◆ Kingdom of Noibranz, Surroundings of the Royal Capital, Southern First Defense Line ◆
The soldiers were all crammed into the Jailsaurus, while Kurinka and Private First Class Bikuro’s Servants hoisted it up. Even though they were under Enhancement Magic, the ropes dug painfully into the base of the Kurinka Dragon’s wings. As for me, I was tasked with pulling the carriage alongside the Servants. We had to connect multiple carriages together, running tirelessly across the ground, all while the remaining Servants pulled as usual. Essentially, I had the most work to do. With the carriages linked in front and behind, several toppled over along the way, resulting in quite a few being damaged. It was truly a hassle. This plan was Kurinka’s idea, but I couldn’t complain since I couldn’t think of a better way either.
However, thanks to this, we arrived at the Royal Capital in less than half the expected time. Or at least, we should have. Just one step away, we were met with a formidable army of soldiers and Servants glaring at us in the stark, angular wasteland with little greenery. It seemed like we were about to get into some serious trouble. In the distance, I could faintly see what looked like the Royal Capital.
“Listen carefully, you will be treated as illegal entrants as planned. No one is allowed to enter the territory of Noibranz without permission. Although it has been mostly sealed off lately and is not functioning, there are strict regulations for entry that should normally be followed. This is also the reason we are responding so sternly,” Private First Class Bikuro explained, one by one.
Before the large force of Noibranz in the distance, we had to tread carefully. This country was so unique compared to the Kingdom of Avangarde that what seemed normal could be considered a violation here. It seemed Kurinka was also unaware of the entry regulations. But it couldn’t be helped since hardly anyone knew much about the Nation of Noibranz. As Private First Class Bikuro mentioned, Noibranz had been avoiding contact with other nations for a long time. Therefore, only a select few high-ranking individuals were privy to such information.
“And let’s keep the matter of the Killing Worm’s extermination confidential as well. If we were to boast about having defeated that monster which has plagued our country for years, no one would believe us. On the contrary, it could be taken as an insult to our nation, and worst-case scenario, we could face severe consequences,” he added.
“Really? They wouldn’t believe it?” I asked, surprised.
“Even we who witnessed it still think it might be a dream… Besides, there’s no need to report this fact deliberately,” he replied.
“If it were the Kingdom of Avangarde, they would believe it if I said I defeated it, right?” I teased.
“I apologize for being presumptuous, but we have our own positions to consider… Please understand,” he said, a hint of frustration in his voice.
Indeed, in this country, we were practically nameless. In fact, Private First Class Bikuro and the others had mocked us, which only reinforced their confidence in their own abilities. This country was, above all, overconfident; that was my impression. Though I couldn’t really criticize others.
“But how are we supposed to enter in this state?” I asked.
“Once we identify ourselves as allies from a friendly nation, especially as renowned Adventurers, the situation will change. We captured you under the pretense of a noble cause, but if we build a proper dialogue, they should understand. Moreover, judging by the defense line, it seems they are on high alert for the Red Devil… This could be a great opportunity,” he explained.
“So you mean we might be able to become allies in the extermination of Platiu… the Red Devil?” I asked, my eyes widening.
“Yes, exactly,” he confirmed.
“That’s amazing, Rua-chan. You’ve become quite clever,” Kurinka teased, ruffling my hair.
Being teased like this made me feel embarrassed. Normally, I would have shot back with a retort, but now I just felt flustered. I thought the previous Private First Class Bikuro would have said something, but he wore a serious expression now. He looked like he wanted to say something, but held back.
“Then let’s proceed,” he said.
We moved steadily towards the army, still in the guise of being escorted. I couldn’t help but worry that we might suddenly be attacked. Besides, we weren’t here to defeat Platiu; we were merely here to help. I thought about ignoring Private First Class Bikuro and the army and acting on our own. However, if it escalated to a conflict with Avangarde, I wouldn’t be able to apologize enough. Even if Noibranz was gradually trying to invade the Kingdom of Avangarde, it was frustrating. I wished there was a way to resolve this.
“B-Bikuro! Is that Captain Geog over there?” I exclaimed.
“What?! That intimidating man is him?!” he gasped.
“Yes, I’ve seen him once before. He came here from the southern region to oversee the Royal Capital’s security,” I explained.
“St-Stop! Deep breath… Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale,” he stammered, trying to calm himself.
It seemed that the person we had discussed earlier, Captain Geog, was indeed present. He was someone who had single-handedly defeated a Green Salamander, and Private First Class Bikuro admired him greatly. But I couldn’t tell which one he was.
“Which one is Captain Geog? The one standing at the front, looking all important?” I asked.
“Be careful with your words! No, please, don’t say anything reckless… I’ve heard he is a very serious and difficult person, and the name ‘Terror of Geog’s Squad’ is known throughout the country. You must not say anything unnecessary!” he warned.
There was no need to emphasize that so much. But I didn’t want things to get complicated because of me, so I decided to stay silent. I looked for the man who might be Captain Geog while observing the still-nervous Private First Class Bikuro.
