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Chapter 18: The Strongest Onmyoji, Roars
The magnificent city hall was now in the midst of chaos.
“Send people to the northern ramparts. Including healers. Our strength is decreasing too much. If the residents have been evacuated, you can move some of the people who are hunting monsters in the city to that side. There’s no end to the number of people we have to deal with flying around, so just protect the important points.”
In the center of the flustered crowd, only Silas, who was being debriefed, was eagle-faced, seated in his chair.
“You seem to have a lot of time on your hands.”
“Hmm. ……?　Kid.”
Silas laughs sarcastically as he compares the city map with the damage record.
“Hmph, it’s just an empty brag. If I were upset, my subordinates wouldn’t be able to move in peace.”
I think about Fiona’s intentions when she said that this was the land of exile.
If she was looking into the future where this stampede would occur…I don’t quite understand her intentions in sending me and Amiyu here.
If she wanted to murder me, it would be too naive as a means. There was no way I could die at this level, and there was no way she could see such a future.
Or if she wanted to save her supporter Lakana, she should have at least told me about it beforehand. It’s hard to imagine that the Holy Princess would easily do something that would make me distrust her even if she succeeds.
That’s why Fiona must not have been able to foresee this situation. Even the power of seeing the future shouldn’t be omnipotent.
If anything, I have a strong desire to think so.
Silas said bluntly.
“I’m busy. If you have something to say, say it quickly. I can’t hear you asking me to let you go, no matter how much you are a guest of the princess. If I could do such a thing, I would have escaped long ago.”
“These girls want to help.”
I point my chin at the Amu and others behind me.
“Please use them. I think they’ll be a force.”
Silas raises his head and looks at us.
“… There is no such thing as safety in a place where fighting power is needed. Is that okay?”
“That’s right, it’s the same with adventuring. Now’s the time.”
When Amiyu retorted, Silas suddenly laughed.
“Go to the northern wall. Is there anyone who can use healing magic?”
Amiyu and Ifa raise their hands.
“The blonde girl is a magician, then she should be in charge of healing. The Hero is a magic swordsman, isn’t she? Just as well. Monsters fly over the walls, so it’s better to be able to use a sword as well. Can the axeman over there handle projectiles?”
“I can do it all. Lend me your bow.”
Silas grinned.
“Tell the people near the walled tower. They will send as many as they can. If you are ready, go immediately. They are waiting for reinforcements.”
“Yes.”
Amiyu nodded.
“Well, Seika. I’m off!”
“Oh… be careful.”
“Yeah! Seika-kun, do your best too!”
“When it’s over, we will celebrate.”
As I watched the three of them running north, I heard Silas’ voice.
“So, kid. What are you going to do?”
“Of course, I can help with defense. However, I can’t follow your instructions. I have things to do on my own.”
“… huh”
“Mayor Silas. How likely are you to win this battle?”
Silas’s expression disappears.
“…… this is not even a fight. I feared it would come one day, but it’s not on the same level as a …… comparable stampede. It’s like putting out the flames of a forest fire with hand water. …… Lakana will be destroyed.”
“I see. That’s not how I see it.”
Silas raised an eyebrow at my words.
“What ……?”
“I mean that we have a chance.”
I turn my attention to the flow of power around the city.
To create something, there must always be a price.
That is one of the truths that remains the same in all things.
Monsters do not come from nothing.
I smile at Silas.
“With everyone’s hard work, we can win. You stay put and work hard here at the helm.”
****
I was looking out over the city from the top of Lakana’s tallest tower.
It was the bell tower of the cathedral. The bell tower is no longer used to tell the time due to the danger of attracting monsters, but it is a convenient place to let people know what is happening.
“Seika-sama.”
Yuki says, popping her head up.
“Are you sure you want to send those girls to the battlefield?”
“I’m keeping them where I can see them.   I can also come to their aid if the need arises.”
When I turned my attention to the crows’ eyes, I saw that all three of them were quite active.
Mabel seemed to be able to handle a bow as well, knocking down large monsters climbing up the castle walls with arrows with gravity magic. Ifa could heal the wounded and intercept monsters that attacked from the sky, so she was very useful at the base in the walled tower.
And then there was Amiyu.
She is an all-around hero who can use swords and magic, and can even heal herself.
But more than just a force to be reckoned with, Amiyu’s success seemed to be an encouragement to everyone else.
Her fighting style is spectacular. She herself is lively. More than anything else, the pretty girl’s efforts seemed to inspire those around her.
It is true that there are people who shine on the battlefield. I had some mixed feelings about Amiyu being like that,……, but this is fine for now.
“They will eventually be able to live on their own. It’s not good to be overprotective of them forever.”
“No, it seems like you’re overprotective enough…”
Yuki said in disgust.
“Well, Seika-sama. What are you doing here?”
“A boring imitation of a politician. Cover your ears, Yuki.”
“…?”
“Ah, ah”
While listening to the sound from overhead, I adjusted the formula that was assembled in a Hitogata.
According to an eccentric musician from the West, sound is vibration in the air, and it can be converted into a mathematical formula in terms of the number of vibrations per hour.
If you vocalize according to this formula, you can theoretically sing any sound. Not only that, if you fix a part, you can change the pitch and volume freely.
I thought it was interesting, so I had arranged a ceremony myself… but I didn’t think the day would come when it would be useful in such a situation.
“I take a deep breath.”
“Attention, warriors!　I have good news!”
A loud, shaking sound echoed throughout the city.
The adventurers fighting on the city walls, those treating the wounded, and the residents who had taken refuge in the buildings all looked up to see what was happening.
My voice, once translated into a mathematical formula through a hitogata in my hand, was amplified greatly in amplitude, and then emitted again as sound from the one floating far above my head.
The voice, which was comparable to a bell, resounded once again.
“Reinforcements have been reported!　Help is on the way!　We just have to hang on a little longer!
The whole city suddenly turned bright.
I had already reached my goal,…… but somehow I continued.
“The deeds of these heroes will be told for a thousand years!　Rouse yourselves now, warriors!　Protect the future of your children and grandchildren who will bear the tales of the past!”
Amidst the courageous cries of battle among the adventurers… I unravel the formula and scatter the Hitogata.
“Um, Seika-sama.”
“It’s a lie, isn’t it?”
“yes……”
“If it’s a battle that never ends, some will give in to despair. But if there’s even the slightest glimpse of hope, it’s different. Everyone will fight desperately until the very last moment. Humans are like that… …they just need to hang on a little longer.”
“Mmmm, sounds like a line from a tyrant. …… What will you do if you are found out?”
“Once we win, the revelry will begin. When they win, they’ll start drinking and forget about the reinforcements that never arrive. That’s how it is with people.”
“People are stupid. …… But ……”
Above my head, Yuki smiled slightly.
“I’ve been thinking about it for a long time, but Yuki thinks that Seika-sama… has the qualities of a politician.”
“Me? Don’t be silly. I’m not good at deceiving others.”
“I don’t think such things matter.”
“…? Then what is it?”
Yuki says.
“Yuki believes that the country under Seika-sama’s rule will surely become a good country.”
“Haha, that’s ridiculous.”
“Hmm!”
I told the dissatisfied Yuki when I replied with the same answer as if I had heard a joke.
“Rather than that, let’s calm down this disaster quickly.”