Chapter 567 |
Defensive Battle of All Worlds ⑬ Each’s Defensive Battle Tenth
「Amazing……」
「Am I dreaming……」
Such voices were now speaking here and there in London.
Those were the voices of the civilians in the middle of evacuating, and the voices of the polices and soldiers protecting them.
Traffic jam broke out due to the great chaos from the unprecedented situation. Cars that were abandoned or destroyed by monster could be seen all over on the road. Because of that evacuation using car was becoming difficult and there were a lot of people running away on foot through the city.
The sight that was reflected on their eyes was like a movie.
Ten-odd people who really looked like knights from the uniform plate armors enveloping their bodies were fighting against monsters using primitive weapons.
The majority were holding western-style long swords with uniform design.
Either way, not one of them was using anything like firearm.
They were letting out war cries, and with astonishing physical ability and outstanding technique along with fighting spirit, they clashed against the monsters and defeated them.
It felt like they had time slipped to Middle Age.
「So knights……are still existing」
Everyone had surely heard the legend of the knights of the round table and King Arthur.
Numerous tales of knights were left behind in this country. Chivalrous spirit could be found in the basis of their civilization and ideal. Even the honor system of “knight” was still continuing to exist even at the modern era of this country.
People who couldn’t be anything else than knights came running to help such country in a time of imminent danger.
Their daring and resolute fighting fascinated the people so much it temporarily made them forgot that they were in a dangerous situation where they had to evacuate as fast as possible.
Even tourists were reacting like that seeing this sight. For the people of Britain it was a sight that made them felt moved.
It was then,
「Guuh!?」
One knight was sent flying like it had gotten hit by a truck. He rolled on the ground before getting on a knee using his long sword as support.
Unbelievable his metal armor was rent apart. Blood was dripping from under his breast plate.
His expression couldn’t be seen due to the helmet covering his whole head. But, judging from his heaving shoulders and the faint groan coming from inside, they could imagine his agony.
「O-oi! Are you alright!?」
One of the policemen reflexively ran toward him. A middle-aged man wearing suits also got drawn in and took a step forward.
The knight seemed to hear the voice. He looked back over his shoulder.
Instantly, the knight reversed his grip on the long sword he was holding and threw it toward the middle-aged man.
「Y-you! What are-」
The policeman reflexively pointed his taser gun, but the knight paid it no heed and jumped at the policeman too.
The policeman half-panicked and pulled the trigger. Surely it would pose no problem if he hit the armored part. After all that knight’s armor was installed with measure that could block “lightning element magic” to some degree.
But, in a stroke of bad luck, the electrode flew through the gap in the rent apart plate.
The knight jerked, but there was no way the electric shock could also neutralize his charging momentum and mass. The policeman was tackled and fell easily.
Why……why is he attacking us……such question rose, but the reason immediately came clear.
That repulsive cat-thing passed overhead the policeman.
He gasped and when he looked, that middle-aged man just now too――he fell down from fear――was also looking back over his shoulder, at a cat-thing that was nailed on a building’s wall.
It went without saying, it was the knight’s long sword that was nailing it on the wall. The cat-thing was crawling on the wall to attack from above, but this knight let go of his own weapon to stop it while also saving the policeman.
The knight pulled off the electrode cord with a stiff movement and got up.
The passing cat-thing kicked on midair and turned to leap toward another civilian. But, the knight let out a warcry and cut in between them.
He was weaponless and his movement also lacked smoothness thanks to the electric shock. However, he showed no hesitation.
He crossed his arms to block the claws that could rend apart his armor.
「Guuh!?」
Another groan slipped out. His vambraces were sliced apart and blood spurted out from his arms.
But, he didn’t falter.
The cat-thing must be aware that the knight was protecting the people behind him. It laughed nastily and then circled around slowly and ostentatiously to target what was behind him.
The knight rolled to get in between and blocked with his arms once more. Even more blood flowed out.
The cat-thing’s ugly smile deepened even more. It kept repeating its nasty hit & away assault.
In a sense, it might be thanks to its inherent nature, its sadism getting stimulated. Thanks to it only making half-hearted attack that the knight could only barely block, there was no harm to the civilians.
But, naturally the wounds on the knights were accumulating. It was only natural because he could do nothing but getting toyed with.
The other knights were also dealing against the pack of cat-things so it looked difficult for them to give assistance.
It was a desperately dangerous situation.
But, the knight didn’t run. He didn’t falter. And, he didn’t fall. He continued shielding the people.
That large figure, that back,
「Knight……」
It was a knight. Without any doubt, it was the real thing. A noble knight like in the fairy tale.
「Mister Knight-, do your best!!」
「Win! Ser Knight!!」
Children’s voices rang out. As though to answer their cheering, the knight invoked the words of power that he had been continuously chanting even while defending.
Yes, because even though the knight was a knight, he was a knight who came from a world of sword and magic.
Though unlike them who came from this world and the few elite knights, they couldn’t do something skillful like using magic while fighting in close quarter simultaneously.
Even so, as though he really came from inside the fairy tale――
Flame emerged behind him. It swirled, converged, and formed a spear.
The cat-thing laughed while leaping again at the knight, but he quickly shifted his body aside and dodged the attack. It was an action that he absolutely wouldn’t do before in order to protect the civilians behind him.
Seeing that, the cat-thing must be thinking that the knight finally couldn’t endure it anymore and allow sacrifice to be made.
Until the moment the flame spear shot and pierced it together with its conceit, malice, and negligence.
――＊＊＊ッ＃＃※※！！？
The cat-thing let out a wordless shriek and fell on the ground. It was burn from inside by the burning spear and writhed while letting out an agonized voice, but even that only lasted briefly. It quickly became unmoving.
What’s that just now, naturally the people were astonished.
But, the emotional feeling of seeing the knight won seemed to be stronger. Cheers rose especially from the children.
「S-ser Knight, forgive me. I shot you with taser……」
The policeman spoke up in shame.
