Chapter 23 – The Man Who Reached the Ground

The two who were captured were taken to a place different from where the Para tribe was gathered.

Both of their hands were tied with ropes and soldiers were pulling them along. They were then made to enter a tent.

“We’ve brought them.”

“Good work. …Oh! Well, well…”

That man was one of the 2,000 mercenaries who had come to the grassland and he was in charge of a squad of 50 mercenaries.

Whether it was due to prolonged warfare he had endured or simply a penchant for plundering, he exuded an aura of being accustomed to killing.

“The report mentioned it, but…a black-haired beauty with exceptionally gorgeous grey eyes! This one is irresistible!”

The man ran his lecherous gaze over Mayo’s entire body. After giving instructions to the mercenaries, they tied the ropes binding the two women’s hands to a pillar inside the tent.

“The other one seems rather strong-willed too.”

“Captain, we were told to refrain from laying hands on the prairie women, though killing is permitted…We’re supposed to offer them to the Emperor, right?”

“Hey, you don’t get it. It means we can do anything short of killing them.”

“..Ah! I see! As expected of you, Captain!”

“Hmph. Having come all this way to the frontier, there’s no fun if we can’t enjoy ourselves…I’m sure His Majesty understands that well!”

Saying that, the man moved towards Rina. He placed a finger under her chin and tilted her face up.

“Your name?”

“…Peh!”

Rina spat directly in the man’s face. Silence filled the tent momentarily, then, a second later, the man slapped Rina across the cheek.

“Gah!”

“You insolent woman. Fine, I’ll take you first before the others.”

“Don’t you dare touch me!”

“Behave yourself, you savage!”

Rina, though knocked to the floor, managed to kick the man. Unfazed, he retaliated with a kick of his own.

“Rina-san!”

Mayo, bound to another pillar, could do nothing to help Rina. Smirking at Mayo’s helplessness, the man chuckled.

“So, your name is Rina, huh? You lot! Pin this woman down!”

“Yes, sir!”

“Stop… Don’t… touch me!”

Rina resisted fiercely but against multiple men, her efforts were futile.

Forced onto her back, her hands pinned down, other men grabbed her legs, forcefully spreading them apart.

The man addressed as the captain squatted in front of Rina, exposing her lower half. He brandished his erect member, thrusting it into Rina’s view, then drew out a knife.

“I’ll violate you forcefully, make you cry and scream!”

“You… Empire scum…!”

Rina glared fiercely at the man, unaware that her defiance only fueled his excitement. As he reached to cut her clothes, extending the knife toward her groin—

“Gyaaaa!”

“!?”

Two soldiers standing at the tent entrance collapsed, blood spurting from their bodies.

■

Ah…why is it, I wonder. Even though it’s been quite a long time since I’ve met people…for some reason, I can read their movements, breathing and even thoughts better than before.

How they move, what they’re thinking of doing next. What emotions they harbour in their hearts and how they’re trying to vent them. I can see it all as clear as day.

After a long time climbing up the rock face, I finally encountered the last obstacle. The light of day was visible but the crevice was too narrow for my body to fit through.

However, by concentrating my mind and calming my spirit, I could see where to strike to widen the crevice and break through.

And so, with my gauntleted arms, I struck the rock face and punched through the ceiling, creating a hole large enough for a person to pass.

Yes, finally I could reach the surface. The sunlight was so blinding that I had to shut my eyes instinctively.

Using the movement of the sun, I got a rough sense of cardinal directions. But I didn’t know what area this was. However, seeing a mountain range to the south, I formed a hypothesis.

‘Could that mountain range be beyond the Imperial Capital…? Did I come out to the north of it after passing through the underground…?’

Considering where I originally was, it didn’t seem impossible. Though it would also depend on how far I drifted at sea.

In any case, I headed north. If this was the place I envisioned, there may be a prairie extending ahead.

And then, finding a lake in the forest, I looked at my own reflection on the water’s surface. I don’t know how much time had passed but I had become quite a rugged-looking man. Plus, my hair was far too long.

I roughly cut my hair with a sword and bathed in the lake. Since I hadn’t washed for a long time, I myself was very aware of my stench.

