<Tomohiro Yasu POV>

A little while before the Genesis Labyrinth appeared in Alion’s Royal Capital————–

□ 

Jonato Principality———– Royal Capital, Azziz.

I entered Azziz through the southern gate alongside Rinji and the others.

It wasn’t just us, of course.

Volunteers for the defense of the Sacred Eye were also pouring into the Capital.

Inside the gate, people carrying luggage and carts hurriedly moved back and forth.

The atmosphere———– wasn’t one of liveliness, but rather tense and brimming with urgency.

The scars left by the recent major invasion were still visible, with many buildings left in ruins, likely because repairs hadn’t yet caught up.

Most of the Capital’s residents had already evacuated, and the area where they now stood resembled more of a “military base” preparing for war.

Rinji pointed toward the center of the Capital.

[And what we just went through…… that was the Second Guardian Wall, right?]

Beyond the wall he pointed at———– the upper part of the castle came into view.

The castle was adorned with shades of grayish-white and pale blue.

Several spires could be seen in the direction of the castle.

It seemed that the so-called Second Guardian Wall enclosed the castle and its surrounding districts.

Rinji glanced back toward the gate they had passed through earlier.

[Then, the gate we just passed through…… that was the First Guardian Wall, right?]

Inside the First Guardian Wall, the castle town spread out before us.

In other words, this is where we are now.

Once again, Rinji turned to face the Second Guardian Wall.

[And that thing we’ve been seeing from a distance, ever since we entered Azziz———]

The castle Rinji had been looking at.

I had been looking at “it” too, ever since we arrived.

Picking up where Rinji left off, I spoke its name.

[Jonato’s Sacred Eye……]

The Sacred Eye was exactly that——— an eye.

More precisely, it was a symbol designed to resemble an eye.

It was like a stone statue in the shape of an oval, with patterns engraved on it.

It almost looked like some kind of avant-garde art.

If the pale grayish-white part represented the “sclera,” then the light blue part must have been the “pupil.”

(I imagined it would be something more organic before seeing it in person……)

It gave the impression of a colorful, patterned statue.

From this distance, it almost looked like it was floating.

At the top of the tower, there was a pedestal-like structure.

Surrounding the pedestal were stone petals.

Those petals, arranged at equal intervals, all stretched upwards towards the Sacred Eye.

Yes——— It felt as though they were praising the Sacred Eye.

The Sacred Eye itself was positioned much higher———— inside the ring of petals.

So, instead of serving as protection, those petals seemed more like decoration.

[……………………………]

The Sacred Eye———- an ancient weapon capable of monitoring the skies across the entire continent.

It shoots down any Golden Eyes that reach a certain altitude, no matter where they are.

However……

(Placed so high up in such a conspicuous position in the capital…… You could almost say it’s defenseless……)

Oru, who was also gazing up at the Sacred Eye, spoke up.

[By the way, Rinji-san, are we keeping the fact that Tomohiro is a Hero from Another World a secret?]

The battle that is about to unfold will be anything but trivial.

In such a conflict, having a High-ranked Hero would greatly enhance Jonato’s strength.

Oru made this assertion.

[For example, when it comes to distributing our forces…… Considering the perspective of those preparing our strategies, I think it’s better to be aware that we have a Hero on our side……]

In response to Oru’s words, Rinji nodded, saying, “Yeah, that makes sense……”

[But ultimately, it’s Tomohiro’s decision to make.]

Rinji looked at me.

[This is a battle Tomohiro chose to engage in on his own. So, deciding how to proceed is up to him.]

▽

In conclusion, we decided to head to the castle.

It was a result of my decision.

After I made up my mind, Rinji spoke to one of the coordinators for the volunteers defending the Sacred Eye.

“……A Hero from Another World? Is that true?”

The man cast a skeptical glance at us, and I decided to showcase my Skill.

Seeing is believing.

This had an immediate effect.

