Chapter 248 - The Battle for Migul and the Road to the Mateo Trading Company
I was worried about Rinko and Airi, but to avoid combat, we didn't go through Crystal Garden, instead cutting through the area that had been controlled by House Starunion on our way to the Mateo Trading Company.
The fighting in this district seemed to have been limited. The battle had likely ended once Clovis's soldiers surrounded and took the Starunion mansion. The only other major damage was our house being burned down. Now, Clovis's forces were directed toward the southern region controlled by House Wanland. As a result, there were no burning or destroyed houses here. However, fearing they would be caught in the crossfire, no residents were out on the streets.
Though we walked on empty roads, I occasionally felt eyes on us from within the buildings. When I'd turn to look, the observer would disappear back into the shadows. It didn't seem like we were being followed. The pain from my fall was returning. The health potion hadn't fully healed it. Augustus, on my back, was heavy. I wished he would wake up and walk on his own two feet.
"Mash…"
As I bent over, hands on my knees, Elisha reached a hand toward my chest. Her healing magic took effect, and the pain eased slightly.
"Please let me heal you properly."
"I want to meet up with our other friends first."
When I straightened up and started walking again, Elisha just watched me in silence, her hands returning to her chest.
"Is this area really safe? And this one is on the enemy's side, right?"
Riley muttered, glaring at Ilisarie.
"My objective is to stop the influence the otherworld heroes have on this world. If you do nothing, Mash, then half of that objective is achieved. The other half is to take possession of and seal the contents of the Ark that were brought to this world: the stone tablet, the staff, and the jar of holy oil."
"That's no excuse to throw this city into chaos! If it was something personal, you should have just told Mash directly. This guy will listen to anything a woman says."
Riley stopped and grabbed Ilisarie by the collar. Ilisarie offered no resistance, simply staring back at her with a cold smile.
"Hey, stop it."
I harbored nothing but distrust and anger toward Ilisarie myself, but this wasn't the time to be fighting. Besides, Riley's recent assessment of me was also starting to bother me. But bringing that up now would only complicate things, so I decided to keep quiet. Later, in bed, I would make her regret it.
Riley clicked her tongue and shoved Ilisarie away. With a nod from my chin, they started walking again.
"Why me? There are other transfers. Some of them have even become your allies, right?"
"To be precise, it's you and Mizuki."
I tilted my head at Ilisarie's words.
"I don't get it. It seems like any other transfer would be the same…"
"Have you ever heard the word 'Linker'?"
That was the word Petra had used when I heard the elven myths from Clovis. There are clans in the world who hear the words of the gods and act according to them. Just as the humans had their People of Light, the elves, demons, and dwarves had similar beings. Come to think of it, the 'People of Light' were the 'Wandering People' themselves. And Petra had said that House Leafclout was a clan of Linkers. They had a pact with the ancient Fifty Gods, and it was possible that some among them, like Karpana's grandmother of the Wandering People, could receive the words of the gods.
"Are you saying that Mizuki and I have the role of Linkers among the transfers?"
Ilisarie smiled.
"Exactly. Think about it. Otherworld heroes are usually chosen as pairs bound by a strong tie. However, the relationship between the two summoned by Lady Racshell is thin. Therefore, you try to build a strong relationship in this world."
"You think my relationship with Mizuki is thin?"
It was true that other transfers had strong pre-existing bonds: Hyakka and her group were siblings, Shizuka and Toratsuna were lovers, and Rinko and Airi were an idol duo. When I really thought about it, Mizuki and I had no such connection. Our first meeting was when we were summoned to the goddess's temple while arguing after she mistook me for a pervert. Our bond was forged after that.
"Yuuki was closer to Mizuki than you were in the world you were summoned from, was he not?"
"Mizuki is more… than I am…"
Those were the words I least wanted to hear. I believed Mizuki wouldn't leave me. But I didn't know her reason for choosing me. I felt like I hadn't heard her true feelings. I knew Ilisarie was trying to provoke me, but I couldn't help but try to read the meaning behind her smile.
"Clovis believes that Yuuki can become a substitute for Mash."
"Don't tell me… the Goddess Summoning?"
Yuuki's special skill, Koku Sanzo, allowed him to possess up to three special skills of enemies he defeated. I hadn't been defeated, but by escaping into the world of the holy oil jar during my fight with them, there was a time when my connection to this world was severed. Could that have registered as a death? One special skill was generally limited to one user, but it seemed that wasn't a strict rule. He had also used Emma's special skill. Emma had been killed by Yuuki, but her clone survived. And both Yuuki and the clone could use the same special skill.
Just as we were about to enter the Wanland-controlled district, a troop of soldiers appeared before us.
From their armor, I could tell they were from Clovis's house. Ilisarie stopped us from reaching for our weapons and walked toward the soldiers herself.
"Is she planning to betray us…"
Riley muttered, glaring at Ilisarie's back. She had lowered her stance, ready for battle at any moment. Watching her, I thought that Ilisarie had never been on our side to begin with, but it was probably better not to say that to her.
"Mash, do you understand what Ilisarie is trying to do?"
Elisha, too, was gripping her long staff, her expression grim as she watched Ilisarie.