Feeling refreshed, I headed north again, leaving the forest. There lay before me a sight that could not be mistaken.

“The grassland…!”

It had been so long since I raised my voice. Though relieved to have reached the grassland I didn’t know what area of it this was. In any case, I had no choice but to keep walking.

I was thinking this when the sun started to set. In the distance, I spotted people with campfires lit.

Thinking they may be nomads, I ran towards them. But what came into view was an unforgettable flag – that of the Zeltreich Empire.

“……………..!!”

It’s evident they’re a group of armed soldiers. I crouch in the grass, silently approaching to gather the information I seek.

There, I learned that members of the grassland tribe had been captured. Moreover, one of them was described as a woman with black hair and grey eyes. Among the women of the grassland, there was only one person who came to mind.

‘Mayo-sama…!’

I pinpointed the location where the two were captured and arrived at the scene.

“What are you doing here!?”

“Which unit are you from!?”

I quickly survey the surroundings.

Mayo-sama…! Thank goodness, she’s safe…!

And there’s another person here, too. I recognized them from Mayo-sama’s voice earlier. How nostalgic…she’s grown quite a bit.

“Are you listening, you intruder!?”

I wield my sword with a natural motion, swatting away the attackers like flies. Their lack of reaction to my fluid movements allows me to dispatch them confidently.

As I suspected… There’s something different about my sword. Swinging it like this renders opponents defenceless, unable to react as I strike them down.

“Take… this!”

The remaining attackers inside charge at me. Some bear insignias and seem to possess high physical prowess. But…

“Gyaaah!”

“Gah!”

I walk straight toward the leader-like figure. Despite their attempts to wield weapons, none can halt my advance, let alone slow it.

Before their attacks can land, I strike them down swiftly. And then…

“What… are you…?”

Inside the tent, only this guy and I remain. We’re both fully engaged, perfectly within striking distance.

Ah…I can sense his breathing, emotions, movements. I know exactly how he’ll move next.

Despite all the killing, my heart remains calm, undisturbed. Silence persists throughout. And then…

“Aa…”

The moment the man raises his sword with both hands, I flash my blade horizontally, severing both his arms and his head. It was all already foreseen.

“T-That sword… and those… blue eyes…”

Mayo-sama looks at me with genuine surprise. Somehow, she seems stronger than when we last met.

First, I cut the ropes binding Rina, who’s right beside me.

“A-aa…”

Then, I move to Mayo-sama’s side and cut her bonds as well.

“It’s been a while, Mayo-sama. And you too, Rina.”

“Eh…”

“Y-You’re…! That can’t be…!”

Mayo-sama’s reaction is one of disbelief.

“Could it be…Vil…Vyril!”

I nod quietly in confirmation. I want to rejoice in our reunion and hear about everything that’s happened, but we’re right in the heart of enemy territory.

“There’s much to discuss, but for now let’s get out of here.”

They both seem to understand the situation, nodding as we exit together. Bodies litter the surroundings, casualties of my journey here.

“That’s them!”

“There! The women are escaping!”

“They’ve come to rescue them! Don’t let them get away!”

Damn…I wished for a smoother approach, but prioritising the rescue of these two was necessary. No choice.

“Let’s run! Which way!?”

“East!”

“Got it!”

Activating our marks, enhancing our physical abilities, we sprint eastward.

“After them!”

“Fetch the horses!”

They might catch up on horseback…! The pursuers… around 50…?

‘If I give it my all now… can I make it…!?’

No, that would leave no one to protect these two. For now, we just have to run…!

Just as I was pondering this, an arrow flies straight toward us.

“Huh!?”

The arrow’s trajectory isn’t aimed at us, but at the pursuers behind us.

What precision…! Passing over us without hitting, it still manages to strike the pursuers solidly…!

‘This bow’s strength…! Must be from the Muria tribe…!’

Fifteen mounted nomads charge toward us from the front.

“It’s Rina and Mayo!”

“There’s another one!”

“If they’re fleeing together, he must be an ally!”

“All three, get on!”

We reach out to the nomads, each of us mounting a different horse. And with that, we make our escape.