Chapter 746: Chapter 746: Guide (3)

The eastern branch where thirty-seven refugees were gathered. Sven Parab decided to first erase the wariness visible in the eyes of the refugees. It wasn’t a particularly difficult task.

"Greetings! My name is Sven Parab. I may not be one now, but I was once an official Holy Knight of the Church of Reatlas, and now I’m active as a member of the Anabada Clan!"

A former Holy Knight of the Church of Reatlas. And a member of the recently most well-known “Anabada” Clan, at least among the general populace.

"...Anabada? That’s Baron Yandel’s clan!"

"I don’t know about that, but if he’s a Holy Knight...! Oh god...! What a relief!"

"But how can we be sure he’s telling the truth..."

"Hey, quiet...! See that woman beside him? I don’t know her name, but I saw her with my own eyes at the victory parade. She was definitely with Baron Yandel!"

"W-We’re saved...!"

It didn’t take long for the wariness in the refugees’ eyes to fade and for relief to rise in its place. But people, once their wariness disappears, tend to become talkative by nature.

"Sir Holy Knight? What’s going on outside!"

"Did you happen to see a boy about this tall on your way here?"

"What’s going to happen to us now?"

"Did the royal family send you here to rescue us?"

Dozens of refugees opened their mouths all at once, bombarding him with countless questions. The atmosphere turned noisy and chaotic in an instant, but Sven Parab didn’t even so much as frown and answered as best he could.

"The outside is still at war. The Royal Army has advanced to District 7, so we’ll have to keep watching the situation."

"I’m sorry. I haven’t seen a boy like that."

"For now, it seems best to stay here and observe how things develop."

"...Unfortunately, we weren’t sent by the royal family to rescue you. We only ended up here while looking for shelter from the war. Just like all of you."

Because of how bluntly honest his answer was, the glimmer of hope in the refugees’ eyes dimmed a little. But to him, this was better. There’s nothing more cruel than instilling false hope.

"Not sent by the royal family...?"

"Goddamn it!"

"Well, it did seem strange. How would the royal family even know we were here?"

"Even if they did, they wouldn’t send anyone. Didn’t you see? They dropped firebombs right where we were! The royal family doesn’t care whether we live or die!"

Anger quickly filled the space left by diminished hope. But not everyone was like that.

"I’m actually relieved it has nothing to do with the royal family."

"Yeah. If he's Baron Yandel’s comrade... we can trust him."

"Yes! I’m really glad the Holy Knight and the mage are with us! We were so anxious being on our own..."

Compared to the furious refugees, these people were overwhelmingly positive. Though it did raise the question—if they were so anxious, why didn’t they even lock the front door...?

"H-Haha..."

Sven Parab laughed awkwardly and held back his words. That kind of trivial thing wasn’t what mattered right now.

"First, I’d like to assess the situation here—are there any explorers among you?"

Having revealed his identity and naturally taken control of the situation, Sven Parab moved on to assessing their combat strength. But the result he got was less than ideal.

"..."

"..."

When asked if there were any explorers, the refugees only rolled their eyes around. But then, their gazes slowly began to drift toward one direction. As if they had something to say, but were wary of someone watching. When he followed their eyes, a middle-aged man who had been receiving the glances awkwardly turned away and cleared his throat.

"I-I’ve only entered the Labyrinth a few times in my younger days! I’ve been retired for ages!"

"I see."

One retired explorer... Was he keeping quiet because he was afraid we’d make him do something dangerous?

"Sir, what do you mean a few times! You told us before you were a big shot back in the day!"

"Ahem, come on now! How could I compare myself to Baron Yandel’s comrades?"

"May I ask what your rank was when you retired?"

"That would be... I was rank 7."

"I understand."

Sven Parab slowly nodded. Then, he placed the retired rank-7 explorer in charge of managing the refugees. It seemed more reasonable than using him as combat personnel.

"Just in case, I’d like to build a barricade—can I ask for some help?"

"Tell us what to do, Sir Holy Knight!"

"Then please gather anything that can block the door. Chairs, desks, wardrobes, that sort of thing..."

