Chapter 298: Escape from the Imperial Capital

<Seras Ashrain POV>

[Do you think Touka-san headed west?]

Hearing Munin’s question, I thought.

She’s talking about the direction where a new group of White Army appeared.

[No…… I think he headed for our rendezvous point. After completing this operation, his top priority should be meeting up with us…… That is what Touka-dono said before. In any case, we should probably leave the Imperial Capital at once.]

[I understand. If the Deputy Chief, Seras-san, says so, I will follow you.]

[Thank you, Munin-dono.]

Slei, in her second form, is in a simple stable set up on the grounds of the mansion.

“I poured 9990 MP into Slei. If you pour another 10 MP, she can go straight into her third form.”

Before leaving the Imperial Capital, Touka told me so.

Slei requires a large amount of magic to enter her third form.

Moreover, the consumption due to entering her third form is also significant.

Touka can knead and store a large amount of magic energy.

In order for Slei to enter her third form, his supposed “MP” was indispensable.

So, he poured his magic power in such a way in advance.

However, in order for Slei to maintain her third form, we would also need to replenish her magic power.

I would have to rely on Munin for that.

Munin is excelling in handling magic power, unlike me, an Elf, who can’t handle such things.

In times like this, she’s reliable.

[Well then, let’s head for the first rendezvous point first. We have to take into account the possibility that Touka-dono is moving towards our direction, but if we are gone, he should be following us to the rendezvous point.]

I recalled the exchange Touka-dono and I had before he departed.

“If you decide that staying here will be dangerous, don’t wait for me to come back and head for the rendezvous point. Even if we end up not crossing paths, I will go to the rendezvous point and follow you.”

“Regarding the Mad Emperor Emperor and the Heroes from Another World…… Would that be alright?”

“Of course, it would be a serious blow to the plan if we lose them, but what we should be most worried about is losing Munin. If we lose Munin, we will have no choice but to rely on Fugi for the Forbidden Curses. I want to avoid that, and I’m sure Munin herself wouldn’t want that too.”

For this journey, Munin is risking her life.

Touka and me too.

That is why……

Because he feels everyone in our group is valuable……

He absolutely wants to protect us.

Most of all……

“I also want to make sure you’re safe, Seras. Losing you would be too much for me.”

——That’s what he said to me.

(……That’s also the same case for me, Touka-dono. If I should happen to lose you, I’m sure everything in me will collapse…… I have such——– a feeling close to certainty now.)

Relishing upon such a memory in mind, I put a finger through the curtains and silently looked outside through the gap.

[The area is now deserted…… Although this place wasn’t that populated of an area to begin with, it seems that those who were in the vicinity have been evacuated.]

It would be conspicuous if we were to escape while riding Slei in her third form.

However, with the current situation at the castle, I feel that escape is possible.

We already have several candidates for escape routes planned beforehand.

The place where we are now is a guest house prepared for welcoming important people.

Unsurprisingly, they even have a hidden passageway that allows escape by carriage.

[Putting aside normal times, with the chaos and confusion around us, I think we could slip through———–, ……!]

[? Seras-san? What’s the matter?]

Seeing something, I lightly bit my lip.

[……Hawk-san has been captured.]

[Ehh!?]

A man was walking alone on the cobblestones.

With the back of his collar grabbed by this man, Hawk was being dragged away.

He seems to be injured, and appears to be unconscious.

The man who was dragging him doesn’t look like someone I recognize.

……No, wait……

[Don’t tell me———–]

(That physique, that face…… Could it be, he’s the man Touka-dono mentioned before———)

[Hero from Another World……?]

There are still many Heroes that I had never seen with my own eyes.

However, Touka has told me about the facial and physical features of some of them.

For example, the Takao sister.

Takuto Kirihara.

And……

[Shougo…… Oyamada?]

The features Touka gave me match.

Is he the one named “Oyamada”?

This man who seemed to be Oyamada, as if calling out to people whose numbers are unclear, called out.

