Episode 42 — Toward the Eastern Sea
～ Part 2 ～
That evening, Kyousuke and the others gathered in the captain’s room of the branch school. The lineup was mostly unchanged from the ones who had participated in Suou’s burial during the day. Removed Nekomiya and Harao from that and added Inugami.
Because of the fact that the repair of the branch school would end within the night, they had decided to discuss the future policies once again.
As a result of exploring the old castle, various documents that appeared to be left by Akeno were discovered. One of them was a report called «Transference Denaturation Gate Summary». Its contents were completely incomprehensible to Kyousuke and the others, but with Akai’s explanation, they understood that it was a report concerning the Gate that simultaneously transferred people to the different world and degenerated their constitution to that of monsters. There was plenty value as documents to hand over to ‘Master Majina’, sage of the eastern forest.
Other than that, they had also discovered documents on viruses that caused human body to transform into ghoul. In Selena’s story, ghoul monsters had been discovered around 10 years ago, in Akai’s story, the blood clan made the different world migration plan around 3 years ago, coupled with the fact that the time flow difference of this world and the former world was close to 3 times, they understood that it was consistent time-wise.
“Well now, it’s regarding the future, however,”
Ryuzaki spread a map on the desk. It was a big map describing this continent.
The continent’s ground, although considerably misshapen, spread in a form of crescent moon roughly during its last quarter. However, on the map, details were only densely drawn on some areas from the center to four cardinal directions, the forest where the branch school was currently staying was completely dyed in grey.
“According to Selena-san’s story, there was a large-scale aggression in this world by a foreign enemy hundreds of years ago, so it seems that the activity sphere of humanity has greatly shrink. The map of this continent also didn’t seem accurate. We were told that it wasn’t actually crescent-shaped but should be wider.”
“The wasteland we first transferred to was mostly untouched by humans, wasn’t it?”
Rin nodded at Ryuzaki’s words.
“Just that the activity sphere of humanity ——— or rather, the empire’s activity range is narrow also means that if we properly detour, it will end without having to get into trouble with them. And that’s the reason for the detour we are taking now.”
Greatly go south from Selena’s country and leave from the domain perceptible to the Empire. Continue going east as is, they would come out into the vast ocean. On the South side of the empire, there existed land called the New Continent or maritime countries consisting of small islands. Even the Empire’s hands mostly didn’t reach these parts, and the only people who would visit the New Continent were just oddball adventurers or so.
The initial plan was to visit the sage living in the eastern forest while passing through this sea and the New Continent. All present didn’t give any objection to that.
“There are two problems. First, if we go out to sea, it will become impossible to link up with Kaoruko, however…”
Ryuzaki raised his face to see that Akai and Sakuma frowning. He had heard that these two had a long relationship with Kaoruko.
But Goubayashi said:
“I have talked about the rendezvous in the East. I don’t know where in this gulf area but if there’s a span with open field of vision, she should be waiting there.”
“Then, once we get to the sea, first things first is to look for Kaoruko…”
“Here, looking at this map, there were several rivers pouring into the sea, however,”
Peering into the map, Rin said.
“In case of not moving from the spot, won’t she be in the vicinity of this river? If it’s the sea, there’s no fresh water so it’s unsuitable for long-term stay, right?”
“That’s certainly true…”
Ryuzaki checked several rivers flowing from west to east.
“The second problem is that leaving from the Empire’s sphere of influence may very well be covered in the blood clan’s sphere of influence.”
Everyone nodded with a frown. It was because they anticipated this to some extent.
Like in this ruined kingdom, there was the possibility that the blood clan had established bases in places difficult for the Empire – the main force of humanity – to perceive. From the story told by Selena’s mother, Her Majesty the Queen, it seemed that skirmishes had already started in various places, but if it leaked out that the students scheduled to be incorporated as war potential, and the Queen had betrayed them, there was the possibility that they would temporarily cease the conflict and withdraw outside the Empire’s sphere of influence.
Frankly, it was difficult to think that the students themselves have that much power, but that feelings originated from the fact that there were few students who awoke to their ability. 40 students with power comparable to the Pawns. Even when removing Akai and Inugami, 38 students. And if they reach Phase 3, the Pawns wouldn’t even be their opponents. Everyone of them would have more than enough power to be included as the core of war potential.