The knight didn’t answer. He was tilting his head. He looked like he didn’t understand what he was saying. But, he must have guessed somehow from the atmosphere.
As though to say that something like wound wasn’t anything worth fretting over, he slapped his chest with a clenched fist. Further he also raised his fist and made a guts pose toward the civilians behind him.
――No need for worry. I’ll protect everyone with my life.
Those words were certainly conveyed wordlessly.
The middle-aged man from before seemed to have pulled out his long sword somehow. He held it carefully while handing it over to the knight. The knight accepted it with a nod.
The middle-aged man was looking up at the knight with deep emotion. The children looked like they wanted to run toward him even now, but the adults and polices around stopped them. Because they were still in a battlefield where carelessness couldn’t be allowed.
But, only the gazes directed toward the knight were the same in everyone. There were respect and inspiration.
Chivalry.
It moved them emotionally to witness such thing. And there was respect toward the person who embodied its concept. Those things were filling the eyes of everyone in that place.
The knight looked a bit embarrassed facing that, but, he also somehow looked relieved.
……This knight was a survivor of the legendary final battle. But, based from his year of service, he was also a knight who originally would be still considered as a rookie. He didn’t have any particular ability or skill that was worth fretting over. Inside a story he would be just “one of many” whose name wouldn’t even get a mention.
But, as someone who joined the knight order because of his admiration to the previous knight commander Meld Loggins and who had also received training from him.
And above all, considering of everything that had been protected by the children who was dragged from a peaceful world into their world.
(Commander Meld……I don’t have the strength to protect they themselves but, it seems, I have at least become strong enough to protect a fragment of what they want to protect.)
He felt unbearably happy and proud of that.
He prayed inside his heart to the former commander Meld who during his life was constantly worried because he saw them not as god’s apostles, transcendental beings, or anything else, but simply as normal children.
One day I won’t be strong enough to even protect them. My strength will be below them and it will be us knights who are protected instead. Even so, I want to at least protect their heart.
The knight spontaneously recalled the previous commander Meld once muttering that while watching the abundantly talented children training.
He wondered if with this he was able to go along with the wish of the previous commander Meld at least a little. It would be presumptuous to think that he could become his replacement but, even so, he hoped that it was true. Because, surely the previous commander Meld would want to stand at this place himself.
Such sentimentality flooded him, just for a brief moment. Perhaps that was why.
This place was a battlefield. A single moment of opening was deadly.
Ah, he heard someone’s voice. He gasped and turned around.
He could feel his body moving strangely slowly. The sight behind him gradually came into view. At the corner of his sight, he could see wicked claws swinging down toward his head.
The claws of a cat-thing that teleported to empty air behind him, was right there just a moment away from striking him……
Ah, I’m dead……
The moment he felt that, further behind that cat-thing, a large shadow leaped with the sun shining behind it.
A horse. A knight riding a horse leaped with the great sword in their hands being lifted up high.
(Commander……Meld……?)
「HAAAAA!!」
A sharp piercing cry slapped the knight who had accepted his death.
He regained his senses with a gasp while at the same time the cat-thing approaching him vanished. No, to be more accurate its head was pierced and then it got dragged away while skewered like that.
By who? It was obvious.
「Hh, commander!!」
「Don’t let your guard down, you fool!!」
A great warhorse stomped on the asphalt. Riding on it was the present knight commander Kuzeri Rail. Her hand was half rotating a unique sword――a double-bladed sword which was two slightly long knight swords with their pommels joined together.
The momentum of the rotation tossed the skewered cat-thing on the ground.
At that moment, magic of various colors were casted from the rooftops of the surrounding buildings. Fireballs, ice or stone pebbles, wind blades, and also lightnings. Those were attacks from the rear unit that excelled in magic.
The colorful lights of magic power from them brilliantly decorated Commander Kuzeri’s entrance. Smoke and explosive blasts made her golden hair fluttered.
It was like a ranger squadron’s entrance scene in a tokusatsu film.
Commander Kuzeri’s chilly gaze that was like ice surveyed the battlefield. Perhaps it ought to be described as the knight commander’s majesty. She was radiating an intensity that reflexively made anyone straightened their back.
「But, good job holding on.」
Her sharp eyes loosened just the tiniest bit. Her atmosphere changed drastically just from that.
Relieved sighs slipped out from the dumbfounded people. They were captivated by the entrance of the beautiful but dignified female knight who was like coming out from a painting.
「Fourth squad, withdraw for now to recover!! First squad!! Scatter them!!」
Yes, it was a squad that was fighting here. They coordinated with Britain headquarters to grasp the locations of the people whose evacuation were delayed. Squads were sent ahead to guard the people and buy time, while each platoon rush as reinforcement in order.
Even among those the cavalry unit under the command of the commander――the kingdom’s knight order’s most elite first platoon was special.
Furthermore, from a glance the warhorses only looked like warhorses in full armor, but in actuality, at the inside they were also completely golem. They knew no fatigue and their maximum speed was more than double the racehorse. They could also run up wall and it was also possible for them to consecutively leap on the air although for that some proficiency was required.
……There wasn’t, any particular reason.
Right, there wasn’t any particular circumstance, like Commander Kuzeri going to retire one day, or the knights who were looking up to her would also retire together with her, and that was why artifacts were presented in exchange of the headhunti――cough-cough――in case of the declining strength of the kingdom’s knight order. It was nothing like that.
Look, he had given a mini Fernir to the empire’s emperor before, and he was also providing artifacts to Hauria, and he also wanted proper security for Liliana while he was absent.
That’s all there is to it. by Hajime.
Of course, Liliana was feeling very doubtful.
Getting back on topic.
Heavy and fierce steps of warhorses came into hearing. The cavalry finally arrived from the opposite side of the street. The riders who were equipped with lances were exterminating the cat-things on their way like running them over to death.
Of course, Commander Kuzeri’s rampage also wasn’t anything lukewarm.
