Chapter 370 - The Embers of this Cruel World
This is the second update for today. If you haven’t read the previous chapter yet, please start reading that first.
Also, we are planning to update the next chapter on the 22nd, Friday, around 9 pm.
I’m with the group led by Rinji, entering Jonato territory.
What caught my attention are the people we met along the way.
Many of them were carrying large bags.
The carriages some are riding were also conspicuous.
Was it because of this?
Even our large group felt as though we’re blending with that scenery.
Oru, leading our carriage, looked back from his horse.
[What do you think, Tomohiro?]
I have revealed to them that I am a Hero from Another World.
One of the Heroes summoned by the G.o.ddess.
I suppose it’s natural for him to think I would know more about the G.o.ddess than they do.
Thereupon……
[Oi, Oru.]
[Ah——— Sorry, Rinji-san. My bad, Tomohiro…… Forget my question just now.]
It seems that Rinji was being considerate of me.
However, I still answered the question.
[……I think it’s likely.]
Yes——— it’s quite possible.
At that moment, someone on the plaza’s stage calls out.
[Everyone, please listen!]
The murmurs among the crowd died down.
Everyone’s attention shifted to the large voice emanating from the stage.
Several knight-like figures were also on that stage.
Judging from the crest on their armor, they seemed to be Jonato knights.
Even so——— This sheer number of people……
We had come here without knowing anything.
However, the people of Jonato were probably being recruited and gathered at this relay point.
[Some of you may have already heard, but right now, our Jonato’s Sacred Eye———- No, everyone living on this continent is facing a great crisis!]
A ripple of murmurs spread through the audience.
Oru looks at the nearby Rinji and calls out his name.
However, keeping his gaze on the knights on the stage, Rinji muttered.
[……The Drunken Sword Party huh.]
Our connection hadn’t been close back then, but I’m also acquainted with the Drunken Sword Party.
Back then, they had been tasked with training Ikusaba Asagi Group.
Amidst the tumultuous crow, I looked up at the sky.
[………………]
(Banewolf-san…… I haven’t…… asked for forgiveness from him yet……)
Even though he reached out his hand to me……
I should have learned more from him.
I could have learned a lot from him.
With this question, the murmurs of the audience intensified greatly.
Some even began to whisper quietly to each other.
[That’s right…… There are the summoned Heroes from Another World on Vysis’ side……]
[T- There’s especially her…… Ayaka Sogou. From what I heard, she’s apparently a Hero who can single-handedly change the course of battle, you know? Having someone like that as an enemy is scary……]
That’s right.
(What happened to Sogou-san and the others…… my cla.s.smates……?)
[I also heard that the Great Demon Emperor was defeated by Hero Ayaka……]
[Arehh? Wasn’t it another top-tier Hero who defeated them? You know…… That active guy in the Eastern Front during the great invasion……]
[Something Sisters…… I think it’s the older one? They say she’s beautiful……]
[Eh? Is that her? I think I heard something about a different, male Hero———–]
[I- In any case!]
She’s probably the one pulling everyone together.
I’m sure that also includes the former Yasu Group, Nihei Yukitaka and the others.
“Vysis is trying to eradicate the people living on this continent.”
That’s right.
Sogou Ayaka.
She isn’t the kind of person who would side with Vysis after hearing such a thing.
……What about the Takao Sisters?
I can’t see them siding with Vysis but……
(Speaking of which…… I wonder if Kirihara-kun is also partic.i.p.ating in this……?)
Perhaps, he too, unexpectedly, is now fighting shoulder to shoulder with Sogou Ayaka.
What about Sogou Oyamada?
[Big…… Bro———]
Yuuri’s slightly trembling hand.
I gently wrapped her trembling hand with mine, my hand that held strength.
[I…… know. There are many strong people in this continent…… strong people from various countries…… There’s also the Fly King Squadron…… and those who are called Heroes. You know about them, right?]
[……Nhnn. Heroes, Big Bro is also one of them.]
[Unn. But you see…… There are Heroes much stronger than me who are now working together to defeat the scary G.o.ddess who’s causing all this.]
[Big Bro…… and the other Heroes……]
Besides, right from the start……
[You see———-We came here to protect the world where Yuuri-chan and everyone lives.]
“Hero”
It was generally a word that represents someone who saves the world.
Even though recently, they were often treated with mockery in various media.
But in truth, they’re someone who are very strong———–
———and very kind.
For example, just like Sogou Ayaka.
No.
The people from the Faraway Country……
Belzegia-san……
Seras-san……
Even Rinji-san and the others……
Under that definition, they’re undoubtedly Heroes.
