Chapter 371: Confluence
After the battle, we've got lots of things that need to be done but
As expected, we can't just depart for Alion right away.
Even though we had shift rotations, we've been fighting for three days.
If it's just a few people who need rest, we can move while resting.
We can have those that need rest in the carriage while the rest marches forward.
However, we must also allow the soldiers to rest.
At the moment, it's still unclear how much fighting strength the enemy has left.
Even the familiars skilled in gathering information had their limits.
We aren't able to grasp the whole picture with them.
Also, sorting out the injured is necessary.
Not everyone can return to battle immediately.
Well, this is something that can be carefully arranged by the Mad Emperor and Cattleya.
Those who can't return to battle will be sent to Neia or Urza for now.
Thanks to Cattleya's presence here, Neia wouldn't have any problem accepting them.
Urza seems fine too since the people's hearts have turned away from the current King after the recent battle.
However, another problem arose.
It was around the time when the night began to fall outside.
While discussing future plans with Loqierra and the Mad Emperor, a report came in from Seras.
Kneeling beside me inside the tent for a moment, she whispered to my ears.
Hearing her words, I turned my face towards her.
[What?]
Seras silently nodded.
[Among the reinforcements from the Faraway Country who joined us on the third day were the Forbidden Race the Kurosagas, but were they following along with the others?]
It was a bolt from the blue.
Reacting to my words was Liese.
[Eh!?]
Seemingly as if she didn't know.
After splitting up from Liese and the others, they secretly joined in later huh.
Seras leaned closer once again
[Only Armia-dono and some of the Lamias knew about their presence here. Because of the nature of the Forbidden Race, they are easy targets by Vysis- so they were advised by them to hide their identities while moving.]
Notifying the others, I tried to leave the tent, leaving Loqierra and the others behind.
Liese seemed to want to accompany me, trying to get up from her seat, but I stopped her.
[Gio and Qir can just come with me. You stay here and continue with the military council.]
Returning obediently to her seat, Liese crossed her arms.
[Alright. I'll leave them to you.]
I went outside with Seras.
Walking through the camp illuminated by the bonfire
[Munin's daughter- Fugi is here too?]
[Yes.]
The only Forbidden Curse user other than Munin.
The one with that crest- the Forbidden Curse crest.
[Does Munin know?]
[I haven't confirmed yet, but someone probably went to inform her.]
I recall the words Munin said that time.
"However, she is also prepared for this. If my "blade" doesn't reach the Goddess, and if I fall along the journey I think she herself is prepared to be the next one to risk her life."
[Well- We can't not tell Munin about this.]
We arrived at the camp where the Faraway Country camp was resting.
There was a crowd forming in a circle.
Among them, I could see the chest of the considerably tall Gio standing in the center.
Gio noticed me, and he signaled us to come over with his chin.
As the crowd parted, Seras and I entered the center of the circle.
There in the encirclement were Gio, Qir, and Armia.
And along with them was a silver-haired girl with a fickle expression on her face.
[Fly King-san?]
[So you're here huh.]
[Your voice?]
[Yeah, I've changed my outfit from what I was wearing before after all. My old Fly King outfit was worn out, so I got a new one.]
[I see.]
[Weren't you staying in the Faraway Country?]
Fugi looks up at me and nods.
[Unn, I was going to stay.]
Come to think of it, she was a child who referred to herself with "boku" like Loqierra huh
Fugi turns her gaze at the people with black wings behind her the Kurosagas.
[We were going to stay.]
[I suppose even if I ask the reason for coming]
[Fugi!]
My words were cut off by a woman's voice calling Fugi's name.
Hearing that, Fugi slanted her head to the side to look behind me.
It was Munin who had come running.
Seeing her figure, Fugi's cheeks slightly relaxed.
[Munin.]
Behind Munin was the Harpy Gratora.
She probably went to inform her about Fugi.
Standing in front of her, Munin placed her hands on Fugi's shoulders.
Then, her breathing out of order, she spoke.
[Haahhh Haahhh W- Why did you come here!?]
[Because we changed our minds.]
