I apologize for the delay the editing stage ended up taking a while due to unforeseen problems, so without further ado here it is.

TL: Gengareric

TLC: Fairy, Renbo

Editor: Xrain, MikeZilla (New)

Protection and Information (Part 2)

After laughing lightly, I turned my eyes towards Rose.

“I’ll leave Kato-san to you.”

“Understood.”

Both Rose holding Kato-san; and Gerbera watching over the two, disappeared back into the forest.

Only Lily, Ayame and me peeping out of the jersey remained.

Lily tightly pulled the hem of my clothes.

“Master.”

“Aa, it’s alright I understand.”

I took a deep breath and calmed my mind.

Kato-san’s physical condition is worrisome, but we have our own task to do.

The plan has been changed slightly, but the tasks remain the same.

Contact the humans, negotiate guidance to the village, procure goods if possible, and find a place to leave Kato-san.

“Well then, shall we go as well?”

“Yes, master.”

“Kuu.”

We each nodded as we nestled up to each other beginning our walk towards the humans.

We walked through the forest while making as much noise as possible.

This was to drown out the movements of Rose who had separated from us, and to alert them that we are approaching.

“Please lower your sword! We’re not monsters!”

I make sure to call out to them before we are seen by the opposite side.

It would be unbearable to be attacked due to a misunderstanding — or rather; I find it troubling that it won’t be a misunderstanding since we actually are mostly monsters.

It's for that reason that saying something is most useful, as it makes it easy for the other side to make their own a.s.sumptions from it. The reason is because most monsters lack any clear will, and thus are unable to understand human speech.

However, that is ultimately mere speculation on my part. There is the possibility that I’ve overlooked some circ.u.mstances, something might just happen under my supervision, or a spell might just suddenly come flying our way.

This nerve-wracking journey makes me feel like my heart and stomach are being gripped by anxiety. The sense of tension feels as though you are one step from the edge of a cliff. If it wasn’t for the footsteps of the girl walking next to me, I might have ended up being seized by dizziness.

Fortunately, I had guessed right. We managed to get close without being attacked by the men, who had been lying in wait in a circular formation.

A commotion had spread amongst the students and soldiers after we appeared in the small clearing.

“No way, human…?” Someone muttered.

I seized that chance to speak.

“That’s right. We’re humans, not enemies. Will you lower your swords?”

At my appeal, I saw hesitation born in the tips of the blades pointed towards us.

Good. With this, the first stage is cleared. For now I was able to gain some room for discussion.

“I’d like to talk with your representative. Who is he? ”

Cowering strangely, and holding doubt is foolish. I respectfully and carefully threw out the question. Lily drawing close to me gave me the courage I needed.

A commotion was raised again, and the students’ gaze gathered at one point.

“That’s me.”

Attracting attention as he came out; as I expected, it was the white helmet who was the first to notice our presence.

Sheathing his sword, he walked towards us alone.

He’s smaller than I thought. The soldiers who became ghouls were more heavily built than I am; yet he was even shorter than me. His face may not be visible, but his age shouldn’t be that different from mine. Perhaps he might even be younger than me.

In consideration of our vigilance, the white helmet stopped walking about two meters away from us.

“……？”

Suddenly, I saw something glittering floating above his shoulder; which caused me to squint my eyes for a clearer look.

It was a yellow, faintly glittering, fluffy orb.

Its size is slightly smaller than a clenched fist? There was a doll made of clay, with limbs and two eyeball-like hollows that glittered.

……What, is that?

A creature from this world? Perhaps, a monster? ……Rather, it doesn’t seem dangerous, and it just sits there spinning slowly as it floats.

I quickly looked at the other soldiers, but none of them possessed something like this. This doesn’t seem to be common for otherworld people.

Seriously, what is it?

I’m really curious about it. Nevertheless, I should first concentrate on the person before me.

Since it is unlikely to be something dangerous, I decided to leave this matter for later and then fixed my gaze on the white helmet.

“Thank you for responding to my call. Moreover, I am sorry for spying on you.”

“It’s okay. Considering that we are fully armed, your wariness is justified.”

“Thank you for your understanding. My name is Mas.h.i.+ma Takahiro. This person is Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho.”