After that, Sven Parab locked the main door and built a barricade in front of it, completing the minimum preparations.

"Mr. Parab, it’s good we built a defense line, but wouldn’t this block our escape route if something happens?"

"Then we can escape through the windows, can’t we?"

"But all the windows are on the second floor. Maybe we could, but the others wouldn’t be able to get out safely. There are elderly people and young children."

"That’s..."

At Marone’s words, Parab trailed off. He couldn’t refute her, but he couldn’t agree either—because he had no alternatives. Besides, in the back of his mind, he was already thinking.

If that situation arises, the entire temple area will already be surrounded by enemies. Can I really escape with thirty-seven completely defenseless refugees?

His answer to that assumption was simple.

Inside the temple, where the statue of the Goddess of Reatlas stood. He may not be a Holy Knight anymore, and had no intention of playing that role again. But even so, it was impossible.

I’m not a monster like Bjorn Yandel. I can’t do it. Yeah, so...

"There’s no need to start thinking about escape already. It’s unlikely enemies would make it all the way here in the first place... and it’s a problem that can be solved just by blocking this area."

"Yes... that’s true. If we can properly fortify this place, we wouldn’t need to escape in the first place..."

Marone also didn’t seem to have any better answer. Instead of arguing, she began to inscribe a protective magic circle in front of the door that could help with defense.

"Phew..."

Watching her, Parab slowly turned and wandered off aimlessly.

"Where are you going?"

"I’m going to take a look around and get a feel for the layout."

"Ah, I see...!"

That was just an excuse. He didn’t need to study the building’s layout. Temples were usually built to a standard design.

The first-floor sanctuary, the location of the staircase leading to the second floor—everything was already familiar to his eyes. Even the administrative rooms and priests’ quarters on the second floor matched the layout of other small branches.

Step, step.

After making a round of the building, he returned to the first-floor sanctuary and sat on the floor, where the chairs had been removed to use for barricades. He just felt like resting a bit.

But maybe others saw it differently?

"..."

"..."

Normally, the refugees would strike up a conversation wherever he went, but this time they quietly kept their distance. That odd sense of something being different lasted only a moment.

When he opened his eyes and looked forward, the statue of Reatlas was directly in front of him.

‘...Did they think I was praying?’

If so, how ridiculous.

He had carried the title of Holy Knight for a long time, but the truth was, he’d never been very devout.

‘The Goddess of the Stars, huh...’

Looking at the statue of the goddess who presides over fate and encounters, he asked,

‘What is it that you want from me?’

Of course, there was no answer. Only silence followed.

"..."

"..."

Fearing they might interrupt his prayer, the refugees all held their breath, creating a heavy silence. Peeking through his squinted eyes, he saw them all with their eyes closed, and some even making the sign of the goddess over and over with their hands.

Slowly, Sven Parab closed his eyes too. And like one making a wish upon a comet, he murmured to himself.

‘Please let us live. Yeah?’

He was no different from the other refugees.

***

Fifteen clans including Anabada.

Incidentally, aside from a single explorer in a special support role with rank 7, all members of these clans were rank 6 or higher explorers, totaling exactly 207.

Apparently, there used to be more, but a large number of explorers had died on the way here due to being downgraded.

Anyway.

Add to that the 800 elite barbarian warriors that Ainard and I handpicked together, and we had a force of over a thousand. Not that that number was particularly big given the situation...

‘...Well, it can’t be helped.’

Even if we just added more numbers, it would only increase casualties.

That’s why we had to refuse the warriors who begged to come along, saying they wanted to be part of this great battle—we made them stay behind to protect the Sanctuary, and pared down our force to only the best—

"We’re ready to deploy."

"Yeah? Good work."

Hearing Versil’s report that all preparations were complete, I found myself standing in front of the gates, now cleared of debris.

And then...

‘...It’s getting old, but I can’t exactly skip this part.’

Looking out at the thousand soldiers waiting for me to say something, I spoke.

"From here, we move to District 7."

I didn’t shout, but with everyone listening closely, the message got through.

