Chapter 353 - Predicaments and Mustering Strength Requires Courage and Determination

I looked back from my horse.

A cloud of dust could be seen behind me.

[They have sent them out after us huh———– Pursuers.]

The land was dry.

It’s just a vast expanse of nothing worth keeping a strategic position in.

A desolate land unsuitable for vegetation.

It’s said that there used to be several large rivers around here.

However, the rivers dried up long ago.

After the rivers dried up, they became roads over time.

This area was said to be a shortcut for going back and forth between Bakuos and Urza.

However, as the main road and its surrounding routes were developed, this path fell into disuse.

Now, it’s said that it’s only used by those who work in the dark.

Choosing such a forgotten route, me and the others set out for Urza.

[………………………]

Three horse-drawn carriages move in a vertical line.

Slowing down my horse, I brought it next to the coachman driving in the central carriage.

[Seems like they’re here.]

Hearing my report, the coachman curiously stretches his neck and looks behind us.

The driver of this carriage was in charge of Mira’s spies and their companions.

Seeing the pursuers, the coachman’s mouth scrunched into a frown.

[If we keep going at this pace, they will catch up with us. Kuh…… Even though we were almost in Urza territory……]

According to the spies……

“Mira’s army should be moving through Urza territory now.”

We are already out of Alion territory.

However, we are still in Bakuos territory.

We have still not reached our target, Urza territory.

Therefore, it’s difficult to say if we’re close to meeting up with the main army of Mira.

Faced with this situation, the coachman asked.

[Should we stop the carriages and ambush them with everyone?]

This…… is something she’s unsure of.

Should she stay and hold them off?

[…………………..]

I looked at Kayako Suou, who was leading the carriage group on horseback.

These Heroes are also trained in combat.

They have experienced actual combat.

It’s not like they can’t be considered as a combat force.

However———— In a battle in which they are involved in, I can’t say that there will be no casualties.

Would they be able to protect themselves?

In fact, I might be able to deal with the pursuers better by myself as I’d be nimbler.

As I was thinking about this……

[ ? ]

On the rock wall on both sides……

(A cloud of dust is rising……? Could it be———-)

The coachman also seemed to have noticed it when he followed my gaze.

[Kuh.]

The main causes of that dust cloud aren’t visible from our position.

However, there’s no doubt that what caused that is also a pursuer.

(The speed of the carriage can’t be increased any further……)

The dust clouds on the left and right eventually passed our carriages.

Soon, those pursuers————-

Choosing a slope that they could easily descend along the path me and the others were taking, they ran down in front of us from both sides.

In no time at all, they had gotten around and cut in in front of us.

[Our path…… was blocked……]

The carriages stop ———— The carriages could only stop.

The coachman grit his teeth.

[Kuh…… Perhaps avoiding the easily noticeable flat ground from a distance ended up working against us……]

They deployed the fast-moving units ahead, allowing them to take the lead and preemptively seal off our path.

And then, the rear troops will catch up later.

On this trench-like road, there was a danger of the front and rear being blocked.

However, our first priority was to avoid detection of our carriages.

Since our priority was not to be spotted from a distance, we had no choice but to take this road.

(Moreover, those in front of us……)

[Nyantan-dono, are those perhaps———]

[Yes.]

Sacraments.

The upper half of the body being that of a human, and the lower half of a horse.

It resembles that of a Demi-Human Centaur, beings who are part human and part horse.

However……

The inorganic all-white body and golden eyes clearly belong to the Sacraments.

Furthermore, these Sacraments were armed.

(Their numbers…… 50 in total.)

A difficult number for us to just repel and advance.

I don’t even know how strong each one of these Sacraments are.

(Especially those……)

There are four of these Centaurean Sacraments mixed in with the others, which are obviously huge in comparison to the others.

They were holding a huge sword in one hand.

There was also this unusual atmosphere emanating from them.

[Nee-tama? What mattah?]

There was a peephole in the top of the carriage.

The cloth that served as a window was opened, and a girl with a cherubic face emerged from it.

[Chelsea……]

She is one of my three younger sisters who were being held hostage.

I had rescued them on the way here.

My sisters were in a village southwest of Alion, in a facility that takes care of orphan children.

