Chapter 260: Rain, Coming and Going

On our way back, light rain began to fall.

Currently, I was riding behind Slei.

Seras was riding behind me.

Both of us had already swapped our clothes, wearing our Leopard King outfit.

Behind us, the Dragonewt soldiers and monsters marches.

Beneath the rain, a streeam of rainwater flow down my Leopard King mask, somewhat covering my field of vision.

It could currently be said that evening had just come.

However, due to the unusually long daylight, our path was still rather visible to my eyes.

[We’ve destroyed the 6th Cavalry, which was our biggest concern, but the rest of the cavalry units is still out there. There’s also that Divine Beast…… That’s why we will be parting ways with you lot here.]

Leaving them these words, I gave instruction to the Dragonewt soldier who was leading the others, and we parted ways with them.

……I am curious in regards to Yasu.

However, I have many other things that I need to prioritize right now.

As I was thinking about this, Seras, hugging me from behind, spoke.

[We just need to stand firm for a while more huh.]

[Yeah———— Aren’t you tired?]

Hearing my question, Seras chuckled.

[That acting you did just now was a bit…..]

[For the tired people, that was a completely flawless smile.]

[Do you like…… those kind of smiles?]

[I can’t say I hate it but…… Having too perfect of a smile would sometimes make it look strained instead. I think the best smile would really be the natural smile Seras makes.]

[T- That is———–, ………………..]

I felt Seras hold on my body grew tighter.

[Yes…… Thank you very much.]

From the feverishness in her voice, I could tell that she was embarrassed.

However, that feverishness quickly receded.

[Regarding how we defeated the 6th Cavalry…… Should we tell about this to Liz-dono?]

[……I wonder about that. For Liz, the attack on her village may have been a past that she would rather not remember. That’s why…… I don’t think we should tell Liz about this yet.]

[Yes. I also think that would be better.]

[Well…… In the end, what happened here was just for my own satisfaction. If the people who killed Liz’s people were still alive and kicking———– I would be the one not feeling well. That’s all there is to this matter.]

[No, I think you’re mistaken.]

[ ? ]

[What happened here is also for my own satisfaction.]

[……I guess you’re right.]

[Ummm……]

[What is it?]

[You…… knew about it, right? You knew from the start that when it came to exacting revenge, the Dragon Light Army wouldn’t use the same methods as the 6th Cavalry.]

The words I said at Ferenoch earlier.

Seras must have been thinking that it was just a threat.

However……

[I wonder…… If the Dragonewt soldiers and the others have said that they would do what the Sixth had done to them, I might not have stopped them. I did expect that they wouldn’t do it though……]

[……I also thought that they wouldn’t use the same method as them. After all…… They are kind people. The citizens of the Faraway Country, I mean.]

With those words, I felt Seras leaning her head on my back.

[……………………….]

If they had used the same method for revenge……

Would Seras have been disappointed in them?

When they said that they couldn’t use the same method for revenge……

In a way———– I may have also been relieved.

After traveling for a while, Seras spoke again.

[With the Sixth defeated…… Does that mean that the battle is nearing its end?]

[Perhaps. In any case, the end should be steadily in sight.]

Across the rocky terrain, the burning-eyed black horse galloped beneath the rain.

The rest of the cavalry still remains.

For example, the 7th Cavalry had the greatest number.

According to John Doe, it doesn’t seem like they would be moving yet.

I’m also curious about the Ninth and the Second.

There are also other things I’m curious about too.

Yasu Tomohiro.

The Divine Beast.

I’m naturally also concerned about them.

In particular though, I want to secure the Divine Beast at all costs.

However, the one other thing that I’m terribly curious about……

[————The Mad Emperor huh.]

Thinking about such things, I had Slei increase her speed.

[I have a bad feeling about the situation.]

The Captain of the 9th Cavalry, Nacht Jäger’s nose twitched.

[The situation really doesn’t smell good huh……]

Nacht is a handsome man with droopy eyes, always having a carefree smile on his lips.

His long, flaxen hair is tied back in a single bundle.

A mole under his right eye.

The atmosphere around him makes it seem like he’s always carefree.