Fugi looks straight up at her mother
[This isn't just my own decision. Everyone decided this after thinking about it.]
[Everyone]
As if to confirm her words, Munin turned her face to the other Kurosagas.
Thereupon, a male Kurosaga stepped forward.
[Chief It's just, letting you bear everything alone, that's just strange. Please let us fight too. If it's resolve you're looking for]
The man slapped his chest.
[We have them here.]
[But I Everyone's lives will be in danger-]
[Munin.]
Munin's face as she looked down at Fugi looked shaken.
[If we lose this battle Even if we were to survive, it wouldn't mean anything.]
[This isn't about that]
[No, this is about that.]
Munin's argument is understandable.
It's just
[..]
Gio and the others are just watching the situation unfold.
This is a problem for the Kurosagas.
It's not something we can voice our own opinions about.
They seem to think that this is a problem for the Kurosagas themselves to resolve.
The Kurosaga man who had shown his determination earlier now spread his arms.
[If we were to lose this battle while we remained in that country, what then? We can't just keep ourselves locked up in there forever. We need to go into the outside world to solve the food problem Isn't that already considered common sense a while ago?]
This time, a Kurosaga woman stepped forward.
[Chief, those who can't fight and those who are pregnant have stayed in the country. That's why, it's alright. Even if we who came here were to die, our Kurosagas will have our own future.]
[If we win this battle]
Following the woman's words, Fugi spoke.
[I think there won't be a need for people like us to be left behind.]
The meaning of her words just now-
She probably meant "There won't be a need to leave behind someone who can bear the Forbidden Curse crest".
[In that case, it's better if we just increase the chances of us winning even a little. With me here-]
Fugi looks at me.
[The number of Forbidden Curse users that he can mobilize in this battle will increase by one.]
[..]
As I kept my silence, Fugi stared at me.
Meanwhile, Munin firmly grips Fugi's shoulders.
[You know Listen carefully, Fugi.]
Fugi turns her face towards Munin.
The current Munin.
When we were traveling together, I didn't feel it that much.
However, her eyes, the way she talks.
Her other mannerisms too
It really makes me feel that she really is a "mother".
[What I'm saying here It's not just about having the future where our Kurosagas keep our Forbidden Curse crest. No, there's also that but but for me, even more than that If you If you were to die]
[And it's fine if it's Munin?]
Is it fine if Munin "might" die?
Fugi asks her that.
Munin's gray eyes tremble.
[I- I As the Chief]
At that moment
[No.]
Fugi's lips tremble, as if she's holding something back.
However
[It would be meaningless- For me If Munin were to die All of it would be meaningless!]
[Fugi, you]
Fugi was crying.
Her lack of facial expression gives her the impression of being a child indifferent to those around her.
Even according to what I heard from Munin, it seemed she was always like that.
Therefore, Munin was surprised.
She normally wasn't the type of child to show her emotions outwardly.
Looking at how unshapely her crying face is at the moment, that may be the case.
After all
She seemed to be not used to it.
The act of crying, that is.
That's why Munin reacted with such surprise.
[Even just thinking about how you "might" die I I can't stand it]
[Fugi]
[I don't want it- I don't.]
Seemingly clinging to her, Fugi embraces Munin.
[If we're going to die, even if it's for a little bit more time- until the end- I want to be together with Munin! If I can contribute to defeating the Goddess I want to help out too I want to help out Mom! Thinking that Thinking that we "might" get separated like that I don't like it at all!]
The way she raised her voice
Perhaps
She's someone who had never raised her voice for quite a long time.
And for her emotions to explode like that- this is probably the first time as well.
Fugi sobbed in Munin's arms.
[Geez You really are-]
As she hugged Fugi with one hand, Munin covered her mouth with the other.
She was crying too.
Perhaps crying along with the sight of their Chief
[Chief]
The Kurosaga man, his voice trembling, spoke up.
[If we win this battle Our country will be saved and with us having survived We can't just tell the next generation children of Kurosagas it that "we survived by leaving everything to the Chief in that battle". No, it's a different thing if we were unable to fight. However We're not incapable of fighting! Right, everyone!?]
