Chapter 25

As the cherry blossoms danced in the wind, Misaki opened the old diary and read the words of the promise written there.

Fred and Bastien returned to discuss the counterattack. The convenience of shadow travel is that even from a distance, we can easily return. In the small room of the boarding house, I spread out a piece of paper on the small table and began to summarize the key points. Once the preparations were ready, Reinhardt asked a question.

"Mr. Kent, do you remember the three challenges we discussed earlier?"

"Um, the rescue method, the reception place, and the informant, right?"

"Yes, that's correct. Among those, we have secured the cooperation of Mr. Claus for the reception place, so we have two remaining challenges."

"That's true, but I also want to inflict some damage on the other side. I can't just let it go, and I feel they might look down on us during negotiations."

"Indeed, let's add a counterattack to the list."

"Rescue method, informant, and counterattack method, then."

I began writing in my own script on the spread-out paper. If I wrote in Japanese, Reinhardt and the others wouldn't be able to read it. If Amanda or Misa saw it, they might become suspicious, so I plan to store the notes in the shadow storage.

"First, regarding the rescue method, we can't use shadow travel, so we have to go through the Demon Forest, but the first priority is to get out of the garrison."

"About that, don't you think it's better to rescue everyone at once?"

"Yes, that would be ideal. If we do it in stages, it will raise suspicion and we might lose our advantage."

"Our advantage... being able to move freely using shadows, right?"

"Of course, but the fact that our existence is unknown is an even greater advantage."

"Right, I'm thought to be dead."

"Exactly, if they don't think you're there, they won't be on guard."

"Indeed, it's easier to act when they're not on guard."

We plan to rescue our classmates, but from Camilla's perspective, who doesn't know about us, they are only concerned with preventing the escape of the classmates. Naturally, their vigilance is much lower.

"So, we shouldn't be discovered, right?"

"Of course, for example, if our existence is known, we can pass off as unknown monsters, but Mr. Kent, it would be better if you don't show your face until everyone is rescued."

If we act openly, the Volzard side might think we are summoned monsters, and the classmates might not consider us allies. Moreover, rescuing everyone at once from the garrison seems impossible.

The garrison is surrounded by high walls, and there is a guard post at the sturdy gate. The location is on the outskirts of the town, and to head towards the Demon Forest, we need to cross a river. The bridge is a drawbridge to prevent monster attacks. Naturally, there is a guard post at the drawbridge, and it seems impossible to escape without causing a commotion. If a commotion occurs, they will certainly send pursuers, making the rescue even more difficult.

"Hmm... rescuing everyone at once... it's difficult."

"Mr. Kent... I have an idea..."

"An idea? What is it, tell me."

"Use the practical training in the Demon Forest?"

Fred's idea was to rescue the classmates during the practical training in the Demon Forest. This way, we can avoid the trouble of rescuing them from the garrison, and the likelihood of causing a commotion is much lower.

"Mr. Kent, this might be a good plan. During the practical training, the number of escorting soldiers is limited, and there's no worry about reinforcements."

"Right, if they don't know we're there, they'll only be worried about escape."

"Indeed, they won't even be worried about escape. After all, if the classmates are left in the Demon Forest..."

"Right, they would be in a situation where they need to be brought back."

"Yes, even if they escape from the spot, they can't run far with the slave bracelets on, so they would have to return to the garrison."

Given that they don't plan for external rescue and have almost no concern about escape, the vigilance of the escorting knights seems quite low. The next step is to decide the procedure for the rescue. As I pondered, Bastien offered an idea.

"Mr. Kent, perhaps we should attack like monsters?"

"Attack? The classmates and Bastien's group can't win."

"I understand, so, even if it causes some pain, how about making the classmates unconscious and disposing of the escorting knights?"

"Interesting... hmm... but..."

Is it necessary to kill the escorting knights? It's true that if we kill them, there's no risk of information leaking. If we let them live, the information about the unknown skeletons might spread and increase vigilance. However, if we kill them, we might incur resentment, making negotiations for returning to our original world more difficult. I shared these thoughts and asked for everyone's opinions.

"What do you think, Reinhardt?"

"Indeed, if we incur resentment, there's a risk that negotiations will fail. On the other hand, if we are detected, the rescue will become more difficult. It's a matter of which to prioritize."

"Right, I don't want to fail to return to our original world, so I think we should avoid killing if possible. Can we do that, Bastien?"

"Leave it to us. We'll handle any difficulties."

With the necessary items for the rescue secured, I felt a bit lighter.

"Mr. Kent, to proceed with the rescue operation, we need to prepare properly."

"Oh, right, we should also talk to Mr. Claus."