His main weapon is a large, unconventionally long spear.

At his waist is a long sword in a sheath.

[You called me, Nacht?]

Asking him this question was his Deputy, Snow Vanguard.

She has skin as white as fresh snow.

Her hair is also white, but her eyes are red like blood.

She is a female knight that looks like a rabbit.

However, she isn’t as charming as one.

Her expression is always cold and lacking.

It was even said that no one has ever seen her thin lips form a smile.

[There is no sign of the Divine Beast that John Doe mentioned…… According to the reports coming in, the rest of the cavalry is unusually struggling. I think we should retreat and report back to the Goddess.]

[Fuhahahaha! I feel your cowardliness stinking from over there, Nacht!]

The one who laughed and called out to him wasn’t his Deputy Snow.

It was the Captain of the 5th Cavalry, Branzol Stanion.

His eyes are hidden by his long bangs, so one couldn’t see them clearly.

His hair was red, and his goatee, connected to his hairline, was also reddish-bronze.

His face is covered with battle scars and burns.

“Branzol of the Ash Burial”

Such a name is widely known to the populace, especially among the mercenaries.

Hearing his words, Nacht chuckled, closing one of his eyes.

[You know…… You’re seeking death too fast. I think that life is something you enjoy while you’re alive.]

[Fuhahahaha! That’s an opinion as cold as extinguished flames! Life is something you burn up, isn’t it!? And the corpses of worthy opponents ought to be burned to ashes…… and mixing it up with wine, you drink it up! Everything is meant to be burned. Whether it’s life or people. Fuhahahaha!]

[I wish you’d excuse me from that though…… You don’t have to see battles other than “battles”. You just get it over with, then return back to your daily life.]

[Fuhaha! Putting aside the Sixth that’s already on another level———— What the heck is the Captain of the Ninth, the unit is known with unrivaled strength among Alion’s Thirteen Cavalries, saying?]

[I’m flattered by the compliment, but the Second has the better overall fighting strength as a group. I mean, don’t they also have a better Captain?]

[Fuhahaha! Interesting. The other side lifts up Nacht, while Nacht lifts the other person up. How about you both try out to see who’s stronger? Oh——– Ohhhh! White and black! When you mix it up, it becomes ashes! Fuhahaha! I’m starting to wonder how Demi-Human ashes taste like now! Fuhahahaha! See you later!]

Just like that, Nacht and Snow saw the 5th Cavalry off.

[They’re gone. Was it alright not to stop them, Nacht?]

[You know they won’t listen even if I try.]

[Well, yes.]

Thereupon, looking up at the sky, Nacht’s smile fades.

[……Seems like it’s going to rain soon.]

Letting out a sigh, Nacht made a decision.

[Let’s retreat.]

[Are you sure?]

[The scent of this battlefield…… doesn’t smell good at all. I don’t think the Sixth, led by John Doe, could lose…… but if it stinks this bad…… this battlefield is probably too much for us.]

[Should we notify the other cavalry units?]

[Just in case, yes. Send them a warning of my hunch.]

[Understood.]

[However…… As you may be aware, I’m the kind of person who’s only concerned with the survival of the Ninth. I don’t care what happens to the other cavalry units. Most of Alion’s Thirteen Cavalry aren’t really decent people anyway…… Seriously, just looking at them hurts my eyes.]

[We are in the minority within the Thirteen Cavalry after all.]

[The decent ones die first in this world, you know?]

[Ara? Did you really think that a Captain who tries to reach out their hand on their Deputy is actually decent?]

[Uhahaha…… T- That’s harsh. But you see? I’ve always been serious with you……]

[I’m fine with that, but you’ll have to take responsibility for your actions.]

[Yes, yes…… You’ve always been a stubborn Deputy, Snow-chan……, ————–!]

Noticing something, Nacht and Snow instantly looked in that direction.

They should have been far behind the entire battlefield.

They should have been at the edge of the Demon Zone.

In other words———— They were in the middle of the forest, which no clear view of them.

Perhaps, the darkness and the sound may have also delayed them from noticing their approach.

[Nacht.]

[Yeah.]

[————They’re coming.]

