Chapter 91
Episode 91 - Chaos and Hero (9)
"Is that a helicopter? Or is it some crazy monster bird or a monster bat?"
[It is indeed a helicopter.]
After wandering aimlessly through the wasteland for two days, I finally discovered an ally when I started to think it was becoming dangerous.
The helicopter seemed not to notice me, but that didn't matter. I just needed to make it see me.
I raised my sword and activated my power. Although I still lacked the strength to unleash it completely, the Secrets of Resonance Method allowed me to integrate other powers with my own and manifest them.
The energy absorbed from the ore gripped in my other hand flowed directly into the sword, igniting it in a crimson blaze.
Waving it wildly like a signal baton seemed to work.
[It seems they've noticed.]
Beyond the floating text, I could see the helicopter changing its course.
I lay down flat on the ground. Right now, I just wanted some cool water and warm food, leaving everything else aside.
"A transport vehicle will arrive soon! We have to continue our mission!"
"Thank you, thank you so much."
"No need to mention it. Everyone will rejoice in the hero's return!"
"...What? Wait, hold on!"
The site was noisy with the sound of the helicopter propeller.
The Japanese man, ignoring my request to wait, simply gave me a thumbs-up and climbed back into the helicopter.
I stood there dazed, holding only the transceiver and canteen he handed me, watching the helicopter take off again.
My mind was spinning. It wasn't because of the deafening sound of the propeller.
"They probably didn't think I'd survive. But it seems there's some misunderstanding."
[Think about it again. From their perspective, not knowing the truth, how would your actions have appeared?]
"...Ah, damn it."
I finally realized and slammed the ground in frustration.
At the time, my only thought was to buy time and save people. To do so, I needed to summon the Legion, but I couldn't let people see the Legion.
That was all I had in mind. So, I stayed behind and sent the people ahead.
The problem was how it looked to the people who witnessed it. It was a scene anyone would misunderstand.
"I... I didn't do it on purpose."
[You know well enough... but the issue is that others won't see it that way. A devastating loss, annihilation, despair, and sorrow. Amid all that, a miraculous story emerges. It's natural for attention to focus on it.]
"I'm doomed."
In the distance, the sound of a military vehicle engine roared as it approached urgently.
Thinking about it, it was strange that a military vehicle was coming to pick me up. I had only participated as a mere mercenary.
"Mr. Kang Shin-Woo. I am Operations Staff... No, just call me Brigadier General Sung Jin-Woo from the 32nd Corps of the Allied Forces."
"Ah... Yes, Brigadier General."
When I saw the single star on the bulletproof helmet of the middle-aged man who got out of the car, I knew my guess was correct.
"Get in. During these difficult times, the news of your survival is one of the few pieces of good news we have."
He personally escorted me to the back seat of the vehicle.
Even though it felt burdensome, I couldn't refuse. For some reason, the sergeant in the driver's seat had sparkling eyes.
"Thanks to you, Mr. Kang Shin-Woo, those who returned alive are all speaking in unison, and the story has already spread everywhere. It's probably reached Earth by now."
"...I suppose so."
It was an unprecedented alliance of nations worldwide, transcending formations, religions, and ideologies. As such, the Allied Forces were a source of pride for Earthlings and a symbol of unity.
The achievements of the Allied Forces were headline news for the entire Earth. Their victories were Earth's victories, and their defeats were Earth's defeats.
"In such a dire situation... a ray of hope."
He took out a tablet. Displayed on it was a single blurry, shaky photo.
It was a picture of a massive battle between the Legion and the enemies.
"So please, tell us the truth. The only data the military has is this single photo, taken and transmitted by the reconnaissance helicopter just before it was shot down...!"
His eyes, both serious and desperate, looked into mine as he held my hand.
I grabbed hold of my scattered thoughts, reeling from the shock, and pieced my rationality back together.
It wasn't exposed. At least, the fact that the military only had this messy photo seemed true.
"Actually, it's true that I intended to bury them with the remaining shells and explosives."
I began to calmly lie. If I were the ordinary college student I used to be, I wouldn't have been able to say a word in this situation. But I had experienced too much in the past few months.
"But suddenly, they appeared. Do you know what they are?"
"To be honest, I'm not sure. They just look like monsters."
"Even I, who saw them directly, don't know. All I could do was quickly flee."
The words flowed smoothly. The Legion suddenly appeared as strange monsters. I simply fled and watched them fight amongst themselves, and so on.
What could they do if they didn't believe me? There was no evidence anyway.
