At the north side of Synclea kingdom capitalâs north side, there was a mysterious space formed from a branch that stretched from the donut shaped oasis surrounding the capital. The branch was drawing a great circle that joined into the main current once more, creating sandbank between it and the main current.
If it was seen from the sky, this sandbank between the branch and main stream that could be expressed as a âlumpâ created from a part of the circle had the size that was about the same like the sports ground of a school.
As a matter of fact, the expression of sports ground was to the point. That spot was the training ground of the soldiers adjacent to the capital.
Actually, even the next day after the unprecedented event of hero summoning and the emergency situation where the queen was ambushed and her life fell into danger, the soldiers were still working hard like usual at the training ground.
ăPut your spirit into it! Are you guys making any effort huh! The formation change is too slow-. It should be possible to do it three seconds faster! Do it again!ă
The one who motivated the soldiers doing formation change training with his angry yell that sounded like thunder was the soldier chief Donar.
Chief Donarâs voice resounded really clearly. It was the voice characteristic of a commander that could reach the ally clearly in the battlefield.
At a slight distance away from the formation change training, a fierce training of one against one, or possibly one against many was being carried out, but even though the people there werenât the one being yelled at, the moment they heard the angry yell of the soldier chief, their expression became stricter and their spirit surged even further.
Also, at the place nearer to the river of the oasis, the art users were performing blessing art training with similar serious expression.
ăConcentrate. But not at just one point. Concentrate toward the world. Earth, wind, heat, moistureâŚâŚconcentrate to everything that surround you. Your self is receiving blessing from the world, be aware of that strongly.ă
Even though that voice had courteous demeanor and wasnât loud by any mean, it smoothly entered the ears and coached the art users. It was the voice of art user groupâs head art userââRinden Stole.
He was a man at his forty with long rust colored hair that was tied behind. From a glance he looked like a really calm and gentlemanly attractive middle-aged man. But, perhaps it was just as expected from someone who was entrusted with a group same like Spenser and Donar. The zeal dwelling inside his eyes would make anyone instinctively gulped.
The truth was this Linden was the biological father of Lilin who was selected into the most elites of the royal guards that were led by Spenser. Both father and daughter were art user that overflowed with talent.
Ahead of Lindenâs gaze, the art users were joining their hands together in front of their mouth while wholeheartedly offering prayer that showed so much concentration vein emerged on their forehead. At the same time, the patterns painted somewhere on their body also shined radiantly.
Countless spears made from hardened sand protruded out from the ground like wave, whirlwind that hoisted up sand launched blades of wind and sand, sphere of light that perhaps was made from converged sunlight danced wildly, or oasisâs water became whip that rampaged, all those were clearly the effects of their prayer.
Whether the soldiers or the art users, all of them possessed a definite passion.
While understanding that they couldnât be optimistic or anything about their situation by any means, even so they wouldnât draw back even by a step no matter what. Such definite passion that wouldnât even lose against the scorching desert was shown from their attitude.
ăâŚâŚThis is amazing.ă
Koukiâs leaked out whisper slipped and vanish amidst the spirited roar of the soldiers.
In the eyes of Kouki who was observing from a spot where he wouldnât be a hindrance, there was a color that could be taken as envy or pain emerging.
Suddenly the figure of the queen who said to him that she wouldnât ârun awayâ even when she was already at her limit crossed inside his mind. At the same time, the voice of a young but earnest princess who said âItâs fine even if you abandon everything, so at least just my big sisterâ also resounded in his mind.
If a coexistence with the <dark>was unacceptable, then there was no other path to save Moana except by Koukiâs assistance.</dark>
Then, would he eradicate the <dark>in that case?</dark>
Even though he didnât even know if the rejection of coexistence was really the consensus of all of them or not? In the first place, was someone like him who was burdened with deep mental damage just by killing one being could possibly do such thing? He could save Moana and others, wasnât such thinking itself was just his arrogance?
Then, should he escape while taking Moana with him just like Koone wished for?
Even though what gave hope of âperhapsâ in this hopeless situation was his existence, yet he would abandon the people? Would he betray their hope, their expectation? Not to mention despite how such thing ran counter to Moanaâs wish? Even though it was a choice that might sacrifice the young Koone instead?
Then, would he take away only Moana and Koone, and also the people who were especially close to them?
How far the scope of that would reach? Only Spenser and others? Or else the servants that supported Moana in the palace too? Or perhaps all the people of the capital? Who would decide the size of the scope of the people that would be saved? How could someone like him could have the right to decide who would ride the Noahâs arkâŚâŚ
Then, should he treat everything as never happened instead?
Ignored everything where he saw nothing, heard nothing, and knew nothing, and departed in a journey to search for the way to go home? Could he ask Moana and others to just think of him as someone nonexistent right from the beginning?