The golem horses working as warhorses didn’t have any “inner being”. They were completely controlled by the rider. It was quite hard riding them and required considerable amount of training, but the knights were all controlling those golem warhorses magnificently.
From rapid acceleration to rapid braking & rapid turn. Wall running to midair leap.
Sometimes the rider leaped away from their golem warhorse and rotated their double-edged sword midair to bisect the enemies in all directions while getting back on saddle again midair, etc.
Furthermore. The double-bladed swords also weren’t just sword but seemed to be artifact.
Not only they could divide into twin swords mode, sometimes the blades vanished. It was the invisible mode from high density wind enveloping the blade. And then that high density wind could be fired away as cannon shell, or the sword could be slashed so the wind would fly away as a flying blade.
In addition,
「Trace――EX*ALIBUUUUUURR!!」
Somehow beam came out.
Somehow, beam came out!
It was important so it was said twice! Maybe. Just now it was one of the evacuating civilians who said it.
「Commander Kuzeli! What in the world is that!?」
「It’s “God’s Might” more or less! But, my maste――COUGH-. Nagumo-dono set the chanting with that word just now, so it won’t activate unless I say it! It seems that he has some kind of fixation with that word!」
Clearly Commander Kuzeri’s equipment was the only one of different quality. Not only the twin-bladed sword, it felt like she was somehow constantly recovering, and perhaps she was also equipping an artifact that magnified her perception ability because she detected all enemy’s attempt of sneak attack at her.
From the start she was the top of the royal guards. She was a tough warrior among tough warriors who was chosen as the knight commander based on strength.
If such woman was equipped with numerous artifacts that surpassed the national treasures in quality, it was truly like giving an oni an iron club.
Furthermore, Commander Kuzeri’s greatest quality was none other than her tactical insight, her commanding ability in the field rather than her personal combat prowess.
She was absurdly good in reading the battlefield’s atmosphere and the enemy’s movement, then twisting her sword tip into the slightest opening to pry it open wider.
Even though this was an unfamiliar battlefield, right now she was assisted by “Britain headquarters” that had overhead view of the whole battlefield. All the necessary information was reaching her in real time.
This wasn’t at the level of giving an oni a steel club anymore. It was truly like giving a battle-hardened oni a legendary weapon.
In fact, even while she was in the middle of fierce fighting, she was constantly sending instructions to her troops using “Telepathy”, using the magic squads placed on the rooftops of tall buildings for sniping and bombardment appropriately, and giving no room even to enemies with great threat like teleportation.
(Haha, Commander Meld. You have nothing to worry about. Our kingdom’s army is in good hands.)
The knight from before muttered inside his heart while receiving healing magic. At the same time,
「Commander Rail!! As expected from you!! I will follow you forever!!」
A knight from the same squad who was still young just like him yelled those words while receiving treatment nearby. This young knight was harboring the same feeling to Kuzeri like his feeling toward Commander Meld.
The reaction of Commander Kuzeri who had almost finished taking care of everything and looking around sharply toward that subordinate’s words was,
「Eh? No, that’s impossible……」
Such reply that sounded like it was her plain voice, like she was saying that reflexively. The pitiful young knight froze by the unexpected reply.
「Ah, no, it’s nothing! Umu! Give it your all!」
「Ah, yes……」
The atmosphere! The atmosphere felt somewhat bad!! The morale was clearly dropping!
The fellow squad members were sending that sympathetic gazes to that young knight! It was like he had just gotten his confession rejected!
The translation artifacts were only provided to Kuzeri and some upper echelons, so the evacuating people should only be able to catch a fragment of the conversation between the young knight and Kuzeri, but it seemed they had somehow guessed from the atmosphere. They were similarly looking with sympathy……
Commander Kuzeri also felt a bit awkward from this. With her personality, it felt like she should say something like 「Obviously! Follow me like it’s the last thing you’ll do!」……it was a bit suspicious.
There, the atmosphere thankfully changed thanks to a voice. Though to be honest it would be preferable if the voice owner wasn’t here.
「Kuu~~zee~~rii~~–!! Youu! How dare you tossed me away!!」
「Wha-, your highness Randell!?」
From the other side of the street, Randell who was riding a golem warhorse (a very conspicuous looking warhorse that was decorated with white horse armor along with smattering of gold ornaments for the use of royal family) was rushing this way with a look of boiling rage.
Although he was using a specialized saddle, height-wise it should be impossible for him to ride the horse and yet there wasn’t the slightest sign of instability with his posture. He was splendidly riding it.
Then, from behind him,
「Your highnesss~~! Please I ask you to waiiiit!! At this rate the commander will hit you with the Heart Break Shot againnn!!」
Problem child no. 2 or rather Shizuku’s stalker――not really but really actually, anyway the “Soul Sister – other world version” aka “female knight” was chasing after Randell on a similar golem warhorse.
「You too! Although it was for stopping me, how dare you put darkness magic on your liege! Prepare yourself for a heavy punishment when we return!!」
「No way-, that’s horrible!!」
「The one who apply magic for diarrhea or severe hay fever toward her liege is far more horrible!! Or rather, what’s with your lack of hesitation! I’m a royalty you know!? The next king you know!?」
「Aah, if your highness don’t stop my hand might slip and cast the “magic that make your di*k so itchy it’s unbearablee”!!」
「Waiiit!? What’s with that horrifying magic!? Or rather what in the world is the deal with your magic!? I somehow ignored it but your magic, they’re all things that I’ve never heard before though!? No, before that, a woman shouldn’t yell the word di*k like that!! Know some shame!! You fool!!」
It was truly noisy. The two were of the status that afforded them the translation artifact, so the content of their conversation was transmitted without any problem. Because of their skit-like exchange the grim atmosphere of the battlefield changed dramatically.
Of course, Commander Kuzeri’s expression was severe though. No, perhaps it ought to be described as grim. She spurred her warhorse and leaped toward Randell’s position across the battlefield.
