◆ Chapter 18: Departing Grantz Royal Capital

 

 

 

◆ Chapter 18: Departing Grantz Royal Capital

 

“SO many troops… There’s more than who joined us on the quest to vanquish the Dark Djinn, right?”

“Altogether, one hundred and fifty soldiers are joining us to vanquish the dragon!”

Shortly after the sun rose, Lex and I stepped outside the walls protecting the royal capital. Twenty days have passed since His Majesty the King vowed to back Operation Purify Cladorca.

Finally, the day of the operation has arrived.

Grantz soldiers assigned to this quest are waiting as far as the eye can see. It’s a spectacular sight to behold, especially when it’s rare to have this many people gathered in one location. What’s worrisome is the number of horses they are using to travel to Cladorca. Horses will also be used to pull carriages, but for the most part, it’s one soldier to a horse.

“Is it really okay to spare so many horses for our cause?” I ask.

“We have to, with this many of our troops going out. We can’t risk camping anywhere within the zombie-infested Torstana,” Lex explains. “Our strategy banks on speed, hence the horses.”

With time, the horses will reproduce and increase in numbers, but the world isn’t safe enough for that yet. Every horse here was freed from the various Boneless Hams I’ve defeated. They are still a commodity that is hard to come by.

“To think you would actually bring my plans to fruition...” Pino says as he walks up to us.

“You say that like you didn’t believe I could do it, but you prepared everything in advance,” I retort with a smirk.

“I only handed out instructions, nothing more. It is the people who actually took action that deserve the praise.” Pino always has a sour look on his face, but he actually does a lot for the people around him. He’s capable of so much, I often doubt he’s younger than me.

“Of course everyone deserves praise for getting us this far, but that doesn’t take away from your awesome contribution, Pino! For example, I would’ve never come up with anti-dragon arrows like you did!”

“Nor would I,” Lex agrees, sounding impressed.

“Not just anyone could come up with attaching thin glass filled with holy water to the arrowheads.”

“It wasn’t feasible to create an item each person would have to splash on the dragon before they strike. I merely thought up a means to use the dragon’s thick hide against it. Like I said, I didn’t do much,” Pino insists, being modest once again.

Some people say being too humble can be a sign of arrogance, but I don’t hear a lick of backhanded boasting from him. Maybe I’m just too much of an optimistic thinker, but I only feel impressed by Pino.

“At least now the dragon isn’t as scary,” I say.

“We don’t have much information on it yet. Don’t underestimate it,” Pino warns.

“I know, I know. I won’t!” My carefree response earns an askance look from him. Obviously, I don’t expect everything to go according to plan. Whenever a problem arises, I’ll have to find a solution. Still, I rather go in thinking it will work than otherwise.

“MiZUha!”

“Geh! It appears.” I hate myself for knowing him by his voice.

Realizing an annoying person had come, Pino turns on his heel to leave. “Good luck.”

“Aw, you’re leaving?!”

“I don’t specialize in pesky nobles. Goodbye.” Pino heartlessly walks away. I regret not bringing up Cia to keep him here. I consider chasing after him, but it’s too late—the pesky noble, Keith Rowadan, is standing before me, smiling from ear to ear.

“…I heard you were coming, but hoped otherwise,” I sigh.

“It’s only natural for me to join the operation when my future wife is involved. I can’t allow my bride to venture into danger alone!”

“Please don’t decide my future for me.”

“HA! HA! Your shyness is as precious as always, my MiZUha!”

It’s impossible to hold a real conversation with him. I wish he would use his unshakeable will toward something that would better the world.

“Now, get on my horse with me—”

“Lord Rowadan,” Lex interrupts. “You seem to have misunderstood your orders. You have been assigned to the main force. Lady Mizuha is a part of the detached force.”

“H-How can that be?! I agreed to partake because I would be with MiZUha! There’s no point if she’s elsewhere!”

“I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but the assignments have already been decided,” Lex informs.

“Then reassign me to the detached force!” Keith demands.

“It cannot be done. The detached unit consists only of elites. With all due respect, you will hinder our efforts,” Lex declines in a clear cut manner that belies his usual benevolence.

That being said, we are literally heading toward the jaws of danger—considering one wrong step might get someone or everyone killed, I agree with Lex’s approach of bluntly rejecting him.

Keith has tasted defeat at Lex’s hands too many times to count, so he’s fully aware he can’t override his decision. His whole body trembles with rage.

“My love for MiZUha is second to none!” he rages.

“In that case, you should refrain from joining our unit, as you are likely to summon zombies to our location through your tireless shouts of love. Please show Lord Rowadan to his assigned location.” Lex signals several soldiers who firmly restrain Keith’s arms. They drag him away per usual, just this time his horse follows.

“Un-Unhand me! Blast! MiZUha! No matter how far apart we are, the love that ties us together shall never come undone! Call my name when you get lonely! I swear I will make my way to you!”

“Yeah, whatever you say. Please try not to cause problems for the others,” I say dryly.