He wondered just what was right. He wondered what should he do to reach the best conclusion.
Aa, again, it felt like he was drowning inside waterâŚâŚ
Furthermore, the drowning feeling wasnât like inside the forest spring where he was summoned, but like inside a swamp full of mudâŚâŚ
ăKouki-dono. What is your thought, abiut the training? If there is something that bothered you, then please give us a pointer without reservation.ă
A voice suddenly called toward Kouki who was staring in a daze at the training while being stuck inside a crucible of dark thought like that.
When Kouki came back to his senses in surprise and moved his gaze, there was the figure of chief Donar right beside him without him noticing.
Kouki replied somewhat in fluster.
ăN, no, the likes of me giving pointer is tooâŚâŚă
ăYou are being humble again. Kouki-dono is the hero-sama summoned by Foltina-sama. You donât need to feel even an ounce of reservation. I dare say that your advice might someday save their life.ă
Kouki somehow felt gazes on him. When he directed his awareness there, several soldiers and art users were indirectly paying attention to the conversation between Donar and Kouki.
Their gazes werenât filled with anything like wariness of an outsider sticking their nose, but an expectation and curiosity toward the hero, hoping that perhaps they would be able to receive anything that could make them grow even just for a bit.
Yes, from them there was heavy feeling that was choking for the current Kouki.
While feeling conscious that he slightly leaked out strange breathing *hyuh*, Kouki took a breath, then replied with a wry smile.
ăNo, I really am unable to give any pointer or anythingâŚâŚ. Rather, itâs me who is affected by everyoneâs skill and zeal.ă
ăOh, is that so! That is really something joyous to hear.ă
Chief Donar smiled really happily hearing Koukiâs words. The soldiers who seemed to be listening attentively were also vaguely showing pride from receiving the praise of the hero.
But, there, the head art user Linden who must be listening to the talk of chief Donar and Kouki asked a question with calm voice.
ăDoes the same opinion apply to us too?ă
ăYes, of course. Or rather, in the first place I still donât really understand what blessing art is. Someone like me has no pointer or anything that I can say.ă
Linden quietly narrowed his eyes toward Kouki whose wry smile deepened while answering that non-specialist like him was all the more unable to speak of anything about blessing art.
ăI see, thatâs logical. However, I heard from my daughter that Kouki-san actually manipulated practical art for combat really skillfully. I assume that you have abundant experience of fighting, although the principle of our arts differ, but is there really nothing that you can perhaps comment about from that standpoint?ă
From the eyes of Linden who was saying that while stroking his chin with one hand, a curiosity could be vaguely seen there. Perhaps he was simply interested for Koukiâs advice, or rather at Koukiâs impression and magic themselves.
ăThe blessing art isâŚâŚa magic that seem to be extremely practical for combat. The blessing art that I had seen for real was only the art that manipulated wind and earth used by two royal guards, but the cooperation with the vanguard, the deployment speed, and the choice of art to match the situation, all of them made me went wide-eyed in surprise.ă
ăHou. As a father, itâs really make me happy that Lilinâs skill is highly assessed so much like that.ă
ăAhahaâŚâŚ. It was really amazing. HoweverâŚâŚthatâs right, if there is one thing that make me curious, itâs about whether there is a blessing art that is specialized for defense or not?ă
ăSpecialized for, defense?ă
Linden went âh~mâ while stroking his chin with one hand. Perhaps it was his habit when he was thinking. He then opened his mouth.
ăI think, it will be something like the stone wall that Neisan createdâŚâŚ. Other than that, there are wall of squall or heat, and if the location is in this capital then the water of the oasis itself will become barrier. But, the âdefense specializationâ that Kouki-san talked about isnât something like that isnât it?ă
ăYes. Because in the end something like that is 'something that can also be used as defenseâ. For example, there is something like that among the magic I used, I also had used it in front of Lilin-san beforeââ
This was a wish from a big sister that thought of her little sister. Some degree of danger would exist no matter where he was. As for Kouki, he found it really hard to refuse, and he also didnât especially have any reason to refuse. However, what made him hesitated was whether it was right or not for him who was seen as hero to leave the capital.
To speak further, even though there was no way the soldiers and people of capital wouldnât be affected if the hero who was especially summoned left outside, but even knowing that Moana made a judgment that prioritized her little sister. Kouki felt a delicate out of place feeling about that.
Which option was rightâŚâŚ?
Kouki felt troubled, but chief Donar suddenly opened his mouth.
ăYour majesty, while this is presumptuous of me, it seems that Kouki-dono is a bit hesitant so I wish to express something.ă
ăâŚâŚI donât mind.ă
ăThen. âŚâŚIs your majesty trying to have Kouki-dono leave this capital temporarily, for his sake?ă
ăâŚâŚă
Hearing chief Donar pointing that out, Moana reflexively held her tongue. Kouki wentăEh?ă and stared at Moana in surprise.