「Your highness! You must not!! Please return!! At the very least, I ask you to wait within the safety of Nagumo house!!」
She was aware that when reinforcement request from Yue came, Randell was also present there and showed his intent to depart into battle. Naturally the queen Luluaria and also Liliana who was taking action as the de facto supreme commander for the evacuation and security in the kingdom were both rejecting his intent ruthlessly without accepting any argument.
And yet, somehow he seemed to have slipped into the reinforcement force and linked up with them right before getting dispatched to this London.
The uproar it caused was beyond the level of simply making everyone felt taken aback. This was the next king. Considering that Liliana was marrying out, he was the only successor left for the throne.
In a sense, the most important existence in the kingdom was leaving to a battlefield in other world. It was an alarming situation.
「Do you comprehend the worth of your own self!? This place isn’t a playground for your highness to satisfy your selfishness!!」
Commander Kuzeri yelled with genuine anger. Her intensity caused even the knights to shrink back.
But, in respond to that,
「Selfishness you say!? This damn fooolll!!」
「「「「「!!?」」」」」
He yelled back with greater anger than Commander Kuzeri. The pressure put into that voice caused even Commander Kuzeri’s shoulders to jump. Not only that, even though his voice still hadn’t fully shed off its childishness, dominating aura that would cause anyone to reflexively straighten their back could be felt from it.
「”Necessity” sought it!! Of my presence in this place!!」
A danger threatening the world of the people who they were greatly indebted to.
Naturally they would come running to its aid. Rather, the country who didn’t answer the call would definitely get left behind from the world affairs in the future. At the very least they shouldn’t think that they would have any right to speak.
Even Commander Kuzeri could surmise that unspoken emphasis.
「But, that’s exactly why we of the knight order are rushing as aid like this――」
「Insufficient!!」
Randell cut down Commander Kuzeri’s words resolutely. Commander Kuzeri unconsciously held her breath against Randell’s eyes that were looking straight at her.
Those weren’t the eyes of an unruly kid. Those weren’t the eyes of someone who wanted to satisfy their curiosity and selfishness.
Those were the eyes of a royalty, a statesman.
「The empire is sending their princess, Fea Belgen is sending their elder, the guild is sending their guild master. And, the dukedom is also sending out their scion.」
It was only Heiligh Kingdom. The country whose royalty didn’t make an appearance.
Such fact cannot be tolerated by all means! By all means!! Randell’s blazing eyes were yelling.
「Certainly, my body doesn’t belong to me myself. Because it has to be used for the sake of the country, and for the people! Certainly, my strength is lacking! It’s a suspect whether I can take down even a single enemy into oblivion! Certainly, I am causing trouble for all of you! I am aware that it will be to your advantage for me to stay quietly in a safe place!!」
But, even so.
「Even so, I have to be right here right now!! How can someone who yield against his mother and sister’s overprotectiveness and content himself to being the demon god’s brother-in-law can be a king in the “world changing future”! There’s no way someone like that can show the people the way and hold his head high facing the people of other worlds!!」
Astonishingly, it seemed Randell was thinking about the future amidst this unprecedented situation where the many worlds were simultaneously in danger.
Commander Kuzeri was astounded by that fact. At the same time she also understood.
「……So your highness believe, that this situation can be overcome?」
「? What are you saying. That’s obvious. That infuriating honorable brother-in-law is someone who truly infuriatingly doesn’t know how to fail. Aa, really how infuriating it is!!」
It was something important so he said it three times. Just how infuriated he was?
But, he called him brother-in-law. And, it seemed that he held the believe that as long as Hajime was there, there wasn’t even a speck of doubt that the situation would naturally and inevitably get resolved.
Even though normally he was that offended toward him, even though usually he absolutely wouldn’t acknowledge it, there certainly was an unmatched trust in those words.
That was why, to Randell the danger to the world wasn’t any danger.
Therefore, he thought. He saw.
Because he was a king, a statesman.
Of the future.
「So that after a hundred years, a thousand years in the future, the king after me, and the one after that, and also the ones after can hold their head high and join hands with the people of other worlds. So that my country can walk the future ahead of now with its own strength, and not only relying on the demon god’s influence」
Randell pulled out a cylinder from the holder on his waist.
「Heart me glorious knights of Heiligh! Protect me! Protect our friends! Protect our neighbors! Protect the world!! Protect everything!! With these swords and magic, now is the time we make history!!」
He held it high and pressed the switch. *Voonn* A blade of light grew out.
He let out a clear penetrating voice that was filled with aura.
「Glory to Heiligh Kingdom!!!!」
A beat.
――OOOOOOOOOOOOOHH!!!!!
A war cry so loud it felt like the city of London was shaken by it rose from everywhere. That voice was transmitted to all the knights through the communicators.
This was, the king’s majesty.
This immature next king, was already a king.
Perhaps it was because of his feeling of rivalry toward the demon god, or his love and respect toward his big sister. In part it also must be because of his feeling of love toward the girl and also the existences of his rivals. No, even before that perhaps it was because his feeling of shame, frustration, regret, and then resolve from losing his king father without being able to do anything, and also his powerlessness during the legendary final battle.
Or perhaps, it was because of all above.
It seemed that the boy had definitely grown. Furthermore it was a remarkable growth.
The evacuees were taken aback or perhaps feeling moved by the kingly spirit and majesty the boy king displayed. Meanwhile Kuzeri quietly bowed her head despite being on horse.
「Please forgive my disrespect, your highness.」
「You’re forgiven!!」
It was a truly lively reply. It was a voice that would make anyone believe in the kingdom’s bright future.
The corner of Kuzeri’s lips rose into a small smile while she glared at her problem subordinate who was uncommonly also got inspired by the speech. Her eyes were saying 「Protect his highness with your life」 without even any words needing to be said.
In another bout of uncommonness, the Onee-sama monster who disregarded everything other than Onee-sama, the female knight straightened her posture and saluted. Resolve and drive could be seen in her eyes. It seemed that she had recalled of her knight self even though it would be only for now.
