第２６１堀：勝敗は決した。色んな意味で。 (Part4)
"Heh, it’s funny how we get along so well, whether we’re human or demi-human..."
The leader watches my exchange with Kaya, smiling, though a trace of sadness lingers in her expression.
"I’m sure things will get better," I say.
"Yes. Very soon," Kaya adds.
Both Kaya and I dream of the happy future that will arrive after this massive operation. A world where everyone can live together in harmony. A happy world.
"...Indeed. That is precisely why I gathered five Holy Sword Users here."
That’s right. Besides the leader, myself, and Kaya, two other Holy Sword Users have assembled. Sia and Kishua are currently detained, leaving us slightly shorthanded, but the remaining two are operating elsewhere.
As for why we’ve gathered such overwhelming force here...
"We are going to eliminate that mercenary group—our greatest obstacle—right here. Popuri will likely force them toward Roday by some means. Since they’ll assume we are busy attacking Roday, they won’t be on high alert during their journey. We will strike them all at once and crush them."
This is to destroy the core strength of our enemy, the mercenary group. Once the main force is gone, the rest will be easy to handle.
"Fortunately, it seems there is a student who has tamed a wyvern, so they will likely use it as a means of transport. I will strike them down from the sky with this Holy Sword of Lightning, and that will be the end of it. Even if they somehow survive, the rest of you should be able to finish them off easily. Falling from such a height will deal significant damage on its own, and unless they are Holy Sword Users, they have no way to decelerate in mid-air."
...Popuri, I’m sorry.
One of your precious students might die.
But if this convinces you to cooperate with us, the other students won’t have to die.
This is a necessary sacrifice...
***
Side: A Wyvern, Somewhere
"Hey, keep a proper watch on the ground!! You’re going to get us turned into a beehive!!"
I hear that voice—the one I’ve heard somewhere before—followed by a rapid succession of gunfire.
"Wait, what!?"
"We’re flying in the sky where we’re easy targets, so stay sharp!! Look out, an RPG!! If that hits, we’re dead!!"
"Eeeek!?"
After dodging the RPG, a bolt of lightning strikes me directly from above.
Caught completely off guard, I lose consciousness instantly and plummet to the ground.
However, I’m quickly jolted awake by water splashed onto my face. Standing before me is the goblin who took down a wyvern like me with such ease.
"Come on, get up. Don't forget, this world has magic, too. Attacks will come flying from below, above, and every angle imaginable. You can't afford to forget that."
"...I don't want to fly anymore."
"What kind of wyvern says that? A wyvern that can't fly is just a lizard. You’ll be carrying Princess Aslin and the others soon, so make sure you don't fall from something like this again. Princess Aslin and the others won't get hurt even if we do fall, but stopping our momentum is a problem. Anyway, get up already. You don't get to take a break over something this trivial."
"...Wyvern abuse."
"Don't worry. This is still mild compared to the General's training. If you cause any trouble for Princess Aslin, you'll be put on a 'special course' by every monster in Weed."
"Hiiiiiieeee!!"
Damn it all!?
What is up with this goblin!?
Being stronger than even Lord Kuro-chan... he’s absolutely insane!
***
How was it?
Please look forward to what’s coming next with excitement!!
What’s that? You already know the outcome?
Well, that was clear from the beginning, wasn't it?
The fun of this story lies in enjoying *how* it leads to that result.
After all, it is written that there is no reason to accommodate the opponent.
On another note, Obon starts today.
I’ll be heading to my grandfather’s house where there’s no internet, so I might not be able to update for about four or five days.
I type and post from my PC, and I’m not very good at posting from my smartphone.
So, please understand if there are no updates during that time.
Everyone, please take care on your way home for the holidays.