A line of cold sweat ran down Nacht’s cheek.

However, his lips lifted up to a smile.

[This is…… quite the predicament……]

Appearing before the 9th Cavalry……

[I see. Just as John Doe predicted…… You really are here.]

Nacht bitterly smiled.

Meanwhile, Snow is already giving instructions to the others.

The 9th Cavalry is now in battle position.

[Although they’re always hidden beneath the shadows of the Sixth, the stories regarding the 9th Cavalry have reached my ears. It seems like the Seventh, which is supposed to have the greatest number…… also haven’t made their moves yet. The one we should be most wary of should be the Sixth…… but destroying the Ninth here would be a move that would give us an advantage in this battle.]

[Mad Emperor.]

Mira’s soldiers were neatly lined up.

As far as one can see…… It seems like the Ninth had a slight edge in numbers.

[However, they aren’t an opponent that can be beaten by numbers. Especially that Mad Emperor.]

[That sword on your waist…… So that’s the counterpart of the White Wolf Knight Commander Sigurd Sigmus’ Divine Magic Sword “Stormcalibur”, the Sacred Sword “Exbringer” huh……]

Moreover, the Mad Emperor had not yet drawn his sword.

[It seems like we’re being underestimated…… Well, I guess it couldn’t be helped if it’s that rumored Mad Emperor huh.]

“Even so……”, Nacht thought.

What a beauty he has.

He possesses beauty beyond measure.

It is like the unique vibrantness that is created when a boy is in the midst of transitioning to a young man.

The reason why one’s impression of him is that of a young man is probably because of his small stature.

His white porcelain skin is even whiter than Snow’s and has a lustrous sheen.

A fine chin.

Deep, clear blue eyes……

Bewitching, almond-colored———— sharp eyes.

Lips that could be mistaken for those of a smooth sculpture.

Each strand of his hair looked as brilliant as gold-based masterpiece.

The two bundles of hair, tied to a bundle on each side, are long enough to reach his knees.

He has an elegant appearance that anyone can see.

A white-based outfit.

Gracefulness that suggests elegance.

However, it was tailored so as to not compromise an Emperor’s overpowering authority……

Everything is in harmony, radiating his calm majesty.

The current Emperor of Mira who isn’t even 20 years old……

Looking at him, Nacht felt misgivings close to admiration.

Is it even possible for a person like him to be born in this world?

That age, that appearance……

The voice that caressed his ears was as clear as the sound of a dignified bell.

There was also a spoonful of bewitching magnanimity mixed in.

It was unknown if one should describe him as charming———— or perhaps, enchanting……

Even so, it felt as if his existence mesmerizes the others.

“What a deceptive voice”, Nacht fearfully thought.

A beauty so sharp that it could be wielded as a weapon.

(T/N: 妍麗にして、妖麗。I’ll be honest with you, I have absolutely no clue what the author means here.)

You could say that it’s a beauty that even transcends gender.

It has a peculiar devilishness that even if he says that he’s a woman, no one would doubt his words.

[How unpleasant…… Even though we are the same man, for us to have this much difference……]

[Indeed.]

[No…… I’d like you to deny it here, Snow-chan.]

[If you compare yourself with that, you’re asking for the impossible. He’s just that beautiful of a person.]

[If there’s someone who could compete with him, that would be her…… that Seras Ashrain. I only saw her in person once, and if I hadn’t seen her, my heart would have stopped because of Mad Emperor’s beauty.]

[It’s scary how I couldn’t even take it as a joke. No, well, looking at him from this distance……. He certainly is oddly beautiful.]

[But right now, we’re in a life-threatening situation, remember? I don’t think we can just keep admiring him.]

[Eh? I still intend to kill him though? Well, it’s certainly a shame but……]

[Ehh, you’re not even thinking of taking him prisoner huh…… Snow-chan, you’re scaring me…… Well———–]

Taking a swing of his spear, Nacht took a stance on his horse.

[He isn’t really the kind of enemy that we can even afford to take prisoner of. Don’t be distracted by his beauty…… From what I heard, he’s Mira’s strongest swordsman.]

[You———- want to fight me?]

