Disciple of Immortal

Act 2: Chapter 42: Dawn of the Battle

The morning after the meeting, I went back to the adventurer’s guild along with Pomera and Philia.

We received Gannet’s commission to move and escort the migration of the citizens in preparation for the demon king’s invasion.

「I don’t know when the demon king’s army is going to make their move! That’s why, please carry a minimum amount of belongings with you!」

「W-We’re going to be troubled if you suddenly tell us to do so! You should be able to drive away the likes of the demon king! I mean, we have the S-rank adventurer, Kotone-sama!」

The entire city was in turmoil.

The private army of the mayor of the city and the adventurers were running around to warn the citizens.’

「Kanata-san… I think… I finally understand the gravity of the situation.」

Pomera was complaining as she looked around.

I agree with Pomera.

I somehow expected the current situation during yesterday’s adventurer meeting.

In Pomera’s case, she might finally understand the gravity of the situation after she saw the situation in the city.

It was the same for me.

Even Gannet had told us that he wouldn’t resent us even if we escaped to save our own lives.

Even high-ranking adventurers would be able to guess that it would be too late if they didn’t escape by themselves from Manarak as soon as possible.

There was a great difference between escaping by themselves and escaping along with refugees.

Maybe, I ended up underestimating the situation.

「… Maybe you should take Philia-chan and move to another city too, Pomera-san.」

「W-What are you talking about, Kanata-san. Pomera will stay by your side no matter what!」

Pomera clenched her fists as she spoke.

「… Moreover, if even Philia-chan is in danger, then no one is safe in this city.」

Pomera sent a gaze toward Philia.

Philia also clenched her fists, harrumphing as if trying to pump herself up.

「Don’t worry, Pomera! Philia will kill those ragnos!」

… Philia was way too reassured over the current situation.

But, if Philia went around rampaging at full force, Pomera, as her caretaker, would look more and more like a human-shaped monster to the citizens.

「… Philia-chan, make sure to hold back, okay?」

「Uhm! Philia will do as Kanata says! Philia will beat them to death, in moderation!」

I couldn’t help but feel worried upon hearing her dangerous-sounding remarks.

When I looked at Philia with a wry smile, I felt someone’s gaze coming from behind.

I thought it was just my imagination but Philia’s body twitched as well and she quickly turned around.

She looked around with a frightened look on her face.

I also stopped in place and looked around at my surroundings but I couldn’t see the shadow of a suspicious person at all.

「… Kanata-san, just now, it feels like someone was stalking us, right?」

Pomera was looking back with a sullen look on her face.

Due to their ability to use spirits, elves were sensitive to people’s presence.

「Maybe it’s just Alfred. I don’t think he can injure Kanata-san even in a duel to pay back his loss against Pomera, but… please be careful.」

I nodded lightly upon hearing Pomera’s remark.

『… I’m a persistent man. Don’t think that you’ve already won. Kuku… I don’t know what they will say in this meeting but it seems they’ve perfected the preparations. The time will come when you regret the fact that you shamed me.』

I recalled what that fella said when we happened upon him again during the adventurer’s meeting.

I didn’t think he wouldn’t do anything at all after saying those remarks.

I imagine that he will try to sabotage us during the dangerous escort mission.

Meanwhile, Philia kept glaring at one place since a while ago.

And she looked scared for some reason.

「… Philia-chan?」

「Philia felt the same… presence from before. Philia, scared.」

「From… before?」

Hearing that, I realized that Philia was referring to the mage in a black robe who had beaten Philia so easily before.

… I couldn’t see the mage’s face back then, but when I was thinking about the situation, the possibility that the identity of the mage in a black robe was Lunaire wasn’t zero.

If she really did chase after me since she was worried about me, could it be that she was still around?

I mean, if that really was the case, I… honestly feel really happy.

「A-Are you really over there? Lunaire…-san?」

I tried to call her but there was no reply from the other party.

It seems whatever the thing over there was had already left.

I thought about searching for it but I was running out of time.

There was still some leeway, but it wasn’t much and I couldn’t change the schedule that had already been arranged by the adventurer’s guild.

「… Let’s go. I really have no idea whether that person will follow me or not.」

When I turned around, I saw a figure wearing a goat mask, draped in a black overcoat standing before me.

「You guys are coming to the adventurer’s guild too, huh… it’s vexing but, I feel at ease with your guys’ protection.」

「Rosemonde-san!」

「Goat Onee-chan!」

Philia was running happily toward Rosemonde.

Rosemonde grabbed her metal cross in a hurry as she stepped back to avoid Philia.

「W-What are you trying to do to me, little girl! D-Don’t think you can do the same as before!」

… Seeing her state, it was obvious that Rosemonde was really scared of Philia.

It seems the incident when she got blown away together with the ragnos that were killed by Philia left a deep trauma in her mind.

「S… Sorry?」

Philia apologized to Rosemonde with a puzzled look on her face.

「So, Rosemonde-san chose to remain in this city too.」

Rosemonde was quarreling with the guild’s officials, saying that she wanted to leave the magic city ASAP when it was revealed in the adventurer’s meeting that this series of incidents might be related to a demon king.

I thought she had already left Manarak right after the meeting.

「It’s that old fox’s fault for baiting me to stay with such a delicious amount of remuneration. It’s not like I want to protect Manarak or something. The situation in the city might not be that dangerous after all.」

After she said so, Rosemonde looked at the uproar in the city.

It seems the citizens are having a hard time understanding the current situation.

At this rate, there might be a delay in the preparation to evacuate the citizens.

「… I was born and raised in this magic city, Manarak.」

Rosemonde muttered.

「I lost my parents when I was still a child, but… I was helped by their friends and acquaintances. They helped me to join a safe and reliable party and helped me to find proper commissions too. They also taught me how to fight, use magic, and the know-how for adventurers. In a sense, this Manarak itself is something akin to my foster parent.」

She wasn’t speaking with her usual tone, as if she was trying to make her voice heard amongst the noise of the commotion.

Pomera and I heard the rest of Rosemonde’s story in silence.

「It’s vexing, right? We can only escape with our tail between our legs in front of that superpower called the demon king. That’s why I want to at least show some resistance and bite them back. Even if it means that I will fall along with this city.」

「Rosemonde-san…」

「… Cease your sentiment. Even if I speak this way, I’m not such a heartless person.」

Rosemonde heaved a sigh.