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Chapter 352 - To Believe and Rely, or So It was Stated
Chapter 352 - To Believe and Rely, or So It was Stated
Chapter 352 - To Believe and Rely, or So It was Stated
<Takao Hijiri POV>
Yoyo brought this information with a sense of bewilderment.
[Deities other than Vysis……?]
Even the usually unperturbed Mad Emperor was perplexed by this.
“A Deity that came to punish Vysis is accompanying Nyantan.”
The name of the Deity is Loqierra.
Loqierra fought Vysis and was defeated.
Even though she was defeated, she survived.
However, she has become extremely weakened.
Nyantan escaped from the Royal Capital Enoh with that Deity.
Apparently———— Loqierra has useful information for fighting Vysis.
[This letter was sent by a spy, so there doesn’t seem to be any doubt about the information. I think we can trust them.]
After the Mad Emperor read through the letter again……
[Even so, it was surprising to find a Deity other than Vysis…… but for Vysis’ true goal to rebel against Heaven……]
[And for her reason to be that she just wanted to freely torment and play with humans…… I guess that’s just like that Goddess.]
Even I was surprised at the existence of other Deities here.
However, the fortunate thing here is that they don’t seem to be on Vysis’ side.
[In any case, Vysis really is nothing more than a blight to us humans huh.]
“As arranged, the evidence is recorded on the smartphone.”
Such a message was written.
Nyantan seemed to have done a fine job on that point as well.
However, as for that information regarding Vysis————
[This Deity Loqierra is in a state of exhaustion and is now unconscious…… It seems that she didn’t even have enough strength to tell the information against Vysis in this letter.]
[In that case, we should send someone from our side as well. They may have sent out pursuers after them…… and it would be irksome if they were disposed of without us obtaining that vital information.]
The Mad Emperor took out a map from his pocket, which he then spread out on a table.
Incidentally, the table was prepared by Yoyo during our conversation earlier.
Pointing out a part of the map with his finger……
[If they are heading from Alion’s Royal Capital…… The most used route would be the main road, which we are on now. The larger the army, the more likely they will use this route. On the other hand……]
The Emperor slides his finger down the main road.
[If you go south from here, there’s also a route to Alion via Bakuos territory. This isn’t a path suitable for marching with a large army, but as far as it goes, it is a route that can be incorporated into strategies. Well, Bakuos’ standing position at the moment is vague, so it’s a plan we can’t use this time.]
[What Nyantan and the others have conveyed as their planned route is this one———- one of the routes to the south, right?]
Nyantan expressly told us the route they planned to follow.
Perhaps it was so that our side could send help at our discretion.
If pursuers are sent out after them——–
Their forces alone may not be able to handle it.
With all these information in hand, I pondered.
(As expected, we need to send out forces……)
[In that case, let’s immediately send a force from our army.]
[………………….]
[What’s the matter?]
Hearing the Mad Emperor’s words, I told him about a concern that suddenly popped into my head.
[If Vysis has grasped the fact that that Deity named Loqierra is accompanying Nyantan———— It is possible that she’d send powerful pursuers in some way. This is just my speculation, but as long as they seem to be hostile to each other, wouldn’t this Deity accompanying her be quite a bothersome presence to Vysis?]
[……That means someone with a certain level of strength must go there huh.]
[Yes. If it were possible, I would like to go there myself but———–]
I looked at the carriage where Munin was.
Perhaps aware of the situation, feeling somewhat guilty……
With half of her body hidden in the rear canopy, Munin was looking at me with apologetic eyes.
[I am responsible for protecting her and ensuring her safety. He had put me in charge of this, and I also have other roles to play here. However……]
What should we do about this though?
I couldn’t help feeling perplexed.
I have a feeling that the aforementioned Deity is key to this battle.
Naturally, there are also the recordings on the smartphone in Nyantan’s hands.
There are also our classmates with them.
For Ayaka’s sake, we must make sure they get here safely.
This moment————- is a very big opportunity for our side.
(It’s just……)
I am here as Mimori Touka’s proxy, and I am not allowed to leave this army.
As I had such thoughts in mind, my gaze moved to the side.
Is it okay to leave Sogou Ayaka alone here?
There’s also the matter regarding Ikusaba Asagi.
[…………………..]
Time is of essence.
If we’re going to pick up Nyantan and the others……
The sooner we leave, the better.
Therefore, we must make a decision as soon as possible.
[Elder Sis!]
Emerging from the carriage was my younger sister, dressed in her Fly Knight outfit.
[……You heard the situation.]
[I’ll be the one to pick them up. Nyantan is also our teacher after all.]
Putting her foot on the rim that separates the outside and inside of the carriage……
[Yo.]
Itsuki lands on the ground.
Seeing Itsuki exiting the carriage, Munin looked surprised.
Casually crossing my arms……
[……Sorry. Can I ask you that?]
[What are you talking about? Us twins helping each other out, isn’t that obvious?]
It was easy to imagine Itsuki, probably smiling with glee beneath that mask right now.
[When Elder Sis can’t hold everything, I’ll take care of the rest. But before I knew it…… I somehow found myself being so dependent on Elder Sis. How should I say this…… ]
Scratching the back of her head, Itsuki gives me a peace sign.
[As expected, as your twin sister, it’s definitely nice to be relied upon in times like these.]
Hearing Itsuki’s words, I gently brought Itsuki’s head close——— and held her in my embrace.
My arms holding her head close, a really tight embrace.
[Can I rely on you?]
Acting as if she was being wrapped in a fluffy blanket, Itsuki comfortably closed her eyes.
[……Unnn. Hehe…… Ahh, speaking of———–]
I let go of my embrace, and Itsuki raised her head.
