～ Part 2 ～

“Thank you for waiting, Your Highness.”

One of the knights softly whispered to Selena.

“Her Excellency General has arrived.”

“Ah, yes. Thank you very much.”

Listening to those words, Kyousuke fixed his posture and appearance.

When he turned his eyes to the gate, ∗gachari∗, ∗gachari∗ there was a sound, and the figure of a woman in her prime showed up. Reddish brown hair tied together. Having sharp facial features giving the impression like an unsheathed blade, she wore an outfit with appearance just like a 『female knight』, however, a painful-looking scar remained on her face.

It was so impressive that Rin said 『It looks like an evolution form of Tsurugin』. She certainly resembled Kensaki.

However, the difference in intimidating air was staggering. Even though she was by no means tall, even though she wasn’t that big and brawny, every-time she walked, the armor clanked and it seeped out…, Aura? Combat Power? At any rate, something like «Fierce» which was difficult to put into words, was ∗biri biri∗ transmitted to Kyousuke and the others’ bodies.

If Kensaki is a «Public Morals Committee Member», then she is … no, «General»? Just as her t.i.tle says.

“For now, welcome back. Your Highness. Please forgive me for greeting you like this.”

“Ah, no…. It is my wish to sit here with them…. I’m sorry to have caused you worries. Master.”

“All that matters is that you’re safe. If anything was to happen to you, I would have performed harakiri on the spot.”

Looking at the knight general who exchanged calm words with Selena, Kyousuke for the first time had the mind to re-examine her.

The general, just like that, glanced over and turned her line of sight to Kyousuke and the others. It made them involuntarily jumped. Rin and everyone were taken aback and had fallen down from their chairs with momentum.

“Now, are you guys the ones who escorted Her Highness Princess? I would like to thank you. In the matter this time, as one would expected, Her Majesty the Queen also has been worrying.”

The female general with her armor clattering, talked to them in a somewhat informal tone.

“From skeleton to slime, wisp to unicorn…? According to the report it is said that you can speak human language?”

“Ah, umm. Yes, I can speak.”

“Mu, it’s more fluent than I thought…”

Kyousuke glanced at the other members. Akira appeared to have maintained a calm heart, but the force of his flame was weaker than usual. Rin was desperate to fix the fallen chair, and talking about Hakuba, he was pointing a little sad eyes to the female general. Although she is surely beautiful, there is no need to be that downhearted….[Notes]

Hakuba as it was, knocked twice on the canopy bedpost. What signal? Do you mean to say that it is the code for experienced people? Totally unnecessary information.

“No, although it’s the situation where I want to give a generous hospitality to you guys as people who have protected Her Highness Princess, guests like you guys are the first time…”

The general made a difficult face while scratching her head.

“Even elves and lizard-men are different… It is the first time

to have intelligent monsters. Moreover, you can communicate with us through language. Honestly, it is confusing.”

“Ah–ahh no. Umm…”

“Master, Utsurogi-san and everyone are trippers.”

Instead of Kyousuke whose mind was in disorder, Selena cut to the chase. She was a reliable princess. The female general looked at her visibly surprised.

“Trippers? They are?”

“That’s right. As far as I listen to their story, they are from the same hometown as the people who are being protected by my father and the kingdom.”

“But I have been told that there was no such monsters in the hometown of His Majesty the King?”

“At the time of transference, our appearances changed.”

Although it was only speculation, Kyousuke answered it clearly.

Kyousuke decided to explain their situation in detail. While talking, his tongue gradually warmed up. Themselves, a group unit called a school cla.s.s were on a trip when the incident happened, additionally their appearances had been turned into monsters at the time of the transference. The female general without unsparingly denying him, listened to the story carefully.

Next, Kyousuke explained things since they met Selena. They rescued her who was being chased by a wilderness worm and sheltered her in the cla.s.s. Then they battled with the «Red Winged Devil» that had annihilated Selena’s investigation team and one of their cla.s.smates was kidnapped.

The female general narrowed her eyes at the phrase «Red Winged Devil» and took confirmation with Selena.

When Selena nodded that it was no mistake, the knights and magicians who were standing at attention around them suddenly became noisy.

“Eh, wh–what? What what?”

Rin gave an anxious voice.

“If it is a «Red Winged Devil», our people have also confirmed it.”

The female general looked up at the sky and said so.

“Is it true!?”

“Yes. Having red wings and black armor, it was an evil spirit-like enemy with terrible strength and magic attack power. The day after we lost contact with Her Highness Princess’ unit, this wall was also attacked. Although I managed to repulse them somehow, 2 out of 3 managed to escape.”

“Th–three!?”

Kyousuke involuntarily stood up and raised his voice. Surprised Selena opened her eyes wide, Rin, Hakuba, and Akira also were unable to hide their astonishment. Was Kyousuke’s reaction unexpected, the female general also was slightly stunned, then she answered like this.