ăIf Iâm allowed to speak my opinion that I based from the mock battle that we did just now, then indeed, perhaps itâs better if Kouki-dono leave the capital temporarily.ă
ăWha-. Do, Donar-san. Di, did I do something that displease you?ă
ăNo, thatâs not it at all, Kouki-dono. Rather, my apologize but itâs a reason of happenstance.ă
Kouki titled his head in puzzlement of what Donar wanted to say. From the expression of Moana that he saw from the edge of his sight, he understood that somehow Moana seemed to have the same thinking with what chief Donar wanted to say.
Chief Donar told the bewildered Kouki.
ăKouki-dono isâŚâŚhaving a strong rejection toward fighting. Am I wrong?ă
ătsu, thatâsâŚâŚă
Kouki was at lost for words that his innermost thought was guessed correctly.
ăAt first, I thought that Kouki-dono was unable to adjust your attack well because you tried to stop your strike just before it hit due to it being a mock battle, but I noticed in the middle. For Kouki-dono swinging weapon at the opponentâŚâŚis something that you reject from the bottom of your heart.ă
Chief Donarâs words paused for a moment was likely because what he wanted to really say was different. That was to say he wasnât going to say ârejectâ butăscaredă.
ăBut, the existence of hero is already known in the capital, especially among the soldiers it is well known. The expectation toward Kouki-dono will rise whether you want it or not. âŚâŚFor Kouki-dono who know about the current condition of our country, surely that must feel heavy.ă
ăSuchâŚâŚthing isâŚâŚă
He couldnât say that it wasnât true. In fact, he felt it so heavy that he wanted to run away without worrying about his reputation or appearance.
ăIt seem that her majesty also has noticed already. Therefore, Iâm thinking how about Kouki-dono temporarily leave the capital where the expectation toward you is rising regardless of your wish, and using this chance where there is a reason of guarding her highness that everyone can understand, you can look around at the safe territory at the rear. Perhaps, her majesty also has the same thinking like me?ă
Kouki looked at Moana.
Moana also looked at Kouki and she lowered her eyebrows with a troubled look. Her expression told him more eloquently than anything of what she was thinking. That the words of chief Donar was correct.
ăKo, Koone object. Hero-sama is an important person, so we should have him safely stay in the capital with its solid protection.ă
Koone who wished for Kouki to take her big sister and escaped when push came to shove hated it if Kouki left Moanaâs side. As though to sayăThis is a detestable flow of event!ă, she tried to have Kouki stay in the capital with a plausible official reason.
Toward such Koone, Moana talked at her with a face not as a queen, but as a big sister.
ăKoone. You understand right? Kouki donât have any duty or responsibility toward this world at all. And yet with him being at the capital, how will the voice that ask him for that will reach him? Last night, Koone talked with Kouki was in order to convey to him by yourself that there is no such thing, right?ă
ăTha, thatâs right butâŚâŚă
Koone was a blackly scheming little girl, but it seemed that she couldnât win against her big sister. Her gaze wandered around to search for words but finally she let out a sigh and saidăCanât be helpedă.
ăDonât worry, itâs only a distance of a day if you seriously dash to here. Donât think of this that seriously, Kouki, you can just observe the really amazing territory that is abundant with nature in this world that you arrived at with great pain. Rather, this is a request from me rather than my consideration to you. Kouki, take a look at our country without fail. I will lose face as a queen if you only know about the desert and the capital of my country.ă
After saying such thing, Moana showed a mischievous smile.
She said thing like request, but no matter how he saw it this was her being considerate. For Kouki too, staying behind in the capital while wracking his brain so much, thinking worriedly with irresolute mind about question without answer was also something he didnât want to do.
And above all,
ăWithout even looking, hearing, and feeling it myself, Iâm not going to find the answer huhâŚ..ă
Kouki recalled the words that Koone said to him yesterday before she gave him a tour of the capital, and he resolved himself.
ăI understand. I will join the escort squad. âŚâŚIâm thinking of going to see more about other place and people of this world.ă
ăYeah, please do that without fail. What kind of feeling Kouki have toward this world, and what kind of conclusion that you reach, I want you to tell me when the time come.ă
ăYes, Moana-sama. âŚâŚIâm sorry, about various things. Also, to everyone too, thank you very much.ă
Everyone inside the office gave a small smile at Koukiâs word of thanks.
Read Latest Chapters at wuxiaworld.eu
Three hours later. Thanks to the preparation that progressed with tremendous speed, Koone and her escort squad, as well as Kouki departed straight toward Arquette territory where the strange phenomenon occurred.
AN: Thank you very much for reading this every time.
Thank you very much too for the thoughts, opinions, and reports about misspelling and omitted words.
Finally, from the next chapter the story will start to move.