A strong response came back from the Kurosagas behind him.
[Moreover, aren't our people of the Faraway Country also risking their lives in this battle!? Having us stay and wait because the Chief said so we can't endure it!]
[For us]
At that moment, the Kurosaga woman who had spoken a little while ago stepped forward again.
[Even if it's a battle where we might die, we're alright with it. We We want to win. With our own hands. We want to live in a way that we can feel we've won. Even if we did fall halfway through we want to live in a way where we can say "We fought to win".]
Looking over her shoulder, the Kurosaga man nodded in agreement.
The other members of Kurosagas also had similar expressions on their faces.
Faces filled with resolve.
Indeed, the Kurosagas
The total amount of resolve they had accumulated
Perhaps It might be on a different level.
After all, they did have a history of being almost eradicated by the Goddess-
Resolve huh.
Without petering out, they have sustained it within themselves.
Holding onto it until this generation.
[Ev ryone]
[Yes, everyone We're all comrades. That's why Let's fight together, Munin.]
Fugi- still leaning on Munin's bosom, voiced her wish.
[Together with everyone.]
Munin was biting her lip.
It was evident her feelings were already leaning one way.
However, she hadn't fully resolved the conflict in her mind yet.
While placing her hands on Fugi's shoulders, Munin looked at me.
Others followed suit, looking at me as if seeking an answer.
They all had eyes seeking an answer.
However, just this one time
[Just on this matter I'm leaving the decision to you, Munin.]
She understood my answer.
The expression on Munin's face seemed to convey that.
She wasn't particularly shaken by having the decision placed on her.
That said
[Well It's not necessary for you to decide this here and now. It's not an urgent matter. Even if you wanted to shake your head here, it would be difficult to convey that with the current atmosphere of this place]
I glanced around.
[Let's calm down and discuss this thoroughly. Fortunately, we have the time to do that. Either way is fine. I'll go along with what you all have decided.]
"Umm", Munin called out to me.
Glancing at Fugi
[In this battle against Vysis If Fugi were to participate]
She asked.
[Will the odds of winning increase?]
"It won't change."
Perhaps, that's the answer I should give.
"Whether she's here or not, the odds won't change."
If I were to state such a lie
Fugi might not have to participate in the decisive battle.
[Whichever you choose, I'll do everything I can. Whether it's for building from scratch or for rebuilding something. That's a promise. Besides Fugi's participation had never been incorporated into the plan from the start. It's just.]
However
[The enemy's numbers, strength, abilities The possibility of their side having unknown abilities As long as the enemy's full capabilities remain unclear, it's better to have more options on our side- That's the truth.]
I stated the facts as they were.
What Munin sought here wasn't just "consideration".
I had sensed that.
[However- Let me say this again- Ultimately, Munin, it's up to you to decide. What happens here would be up to you. I said having more options is better just now, but regardless of the choice you make, I will respect your decision.]
I let out a sigh.
[Just on this matter, that is.]
Hearing my words, she muttered my name.
Then, after a few moments
[Thank you.]
She expressed her gratitude.
As for what it was that she was thanking me for
Was it gratitude for giving her options?
Of course, that might not have been the case.
The true meaning of her "thank you" remains unclear to me.
Munin returned her gaze to Fugi and after a few seconds, she spoke.
[Give me one night to think about this.]
Early the next morning
Munin, with swollen eyes, visited my tent.
After listening to her decision, I answered.
[Alright.]
Seated on my chair, I looked up at the tent's ceiling.
Silence filled the space.
Then, breaking that silence, I called out.
[Difficult, isn't it?]
[Yes.]
Yes
["Emotions" can be tricky and difficult at times.]
However
That's why they're valuable, right?
The Goddess Subjugation Alliance crossed the border and finally entered Alion territory.
As far as what the familiars could confirm, Vysis has yet to move from Enoh.
However, it's said that armed Sacraments are gathering around Enoh.
But so far, we haven't sighted any Sacrament along the way.
Is it possible that there are still Demon Emperor items hidden in some fortress?
