries about this.

Is this body that is flying through the sky on the back of the griffon a dream? Or is the one moving a mouse behind the computer a dream?

This line is becoming blurred.

If he lose his memories while bearing this worry, he will definitely fall into darkness, and so would all the other adventurers, who can save them then? Such helpful 3rd party do not exist.

Shiroe the only way they can seek salvation is through acceptance.

Shiroe do not know how he can find this acceptance and this world will not give him the time to seek the answer. The days pass by at a horrifying speed, becoming the past in an instance.

The adventurers probably has a long and winding road ahead of them. No, they definitely has to journey on this long and winding road, and princess Raynesia says:"We need to have the proper etiquette"

(I have to say Crusty handle this smoothly.)

Akatsuki buried her face in Shiroe's chest as if she is cold and Shiroe hug her close to protect her with a gentle expression on his face.

Marquis Kyriva emotion erupted and sealed the retreat route of the round table council. He is treating the adventurers as equipment to be used, killing off the chance for Shiroe to send aid even if he wants to.

If they agree to help while facing such intimidation, it will hurt the pride of the adventurers in Akiba and the round table council will also lose their trust.


"My lord, we have reached Akiba."

"Right."

"It will be another battle field, alright?"

"It probably will be."

In this alternate world, night represent darkness.

Below her is the pitch black land, the sky decorated with the shining stars is maybe brighter than the ground. Shiroe do not have a watch, he think it is the after midnight, but Akiba is still awake.

Shiroe contacted the round table council to make preparations when the griffon just started flying off. Rodrick from the the rodrick firm should have finished by now to coordinate with Shiroe's plan.

The bright lights shining in the darkness of the night is Akiba.

It looks like just one single light, but the light splits into countless torches as they get closer. Further in, they can make out the torches are surrounding the central square, a circle like of fire the size of a ring. Akiba's biggest battle guild D.D.D made this temporary landing point in a short amount of time to welcome their leader back.

The mounts which doesn't have any night vision lands in Akiba with the bright guiding lights. The night is only half over.

Chapter 2 end