Naturally, I was a little flustered by the preparations, which were different from the dungeons I usually entered, but with the company’s support, I was able to finish them.
And once it was over, the difference from normal became even more apparent.
“My subordinates are monitoring and tracking the current location of Miyagawa and Amelia. They will guide you to the location so you can catch up before entering the battlefield, but in emergencies, you must proceed on your own. They are heading straight for the battlefield and moving north. They are making stops in a few towns to procure supplies and equipment.”
The quality of the equipment, the consumables provided, and the personnel operating them.
All of it was on a completely different level than usual.
While confirming the feel of the superior items compared to my usual equipment, I listened to the supervisor for Amelia’s final information.
The others were also doing final checks, but my ears were tuned to the supervisor’s words.
The supervisor’s injuries had healed in the past few days, and although she wasn’t bandaged, her body still wasn’t completely recovered.
Even so, she stood resolutely, not letting her condition show, and gave us instructions on what to do.
“Jiro, do not use that which I have entrusted to you unless I say so. If it becomes impossible to execute, retreat immediately.”
“Understood. I will be careful not to overdo it.”
Among them, the conditions for using the unique weapon among the equipment given this time were reconfirmed.
Except for Himik, it was a special weapon handed over to our party.
I was equipped with a cylindrical object about thirty centimeters long at my waist, and Minami, Kaido, and Kitamiya each carried a slender tube about one meter long on their backs.
“…It’s time. I wish you success in your operation.”
After the final checks were completed, the supervisor checked the time on her wristwatch and had her subordinates begin preparations for teleportation.
This time, instead of using the gate to the base, we were teleporting to a pre-arranged rendezvous point.
Therefore, we were in the same room that I had used when I went to Isal.
“So, it’s my turn to see you off this time, isn’t it?”
“Come to think of it, I don’t think you’ve seen me off very often.”
“Yes, because I accompanied you to Isal. This might be the first time I’ve seen you off.”
“Perhaps so.”
Suella and Memoria approached to see us off.
Among them, Memoria, standing beside Suella, opened her mouth as if she had suddenly thought of something.
“Suella, how many times have you seen me off?”
“Fufu, it’s been three times: when you went to Isal, when you went to the continent, and this training. Jiro-san, you always make me worry.”
“I’m sorry.”
“No, I’m glad to know that you are someone who doesn’t abandon his comrades. Therefore, please return safely. I will be waiting here with Memoria.”
“Himik, please look after Jiro-san.”
“Leave it to me! I will absolutely protect our master!”
I thought our female group was strong, and when I glanced to the side, I saw Katsu talking with Minami and the others.
It was a little awkward, but his concern about whether they had forgotten anything was just like the usual Katsu. It seemed we had crossed the final hurdle.
Meanwhile, preparations for teleportation were completed.
“Alright, it’s work time, everyone.”
The rallying cry was the same as always.
It’s easier to not feel pressured by doing things the usual way rather than receiving strange consideration.
I grinned at the faces that had suddenly become serious.
“As always, let’s finish the job quickly with safety first. No overtime.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Understood, Gozaru!”
“I know!”
“Then, let’s go!”
Leading Kaido, Minami, and Kitamiya, I waved my hand behind my back and stepped onto the prepared teleportation circle.
Suella, Memoria, Katsu, and the supervisor saw us off as we stood in this place.
“Is this… another world?”
“It’s night, isn’t it?”
“This feels strange, Gozaru.”
Kaido and Minami were looking around curiously, but Kitamiya looked up at the blue moon, which appeared much larger than Earth, in the sky with unease.
The equipment they were wearing was so superior compared to what they usually wore that it was hardly worth comparing.
“…”
Compared to those three, I felt an unpleasant premonition in the crackling air after the teleportation.
“Master.”
“Is this… the atmosphere of the battlefield?”
“Ah, you noticed it too. It’s quite far, but to me, the battlefield is just a stone’s throw away.”
Even though it was a world of night, the distant space appeared very bright.
It was as if only that place represented daytime.
“What’s over there, is it the Dragon King’s army?”
“Ah, I can sense the presence of dragons. And…”
“Angels?”
“Yes.”
Although the sounds of explosions couldn’t be heard, something could be seen shining in the distance.
It was light falling from the sky to the ground, or light shot from the ground towards the sky, and it was clear that it was a magic exchange.
“Damn it, even though it’s over the horizon, they’re rampaging so clearly.”
The thought of Amelia heading there made me feel heavy.
Though I tried to speak lightly, I wouldn’t let my guard down.
No, I couldn’t.
The atmosphere of a battlefield, unlike a dungeon.
The unfamiliar air naturally tensed my body.
“…Well then, someone should be coming to meet us.”
Believing that my restless feeling would settle down once my body got used to it, I cautiously looked around, searching for any presence.
If the supervisor was right, someone should be coming to meet us.
But there was no sign of anyone.
“…”
Perhaps a worst-case scenario had happened right from the start. I tried to adjust my disrupted schedule and get my mind working, but.
“Master, something is coming. And it’s quite large.”
“It looks like we don’t have to worry about our ride.”
Himik sensed something approaching and pointed in that direction. Looking, I saw a large dust cloud heading our way.
“Se-senpai! Something huge is coming at us, it looks like a centipede!”
“Whoa, something that big, even I would find it creepy, Gozaru.”
“Ew…”
A giant centipede with tremendous presence. With a fearsome appearance that could be mistaken for an enemy at first glance, I could understand why Kaido and the others were on guard.
