The seven ancient magic users still hadn’t recovered from that strange sense of exhaustion that had washed over them after destroying Ehit’s pillar, and the two hundred-odd prisoners that they’d rescued needed time to rest and recover as well. Moreover, they needed to stay close to the Melusine—which had become the Liberators’ new temporary headquarters—to keep track of all of their comrades who were still on the run and help them if need be. More than anything, though, staying here was the fastest way to find a solution to their problem.
“The Dragon Kingdom has a long and storied history. I’m sure we’ll be able to find some clues on how to defeat Ehit here.”
In fact, the main reason the dragonmen had come to the Liberators’ aid, and why they were staying here in the Dragon Kingdom, was because they wanted all the information Miledi and the others had gleaned about Ehit from their decisive battle. Of course, they also wanted to protect Miledi and her comrades, since the ancient magic users had the best chance of defeating Ehit that the dragonmen had seen in their kingdom’s thousand-year history. The Dragon Kingdom had even been willing to sacrifice all of its warriors to help Miledi and the others escape if it came down to it. While Miledi and the others were glad for the assistance, the special treatment they had received didn’t sit well with them. Still, they’d managed to safely escape from the apostles, so at the very least, they wouldn’t have to worry about the Dragon Kingdom crumbling because of them.
At any rate, the kingdom’s scholars were now poring over their nation’s ancient texts to see if they could learn anything new with the knowledge Miledi had given them about Ehit. Meanwhile, Miledi and the others got to relax in the Dragon General’s mansion. Unfortunately, they weren’t managing to relax much, as they were simultaneously filled with a burning desire to act and the despondence that came with knowing they’d been thoroughly outmatched.
“If things were going to come to this regardless, we should have contacted the dragonmen before the decisive battle,” Meiru said.
“You’re right, but with the execution coming up, we simply didn’t have time,” Oscar replied.
The Dragon Kingdom was surrounded on all sides by the northern mountains and was hundreds of kilometers away from civilization. Moreover, it was well-hidden, and only Miledi—who’d visited once before—knew its exact location.
In the days leading up to the decisive battle, Miledi and the others had been busy setting up the Skynets, upgrading their equipment, preparing escape routes, and holding backroom meetings with the leaders of the various nations. There had been a mountain of tasks to accomplish, and not nearly enough time.
“I suppose that’s fair,” Meiru said with a shrug of her shoulders.
“I think I’ll go bring some refreshments to the scholars. I’m sure they’ll be happy to be served by a beautiful woman like me.”
“Please dress properly before you go. If you go in that outfit, you’ll just stress them out even more. I know these clothes were gifts, but that doesn’t mean you can alter them however you please. The yukata you’re wearing now is basically as revealing as underwear in this culture. Going out dressed like that in this city just makes you a pervert, Meiru.”
“How rude!” Meiru responded with a kick that flashed her panties, which only further proved Oscar’s point.
“What are you two doing?” Naiz asked, rounding the far corner and walking down the hallway toward them. He was wearing his ivory-white yukata perfectly, like a native.
Meiru jerked her chin over at Miledi, and Naiz nodded in understanding after taking one look at her.
“Oscar, why don’t you go say something to her? Cheering girls up is your specialty, isn’t it?”
“What do you guys think I am?”
“A fake gentleman and a womanizer,” Naiz and Meiru said in unison.
“Fuck you.”
Oscar adjusted his glasses and hastily tried to change the topic.
“How’re things looking?”
“We got a message from Sim today. The beastmen warriors managed to regroup.”
“Have they returned to the forest?”
“Valf, Craid, and about half of the soldiers have. Sui’s in Entris, while Sim and Nirke are hiding with the remaining warriors in our village at the border of Uldea and Odion.”
“Is Sui trying to scout out what the theocracy’s up to?”
“Hopefully. Sim said that she vanished before he knew it.”
“My, are we sure she didn’t just grow tired of working for the Liberators and run away?”
“I wouldn’t put it past her, especially with how resigned Sim looked when he told me that.”
It wouldn’t have been surprising if Sui had hidden herself away from her comrades so they wouldn’t push more work on her.
Oscar, Meiru, and Naiz sighed in unison. Oscar then started counting off with his fingers and said, “So now we know for sure that Badd, Marshal, Chris, and Diene-chan are all safe.”
“Margaretta as well. She and the other Schnee clansmen have made it to Sainttown. We’ve managed to get in touch with about sixty percent of the forces that participated in the decisive battle. Though honestly, I am worried about how the demon army is faring.”
“Yeah, they’d stand out in the northern continent. We’d know if they passed through the Reisen Gorge, but since that’s the main border between the northern and southern continent, the church is probably heavily patrolling the area. They’ll need to move carefully if they want to slip past the guards.”
Salus was coordinating the retreat efforts and checking up on everyone via the massive Skynet installed on the Melusine. Lyutillis was helping him as well. The Skynets had bad reception in this mountainous region, so they needed her evolution magic to boost their output enough to get a proper signal.
Oddly enough, it seemed Ehit and the church hadn’t sent out any pursuit parties against the fleeing Liberators yet.
“Why aren’t they making a move?” Naiz muttered, his expression grim. Meiru and Oscar knew he was referring to the church, so their expressions darkened as well.