“My name is Silane. I am the vice chief of this chivalric order.”

The white helmet, or rather, Silane gave a simple greeting.

Then, I suddenly realized my misunderstanding.

He’s — she’s a woman. The stern and low voice from before that came from the bottom of the helmet was a little m.u.f.fled, so I misunderstood. But, as I approached to exchange words, there was a softness peculiar to a lady in the sound of her voice.

She bowed her head. A disturbing action to show her soldiers — no, if they obey her I guess they should be address as knights?

“Travelers coming from another world are a rare sight.”

It has come. The huge exaggeration. Her quaintness, is it due to her characteristics? Or just something that is unique to other world people?

In any case, what’s being said isn’t wrong. I nodded, then asked afterwards,

"Yes, it is as you had said. I can see that it appears you are together with other transported people. Would it be alright for us to a.s.sume that you know about our circ.u.mstances?”

“Yes. They have been kept safe till now.”

Those words that concealed no intentions, held relief.

As long as she isn’t putting on an act, they don’t seem to have the intention to bring us harm.

On the contrary, there are even indications that they are glad that we are safe.

The proof of this is how Silane continued on with a proposal.

“It must’ve been difficult. We hereby extend an invitation for your brethren to our country. If you don’t mind my asking, won’t you come together with us?”

“That is…… just what I wanted.”

I was slightly perplexed.

Information on the way to human civilization was what we originally intended to request from them. From how things turned out, this development was entirely favorable.

Wait a minute, our position is quite bad.

“Is that okay? You’d be bringing us suspicious people, into your home.”

Taking common sense into consideration, people from another world aren’t residents of a field of flowers.

I do not know how common sense works around here, but even if the phenomenon of otherworld transfer is well known; we are foreigners, outsiders…… In other words, it doesn’t change that they should be wary of suspicious people.

“Of course, it doesn’t matter.”

Therefore, I was suspicious of there being an underlying motive. But Silane’s sincere att.i.tude shows that we transported people are welcome to visit.

Even the mood makes it seem that it’s something natural to do.

“It's because you visitors from afar, are our guests of honor.”

“Guest of honor……?”

Hearing those words, somehow, made my spine straighten out.

Apart from that, there didn’t seem to be any malicious intent in her words.

Afterward Silane looked at me with a sincere expression, at the very least she doesn’t seem to be faking it.

Therefore, the feeling came from a discrepancy in the two worlds' logic.

For example, I think of myself as an intruder in this world; but the other party seems to think of us as honored guests.

There is a difference in each of our perspectives. That is why our thoughts did not match up.

Since the other party is from a different world it is obvious conclusion, such a simple matter…… Although it is easy to say such, not being able to understand each other's thoughts is more dangerous than anything. Even if the current situation is favorable, I can’t predict when that will change.

“I’m sorry Silane-san. What do you mean by us being honored guests?"”

“That is……”

While answering my question, Silane noticed something and cut off her word mid sentence.

……d.a.m.n. Was I too hasty?

I wanted to click my tongue at my own impatience, but Silane did not seem to notice my discomfort.

“I am really sorry Takahiro-dono. We need to move on before we can talk in depth. If we linger here too long in this 『Sea of Trees』, it might become fatal for us."

Saying this Silane put her heels together and lowered her head.

It was a sincere expression.

“I understand your uneasiness about not understanding anything at all, but won't you please come with us first?. We will be able to reach our destination very soon. I will explain after we arrive.”

Silane raised her head. From underneath her white helmet, she gazed at me with eyes full of sincerity.

“……. I understand.”

In this kind of situation, I can't press her for answers any longer.

So I accepted her offer.

The Silane who was unaware of my inner thoughts, seemed to let out a laugh from inside her helmet.

“Then come with us. We welcome you.”

Immediately after our self-introductions, we departed.

The armored knights split into two parties to guard the group from both the front and the rear.

In the front was Silane, leading the entire group of knights.

In total 15 students, including Lily and me, were being protected by them.

In the first place, the students seemed to be split into various groups, and interact with each other. The newcomers entered the original groups and moved together. Thanks to that, me sticking together with Lily was not be seen as weird.