[Is that Forbidden Race person really here!?]

[ ! ]

He had somehow caught information of Munin’s location.

[Chaining up prisoners! Having them reveal the truth through sympathy! Ahh, it was indeed as Mother says! Physical pain is good! The trick is to make them think that “if they don’t tell the truth, they’ll end up meeting the end of the line”! Even if they’re loyal to the Mad Emperor, humans are weak creatures! This man was the only one who never gave out important information! However, Mother taught me well! Such a tight-lipped man is often a valuable hostage! As expected of Mother!]

It seems like he arrived at this point———– through a series of torturous interrogations huh.

However, there’s something in his words that caught my attention.

[……Mother?]

[And this very man I’m holding in my hand right now seems to be in a very important position! According to what the attendant told me, he’s something like a caretaker for that Forbidden Race! Now, Forbidden Race! If you don’t show yourself, I will punish this man and kill him without mercy! Would it be better if I start tearing off each of his fingers!? If you deem such an act as cruelty, then come out! Please listen to me! Please! Oh, please! Mother is the greatest!]

Perhaps hearing his shouts, a man who looked like a knight appeared with a sword in hand.

[!? Hawk-dono! Kuhh, you b*stard…… Who the heck are you!?]

[Me!? I’m a Hero from Another World!]

[Wha!?]

[Goddess Vysis’ one and only son———– Shougo Oyamada! As for you, do you have any worth as a prisoner!? Doesn’t seem like it———- < Bullet > !]

[Gugyaakh!?]

A red mass was released from Oyamada’s fist.

The knight who was struck by that mass was blown away.

The shattered pieces of his armor rolled on the floor, bathed in blood.

I then turned my gaze to the fence of the building near us, which had also been damaged by that red chunk.

The top of that fence seemed to be shattered.

High destructive power.

The speed of an arrow.

We need to be careful with what he just did.

And now, I’m sure————

[……He really is Touka-dono’s……]

[What should we do, Seras-san…… Hawk-san is……]

Faced with this situation, I hesitated.

Hawk isn’t a bad person.

After we came here to Mira, he had shown us heartfelt consideration.

I’m well-aware that he was ordered by the Mad Emperor but……

[He was also the one who showed us the escape route in case of emergency. I’m sure he didn’t know about our escape plan, but he still told us to consider escaping if we felt we were in danger.]

Am I going to abandon such a person here?

[Forbidden Race!? You won’t come out!? In that case——– That’s one!]

[Khrgggh…….!?]

A bitter cry.

Oyamada lopped off one of Hawk’s fingers.

I could feel Hawk’s exhaustion from his voice.

The severe wound incurred on his body had considerably weakened him.

Thinking about this rationally…….

We shouldn’t let his taunting affect us, and instead escape with Slei.

Fortunately, the stables are located behind this mansion, directly opposite to where Oyamada is.

If we just go to the back and escape with Slei, we may be able to escape.

[…………………………Good intentions for good intentions.]

I suddenly found myself muttering those words.

As for whether we abandon him here or what the right thing to do here is……

He left the decision to my judgment.

(I will———-)

Shougo Oyamada.

A-Rank Hero.

The same ranking as that Tomohiro Yasu.

He is probably one of the strongest among the Heroes.

However, he should be less of a threat than the S-Ranks———

This was Touka’s analysis about him.

According to what he told me, he was a person that easily lets his emotions judge his actions.

If we can make him lose his composure, we might open up a gap we could make use of.

(For example, If I were to breach that opening with my identity as “Seras Ashrain”……)

At that moment, Munin spoke in a serious tone.

[Seras-san, I want to———-]

[Munin-dono, I’m going to rescue Hawk-dono.]

[ ! ]

[He is Mad Emperor’s capable aide. I think it would be worthwhile to help him.]

[Y- Yes…… Well then, I will go with———-]

[No, I’m going alone.]

[! T- That’s no good, Seras-san……! That is……]

[My apologies. We can’t allow you to be in danger. That’s something I had promised him.]