Anyway, there was also such circumstances, and the possibility of the withdrawn blood clan establishing bases on the branch school’s route after this couldn’t be denied. They could avoid conflict with the Empire, but it was also true that the journey would never be an enjoyable one.
“Well, this has good and bad aspects as well. Like searching for Kogane.”
“Ahh.”
Kyousuke nodded to Ryuzaki’s words. Presently, the ones most motivated to rescue Kogane in the class were these two.
“Besides that.”
Kyousuke interrupted Ryuzaki who tried to continue to say something, and opened his mouth.
“I think everyone here is already aware, but anyway, we can’t go without fighting those guys.”
All present sunk into silent at those words, and subsequently looked at Akai. Akai, with her arms crossed, sighed a little.
“Well, at least, that’s how it to for me.”
“There should be guys in the class who are vaguely aware as well. That is, just ‘return to being human, go back to our world’ won’t solve the fundamental problem.”
Akira supplemented Kyousuke’s words.
The blood clan held a technique to move between different worlds freely to a certain extent. It was easy to imagine from some documents and items left behind in the old castle. Almost without seeing any interruption, they had seized what were clearly letters exchange of here and that world, most recently released manga of the former world, back issues of weekly magazine, etc.
That is to say, the blood clan would pursue them even if they were to return to the former world. Many of the classmates might be overlooked but the problem was Akai. One couldn’t promise peace to the traitorous her even in the case she went back to the former world. It wouldn’t be Akai not to understand that.
Assuming it was her intention to oppose the King from the start, then her ultimate goal regarding this different world transference wasn’t to return to the former world.
It was rebellion against the vampire king who named himself as ‘Red Moon King’.
“There is no point in keeping it a secret from those in this place, but,”
Again, Akai sighed and said.
“I also had my words out in the organization of this 2nd year class 4.”
“Akai?”
“First, the one who said to put Inugami in, was me.”
Inugami Hibiki, who was crossing her arms and leaning her back on the wall some distance away from them, raised her face.
Akai, who had already grasped the information that Inugami was a survivor of the werewolves destroyed by the blood clan, feigned ignorance and proposed to have Inugami put into the class. Inugami who wasn’t human from the start didn’t turn into a monster even if she pass through the Transference Denaturation Gate. And her hostility against the blood clan had existed from the start.
Other names Akai had raised were Ryuzaki and Goubayashi. If there were those guys, Akai thought that even without her taking command of the class, they would put the class together. Other than them, there were some students who wouldn’t be included in the class without her recommendation, Akai said.
In short, they had been rolled up in this trip completely because of Akai’s convenience.
“That is, I have nothing to say.”
Smiling bitterly, Ryuzaki scratched his head. Akai made a surprised face.
“You’re surely not getting angry.”
“If you want me to get angry, I will, but…. Hey, Utsurogi.”
“Eh, you’re dragging me into this?”
Kyousuke reflexively raised his face. He thought for a short while, and finally said:
“No, well, nothing can be done even if we get angry, Akai’s decision wasn’t wrong.”
At least, the class was currently united thanks to Ryuzaki. While it’s true that Akai was charismatic, just her alone wouldn’t be able to pull the students together so neatly like this.
It was an unfortunate story for Ryuzaki and Goubayashi, but for Kyousuke, this situation was one to say that he was glad Ryuzaki got rolled up in. Without him, the class would have collapsed in an earlier stage and surely a lot more death would’ve come out.
“…Are you two idiots?”
“Ahh, Ryuzaki is an idiot.”
“Kyousuke is really stupid too.”
“…Why are you two saying that so proudly?”
Goubayashi and Akira nodded with self-satisfied look, then retorted Akai, mystified.
“At – these – times, Akai-san. You should say «Thank you».”
“Uu…”
At Rin’s words, Akai choke on her words a little. Her gaze wandered in the air for a while, but soon she sighed resignedly and said:
“Th–thank you…”
“∗Hyuu∗!!”
As Rin made a heart mark with her whole body and cheered, Kyousuke gave her a forehead flick, though he didn’t exactly knew where her forehead was.
“There are also those I didn’t want to put in the class but were put in. Like Sachi or Kaoru.”
“Asuka-chan…”
“That, could it have been that you’re suspected of rebellion?”