「Please, don’t leave my side no matter what your highness.」
「I’ll leave the details to you!! But, don’t fret too much. It’s irritating but the demon god’s protection is flawless.」
Kuh, for even the nemesis who I ought to bring down to be overprotective with me……humiliating!! He said while gritting his teeth, even so he apparently understood the worth of his own self. It seemed he was wearing all the protective artifacts that Hajime had gifted to him in excessive amount.
Hajime who contrary to expectations had taken a liking to his unruly little brother was applying protections on Randell where it wouldn’t be an exaggeration anymore to describe it as an individual fortress. So it would be difficult to harm Randell unless he was facing something above class 2.
Kuzeri nodded while feeling relieved to hear that. Randell smiled fearlessly at her.
「Take command without any reservation, knight commander.」
「Yes-」
「And then, show the world. Of the next king and his knight commander! Of Heiligh’s firmness!! That in the future ahead of now, we will be there!!」
Naturally, he definitely thought that she would reply with 「By your will!」. His highness Randell believed so.
Because, you know, this was that kind of flow. And the atmosphere too, right? They were at the climax here.
And yet……
Hmm~~~~~? Knight Commander? Kuzeri? Why are you averting your eyes?
「……Oi, Kuzeri――」
「Of course!! Your highness!! The kingdom’s knight commander will always be with you!!」
「H-hmm? ……Umu, indeed that is so!! Kuzeri! I’m counting on you!!」
「Yes-. This Kuzeri Rail will be of use for the kingdom forevermore. ……Indirectly at the very least」
「Eh, just now what?」
He wondered. Like, her words weren’t really inarticulate, like the reply that came back wasn’t completely clear and firm……
「Now, let’s go!! Your highness!!」
「O-ouu!! Let’s!!」
His highness Randell followed behind the warhorse Commander Kuzeri was riding while somehow feeling that he was misled by the momentum.
As expected in the not far future ahead, Randell-kun would be screaming.
Yes, the true meaning of “the kingdom’s knight commander”――actually she had privately decided of a super capable successor, and the meaning of “indirectly be of use” would be from the reemployment destination of Commander Kuzeri. He would scream at that time when he understood those.
――As I thought, -, I loaaaaaaaathe someone like youuuuuuu!!
From the bottom of his heart.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
「So that’s……the other world’s royalty huh.」
Such small mutter resounded inside the meeting room filled with a large donut-shaped round table.
The emotion inside that voice was incomprehensible. Not because the speaker did everything they could to hide it, but because so many varied emotions saturated and mixed together chaotically.
It was also the mutter of Britain’s prime minister who wouldn’t be perturbed, couldn’t be perturbed by the ordinary matter.
His name was Edward Pierce. A young prime minister at the middle of his forties with distinctive well-ordered features like an actor.
He had ascended to the top, to the seat of prime minister in a flash thanks to his remarkable eloquence and proactiveness, along with his immense popularity among the people (especially the females), but completely outside context problems like supernatural phenomenon piled up during his rule and recently, he was becoming a world-weary person whose aging was rapidly progressing.
This place――Brtain’s meeting room for emergency measures that was called “COBRA” was naturally filled with leading characters of various fields in order to deal with this unprecedented danger.
Different from the “headquarters” where Director Magdanese was taking command, this room was the original “countermeasure room where the leadership gathered during national emergency”.
Originally someone would respond to the muttering of the prime minister, but right now everyone ignored him without exception. Their gazes were glued the same like the prime minister toward the wall monitor at the front.
Yes, their attention was fixed at the drone recording of the figure of the boy king from other world and the knight order following him.
He was heading straight toward the large pack of cat-things with a shining sword, inspiring the cavalry unit charging with him.
He didn’t falter even when looking at the fierce fighting in person. And yet he also didn’t rush forward recklessly. He was always moving toward the position that helped making it easier for the knights to fight easier and for him to be protected.
Even so, the opponents were holder of teleportation ability. And with their nasty and malicious personality, they must also prefer to target children to be their prey.
Sure enough, a cat-thing teleported to the top of a street lamp behind Randell. Then it leaped quietly from there.
It came from the blind spot behind his head. Everyone cried Ah and held their breath. The female knight guarding him noticed and moved to intercept……however, it seemed that it was unnecessary.
Randell used his saddle as foothold to twist his body while backflipping. And then as he passed the cat-thing, his sword flashed and cut it down.
Without pause he used the female knight’s shoulder as stepping stone and flipped further like an acrobat while cutting down another enemy that approached from underneath. He then performed further midair jump using its corpse and returned on the saddle.
Right at that moment, glass fragments got blown by a magic’s shockwave toward the female knight, but the boy turned his hand toward the fragments and they stopped still in the air.
The female knight looked astonished seeing the fragments heading toward her neck, but even that only lasted for a brief moment. Randell waved his hand in a sweeping motion and the glass fragments shot to the front like bullets, hitting the cat-thing fighting a knight.
They didn’t deal any lethal damage, but it created fatal opening that assisted the knight to land a decisive blow.
He was the very picture like a knight in a certain space war movie to an astonishing degree.
「A boy the same age like my son is moving like that……. What’s more, he’s the brother-in-law or the specially designated monitoring target……is he really human like us……?」
His voice this time was filled with slight wonder and fear. Everyone was also the same. Those were disrespectful words toward royalty from another world, but nobody here reproached him.
No, there was just one person. The only one in this room with the atmosphere like he had some leeway in his heart.
「Prime minister, forgive my impertinence but your wording might be somewhat disrespectful. Also please be careful with your designation for Mr. Hajime Nagumo.」
The eyes of the authorities inside the room all turned toward the speaker.
She was a young woman with short hair and wearing a suit, whose age was the youngest among the people permitted to have a seat around the round table――Vanessa Paradis.