Above all, with the sudden gathering of beasts and strange skeletons wielding spears, it wasn't unbelievable that the monsters were fighting among themselves.
"But people..."
"I will also be honest with the people. I know what you're worried about, Brigadier General. Still, trust me. It's better to reveal the truth than to lie."
I gave a bitter smile at the hint of disappointment on the Brigadier General's face.
From their perspective, it was unfortunate that this wasn't the birth of a powerful hero but merely a coincidence.
However, even after arriving at the encampment and announcing the truth to the people, their reactions didn't change.
"In any case, you're going to keep fighting, right?"
"Y-Yes."
"Then that's enough. You're already a hero. That's what everyone thinks. In fact, they might like it even more, knowing you stepped forward despite not having transcendental strength."
Robert approached me, who was flustered, and smiled broadly.
*
"Quickly..."
"Open the gate! Open the gate!"
Late in the evening, the city's soldiers, who had been maintaining an unassailable defense, moved busily.
The castle walls were, in fact, relics of the past. However, these relics had become a significant bulwark, protecting them now.
"Report to the higher-ups that Austin Schultz, a Continental Assembly Member, and Reina, a Research Magician from Blakel, have gathered the Defense Forces. And open the gate immediately! We need to head to Menas!"
"Ah, understood!"
The officer, who had rushed over, turned and sprinted back at full speed in response to Austin's command.
In that fleeting moment, Austin and Reina gulped down the water brought by the soldiers.
"What on earth were those things?"
"...No matter how much I think about it, I don't know. Were they really Demons of Destruction? They're so different from the records."
At Reina's words, Austin clicked his tongue.
They gathered the survivors and pursued the Detached Force where Rozes was supposed to be.
And there, they witnessed the annihilation of the Detached Force led by Rozes.
'Dozens, hundreds of such things?'
Austin shuddered at the thought that the Higher Species he fought wasn't alone.
'And those black wings...'
He was horrified at the existence of something seemingly stronger than the Higher Species.
The only reason they managed to reach this point undetected was that all the enemies, including those they had seen, had suddenly disappeared during their all-out offensive.
"Councilor! It's confirmed. Vice Leader Rozes Leblanc is currently in Menas!"
"Hmm. So he fled one step ahead, after all!"
As they headed toward the City Hall, where the Gate was located, they received the news they had inquired about. Austin gritted his teeth.
Above all else, Rozes, who had volunteered for the Detached Force, fleeing alone at the moment of crisis, was inexcusable.
"Don't be too angry. He'll surely be held accountable."
Now, Reina even had to calm his anger.
They soon arrived at the Gate. The city's mayor, elected by the Continental Assembly, bowed before Austin.
"Councilor, why don't you take a rest before proceeding..."
"Silence. The continent's fate is at stake; there's no time to hesitate. Open the Gate immediately."
As Austin frowned, the mayor flinched and unnecessarily urged the city's magicians.
Soon, the magic stones installed with massive mirror-like equipment absorbed mana, turned blue, and began to vibrate.
'Convincing the councilor was truly a stroke of genius.'
Reina sighed in relief at how smoothly things were progressing.
No matter how much a mere Research Magician shouted, no one would have listened. But the words of a current Continental Assembly Member carried weight.
"Ahem. Let's go quickly."
Soon, the Blue Veil unfolded before their eyes. Austin tapped his staff on the ground and led the way to the Gate.
"Let's stop for now. You must go, but you need to come with us, Councilor."
However, his steps halted after just a few paces.
From within the veil they were about to enter, several people were walking out. Over ten robust men and women dressed in black uniforms.
Seeing them, Reina's face turned pale.
"The Vice Leader of Blakel Academy, Rozes Leblanc, has accused you all. Please cooperate for the investigation."
The blonde-haired man at the front held up a document to show them.
"Accused? Wasn't it he who abandoned the mission and fled? How dare he shamelessly..."
Austin, enraged, flared his robe and pointed accusingly.
"Let's discuss the details there. Take him."
However, they remained unmoved.
As a pair of men and women approached him, Austin gritted his teeth, shook off their hands, and walked into the veil on his own.
"We don't have time for this! The horrifying creatures crawling out of the Labyrinth..."
"We are aware of that, but how rude of a mere Research Mage. Are you defying an Investigator? Right now, uncovering corruption is more important than those trivial monsters."
"T-Trivial?!"
A sword was blatantly pointed at Reina's neck, who was on the verge of exploding with anger.
In the end, even Reina was captured and taken beyond the veil. Left behind in the storm-ravaged City Hall were only the city officials nervously watching the scene.