Chapter 33 Retreat Of The Monsters
Staring at me with dark eyes. In those eyes, perhaps it was a misunderstanding, but it seemed to have a color of relief.
The steps approaching me were not as heavy as expected. It seems there is no injury on the legs. However, blood was seeping from the right arm held in the palm, dyeing the sleeve of the white coat red.
Arnold walked up to where I was sitting. Looking up at his face, I muttered in confusion.
"Arnold-san..."
"I'm going to get a healing potion."
At those words, I snapped back to reality and nodded vigorously.
That's right, nearby, there are two soldiers who got injured trying to protect me. I need to deliver the healing potion to them as soon as possible. And it's not just them. Although I haven't fully grasped the current situation, there must be battles with monsters happening all over the city.
Fortunately, the branch is right in front of us. With a rush of emotions, we stepped into the pure white building and tried to take out the pre-made healing potion.
At that moment, Arnold slowly pulled out a bottle from the box of healing potion, and he quickly drank it all. He was injured too.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah."
Arnold wiped his mouth firmly. For a moment, his body tensed up, then immediately relaxed with a big sigh.
I checked his wound. There was no more blood flowing.
"I'll take you to the mansion. They probably have brought in other injured people, so I'll leave the treatment to them."
"Yes... um, actually, I got separated from Vilma-san."
"I see, understood."
Arnold nodded slightly without being swayed by my anxious tone.
Is Vilma-san okay? I'm a bit worried, but it might cause more trouble if I wander around the city clumsily. It's embarrassing, but it's probably best to leave it to Arnold.
Carrying a box filled with healing potions, the two of us left the branch. ――Then, Alex-san passed by at just the right time.
"Hey, Arnold-san!"
His clean face slightly dirtied with mud and a few cuts. There were no noticeable wounds on the body, but he was protecting his side with his left hand. Maybe a bruise or a fracture.
Arnold, without showing any signs of relief at Alex-san's safety, calmly asked in his usual tone.
"Alex-san, what about the monsters?"
"It seems like we've mostly defeated them... Well, to be precise, the monsters retreated."
"...Retreated?"
Arnold tilted his head.
Retreat. In other words, the monsters withdrew from the battlefield on their own accord. If Alex-san and the others stopped the monsters in their tracks, it wouldn't be called a retreat but rather a repel.
While I tilted my head at Alex-san's choice of words, I quietly sighed in relief knowing that the monsters had left the city.
"Let's talk more about it later. Arnold-san, I'm sorry, but could you please guard the mansion with the soldiers? Many residents have evacuated. I'll take another look around the city to make sure there are no more monsters left."
As I spoke rapidly, Alex-san tried to run off without waiting for Arnold's response. I couldn't help but call out to his back.
"Um, the healing potion...!"
Alex-san's steps came to a sudden halt. He then strode over to me and accepted the healing potion.
"Sorry about that, thank you."
A simple expression of gratitude.
Suddenly, Alex-san dashed forward after stirring the container vigorously. Watching his back, I felt reassured by the young lord ruling this region.
* * *
Upon returning to the mansion with Arnold, it was bustling with people. As Alex-san had mentioned, many people from the city had sought refuge here. Soldiers stood guard at the gate, looking alert.
I hurried to treat the injured with healing potions in hand. Despite just handing out the potions based on their symptoms, the number of injured was more than expected, making me feel sweaty.
I prioritized visiting those with severe injuries, and once that was settled,
"Laura-sama!"
I heard my name being called from somewhere. There was only one person I could think of with that voice and way of calling.
"Emiliana-san!"
"I'm glad you're safe!"
When I looked up, a cute smile as expected jumped into view. I noticed her eyes were red and swollen, but I didn't mention it and just rejoiced at our reunion.
I'm sure Emiliana-san was also anxious. My heart ached as she tightly held my hand with warmth.
After we both rejoiced in each other's safety for a while, I suddenly remembered.
"Have you seen Vilma-san? I haven't found her yet."
"If it's Vilma-san, she's in that room over there. She got a little injured, but she's safe."
Those words made me feel relieved.
I'm glad. Judging from Emiliana-san's tone and expression, it doesn't seem like she's suffered a major injury.
Guided by Emiliana-san, I opened the door to a guest room. Inside, a flash of red caught her eye. I hurried towards the person who raised her hand and smiled upon seeing her.
"Vilma-san, I'm glad you're okay...!"
"Sorry for making you worry, Laura-kun. I dashed out without thinking."
In response to Vilma-san's words, I shook my head repeatedly.
"No, it's not like that... You were amazing. I couldn't do anything."
Vilma-san probably carried healing potions as she ran around the city turned battlefield. Her actions were commendable as a Royal Alchemist. Unlike me, who instinctively prioritized my own safety, Vilma-san surely understood what it meant to be a Royal Alchemist and how to act with pride.
"My awareness was still lacking, it seems."
Vilma-san raised her voice in denial, saying, "What are you talking about!"
Taken aback by her strong rebuttal, I looked at her with wide eyes.
"You're only 14. It's amazing that you can think that way at your age."
Vilma-san comfortingly patted my head, like a kind older sister.