Perhaps, had they activated it and sent out Golden-eyed monsters and Human-Faceds our way again?
No, I feel like the possibility of that being the case is low.
Vysis wouldn't want to further empower the Heroes.
Sending back Golden-eyed monsters and Human-Faceds would just give us EXP points.
At this point in time, underestimating our forces would be a mistake.
She would want to nip any potential level-ups in the bud.
At least, if I were in her position, that's what I'd do.
In fact, our advance into Alion territory proceeded remarkably smoothly.
It's so smooth that it makes me wary of traps.
[As expected If things are going to be settled, she also intended to have it dealt with in the first battle.]
If that's the case, I'm honestly relieved.
Repeatedly dealing with waves of Sacraments like in the previous battle would be quite a hassle.
Also, although it's just a side note, some interesting developments happened.
Bakuos Empire, located southeast of Alion.
We're currently in a cooperative relationship with Bakuos' Black Dragon Knights.
However, Bakuos, the country itself, has been somewhat indecisive until now.
Bakuos is geographically quite close to Alion.
Hence, it might have been difficult for them to make a move- This certainly is plausible.
They might have feared being crushed by the Sacrament Army before we could arrive.
But now, that Bakuos have begun to seriously send reinforcements.
Perhaps, they may have been observing our the Goddess Subjugation Alliance's fate.
The Mad Emperor had this to say about their move.
[They might be trying to keep a way out in case the Goddess' side wins, explaining to her how "the Black Dragon Knights and some Bakuos soldiers only sympathized with Cattleya and acted independently against the Goddess' forces".]
From a country's perspective, one might say it's clever.
Of course, such a thought also holds "shrewdness" within it.
Or perhaps, they changed their mind after receiving those audio recordings and videos.
To me, the latter seemed more likely.
That said, now it all depends on how Jonato moves.
White Wolf King Magnar sided with us.
This had already been confirmed by the magical war pigeon sent out from Mira's Imperial Capital.
Confirmation via magical war pigeon inevitably involves a significant time lag.
It's not as immediate as phone calls or messaging apps.
Of course, we're helpless trying to make use of signal waves using our skills
That aside, familiars can achieve something similar.
However, making use of them is difficult.
Currently, Liz can only operate two familiars.
One of them is accompanying us.
Meanwhile, the other is monitoring Vysis' movements in Enoh.
These two familiars can't be moved elsewhere in order to assess the current situation around Vysis.
Incidentally, the familiar monitoring Vysis' movements in Enoh is also the one that confirmed the Sacrament Army's movements from Enoh towards Jonato.
[]
Speaking of Liz's familiar
I looked out over the plain, getting slightly wet in the drizzle, atop Slei.
Our current marching course
This is the western route Liz wanted us to go through "if possible".
We're currently following that route.
It's the shortest route to Enoh in terms of arrival time.
Actually, even in the discussions with the Mad Emperor, we were originally planning to use this route.
It seems Liz and the others had also screened out the routes.
At that moment though
[Umm, Fly King-sama.]
A messenger arrived.
I think she should be a messenger who comes at low-priority times
[A strange woman is asking to meet you]
[Me?]
There have been strong-willed merchants who have also come here and shown their business acumen.
Is this another one of them again
"We want to offer our town as a place of rest for Your Majesty and everyone."
There are people who offer this.
Occasionally, such individuals have come to visit "higher-ups" along the way.
However, among those whose identities we haven't confirmed
"I want to meet the Fly King"
There hasn't been anyone like that
[Did she identify herself?]
The woman who came to report seemed to have remembered something and spoke.
[She said "If you tell Fly King Belzegia that it's Second Oath Astarva, he should know me".]
What?
Astarva?
That name feels oddly familiar.
[She also mentioned that if I can't inform Fly King-sama, I could tell Seras Ashrain-sama or Machia Renaufia-sama, they would confirm her identity.]
The messenger described the woman's characteristics.
[.]
Why is she here?
How did she manage to get through "there"?
No- even Liz assisting us through her familiars was unexpected.
In that case
The possibility of her appearing technically isn't zero huh.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om