“Ah, right. It is three. They named themselves as «p.a.w.n»…. As a matter of fact, this side also have suffered considerable damage. Apparently it’s better to tell you guys a detailed story.”

Saying so, the general urged all the people concerned to stand up.

“Let’s talk in my room. As expected, the sunlight is too strong outside.”

“Ah, umm. Is that good?”

“Don’t worry. I was wary of you for being monsters for the time being, but it appears that there are complicated circ.u.mstances, also, even if you guys try anything funny, I can shut you down in less than 2 seconds.”

Without being especially tense, the female general calmly said so. Perhaps, it would be just like what she said.

However, it wasn’t the confident speech and conduct of the knight general that dominated Kyousuke’s heart right now. It was the fact that there were at least three «Red Winged Devil». The power of the devil who had that absolute fighting ability, was never the only one.

“Ne~e, «p.a.w.n» is a chess piece, isn’t it?”

Rin spoke a few words.

“Ahh, it is also the weakest piece. However, the word «p.a.w.n» those guys introduced themselves as may not necessarily have the same meanings as chess.”

Akira’s voice who said so was also a little tense. Certainly, that devil spoke the word «King» just before flying away. p.a.w.n of the King. There was absolutely no definitive evidence, but it could be said to be enough to make an unpleasant imagination.

The strength that the red winged devil held, was it really the strength of a mere «vanguard»?

“Let’s hear it for references but Hino-kun, how many p.a.w.ns there are in all?”

“It’s 8 pieces per side.”

The cool words of Akira, echoed in this place along with a chilling feel.

Apparently the defensive wall itself seemed to be a long fortress spanning from north to south. Kyousuke group was guided to a private room of the knight general in one corner of the fortress. In a room with a calm atmosphere like a study, the walls were decorated with large spears and tower s.h.i.+elds nearing 3 meters. Next to that was a portrait of middle-aged hooked nose man. The general’s husband ——— he is a little too old for that, so her father?

By the way, regarding the large amount of books on the bookshelf, half of them were occupied by chivalric romance and love romance novels, Selena secretly taught him. Despite being taught secretly, the female general seemed to have heard and directed a meaning smile at them.

“It’s bad to say general forever. I am Carol. Best regards.”

“A~ah, no, it’s Utsurogi.”

“Utsurogi…. Do you write it as «travel mood»?”

“That’s Utsurigi, isn’t it…”

The female general Carol seemed to have j.a.panese knowledge to the extent that such a mistake could be made. If so, credibility came out also in the story that this country protected some j.a.panese people.

Trying to drink the tea that Carol brewed, Kyousuke stopped his hand. If I was to drink tea here, wouldn’t that left a stain on this high cla.s.s sofa I’m sitting on right now.

“Utsurogi-kun! I will catch everything!”

“No, umm, yeah…. Indomitable, Himemizu…”

For Akira’s side, rather than indomitable it seemed more like impudent, he was perfectly leaving burn marks on the high cla.s.s sofa.

“Speaking of which, because you’re a skeleton, you will spill if you drink tea…. It is quite difficult to accommodate a monster…”

“Ah, it’s okay. I will handle it all! It looks delicious with sweet confectionary​ … ouchhh~!”

The gluttonous high spirit slime was pinched with all his might.

“Well good. Let’s talk. First of all it is information sharing about the «Red Winged Devil».”

Carol talked about the «Red Winged Devil» that had previously attacked this fortress.

There were three devils. Additionally, they were said to have led monsters such as imps and ghouls as infantry. Coincidentally like Kyousuke group, the devils were referred to as red winged devils, and they seemed to have slaughtered the knights and magicians with their overwhelming fighting ability.

Unfortunately, on that day Carol was a little away from the fortress to welcome guests from the Royal Capital, and her arrival at the scene was delayed. Nevertheless, it was said that once she had finally arrived, she destroyed one of the devils with fierce G.o.d-like power. As one of their commanders was defeated, the enemy unceremoniously withdrew.

“The strength of this fortress, is it enough to exceed the attacks of those three devils…”

As Akira said so, Carol shook her head.

“I would say. We suffered considerable damage. It’s to the extent that even if ordinary knights and magicians gathered together, they would still be unable to compete.”

And, to say something like that, is it because she herself is aware that she isn’t ordinary?

Kyousuke, clenching his fist, looked directly at Carol. If it’s her, she will be able to contend with Red Wing evenly or more than that.

“Carol-san, will you cooperate with us?”

“Yea?”

“There is a possibility that those guys will come to our base as well. And also, bringing along some «number».”

They finally cut to the main issue.