Originally, there was no way she could be present in this place. Even if she could, as a subordinate of the security bureau director, she would have to sit near the wall or stand.
But, there was nobody here expressing doubt of her presence here.
Because she was here right now as the representative of the security bureau’s director. It was also so Director Magdanese could focus in commanding the field.
「That’s true. I shall be careful. So, Paradis. How is the situation? Have we found a path to bring the situation under control? How is the status of Mr. Nagumo right now?」
Prime Minister Pierce coughed. He settled down his discomposure and asked Vanessa.
As expected, everyone’s gaze was concentrated to her. The gazes from the intelligence agency and the military were especially severe.
Every one of them was people who were engaged as the backbone of the nation’s administration. Their presence and the intensity in their gazes weren’t anything ordinary people could reproduce.
If it was Vanessa from not long ago, she would surely be drenched in cold sweat and gulped her saliva at least once. There was no doubt that she would complain inside her heart to Director Magdanese that this burden was too heavy for a mere security bureau agent like her, that she resented her.
But, the current Vanessa was different.
She didn’t yield under the gazes’ pressure. She also didn’t flinch from the murderous gaze of the intelligence bureau director at the corner of her sight. She shook her head with a confident air.
She also paid attention to the number of time she blinked and her heartrate as she looked straight at the prime minister’s eyes.
It was one of the “art of conversation” that had been taught to her through this half a year by the superior who sent her to this place.
「No, prime minister. There’s still no clear path to stop the attacks of the “void gods”. It looks like we’re also unable to make contact with Mr. Nagumo.」
The meeting room was abuzz. Among them voices like 「It’s suspicious」 or 「Nagumo family and the commotion this time……are they really unrelated?」 or 「People who know of other world, attacker from other world, the reinforcement is his family……it can’t be helped even if anyone suspect that this situation is a fixed match」 could be heard slightly.
There, Vanessa intentionally didn’t argue and paused for a beat before continuing 「However……」. This too was one of the methods in the art of conversation taught to her to make the other side lent their ears to her words.
She didn’t even show any sign of concern about the voices of doubt. She kept sitting deep on her chair and spoke her next words with a calm attitude to the end.
「We’re obtaining more information..」
「Which is?」
「The information is from the Explorers as well the Worshippers captured by JD Agency’s agent. According to them, there’s another dimension that seemed to be the base of a “void god” called “Dream Land”.」
「Sounds like a dimension that is filled with dreams huh.」
「The nightmare kind that is. Just like I have explained before this what kind of being the “void gods” are. However, in that case the number we’re seeing is too many for all of them to lurk here. We have also confirmed there’s difference between their teleportation methods. The opinion of the Nagumo faction is that the information’s credibility is high. We’re currently hurrying to locate the place.」
「You’re saying the attack will stop if that place is crushed?」
「No, there’s no guarantee of that. But, there’s no doubt that the advantage will lean more to the mankind’s side. At present their number and unpredictability of where they will appear are great threat. If that place can be subjugated then perhaps it’ll only be a matter of time to exterminate all of the “void gods”.」
「……I see. And how is it progressing?」
Vanessa paused for a moment. She sent her gaze to empty air and placed a hand in front of her mouth. She looked like she was deep in thought, or perhaps listening carefully to something.
There was no need for her to do that, but she intentionally did so. It was for showing off her special standing ostentatiously.
「……It’s about sixty percent but, with the decline in the appearance rate of “void gods” in other world Tortus, she――Mrs. Yue’s resource will be freed up too. And combined with the Explorers’ knowledge and the information extracted from the Worshippers……I think we’ll be able to pinpoint it within several hours.」
「Several hours……should we consider it as fast, or should it be described as what might be the longest several hours in my life……I don’t know which is it.」
This was a situation and talk that were like the height of supernatural phenomenon. A bitter smile formed on the face of the prime minister who watched the state of his country that was still in fierce battle through the monitor.
「Hmph, in the first place even that information’s veracity is doubtful. After all the Nagumo faction is occupying our country’s territory without any permission by the use of force. Invasion is their specialty right?」
The one who opened their mouth with aura of displeasure radiating from their whole body was the director of the intelligence agency who recently was bearing constant enmity toward the security bureau.
His name was Shawn Smiley. He was an aged man with the habit of narrowing his eyes into slit with his head splendidly forming the shape of M letter. He was a contemporary of Director Magdanese and somewhat gave the impression of a snake.
「In addition, that information is outside my grasp.」
Even though his bureau was the expert in information outside and inside the country and they were asked for information right now, it was the security bureau that was in possession of the information.
The intelligence bureau’s honor was in tatter. He was really unable to stomach that. That was his, no, the information bureau’s honest feeling ever since the Berserk incident (the incident when the security bureau came into contact with the abyss lord for the first time).
Originally the two bureaus had a close relationship. The intelligence bureau acted as the rear support while the security bureau acted as the field unit. Roughly speaking their relationship was like that. That was how they dealt with threats inside and outside the country in the past.
But, the security bureau was now single-handedly fulfilling both roles in cases related with supernatural phenomenon.
The information bureau wanted to insist that it should be them who get involved with the Nagumo faction and held the role as the point of contact. Or rather, they had been insisting that.
The outcome was that the case was put on hold. It was decided in the conference of the leadership.
Even Director Magdanese had to wait a long time just to have a meeting with Hajime. And it was expected that Hajime would be exercising great caution if an organization that he was never involved with came forward. She also understood how extremely busy Hajime was ever since the “dragon incident”.
Cooperating with various countries especially Vatican and Japan, establishment of new headquarters, urgent protection for the awakened……there were a mountain of things to do. In Director Magdanese’s opinion they should wait until things calmed down a little before trying to form connection between the information bureau and Nagumo family. The leadership thought that her opinion was reasonable.
「You go too far, Director Smiley. I ask you to withdraw your words.」
「Ah, that’s right. We’re just outsourcing the defense and management of a valuable land that we have no capability to protect and might invite a great disaster in the future to an outside group. My apologies.」
Director Smiley easily retracted his words even while lifting the corner of his lips sarcastically.