[No, putting that aside, what about your safety————]

Hearing her concern———-

I only gave her a disconsolate smile.

[I appreciate your concern, Munin-dono…… but this isn’t something that holds any room for discussion.]

[……Seras-san.]

I glanced out of the window again.

[Well then, let’s do it this way. Munin-dono, you should take your raven form, ready to escape from the window of the room on the second floor at any time. Also…… It would be helpful if you could transform Slei-dono in the stables behind the mansion into her third form before you go to the second floor. After rescuing Hawk, I will take him and escape from here with Slei. You will escape at the earliest opportunity and meet up with us from the skies.]

Hearing my words, Munin clenched her fist tightly against her chest.

She looked grim, trying to hold something back.

[……You’re right. With my strength, I will only drag you down. So that you can concentrate on fighting, it would be better if I’m not nearby.]

She doesn’t seem to be sulking or self-deprecating.

These words came from her accurate analysis of the current situation.

Munin’s specialty is her Nullification Curse.

She did have some experience in melee combat, and Seras also slightly trained her along the way.

However, if the opponent is a high-ranking Hero, her presence may only have the opposite effect.

Munin herself understands this.

I’m grateful that she’s a woman who can cool-headedly look at her own capabilities.

[Munin-dono…… Thank you for understanding. Also, I’m sorry that you had to say such a thing.]

[Fufu, it’s alright. Touka-san also wouldn’t want to consume more time than necessary for an exchange like this. Otherwise…… The other option would be abandoning Hawk-san here, right? Besides, just as you said, it would be to our benefit later on to help Hawk-san here. Let’s go with your plan, Seras-san.

At that moment……

[And one more! As a penalty…… I will add an additional walloping! Ahh, I want Mother to see this! By all means!]

[Khhgghh———- Ghaak!? ……Gafhhuk!? Ghofuuu……]

[————–! We’re running out of time, Seras-san! If we don’t do something, Hawk-san will—–!]

She didn’t finish her words, but understanding what she meant, I sharply responded.

[Yes.]

The two of us quickly made preparations and went out into the corridor.

One going to the front entrance, while the other goes to the back.

We’re heading in opposite directions.

Just before we split up, I reminded Munin of something one last time.

[If I fail, Munin-dono will go to the rendezvous point on your own.]

[Seras-san, that’s————]

[My desire is to help Touka-dono fulfill his goal. In other words, if our group loses you here, his desire will not be fulfilled. Your long-cherished wish will also be destroyed. So, please do that.]

Munin looked grumpy, as if she’s grumbling how unfair it was for me to say such a thing.

However, she swallowed down any words of disagreement.

[In that case, please promise me, Seras-san…… You will make this work out.]

[————I promise.]

Saying this, the both of us exchanged smiles.

Immediately after, we stepped out in different directions.

In a place where light doesn’t leak outside———— I hurriedly deployed the Regalia of the Spirits.

Sharpening my will, I gallantly headed in the direction of the front entrance.

Along the way though, in the hallway——– I found a window that’s out of Oyamada’s sight.

Slipping out through it, I silently moved with my back against the wall and checked the situation.

(This is probably the closest I can get to them without being in sight…… The distance is about 20 raeters……)

He would have been within range of Touka’s paralysis skill.

I wish I also had a power like that.

Outside, it’s currently raining.

It’s rather fortunate that I don’t have to rely on the Wind Spirit to drown out the sound of my footsteps.

[Areeeeehhh!? Could it be that they already escaped!?Ahh, d*mn it! D*mn it, d*mn it, d*mn it! That freaking Forbidden Race doesn’t come out! They won’t come out! Ahh, God! Mother! What is it that I should do now!?]

Helplessly hanging down as Oyamada held his collar, Hawk was limp.

Perhaps, having run out of willpower to endure what Oyamada had been doing to him, he showed no signs of moving.

Meanwhile, just like a child throwing a tantrum after not getting what he wanted, Oyamada violently shook his body from side to side.