Suddenly, tears welled up in the corners of my eyes. Feeling pathetic for crying without reason, I quickly wiped them away, putting on a clumsy smile to disguise it.
Vilma-san, understanding everything, smiled back as if she was being deceived.
As my pounding heartbeat that had been racing since the monster attack finally began to calm down, Arnold appeared near the door, seemingly to check on Vilma-san's safety. He had changed his clothes, and the once tattered white coat stained with blood, mud, and wounds had transformed into a pristine white one.
It's good to savor Vilma-san's safety, but maybe it's time to check on the other injured people.
Making that decision, I excused myself to Vilma-san and stood up. As I reached for the doorknob, the door opened a few seconds before I could grasp it.
Startled by the sudden opening of the door in front of me, I braced myself not to fall, glaring at the ground with determination. I was slow to confirm the person who opened the door.
"Alex-san"
Upon hearing Arnold's voice, I recognized the person who opened the door.
He apologized to me, took a step into the room, but didn't come any further. Wondering what was wrong, he looked up and said,
"Arnold-san, I have something to discuss."
Facing Arnold directly, I spoke with a lowered voice.
From my perspective, who doesn't know much about Alex-san, it seems like something serious is going on. When I turned my gaze to Emiliana-san in confusion, she was staring intently at her fiancé. She didn't even spare a glance in my direction.
Although I don't know the details, I felt a heavy atmosphere hanging in the air at this place, making my chest tighten.
Suddenly, Arnold moved. Without saying a word, Alex-san seemed to have sensed something and opened the door behind him. And just as he was about to leave,
"Ampère, come as well... Is that alright?"
Right in front of the door, Arnold turned back towards me.
Caught off guard when I was feeling left out, I was taken aback. However, in this seemingly important—yet completely incomprehensible to me—discussion, it's unlikely that Alex-san would welcome me, as I looked at the young lord with silver hair.
"Ah, if it's someone who resides in the royal castle, it should naturally come to your ears in the future. Besides, there is something I would like to ask Laura-san."
Surprisingly, he nodded in agreement.
* * *
Arnold, Emiliana-san, and I were invited to Alex-san's study. Afterwards, Alex-san asked Emiliana-san to come along as well.
It was a cozy study filled with the familiar scent of paper. If we had visited in the midst of an ordinary day, it would have surely been a warm and gentle place to spend time. However, the atmosphere among the four of us now was heavy, almost suffocating.
Alex-san looked around at all of us before speaking.
"First, Arnold, I want to thank you again for your help. Thanks to you, many lives were saved."
Alex-san bowed deeply. Arnold, who was directly thanked, seemed uncomfortable and nodded while looking down at the floor.
Alex-san raised his head. His eyes were filled with emotion.
"And, there's something I want to report. ...During the battle in the city, the monsters suddenly retreated."
"Retreated? What does that mean?"
"Just as the word suggests. The monsters, as if lured by something, all looked up at the sky at once, then without even sparing us a glance, they left. It happened just when we had defeated nearly half of the monsters and thought we had pushed them into a disadvantageous situation."
Arnold furrowed his brow and this time, he firmly met eyes with Alex-san.
Retreat. That word felt off. It seemed Arnold felt the same way.
In a voice tinged with doubt and probing, Arnold asked,
"Do the monsters in this area possess such intelligence?"
To that question, Alex-san shook his head wordlessly.
"I can't completely deny that. But I've never seen them behave like that before. And, Arnold-san, you've noticed, haven't you? This attack—"
"They were using decoys, right?"
Arnold picked up where Alex-san left off.
――Decoy?
Unknowingly, the words seemed to slip out of my mouth. Arnold, who caught them without missing a beat, turned towards me. With his black eyes firmly fixed on me, he clearly opened his mouth to speak.
"This morning, a large group of monsters was spotted near the city. In response, the soldiers left the city as a precaution... During that time, other monsters that had been waiting elsewhere attacked the city, easily infiltrating due to the lower than usual number of guards."
I nodded in understanding at Arnold's concise explanation.
"It's a simple strategy, but the monsters have never taken such actions before, like using decoys. Clearly, this is different from before."
With Alex-san's words, a heavy silence fell between us.
Using a decoy, the monsters retreated as if sensing a disadvantageous situation. While it's not to say that all monsters lack intelligence, according to Alex-san, such behavior was unprecedented.
I felt a sense of unease at this change. It seemed to remind me once again that the time for the Demon King's revival was drawing near.
The monsters will likely continue to increase their power from now on. This may be due to being inspired by the immense evil power possessed by the Demon King. Or perhaps more directly, the Demon King might be sharing his power with his subordinate monsters.
In any case, it's likely that the seal of the Demon King is weakening. The attacks on Emme Village and the capital, as well as this recent incident, seemed to be signs of the Demon King's power leaking out due to the weakening of the seal.
In the heavy atmosphere weighing down on us, Alex-san spoke up once again.
"I said it was like being invited earlier, but there was a more fitting expression."
Upon hearing those words, he lifted his face that had been unconsciously looking down. In his line of sight, Alex-san's expression was stiff, as if he had shut off his emotions.
