"Now, you're probably curious about the EDA."
Not only me, I could understand Yumiko but Yuko was also nodding at his sentence. Like us, she's also unaware of their existence. He has too many secrets that he will only reveal when needed.
"You're already aware of the Transcendent and Mortal Worlds, right? The truth is, Earth has an auxiliary World connected to us. You could say it's a subordinate World which was devoid of any invasion from the Dark World."
Haam.. This Principal keeps on dumping new information, eh? In any case. If the Earth has a subordinate world, why is it awakened while the Earth was still unawakened?
Ah. If my guess is correct, the Earth was awakened at some point in time, which could also explain our reincarnation. Something happened which turned it back to an unawakened state.
However, how could I explain the Principal's existence? A Hero from the previous generation? If there were Heroes like him, why is he the only one left? Are they hiding or are they dead? Are they also a Transcendent?
Haa... I think I'll get a headache if I keep guessing about his true origins and the ways on how he does things. He'll clearly dump them all in the future anyway, I'm just making it hard for myself.
But yeah, if only he would let me in on everything he knew.
"There's an active portal to it somewhere in this world. And since it's a subordinate World, every Earthling can go there and easily adapt to the Level 1 Energy of that World. I sent some Earthlings in there to undergo training and the creation of the EDA is the result. You could say, it's my countermeasure for this crisis where enemies already reached us before the Earth completely awakened."
Though he explained it simply like this. I feel like there's more to it than that. He probably already controlled all the nations under his palm or if not, he had some helpers which governed this world in the shadows way before the birth of the Heroes or the Dark World's invasion. Something tells me that it's more about the secrets of the Earth. The Dark World's invasion was only added recently
Maybe he or they were also the reason why the wars stopped being waged all over the world. I don't know. The Mystery behind Yuko's father was just getting deeper and deeper. If she was also kept in the dark about this EDA, then there's a possibility that there are more things he's keeping from her, apart from her being a reincarnator, of course.
"With the nature of how our denizens are being corrupted still unknown, it's probably worse than in the Mortal Worlds. How can we prevent that?"
In the Mortal Worlds, it is the denizens' choice to be corrupted. However, here, were they being corrupted if they're near the Breach? Or are they also being enticed for more power? Then in the end, their mind will be controlled instead of keeping their own.
If that's the case, that's hard to prevent. However, if there's another condition, we just have to discover that. Find that Breached Portal.
"Like you said, that is still unknown Kuramoto-kun. That's why…"
His gaze scanned the three of us. Yuko and Yumiko were always ready. They're even ready to go back to their Otherworld on short notice. Even if it means cutting our time short.
His gaze then landed and stayed on Yuko before his mouth opened.
"… I will have someone interrogate them to know what actually happened which led to their corruption."
With his pause and stopping his gaze at Yuko, I'm guessing he's going to search their memories about it. I just wonder what kind of method is he using to do that? Is he dipping his hand inside their head?
"I see. We'll be going back home. I'm worried about my parents. What about them?"
They're powerless if they were put into their target to abduct. They're both normal humans so I guess it wouldn't evolve to that this fast. What should I do about it? How can I ensure their safety? I will be going to the 4th world while the Dark Cult will continue infesting the Earth. I should ask the Principal to protect them.
"Right. Mother and Father might be targeted as well."
"We have to make sure they're safe."
Yuko and Yumiko also expressed their worry for my parents. They're living with them for two weeks now. Just like how they see the girls as their daughters, Yuko and Yumiko also started seeing them as their parents. Err… maybe in their minds, they are their in-laws.
"I'll leave 10 of the Squad L-021 here for you to command. Kuramoto-kun, you should also be vigilant and try to sense your surroundings. You're the one most sensitive to energies among us so you'll be able to see its traces."
"What about my parents? When I leave for the 4th world, they'll be vulnerable to the Dark Cult."
"I'll do something about that, you don't have to worry."
Leaving those words, the Principal hopped on one of the military trucks. As soon as they finished loading the last of the Dark Cult members, the military trucks drove away leaving 10 EDA soldiers lined up in front of us.
"Sir! This is Squad Leader Nishizawa, orders?"
The strongest Rank 2 Mortal stepped forward and saluted to me.
This is kind of awkward as I'm not used to it, however, they were left here to answer to me. I have little experience in commanding during the war in the Barbarian world. I guess that came out as handy today.
"Hmm? Divide yourselves into groups of three and patrol the city. One of you will stay within our vicinity for communication. I assume you have communications equipment, right?"
Our city isn't that large anyway, dividing them by 3 will cover up the three sides of the city. I'll just take Yuko or Yumiko later to also do a search. They suddenly appeared so there's probably a Breach near here.
"Yes sir!"
The Squad Leader answered.
"Alright do that and choose one who will follow us. Don't move alone and stay in groups, once you notice something strange, report it immediately."
If they get surrounded, it will be hard for them to fight back but they were trained so I should expect a tactical approach from them. Informing everyone when they found something strange was the normal procedure.
Those are new enemies and we still don't know how the humans are easily corrupted. I have to see it for myself to better understand it.
"Sir. Yes sir!"
Err... I would be trained like them if I really chose to leave. I don't think I will like that kind of life. I want a more carefree life where I just need to sit at the back while supporting those in the frontline.
After dividing themselves up, one Rank 1 Mortal soldier stepped forward and saluted to us. He'll be the liaisons officer who will be in charge of the communications between the divided groups and us.
Though he's a rank 1, his Power Level is around 1 to15. Surely it's not 1, right? He wouldn't be deployed here if he's that weak.
After seeing them disperse, I took the two girls' hands and started making our way back home.
Our vacation hasn't ended yet and there's still some which we haven't done yet in their to-do list. However, we have to put that off for now.
"Mom. Dad?"
I anxiously called out to my parents upon arriving home.
"What? You're back already?"
Mom appeared from the kitchen. She's probably cooking for lunch while Dad was in the living room watching some TV program. They don't have an office job so most of the time they're at home.
Seeing them safe and sound, we released a sigh of relief.
After telling them that our plan changed, we then went to the girls' room to talk about what we will do from here on.
"Dai-kun, you can leave me here. I'll protect your parents."
Yuko said after we decided that we have to go out to search for the Breach as well. Those from EDA were also at the same level as those Dark Cult members so there's a chance that they will be defeated if they encountered them and the situation turned to them being outnumbered.
"Un. I can fly so it will be easier for us to scout the place. I just have to use some energy to conceal myself from normal people's eyes. Taking you up with me is possible too."
There's also the Orb of Concealment but yeah, Streams and Rivers can be shaped into anything, so making some kind of protective screen to hinder a normal person's vision was enough to let us fly around unhindered.
Though it will be funny to be reported as a UFO if someone spotted us flying around, now is not the time for that.
"Alright let's do that. You take care here too, Yuko. We'll bring that soldier with us so hold onto this and contact us if something happened."
After deciding what we will do, I gave her the communication equipment that the soldier gave me before we went in. It's supposed to be used for him to contact us from outside.
And before leaving, Yuko stopped me by holding my arm to ask me for a kiss with an excuse of she will be missing me. Upon seeing that, Yumiko also joined us, afraid to be left out.
Err. Of course, I also enjoyed it.
Our time to be together was limited after all so this kind of showing of affection is fine.
I wonder, how many Portals have been breached? And will we be able to close it from here? There should be a way, right? Not just going to the other side to close it.
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