Vysis’ Cult was involved in that facility.

It was the custom in the village for the children to wear masks when they went out.

Incidentally, them wearing masks wasn’t Vysis’ idea.

It seems that such a custom originally existed in that village.

Fortunately, they weren’t treated badly.

I remembered what Vysis had once told me.

“Listen closely, okay? Hostages have value only because they are safe. Only by making someone realize that their loved ones are living in peace can they continue to work hard. Because they are doing their best, their loved ones can smile happily…… It gives them such a rewarding, positive feeling, doesn’t it? In the long run, this would make them easier to bind than negative emotions. Fufufu, well…… there’s also a part of me that enjoys witnessing the drastic contrast between their happiness and the sudden plunge into misfortune caused by doing “terrible things” to those hostages?”

At that time, Vysis said such a thing with a grin on her face.

“After all, it wouldn’t be interesting if someone unhappy becomes more unhappy, right? I think it’s definitely more interesting to see happy people becoming unhappy. Fufu. If possible, I would like to punish those who exposed their incompetence or betrayed me…… Ahh, geez, how pitiful they are! “Because of your incompetence, the hostages who were so happy———– Ahhh————- To experience such misfortune! However, life is where one reaps what one sows, and one’s duty is their own responsibility? Even if you weep and apologize, you will not be forgiven?” That would just be the best? Ah, Nyantan seemed somewhat unfortunate, so why don’t you become happier? It’d be boring otherwise.”

Even though most recently, things have become suspicious……

Vysis still saw use for me.

As long as she finds me valuable as a tool, her hostages aren’t treated so badly.

Regarding this point, it could be said that me and my little sisters have been saved by Vysis’ personal preferences.

Thanks to Hijiri’s letter, I was able to learn about the facility in advance.

I was also able to find a route that would allow my little sisters to escape safely.

Hijiri had even researched the movements of people at the facility at different times of the day.

Fortunately, thanks in part to this information, the rescue was easy.

In this area, Vysis’ training as her apostle———- as her spy.

When we first met, I asked my little sisters not to make a sound.

All three of them cried, but they kept their voices down.

As expected———- They really were very good girls.

Just like that, we continued on our way through the secret underground passageway that Hijiri had told me about.

We then left the facility and returned to the carriage where Mira’s spies were waiting for us, and finally———-

“Nee-san!”

“Nee-taaaaaan……”

“Nee-tamaaaaaa———-“

“Nyantan is on an important mission and we won’t see her for a while.”

“However, she will definitely come for you when she finishes her long mission.”

My little sisters, apparently having been told that, were waiting for that moment in that facility.

Hijiri did mention how she thought about saving them herself.

However, if the little sisters disappeared, Vysis would definitely feel something was out of place.

Needless to say, I would end up being subjected to unnecessary suspicion.

She made the right decision there.

In any case, gently smiling at my little sister, who was innocently looking my way through the canopy window.

[I’m sorry, Chelsea…… but there are some scary things around, so won’t you be a good girl inside with everyone else?]

[Aright.]

The window was closed shut…… is what I was thinking, but it was opened right away.

[Nee-tan.]

My other little sister, Nyono, peeked her head out.

I smiled reassuringly at her as well.

[I’ll take care of them, Nyono.]

[She’s right. We can leave things here to Nee-san, so it will be alright. Come on, Nyono, come here.]

[Raia, that hurts. I know already~~]

The oldest of my three little sisters pulled Nyono inside.

My little sisters, unlike how they referred to me, call each other by their first names.

My other two sisters would be fine if they were left in the hands of the reliable Raia.

At that moment……

[Everyone, let’s go!]

The Heroes came out of the carriages.

The first one to get out and called out to the others was Erii Murota.

She seemed to have already understood the situation.

Including Kayako herself, Kayako group was in the frontmost carriage.

They too went outside and crowded together, already in battle formation.

From the rear-most carriage, Nihei group, formerly Yasu group, came out.

[Nyantan-san…… We will fight too.]

[……However……]

[In this situation, we have no other choice. No…… If we could get over just by whining, we would be doing that.]

[Just as Murota-san said, we will fight too.]

Powerfully speaking from behind is Kayako, who is riding in the lead.