“Perhaps, or perhaps it was an unnecessary care called ‘it will be less lonely to have longtime friends together’.”
Anyway, what important was that Akai faced this trip while having a clear defiance against the King. Probably, she had taken it as the last chance to escape from the King’s domination, no doubt. For that reason, she had been making careful preparation since 3 years ago.
Akai wouldn’t become free unless the King was killed. However, it seemed that she still had some hesitation to make her classmates go along with that. Was it because of the sentiment budded inside her, or possibly a completely different reason, was unknown.
“Well, I’ll go a long with you.”
Said Kyousuke.
“I have to save Kogane, and I have become a blood kin as well, so either way, it’s absolutely necessary to bring down those guys.”
“If Kyousuke do it, I’m going to do it too.”
“Me too. Because it’s absolutely dangerous with just these 2.”
Rin and Akira also followed.
“I will also help you. Asuka-chan.”
Sakuma as well, put her hand on her chest and nodded.
“I want to consider our classmates’ safe return the maximum priority.”
Ryuzaki glanced at Goubayashi and said. Goubayashi, still crossed his arms, nodded.
“Just, we have already brought down several members of the blood clan, so thinking about the hereafter, I don’t know if it’s safe even after we return. Because even Asuka, Utsurogi and the others are friends from our class, let’s consider in the direction of helping out.”
“No objection.”
The gaze of everyone turned toward Inugami who had remained silent and didn’t join the conversation so far. ∗Fun∗, Inugami snorted.
“Whatever is fine, as long as the vampires I don’t like are beaten up.”
For the present, it was unanimous in this place. As a future policy, 2nd year class 4 would be forced to fight against the blood clan.
The problem was that this fact was something difficult for many classmates to concur. If said as vengeance for Washio, part of the students might approve, but they didn’t want to use the deceased’s name for that sake. Since it was a decision accompanied by danger, they wouldn’t be able force it on the unwilling students.
Rather, it might be indispensable to cooperate with Selena and the human forces. Thinking of the Empire’s policies, it might be difficult for the monster corps called 2nd year class 4 to cooperate with them, but it was necessary to think that over again.
“There’s a mountain of homework…”
When Ryuzaki muttered so, Kyousuke unintentionally burst into laughter.
“What, what’s the matter? Utsurogi.”
“No, just, I think you said that every-time…”
“It’s true. It’s really an inexhaustible thing.”
Ryuzaki smiled bitterly at Kyousuke’s words and nodded.
Exactly around here, the broadcast inside the ship announced that dinner had been deliciously made. All present decided to end the secret meeting about future policies and come out from the captain room.
Although the situation had become considerably clear thanks to Akai’s confession, but things unknown were as yet many.
After all, what exactly was the reason the Red Moon King didn’t plan a simple different world migration but a different world invasion? Akai had said that the King with high pride couldn’t endure living quietly in the shadow but was that truly the only reason? There was no way to know even if thinking about it.
“Kyo–suke-kun!”
From behind, Rin talked to Kyousuke who was pondering while walking in the corridor. While matching her pace, they had completely lagged behind the other members.
“Nn, ahh. What is it?”
“Don’t just think about only troublesome things as usual.”
“You’re right. It’s like my nature. After all, many things have happened but things like this remains unchanged.”
In the end, if one was to speak if there’s any dramatic changes within himself after going through Extreme Cross, there was no such things. As usual, he himself felt that he had no contents, and the parts that relied on others for his sense of values didn’t change. He just vaguely came to think that ‘even that me isn’t bad, is it?’.
“Ne–, Kyousuke-kun. Although it’s something in the image when we used Extreme Cross.”
“Uu…”
Kyousuke abruptly stopped his feet. In the image. So to speak, things in the dream.
Not that he didn’t remember what had happened. For Kyousuke who had absolutely zero experience on that kind of things, even just that was an extreme memory. It was an Extreme Dream. Just mentioning that story alone made things he had been seriously considering so far completely flew out the window.
“Once we returned to our human form, let’s do more. Let’s do it properly.”
“……!?”
No helping it. That’s what they called puberty.
Even while suffering from things such as his contents being empty or very shallow, Utsurogi Kyousuke was still a healthy high-school boy. He was all but bones now though.
“More, properly … that is to say…, what kind of things?”
“Ah yeah, I can’t say it here.”