“I just heard it! Your loving voice has reached me, MiZUha! As I thought, you and I are connected by love—” His rant sounds like it’s going to go on for a long time, so I consciously push it out of my mind. He never ceases to be a tiring man.

“…I have never seen a more frustrating man in my life. I and the other believers shall protect our Goddess.”

Oh joy, another nuisance has arrived in Keith’s place.

“I figured they would come too…” I say to Lex.

“What a coincidence, Lady Mizuha, I did too.”

Lex and I turn toward the speaker together. Lo and behold, we find a group of people clad in hooded cloaks headed up by Iris. These are the fanatic believers belonging to the Church of Our Lady Mizuha that mistakenly worships me as the goddess. There are a total of fifty members. My greatest concern of late is the steady increase in members every time I see them.

Exhaling an exhausted sigh, I ask, “You’re going to come even if I tell you not to, aren’t you?”

“We are always one with our Goddess,” Iris proclaims.

“…Telling you no isn’t going to work, is it?”

“Heavens no!”

Yeah, I figured as much. I did, but I wish they hid it better.

“But we will be traveling by horse. How will you keep up?”

“We will run alongside you.”

I struggle to call them devout believers when I’m what they worship, but in any case, they run on a useless amount of moxie. I bet they will push through any obstacle with willpower alone.

“I know you were listening to us tell Keith this, but I am a part of a detached force. If you want to assist, please lend your efforts to the main force. Will you do that for me?” I phrase it like a request.

“…Y-You can count on us...!” Iris exclaims.

“You paused for a long time there.”

“You imagined it.”

She absolutely plans to tag along with my unit.

“If you’re lying, I’ll have Lex destroy each and every item everyone is carrying right now,” I threaten.

“Y-You mustn’t! Not our precious goddess statues!”

“Everyone, get in formation—the anti-Goddess formation!”

The believers form a circle with their backs facing inward. It’s definitely a formation to protect “my statue” from me. I’m not even sure where to begin picking apart the irony of the situation, but if nothing else, they seem intent on carrying a statue of me with them everywhere.

Though I seriously hate that statue and how high-quality it is, they view it as more precious than their lives, so I have yet to get them to let it go. Threatening to destroy it was super effective though.

“You will obey my orders, right?” I ask and get an immediate affirmative.

I thought that settled it until Lex whispers in my ear. “Lady Mizuha, I suggest permitting just Miss Iris to join our unit.”

“Are you serious? It’s a given she’ll try something funny.”

“But her superhuman strength is invaluable. I assure you it will come in handy.”

Iris has absurd physical strength—she might even best Lex. Maybe we will come across a situation that could use her.

“My goddess is staring at me…”

I’m extremely concerned this isn’t going to work out when just glancing her way overexcites her, but beggars can’t be choosers.

“Uh...will you join me on the detached unit, Iris?”

“May I?”

“Yeah. Only if you want to, since it’ll be dangerous.”

“I want to! I’m absolutely coming if you allow it!” Iris snorts, her eyes gleaming dangerously.

I didn’t think she would decline, but…I’m seriously doubting my decision to invite her after seeing her extreme reaction.

“Oh my Goddess! Why is only Sister Iris allowed?!”

“If she’s going, then so am I!”

“No, I’ll go! I’ll watch the Goddess’s back!”

The other fanatics are protesting my decision, which I expected to happen. Iris arrogantly puffs out her chest in front of them.

“You mustn’t cause problems for our goddess. Accept her divine decision making—her decision to choose Iris.”

She’s only provoking them, as evidenced by the other fanatics’ vengeful growling and groaning. If I let them go like this, they’ll only become deadweight for the main force. I’m going to have to step out of character for a moment.

“Everyone, please hear me out!” I say in my best endearing voice. “I am in charge of this operation, so I will be super-duper sad if it fails. Won’t you pretty please help me out? If you all cooperate, it will make me, well, the happiest girl in the world.”

“Anything for you, Goddess!”

They instantly agreed. For a moment, I wonder if that was a little too easy, but I’ve decided to shelve that thought after seeing the dopey smiles on their faces.

“I’ll be damned, Boss Lady is a sinful woman,” someone teases. I follow the laughter to Rosso.

“Don’t give me a bad name. G-Granted, I also think I might’ve gone a little too far just now…”

“Being self-aware means you’ve got what it takes to become a femme fatale.”

He can call me that all he likes—I know I’m far from becoming a femme fatale. After all, how can I ensnare men when I haven’t even dated before? He’s only distorting the definition of the word by using it on me.

“Anyway, I’m late to the party, but I, Rosso, am here to join your unit, Boss Lady, Boss Man!”

“Let us protect Lady Mizuha together, Sir Rosso,” Lex says, shaking his hand.

“Thanks for coming, Rosso. I’m glad to have you.”

“I did promise to help out. Hehe...” Rosso sheepishly scratches the tip of his nose.

Our first encounter was as bad as they come, but now, Rosso is a friend I can trust. It’s really reassuring to have him on the team.

“I guess that’s everyone for our unit,” I say, looking over our members.

