94.Comeback

Editing/Standardisation: Medicine Melancholy
Original Translation: Medicine Melancholy

Iris

“Mr. Red, behind that building with red roof!”

“Nice job kiddo! Here I go!”

Scar-san’s cannon roared and fired off a bullet.

Hayato-kun had descended from the city walls to the nearby rooftops, and now acted as a spotter for Scar-san’s sniping.

Mid-flight, the bullet got its trajectory altered by a small magic circle set up beforehand as relay points and vanished into the shadow of a building.

The next moment, even from a distance, I could hear a wyvern’s pained cry.

“Is it down?!”

“You got its wing, but the wound wasn’t fatal! It’s still coming!”

Hayato-kun yelled in a hurry.

Then, turning around the corner with a cloud of dust, appeared the massive form of the Frost Wyvern dragging its wing.

Enraged by its severe injuries, it lunged towards the evacuees at the gate, spitting bloodied foam.

In its path… unfortunately, amidst the chaos of the crowd, a girl of about ten seemed to have fallen and might be swallowed whole by the wyvern’s large mouth.

“Darn it, just one more shot…!”

“No, I’ll do it!”

While Scar-san was hastily reloading, Hayato-kun leapt off the roof toward the wyvern.

slashes

Hayato-kun used “Assassinate” in the middle of his fall, and the wyvern’s head was severed from its neck and danced in the air, spilling copious amounts of blood.

Though I instinctively cover my mouth at the sight, I manage to hold back from vomiting.

Screams of panic from people unfamiliar with such chaos echoed from all around; there’s no time to waste.

“Hayato-kun, are you alright?!”

I anxiously peered under the gate.

“I’m okay! This girl here’s got no scratch on her either!”

There stood Hayato-kun, having dashed away from the falling wyvern while carrying the girl.

Said girl, in a daze, gazed up at Hayato-kun, but as he said, neither of them seemed to have major injuries, and relief washed over me. However…

“Shit, it’s hiding behind a building! I can’t shoot it down from here!”

Scar-san, aiming at another wyvern, grimaced as he looked away from the scope.

From his point of view, only the tail and wings of the wyvern that just swooped down were visible behind the building.

“…”

Looking up, I saw the wyverns descending one after another into the city. Scar-san readjusted his aim and opened fire again.

Though he managed to down the wyvern with a single shot, their number was starting to get to the point where he couldn’t reload fast enough to deal with all of them.

Below the city gate, the evacuation was far from complete. People were scrambling away from the massive bodies of the wyverns.

Furthermore, wings and tails crashing against the surroundings caused some buildings, already fragile due to aging, to collapse. Some people might have been trapped underneath the rubbles.

“I… can’t…”

Even if I went down there, what could I do in that situation?

Is it better for me to stay here and assist with the relief efforts?

And what about the promise to not overexert myself? Was I going to break it after all?

At times like this, if Reiji-san were here, he would take the lead and pave the way forward.

At times like this, if Saul-niisama were here, he would become the reliable backbone of the operation.

My thoughts went in a downward spiral, as I didn’t know what the best course of action is.

My vision narrowed, as I lost track of where I stand.

Was I really this powerless by myself?

Feeling helpless, strength started to drain from my limbs.

My view darkened, sounds fade away. My body slowly succumbed…

“If you’re feeling lost, my princess… then just trust in your heart and do what you think is right.”

“…Eh?”

…But then, someone gently tapped on my shoulder and supported me.

Turning around, there’s a face I thought wouldn’t be in the city right now.

“…Zeltis-san!”

“Yes, it is I. Upon hearing the crisis facing you and this city, I rushed here as fast as I could.”

“After all, this is my hometown”, he smiled calmly.

Suddenly, there were movements below us.

Figures leapt forward from behind, moving to halt the wyverns’ advance.

“They’re…”

I recognized all of them. They belonged to the first squad of the “La Cercueil” mercenary company, under Zeltis-san’s command.

I gazed down in astonishment at their participation, considering they were supposed to be on a mission pursuing the Death Serpent just recently.

“Damn, kid, do you have to look so glum every time I see you?”

“…Weiss-san?!”

Another voice came from beside me.

Weiss-san, who had appeared by my side before I knew it, drew his massive bow, the “Dreadnought”, and let loose.

The arrow precisely pierced into the eye socket of a wyvern, sending it tumbling down the walls.

…He’d become quite proficient with it.

To think he could barely use that powerful bow when he first received it… A person can change significantly within mere days, as the saying goes.

“I’ll stay here and pin down the ones above, you can go on without me.”

“…Hehe, when he puts it like that, you wouldn’t expect him to actually pester the Captain to come here against all odds because he’s worried about you and Miss Lenny, you know?”

“What, you can’t just…”

Weiss-san was foaming in his mouth as Zeltis-san casually revealed that with an impish smile.

“…Is that so?”

“Tch.”

“Thank you very much, Weiss-san. It’s very thoughtful of you.”

“…Hmph.”

With a curt sigh, Weiss-san simply returned to taking aim at the next target.

Watching him, Zeltis-san shrugged as if to say “Well, the guy can never be honest with himself”, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“By the way, it’s not just us. Philias is leading the second squad towards the west gate. I trust that she can hold her ground for a good while.”

The situation was rapidly changing, but this time in our favor.

The city was still in turmoil… but everyone was doing their best to protect it. Then, what should I do next…?