Furthermore……

[Let’s do this, everyone.]

Moe Minamino said.

At first, she gave the impression of being an extremely timid girl among the Heroes.

No———– Even now……

Her voice sounded like she was desperately trying to stifle her trembling.

However, the current Moe has gained something in this world.

Perhaps———– It’s courage.

[Ayaka-chan…… has continued to protect us, t- to fight for our sake. Nyantan-san said it, didn’t she? That us surviving and reuniting with everyone, it will also protect Ayaka-chan…… That’s why———–]

With tears in her eyes, Moe drew her sword and prepared for battle.

[For our survival———— let’s fight.]

The spies who had been acting as coachmen also left their seats and took up their weapons.

Two of them picked up bows and arrows and headed for the rear.

I’m not too keen on the idea of everyone charging towards them on the lead though.

First of all, the strength of these Sacraments was unknown.

It would be too risky to attack them all at once in such a situation.

It might cause unnecessary casualties.

If that is the case, the survival rate would be higher if everyone formed a formation and attacked them.

It’s better to observe the enemy and build the most appropriate battle strategy against them.

[…………………….]

I touched the pocket hidden in my clothes.

As long as there’s only one of these smartphones that holds the evidence……

As expected, it seemed dangerous to let the magical war pigeon carry it.

If there is information that needs to be delivered with certainty, two or more war pigeons may be released.

However, since there’s only one of this smartphone, that would be impossible.

I’m even doubting if they can carry an item of this weight as well as they carry letters.

This evidence———– This smartphone……

Even knowing the risk…… Should I have still sent it to them?

Also, Loqierra has not woken up once since then.

Even now, Loqierra is sleeping in the carriage.

(……No matter what……)

The smartphone and Loqierra must be sent back.

With my own hands……

With utmost certainty……

To achieve this, I made up my mind.

[Everyone.]

I equipped the magic sword behind my waist.

The sword shines and elongates, before swinging around like a tail.

Thereupon, holding daggers in both hands, I ready myself for battle.

[Please lend me your strength.]

As I quickly gave them the order to form up————

Zaa!

Some enemy forces behind us also caught up with us.

There were several people riding the Centaurean Sacrament in the lead.

They were familiar faces.

[You are Alion Knights’……]

The old man stroked his long white beard……

[Indeed. I am Alion Knights’ Captain Hynki Kuurkheim…… Nyantan, Vysis-sama has expressed her strong displeasure and disappointment in you, you know? Good grief, even though she had taken special care of you…… Pearls before swine, I suppose.]

[Vysis thinks of humans as toys and wants to torment them forever, you know? She is not the salvation for humans.]

[Wouldn’t it be fine if you just get chosen then?]

[—————-]

[Vysis-sama herself said that she would select those who would survive. That means a portion of humanity shall be spared.]

Vysis told this man her thoughts huh.

[Fufu…… I am glad that a member of my Knight Order spotted and reported you lot. Right at that moment, Vysis-sama was searching for you in the castle, unable to see you. And so, I reported our findings to her. Fufufu…… Torment and kill, or so we were commanded. Give you the worst pain imaginable.

Hynki, looking as if he had finally been rewarded……

[We are the Alion Knights, and yet, for us to be treated like the private soldiers not by Vysis-sama, but by that useless Armor King…… for a long time, we have been suffering from misfortune. Those lot in the Thirteen Cavalries were truly quite the eyesore. Even after they disappeared, for them to actually prioritize more on making a new Alion Cavalry…… Good grief, they just keep springing up like maggots. However, I finally got my chance. If I show my usefulness here, I will be among the chosen humans. In that sense———–]

Hynki gave me a peculiar smile.

[I thank you for vacating your seat, Nyantan Kikeepat.]

[I think you’re misunderstanding something, Hynki.]

[Ohh? The howl of a loser dog———– No, was it perhaps a bluff of a loser cat? Pfft, how wretched……]

[Vysis no longer cares about humans. This is evident from the fact that Vysis’ Apostles have not convened. That Goddess is only thinking about going to Heaven with her Divine Servants, who can be said to be her Confidants. And once she settles her matters there in Heaven…… It will only be the start of her game where she toys with and kills humans.]