"That's true, but it will take two to three days to walk through the Demon Forest. We need to prepare water, food, and tents for that period."

"Right... when I was there, I relied on everyone for food. If the number of people increases, we need to prepare accordingly."

According to Reinhardt, the Reisenburg knights operate in units of five. Each group has a leader, and five groups form a squad. Five squads form a platoon, and five platoons form a battalion.

"So, we need to prepare in units of five, and have several of those units ready, right?"

"That's correct. Depending on the scale of the practical training, it might start with about twenty people."

"Then, should we prepare for thirty people to be safe?"

"Yes, since we can store them in the shadow storage, it's better to have a margin."

Even though I want to rescue the classmates quickly, I realize that we have no preparations. I don't even know where to get a large amount of food and tents.

"Mr. Kent... don't worry..."

"Huh? Why not?"

"We'll take them from the garrison..."

"Oh, I see... but won't we be caught?"

"If we take them from the back, we won't be caught."

I had asked Fred to list the garrison's supplies, and it seems this will be useful. The number of supplies is managed, and the number is checked each time they are taken out, but the total number is only checked periodically. So, if we use shadow travel to take items from the back, they won't be noticed until the next total check.

"Mr. Kent, even if we are caught, we'll be suspected of being careless and diverting supplies, but our existence, which leaves no trace of entry, won't be noticed."

"Right, Fred, can you get the necessary items and store them in the shadow storage?"

"Understood... leave it to me."

With the necessary items for the rescue secured, we need to bring the classmates to Volzard and have them welcomed.

"Hmm... I think we should also talk to the garrison people... and the slave bracelets..."

"Mr. Kent... I've found the bracelets..."

"Fred, you're quick."

I took the bracelet Fred offered from the shadow space. The bracelet, which looked like it was carved from obsidian, was not as heavy as it appeared. I concentrated on it to see if it could provide any clues, and an image flowed into my mind.

"Ugh... this is..."

"What's wrong, Mr. Kent?"

"Right, unlike the one I found in the Demon Forest, this one has a very complex spell."

"Indeed, it might be a special item created for this summoning."

Only one person, probably Camilla, can remove the bracelet. The spell seems to prevent the wearer from using violence against anyone recognized as a resident of Reisenburg.

"Indeed, that is a rare spell. Normally, the spell is set to prevent the wearer from disobeying the owner."

According to Reinhardt, a typical slave bracelet has no magical pattern engraved before it is put on, and the pattern is engraved when the owner puts it on the slave. When I tried to close the bracelet, it wouldn't come off, and the seam was almost invisible. When I concentrated, I confirmed that it was locked with someone else's magical pattern. I concentrated further and tried to interfere with the magical pattern, and the bracelet split into two with a small click.

"Right, no problem, this bracelet can be removed."

"Excellent, as expected of Mr. Kent. Even a dark mage would struggle to remove a slave bracelet."

"After rescuing the classmates, should we attach monster blood to the removed bracelets and discard them?"

"That's a good idea. That way, it will seem like they were killed by monsters."

"Right, they need to be thought of as dead, just like me."

To bring the rescued classmates to Volzard and have them welcomed, it seems better to talk to the garrison people to avoid confusion.

"First thing in the morning, we should go to Mr. Claus, then to Mr. Kaltz and Mr. Donovan."

"Mr. Kent... and the Holy Maiden..."

"Oh, right, if she thinks many people died at once, the committee chair might faint again."

I planned to contact Ms. Saeko, but now I think I should also contact the committee chair and have her inform everyone during treatment.

"Mr. Kent, if we don't do it well, we'll lose our advantage."

"Right, the committee chair might do a better job than Ms. Saeko."

"What about contacting that person?"

"Hmm... let's wait and see... it's better not to spread my existence too much, right?"

"Indeed, if we're rescuing from the garrison, it's better to inform them, but if we're bringing them from the Demon Forest, it's better not to."

For now, I'll put off contacting Ms. Saeko.

"By the way, Bastien, how was the capital?"

"I apologize, Mr. Kent, but I actually went to the Dabira Desert first."

"Oh, that's fine. Which one you went to first doesn't matter. How was the desert?"

"To be honest, it was worse than I imagined."

According to Bastien, the city that used to be on the border with the desert is now completely buried and part of the desert. Even the cities to the east have been buried, and the current border city has sand in the fields, making crop growth poor. Due to poor crop growth, people's lives are impoverished, and malnourished children are not uncommon.

"But, isn't the city of Lastock not in such a bad condition?"

"Not as prosperous as Volzard, but not that poor."

"In such a situation, shouldn't the lord or the royal family do something?"

"Indeed, normally they would."