[Should I use my skill when moving there? I’ve learned to ride a horse but————]
It would be quite consuming for her, but it’s not impossible for her to move at high speed using her Unique Skills.
Yes, just like when we came through the Demon Zone……
The Mad Emperor, who was listening to our conversation, instructs Yoyo to arrange for a horse.
Meanwhile, I look back at the map.
(They are traveling in three carriages. Considering the weight of the number of people they had in their carriages, the speed of their movement is inevitably slow. If pursuers were sent out after them———— They’ll probably catch up to them at some point. It would be nice if they had enough strength to deal with their pursuers when they do catch up though. No……)
That isn’t the point.
When the pursuers catch up with them, will we be able to make it there in time?
Fast movement using Itsuki’s Skill.
It is true that with her movement speed, making it there would be possible.
However, it wasn’t always used when we went through the Demon Zone.
It originally wasn’t used for a long-distance marathon.
There’s also the fact that the movement speed was “boosted” when combined with my <Wind> Skill.
It was only because there were two of us back then that the speed was that fast.
(Still…… We can only hope that even when she’s by herself, Itsuki will be able to make it in time……)
[This talk of picking them up————- How about letting me go?]
Everyone simultaneously turned toward the voice.
From another carriage, the one that Munin and Itsuki weren’t in……
Getting out from the rear of that carriage, landing on the ground————
It was a girl also wearing a Fly Knight mask.
(……Sogou-san.)
I thought she was asleep.
It seems she was awake and was listening in.
Putting her hand on her left chest……
[I think my unique silver horse would be able to reach the destination faster than anyone else here.]
After Kobato failed to persuade Ayaka……
Ayaka set out for the place where Touka and Kirihara were.
She rode westward on that unique silver horse.
Regarding this, I had previously received a map-based explanation from Touka.
“After Kashima’s persuasion failed, she continued to run her horse created by her unique skill…… She moved from this area to this area. Considering that she arrived right after the battle between me and Kirihara ended———— To be honest, I think her movement speed over long distances is extraordinary.”
Her movement speed is beyond extraordinary.
If we consider it in terms of long-distance travel……
Certainly, there isn’t anyone here faster than her unique silver horse.
Moreover, even after reaching that area with her unique silver horse, she still had the strength to corner Touka and his group.
“If Hijiri hadn’t come, we might have been overpowered by Sogou.”
She has the fighting ability that even that Mimori Touka evaluates highly.
She’s no longer in the realm of ordinary people.
Not only is she the most fitting for this situation———— She’s also the strongest card we could use.
As expected, Sogou Ayaka is quite the extraordinary card.
She can even change the flow of the board by herself.
If she can be played on our side of the field, there’s nothing greater we can hope for.
However……
[Is that alright?]
[Yes. I think it’s alright…… That’s from my personal point of view though.]
I’m not sure if she’s being cautious of our surroundings or not but……
She doesn’t speak my name from her mouth.
In other words……
Her head is properly working well.
Her voice also has this certain liveliness to it.
[It’s surely thanks to Bane-san…… and above all, thanks to you. I’m sorry…… I feel like I’ve caused nothing but trouble to you…… to everyone.]
[That isn’t the———–]
[That’s why, I want to return the favor———— I want to make up for it.]
Her voice was firm and unwavering.
It seemed that she had regained her shaken heart.
Not only that……
I even feel like her mindset was firmer than before.
However……
[You haven’t completely recovered…… right?]
[……Yes.]
I could tell that Ayaka was smiling wryly behind the mask.
[However, I felt like this was something I should be doing. However…… I’ll ultimately defer to your decision. If you feel that I’m being unreasonable here…… I’ll go back to standing by and focus on my recovery.]
Her important classmates might be waiting for help.
If it was Ayaka not long ago……
She would never have insisted on going.
No.
Not only would she not insist on going, but she would also have wanted to go immediately.
However, today’s Ayaka……
“If Hijiri stops me, I’ll hold myself back.”
—–is actually saying such a thing.
This is evidence that she has become calmer———– is what appears to me.
Or perhaps……
This too may have been an act to make me trust her.
Such a thought popped into my mind, but I immediately judged otherwise.
Then, admonishing myself for it, I slightly smiled beneath my mask.
She———– Ayaka isn’t as skillful at matters related to those aspects as “he” is.
That’s why, one could even say she’s trustworthy.
However……
Even when she’s not such a person, the fact that I still rely on my truth assessment ability as a precautionary measure reflects how vulgar of a person I am.
(As I thought, it’s someone like Sogou-san, not me, who is a good person…… Mimori-kun.)
Thereupon, Ayaka continued.
[If I had not listened to you and set out for Alion’s Royal Capital on my own…… I might have pushed on along the route toward the main route. I would have lost track of Nyantan-san and the others…… and would have arrived at the Royal Capital without everyone but myself by now. I’m glad I didn’t let my impatience get the better of me and rushed forward…… I’m glad I followed your words and trusted Mira’s spies…… trusted Nyantan-san———- trusted everyone. That’s why, I wanted to thank you.]
(Sogou-san……)
With a situation like this……
It seems like there was no other option but to send her out.
I made my decision.
There, standing in front of Ayaka……
[Would it be alright? Can we…… rely on you too?]
Ayaka braced herself, but seemingly caught off guard by my answer, she clenched her fists.
[You can count on me.]
Seeing her actions, I took Ayaka’s hands with both my own, and gently held onto them.
[Please take care of them.]
Further closing the distance between us……
I gently brought my face near hers.
And then……
As if to whisper, I softly spoke close to her ear.
[And I’m the one who should be thanking you this time———— Sogou-san.]