“So far you’ve been wandering through this forest? You did good to survive that.”

“It is okay now though.”

“These fellows are guarding us now. We are saved.”

“I thought it would only be temporary, but we really are saved.”

“Well Mas.h.i.+ma-san was lucky! I’m glad your still alive!”

The tired students spoke warm words of welcome to us, who had just joined them.

Since we decided to depart soon after our introductions, I only know their names and have yet to grasp their personalities. However, there were still a few of them that I remembered from the past.

One of them was a boy that seemed to be older than me. His name seems to be Taichi Miyos.h.i.+.

Originally his companions were two boys and two girls, but he called out to others impartially.

In other words is he the cla.s.s mediator? Actually, he seems to just be a cla.s.smate.

I remembered another one of them, but not in a good way.

He was younger than me and his name was Sakagami Gouhuta. I did not know his name from him personally, but was instead informed by a bitter Miyo.

To put it simply Sakagami was a delinquent. While scratching his dirty blond hair, he sharply glanced at us. When his gaze turned towards Lily, he made an indecent smile…… I suppose that is the reason for his gaze. Lily’s appearance is currently that of Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho, a beautiful girl, something that their current group was lacking.

There is only person accompanying Sakagami. He is a small weak looking student. He is carrying a large backpack that seems to contain both his, and Sakagami’s luggage causing him to stagger while walking.

Even here people are oppressing others. With no one stopping such unreasonable behavior.

You could tell several other students, including Miyos.h.i.+, were bitter about Sakagami's presence and behavior from the looks in their eyes.

Well, I understand their feelings. I also dislike what I’m seeing.

Looking at them I recalled memories from our prior life at school, that by now feels like a distant past.

The grades are mixed, and we are currently moving through a forest. But this still resembles a cla.s.sroom that you would find anywhere in j.a.pan.

Nonetheless, the students would never have expected the be transferred here and be put into this type of situation.

“Are Mas.h.i.+ma-kun and Mizus.h.i.+ma-san tired yet?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Isn’t Miyo-san a bit tired yet?”

“Haha. A girl is worrying about me. I do long distance track and field events. I won’t tire out that easily.”

Occasionally someone will let out words of encouragement as the 30 knights and students traverse the otherwise silent animal trail.

One of the reasons for this, is the large amount of fatigue that everyone is experiencing.

The other reason, is because it is unwise to engage in idle chats while walking through the forest. Even a child understands that excess noise makes it more difficult to detect approaching monsters.

“……”

As a part of the group of students, I continued on, walking silently. While doing so, I felt a sense of unease.

"Something is dangerous." Is not what I felt.

It seems to be the same thing that I had felt during the exchange with Silane a while ago.

It somehow felt like I was a foreign object here.

Needless to say, I am in fact, a foreign body in this group.

What proved that I was a foreigner here is that from the time I joined in with the group, I have yet to separate from Lily. Although I don’t know how it looks from their perspective…… I can feel the somewhat jealous looks in their eyes. Actually there was a sense of distance and wariness in regards to me, even from the guards.

So it is certain I’m a foreigner here…… Yet this is not the cause of the feelings of unease.

The feeling's origin is from something else.

But I have yet to figure out what that is.

“Mas.h.i.+ma-kun.”

Lily clutches my hand as I was lost in thought.

Her eyes filled with with concern, intently stared at me.

At the same time gazes filled with jealousy were directed towards me; well that doesn’t matter.

“Are you alright Mas.h.i.+ma-kun?”

This time, Lily isn’t calling me master. She is acting as Mizus.h.i.+ma Miho until the end.

But that doesn’t change our relations.h.i.+p.

“It’s alright.”

At least she is standing here with me.

Because of that, I’ll endure along with the other transferees until this sense of unease comes to fruition. In other words, I swallowed my emotions and continued moving forward.

Soon we began to climb a rising slope. Immediately after climbing the hillside, the field of view before us widened.

A shout of joy broke out amongst the group.

The forest that had constantly obscured our view is gone.

Instead there was the appearance of a large building, consisting of tens of thousands of bricks.

There was a huge fortress where the deep forest once was, its walls now colored brown from the pa.s.sage of time.