Chapter 6: Soon
— Capital of Spelt Province, Hodgkin Federation
As the closest temple to the Durham Province where the Gallar Blue Temple was located, Takato Nishina and Miki Sakuragi transferred to the Kaput Temple in the capital of Spelt Province, also part of the Hodgkin Federation.
“Welcome to Spelt Province!”
As soon as they arrived in the temple’s reception room, priests came to greet them. They were immediately guided to a luxurious reception room.
“It is an honor to welcome someone with the protection of Holy Crown to our temple.”
Nishina understood that religious figures might receive special treatment in such places. Sakuragi’s guardian spirit was Holy Crown, a second-rank spirit.
However, Nishina’s guardian spirit Knot, while lower ranked than Sakuragi’s, was still fourth-rank. Those with this spirit’s protection were said to excel at recovery magic. In this world, recovery magic users were favored wherever they went. Nishina was also treated with ample hospitality.
“Excuse me. We… didn’t choose to come here to join this country.”
“Huh? … Are you adventurers then?”
The priest who had excitedly welcomed the two asked in confusion. The pair explained what happened at the Sky Temple and that they wanted to go help their companions who had been transported there.
“The Gallar Blue Temple… you say? Well… but that’s…”
Even the priest hesitated upon hearing the name Gallar Blue. The two asked if they could post a recruitment at the adventurers’ guild, but all the responses they received were far from positive.
Eventually, the priest told them to rest a bit and left the room.
“Takato… thank you.”
“Hm? For what?”
“Because… if I were alone, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”
“Well, Mr. Kusunoki is my homeroom Sensei too. I can’t just leave him be either.”
“Yeah…”
“We probably can’t move right away. But let’s not rush. I think the Sensei is someone who can handle things. He even learned his family’s traditional style of iaido, you know. It’s a secret art passed down through generations. I’m sure he’ll manage somehow.”
‘”Yeah… And Kimijima-senpai, even though she lost in the tournament, I think that judgment was totally wrong! And her opponent went on to win, right? She’s definitely strong like Dōmoto-senpai!”
“That’s right… We should think about what we can do on our end.”
“Yeah!”
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Later, they received an explanation from a priest who brought a map.
Fifty years ago, most of Durham Province was lost in the Monster Parade. Currently, only a few towns and villages remained. Regarding the reclamation of territory, the strength of monsters had been gradually decreasing over the past decade or so, and some villages and towns were being reclaimed.
“The recently reclaimed Doodlevalley is now the village closest to Gallar Blue.”
Doodlevalley was a town located downstream of the river flowing from Gallar Blue. It had become a frontline base for territorial reclamation, and road maintenance was being carried out centered around this area.
It was still several days’ journey from here in Kaput.
As the priest’s explanation was ending, a warrior was guided before the two.
“This is General Degree of the Federation Army. He’s the commander of the stationed forces in Spelt Province.”
“Of the Federation Army? General… Degree, sir?”
“Degree is fine. I thought you had responded to our inquiry, but it seems that wasn’t the case.”
“Y-Yes… We’re very sorry.”
“No, your companions who came to this world with you were sent to a monster’s den. It’s understandable.”
Probably someone from the temple had informed the general when the two transferred here. The general himself came to see them, only to find that the two had no intention of joining the country. It wouldn’t have been strange for him to be displeased, but Degree showed no such signs.
“It’s impossible to move the army and suffer many casualties just for two transferred individuals, as you might expect.”
“For example, if Sakuragi and I promised to join the Federation Army afterward…”
“Even then, it’s not possible. I acknowledge your potential as personnel, but more than that, many of our soldiers would likely die or be injured. And from what I hear, the two sent there haven’t even raised their level yet. It’s hard to imagine they could survive in that place for even a few days.”
“It’s okay. Kimijima-senpai is alive!”
Sakuragi suddenly interjected. The general looked at her with a sad expression.
“We haven’t been doing nothing these past fifty years. We’ve even reclaimed some land in Durham Province. But once you go somewhat deep, the monsters are still just as strong.”
