We live at the foothills of Dragon Peak.
A Fragment
We won’t make it in time at this rate!
Even if the demon race humans rushed at full speed, leaving behind us humans, the army of the Silver-eyed Knight approaching from the south would reach the city first.
The army, from a distance, looked like several hundred cavalry.
The mobility of an army composed solely of cavalry and mounted beasts was beyond imagination, and they were rapidly approaching the city.
The city’s inhabitants seemed to have noticed the presence of the attacking army, and screams began to echo from the distant city.
“Damn it, we won’t make it at this rate!!”
“I finally thought I could save my master!”
The demon race bodyguards cried out in despair.
But no matter how much they screamed, the situation wouldn’t improve.
We won’t make it in time.
No matter what, the army of the Silver-eyed Knight will reach the city first!
“Oh, ara ara ara, this is troubling, isn’t it?”
Even so, Lord Reed suddenly used Spatial Jump right beside me as I ran with all my might.
Then, looking at us running, the approaching army from the south, and the panicked city, he placed a hand on his cheek as if genuinely troubled.
“But you won’t help us, will you?”
Surely, if I relied on Lord Reed’s Spirit Arts, we could turn this situation around.
However, Lord Reed, you know, rarely intervenes in worldly matters.
As expected, Lord Reed only smiled troubledly, showing no sign of helping.
I, too, understood Lord Reed’s stance, so I couldn’t force him.
But, if things continue like this…
“Indeed, it is troubling. It would be problematic if the opposing army arrives at the city before us, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s one reason, but if the city were to erect a barrier, it seems we wouldn’t be able to enter either.”
That’s right.
While the movements of the Silver-eyed Knight’s army are concerning, I also need to consider the city’s defenses.
A demon race member mentioned it earlier, didn’t they?
Baron Taalkaton might erect a barrier around the city.
Baron Taalkaton, who was demoted to the borderlands due to his uncharacteristic weak-willed demeanor.
However, he was originally a High-ranking Demon, who served as a close aide to the Mad Abyss Demon Lord.
He could probably cast magic to block external enemies by erecting a barrier around a small city.
But if that were to happen, we who came from outside would also be repelled and unable to enter the city.
In that case, we wouldn’t be able to take the poisoned man to the Great Shrine.
I explained the situation to Lord Reed as I ran at full speed.
Speaking while running made my breathing even more ragged.
I gasped for air.
Normally, I would have circulated Dragon Energy throughout my body for physical enhancement, or used Spatial Jump to cover long distances at once. But now, I cannot use Dragon Energy, let alone Spatial Jump.
So, I can only run at full speed with my own stamina.
Lord Reed, running alongside me with light steps, said.
“It can’t be helped. Eruru, I cannot interfere directly, but I can offer advice if that’s what you’re asking for?”
“Really!?”
Lord Reed smiled gently, as if teaching an immature student, and pointed towards the approaching army from the south.
“If the opposing army is delayed, wouldn’t you, Eruru and the others, be able to enter the city first?”
“You also need to be mindful of the city’s barrier?”
“That’s right.”
“Eeek.”
As expected of you, Lord Reed.
You had already forgotten about the city’s barrier, hadn’t you?
I almost retorted, but I think Lord Reed probably wasn’t bothered by the city’s barrier from the start.
“Eruru, why don’t you draw the Spirit Current Sword?”
“But if I draw it now?”
“Leave the aftermath to me? I have no intention of meddling in Eruru and your group’s problems, but I will intervene when it comes to my dear students.”
“But, how…?”
I don’t think drawing the Spirit Current Sword would do anything about an army of several hundred cavalry or a barrier.
As if understanding my doubt, Lord Reed explained.
“Delaying a group is surprisingly easy. They are running with such momentum. If the foremost riders were to fall, wouldn’t those following be caught up in it and find themselves in a terrible situation? Besides, Eruru, you can disrupt magic before it’s activated, can’t you?”
“Magic power released for magic activation… That’s right!”
Listea and Slaton, who overheard our conversation, directed questioning gazes towards us.
But, explanations later!
The top priority right now is to stop the southern army and the potential barrier at the city!
While running, I drew the Spirit Current Swords from both sides of my waist.
And then.
I swung both swords gently in a horizontal sweep.
First, screams and angry shouts resounded from the south.
Listea and Slaton, and the demon race members, turned their gazes south, wondering what was happening.
“Gah!!”
The demon race members who had been running ahead of us were speechless at the sudden turn of events.
“Eruru, what did you do…?”
They witnessed it.
The leading group of the army, their cavalry and mounted beasts, tripped over something and fell spectacularly.
The speed at which they were running became their undoing, and those behind couldn’t react and crashed into the leading group. Those who fell caused others to fall as well, and the subsequent riders were also caught up in the chaos, one after another.
Screams and angry shouts filled the air, and the advance of the army, which had been like a raging torrent, halted.
“Everyone, don’t just stand there stunned, move now!”
At my command, everyone who had stopped running and was staring at the south in shock started running again.
“But, what about the barrier?”
Listea asked, her voice laced with doubt, as I sheathed the Spirit Current Swords.
“It’ll probably be fine for a while. So, leave me and go ahead…”
“E-Eruru!”
I took a step forward, intending to run with everyone, but my legs, my entire body, lost strength, and I collapsed.
