Chapter 365: Towards the Light

Familiars are useful.

However, Vysis doesn’t make use of them.

No———- She can’t use them.

According to Erika……

“Erika is probably the only person on this continent who knows how to create familiars now.”

A lost Ancient Secret Technique.

Erika has made modifications to this secret.

She added a cast condition to it.

“Must be a Dark Elf”

That is something I had heard before.

Therefore, Vysis can’t use familiars.

Neither the Deities nor the Humans can use it.

However……

If it’s a Dark Elf……

If they had received the instructions from Erika Anarveil……

A second Secret Technique is born.

Seras, seemingly slightly moved, called out the name of the user.

[———–Liz.]

The crow nodded as if in greeting.

And then, the crow moves around on the character board a bit.

“My apologies, I’ll leave out the story leading up to this point———–”

Watching the stream of letters spun by the familiar……

[Liz.]

I called out, asking her to stop.

The familiar stops moving.

[You can omit honorifics as much as possible. No need for apologies and such either———- Leader’s orders.]

For a moment, the familiar stops moving.

However, it immediately nods and resumes its movement.

Incidentally, my current Fly King outfit is probably unknown to Liz.

But it seems like she was convinced that it was me by my voice.

After speaking, I could feel that she was relieved.

In addition to movements, the familiar also points at characters with its beak and wing tips.

“Do you need any information about Enoh? Is there any information you need to know quickly before that?”

[Yeah, we need information on Enoh. If possible, I would like to know if Vysis and those Divine Servants are in the Royal Capital at the moment. Do you know?]

The familiar responded———– Yes.

Whether Vysis is in the Royal Capital or not……

I want to get this information regularly.

This is something I had told Erika before.

That’s why……

I think Erika had told Liz in advance that this was important information.

[As expected, that sh*tty goddess really is annoying.]

She’s cooperating with us because we have the same target.

That said———– When this is all over, it would be best if I give Erika something in return……

It would be great if I could get some more expensive alcohol out of that leather bag.

Now then———— In this situation, the familiar plays an important role.

Familiar users can “swap” their familiars.

The familiar in Enoh.

The familiar near this battlefield.

We have two familiars in hand.

Swapping between them brings great advantages.

It almost eliminates the time lag caused by long distances.

Unlike military war pigeons, scenarios like……

“They were there when the spies checked, but Vysis and the others left Enoh right after we did”

“By the time the information reached us, they were already close to this battlefield”

———-could happen.

For example, it could be possible if Vysis uses those magic horses.

Yes, military war pigeons would have to travel through the air from Enoh to here.

However, a war horse can almost solve this problem.

In a familiar’s case though……

“Reporting information checked a moment ago” is possible.

[……………………]

The people around me are peering at the character board with bated breath.

Everyone waits for the familiar’s “response”.

If the response we got aren’t———

“I don’t know”

“I can’t see them”

It would be quite fortunate for us.

Thereupon, the familiar answered.

“They are in the Royal Castle of Enoh”

Just to be sure, I asked her the number and characteristics of the Divine Servants.

Loqierra, who had actually seen the Deities, is on my shoulders, so she can make sure their descriptions match.

It matched perfectly.

That means————

[Neither Vysis nor the Divine Servants are on this battlefield right now.]

It went————- just as I predicted.

I turn my gaze to Loqierra.

All notable members of Vysis’ group are in the Royal Castle of Enoh.

In that case, they aren’t on their way to Jonato either.

[Did Vysis decide to hole up in her castle?]

[In other words———–]

[Unnn.]

“Perhaps……”, Loqierra said to herself.

[She needs to buy herself some time.]

Does it mean that the more time she buys, the more advantageous it becomes for her?

Or perhaps, does she have some sort of trick in or near the royal castle that gives her an advantage of holing up?

I turned to the familiar.

[Liz, thank you. If it’s possible, I’d like to inquire some information on the Jonato area…… but are you alright with the burden?]

The crow nods.

Normally, excessive use of “familiar swapping” should be avoided.

Synchronizing and detaching consciousness with a familiar apparently imposes a heavy burden on the user at that moment.

It would be troublesome if Liz pushed herself too hard and collapsed.

……Well, there’s also the fact that I personally don’t want her to overwork herself.

Even if others say I’m being strangely sweet towards Liz and Nyaki……

I don’t want the two of them to do anything reckless.

They are, so to speak……

“Mimori Toukas, who has the possibility to grow up decently without having to falsify their true selves”

[……………….]

I have to protect them.

That’s why————- this must be something like an instinct for me.

[It’s reassuring that a long-time member of the Fly King Squadron is willing to help even when they’re far away, but when it’s time to rest, make sure you don’t push yourself too hard and properly rest. Am I clear?]

