Chapter 362: Chapter 362

Alone, I walked through soldiers going here and there, getting ready for battle.

The Takao Sisters headed for Sogou.

The current location of the Subjugation Alliance is behind the royal capital of the Holy Kingdom of Neia.

......Well, strictly speaking, it's actually diagonally behind Neia.

In any case, thanks to this, we were able to receive a great amount of supplies.

After this, we can also expect supplies from Urza and Mira, which are further behind us.

For the time being, there seems to be no need to worry about logistics or being ambushed from the rear.

The Sacrament army is apparently advancing straight towards us along the main road.

Scouts riding Bakuos' Black Dragons said they were a fairly large force.

[Black Dragons sure are very useful to have on our side.]

Golden-eyed monsters are shot down by the Sacred Eye when they exceed a certain altitude.

However, Bakuos' Black Dragons are categorized as ordinary monsters.

Because they don't have golden eyes, they can fly above the Golden-eyed monsters.

They will not be shot down by the Sacred Eye.

Of course, if they raise their altitude too high, the problem with low oxygen may arise.

[Hm? What is it, Liese?]

The person who stopped me was Lieselotte Ornick.

I mean, I did already notice her presence.

She really was calling out to me huh.

[I had been repeatedly calling you, what the heck is wrong with you!?]

I mean, she obviously wasn't looking at me when she called out, you know?

[Even if you tell me that...... By the way, what are you doing here?]

Thereupon, with a twitching smile on her lips......

["By the way"!? You're just nonchalantly slipping out of that huh...... ———–Hmph!]

With her arms folded, Liese (still as short as ever) puffed out her chest......

[Well, I guess I can answer your question!]

[Nah, I'm not really forcing you to answer. See you later then.]

[Wait...... Stop right there———- Wait for me......!]

I was about to walk away when she flusteredly rushed after me.

I stopped and turned around......

[Geez———– Geez! Why are you being so mean to me!? Geez......]

Liese squared her shoulders, before looking away with a hmph.

......She was pouting, but she kinda looked a bit happy.

Seriously, she sure is an easy-to-understand fellow......

[Even though a big battle is coming up, you don't seem to be overly anxious. I'm relieved about that.]

As I started walking, Liese walked alongside me.

[You think so? Even though I may not seem like it, I am nervous, you know? It's just, well, you're here on our side after all.]

[You don't feel pressured when I'm around?]

[I mean, you...... Look, you don't fight battles you don't think you can win, right? I'm looking at this battle that way.]

[Well, it's quite an honor hearing Faraway Country's Prime Minister-sama say that.]

[Uuuu...... You sound kind of sarcastic though? Can't you just be upfront———-]

[No, I'm simply flattered.]

[————–Uuuu, ......I- I told you to stop with the surprise attacks, right!? The heck is with you!?]

[.....................]

[Inside, there were old weapons and magic tools, and about half of them were still in usable condition. There were also some suspicious liquids labeled as "nostrums"...... b- but well...... Considering the length of time they were left untouched, I don't really feel like they're safe to drink...... Although there were notes saying they wouldn't spoil...... Drinking that is still a bit......] The rightful source is N0velFire.ɴet

Finding it difficult to explain herself, Liese could only wryly smile.

From what I heard, those sound like really ancient drugs......

When it comes to something you drink, I can understand why she wouldn't have the courage to try it.

[Come to think of it...... On a postscript written in the cut-off part of that document, it said something about dragon's blood. Niko groaned when she saw that, looking like she was thinking about something...... but species-wise, I wonder if she had any thoughts regarding an item like that?]

Dragonewt Kokoroniko Doran———– nicknamed Niko.

This time, she's part of the group staying behind.

Incidentally, hearing about dragon's blood also reminds me of Dragonslayer Banewolf but......

His ability is more about transforming into a Dragonewt.

Well, both of them aren't likely to participate in the battle against Vysis this time.

[Right, right, there were magic tools that could unleash quite impressive attack spells when we tried them! Qir also got her hands on an ancient magic bow! Gio too, even though he hasn't shown them to you yet, but he got two ancient katanas from the armory, and combined with the ones he previously used...... he now carries four katanas on his waist!]

Liese proudly puffed out her chest once again.

As if it was her own achievement.

However———— Seemingly regaining her bearings, Liese stopped.

Thereupon, as if to start the conversation anew, the Arachnid Prime Minister cleared her throat.

[I- In any case...... Our strength has improved, so I think we can be of some help. That's all I wanted to say. That's all, okay?]

[It's great that that armory being opened has boosted your strength, but even without it, I already have faith in you. Besides———–]

This is something I've already told Gio but......

[For Liese and the others too, this battle is undoubtedly important.]

This is a battle that is directly related to the future of the Faraway Country.

[Right. Our movements in this battle will define the perception the outside world will have towards us, Demi-Humans and monsters——— towards us of the Faraway Country...... I feel battle will largely determine the initial impression they have of us.]

[I heard that since joining, you've been actively going around to greet both the Mira camp and the camps from other countries.]

[W- What the heck...... So you knew......?]

[I've mostly heard it through reports though.]

Liese's expression turned serious.

[I'm not cut out for combat, so when the battle starts, I'll probably just be thinking hard and giving instructions from the rear. Compared to our comrades on the front lines, it's almost like there's no danger for me. On the other hand, our comrades on the front lines are fighting in a high-risk situation where they could lose their lives...... That's why, I have to move decisively wherever I can. I have to give my all in fulfilling my duty. I can't contribute in battles...... so I will do those that I can more than anyone else.]

How should I say this......

[............It's all thanks to you.]

It was a whisper———- or so it should be meant to be......

However, her whisper reached my ears.

Though I say that......

I decided to just play dumb.

[Hmm? You said something?]

[I- I said nothing! Geez! You're still acting arrogant, looking down on me!]

[Sorry. No, rather than arrogance...... It's more like parental love from watching your daughter grow up or something like that?]

[Who the heck is your daughter!? You're now treating me like a child!?]

[No, I think———– You're old enough already.]

Seemingly caught off guard, Liese's eyes widened.

And then, after a few moments, she blushed red.

[Wait, what are you suddenly———- Hey, wait———– ......T- That aside——— That Fly King outfit sure looks amazing, doesn't it!?]

Once again, Lieselotte Ornick diverts the topic to hide her embarrassment.

Seras and I stood side by side, watching black dragons soaring in the blue sky.

[It looks like they're finally here.]

Our camp was set up on top of a small hill.

And at the moment, the Sacrament army had finally drawn near enough for them to be visible in the distance.