Chapter 413: I’m at the Entrance Now
After that, I had Rizelade return to her village. Since she couldn’t cross the mountains alone, we connected our dungeons. While it made it easier for her to come over, I decided to welcome anyone other than Rizelade with a fair amount of hospitality.
As I was being called Grandmaster by the staff who came to support us, I found it perplexing that even Rizelade started calling me Grandmaster. I couldn’t quite understand what had led to that.
“I built a wall in front of the Reception Hall, but is there a chance they might come from the sea?”
Considering the possibility of the Eastern Island folks storming in, it wasn’t zero.
“We haven’t built the wall all the way to the sea, so I need to think this through.”
There isn’t a proper road from the town to the Reception Hall, but there are paths that someone must have taken. We’ve only built the wall about ten kilometers from that path. I believe their target is the town, so they probably won’t come this way, but it’s better to be cautious. Since there’s nothing else besides the Reception Hall, it might be wise to focus on defending this place.
“I should inform the Adventurer’s Guild and the lord, just in case.”
“If you’re busy, I can send someone on your behalf.”
“Ah, I’d prefer to keep the connection to Hinomaru under wraps…”
I had intended to go myself, but I remembered that my classmates were already in town. While I could avoid the lord’s mansion, there was a chance I might run into someone at the Adventurer’s Guild.
“Maybe I should just ask you to handle it.”
“Understood. I’ll make sure to convey the message as if it has nothing to do with Hinomaru.”
As expected of Mesaria-san.
“Thank you. Now, we need to prepare for my classmates and the large fleet.”
“Isn’t the best option to strengthen our defenses here without going into town?”
“Perhaps we should include the orphanage as well?”
Rio’s suggestion was echoed by Ivan. Indeed, it might be a good idea to include the orphanage in our defensive perimeter. We’ve been utilizing it from Hinomaru, and more importantly, Phonia has friends there.
“I’ll help too!”
Upon hearing about the orphanage, Phonia puffed up her cheeks with determination.
“Haha, then I’ll leave the orphanage to you.”
“Okay!”
With Phonia’s enthusiastic response, I felt reassured.
“I’ll stay with the orphanage as well.”
“Thanks for that.”
While Phonia is stronger, she’s still just a child. Having Ivan around will be a great help.
“As for my classmates, they’re individuals, so that’s manageable. But I’m more concerned about how the large fleet will act.”
“What if they suddenly show up armed and ready to attack?”
“That would be straightforward enough.”
“Just blow them away and be done with it.”
“That’s true, but…”
From our perspective, we want to avoid urban warfare. However, I doubt the lord would decide to sink ships without knowing how the enemy will act.
“The knight order has been dispatched from the Royal Capital and is currently on the move. I don’t think they’ll arrive in time before the large fleet shows up, but they should get here relatively quickly.”
“Hmm… In that case, the town should be fine, right? We should focus on the Reception Hall and the orphanage.”
Thus, we began to take serious action in preparation for the impending enemy.
“It seems that my classmates have arrived at the Reception Hall.”
About three days later, I received a report from El. As soon as they reached the town, they began searching for us, and the following day, I was informed they had even shown up at Hinomaru’s Isolage Branch. My classmates certainly have a lot of initiative.
Regrettably, it seems I’ve become somewhat famous in this country, known by the moniker “Nation Crusher,” and most people at the Adventurer’s Guild are aware of the Reception Hall.
“That was quick.”
“If they used a carriage, it would have taken them a bit longer.”
As Rio pointed out, it takes about four days by carriage from Isolage to the Reception Hall. However, for adventurers of a decent rank, it’s not uncommon for them to move faster on foot. It seems my classmates are no exception.
“Sebastian is currently turning them away at the gate, but they seem more persistent than expected.”
“Well, that makes sense.”
We aren’t here, and I’ve instructed Sebastian to tell them they won’t meet us. Even if we pretend we’re not home, it could give them false hope that they might eventually meet us.
“Is that a phone call?”
As I muttered upon sensing a magical presence, a ringtone echoed from Mesaria-san’s smartphone, drawing her attention.
“…Excuse me.”
After a brief notice, she answered the call, and it appeared to be Sebastian.
“Mesaria-sama, I sincerely apologize… They’ve broken through the gate and breached our defenses.”
The voice I heard was exactly what I had anticipated.
“I see. This was expected, but… they are quite troublesome… Is everyone unharmed?”
“Yes, I am safe, but part of the building…”
“Understood. Proceed as planned.”
“Understood.”
After hanging up, a heavy sigh escaped my lips.
“That’s quite the illegal intrusion.”
Rio’s voice dripped with disbelief, and I couldn’t help but agree. This was precisely why we had accepted reinforcements from the Dark Elf village, but perhaps it was time to assess their capabilities firsthand.