It seemed he was already aware of the existence of a High-ranked Hero who wielded black flames.

Furthermore, the moment I introduced myself, his attitude changed remarkably.

He quickly called for a messenger and sent him to the castle.

Before long, the messenger returned and told us to come to the castle.

Thus, we made our way there on foot.

Incidentally, given the current situation, it seemed there was no time to arrange for a carriage.

We passed through the Second Guardian Wall and entered a district filled with magnificent mansions and temples.

It was a somewhat upscale area compared to the castle town.

That said, the damage from the previous major invasion still lingered vividly here.

After passing through the Final Guardian Wall————– we finally stepped onto the castle grounds.

[How should I say this…… We got through surprisingly easily huh.]

Oru remarked, looking around the castle grounds curiously.

It was clear that this was the first time for Rinji’s companions to set foot in a castle.

I could see that the castle grounds had also suffered from the previous invasion.

No, not only that, it seemed the damage was more extensive than that in the area where the noble houses gathered.

The atmosphere inside the castle still felt like “preparations for war” were in full swing———

[What…… What is that?]

Oru exclaimed as he noticed something and gaped in awe.

Looking at what he was pointing at, Rinji spoke.

[You know, it’s that, right…… that so-called Sacred Cavalry, an ancient giant magical automaton, isn’t it?]

A giant lay collapsed among the debris that hadn’t yet been cleared away.

From one angle, it looked like it was propped up by the rubble.

It kinda resembles some kind of fantasy robot.

Around the giant, scaffolding typical of a construction site had been erected.

Were they attempting repairs in its current state?

Rinji’s expression turned contemplative as he seemed to have recalled something.

[If I’m not mistaken, I heard that it had fought against the Great Demon Emperor’s Retainer sent to the Jonato region, and it ended up in a draw…… Hmm?]

Just then, a guide approached and greeted us.

We were led by this person into a room within the castle.

What awaited us was———-

[Welcome. I am the Queen of Jonato———— Alma Saintnocia.]

It was the Queen’s chamber.

Feeling humbled, we all knelt.

This is something we hadn’t expected———- for us to meet the queen so suddenly.

Several heavily armed knights stood guard in the room.

Additionally, beside the Queen was a silver-haired woman with a black eye patch leaning on a crutch.

[Lift up your faces.]

The Queen spoke.

[Right now, we are in a position where we need to rely on your strength……Such formalities aren’t needed. We don’t have time for ceremonial exchanges. I do appreciate that you haven’t forgotten propriety though.]

At her words, we lifted our faces.

Behind the throne, a massive decoration resembling the Sacred Eye was displayed.

The Queen stepped away from her throne and approached us.

The silver-haired woman followed suit.

Knights tried to flank the Queen on both sides, but she raised her hand to halt their movements.

[In this situation, if a Hero who was once a pawn of Vysis infiltrated Azziz as a volunteer for the Sacred Eye’s defense————- it would be highly suspicious.]

At the Queen’s words, a chill ran down my spine.

Indeed.

It wouldn’t be unreasonable to suspect me as an assassin sent by Vysis.

However, her actions made me harbor questions in my mind.

If that were the case, it seemed odd that I could meet the Queen directly.

Even though I was considered a High-ranked Hero, I was still in a vulnerable position.

If I were truly suspected of being an assassin, it would be dangerous to approach this closely.

The Queen continued.

[However, I have received a letter from Mira about you——— Tomohiro Yasu. It stated, “The Hero of Black Flames is already in opposition to the Goddess and is an ally. Therefore, if confirmed in Jonato, we ask for support if possible.”…… I received two letters, one from the Mad Emperor and one from Wright Mira. I verified that the handwriting undoubtedly belonged to both of them. According to that letter, it seems that the current core members of the Anti-Goddess Forces, such as Fly King Belzegia, Seras Ashrain, and Munin, who is acting as a proxy for the Faraway Country’s King, all share the same opinion about you, Tomohiro Yasu.]