"She wants to replace me with Yuuki. I took that to mean I should do nothing, right?"
"Then she should be with the transfer named Yuuki. The fact that she is with you means she thinks otherwise. I also don't understand why she is trying to kill the otherworld heroes besides you and Mizuki. If she's bringing up the story of the Linkers, then it is the otherworld heroes who have come to this land by the will of the gods. Furthermore, she is a delegate from the Great Forest, the elder of the elven race. Originally, she should be a neutral third party with no connection to either House Starunion or House Clovis. So why is she siding with House Clovis and inciting a civil war like this?"
At Elisha's question, I too turned my gaze to Ilisarie. She seemed to be questioning the soldiers.
"I have no idea about my part in this. As for the elven situation, it seemed House Starunion was disliked, but…"
My words trailed off. Did Ilisarie even know the whole story? While we were talking, Ilisarie returned. The soldiers hadn't been tracking us; they left in a hurry, and the danger of a fight passed.
"It seems Marina has not been captured. The whereabouts of Mash's companions are also unknown. They are likely together. Also, House Skynorth has surrendered and relinquished their mansion. On the other hand, the battle with House Wanland is at a stalemate. Remnants of House Starunion and House Skynorth have joined them. They will temporarily withdraw their troops, reorganize, and then launch a pincer attack with House Airally from both sides. That will end this war."
I listened in a daze as she calmly described the situation. The rule of Migul by the four houses was on the verge of collapsing in a single day.
"The transfers, like Rinko and Hyakka…"
"I haven't received detailed information on that, but I heard that several were killed in Crystal Garden."
Could that have been Rinko's group? I had heard there were other transfers besides them, but I had no way of knowing. I realized Ilisarie was staring intently at me.
"Mash, do you have any intention of ending this fight?"
"What can I do?" I answered with a self-deprecating laugh.
"We sent a messenger to House Wanland during this temporary ceasefire to urge their surrender, but there has been no reply. It seems they are determined to resist to the end. You, however, should be able to appeal directly to Marianne, the head of House Wanland."
"That's ridiculous! You want me to go tell Marianne to surrender?"
"You dislike fighting, don't you? And you care about women, don't you?"
"But…"
I clenched my fists. I did care about Marianne. But I couldn't imagine my words would reach her in a situation like this. They had a long history of ruling Migul weighing on them. If they could simply abandon that and change their course so easily, a conflict like this would never have happened in the first place. Of course, I strongly wanted to see her. But I didn't know what I could possibly say to her in this situation.
"The outcome is already decided. It's impossible for House Wanland to turn the tables from here. Even if she wishes to continue the fight, it will only increase the number of casualties without changing the result."
"Is there no thought of you all withdrawing your troops? At least, you don't seem interested in the outcome of this battle. Your only concern is the transfer hunt happening within it, right?"
Ilisarie smiled at my words. It was an unpleasant smile. I felt like she was looking down on me.
"You are correct. But unfortunately, this battle was started by Zeno Leafclout, Clovis Leafclout, and Ishtvan Airally. I cannot stop it."
"Aren't you the chaperone for the elves from the Great Forest?"
"They have their own objectives."
I glared at her, but she simply met my gaze with her usual smile, deflecting it.
"Hey, this isn't the time to be standing around arguing. Let's head to the Mateo Trading Company during the ceasefire."
Riley stepped between us.
Unlike the other districts, the Wanland-controlled area showed signs of battle everywhere. There were houses with collapsed ceilings, and others with holes blown in their walls from magic. Although the bodies had been cleared, we saw broken arrows, bloodstains, and abandoned, broken weapons. The smell of burning, dust, and a strong, mold-like scent stung my nose. We also saw barricades made from household furniture in various places. Witnessing such scenes brought home the reality that a war was being fought, and my desire for Levante's safety grew stronger. From behind the barricades, armed residents watched us pass.
"The Mateo Trading Company is just around that corner…"
Finally, I could put down Augustus, who I was carrying on my back. With that thought, I walked down the street. The shop had a large square for temporarily storing goods and bringing in carriages. A caravan of wagons was lined up there. Amidst the bustling people, I spotted a female warrior in a bikini-style armor.
"Avea!"
I shouted and ran toward her. She turned, her gaze searching behind me. Her eyes stopped on Augustus on my back, and she snorted.
"This brings back memories. Aren't Fam and the others with you?"
I had thought they might be here, but her words dashed that hope.
"…We got separated. What about these wagons?"
"Yeah, since the fighting seems to have paused, we're sending the caravan out to Heilong now."
The wagons being prepared were the same ones we had taken from Heilong to this city.
"This is a sudden departure. Are you going too, Avea?"
"The caravan was supposed to depart after collecting more goods, but it's the fault of those who started this sudden war. I plan to stay behind, as my lady needs a guard."
"Are Claire and Mercedes staying here?"
"No, the shop is closing, and they'll slip out with the caravan. The Wandering People are here, right? I was planning to negotiate for them to take shelter there until the fighting calms down, but since you're here, it'll be quick."
Just then, I saw Claire, flapping her small white wings, chatting with Yanan, Doris, and Takemura. When she saw me, her eyes lit up, and she came running.