Lord Reed caught me before Listea, who had hurried to help, could reach out.
“Leave Eruru to me. More importantly, you all should run and do your best?”
“Wh-What on earth happened to Eruru!?”
Listea looked bewildered. Slaton’s eyes widened in surprise at my sudden change.
However, I had neither the time nor the strength to explain leisurely.
“I’ll be waiting at the Great Shrine.”
With those words, Lord Reed, carrying me, activated Spatial Jump.
Lord Reed continuously activated Spatial Jump while holding me.
With the first jump, we reached just before the city, with the second, we were inside. And with the third, as the scenery changed, we were in front of the Great Shrine.
“I’ll borrow a room for recuperation?”
“Eh? Y-Yes!?”
The large plaza in front of the Great Shrine was filled with confused residents.
I imagine they must have gathered to seek salvation from the Goddess upon realizing the approaching army.
Lord Reed spotted a priest amidst the crowd and, without waiting for an answer, entered the Great Shrine, leaving the bewildered priest behind.
“W-Wait!”
To the priest who hurried after him, Lord Reed said with a smile.
“Please ask those who will arrive later for a detailed explanation. Ah, and there will be a demon noble who has been poisoned among them, so please prepare accordingly.”
“Eh? Ah, no, that… W-Wait!”
The priest’s confusion deepened.
Of course, it would.
Anyone would be confused if a Mimicho zoku woman suddenly appeared holding someone and started giving orders without a proper explanation.
However, Lord Reed tends to forget such considerations for others.
Lord Reed entered the Great Shrine as if it were her own home, without any hesitation or permission, and occupied a room for recuperation.
“Lord Reed, wasn’t that a bit forceful?”
“Ara ara ara, was it?”
“I think it was.”
I gave Lord Reed a wry smile from within her arms.
Lord Reed showed no concern about my retort and moved me onto the bed.
“Well then, you’ll need to recover quickly and explain things, Eruru.”
“I’m the one who has to explain?”
I felt a little crestfallen that it wasn’t Lord Reed.
But, well, that’s understandable.
It’s because of me that Lord Reed acted like this.
“Now, I’ll be holding onto the Spirit Current Sword for now.”
Saying that, Lord Reed removed the Spirit Current Sword from my waist.
My body immediately felt lighter.
“As expected, continuing your training in this condition would be difficult, wouldn’t it?”
The reason I suddenly collapsed was because I had consumed an exorbitant amount of Dragon Energy.
I lamented to Lord Reed while replenishing my power from the Dragon Vein through meditation.
However, Lord Reed simply brushed off my opinion with a smile.
“Do your best.”
“You’re a stricter master than Grandpa!”
Of course, I knew what Lord Reed’s answer would be.
But still.
I still think it was too much to raise the level of my training right before a harsh journey.
The reason why I can no longer draw the Spirit Current Sword carelessly now. The reason why using the technique drains me completely. And why I haven’t been useful normally. The Spirit Current Sword was the cause of all of it.
“Well, well, this is going to be tough.”
Speaking of tough, I’m also concerned about Listea and the others.
The army from the south was stopped. I disrupted the barrier magic that was about to be deployed. So, if things go smoothly, everyone should reach here safely.
By then, I need to recover my Dragon Power and be in a state where I can explain everything.
I lost myself in meditation while Lord Reed watched over me.
It was some time later that the commotion outside the recovery room began.
“Hey, hey, are Eruru and Lord Reed really in this room?”
“Thank you for the guidance. Slanel, also thank the priest properly.”
Familiar voices reached my ears, and Lord Reed opened the door to the recovery room.
“Rithia, Slanel, you’ve arrived safely. What about the demon race members?”
“It should be fine to leave them to Lady Shooting Star.”
“More importantly, it’s you!”
Listea and Slaton entered the recovery room.
It seems the demon race members who were poisoned and Lady Shooting Star have also arrived safely at the Great Shrine.
The treatment of the poison can be left to Lady Shooting Star and the people of this Great Shrine. Besides, there’s nothing Listea and Slaton can do without specialized knowledge or magic power, so they came to me.
The priest, who had been flustered by Lord Reed, seemed to have relayed our situation properly.
“Eruru, please explain then.”
Listea and Slaton closed the door upon entering.
They were being considerate so that unnecessary people wouldn’t hear my explanation.
I’m happy for their thoughtfulness.
Well then, I need to explain to Listea and Slaton with sincerity. I took the Spirit Current Swords, which had been entrusted to me by Lord Reed, and handed them to Slaton with a “Here.”
“What? You want me to hold these dual swords? Let me tell you, my Tarpal is a longsword.”
Even as he said that, Slaton took the Spirit Current Swords from me.
“What’s wrong with these dual swords… Ugeh…”
Upon holding the Spirit Current Swords, Slaton looked closely at the sword’s design and measured its weight. But as he did so, Slaton’s strength seemed to vanish, and he collapsed.
“Slanel!?”
Listea rushed to his aid.
I retrieved the swords before Listea could touch them.
“Eruru, is that a Magic Sword? Slanel isn’t cursed, is he?”
To Listea’s bewildered question, I replied, “It’s alright,” and explained.
“The current Spirit Current Sword, just by holding it without drawing it, drains all power from its owner. Slanel had his stamina drained.”
At my words, Listea was speechless, and Slaton’s face contorted.