The formless girl – Himemizu Rin – informed in a teasing tone, and leaving behind the standing still Kyousuke, crawled in the corridor. Her pace faster than usual, perhaps, she might have been skipping.
———
——————
—————————
Still unable to believe in the entirety of the battle unfolded in front of her eyes, Remy, with strength came out from her waist, shrunk back.
Remy was a member of the Continental Southern Commerce Guild. She had been trading between various southern maritime countries as part of the marine caravan. There was a violent storm the other day, and the convoy had run aground, even the only remaining ship of Remy was washed up to a remote beach on the West side.
While other members were repairing the ship, Remy went gathering her companions of the other ships and commodities that were washed ashore. And in the middle of it, she received an attack from the fishmen. There were 3 kinds of fishman confirmed in the southern sea of the continent, merman, sahagin, gillman, and the tribe friendly to humanity was the merman alone. The ones who attacked Remy were sahagins.
There was no sign of humans in the surroundings, this place was far from the ship that her companions of the convoy was repairing. Remy was prepared for death.
At that time, the one who dashingly rushed to challenge the sahagins’ attack was a different flock of monsters.
That corps – mainly composed of small-type monsters like imps – dispatched the sahagins in the blink of an eyes, and the sahagins themselves hurriedly went back to the sea.
Remy hesitated whether should she say thanks for being rescued or should she run away. While hesitating, the leader of the flock walked up to Remy.
“Young lady, is there no injuries?”
“Eh, ah … yes.”
Because it was words more amiable and intellectual than she thought, Remy felt completely anticlimactic.
“Really, that’s good then.”
Saying so, the monster smiled sweetly. The smile, illuminated by moonlight, was very beautiful.
“I want to ask but, I wonder if this is a sea, or else a very big lake?”
“Ah, no, umm, it’s the sea.”
“The sea…. I can’t go anymore east than this, is it?”
“Yes. I think there’s a human town if you go all the way north along the coast.”
The monster, put its hands on his chin, ‘I see…’, started thinking, then suddenly raised its face.
“Think?”
“Ah, no…. Because we have also been shipwrecked…”
“Ah…”
“Perhaps, there is also the possibility of this being an unpopulated island…”
“That’s not it. We came all the way from northwest, but this should be land adjoining the continent.”
That said, the monster gazed at the night sea. The night sea illuminated only by starlight was ominous as if it would swallow all things. Talking with a flock of amicable monsters like this was the first experience even in Remy short merchant life. The heck are they from, where are they going after this? She wondered.
Suddenly, Remy thought of something and asked the monster leader:
“Uhm, I have a small request, but…”
“I wonder what?”
“Could you please escort our caravan…?”
Of course, I will thank you. She said. As a merchant.
The caravan had been hiring adventurers as escorts, but the request of escorting ships coming and going between the maritime countries and the continent seemed to be boring for many of them, it was a job that had bad reputation in the Adventurer Guild. No matter how much request reward was raised, being able to hire high-quality escorts was rare. In fact, most of the hired adventurers were washed away in the storm the other day.
“I don’t really mind, but,”
The monster crossed its arms, and showed a little hesitating face.
“I have a plan to meet up here for a little while. Just that, I don’t know if I can keep associating with you, if the one I’m waiting for come.”
“Th–there’s no problem even in that case. Sahagin also seems to come out around these parts, so even just until the ship is fixed…”
“Fuun…”
As it was, the monster put its hand on its chin, softly caressing its own lips. It was an awfully amorous gesture.
“Well, that’s fine. There’s nothing to do while waiting for my companion anyway.”
“Really!?”
Remy’s face brightened. Although a monster, the other party appeared to be trustworthy, so it was cheap if it could defend her safety.
“Ah, I’m Remy. I belong to the marine caravan of the Continental Southern Commerce Guild! Umm, Oniisan, you are?”
“Oniisan…”
The monster plainly grimaced for an instant, but shortly sighed «Fuu–».
“Well, it’s fine. I stared down my inner self, so it can’t be help if it looks that way, isn’t it…”
“Eh, umm…”
Perhaps, I said something bad? She was wondering.
However, that monster ——— the incubus, without any appearance of caring about it, floated a gentle smile and presented its right hand.
“I’m Kaoru. Okama Kaoru. Remy, shall we get to business immediately?”
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