"It's as if they had received instructions from someone."
In my mind, the image of the demon king from "Last Brave" flashed.
The demon king that appeared in my mind had a humanoid form, or more precisely, it had possessed a man's body. As the battle progressed, its appearance transformed into a grotesque monster.
The detestable laughter of the demon king echoed in my ears, and I shook my head a few times to dispel it.
"Just now, I sent an urgent message to the capital. In a few days, many people will come to know about this city."
Alex-san said, pulling his chin and glaring into the void. And then, he uttered these words:
"Likely, this city will be attacked again."
"Huh," a thin sound of someone inhaling reached my ears. I was so shaken that I couldn't tell if it was something I said, or if it was Emiliana-san standing beside me.
The words were something I should have expected. Yet, I was so shaken because of the certainty in Alex-san's tone. He seemed convinced of 'it.'
I stared in astonishment at Alex-san's profile. Suddenly, his eyes turned towards me.
Pierced by the strong will visible in his pale blue eyes, I instinctively took a few steps back. I didn't know what I was afraid of, but my instincts whispered, 'scary.'
"Laura-san, I have a favor to ask. Could you please take Emiliana and evacuate to a town called Anea? Anea is the closest town to Platonovena, but it's still quite a distance away."
To the unexpected words, I let out a small "eh" in surprise.
Without waiting for me to catch up, Alex-san continued.
"It might be better for you to return to the capital. Arnold-san would probably feel more at ease that way. We would like to ask you to synthesize our healing potions in a safe place away from here."
"Instead of asking you to come to this city, we should have asked you from the beginning," Alex-san muttered, bowing his head.
"Just at that time, I want you to take Emiliana with you. We will manage the arrangements for her residence and such."
"W-Wait! I...!"
It was Emiliana-san who raised her voice. She spoke in a tone that clearly showed she was not convinced, almost snapping at her fiancé.
Alex-san softened his expression towards Emiliana-san. Slowly, he walked over to her and firmly grabbed her shoulder. Judging by the wrinkles near the shoulder of Emiliana-san's clothes, it seemed like he had grabbed her with a lot of force.
"Emiliana, listen up. It's not just you evacuating. Everyone in the city will soon be accepted by Anea. Soldiers are stationed in Platonovena, turning it into a fortress for hunting monsters."
Bending his knees and bowing, Alex-san leaned in to look at Emiliana-san's face. Emiliana-san, with a face on the verge of tears and eyes full of desperation, gazed at her fiancé in front of her.
Alex-san subtly lowered his gaze, as if trying to escape her stare.
"Of course, I will also remain to take command."
Alex-san straightened his back, then faced Arnold head-on. Stepping away from the stunned Emiliana-san, he approached Arnold.
"We are requesting support not only for the capital but also for nearby towns. Arnold, could you lend us your assistance?"
He bowed deeply once again.
――Silence. Arnold didn't even raise an eyebrow.
I want your help. That means staying in this town to join the fight against monsters as a magician.
Emiliana-san and Alex-san are appearing as a couple in "Last Brave." So they should be able to get through this event.
Alex-san is a skilled swordsman, and Arnold's magic skills are exceptional—probably. But even knowing all that, I couldn't shake off the feeling of unease about whether they could win a battle against monsters in the town, gathering soldiers and facing them, rather than fortifying the city.
I couldn't help but feel anxious as I stared at Arnold's frozen face. His lips moved.
"Do you believe that monsters will attack this town again?"
"...Probably."
"Why?"
"...Considering the situation, that makes sense. The monsters that have appeared near the city countless times have finally invaded the city. We couldn't wipe them all out, in fact, they retreated with some energy left. Moreover—"
Alex-san hesitated in his words, briefly glancing at me and Emiliana-san. Just from his attitude, it was clear that there was something he didn't want to tell us, something we could sense.
Alex-san is almost certain that the monsters will attack again.
Arnold, slightly furrowing his brow at not receiving a solid confirmation here, showed a hint of dissatisfaction. However, after taking a deep breath as if to shake off that frustration, he spoke again.
"What are the options if we abandon this place? The herbs used for healing potions and food cannot be grown satisfactorily in this land. The city is surrounded by vast nature, making it easy to get stuck in deep snow. It's an environment more suitable for monsters than humans. I believe we would have a much better advantage if we retreat to a well-suited environment and face them there."
Arnold's straightforward question made Alex-san subtly shrug his shoulders. Though his expression was hidden, it was clear that his hand, neatly placed beside his leg, tightened into a firm grip.
"...It's a last resort. Since we can't guarantee that the monsters who have taken over this land won't come south, if possible, we want to contain the damage while minimizing casualties in this vast area where the city isn't densely populated."
After Alex-san's strained voice, silence fell once more. It was a long, long silence.
I stole another glance at Arnold's profile. He covered his mouth with his hand, his black eyes cast down.
The expression on his face was one I had never seen before. He was probably... hesitating.
However, that expression quickly disappeared. Before I knew it, he was looking straight at Alex-san with his black eyes. And then,
"I understand."
He nodded clearly.
It was a voice filled with determination, without any hesitation.
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