kscans

Chapter 249 - The Siege of Miglutt and Mash's Resolve

The ride in the caravan wagon was as uncomfortable as ever, but before I knew it, we had arrived at the Wandering People's encampment. Elisha must have cast healing magic on me while I was asleep, because I felt refreshed when I got out of the wagon. As I dismounted, Patricia spotted me and came running.

"You're safe!"

"Yes, Lady Hyakka saved me. And Lady Mo..."

she asked, her breath catching as she scanned the people getting out of the wagons. From her expression, I could tell that the members of Levante hadn't stopped here.

"We got separated. She should be with Marina."

Patricia's eyes widened at my words, and she gave a small shudder as she saw Augustus being carried out.

"Lord Augustus...! No..."

I told her that although his clothes were torn and stained with blood, his life was not in danger thanks to healing magic.

"And Hyakka's group?"

"They came here with me, but then they went back to the city, saying they were going to check on you and Lady Rinko's group, Mash."

"Are all the members of the New World party safe?"

"Yes. Our house was burned down and the elven guards were killed, but Lady Hyakka and the others escaped and are safe."

As she stared at Augustus, her hands clenched tightly at her chest in concern. From behind Patricia, Kalpana could be seen walking towards us.

It was a little early, but the Wandering People served us dinner. Plates of heavily spiced meat were laid out. We wrapped it in thin bread with vegetables to eat. I had gotten used to eating two meals a day since coming to this world, but I always had snacks. And today of all days, I hadn't had a moment to think about food, so I was starving. We were inside Kalpana's tent. Besides her, Claire, Riley, Elisha, and the members of Nekono Konekoneko were also present. And Irysalie was there too, sitting with a composed look on her face. I didn't know why she, who should have been an enemy, was being treated like an ally, but she was eating just like the rest of us. She had definitely been dead. But she had been revived by the magic Zeno had cast on her. And in that state, Elisha's healing magic had closed the fatal wound, allowing her to maintain her current condition. Still, it felt unsettling. As I was thinking this, my eyes met hers.

"Are you alright?"

"Yes. I feel fine."

"You were dead."

"I have no memory of that."

Unable to shake the feeling of unease, I looked away from her. I found myself remembering making grilled corn with Famu and Myra, mixed in with the Wandering People preparing dinner. They were with Marina. If they were to escape the city, they should have stopped here. Or had they gone directly to a nearby town controlled by the Star Union family?

"Perhaps Famu's group has taken refuge with the One-Land family?"

Kalpana suggested, bringing a piece of bread to her mouth. She chewed it thoughtfully, then took a sip of airan.

"How do you know?"

"I sent a few people to scout the city. Since we are not from the city, we couldn't investigate too deeply, but I heard that a group of elves headed for the territory of the One-Land family."

"Not members of the Leafkraut family?"

"Yes. We could only tell by the difference in their armor."

It was likely that members of the Star Union family had been defeated in the battle at their mansion and had fled to the One-Land family for help. But I couldn't be certain that it was Marina and Famu's group. We had traveled with the Wandering People for a while. If Famu, Mizuki, and Myra were 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 people from the Mateo Trading Company."

"What are you going to do, Mash?"

"I'm worried about Maryanne. And if there's a chance that Famu's group is there, I think I'll head to the One-Land family's residence."

At my words, all eyes in the tent turned to me.

"Mash..."

Kalpana sighed softly, gripping the cup of airan in her hand.

"I understand that you're worried about Famu's group. But I cannot choose to send you back into the city."

"Why not?"

"From what I've heard, you've become too involved in the city of Miglutt. Not just as a citizen. Many people see you as someone who could change the city's political structure."

"I have no intention of doing that."

"I'm sure you don't. You want to remain neutral, don't you? But others won't see it that way. If you continue to maintain that position, the city will only fall into greater chaos. It's the same for us. If that is what you wish, we of the Wandering People will follow you to the ends of the earth, as per our contract with Lady Laciel. But right now, Mash, we don't know what you're thinking."

Kalpana gently swirled her cup. The white liquid swayed, the bubbles on the rim dissolving into it.

"I'm sorry, but what I want is my own desire."

Kalpana smiled at my words.

"That's fine. It's those thoughts of yours that I want to hear."

"I... well. I want to... all the women in this world..."

I started to say, but swallowed my words. If Famu and the others were here, they would have chimed in, 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 to be an otherworld hero. I don't need honor or fame. I just want to get along with everyone here, with Famu's group, with Hyakka, with Rinko's group. That's all. But Laciel told me to defeat the Demon Lord, and my time limit for living in this world is ten years. I want to escape from this leash that's been put on me and the other transmigrators. For that..."