The detached force consists of me, Lex, Rosso, and ten soldiers. Add in the last-minute addition of Iris, and that makes fourteen in total. Though our numbers are paltry compared to the main force, our unit is made up of the best of the best. Iris is a potential loose cannon, but I’m positive it will turn out okay—I hope.

The Lucors exit the city gate next. Their unit is made up of thirty men, including Theos, the commanding officer. Each of them is leading a small, pony-like horse. Nothing is overpowering or impressive about them at a glance, but I know how skilled they are with the bow.

I approach them and sweep into a deep bow. “Thank you very much for participating in this operation, Theos.”

“Please raise your head, Holy Priestess. We Lucor owe you a debt. We will follow wherever you go with the battle flag raised.”

The other Lucors nod and sound off in agreement with Theos. Honestly, traveling all over a medieval world purifying zombies is no easy job. I don’t expect anyone to return the favor, but it does make me happy to see my efforts pay off in this way.

That said, there’s a part of me that isn’t happy. Nady, who I thought just might be with the Lucor unit, isn’t there. I haven’t held a decent conversation with her since she asked me to give her space. I had hoped to speak with her before this operation started, but it looks like I won’t get the chance to.

“Mizuha!”

The voice I wanted to hear most right now shatters my doubts. I look toward the gate—a tall Lucor girl is running toward me, leading a horse behind her. There’s no mistake—that’s Nady.

“…Nady? How come you’re here? …And why are you dressed like that?”

“Please add me to your detached force, Mizuha.”

She has a bow and quiver like the other Lucors. It seems she really intends to fight. Truthfully, I would love to take this journey together. But I also have reservations about bringing her when she doesn’t like to fight.

Theos steps in when I’m fumbling for an answer. “Having an archer incapable of using their bow will only hinder their unit.”

“You don’t have to word it that way,” I say.

“Forgive me, Holy Priestess, but this is a matter between Lucors.”

Theos’s face is so callous, I flinch. He’s the only person I’ve met who’s as intimidating as Sir Oden—his height does nothing to lessen the effect. Anyone would cringe before his stony face. Nady, however, faces off with him without recoiling.

“As you said, Father—Chieftain, I still have much growing to do. However, I still wish to partake in this battle to protect my dear friend.”

“Wanting to fight is different from being capable of doing it. Let me ask you once more: are you capable of fighting? Can you shoot an arrow into that dragon?”

“…Yes, Chieftain. This time I will, without fail.”

His question was not directed at his daughter but to a warrior. And Nady answered not to her father, but her Chieftain.

“Then I free you to choose your own path. However, you will be accountable to the punishment for tarnishing the Lucor name.”

“Yes, I will relinquish the Lucor name should I fail.” A commotion erupts among the other Lucors. They never expected Nady to agree to that. Nor did I, honestly.

Theos coolly nods and takes the Lucor unit to join the main force. Left behind, Nady directs an awkward smile at me.

“I’m sorry this is all so abrupt, Mizuha.”

“N-Nah, it’s all good. But are you sure this is what you want? Relinquishing the Lucor name…”

“That is the only way I can prove my resolve.”

I’m flattered she’s willing to risk it all for me, but it’s worrying. Though I’m not going to talk her out of something she has already set her mind to. The only thing I should be doing right now is trust in my friend and the decision she made.

“You don’t mind, right, Lex?”

“I was deeply impressed by her skill with the bow, m’lady. She will surely aid our cause.” In other words, he’s okay with it.

“Welcome to the team, Nady.”

“Thanks. I’ll do my best.”

We take hold of each other’s hand and shake on it. Nady’s hands are big. It’s been so long since we last touched, she feels warmer than usual.

“We should depart soon, Lady Mizuha.”

“Okay!”

Urged to leave by Lex, I turn my back on Grantz’s royal capital.

“Big Sister!” Only one person calls me that.

I turn and see Cia running up to me. She outruns her knights and lunges into my arms.

“Thank you for coming to see me off.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world. But I am terribly worried… I heard this quest is more dangerous than any before it.”

“It will all work out,” I reassure her. “People we can depend on have my back.”

The members of the detached unit nod and pound their chests in agreement with my words. Cia should have seen their valiant gesture, but her expression remains dark.

“I wish there was something I could do to help,” she says sadly.

“You already did by coming to see me off. But if I can ask one favor of you, I want to hear you say ‘See you again soon.’”

“I can do that, but…is that really all you want?”

“Yes. It’s what people say when they see each other off in my world. It’s most commonly used among family members.”

“Among family? …I will try my hardest then.” Cia seems to be psyching herself out as if she’s taking on a once in a lifetime challenge. I think that goes to show just how special the word family is to her, but I’m not looking for a tense goodbye.

“Cia, you don’t have to try hard to say it. It’s nothing formal. Just be casual about it.”

“R-Really? I-In that case…” Cia exhales, releasing the tension from her fists and shoulders, and looks up at me with a serene smile. “See you again soon, Big Sister!”

I’m headed straight toward danger. But Cia’s farewell eases the pressure off me.

I create a smile as brilliant as hers and exclaim, “Thanks! I’ll be back soon!”