The matter of the “King Tree’s holy land” was considered like that for the time being. Of course, to reach that conclusion Director Magdanese had to enter political scuffles, then get into a kind of political dispute where she had to make spectacular showing in so many fields that to describe them all would fill enough page for a new series of light novel on its own, so it was omitted here.
「Besides, the security bureau should have forwarded the information we obtained to the intelligence bureau.」
Vanessa showed a composed attitude that was half-rebuking and half-wryly smiling. She showed a demeanor that couldn’t be taken as provocation or sarcasm.
However, if one could peek behind that thin veneer of a smile,
(Hiiii~~~~~~h, I’m sorry I’m sorry I’m sorry-. Doubtful opinions have been coming out here and there since some time ago but, please pay them no attention!! Those aren’t my country’s general consensus or true feling! Please don’t be angry, Yue-san!!)
They would find a twitching face drenched in cold sweat. She directed only her awareness with her everything toward her right shoulder.
At the “chibi Yue” who was sitting snugly there.
Yes, she had actually riding on Vanessa’s shoulder under perception blocker this whole time. The information Vanessa provided in this meeting was also information told to her in real time through chibi Yue.
That chibi Yue-chan was looking up with a blank stare. She felt her gaze! What an intense blank stare! So cute-――not! Forgive us!!
『Please don’t think of anything like nobody will find out if one country get destroyed amidst the confusion right now! Something horrifying like it’s okay for this place to sink just because it’s an island country is――』
『……Vanessa. Just what kind of thought you have about me?』
Rather, isn’t it you who’s thinking all that? Her blank stare asked that question. Vanessa could only shut her mouth in front of that.
By the way, Yue wasn’t glaring and she also wasn’t pressuring Vanessa or anything. The blank stare was just her default state. She didn’t assign any function to the projection’s facial muscles, so it simply looked more expressionless and staring piercingly than usual.
『……Calm down. I’m just participating here because I think it’s a good chance to see the reaction of each country’s leadership during emergency.』
『You aren’t, angry?』
『……Nn. People have varied way of thinking in politic and national defense. I won’t get angry for every single thing as long as there’s no real harm. Rather, this will be useful for the future too so you should fulfill your role properly.』
Vanessa sighed in relieve even while also feeling calmed down all at once by Yue’s words.
Yes, it was for the future. Vanessa was here for that.
By no means it was only because Director Magdanese ordered her. She volunteered herself and stepped to the middle of the country’s center with that consideration in mind.
「The information forwarded to us, is it? Now then, I wonder about that. It’s information that your side has screened out right? My head isn’t so full of flowers that I’ll just swallow the words of that iron-blooded woman’s personal pupil without asking any question you know.」
「I shall accept those words as praise.」
「Yeah, it’s a praise. I’ve told you since before this right, Paradis? In the first place, all these will be settled if you just transfer to the intelligence bureau. My department will warmly welcome an excellent talent like you.」
「Please don’t joke. There’s no way it’s acceptable for someone in my position to be in the intelligence bureau.」
Vanessa showed a wry smile while showing an attitude of not agreeing with Director Smiley’s offer and only considered it as a joke till the end.
This was important.
The security bureau agent called Vanessa Paradis was already an individual with value that couldn’t be measured with just that surface status to Britain.
After all she was an existence who would become family with Endou Kousuke who was a key figure even among that Naugmo faction.
It was only natural to think that relationship of trust would influence even the future of Britain, and by extension the position of Britain in international community in the future.
It was also only natural for her to be considered, even expected to succeed the iron-blooded woman――the security bureau’s director Sharon Magdanese.
In fact, just like how she was present even in the talks with USA’s agent at Vatican, recently, rather than working as agent, it became far more often for Vanessa to accompany Director Magdanese in political situation as her secretary.
(The director has never told my anything like that directly but……it must be like that isn’t it.)
The director would definitely make her present in her meeting with important people in government as though to show her off, and also introducing her. She would even explain her intention to Vanessa while there were other people.
Originally it would be impossible for a mere agent to sit on the seat of director of the security bureau. It was a seat that was decided by political decision.
Even if it was obvious that it was still a matter of far off in the future, Director Magdanese’s will was conveyed.
She intended to entrust the security bureau to Vanessa Paradis, and she was training her in preparation for that. It was fine to even call that as a common knowledge already.
Of course, the prime minister was also aware of that. And, he was judging that intention to be valid.
That for the sake of the national good, Vanessa Paradis ought to be the next security bureau director.
That the successor of the iron-blood was none other than her.
(I don’t have any special power or talent. I’m “just a human” who is a bit good in hand-to-hand and shooting.)
What could someone like her do in order to be useful for Kousuke and protect the people who she wanted to be family with in the future?
What should she do in order to become someone she could be proud of and worthy for them?
And most of all, what was needed so her homeland and them could get along well without any enmity?
(I’ll, become “Paradis of Britain”.)
There was example for that. A man who even though he was just a human, an existence completely at the government’s side who wasn’t even their family or friend, yet he was able to build a kind of trusting relationship with Nagumo family, cooperated well with them, and with his existence he extracted concession from various countries and made use of those for his nation’s defense.
“Hattori of Japan”――right now, there was nobody who was involved with their nation’s defense who didn’t know of that name.
It was the only path that might enabled Vanessa to have both the defense of her beloved homeland and the protection of her beloved people coexisted.
His existence and standing were none other than what Vanessa Paradis was aiming for.
(Protecting my homeland and Kousuke-san and others with politic, authority, and relation with various countries and worlds……it’s an extremely difficult path where it might be possible it would even place me between a rock and a hard place. But, it’s worth doing. And, this kind of chance won’t come to me again other than now.)
That was why, she had been desperately learning till now. Of all the know-hows that Director Magdanese possessed. And, she would continue to learn even from now on. She would obtain result and thoroughly promote herself to the monsters of the political world and to Britain, that Vanessa Paradis was essential.
