Chapter 249 - The Battle for Migul and Mash's Resolve
The swaying of the caravan wagon was as uncomfortable as ever, but before I knew it, we had arrived at the encampment of the Wandering People. It seemed Elisha had cast healing magic on me while I was asleep, because I felt refreshed when I stepped out of the wagon.
After I disembarked, Patricia spotted me and came running.
"You're safe!"
"Yes, Hyakka-sama saved me. And, Lord Moos…"
She held her breath, her gaze sweeping over the people getting off the wagon. From her reaction, I could tell that the members of Levante hadn't stopped here.
"We got separated. They should be with Marina."
Patricia's eyes widened at my words, and her shoulders trembled slightly as she saw Augustus being carried out.
"Lord Augustus…! No…"
I explained that while his clothes were torn and stained with blood, his life was not in danger thanks to healing magic.
"So, what about Hyakka and the others?"
"They came here with me, but they went back into the city, saying they were going to check on you and Lady Rinko's group."
"Are all the members of New World safe?"
"Yes. Our house was burned down and the elven guards were killed, but Hyakka-sama and the others escaped safely."
She gazed at Augustus, her hands clasped tightly to her chest as if in prayer. From behind Patricia, I saw Karpana walking toward us.
It was a little early, but the Wandering People served us dinner. The table was laden with heavily spiced meat dishes, which we ate by wrapping them in thin bread with vegetables. I had grown accustomed to eating two meals a day since coming to this world, but I usually had snacks. And today of all days, I hadn't had the chance, so I was starving. We were inside Karpana's tent. Besides her, Claire, Riley, Elisha, and the members of Neko no Ko Koneko were also present. And Ilisarie was there too, mixing in with a composed look on her face. I didn't understand why she, an enemy, was being treated like an ally, but she was eating just like the rest of us. She had definitely been dead. But the magic Zeno had placed on her had revived her. Elisha's healing magic had then closed the fatal wound, allowing her to maintain her current state, but it still felt unsettling. As I was thinking this, our eyes met.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. I feel perfectly fine."
"You were dead."
"I have no awareness of that."
Unable to shake the creepy feeling, I looked away from her. Suddenly, I remembered making roasted corn with Fam and Maira while helping the Wandering People prepare for dinner. They were with Marina. If they were to escape the city, they should have stopped here. Or did they head directly to a nearby town controlled by House Starunion?
"Perhaps Fam-san and the others have sought refuge with House Wanland?"
Karpana said this as she brought a piece of bread to her mouth. After chewing thoughtfully, she drank some Ayran.
"How do you know?"
"I sent a few people to scout the city's situation. Since we are not from the city, we couldn't investigate too deeply, but we heard that a group of elves headed for the district controlled by House Wanland."
"Not members of House Leafclout?"
"Yes. We could only tell by the difference in their armor."
It was likely members of House Starunion who had fled to House Wanland for refuge after losing the battle at their mansion. However, I couldn't be certain it was Marina and Fam's group. We had traveled with the Wandering People for a time. If Fam, Mizuki, and Maira had been with them, their report should have included a testimony of seeing them.
"I'm sorry, but I need you to shelter Augustus, Patricia, and the members of the Mateo Trading Company."
"What do you plan to do, Mash?"
"I'm worried about Marianne. And if there's a chance Fam and the others are there, I think I'll head to House Wanland."
At my words, all eyes in the tent turned to me.
"Mash…"
Karpana let out a small sigh and clutched her cup of Ayran.
"I understand that you are concerned about Fam and the others. However, sending you back into the city is not an option for me."
"Why not?"
"From what I've heard, you are too deeply involved in the affairs of Migul. Not just as a citizen, but as someone who many believe could change the city's political structure."
"I have no such intention."
"I know. You wish to maintain a neutral stance, don't you? But others do not see it that way. By continuing to take such a position, you will only plunge the city into further chaos. We are the same. If that is what you desire, we, the Wandering People, will follow you to the ends of the earth, as is our pact with Lady Racshell. But right now, Mash, we do not know what you are thinking."
Karpana gently swirled her cup. The white liquid swayed, the foam on the rim dissolving into it.
"I'm sorry, but what I want is only my own desire."
Karpana smiled at my words.
"That is fine. It is those thoughts of yours, Mash, that I wish to hear."
"I… well. The women of this world…"
I started to speak but swallowed my words. If Fam and the others were here, they would have interjected, but I was afraid of the silence that would follow if I said it now.