Looking into Yuuri’s eyes, I smiled gently.
……This has been something I’ve recently become able to do, looking people straight in the eye.
[And so, as a Hero…… I also wanted to fight. All in order to bring back the world———]
I’m not sure if I’m clinching that “Hero-like smile” properly but……
[The world where Yuuri-chan doesn’t have to be scared like this.]
Yes……
(The me right now……)
——–have a definite reason to fight.
I’m now fighting for someone’s sake.
[Big Bro.]
[Well…… I promise to bring it back. That’s why…… You don’t have to be so scared, okay? Just leave the rest to us Heroes…… Got that?]
At my words———— Yuuri suddenly hugged me tightly.
I could feel the strength in her small hands.
Then, speaking briefly……
[—————Unn.]
Her hands stopped trembling.
▽
(……Eh? Isn’t that……)
The Knights descended from the platform, holding “that thing” which really felt out-of-place in this world.
They explained that it was an ancient magic tool but……
(A smartphone?)
They did claim to have evidence that proves Vysis’ evilness.
Seeing the “evidence” they had provided, some of those in the front row were astonished.
[T- That is…… That’s definitely the G.o.ddess!]
[I’ve heard the G.o.ddess’ voice before! That’s the G.o.ddess’ voice!]
[The G.o.ddess———— Vysis really is trying to destroy us!?]
So that’s what happened.
Someone among the Heroes must have recorded her voice or even filmed her with a smartphone.
Who could it be?
Perhaps Takao Hijiri?
When I think of someone sharp to be able to do that, she comes to mind.
Perhaps, she managed to do something with the smartphone’s battery issues with her skill.
At that moment, looking at the Knight recruiting partic.i.p.ants for the defense of the Sacred Eye……
[It’s optional, but those partic.i.p.ating in the defense of the Sacred Eye would apparently register over there. They seemed to be asking to leave something as proof of ident.i.ty as possible though. In case of death in battle, it seems that Mira will take the lead in providing immediate support to the surviving spouse, children or relatives. At least to the extent possible.]
Rinji then directed his gaze toward the registration desk……
[We’re also heading to Azziz.]
[Rinji-san……]
[I don’t quite understand the fundamental truth, but if defending the Sacred Eye leads to protecting this world———- it will also protect them.]
———before his gaze fell on his wife and child.
[Besides, we’ve got a bit of history with the Drunken Sword Party. The leader of the Drunken Sword Party, well…… You could say she’s kinda like family.]
Rinji pointed to his wife.
[In this situation, we can’t just let them die in silence. Good grief, this is all just strange…… Even though we fled north to escape from the Drunken Sword Party, now we’re trying to meet up with them to be of help.]
With an ironic smile, Rinji-san said.
Oru, who had packed his bags, came over with a lighthearted mood.
[Well, maybe this will be the opportunity for Guaban to forgive us?]
Guaban is apparently the father of Drunken Sword Party’s leader, Lili.
I haven’t heard the details, but it’s clear that there’s some complicated situation between them and the Drunken Sword Party.
Rinji gestured with his eyes and chin toward the carriage where Yuuri and the others were.
[Us former members of the Drunken Sword Party are heading to Azziz with Sonny. The others will proceed as planned, visiting our acquaintances in the west. We’ve also arranged for some capable folks who aren’t part of our Drunken Sword Party over there. We can’t be sure what might happen after all.]
I breathed a sigh of relief.
[I see.]
Afterwards, we each said our goodbyes.
I also said my goodbyes to Yuuri and her mother.
To be honest……
I didn’t expect I’d be this reluctant to part ways with them.
I’m also feeling slightly wistful.
I’d like to meet them once again———– I’d like to live and meet them once again.
After saying our goodbyes, us in the Azziz group headed towards our tied-up horses.
Is it perhaps Rinji being considerate?
At the moment, he decided to keep quiet about the information about me being a Hero from Another World.
Thereupon, a hand was placed on my shoulder.
Rinji’s hand.
The hand he placed on my shoulder was heavy———- it felt heavy.
Then, Rinji spoke.
[I’m counting on you.]
A very serious voice.
As if he’s saying “I’m entrusting my life to you”……
Keeping my gaze facing forward, I responded.
[I’m also counting on you, Rinji-san———- I’m counting on everyone here.]
Rinji looked slightly surprised at my words.
(If I were alone———-)
I would definitely not have made it this far.
I’m sure I wouldn’t get used to feeling like this.
After a few seconds, Rinji returned to his usual self and snorted lightly.
And then, he spoke.
[Ou.]
Yes…… The flame within me still burns.
Even now, the flame in my heart still exists.