[Don’t know. Don’t care.]

Seemingly feigning ignorance, Hynki’s gaze turns towards the distance.

[To this body who only held a few years of lifespan…… Vysis-sama thus said. Show our usefulness and she will transform myself and the Knight Order into Demigods, and depending on my wor————– she will consider giving me a higher post. Once I become a Demigod, I am no longer just a human. My life expectancy will be the best…… Isn’t that just the best?]

“Show me your work, and I’ll let only you live.”

It is one of Vysis’ favorite techniques for winning people’s hearts and minds.

[Thus, I will not fall to your cajolery. Fufu…… Besides, some of the Heroes might be worth…… tormenting too, right?]

Hynki talked to the knight next to him.

[You’re right. However, as expected, I still prefer Nyantan-dono more……]

[Fufufu…… You and your fetishes.]

[Haha…… You got me there. Even so, this Centaurean Sacrament is amazing. A tireless horse is truly wonderful. Moreover, it’s faithful to our orders…… I couldn’t find anything to complain about.]

[Indeed. Vysis-sama was quite humble when she lent it to us, saying that they were failed Sacraments but…… just the existence of these Sacraments itself makes a big difference in war. Most of all———–]

Hynki raised his right arm, as if preparing to give his orders.

[Purely as soldiers, they are too powerful.]

Behind the old Knight Captain, there are more than 100 Centaurean Sacraments.

Moreover, there are more than 20 of those Sacraments with unusually large bodies.

[How about this……. Nyantan? If you kneel, lower your head, surrender and accept all our commands…… We may secretly help out only your little sisters, you know? What will you do?]

A vulgar smile appears on Hynki’s lips.

Not listening to what he was saying, I kept my stance while measuring the distance between us.

(The Sacraments can’t function as soldiers without someone giving them orders…… That familiar had told me this. If we can overcome the reaction time of those two large Sacraments guarding Hynki’s both sides…… We can quickly finish off Hynki and the other three knights…… or perhaps…… However————)

They aren’t showing any openings.

No, Hynki himself isn’t the problem.

The problem is those large Sacraments.

[………………..]

Should I dare bring the fight into a melee and create an opening by shaking things up?

I would have to prepare to take some risks but……

————No, I can’t do that.

Those large Sacraments have fewer openings than expected.

It doesn’t seem like they would give me room to get into a melee.

Even before we fight, I can already feel how formidable they are.

Couldn’t I bring this into a one-on-one fight by myself?

No, even in a one-on-one fight, can I even win against them……

[……Kuh.]

[Fufu…… You yourself can tell. Yes, these Sacraments that protect me are clad with an extraordinary atmosphere…… That’s the dangerous atmosphere I felt from the 6th Cavalry. I, you see…… I survived by waiting for the good opportunity to come around without going against the people who have this kind of atmosphere. Fufu…… Comprehending such a thing is agonizing, isn’t it? Having the ability to sense the power of enemies can instead be unfortunate, isn’t it? Fufufu———- Kneel down, Nyantan. This Hynki will have you youngsters torn apart here———-]

Whack!

[……Ghaaa……]

With a dull thud, Hynki’s hoarse voice cracked.

Then, as his eyes rolled up———— he fell off from the Centaurean Sacrament.

[ ? ]

(Just now, the large Sacrament protecting Hynki…… was too late in reacting?)

Hynki’s forehead was struck————

——–By the base of a spear’s handle.

Even when that spear flew in……

It looked as if the large Sacrament was unable to react.

That large Sacrament that had been so seamless……

I reflexively looked behind me, from the direction where that spear flew.

From that direction where the leading Sacraments had blocked our paths off.

There, floating in the air……

A silver sphere was floating.

Thereupon, the sphere exploded, scattering silver liquid around it.

Strangely enough though, the liquid stayed in the air.

Those silver liquid———— formed the shapes of various weapons.

And then……

In no time at all, those Sacraments that were blocking our path forward were scattered apart.

No, the moment my mind registered that those Sacraments blocking the path had been scattered————–

Zuzazazazazazazazazazaza—————!

With a sudden braking posture that is originally impossible for a horse to make……

They wedged themself between our and Hynki’s group.

Clasped in their hand was a silver sword.