The tide of battle in Miglutt might already be decided in favor of the new regime of the Leafkraut and Air-Ally families. If I were to voice my own ideas for the city, it might just create more victims. There was only so much I could do. The outcome might not be one where everyone here, and Levante somewhere out there, and Hyakka, and Maryanne, can all smile in the end. I looked around at everyone's faces. I shouldn't let myself be swept along by the situation anymore. Kalpana was telling me that I needed to speak my mind and act. It seemed that a wishy-washy, ambiguous attitude would no longer be tolerated.

"...First, I want to save Maryanne."

Kalpana nodded at my words.

"It may not be much, but we of the Wandering People are trained in the art of battle. We will lend you our strength."

She stood up and walked to the entrance of the tent. She lifted the flap. 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 quickly shook my head.

"Mash. If you are going to throw yourself into the conflict in this city, then we too will join the battle to protect you. We must follow the prophecy, guide you to the old imperial capital, and bring you to the last of the five goddesses' otherworld heroes. That is the destiny that has been assigned to our clan. I know that you are trying to avoid involving us as much as possible. But we are waiting for your word."

Hearing her words, I stood up. I didn't know what the right thing to do was. But I couldn't be a bystander anymore.

"I want to quell the rebellion in Miglutt. I need your help."

At my words, the Wandering People bowed their heads.

I visited the One-Land family's mansion with Riley, Irysalie, and Elisha. The sun had set beyond the horizon, but the sky was still a pale blue, leaving a remnant of its light. It would be a while before true twilight fell. Riley had wanted me and Ito to talk, but in the end, we hadn't had a proper conversation. Everything would have to wait until this was over. It was decided she would guard the Wandering People's encampment. The exterior of the mansion bore the raw scars of battle, with plaster flaking off in places. Like the Star Union mansion, the battle had taken place right up to its walls. It lacked the grandeur of the elven-built mansion, but it was a sturdy, practical structure. The only garden was a courtyard inside the U-shaped building. The building directly faced the street, boasting a fortress-like majesty. Intruders would be forced to choose between breaking through one of several entrances, including the large main door, climbing up to the high windows, or scaling the roof to get to the courtyard. It was a formidable structure. After I knocked on the door and waited a while, it opened just a crack, and we were let inside.

"Mash!"

The large room that served as an entrance hall was filled with soldiers. They were taking a break, preparing for the decisive battle that was to come. The voice came from the back of the room. I stopped and scanned the room, and saw Maryanne waving, with the captain of her royal guard, Trusar, beside her. We pushed our way through the soldiers.

"I'm glad you're safe!"

"You too!"

Beneath Maryanne's smile, I could see deep exhaustion. Her complexion was poor, and she seemed a little pale. She led us towards her office. As I walked beside Maryanne, our shoulders brushed.

"Mash, I'm so glad to see you..."

she whispered, grabbing the sleeve of my arm.

"This wasn't supposed to happen."

"It's not your fault. Don't be too hard on yourself."

Maryanne's tail swished once, dramatically.

"So, have you met up with Famu's group?"

"They were here?"

"Yes, they brought Lady Marina. But when the fighting paused for a bit, they left, saying they were going to look for you."

"Mizuki, Myra, and Mo too?"

"Yes. Shizuka, Toratsuna, and Reeni stayed here, though."

Maryanne said with a nod. I looked up at the ceiling as if gazing at the heavens. It seemed we had just missed each other while I was on my way from Claire's place to the Wandering People's encampment.

"I'm sorry. We've been holed up here, so we don't have a clear picture of what's going on around us. We don't know what's happening at the Senate in the government building, or the fate of Seim, who went in my place, or the other members of the Four Regent Families. Well, of course, we know that Istvan Air-Ally started this rebellion."

Maryanne gave a self-deprecating smile.

"I can explain the situation. Seim and Katarzyna Sky-Lot were killed by the rebels."

Maryanne paused for a moment. Then, she gave a slight shake of her head and started walking again.

"I had a bit of a fever. So Seim went to the government building in my place today to see how things were. ...And Lord Katarzyna too... If I had gone, could I have protected them?"

Maryanne bit her lip and gripped the scabbard of the sword at her waist. Having lost her parents at a young age, Maryanne had been fond of Katarzyna. They seemed more like a grandfather and granddaughter.

"What about Lord Augustus?"

"He's safe, but seriously injured. I've left him in the care of the Wandering People outside the city."

"Lady Marina might be happy to hear that."

Maryanne opened the door to her office. Inside were her senior retainers, as well as Marina and Wake. And, as if following us, a messenger came running.

"Reporting! The Leafkraut army has entered our territory from the east, and the Air-Ally army has entered from the west!"

It seemed they intended to settle the matter without delay, in a night battle.