[Well, I am interested in that…… Even when I look like this, I’m quite skillful, you know? I don’t really know how strong you are based on the rumors————-, …………….!?]

[Nacht.]

[……Yeah. However…… What’s with that group over there? I really don’t like how they smell……]

[Nooooow then, I see it’s finally Asagi-chan and friends turnya~~]

It’s a girl.

She looked about the same age as the Mad Emperor.

There were several other girls who looked different than Mira’s soldiers.

Only their group had a different atmosphere from the rest.

[H- Hey, Asagi…… Those people look very powerful though……]

[Wahaha, I’m sure Zine-sama and the others will set things up for us, so it will be alright! We can do this……! Let’s do this……!]

[Y- You’re unusually enthusiastic…… Asagi……]

[Yeah! I’d like it if you respond with “Is that…… a scream, I hear……” while making a pose with some cigarette in mouth though…… Tohoho……]

[? W- Well…… Anyhow, I’m serious when I said we can count on Zine-sama! Ahh, Zine-sama……]

[Geez, my girls are completely in love with Zine-sama nyaー]

[G- Geez, stop it, Asagi~~! Should we really be talking about that in this time!?]

[Fuhihi~~ You say that, but you’re all embarrassed~~]

[A- Asagi-san…… I really think we……]

[Oh, Poppo-chan! Nyahaha, nyou’re really a scaredy-cat, aren’t you? Even though you’re a very capable girl nowー]

Next to the girl called Asagi……

There is a lovely girl with ample breasts.

The girl who timidly called out to Asagi was apparently named Kobato.

Turning towards Kobato, Asagi put her hand on the girl’s shoulder.

[I’m counting on you, okay, Kobato-chan? Nyour inherent skill that has blossomed is simple, but it really is an ability that I need right now. For the current Asagi-chan group, you’ve become a really important Kashima Kobato-chan~~]

[U- Unnn…… I’ll do my best.]

[There, there, don’t be shy, let’s rouse ourselves! Come now, everyone too!]

Asagi called out to the other girls.

[As I always say, this is also so that we can go back to our original worldー! The isekai life without digital items isn’t so bad! On the other hand though, I’ve come to realize that there’s still a loooooooot of things I’m missing! My longing to go back to our original world is gradually getting stronger! Look…… Traveling is a lot of fun, but isn’t there that saying “There’s no place like home”, right?]

[I- Indeed……]

[For the young us, there are still many things we want to do in our original world————- As expected, you all want to go back home, right?]

[U- Unnn! I totally get ya!]

[Then, let’s do our bestー♪ You see, all of us…… We’ve been through that great battle in Jonato……]

Even though she had a smile on her face……

They could feel it————- Asagi’s eyes lip up with a peculiar gloom beneath them.

[Over there…… The sight of people dying, the sight of mangled corpses…… We were able to see a lot of them as preliminary research…… but in a way, we were luckyー……]

With those words, Asagi put her index finger to her lips.

[It’s just that, you see…… We’ve only seen a lot of corpses. Also, our opponents at that time were monsters.]

As if they had understood what she was saying, the girls gulped.

Thereupon, the atmosphere around Asagi completely changed, cladding herself with a carefree one.

[So—— Soz soz! Without reading the atmosphere, Asagi-san went serious mode! In this era, seriousness isn’t acceptable. Unnn, it isn’t acceptable~~…… Well, that’s whyー……]

[ ! ]

Asagi turned towards the 9th Cavalry.

Even before the Ninth, she doesn’t seem to be faltering at all.

Rather, her face……

Like a predator looking at their prey———–

[How about we give it a try?]

Glancing at the girls of her group, Asagi declared.

[Practicing killing humans.]

We have received one new review since the last chapter. Thank you very much.

My health is somehow stabilizing. I guess you shouldn’t overdo anything huh.

The next chapter will be from Sogou Ayaka’s point of view.

I think I mentioned it once somewhere, but Volume 8 has a slightly special structure.

As for the next update, I’m currently hoping to do it around September 10 (Friday) at 9:00 pm. (If there’s no update by that time, please understand that the update will be postponed……)

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