“The Terror of Geog’s Squad… It is said that due to their extreme strictness, desertions are not uncommon. Of course, those who desert face severe consequences, but still… However, every soldier trained there is at least a Corporal or higher…” one soldier remarked.
“Our squad barely has enough Privates, even counting Bikuro,” another added.
“I wonder why our Captain Gelguf, who is also part of the border patrol, holds the rank of Sergeant while they have such a difference,” another soldier mused.
I didn’t quite understand the ranks of Sergeant or Corporal. The conversation was turning into a grumbling session, but the tension remained palpable. Suddenly, the army came to a halt, all of them aiming their weapons at us. Even though we were close enough to be recognized as allies, their vigilance was intense.
“State your affiliation and purpose!” one shouted.
“This is the Eastern Border Patrol of the Karsia region! I am Bikuro! My rank is Private First Class! We are here to transport two illegal entrants! We request a handover!” he declared.
The air was so tense that even the wind seemed to hesitate to blow. A small, apologetic breeze swept through, as if trying to avoid the scarred face of the man in front of us. That person was likely Captain Geog. Behind him, the soldiers remained poised, standing alongside their Servants. Even in this tense moment, I found myself wondering which of the Servants belonged to Captain Geog.
“That was a noble act,” Captain Geog said as he approached the Jailsaurus.
His face, marked with scratches and cuts, twisted in displeasure as he drew a curved sword from his waist.
“Release them. I will execute them here,” he ordered.
“E-Execute them here?!” I stammered in disbelief.
“I have full authority at this defense line. It is a command from His Majesty. There should be no issue,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“I have a proposal, if you would allow me to speak,” I interjected quickly.
We were on the verge of being killed. He didn’t look like the type to joke around, and if Private First Class Bikuro hadn’t intervened, I would have been struck down by that curved sword. My arms were bound, and in this situation, it seemed impossible to do anything. I could have done something, but I had to stay calm. I wondered if that scarred face could be healed with Recovery Magic.
“These two seem to possess considerable skill. They are from…” I began.
“…What is this?” he interrupted.
“They appear to have quite the accomplishments even within the Kingdom of Avangarde. Therefore, how about allowing them to join in the extermination of the Red Devil?” I proposed.
Private First Class Bikuro presented our Adventurer Cards, and Captain Geog scrutinized them with his thick fingers. Most people would doubt the level displayed on those cards. As expected, he carelessly tossed the cards aside.
“Bikuro,” he called.
“Y-Yes…!” he replied, startled.
First, he struck him in the solar plexus, then immediately followed up with a slap. Private First Class Bikuro fell to the ground after taking two hits from Geog. A few of his teeth scattered on the ground, and blood trickled from his mouth. Captain Geog then stepped on Private First Class Bikuro’s right hand, finally bringing the series of violence to an end.
“Ugh…! Aah!” he groaned.
“Do not stop me for trivial matters,” Captain Geog scolded.
“S-Sorry, I—gyaah!” Bikuro cried out as Geog stepped down hard on his hand again. Was it okay to endure this?
“How could a man from Noibranz rely on the strength of a girl? State your Captain’s name,” he demanded.
“G-Gelguf, sir…” Bikuro stammered.
“Gelguf, I have not heard that name before.”
“A girl… and a child at that,” he scoffed.
“Is it true that women stand on the front lines in Avangarde? I cannot believe it…” he said incredulously.
“What use is a girl even?” he sneered.
I was being mocked just because I was a girl. Baran’s words weren’t exaggerated; in this country, women were considered inferior to men. We weren’t even allowed to fight. The laughter of the soldiers around me was starting to boil my blood.
“I won’t allow any arguments.”
Geog raised his curved sword high above me, where I was bound and seated.
“Close your eyes. There will be no pain.”
“Those two defeated a Killing Worm!”
It was Private First Class Bikuro’s unbelievable statement that halted Geog’s downward swing. Geog seemed even more incredulous, holding the sword aloft for a brief moment.
“What did you just say?”
“We carelessly stepped into the territory of a Killing Worm! Just when we thought it was all over, Rua here defeated the Killing Worm! She is… our savior!”
I was more than just flustered. It was that person who decided to keep the Killing Worm a secret, so why would he say something that would only lead to more suffering?
“Bikuro! We’re fine!”
“If you can’t show respect to those who saved your life, then you’re unworthy of being a man, let alone a human.”
I wasn’t afraid of that curved sword; I could win with just a headbutt if I wanted to. Private First Class Bikuro should know that after witnessing me defeat the Killing Worm. Yet, he spoke of respect. I had thought he was unpleasant, but here he was, showing it at a time like this.
Perhaps realizing he couldn’t persuade Geog, Bikuro wore a troubled expression. Given that he had gone this far, as a captain, Geog should at least respond to him.
“What a foolish charade you put on.”
This was bad—completely bad. Geog kicked Bikuro deeply in the stomach, sending him rolling to the ground. If this continued, that person would die.
