Would we even beat the Nyrnal Empire to begin with? Honestly, until we did that, we didn’t have time to consider the new continent. That had to come first, and it was proving to be an immense hurdle.
Where would the Nyrnal Empire strike next? Would they cross the Phros again to strike the Eastern Trade Union? That was plausible, but they could also change course and attack the Dukedom of Schtraut. They might have been tightening their defenses, biding their time.
I imagined countless scenarios, numerous battles, and the sacrifices and casualties that might come as a result.
I didn’t want this war to continue much longer. But if I didn’t, how could I grant the Swarm the conquest I’d promised them? In the event that I failed, both the Swarm and our allies would be in danger. As the Arachnea’s queen, I couldn’t allow that. I had to keep on fighting, even if it pained me.
Sérignan, who was sprawled next to me, peered at me with concern. “Are you tired, milady?”
“A bit,” I replied with a sigh. “The Nyrnal Empire is a difficult opponent. I can’t get a handle on what they’re going to do next. They might have some kind of crazy plan in store, and that makes it harder to fight them. I just don’t know what they’re planning.”
War was all about reading your opponent’s intentions. To win, the enemy had to defy our expectations, and the same held true for us.
“Trying to discern the enemy’s malice all the time is honestly exhausting. I’d much rather spend my time surrounded by goodwill, without people making attempts on my life or having to fight a war. I want peace. I want to go back to my world...”
“Hm, you’ve mentioned this world of yours before, but is it different from this one? Can we go there with you?”
“No, you can’t, Sérignan.” I shook my head. “Someday, we’ll have to part ways. But we’ll stay together until that day comes. The time we spend together is truly wonderful.”
This world was different from the game. The heavy infantry in the game were stronger, the ballistae more potent, and the leaders simpler. Here, only some of the heavy infantry could reliably kill Ripper Swarms, ballistae were hard to aim at the wyverns, and the enemy commanders were crafty.
“I wonder if I’ll survive and go back to my world...”
“I will save your soul.”
“You killed her.”
My mother...
A splitting headache assailed me.
Can I...really go back to my world? What Sandalphon and Samael said makes it sound like I’m already—
“Milady?” Sérignan said, her concern seeping into me through the collective.
At some point, my expression had contorted in agony.
“I’m fine, Sérignan. Really. I think I just got dizzy from sitting in the water for too long... I’ll get out and relax for a bit. I’ll be back soon, so you can just relax here with Lysa.”
“Very well, milady. But do be careful. Today you seem...a bit weaker than usual.”
Weaker, eh?
Maybe I did feel kind of feeble. Between the seemingly endless war with Nyrnal and the idea of going back to my world, my resolve had been shaken. Then again, I had fought every single battle thus far without knowing what to do next. So I believed I’d manage going forward too.
Or rather, I had to. The Swarm is counting on me, after all.
Having cooled down a bit, I returned to the hot spring and decided to thoroughly enjoy myself this time. I chatted away with Sérignan and Lysa. I had seen Sérignan in the game plenty of times, but only after coming here did I meet her in person. I told her how there were times when I’d carelessly let her die in the game, which made her break into a cold sweat.
Lysa was a dear friend who I’d met for the first time in this world. When I lived in Japan, I never imagined I’d ever meet an elf. Thanks to the elves, we’d been able to live comfortably at the very beginning, and what happened to them had lit the fire of ambition inside me.
Without a doubt, there were all sorts of fun things in this world and things I’d never seen before. Still, I wanted to go home.
♱
After soaking in the hot spring, we returned to rest in our room. I stripped down to my undergarments and got under the covers. Sérignan looked like she wasn’t too pleased with that, but since we were on vacation, she let me do as I liked.
It was a welcome day off from Sérignan’s advice.
“There are really all sorts of things in the outside world, huh?” Lysa whispered, gazing out at the sea through the window. “Vast hot springs, a sea that spreads as far as the eye can see, enormous ships... I’d never see these things in the elven forest. I wish I could show Linnet this world...”
Lysa still had feelings for Linnet. I knew the elves were long-lived, but they must have let their memories linger for a long time too.
“I’m sure Linnet’s watching, Lysa. He sees this world through your eyes,” I told her.
“I hope so... Thinking that I’m the only one who gets to see the world like this, and that he’ll never get the chance... It just makes me sad.”
I didn’t see the harm in her embracing this idea. She could believe that Linnet was still with her, residing in her heart. Forcing her to embrace reality might not be a good thing.
“Did you enjoy the hot spring, Sérignan?” I asked.
“Yes, I feel somewhat invigorated. I think I’ll win our next battle with ease! I will emerge victorious for your sake, milady!”
Sérignan only cared about fighting, but that was fine by me. It suited her. And thanks to her, I never felt cornered. I couldn’t imagine fighting a war without her at this point, though relying on her so heavily wasn’t necessarily a good thing. A strategy that was dependent on one unit would fall apart if that unit was lost, and I wouldn’t have a backup plan if that happened. Ideally, I should have strived to achieve certain victory through a composition of multiple units.
But since we were only just beginning to unlock our units, I needed to rely on Sérignan just a little longer.
Fight hard, Sérignan. I’m counting on you.
“I shall, milady. Believe in me.”
Apparently my emotions had leaked over to her through the collective consciousness.
“I will, Sérignan,” I told my trusted, praiseworthy knight as I let my body cool down.
♱
After the hot springs, we got something to eat. The hot springs I was used to served traditional Japanese food, but that wasn’t the case in this world.
“Pick anything you’d like from this menu!” the inn’s employee said, handing us menus and placing glasses of water on our table.
“Hmm, there’s so much here... I can’t decide...”
The menu listed all sorts of tantalizing dishes. All of them were so alluring; I couldn’t settle on one.
Lysa, on the other hand, made her choice quickly. “I’ll have the fried seafood dinner set!”
She’s decisive, that one.
“I’ll have today’s recommendation,” Sérignan said.
Drat, I’m the only one who hasn’t decided yet.
Panicking, I scanned the menu and found something familiar.
“Curry...?”
Like, the curry? One of my favorites, the nice and spicy curry with rice?
“Excuse me!” I called out to the waitress.