176. Emergency Contact
The base camp came into view after a while, so I called out to Rubeum.
「Conceal your presence before approaching the base camp. We don’t want to frighten them.」
「Okay. Dragons are scary because they are strong, right? Kyuru.」
「That’s how it is.」
Rubeum concealed his presence as we neared the base camp.
Upon landing, Rubeum immediately returned to his original size.
「Let’s carry the teachers to the tent.」
As we carried the injured into the tents, one of the teachers at the base camp came out.
「…Jema-sensei?」
「I’m sorry to show you such a pitiful state.」
Jema said to the teacher as I carried her on my back.
「Jema-sensei was seriously injured while protecting the students from a pretty strong enemy.」
I didn’t go into the specifics about the identity of the enemy.
The teacher is a regular member of the Salvation Organization. So I could probably tell him that it was one of the Cardinals of the Cult.
The students, however, obviously wouldn’t know, and there were many students here.
「To think even Jema-sensei was seriously injured…」
「The enemy was just that strong. Three other teachers and four students are also in a serious condition.」
「Healer–」
「I’ve already cast healing magic, but they have lost too much blood.」
「I see. Understood.」
The teachers at the base camp helped carry the injured people into the teachers’ tent.
The tent for teachers was larger than the tent for students, so it was wide enough to line up the injured side by side and still have extra space.
「I will take care of nursing them. Someone who can use healing magic should be close by in case of an emergency, right?」Tina said.
「That’s right. Thank you, Tina. I’ll help with the nursing too.」I said.
And just as I entered the tent for the injured, an urgent voice called out from the Transceiver Ring. It was not my Transceiver Ring, but Jema’s.
『Can you hear me?』
It was Xenovia’s voice from the other side of the call.
「I can hear you.」
『The concerns I informed you about have become reality. Moreover, it far exceeds our expectations. Bring the students back immediately.』
The concern Xenovia informed about was most likely Jema’s assassination plan.
Beyond her expectations must be referring to the fact that a Cardinal had joined in.
The information department of the Salvation Organisation was about half a day late.
Though they might have been late this time, it might still be quick considering that a Cardinal was involved.
While listening to Xenovia, Jema looked at the surroundings.
The injured teachers and students were unconscious, and the rest of the teachers were working outside.
The ones who were conscious here were Jema, Tina, and I. In addition to Shiro, Fay, Fluffy and Rubeum.
「President. If it’s about the Cardinal, we have defeated him.」
『What?…Alright. In that case, all the teachers and students should stand by there except for you.』
「What should I do?」
『I need you to use the emergency-use wyvern and hurry back to the academy. We are facing a large-scale attack. I can’t suppress it with my current strength.』
「Understood.」
And then, Jema tried to stand up.
「Jema-sensei, you will die if you move too much. And you won’t be able to contribute to the battle in the first place.」I said.
『Will, is that you over there?』
「Yes. Xenovia-sensei, Jema-sensei was severely injured in the fight against the Cardinal while protecting the students.」
『……I see.』
Xenovia didn’t ask anything extra. She understood that the situation must be serious if I was the one saying it. Even after taking appropriate measures such as healing magic, Jema’s condition was severe enough that she might die if she moved around too much.
「I will fly back with Rubeum. Is that alright?」
『…………Yes. Be careful.』
「Okay.」
I called out to Rubeum after the call was over.
「I’m sorry. I know you must be tired, but we have to go back to the royal capital.」
「It’s okay. Kyuru.」
「Jema-sensei, please rest here.」
「It was the President’s decision. I don’t have anything to say. But please take care of the academy and the royal capital.」
「Leave it to me.」
I hurried out of the tent with Tina and the godbeasts.
Tina went to report the situation to the teachers.
And I called out to Rosetta and Arti.
「Rosetta, Arti!」
「What’s wrong?」Rosetta asked.
「I received instructions from the President. I’m going back to the royal capital right away.」
「I will go too.」
「Agreed.」
Rosetta and Arti said, with determined looks.
And Tina came back after reporting to the teachers.
「Of course, I will go too.」
「Thank you. Follow me.」I said.
And the three nodded.
After that, we got on Rubeum’s back, who transformed into his giant form, and flew towards the royal capital and the academy.