[Aaaahhhhh! I can’t face Mother like this! Aaaaaahhhh, no way! No way! No way! No———]

Snap!

[———–, ……Ouch.]

[ ? ]

Right beside Oyamada……

There’s that fence that was half destroyed when the knight was blown away earlier.

That half-destroyed fence had been deformed, and the pointed tip of the fence was sharply sticking out.

Just now, as he threw that tantrum, swaying from side to side, the tip of that fence seemed to have scratched the back of his left hand.

[———————Ah———————]

Once again, I felt something out of place at the sight of Oyamada.

It was as if he had just been struck by lightning.

Oyamada’s eyes and mouth gaped open for a while, before he brought his hand over his mouth.

It’s as if, yes……

It’s as if he had just realized something shocking.

[……A- Ahhh…… I see. Kuhh…… Fhuaak! I was…… brainwashed by that Goddess and ended up here? Yeah, I still remember…… This is just crazy. I remember everything…… even the memories from when I was brainwashed. Isn’t this some crazy experience I had? It’s me, but it doesn’t feel like me at the same time…… Ahh, right, right. Forbidden Race, isn’t it!? If I get my hands on that, I get to jump into that brainwashing Goddess’ big tits and get myself some headpats!? The heck, I freaking turned into a mothercon! Gyahaha! Rather, the Goddess’ body is so soft! Ahh, what should I do!? Should I just keep on pretending I’m brainwashed and rise to the top!? It’s this kind of world after all! Thanks to “diving in ruins”, I got real strong after all!]

(Diving in ruins……? Brainwashing?)

That state of his……

Could I interpret it as he had broken this supposed brainwashing?

Perhaps, the Goddess may have brainwashed him.

The reason for why he was suddenly released should be the sudden pain caused by scratching his hand on that fence.

[Ahh, I wanna show Ayaka and the others how strong I’ve become now! I mean, isn’t this bad!? That Takuto, he seriously betrayed us!? The Takaos also rebelled!? That’s so hilarious! The heck are they betraying for!? The Takaos just ended up failing! Gyahaha! I mean, Takuto jumping on the Great Demon Emperor’s side, isn’t that bad!? The heck is going on with this isekai fantasy story!? Ahh!? This is just nonsensical! Gyaaaa, so annoying! Geez, I just want to live as I please here! Just be someone with authority under the Goddess, be treated as a superior, and to enjoy all the goodies! Ah, that’s right! If I don’t think about going back to that world anymore and just curry favor with the Goddess…… Won’t I be able to get pretty high up in this world!? I can aim for a higher status here than in my old world, right!? Guess I might just end up taking Takuto’s place from the Goddess’ eyes now!?]

[………………………]

There’s an opening.

If I were to strike now———— Would I be able to deal with him?

I start getting closer……

And with just one blow……

Carefully trying to get behind Oyamada———–

[Ahh…… Geez, enough of this place…… Doesn’t seem like that Forbidden Race is here…… Let’s just get rid of this guy! He’ll just be a hindrance from walking!]

[ ! ]

[I mean, even if they said they’re here in the Imperial Capital, where the heck would I know where it is!? Let’s just let old man Exiled deal with the rest! Ahh, speaking of which, there are some nice girls in the Drunken Sword Party. If I get the chance and beat them…… I wonder if I can eat them up? To become intimate with those girls from that mercenary group! I mean, I want to live in this isekai world with a nice girl! Please make my dream come true, Goddess-sama~~! Gyahaha! ……Ahh, this guy seems like he’s someone pretty important…… Guess I’ll just kill him and bring him back to the Goddess as a souvenir. Well then, see ya———-]

[St——— Stop right there!]

I wanted to get a little closer but……

[Ah?]

[Release him.]

[……Ahhh? Errr…… Arehh? ———-Ah! You are……]

Staring in my direction, Oyamada tapped Hawk on the top of his head.

[For real, aren’t you Seras Ashrain?]

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