Chapter 174 Antagonism 

Part 1

　They let my recklessness pass.
This had become a mess.
What do they think the Emperor’s escorts are?

　Un, un, that’s right.
Everything was my fault.

　Now that it has come to this, I can only prepare myself.

“Cry-san, this is what you asked for.
It was in a hurry, so I can only give you the information that I had……” (Eva)

“Ah, thank you.
That’s really helpful.” (Cry)

　Feeling like I was going to throw up from the stress, I received the file from Eva, who had done a solid job.
　It was――A list of bandits from the meeting venue to the Land of Sand, Toizant.

　Toizant is in the countryside, there are well-maintained roads up to halfway, but beyond that point, it should only be a wasteland.
　It was called the Land of Sand, and it was located in the middle of a desert.  I have no idea why the Emperor of a big country like Zebrudia would want to go to such a place, but I guess big countries have their own difficulties.
It seems half of these events that were held so far were in Zebrudia――.

　The number of names on the list she handed to me was much smaller than I thought.

　Even if I said it was the countryside, it seemed to be surprisingly safe.
　Should I be worried that there are so many bandits who we know exist but are left unchecked, or should I be happy that this is all the extent of the problem? …… However most bandits act in secrecy, you know.

　As I looked at the list like I was devouring it, Eva said something unexpected with a troubled expression.

“I don’t think you need to worry so much about that…… This time, you will be escorting the Emperor, and considering the schedule, I am sure you will be traveling in the air from the middle of the way.
Even in the previous Conference, they used airships to go to far away destinations.” (Eva)

“………… There might be air pirates.” (Cry)

“There, won’t, be, any! In the first place, what are air pirates!” (Eva)

’

　I see, indeed the Emperor will certainly not walk in the desert.
　However, does the Emperor not care about his life, using a vehicle to fly in the sky…… The lands and the seas are full of dangers, but the sky is full of dangers too.
Humans can not fly, but there are many Monsters that fly in the sky.

　Even if I were to fall, I would take no damage thanks to my Barrier Ring, but it might be better if I quickly become friends with the Rebellious Carpet (Named by me).
Maybe that’s why the Emperor gave me the carpet?

　Can the Zero Knight Order fight in the sky? I can’t fight on land, sea, or in the sky, but will it be alright?

　Just in case, I will hold my head, *urouro* wander  and *wahwah* yell around.

“No, bandits might appear.
Monsters might appear.
Besides, Treasure Shrines might pop up, or we could be caught in a natural disaster, it’s dangerous Eva.” (Cry)

“!? ………… What is wrong, suddenly saying something like that…… Where did your usual confidence go?” (Eva)

“No, I thought if I said it like this, it wouldn’t come out.” (Cry)

“Haaa……” (Eva)

　I am not proud of it, but my predictions have never come true.
This is just a prayer.
　If I say this, even if something appears, it will probably be something other than bandits, monsters, Treasure Shrines, and natural disasters.
With this I am satisfied.

　Now then, let’s carefully select the Relics I will bring with me so that I can deal with whatever that can happen.
　I have asked Sytry to prepare for my journey.
As for the battles, the Knight Order and Kechakchakka and the rest will take care of it, so I can just take care of the rest.

　The role I am expected to play is to have a good control of the hunters, but those with me are only veterans and high-level Hunters, so I shouldn’t have to worry about that.

 

’

§　§　§

 

　《First Step (Hajimari no Ashiato)》.
　In one of the meeting rooms of the Clan House, the Members of 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, were gathered.

　Standing in front of the blackboard that had materials that were *petapeta* stuck on it, was the one who was always the facilitator for such occasions, Sytry Smart.
　Looking over at her friends, Sytry shouted cheerfully.

“The thirty-fifth point five “StranGrief (Tan Rei)” meeting! Our next stage is ―― The sky and the desert!” (Sytry)

 

“Wooooooooooooooh! The skyyy! The deserttt! Sand Dragonsss!” (Luke)

“Cry-chan is also a hard worker…… I don’t have time to train at all.
Even though it is fine if we take some time off sometimes.
I want to go on a date with himmm!” (Liz)

“…… Umu, umu.” (Anthem)

　Luke Psychol’s eyes lit up, while Liz Smart raised her shoulders in dismay with her legs thrown over the table.
And Anthem, dressed in full body armor, nodded with deep emotion.