In order to establish “the way to protect” as Vanessa Paradis.
「How we treat with the Nagumo family is an important matter that will influence our country’s future. I am aware of my own value but, that’s exactly why I cannot transfer to the intelligence bureau. You understand right?」
The intelligence bureau naturally also gathered information within the country.
Vanessa was an important factor in regard to her connection with Nagumo family, and she was also an important point of contact that could obtain the necessary information but she needed to draw the line.
Vanessa couldn’t be placed in a place where it was possible to come into contact with all kind of information.
And most of all,
「Who will keep question my loyalty and keep me under watch if I transfer there?」
Vanessa was too close with Nagumo side. That fact might create all kind of suspicion.
That was exactly why, the intelligence bureau had to keep their vigilance no matter what. Even while continuing to make use of Vanessa Paradis as the greatest source of information that other country didn’t have, they had to keep watch whether she was doing anything that was to the disadvantage of her homeland.
「So please, Director Smiley. Continue to observe me to your heart’s content and prove my loyalty to my homeland.」
「……You have a cheeky tongue. Exactly like Sharon when she was young.」
Vanessa shrugged and smiled, but, the smile didn’t reach her eyes, rather they were coldly sharpened as they clashed with Director Smiley’s eye glint.
「That’s enough. Right now isn’t the time to argue between ourselves. Pick a better time for that.」
「「……Yes, pardon us.」」
Prime Minister Pierce’s scolding that was delivered with a wry smile ended the two’s glaring match.
「It’ll be the time soon. Regarding the usage of WMD against the suddenly appearing unknown threats, many countries will have their own opinions about it. Our country’s position is that we ought to hold back with such usage but, how should convince the others to do the same. ……Paradis, your opinion will surely play a large part. Are you prepared?」
「Of course. After all I am here so that we won’t hinder the effort of Nagumo family and also the reinforcements.」
Prime Minister Pierce quietly nodded toward the gaze of the young security bureau member looking back at him.
He could feel deep resolve and intense will from those eyes.
He recalled it. Of his conversation with Director Magdanese about Vanessa.
What kind of person Vanessa who she was indirectly recommending was.
To put it in a few words, her evaluation was that she was even more iron-blooded than herself.
What was the important thing when it came to the nation’s defense? What was necessary for the leader of that effort? Director Magdanese at that time quietly said that it wasn’t patriotism or loyalty or political strength or even authority, but “iron will”.
Those words were really abstract and sounded like spiritualism in a sense. It went without saying that Prime Minister Pierce found it unexpected.
But, it was also strangely fitting. After all that was exactly how Director Magdanese lived. He understood it well from the result that she had provided until now.
That Director Magdanese said it.
When Vanessa Paradis had determined what to protect, her will was just as iron. Even if she didn’t have a single ally with her, even if it unknown how much blood would be shed from her decision, even if the organization she believed in turned into her enemy, she was someone who once she had decided that she would protect something she would carry it out to the end no matter what kind of method she had to use.
Yes, just like that time when she decided to oppose even the security bureau in order to protect just a single girl.
Of course, she still had softness in her. She was green. Especially from the political view point.
But, she felt that she had the qualities. Combined with her unique position, the director certainly saw that Vanessa had the value for her to invest in preparation for the future.
That was Director Magdanese’s evaluation.
(Now then, the retirement of that legendary woman but……is there a world where Director Paradis is born during my tenure I wonder?)
Surely Vanessa was brimming with motivation to use even the worldwide danger this time as a chance to make her name known and became the foundation for the future. Looking at her burning eyes from the side, Prime Minister Pierce let out a small smile.
It was then.
A call came from the headquarters just before the summit meeting was going to start. It was a direct call personally from Director Sharon Magdanese who was focusing in field command straight to Vanessa.
Director Magdanese’s face was projected not on the main monitor on the wall, but on the small monitor on Vanessa’s desk. She looked so grim, a show of emotion that was unthinkable coming from the woman whose nickname was iron blood.
『You will find out anyway through other channel, so I’ll tell you first. ――Emily Grant has gone missing. ……In Allen’s report it seems she was swallowed by a “void god”, and……disappeared just like that.』
「…………………Eh?」
That, in other word that……thinking normally……
For Chief Magdanese to go out of her way to speak as though to cushion the blow……
Her mind turned blank.
The iron blood mask was peeled off from Vanessa’s face.
.
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
Actually I also wanted to bring out the “I’m not scared of anything anymore imperial princess” and the “red lightsaber imperial prince” too but, as expected situation-wise that would be too forced, and I don’t want to create an image of children savagery like in movie or other media so while unfortunate I gave up on it.
Also, I wanted to write until Emily’s side and ended the earth part with that but I didn’t make it. it will be earth part’s last next week for sure but, depending on the word count of Emily side it might dig into the other world part too.
※Meme introduction
– Kuzeri’s artifact
From the ability of Excalibur of [Fate]. The double-bladed sword style is based on the image of Alice from [Pumpkin Scissors].
– Randell’s artifact
The shining sword is lightsaber from [Star Wars]. His fighting style is Yoda’s Form IV Ataru. Separately, using a glove artifact he can also do telekinesis-like tricks like magic power emission (Force Push), enveloping something with magic power and hardening the hold (Force Grip), and then sending the target flying. It’s the demon god’s consideration for his adorable brother-in-law.
– Doesn’t know how to fail
From the line 「Harry’ll do it. I know it. He doesn’t know how to fail.」 of AJ in the movie [Armageddon]. It’s a movie choke full with epic saying but that line is engraved the most in my mind.
– JD Agency
I think there might be some who have forgotten so just in case, it’s the John Doe Agency. It’s Britain’s “inexistent organization” where unlawful agents like Allen belong to.
- Share on X (Opens in new window)X
- Share on Facebook (Opens in new window)Facebook