I continued speaking calmly.

"In the fight ahead, some of us will die, and some will survive."

Not exactly the most inspiring thing for a commander to say before a battle. But I knew that, and I still couldn’t do otherwise.

"Some of you will lose a husband. Some of you will lose a father."

At some point, I’d grown unable to deceive people with sweet words or false hopes.

"That’s why you need to know!"

"If you kill the enemy, know what you killed them for!"

"If you die to the enemy, know what you laid your life down for!"

Somehow growing emotional, I shouted.

"I go to District 7 to protect those I love! Why do you go to District 7?"

Everyone would have a different answer.

"Because I can’t let the Chief go alone!"

Some would follow me out of admiration.

"Because I want to become a great warrior!"

Some would chase glory.

"Haha! Didn’t you say this was a chance to rack up military merit!"

Some would be driven by base desires.

"Those bastards need to die soon so my family can sleep in peace!"

And some, like me, would fight to protect what matters.

"Our reasons may differ, but our goal is the same. That’s why we walk the same road, and fight shoulder to shoulder."

I made them a promise.

"I will march at the front, ahead of everyone."

"I will remember what you fought and died for."

So—

"Follow me. Entrust me with your hopes."

No more words were needed. This world won’t let you survive °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° unless you fight.

"Behell—raaaaaaaaaaaagh!!!!"

I simply took the first step forward.

***

At last, we entered District 7.

Despite the war-torn chaos, every corner of the street felt familiar as I sprinted through it.

Clench.

With a weapon gripped tight in my hand, ready to fight.

"Behell—raaaaaaaaaaagh!!"

"Waaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

"Protect me, please!"

"Nia Lafdonia...!!!"

Each of them let out their battle cries in their own way.

"Waaaaaaaaaaaah!!"

As we charged through the empty streets, a group of soldiers, presumably Noark troops, appeared in the distance.

Fewer than ten in number. They seemed to be a surveillance unit positioned to monitor the Sanctuary...

"E-Emergency! Emergency! About a thousand troops have left the Sanctuary! Bjorn Yandel is at the front!"

Panicked, they started yelling into their comms and fled without even thinking about trying to stop us. Not that it would do them any good.

You know what they say—if you spot a bear in the wild, it’s already too late.

「Elwen Fornaci di Tersia has cast [Rupture].」

「James Carla has cast [Piercing Light].」

「Versil Gowland is casting 4th-tier attack magic...」

The sharpshooters riding on my shoulders used the terrain advantage to snipe the fleeing soldiers from afar. We call it Barbarian Bunker Mode.

Oh, by the way, Rotmiller was in the bunker team too.

Thwack—!

Oh? A headshot with a crossbow from this distance?

Doesn’t even look like it was boosted by a skill.

"...You’ve gotten even better?"

"Shooting practice is the easiest thing to do in the city, after all."

True. Can’t exactly practice swordplay without a sparring partner.

"But... am I really allowed to be here?"

Rotmiller still didn’t seem to believe he was part of Barbarian Bunker Mode. Or more precisely, he looked worried.

"I’ll try my best, but what if I just get in the way?"

"Enough. I made the call."

I was the one who assigned Rotmiller here. I had no choice.

He begged to come, saying he’d prove himself—what was I supposed to do, say no? In the end, I couldn’t relax, so I stuck him in my own bunker team.

Yeah, it’s technically the most dangerous frontline position... But at least he was within my line of sight.

If something went wrong, I could jump in.

And besides, Rotmiller wasn’t just decoration—he was actually helpful.

"That way! I’ve got a ‘gut feeling’ that side’s dangerous!"

Oh, right. I forgot—after absorbing that mimic essence, Rotmiller’s intuition stat had gotten pretty high.

So my very first guide’s navigation skills were still very much intact.

Which meant I didn’t have to worry about where to go.

"Then that’s the way we’ll go."

"...Huh? What do you mean? I just said that way’s dangerous?"

Uh...

"Yeah, that’s why we’re going that way."

"......?"

"We came here to fight, remember?"

If we want to find the enemy, we have to go where the danger is.