I might just be seeing things.

However, the familiar seemed to smile happily.

She points her answer on the character board with the tip of the familiar’s wing.

“Yes”.

[Good.]

Now then————

[Loqierra.]

[Unnn.]

[You know a lot more about the Deities than I do. The reason why Vysis has chosen to hole up in her castle…… I want to ask you to ponder about this. To be more certain, I want to reinforce my predictions———– my premonitions.]

[Alright.]

[As for us……]

I turned back and spoke to Seras and the Mad Emperor.

[First, let’s clear up the Sacraments on this battlefield.]

Aiming to buy time.

Although it’s not to the point of certainty, such a possibility has considerably increased.

In that case, from now on, we should move on as quickly as possible.

I looked towards the battlefield.

Giant Sacraments were drawing closer.

That said, they were still at a good distance away.

However, they will soon reach the frontline.

Of course, unexpected situations should still be taken into account.

However, it’s also a bad idea to think too much and get stuck.

We should assume a variety of situations, but move flexibly.

This is just the basics of the basics.

I gave instructions to one of the Holy Knights.

[Send a message to Sogou Ayaka.]

While talking with the Mad Emperor, I issued instructions to the others as well.

In addition, I got other information from Liz that I needed to get.

And……

[Later on, I’ll swap places with Sogou and depart too———– We will also be fighting.]

<Sogou Ayaka POV>

I refixed the headband on my head.

It’s a replacement for the broken circlet.

A girl named Nyaki, Mimori Touka’s messenger, came.

Together with her is Nyantan.

Bringing with her were instructions to go into battle.

Holding my spear in hand……

Under this blue sky……

[Sogou-san.]

Calling out to me at that moment was Suou Kayako.

[I’m going, Suou-san.]

[Umm———]

[Please take care of everyone.]

Suou Kayako, Murota Erii, Nihei Yukitaka.

The group of Heroes under the three’s lead is still on standby.

This time, I will be departing on my own.

“When our classmates are on the frontline, I end up getting concerned about their safety and my movements get slower.”

Perhaps anticipating this, Touka decided to sortie me alone.

[……You can count on me, Sogou-san.]

[Suou-san. Once again———]

[Unnn.]

[I’m really glad you joined my group. You’ve been a lot of help to me. Thank you.]

[The same goes for me too.]

Kayako crosses her arms in front of her chest.

And then, seemingly preparing to put power into her words, she took a pause for a moment……

[I’m glad…… because I’m with Sogou-san.]

That sounded a little oddly phrased.

However, she had clearly conveyed what she felt.

She———– Suou Kayako……

She cares about me very much.

As if to calm her emotions, Kayako exhales.

[This is the best we can do at the moment.]

I giggled.

[It’s alright. Just with that, I already feel like I have the strength of a hundred people.]

After causing so much trouble for everyone……

I’m finally able to act as the Class President———– or something like that.

Not like I’m gonna say that out loud though.

[Suou-san.]

I thrust my first forward.

[Let’s all go back together————- to the world where we belong.]

Perhaps sensing that I was waiting for something, Kayako peeked out with a faint hint of embarrassment, and then gently put her first forward.

The tips of our fists touched each other.

Thereupon, as the corners of Kayako’s lips unusually loosened to a smile……

[……No matter how I look at it, I imagine boys being the ones doing that.]

[R- Really?]

[It does suit you though.]

[Eh?]

[I think that compared to boys———— Sogou-san doing that looks more dreamy.]

▽

I rode my horse towards the left-wing front.

Thereupon, I met up with Cattleya, Neia’s Queen, who is commanding the soldiers on horseback.

[Cattleya-san.]

[You’ve come, Ayaka Sogou.]

Cattleya looks further out across the front line.

The Giant Sacraments draw near.

[Unfortunately, we don’t know how far we, the left-wing army, can go against that Giant Sacrament. Even if we can defeat it, the losses on our side will also be severe…… Allocating forces to deal with other medium-sized or smaller Sacraments will also be significantly reduced. If you could handle those, it would be a great help.]

[Please leave it to me. Also, if possible, the capture———— disposal of Alion nobles who are giving orders to the Sacraments.]

Capture.

Yes, just as I was speaking…… I corrected myself.

I ruminate over the instructions from Touka in her head.

“As for whether you’ll kill them or not, I’ll leave the decision to you.”

If we capture them alive, we can make them give up information.

However, if it can significantly weaken the Sacrament Army, it’s better to kill them.

By significantly weakening them, we can reduce the damage on our side.

We can reduce the number of casualties on our side.

It has been entrusted to me.

The scales of judgment.