“Name your wish, milady. My squad and I will do our best to make it happen.”

“Remember, we’re all in this together.”

Zeltis-san was smiling as always, while Scar-san flashed me a grin.

Their gazes asked me as they turned to me.

What’s my wish?

As I looked around, both Milly-san, who’s also looking at me, and Hayato-kun, who’d just climbed back onto the wall with a rope, nodded in agreement.

Suddenly, I felt a tug at the hem of my robe from below.

Looking down… I found the fluffy white Sirius cub that was supposed to be kept inside the gate because it’s dangerous.

“Even this little one wants to join you, milady. What a splendid knight, despite the size.”

“…I see.”

I crouched down and stroke her soft fur.

“I’m sorry for leaving you behind. Are you… here to help as well?”

She replied my question with a cheerful bark. Such an adorable reaction made me smile involuntarily.

Ah… So many ppl are willing to help me like this.

The fog of my thoughts cleared, and my vision became clear.

It seemed that the severe defeat I’d suffered had made me a coward, and without me realizing it, I’d become entangled in the fatigue caused by my own fear and helplessness.

But… it’s going to be fine now.

Because… unlike the old days, I wasn’t alone anymore.

Taking a deep breath, I calmed the racing beat of my heart.

“Are we doing this?”

“Yes… let’s try to help as many people as possible.”

I answered Scar-san with a straight look.

“It’s likely that Leonhardt-sama is also moving to the attacked district to address the situation.”

Indeed, the wyverns that had been attacking Rolandia Castle seemed to have been subdued, and the bridges of light Titilia-san conjured were gradually approaching us.

“We’re clearing our way from here to the west gate, providing aid to any civilians or soldiers we come across while mopping up the enemies. It may not be easy… but I wish that everyone lend me a hand, please.”

I conveyed what I wanted to do and bowed my head.

“Now that’s what I wanted to hear. Count me in.”

“Uncle Leonhardt will probably get very angry… but I’ll always be on your side, my princess. If he yells at you, rest assured that I’ve got your back.”

“Ahaha… I need to get ready for that.”

I chuckled, thinking Leonhardt-sama must be really scary when angry.

But I’d already decided. I steeled myself and contemplated on our battle plan.

“Weiss-san, Milly-san, please keep an eye on the sky.”

“…Yeah, sure, not like I can do much else.”

“We can’t just shoot toward the city, nya. Leave it to us.”

Weiss-san grumbled as usual while nocking an arrow and turning away.

Milly-san shrugged at him and smiled wryly before focusing her mind on casting spells.

And to protect them, soldiers with shields fortified their defense.

“Hayato-kun, Scar-san, please open a path for us.”

“Got it!”

“Aye.”

With that, they both gave a thumb up and dashed off.

Hayato-kun with his agility.

Scar-san’s legs were clad in lightning… if I recall correctly, it’s a skill called “Ion Craft” that allowed him to dash through the air.

Descending from the presumably tall outer wall, the two leapt onto the roofs of the city with great momentum. Their figures quickly diminished.

“Zeltis-san… Can you guard everyone with the mercenaries?”

“Your wish is my command, my princess.”

“And… I’m sorry, but can you carry me down first…?”

I completely forgot that even with a rope, it’s difficult to descend directly from the top of the gate by myself.

I can’t believe I just embarrassed myself just after making such a speech. Feeling my face flush, I bowed my head.

“Of course. Then… allow me, my princess.”

“Iris is fine, Zeltis-san… Please do.”

Still maintaining his knightly attitude, Zeltis-san effortlessly lifted me with one arm.

The sensation of floating sent a chill through my body.

With me still in his arms, he grabbed the rope hanging from the wall with his other hand and slid down.

Where we landed… was right near the people fleeing in panic.                

Looking closely, they seemed to have sustained some injuries from running away, even if not major ones.

“Can you keep going?”

“…Yes, I can manage.”

Zeltis-san kindly asked, and I nodded once before getting down from his arms and wielding my staff.

And as I slowly walked against the flow of evacuating people, I chanted a spell.

“…Goddess Divine Embrace…!”

A vast magic circle began to form around me, enveloping the crowd of confused people at the gate, and in the next moment, a dazzling yet warm healing light burst throughout the area.

I think it might have been a bit excessive.

However, the aim was to first bring this situation under control. As intended, everyone around, unaware of what had happened, fell silent as if the previous commotion didn’t happen.

“A Saint…”

“Are we saved…?”

The crowd faintly murmured.

Involuntarily, I pulled down the hood of my cloak. Stimulated by the voice reaching my ears, I resisted the urge to flee, feeling a pang of embarrassment.

Despite feeling overwhelmed by the whispers around me, I regained my composure, believing that they would now listen attentively to my words.

“…Please prioritize children and people with disabilities! Follow the instructions of the soldiers calmly and evacuate without panic!”

Amidst such attention, I desperately raised my voice to give instructions.

The effect was dramatic; the calmed people cooperated and began evacuating into the gate at a faster pace than before, following the soldiers’ instructions.

Reiji-san, Saul-niisama, please wait just a little longer. I’ll return to you as soon as possible.

Gripping the makeshift staff that still didn’t feel quite natural in my hands, I tightened my grip nonetheless. It’s okay… I can do this.

“Soldiers, please focus on guiding and guarding the evacuees and fulfilling your duties. Everyone… please, lend us your strength…!”

With a resounding cheer, we stepped into the city, which was still in chaos.