Now, Ryuzaki and the others were doing renovation work of the heavy cruiser as a mean to escape the base. However, five days had already pa.s.sed since Red Wing attacked the base. It was no wonder when Red Wing’s hand would extend over there again.

Furthermore, the situation was more serious than originally a.s.sumed. «p.a.w.n» as the devils had self-proclaimed, and 3 of them at that. Then, he couldn’t think that the number of Red Wings to attack the base would be just 1.

If the knight general in front of them was to lend her power even just a bit.

“Unfortunately, I cannot do that.”

With a cup of tea in one hand, Carol frankly said.

“Such, Master! How come?!”

“Please calm down Your Highness. If you comprehend the story so far, you will understand. This fortress line also does not know when it will be attacked by those guys.”

The fortress had suffered considerable human casualties, there was already no reserve capacity to send reinforcements to Kyousuke and the others. Not to mention about borrowing the hands of Carol herself. Just like Full Cross to 2nd year cla.s.s 4, she was the trump card to fight against powerful enemies.

If Ryuzaki and the others could finish repairing the heavy cruiser as soon as possible. And his cla.s.smates could get out of the base before the attack of Red Wing came, there would be no longer a need to borrow the power of the knights here. But, it was a very slim hope.

“Sorry. Utsurogi. Even though you have saved Her Highness Princess.”

Carol, did she sympathize with the feelings of such Kyousuke, even so she again expressed her refusal.

“Master, can you listen to me if I use my name?”

“In spite of your words, Your Highness, regarding the war potential management of this fortress line, I have been delegated full authority from Their Majesties. Of course the approval of the Parliament is also necessary for matter related to official operation…”

Also the matter this time was an emergency case, so Carol told them she couldn’t heed their request.

Selena who stood up, sat back down with a frustrated face. There was no lies in the words she had said that her name was carrying diplomatic value. Possibly, if this fortress had yet to be attacked by the red winged devils, Carol might have readily accepted Kyousuke and the others’ request.

However, the situation was bad.

“I’m sorry…. Utsurogi-san … everyone…”

Selena, gripping the hem of her clothes, squeezed out some words.

“Ah, yeah. It’s not Selena-chan’s fault in particular…”

Without much strength in her voice, Rin said. Yes, regarding this matter, it isn’t her fault at all.

“I do not know if it will be a consolation, but if you guys wish, I promise to protect you on this fortress line. Once you return to that base of yours, it will be no problem if you bring your friends here. If you have about 40 monsters, well, I will be able to shelter you somehow.”

That was the maximum concession that knight general Carol could give. At the time when the red winged devil attacked, if they could receive protection from her, a mighty trump card, there would be nothing more rea.s.suring.

However, if he was to return to the base from here, it would take 3 days at the very least. If they were to move with everyone from there, it seemed to take about one week including the preparations. The same with waiting for the renovation of the heavy cruiser to be completed, there was no guarantee that they would not get attacked during that time. As time went by, that base and the wide wasteland would not be safe.

“It will be sunset soon. You’d better stay overnight here. If you return to the base in a hurry, I can also lend you a fast horse…. Ah no, yeah.”

As her eyes met with Hakuba’s, Carol’s words became a little ambiguous.

“Let’s prepare the rooms. For the unicorn also, it won’t be the stable but a proper one. As expected, you cannot stay in the same room as Her Highness Princess, but I don’t mind letting you talk late if you call me as well.”

Saying that much, knight general Carol left the room. Probably, she was going to prepare the bedrooms at once.

This negotiation was not a failure. It could be said that they succeeded in obtaining cooperation.

However, beyond being unable to obtain direct reinforcements, the unspeakable ominous ident.i.ty of those Red Wings and those connected with them had brought about a heavy silence. It is frustrating that there is no way to convey it to Ryuzaki and the others.

“After all, it may be better to take a fast horse and return to the base first thing tomorrow morning.”

Akira muttered.

“Oi, what about me?”

“Hakuba can stayed here. Since it’s probably safe. Even if it is said that Hakuba’s pace is quite fast, it probably is not as fast as a battle-trained horse here. Kyousuke can get on properly and have the horse gallop straight … well, if we can arrived in 2 days it would be most satisfactory​.”

“There is only that, or…”

Kyousuke also nodded. First of all, it was most important to convey the information obtained here to Ryuzaki and the others. If they reached this fortress line, safety would be guaranteed. That alone could be said to be a considerable step forward. It was also a country where trippers lived and might also have clues to return to the former world.

“Uu, I’m sorry…. I, in the most important place…”

“That’s why Selena-chan is not bad…”

When Rin hit Selena’s back ∗pon pon∗, 『Gofuu』 there was a sound like air being beaten out of her lung, and Selena grandly choked.

After a while, the rooms were ready and Carol returned. All of them, while praying for the safety of the base, decided to heal the fatigue of the journey for the time being.