“Ah, that’s our ride.”
“Our ride!?”
Unfortunately, that was our transport this time.
“Yo! Brother. We meet again.”
“It’s you. You were coming here from Isal.”
“My wife is here too, so it was a business trip back then. I thought it was a strange fate when I heard I’d be able to carry you again.”
“Indeed.”
The centipede stopped its giant body as if to flank us, and a cheerful voice I recognized came from its head.
The insectoid giant dragonfly rider who helped us escape from Isal.
“So? I heard you were just dropping us off before the battlefield, what did you guys do? I’ve never seen a Fallen Angel before.”
“Unfortunately, it’s classified. It’s for the best if we don’t pry into each other’s business.”
The insectoid, pointing to the space behind him with his thumb like a driver’s seat, said, “Get on board,” and I unhesitatingly sat in the seat, using the giant centipede’s body as footing.
Himik also spread her wings and landed next to me, then sat down.
Kaido and the others climbed on, albeit with some hesitation.
“You’re right. My job is to send you guys off. I won’t ask too many questions.”
“You’d better not.”
As I waited for Kaido and the others to board, I thought about how cheerful he was, considering we were near the battlefield.
“Alright, brother! From here on out, it’s a one-way trip to hell! Are you ready? Well, we’re going even if you’re not!”
And as soon as they boarded, this insectoid skillfully used the reins and made the giant centipede run.
“It’s surprisingly not that bumpy,” I thought as it started running, feeling the acceleration and the wind.
“Are you nervous?”
“Do you think I’m not?”
“No, I’m nervous too, so I thought you’d be relieved.”
“How carefree of you.”
“I learned that the secret to not struggling in life is whether you can resign yourself to it.”
We still had time until we arrived.
Looking back, Kitamiya was holding her staff as if in prayer.
Her usual confident tone lacked some vigor.
“Yes, that’s a good thing to hear.”
“Ah, we’ve come this far. All we have to do is what we can do, that’s all.”
“Don’t you think about failure?”
“Not now.”
“Not now?”
I took out a cigarette from my pocket, lit it with a fire spell I had recently learned, and exhaled white smoke.
“I prepared to not fail. So I’ll think about failing when I fail. The preparation period is over. Now, all that’s left is to give it our all to succeed.”
Not letting unnecessary thoughts cloud my mind, I would only focus on what I could do.
This time, I would also borrow the power of the spirits.
“We’ve come this far. Don’t hesitate. Do your job seriously as always, and then a feast with Amelia. That’s good enough, right?”
“…That’s right. I need to focus on that now.”
“Exactly.”
I swayed the purple smoke and directed my gaze forward.
I understood Kitamiya’s anxiety.
No matter how much preparation you do, anxiety remains.
But when it’s time to act, you can’t show anxiety.
The cards are dealt.
The showdown is imminent.
I can’t exchange my hand anymore.
Yes, plans are meant to change.
I just have to make do with the hand I have on this path.
“Brother! I can see it!!”
It hadn’t even been twenty minutes.
Yet, we were already nearing our destination.
A magic light, appearing as if signaling us, could be seen.
“Sorry, brother. My partner is getting scared and doesn’t want to go any further. I understand, but this is where things get dangerous, right?”
Slowing down, as we approached the light source, I saw a demon in a black mantle.
He was likely the supervisor the supervisor had mentioned.
And I realized we had covered a significant distance by running at considerable speed.
I sensed something that I hadn’t been able to detect at the previous location.
“Knowing that, we came here. If you’re worried, please pray for our safety.”
“OK. Good luck! Looking forward to serving you again, brother!”
I jumped off the centipede and, with the clamorous voice of the insectoid fading behind me, landed at our destination.
Himik followed, and Kaido and the others also disembarked.
The insectoid, giving a thumbs-up, manipulated the centipede as it had when it arrived and headed back the way it came.
“We’ve been waiting. The target is proceeding through the valley ahead. Follow me.”
“Yeah.”
As if time were of the essence, the demon began to guide us, and we ran at a brisk pace along the rough terrain.
We ran silently along the cliff overlooking the valley below, and then…
“I’ve brought them. The targets.”
“There’s no change in the course.”
We joined a party of about five demons.
A demon who had been monitoring with a magic tool like a telescope pulled it away from his face and responded.
Then, he recognized me and gently held out the telescope.
I accepted it, as if he was telling me to look, and looking in the direction he pointed…
“Amelia.”
I saw her figure walking on the valley road illuminated by the moonlight.
She was dressed in a dark robe, a stark contrast to how she appeared when she came to the company, but I was convinced by her back.
“We will continue to monitor. We will provide support during your withdrawal as planned, but is there anything else?”
“No, I’m alright. Please cover us when we retreat.”
I took a deep breath and calmed my mind.
I answered the question from the demon, who appeared to be the captain, the one holding the telescope.
Then, I looked at Kaido and the others.
“Let’s go.”
And we plunged into our battlefield.
Today’s Word
This is the crucial moment, I’ll face it with all my might!!
That concludes today’s update.
If you found it interesting, please leave reviews, ratings, bookmarks, etc.
*The first volume has been decided to be published by Hayakawa Bunko JA. It was released on October 18, 2018. The e-book version was released on October 31 of the same year. The second volume will be released on December 19. The content includes revisions and additions to the material posted on Shosetsuka ni Naro, with the inclusion of unreleased interlude chapters. Please look forward to the new book!!
Furthermore, a comic adaptation has also been decided for Kodansha’s “Young Magazine The Third.”