Those silver floating weapons I had seen earlier were also deployed around this Fly Knight.

[—————Fuuuu.]

Seemingly letting out a breath they’ve been holding for so long……

The masked Fly Knight exhaled.

The Fly Knight tilts their upper body slightly downward.

And then……

[You lot————]

On their horse, they turned towards the Alion Knights and the Sacraments.

[Who are you going to do what again?]

Suddenly……

It felt as if an invisible weight had wrapped itself around me.

The voice asking such a thing is quiet and calm.

However, alongside that question is a heavy oppression that tightens my body to the core.

A sharp pressure that even made me feel suffocated.

The knight next to Hynki suddenly turned pale……

[I- Impossible……! You are……]

The Fly Knight on the silver horse takes off their mask.

The face that emerged behind the mask was drenched in sweat.

However, there’s no sign of fatigue on their…… on her face.

Rather……

She seemed full of energy.

[Thank you, Nyantan-san.]

The Fly Knight————– Ayaka thanked me and looked in the direction of Kayako and the others.

Meanwhile……

The other Heroes also seemed to have finally recovered from their state of absentmindedness……

[A——– Ayaka-chan…….!?]

[Sogou……-san.]

[Presideeeeeent!]

[For real!? Sogou-san!?]

[S- Sogou!? It’s really you, right, Sogou-san!?]

[Ayakaaaaaa……]

The Heroes burst with emotions.

[Everyone……]

Ayaka looked at them, a look of relief and compassion on her face.

And then, turning towards me……

[For bringing everyone out of the Royal Capital, truly…… From the bottom of my heart, thank you very much. Also———–]

Ayaka looked towards the Alion Knights and the Sacraments.

[Leave these to me, Nyantan-san. In the meantime, can I ask you to look after everyone?]

[Ho…… However, dealing with them on your own……]

[I can’t bring out my unique knights because I don’t have enough MP, but I can still deploy my floating weapons for a reasonable amount of time. That’s why……]

——————Mishhiiiiii——————

Thick veins seemed to pop out from Ayaka’s face.

[With just that much strength and numbers…… Dealing with them on my own shouldn’t be a problem……]

The way she said sounded like she had just made an educated guess.

The strength of the enemies, to some extent, that is.

[Kuh…… Standing in for the fainted Captain…… I- I will give out commands! G- Go, Sacraments! Just an S-Rank…… So what if she’s an S-Rank!? Crush her with numbers———- Overwhelm her with our strength! E- Especially…… Go for them! Aim for the other Heroes! With the other Heroes as shields, Ayaka Sogou would just be blunt spea———- Hyyiiiiihhh!?]

The knight was shot through with a gaze from the silent Ayaka.

He became unable to articulate words mid-speech, as he started trembling.

Held within the sharp look in Ayaka’s eyes————

——–seemed to be the thought that she could shoot him dead with just her gaze.

Though it was only for a moment……

Even I felt a chill of fear running down my spine.

[W- Wawawawa…… Waaaaaahhhh!? D- Do it! Sacraments…… Quickly! Kill that woman immediately! Quickly get rid————!]

Fear had overwhelmed his thoughts that his line of sight completely narrowed.

Seemingly shot down by her gaze resembling a spear of ice, the knight fell into a state of panic.

That said, just as they were ordered, the Sacraments readied their weapons and began to move.

(Wha———-)

From what I could see, it happened in the blink of an eye.

In an instant, the two large Sacraments had flanked Ayaka, skillfully stepping into striking distance.

All that in just one step……

The two large Sacraments moved in a way that even their breathing was so well-matched—————– only for them to be suddenly torn apart.

(……Eh?)

Before I knew it……

The two large Sacraments were disassembled into several pieces of meat.

Ayaka, on the other hand, stands in place, seemingly having already left behind the lingering aftermath.

(Ahh, I see.)

She had slashed at them……

With blinding speed……

(And those two weren’t able to see her……)

Ayaka points her silver sword at the other approaching Sacraments.

[Thanks to the forgiveness and support of so many people……]

Thereupon, all the floating weapons waiting in the air near her simultaneously———–

[I can be here now to protect everyone.]

———–swooped down on the Sacraments.