“You mean high-level monsters.”
“That’s right. In the initial rescue operation for important persons, an entire division was sent and completely annihilated.”
“That much…”
“That’s how it is with high-level monsters.”
General Degree, contrary to his rugged appearance, explained kindly.
“Sakuragi… are you okay?”
“Y-Yeah…”
Both of them realized how difficult the rescue would be. But they couldn’t give up here.
“Even if no one helps us… we’ll do as much as we can… you know, while raising our level.”
“Yeah, let’s go to Doodlevalley for now.”
Hearing the two talk like this, General Degree sighed as if troubled.
“Listen, I’m telling you this for your own good. Don’t even think about trying to raise your level just the two of you. People like you who have received the protection of powerful spirits experience greater increases in ability when your level rise. You might even lose consciousness for nearly half a day.”
“Lose consciousness…?”
“That’s right. Neither of you have raised your level yet, right? As you’ve probably heard, the first one or two are relatively easy to raise. But if you both happen to raise at the same time, you’ll end up being eaten by monsters while you’re both unconscious.”
“No way…”
Seeing the two’s surprised reactions, Degree scratched his head and frowned.
“You were really planning to do that… Well, I can’t help it. I didn’t intend to recommend this, but…”
Saying this, Degree asked a priest to bring paper and pen, saying he wanted to write a letter.
“I’ll introduce you to the Durham State Army.”
“The State Army…?”
“Yeah… though Durham State itself has become almost a shell of its former self.”
“But there’s still an army?”
“Well, I’m not sure if you can call it an army… Those guys enter the forest daily to thin out the monsters as much as possible. They’re almost like partisans. They’re not formally trained like a regular army. It’s better to think of them as adventurers in a frontier land.”
“So, this Durham State Army…?”
“I don’t know. But if you want to get stronger there, they’ll probably lend a hand. They’re familiar with Durham’s terrain, so they might have routes that can get you close.”
Nishina listened and thought that it would indeed be more realistic to be introduced to local people.
“Sakuragi… what do you think?”
“I think it’s a good idea, if you think so, Takato…”
“It seems like the most realistic option right now, doesn’t it?”
Having heard their thoughts, Degree began writing a letter of introduction to the State Army.
“But… I can’t guarantee things will go as you hope. Those guys are less like regular soldiers and more like orphans gathered for revenge.”
“Yes.”
“Alright… I’ll arrange for a Federation Army magic car to take you to the town.”
“Huh?”
“You’re in a hurry, right? It’s not like there are good opportunities for shared horse carriages all the time.”
“Thank you very much!”
After the discussion was settled, Degree told the two to wait here and left the room. While they were waiting in the reception room, priests brought them boxed lunches, saying, “Please take these for your journey.”
“Thank you so much for everything.”
“No, we pray that everything goes well. We will pray to the gods for you. Please stay safe.”
Moved by such generous treatment, the two expressed their gratitude repeatedly. When the magic car arrived, they boarded it, seeing off by the priests.
A magic car is a vehicle that runs on an engine made with magical circuits. It looks quite classic, like an old steam car. There was one military driver who would take the two to Durham State.
As they left the temple, the two saw the streets of this world for the first time.
Nishina had imagined this world’s scenery to be medieval-like, but it was a bit different from that image. The roads were paved with asphalt, and while some building walls were made of brick, others seemed to be made of materials like concrete. Yet the designs of the buildings had a somewhat medieval feel, creating a rather mismatched impression. In terms of era, it might be closer to something like the Industrial Revolution.
Both Nishina and Sakuragi were glued to the windows of the magic car, taking in this strange sight.
“Alright, lassies, we’re about to depart. Make sure you hold onto that bar there.”
“Ah, yes.”
The driver turned around to speak to them. The passenger area of the magic car was arranged like a carriage, with seats facing each other that could accommodate about four people. The two sat side by side, facing forward.
Although the situation wasn’t entirely favorable, they were receiving so much help from those around them. The pair left the city with slightly positive feelings.
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