"So, is there an abnormal situation?"

"I apologize, Mr. Kent, if I had investigated the capital..."

"No, no, if you had, we wouldn't know the current state of the desert. It's not your fault, Bastien. Even with shadow travel, you can't investigate everything with just one body."

"Yes, I will investigate the movements of the nobles in the capital tomorrow, so please wait a bit longer."

"Right, there's no rush, but you need to return for the rescue operation, so don't overdo it."

It seems the desertification problem is more serious than I thought, and this is likely the reason Camilla is in a hurry.

"But, if they need to expedite the development of the Demon Forest, why don't they do it themselves?"

"Mr. Kent, they probably lack the manpower."

"Right... I don't think the garrison has a full platoon of manpower."

"But, since it's a national issue, can't they gather people from elsewhere?"

"Probably, the princess can only use the manpower from the garrison."

From the information so far, it seems that others are passive about desertification, and Camilla, lacking free manpower, resorted to summoning magic. If that's the case, it seems they could offer better treatment.

"What's wrong, Mr. Kent?"

"Right, I said our country is peaceful, right?"

"Yes, extremely peaceful..."

"Sort of, but that's fine. Anyway, as a characteristic of our country's people, we feel a sense of duty when asked."

"Indeed, if the treatment is good and they are asked, the classmates would cooperate."

"Right, in our world, magic only exists in fairy tales, so just being able to use magic is exciting."

"In other words, the princess is doing it wrong, right?"

"Right, if they are treated as slaves, they will only feel resentment."

"Indeed... the treatment is not commendable, but there might be a reason."

"Damn... what is that evil princess thinking?"

If we understand Camilla's thoughts, it might help rescue the classmates, but on the other hand, if we understand her, we might not be able to blame her.

"Mr. Kent, we still lack information. Let's think about it after Bastien investigates more."

"Right, it's easy to make mistakes based on speculation."

"Yes, it seems to be a deep-rooted problem involving the royal family and nobles."

"Ugh... I can't solve such a problem."

I can't solve a problem involving the country's leaders, and just hearing about it feels overwhelming.

"Indeed, if the problem is that big, it's beyond the level of individual effort."

"Hey, what do you want, Reinhardt and the others?"

"Huh? Us...?"

"Right, the country has changed since your time, and the royal family and people are all strangers, but it's still the country you lived in, right?"

"Indeed, as Mr. Kent says, but we are long dead..."

Reinhardt's voice was mixed with confusion.

"Right, that's true. But, Reinhardt and the others worked to improve the country and the land. Is Reisenburg fine as it is?"

"That... I haven't thought about it."

"Reinhardt, Bastien, Fred, you stayed to protect me, but if possible, I want to fulfill everyone's wishes."

"Your wishes...?"

"Right, rescuing the classmates and returning to our original world is the top priority, and I need your help for that, but I don't want to force you to do something unpleasant."

Probably, if we use the full abilities of Reinhardt and the others, we could kill all the soldiers in the garrison, rescue the classmates, and threaten Camilla to kill everyone in Lastock if we don't return to our original world. But I don't think that's the solution Reinhardt and the others would want.

There might be descendants of Reinhardt and the others' relatives and acquaintances among the knights in the garrison. If we kill all the knights Camilla can mobilize, the desertification countermeasures might be delayed, and many people might die. Meanwhile, there might be people in the capital who do nothing and just enjoy the benefits. I don't think that's the future Reinhardt and the others envisioned when they were alive.

"What do you think, Reinhardt?"

"Indeed, as Mr. Kent says, the current Reisenburg is different from the future we envisioned when we were alive."

"Captain, can't we do something?"

"The body we received from Mr. Kent... if it can be used for the country... for the people..."

The feelings of everyone towards Reisenburg seemed to flow in.

"Mr. Kent, we will be your sword and shield to help you achieve your goals. But, if possible, we would like to work for the people of Reisenburg and Lanzhelt."

"Of course, you are my family, and your wishes are my wishes."

"Thank you, Mr. Kent. We three will serve you with all our might until our bodies are shattered."

"Right, then, let's rescue my classmates, but let's do it in a way that brightens the future of Reisenburg. Is that okay?"

"No objections."

Even while feeling resentment at being treated as slaves, it's wrong to treat others as a matter of course. I will find a way to fulfill both my wishes and everyone's wishes.

"Mr. Kent, why don't you become the king..."

"Whoa, Fred, what are you saying? I can't be a king."

"No, no, you have the insight to see the desertification problem just by looking at a map, so you can do it."

"No, no, Bastien, that was just because we had a class on desertification."

"Hahaha, if the royal family is doing something ridiculous, we'll sweep them away and have Mr.