The Queen observed me closely.

[Those wounds…… Were they from Vysis?]

[……Indirectly. Vysis seemed to want to eliminate me as she deemed me useless.]

“I see”, the queen replied.

[So, there’s a sufficient reason to oppose Vysis.]

[However———- those injuries might also be a trap to make us let our guard down.]

It was the silver-haired woman beside the queen who interjected.

She was Curia Gilstain, Jonato’s Saintess.

Rinji had discreetly informed me about her earlier.

This was my first time seeing her.

Bandages were visible on her exposed skin, suggesting she had sustained serious injuries.

She had apparently piloted the Sacred Cavalry I had seen earlier and had been gravely wounded in that battle.

The Queen responded to the Saintess’s doubts.

[Curia, I appreciate your concern for me…… but right now, I want to rely on the power of a High-ranked Hero. Even weighing the possibility of him being an assassin, I intend to treat him as an ally.]

Listening to their conversation, I couldn’t help but think of Fly King.

(———-Belzegia-san.)

Even when they’re far away, they are still concerned about me.

It made me feel warm.

The Queen, with a strong determination in her eyes, spoke.

[Shortly, the Magnar army will enter Jonato from the east, leading the people of Magnar. From the south, Wright Mira will march alongside the White Wolf King to assist us.]

Following the Queen’s words, the Saintess continued.

[A large army of the Sacraments, believed to be heading for Azziz, has been confirmed further east of the Magnar army. The Sacrament army seems to be heading west, trampling on the land of the Magnar people——— towards here in Azziz.]

The people of Magnar were seeking refuge in Jonato.

Incidentally, the people of Jonato had already evacuated to the western regions of Jonato.

Thus, they no longer had any capacity to accept Magnar refugees in the western regions.

As a result, the people of Magnar were headed south———- to Mira.

This meant they would retrace the route we had taken.

South of the border, camps for refugees were prepared by Mira.

However————- there had been reports of a swarm of Golden Eyes appearing south of the border.

Even the routes we had avoided were gathering swarms of Golden Eyes.

However, the Mira army advancing north was eliminating them as they progressed.

This was likely a plan to secure temporary safety for the refugee camps.

Supplies would also be transported gradually from Mira.

At that moment, I realized something.

(……They haven’t given up on the future.)

They hadn’t forcibly conscripted those who couldn’t fight in this battle.

They were thinking of it.

About what would come after the battle.

About those who would weave the future once the fighting was over.

With such thoughts in mind, I remembered the people I parted ways with.

Yuuri.

Her mother.

The traveling companions I separated from along the way……

(Those people……)

They aren’t the kind of people who should end up here.

I clench my fists.

(That’s why…… I will definitely connect it to them……)

To their future.

▽

We were given a room inside the castle.

The space was rugged and dusty, but quite spacious.

Apparently, it used to be an old barracks for the guards.

Laying back on the bed, Oru spoke.

[This is way more comfortable than camping out.]

Rinji, with a doto stick in his mouth, placed his hand on my shoulder as he passed by.

[That’s thanks to Tomohiro.]

I responded with a vague smile and sat on the edge of the bed.

Then, I rested my forehead on my clasped hands and closed my eyes.

(This castle, the atmosphere in the Royal Capital……)

It’s not that I hadn’t felt it before.

But now, having entered Azziz, the reality was finally sinking in.

Why is that?

The sense of reality feels stronger and heavier than it did back at the Anti-Demon White Castle.

It’s just, what’s different here from that time?

Is it the experiences I’ve had up to now?

My resolve?

Or perhaps……

The difference in my feelings towards those I must protect————

[………………………………..]

I quietly exhaled, releasing my fear and tension.

……Whatever the case may be.

Most likely———– perhaps……

Not too far in the future, it will begin.

The final battle.

Just like that————- amidst the flurry of preparations for battle, Magnar’s army arrived at Azziz.

<Author’s Notes>

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