“Toizant’s daytime has an abnormally high temperature, but our resistance has already been raised thanks to the volcano, so that won’t be a problem.
For now, the temperature difference between day and night is also not a problem.” (Sytry)

“Is it heat training? It is heat training, right?” (Luke)

“The problem this time is the sky.
Normally, there are no airships going to Toizant.
To be honest, they are not a big country where airships fly on a regular basis.” (Sytry)

’

“The sky! As expected, even I’ve never slain a Monster in the sky!” (Luke)

“Luke-chan, calm down.
About the sky, either Lucia-chan does something about it, or we sneak into the airships…… It would be one thing if I was by myself, but it would be quite hard for all of us to sneak in together.
It would be another story if we can kill them, but they’ll surely be on high alert.” (Liz)

“It is also impossible to infiltrate all the members the same way as we did in the 『White Sword Gathering』.
As expected, outsiders are not allowed in the escort.” (Sytry)

　Lucia frowned when she heard her name.

　Lucia Roger is a powerful Magi, but Magic is not all-powerful.
There were domains where she was good at and domains where she was bad at.
Lucia took out a tattered book and *parapara* started flipping through it.

“Not only it is already difficult to fly with a large number of people, but it is also even harder to keep up with an airship.
I don’t have any other choice but to create a new technique………… Aaah, here it is.
Shinobi’s1 Secret Art Part 5.
Ninpo2 『Sky Escape (Soraton)』.” (Lucia)

“Isn’t that the one that appears from those old mangas? The one where you ride a big kite, right?” (Liz)

“…… That’s the one.
I see that he completely abandoned the originality.” (Lucia)

“Oi, oi, flying on a kite, that’s super cool.
Just imagine, Cry looking out the window and seeing us on a kite, you get it?” (Luke)

　When Lucia heard Luke passionate words, she looked at him with a reluctant expression.
　Sytry *panpan* clapped her hands and stopped the discussion.

“Now, according to the Party’s rule, we will take a majority vote! Eliza-san is lost, so her vote is invalid.
We have three choices: Lucia-chan will do her best to make the kite fly, we do our best to sneak into the airship, or we do our best to stick to the outside of the airship! First, those who want to fly with Lucia-chan!” (Sytry)

“Wait, isn’t there something malicious about those choices?” (Lucia)

“………… Umu.” (Anthem)

　After that, as usual, we decided on a course of action.

’
　《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 is often thought of as acting without thinking, but this is not the case at all.
　In order to overcome troubles, advance preparation is essential.
And 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》 was accustomed to such things because of their experience in the field.

“Cry-san selected four members.
Term Apokris or  《Stillwater (Shisui)》, a famous water-based Magi, and Kechakchakka Munk, a Level 6 Hunter who recently came to the Imperial Capital and is apparently a spell-based Magi.
The rest are Kruz-san who is an easy girl and has a low resistance to provocations, and my special Kilknight Version Alpha.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t investigate their background on time.
There is no vanguard, but Kilknight might be enough to defend, but I think Lucia-chan should go and nicely fire up Kruz-san.” (Sytry)

“Eeeh, again you are so blatantly trying to win some points! I can see your agenda from kilometers away.
I’m sure Cry-chan is definitely annoyed about what you did.” (Liz)

“What, there is no swordsman.
What am I supposed to slay then?” (Luke)

“Kechakchakka…… Why did Leader make such a choice…… But if 《Stillwater (Shisui)》 is also escorting, then it seemed there will be no problems.” (Lucia)

　Sytry *niconico* smiled while magnificently ignoring her sister and Luke who didn’t follow the conversation and turned her gaze to Lucia who was following the conversation.

“As usual, I will check the information about the Monsters living along the road.
However, the enemy Zebrudia is expecting this time seems to be that 『Fox (Kitsune)』.” (Sytry)

　When she heard that, Lucia’s expression changed to a serious one.
Anthem straightens his posture.
　The mood changed.
And then Luke frowned as if the subject hooked him.

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Haha Soraton! Flying in the sky with a kite like in those old fashion manga.
Will Lucia succeed in creating the technique in time!?
And who can those Fox be? They can even make Luke be serious!?
Tchao à plus!

Footnotes

Shinobi: Another word to say ninja.Ninpo : It means Ninja Art.