"I want to live in peace. I don't want the position of an otherworld hero. I don't need honor or fame. I just want to get along with everyone here, with Fam and the others, with Hyakka, and with Rinko's group. That's all. But Racshell told me to defeat the Demon Lord, and my time limit for living in this world is ten years. I want to escape this yoke that has been placed on me and the other transfers. For that…"
The tide of battle in Migul may have already turned in favor of the new regime of House Leafclout and House Airally. If I voiced my own vision for the city, it might only lead to more casualties. There was only so much I could do. Perhaps there would be no outcome where everyone—those here, Levante wherever they are, Hyakka, Marianne—could end this with a smile. I looked around at everyone's faces. I couldn't let myself be swept away by the situation any longer. Karpana was telling me that I needed to speak my mind and act. It seemed my wishy-washy attitude would no longer be tolerated.
"…First, I want to save Marianne."
Karpana nodded at my words.
"Our strength is modest, but we of the Wandering People are trained in the art of battle. We will lend you our aid."
She stood up and walked to the entrance of the tent. The flap was lifted. There, with the setting sun at their backs, were the figures of the Wandering People, kneeling and facing us. I gasped at the sight.
"Wait, I don't want to expand the conflict. And I don't want any unnecessary casualties. That's why I told you my thoughts."
I frantically shook my head.
"Mash. If you intend to throw yourself into this city's conflict, then we too will join the fight to protect you. We must follow the prophecy, guide you to the Old Imperial Capital, and have you meet the last of the Five Goddesses' otherworld heroes. That is the destiny imposed upon our clan. We know you are trying to avoid involving us as much as possible. But we have been waiting for your words."
Hearing her, I stood up. I didn't know what the right thing to do was. But I could no longer be a bystander.
"I want to quell the rebellion in Migul. I need your strength."
The members of the Wandering People bowed their heads at my words.
I, along with Riley, Ilisarie, and Elisha, visited the Wanland mansion. The sun had set beyond the horizon, but its afterglow left the sky a pale blue; it was not yet completely dark. Riley had wanted me to talk with Ito, but in the end, we hadn't had a proper conversation. Everything would have to wait until this matter was settled. She was to stay behind and guard the Wandering People's camp. The exterior of the mansion bore the raw scars of battle, with patches of plaster missing. Like the Starunion mansion, the battle had been fought at the walls. It lacked the grandeur of the elven-built mansion, having a more practical and sturdy construction. The only garden was a courtyard inside the U-shaped building. The building directly bordered the road, boasting the imposing presence of a fortress. Invaders would be forced to either break through the large main door or one of the several side entrances, climb to the high windows, or cross the roof to get to the courtyard—a formidable design.
After I knocked on the door and waited a short while, it opened just enough to let us in.
"Mash!"
The entrance hall was filled with soldiers. They seemed to be resting and preparing for the decisive battle to come. The voice came from deeper within. I stopped and scanned the room, and saw Marianne waving, with her royal guard captain, Tursa, by her side. We made our way through the soldiers.
"I'm glad you're safe!"
"You too!"
Beneath Marianne's smile, I could see deep exhaustion. Her complexion was poor, and she seemed a little pale. She began to lead us to her office. As I walked beside Marianne, our shoulders brushed.
"Mash, I'm so glad I could see you…"
She whispered, then grabbed the sleeve of my arm.
"This wasn't supposed to happen."
"It's not your fault. Don't take it all on yourself."
Marianne's tail swished once, powerfully.
"So, were you able to meet up with Fam and the others?"
"They were here?"
"Yes, they brought Lady Marina. However, when the fighting paused for a while, they left, saying they were going to look for you."
"Mizuki, Maira, and Moos too?"
"Yes. Shizuka, Toratsuna, and Lini stayed here, though."
Marianne nodded. I looked up at the ceiling as if to look at the heavens. It seemed that while I was heading from Claire's place to the Wandering People's camp, we had just missed each other.
"I'm sorry. We've been under siege and haven't been able to see what's happening outside. We don't know what's become of the Senate at City Hall, or the well-being of Same, who went in my place, or the other members of the four houses. No, of course, we are aware that Ishtvan Airally started this rebellion."
Marianne laughed self-deprecatingly.
"I can explain the battle situation. Same and Katarjina Skynorth… they were killed by the rebel army."
Marianne stopped for a moment. Then, with a slight shake of her head, she started walking again.
"I had a bit of a fever. So, I decided to see how I felt today, and Same went to City Hall in my place… And Lord Katarjina too… If I had gone, could I have protected them?"
Marianne bit her lip and gripped the scabbard of the sword at her waist. Having lost her parents at a young age, Marianne was very attached to Katarjina. They were like a grandfather and granddaughter.
"Is Lord Augustus safe?"
"He's safe, but seriously injured. I left him in the care of the Wandering People outside the city."
"Lady Marina might be happy to hear that news."
Marianne opened the door to her office. Inside were her chief retainers, as well as Marina and Wake. Just then, a messenger came running up behind us.
"Reporting! The Leafclout army has invaded from the east, and the Airally army from the west!"
They had no intention of waiting. It seemed they planned to settle this with a night battle.