Vol. 1 - Chapter 8.4: World Saviour (4)
It was the first time Takashi had come outside of Leirune since he arrived in this other world.
Outside the town, a paved road stretched, but it was sunken in places, with grass growing in the cracks. Occasionally, what appeared to be human bones could be seen scattered around. Takashi was terrified and then felt sad as the reality of this world slapped him in the face once again, realizing the demise of the era of mankind.
They continued walking until the Castle of Syness in Leirune was far behind them. One could only make out its shape in the distance.
Orneo muttered, "There used to be a Leirune fort around here."
They could see remnants of solid structures and collapsed rock walls. Orneo said it used to be a fortress, but now there was no trace of such a structure.
"That's it, isn't it?"
In the corner of Excella's eye, she noticed a campfire, the source of the red smoke. The fire was burning at a distance, and the smoke was crossing in the air.
Takashi carefully scanned around. The group approached the source of the smoke, but there was no one around.
"Orneo. I'm guessing it is this door."
"Uh-huh. Probably, that's it."
Excella and Orneo looked at a rotting door near the burning firewood. It was probably debris from the collapsed building. From the cracks of the chipped and rotten door, the ruins of the deserted building spread out.
While Takashi wondered what they were talking about, Orneo slid half of his body through the rotting door. Soon, Orneo's figure vanished.
"EEEHH!?"
"Lord Hero, let's go this way as well"
Led by Excella's hand, Takashi entered through the door as well. It was like passing through an enchanted barrier. Once behind the rotting door, the scenery changed drastically. Now, Takashi saw multiple human soldiers in front of him. He also noticed a dense formation of tents that had been set up.
"T-This is, a different spatial dimension!?"
"No. It is a type of sorcery. They must be hiding in this way to protect themselves from demons."
"Sorcery!? That's kind of amazing...!"
Takashi once again realized that this was a fantasy world after all.
Orneo gazed at the military camp as he said, "Nevertheless, I can't believe there are still people who can use such a high level of sorcery."
Takashi also looked toward the camp. The soldiers who noticed Takashi and the others hung their heads. And then, as if weaving in between the soldiers, two female knights walked up to them. One was a woman in her thirties with silver hair tied in a ponytail. The other woman had silver hair as well, but this one had boyish short hair and looked much younger, around late teens.
When they arrived in front of Excella, the knights got down on one knee. The older of the two spoke in a rather low voice.
"Former Grand Burrell Empire, imperial swordsmanship instructor, Marguerite Torino."
"Third Princess of Leirune, Excella."
Excella greeted them solemnly, exuding an air of nobility that she did not usually show. Orneo followed suit and introduced himself. Leirune, like the Empire, had been conquered by the demonkind. However, the reason why Excella had not added the word "Former" to her title was perhaps because she took pride in the fact that she was determined to restore the kingdom.
"So, Dame Marguerite, were you the one who signaled with the Red Clan Cross?"
"Yes. Being the case of urgent matters."
While answering Orneo's question, Marguerite took one look at Takashi.
"By any chance... Are you Lord Suzuki?"
"H-How did you know about me?"
"I learned about you in a letter from Grand Tactician Lady Leelou Dimension."
"From Master...!"
"That someone from another world has joined the Thunder-Lance Charge and is trying to disrupt it from within."
(W-Well, disrupt it, you say, that's not quite the right word.)
Takashi smiled wryly, but Marguerite's face remained serious.
"The main reason I requested communications with the Red Clan Cross this time is because I was thinking of working together with you, Lord Suzuki, to wipe out the Thunder-Lance Charge."
"W-Wipe out!?"
"T-That's...!"
Excella also seemed surprised and glanced at Takashi's face. Takashi was also at a loss for a response. They had a completely different mindset from them who were trying to coexist with the demons.
Orneo stepped forward.
"The Thunder-Lance Charge is a unit under the direct command of the Demon Lord's Army that specializes in offensive operations. Our Syness' Castle fell in less than half a day. I doubt such a small force could wipe out the Thunder-Lance Charge."
The short-haired girl behind Marguerite glared at Orneo and snorted, "It seems to me that the old man is taking us lightly."
"Noelle, watch your mouth."
"Mother..."
Takashi realized that they were mother and daughter. No wonder they had the same hair color. Now, he couldn't help but notice the similarity in their faces. Both of them were beautiful, but Noelle had a slightly more masculine look on her face.
Marguerite's mouth corners raised slightly in response to Orneo.
"The number of soldiers is not the only thing that counts. With the Master Swordsman Lord Tartarin as our leader, we, the Salvation Crusaders, entrusted by God with the task of saving the world, are a mighty force as powerful as a thousand men."
(Salvation... Crusaders?)
Takashi wondered at the term he heard for the first time.
Meanwhile, Orneo's mouth dropped as he listened.
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