“No fool would take your words seriously, but if by chance that were to happen, it would affect the morale of the entire unit. How many have become heroic spirits in previous extermination missions… You have mocked them! You traitor! Know shame! The thought of a lowly wretch like you treading upon our land makes me sick!”
“Stop it!”
It was no surprise that Geog’s kick missed. Bikuro was already brought over here. Carrying an adult over this distance would slow him down a bit. Yet, he couldn’t even catch that, acting so high and mighty while resorting to violence.
“…What?”
“Kurinka, heal him.”
Ignoring Geog, who had just turned around, I healed Private First Class Bikuro. I even restored the tooth he had lost. The look of shock on Geog’s face as he stared at the now upright Bikuro was priceless. Did I scare him?
“I’m sorry…”
“It’s fine; the one at fault is that person. Why are there so many like him in Noibranz?”
“I don’t want to be executed, but I also don’t want Bikuro and the others to be killed…”
I took out Disballade for the first time in a while, standing against the much larger Geog. I could easily free myself from my bindings, and the weapon they had taken from me was right here. However, I wouldn’t attack suddenly.
“If you hurt these people any further, I’ll take you on, Geog.”
“…What did you just say? Did I hear you say you would take me on?”
“I did say that.”
“How strange…”
What was he talking about? He tilted his head in a deliberately mocking manner, clearly underestimating me. How could the soldiers of this country not understand the strength of their opponent, even after witnessing my earlier movements?
“My mock battles are typically against a hundred opponents. And I am completely unarmed. Of course, my subordinates are armed. I believe it is the duty of a captain to overwhelm them.”
“So what?”
“You are a hundred years too early! If a woman has time to imitate a man, she should go get married and serve her husband! You and Bikuro know nothing of shame!”
“Then I’ll stop using my weapon.”
I sheathed Disballade without hesitation, igniting his anger. A decisive strike from his curved sword came at me—sharp, powerful, and heavy. I thought he had a right to be arrogant, but I chose to dodge. By the time his sword swung through the air, I was already right next to him.
“…?!”
“Whoa!”
“Ugh!”
Letting out a loud shout right next to his ear resulted in a rather foolish sound. It was something Kurinka had told me, but attacking first was definitely a no-go. I had said I would take him on, but that didn’t mean I would attack. I was fine without attacking; I just needed to find a way to make him give up. But I knew it wouldn’t be that easy.
“When did you…?”
“Could it be that Captain Geog is being pushed back?”
“How could the captain be serious against such a little girl…?”
“However, it seems she has been moving instantaneously… It might be some kind of skill. Wait… could it be that she is coming from over there…?”
If this continued, Geog would end up embarrassed. Perhaps my loud shout had been unnecessary; Geog gripped his curved sword even tighter, taking a stance. He lowered his sword, adopting a relaxed posture.
“Captain Geog! Please stop! It’s His Majesty! His Majesty has arrived!”
“…!”
From behind the defense line, a large beast, resembling a hippo, approached. On top of it was an ornate throne, and the King sat upon it, surrounded by his guards. The soldiers parted to make way for the King, forming a wall on either side as he passed.
“W-Why is His Majesty here at a time like this? I was supposed to be in command!”
It wasn’t just Geog who knelt; all the soldiers who formed the wall, including Private First Class Bikuro, knelt as well. It was as if they had practiced beforehand, their speed remarkable.
“Is he on patrol?”
“I don’t think so… Really, why at this timing…?”
Ignoring the kneeling soldiers, the King scrutinized Geog and us, as if assessing our worth. After a brief silence, he moved his parched lips.
“This is an interesting spectacle.”
“Ha! These individuals are illegal entrants!”
“Good. Continue.”
“…Y-Yes.”
Geog must have had many questions about the King’s words, but if he asked, he would likely face dire consequences. Struggling to maintain his composure, Geog readied his curved sword once more.
“I will… carry out the execution.”
Geog’s voice lacked the strength it had before. I wondered if he was nervous because the King was present, but he didn’t seem like the type. However, one thing was clear: the King had come to see us.
In the Mountains of the Nation of Noibranz
“Automatic repair program complete, repair rate 100%.”
Transition to Crimson ver2 complete, destination set.
“Royal Capital of Noibranz.”
Crimson’s new form, “Phoenix,” activated.
“Launch.”
Arrival in 4 hours, 26 minutes, and 53 seconds, with a margin of error of ±0.05 seconds.
“Error correction complete.”
Arrival in 4 hours, 26 minutes, and 53 seconds.
Shin Report
Shin wonders about the soldiers.
Why do they want to be soldiers?
So rigid with rules, and on top of that, they get beaten and kicked by that scarred man.
It’s not worth it.
Just wanting money isn’t enough to endure this.
Yet, amidst it all, Bikuro showed his spirit.
Before doubting and accusing, it would be better to send someone to verify.
If it turns out to be true, then it’s a win.
After all, even the famous ones from the allied nations haven’t been captured.
I wonder if they really have been through another inter-tribal war.
That’s what Shin thinks as he observes Noibranz lately.