[The Giant Sacraments are still far away…… so would you mind?]

Saying that, Cattleya continued.

[Ayaka, do as you please on this battlefield.]

[……I———-]

Perhaps, information about myself had already circulated in their ranks.

At that time……

When the Alion Knights chased after Nyantan and the others……

All the Sacraments they brought with them were exterminated by me.

……However.

When they lost all their Sacraments———– they begged for their lives.

At that time, I……

I tried to put strength into the hand that gripped my Unique Sword.

Thereupon————-

Nyantan tore open the necks of the knights with her knife and killed them.

I could only watch that scene.

At that time, I was also……

I think I was also trying to kill them.

If I had let them go and they returned to Alion with information……

My classmates might be under danger again.

That was what I thought.

That’s why———— I should do it.

I thought I had made up my mind.

However……

“There’s no need for you to show the act of killing in front of the Heroes you’re reuniting with after a long time.”

Nyantan was concerned about that.

However……

In that last battle against Mira———–

I have already killed a man.

I have———– intended to reduce the number of casualties to the greatest extent possible.

However……

I’ve definitely reaped the lives of some people.

Including those whose lives I’ve indirectly reaped.

[Having fought alongside you in the previous battle against Mira, I know that you didn’t like to kill needlessly.]

Bringing her horse even closer to my side……

[That’s why even those who were enemies on Mira’s side at that time can now fight alongside you without much resentment. For example, the heir to the Ord family, who is currently fighting at the central front…… You captured him instead of killing him. And now, he has returned to the front lines and stands here as our ally. He seems to be popular among his subordinates and soldiers. If you had killed him, things would certainly not have turned out this way.]

Saying that, Cattleya gives me a reassuring smile.

[Isn’t that a good thing? Yesterday’s enemy is today’s friend…… This is a saying that wouldn’t have come true if you killed him.]

[………………..]

[Of course, there are times when it’s more beneficial to have no unnecessary mercy. However, just looking at you right now…… just looking at the results of your actions, weren’t they reasonably good?]

[……However, I———–]

[If you ask me, you have the will to reflect and improve. You have the courage to condemn yourself. Those are the qualities of a “Hero”. At least, that’s what I believe.]

[He…… ro……]

[No one is perfect. People make mistakes. The same goes for me. What matters is how you face those mistakes. You chose not to escape but to confront them. As a result, you had to endure long mental anguish. However, there’s no shame in that. You——– are someone brave enough to learn from mistakes.]

[……Thank you…… very much.]

Her hand covered in long gloves on her lips, Cattleya softly giggled.

[Now, you can think for yourself and fight according to your own convictions. After all, presumably———— Touka Mimori has anticipated your thoughts and actions to some extent, drawing a comprehensive picture.]

[……………….]

She’s right.

When I was about to break down……

He———- had already “arranged” Hijiri nearby.

He had already assumed that she was the one who would have the most “impact” on me.

……Even taking into account the trouble I may cause.

Even though it’s not really my place to say this.

I, Sogou Ayaka———-

I believe we should be grateful that he was in Class 2-C.

[That earnest side of yours…… it resembles her a bit. Because of that, I couldn’t help but meddle unnecessarily. Also———— I’m sorry.]

[Eh?]

Cattleya said with her gaze downcast.

[In the battle against Mira…… I already sensed that you had something on your mind, but I did nothing. I think that’s something I should apologize for. It’s just, the you at that time seemed to have difficulty making decisions————- making me somewhat afraid to approach that subject. No…… Saying the wrong thing at this point and dampening your intense fighting spirit could be a disadvantage for the mixed army———– is something I did think at that time. Yes, it’s a calculated move. In that sense, I also made a mistake. Thus, I apologize.]

[No…… I was the one who was being crazy at that time…… Cattleya-san, you don’t have to feel responsible.]

Sighing, Cattleya looked up at the sky.

[Yes…… Even this also resembles her……]

Cattleya looks back towards the front line.

[Well, you’ll be alright from now on. If you dance in the palm of that Fly King, at the very least, you won’t slip off the cliff.]

[……Yes. I think so too.]

My grip on my spear tightening……

[Well then, it’s about time———-]

I gazed at the Giant Sacrament that was getting closer to the front lines.

[I’m off.]

I dismounted from my horse for a moment.

I’m currently not on my Unique Silver Horse after all.

From here————- I would start consuming MP.

Repayment.

Atonement.

If I could, I would have liked to exterminate them all myself.

I want to take over this battle myself.

I want to deal with all the Sacraments on this battlefield.

Now, I was in such a mood.

Kicking off the ground, I rushed forward.

For lying beyond this path————–

——is definitely our world shining in brilliant colors.

[ < Silver World > ]

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