Volume 3 Chapter 33 Where Did You Disappear To？
*Back to Ryuuji's perspective.*
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Most of the fleet had fled to the west.
While we could chase them with the 3 Goldmont ships we'd captured, His Excellency Duke Hoffman, decided to leave the remnants be.
Unfamiliar with naval combat, it wouldn't be wise to pursue them.
Regardless, the Vanguard Squad would likely just starve to death without water and rations.
We left the cleanup to others and returned to town with His Excellency.
The place we'd been moments ago was a scenic cliff overlooking the town, a little south.
We'd been launching fire arrows from there.
"By the way, what about Fulsburgh?"
"Hmm, you ask about that?"
My simple question seemed to furrow His Excellency's brow.
Fulsburgh was a town near Goldmont's border, on the front lines.
If they'd declared war, then an attack from that direction was possible...
"The information we have is from 7 days ago, but it seems they're still locked in a standoff. Actual combat seems to be limited to here, Sartzstadt, only."
"I see..."
So, in essence, this town is the current front line.
They seemed pretty careless coming at us, but they might regroup and launch another assault.
Well, they've been saying all along that their target was Sartzstadt, so I guess it makes sense they'd attack only here.
"What about attacking them?"
"No way. Goldmont is a huge nation. Their army might be weak, but they still outnumber us. We can't possibly match them."
"Hmm..."
So, basically, we have no choice but to hunker down and defend.
We could use the 〈Magic Stone of Auerele〉, but man, that thing's exhausting.
"If only we had a brilliant plan to turn this situation around..."
"If such a thing existed, there would be no wars in the first place."
I got the stink eye from His Excellency.
Right you are.
"Well, yeah... If we could just take care of the ones pulling the strings from behind the scenes, maybe..."
"...What do you mean?"
I narrowed my eyes, surprised by those words.
Someone pulling the strings?
That's news to me.
His Excellency leaned in close, glancing around to make sure no one was listening.
Sounds like this is a secret.
"His Majesty believes that someone in our own government is feeding information to Goldmont about this invasion. You know why they're attacking Sartzstadt, right?"
"...To liberate the land from the Dark Mages, right? Now that I think about it, that information *was* classified."
Oh, I totally missed that.
So, this war was caused by a traitor hiding somewhere in our ranks?
"And that's not all. They... also know about the magic stones."
"...Really?"
"It's true. The declaration of war stated that if we hand over the magic stone technology, they would cease their invasion."
That's bad.
Could it be that the real reason they attacked Sartzstadt was because they got wind of my ability to create special magic stones, and now they're considering hostage-taking and other despicable acts?
"You look pale. ...Ryuuji, you should go home for a bit. You must be worried about Lene's condition, but we can consider moving her to this workshop as well."
Following His Excellency's concern, I decided to head back to my house on the outskirts of town.
* * *
By the time I walked the path in front of my home, the sun had completely set, and it was pitch dark around me.
"I wonder if Lene's feeling a bit better."
I muttered to myself absentmindedly while illuminating the path with my Magic Stone of Luminous, walking alone.
It was possible I could see a doctor soon, so I had to hold on to hope.
"......Huh?"
I felt a sense of unease regarding my home and squinted into the darkness.
No, it wasn't just my house.
The neighboring Lana's house, too.
There were no lights on.
At this hour?
Did both houses run out of magical fuel?
That's absurd.
An overwhelming sense of dread washed over me, and I sprinted toward my home with all my might.
"Lene! Belle! Ai!"
Bursting through the door, I immediately turned on the lights, gathering all my strength to shout.
What had happened to my beloved family?
If everyone was just going to bed early, that would be fine, but I couldn't let myself feel that optimistic.
"This is......"
Belle and Ai lay sprawled out in front of the unlocked couple's room, both drenched in blood.
They seemed to still be breathing, but I understood that they needed treatment immediately, or their lives were in danger.
Lene wasn't here though.
Considering the situation...
"...Taken..."
Gritting my teeth in frustration.
If only I had joined the Guard sooner, if only I had gotten the information faster... But right now, the only thing that mattered was the two people in front of me.
It was a race against time.
There was no time to think.
I pulled a Healing Potion from my magic bag and applied it to their wounds.
Both of them had been stabbed in the abdomen.
Thinking about what would have happened if I hadn't come back made me shiver.
"......Pa...pa...?"
Ai seemed to be waking up and looked at me with vacant eyes, calling my name.
Papa.
She had started calling me Papa.
Lene must have scolded her really well.
"...Don't talk, you're seriously injured. Just rest now."
"......Hmm"
As if relieved, Ai closed her eyes again.
They were out of immediate danger, but they definitely needed complete rest.
After laying them down on the bed, I hurried to the next house to check on Lana and the others.
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