episode_0157

““… … !””

Everyone except Ethan looked at me and the split barrier in turn with wide eyes.

Most of them would not even be able to guess how destructive a technique Geomgang is or how much supreme enlightenment it contains.

However, looking at this situation simply, it was a situation in which they could not help but open their eyes wide.

Because I was able to cut through the curtain that Ethan Bertrand, the ten swords and fighting spirit, was unable to cut through without any sign of difficulty.

However, I and Ethan were calm.

Because we both guessed that this would be the result.

Ethan wasn’t even paying attention to the reactions of those around him, and was only focusing his attention on the cracked curtain.

“You can’t see anything, right?”

Ethan said, furrowing his eyebrows.

It was as he said.

Even though the curtain was split, the inside was not clearly visible.

It was as if there was a thick fog.

“It seems that the space within this tent itself has been deteriorated.”

At that time, Chris, who had not said anything after the greeting, intervened.

With everyone’s eyes on him, Chris continued to look inside the tent with his strangely clear green eyes.

“I think that’s right.”

Rachel agreed with Chris’ opinion and came forward.

“It seems that the nature of space itself has changed. This is probably not a normal space.”

In response to Rachel’s next words, I nodded.

To put it bluntly, this curtain itself was created by the distortion of space.

Then, I thought, it wouldn’t be strange if the space inside was deteriorated.

And that added more persuasiveness to what I had vaguely guessed.

The space inside this tent is likely to be more dangerous than expected.

so that.

I turned and looked at the people around me.

“You better go back.”

And, he spoke calmly.

““… … !””

With those words, the atmosphere in the audience calmed down in an instant.

So much so that there was silence for a moment.

However, the silence did not last long.

“Insolent.”

A voice full of confidence and even arrogance broke the silence.

“You have no right to order us.”

The grandchild of Hoeju, the ‘Golden Hand’.

It was Wilhelm.

I did not avoid Wilhelm’s eyes, which felt such intense pressure that it would be difficult for the weak to even make eye contact.

Rather, he looked straight ahead and opened his mouth.

“No one knows what will happen in here. but… It’s probably clear that it’s more dangerous inside than outside.”

There is no hard evidence.

However, if you think about common sense, there is no way this could be peaceful.

It’s clear that the culprit who created this situation is doing something here, and there’s no way he wouldn’t have put up any defenses in such a situation.

Perhaps something is in place to deal with intruders.

And that has a higher probability of being more dangerous than the monsters that are still roaming around outside and the calamitous monsters that are making their huge presence known there.

“So, it would be better for you all to just leave.”

Considering that, it would be better for them to stop going back.

“… I admit that your skills are excellent. However, I have enough skills to survive on my own.”

Wilhelm added, glaring at me with burning eyes.

To this I.

“That’s right. You and everyone else here have outstanding skills. Even across the entire continent, there aren’t many people your age with that level of skill.”

This time, I obediently agreed to his words.

There’s no need to mention Cedric or Ira, but Alexis, Rachel, Chris, and even Wilhelm, who I’m talking about now.

These are people who possess top-level skills even within the academy, which is famous for its high standards.

If the Academy is not the standard, they are said to have the talent and ability to be called geniuses wherever they go.

However.

“At least in your age group.”

It is true that they have outstanding talent.

It is true that he has outstanding skills.

However, that only applies when using similar peers as the standard.

If you set a standard without considering age, it is not difficult to find people with better skills than these people.

in other words.

“In front of this, you are probably nothing but a burden.”

Within this, there was a high probability that they would not be of much help.

“You guy… … !”

Wilhelm distorted his face.

Given his strong pride, what I said must have been unacceptable.

Wilhelm’s already ferocious gaze became even more ferocious.

If you are weak-hearted, just looking into your eyes would make you tremble.

however.

I didn’t avoid that sharp gaze at all.

Rather, I faced him calmly.

How much time has passed in that state?

“… Sheesh!”

Wilhelm clicked his tongue and took his gaze away from me.

Apart from his hurt pride, it is probably because he knows it deep down.

That what I said was not wrong.

Wilhelm has an arrogant personality, but he is not a bad person.

““… … .””

Just like that, it was the moment when silence was about to fall in the audience again.

“… I want to go too.”

A familiar voice did not allow the silence.

When I turn my head in the direction from which the voice came, what I see is this.

It was Rachel, looking this way with trembling eyes.

As my eyes met, the trembling of her eyes became even more severe.

However, despite this, she never avoided eye contact.

“… While Wade was away at the Academy, I also put in a lot of effort.”

With a trembling voice, she opened her mouth.

“Although I am still lacking a lot, I will be different from the person Wade remembers. clearly… I think it will be helpful.”

Both her eyes and voice were trembling, but she never avoided eye contact.

… Clearly, some time has passed.

I was well aware that Rachel had outstanding talent, and it was highly likely that she would have achieved remarkable growth within this period.

In fact, the magic power flowing out of her was definitely thicker and deeper than before.

Just by looking at that alone, it is not difficult to notice that her skills have improved greatly.

Like she said, she probably put a lot of effort into it.

“… When I heard the news of Wade’s death, it felt like the sky was falling.”

She continued speaking, her voice still trembling.

“Of course I didn’t believe it at first. As always. I believed that you would be alive and well, just like you did when you saved me that day.”

however.

“Time passed and I didn’t hear any news from Wade. The world suddenly treated Wade as a dead person.”

Loneliness appeared in Rachel’s eyes.

“Every time I heard something like that, I denied it. That can’t be happening. There’s no way Wade passed away. but… As time passed, that belief wavered. And one day a thought occurred to me. Maybe Wade really passed away.”

Guilt appeared on her face, like someone confessing a mistake.

“The emotions I felt at that time were sadness and helplessness. If only I had the power. Wade wouldn’t have had to run away like that… . I wouldn’t have been chased by the empire… . Wade… It wouldn’t have happened like that… ”

“… … .”

“So I tried. Because I don’t want to regret it again. And, if Wade is alive, this time I will protect him with my own hands… .”

After taking a moment to catch her breath, she spoke.

“Now… Now I don’t want to just watch helplessly.”

With that, Rachel’s words ended.

Her eyes were unwavering anymore.

“… I’m going too… … .”

Then, another voice was heard.

The main character of this voice is… It was none other than Ira.

“Me too, me too… I’ve gotten a lot stronger. I’m different from before… … .”

With a trembling, uncertain voice, just like she did in my memories.

However, with eyes full of strong will, she spoke.

As I looked into the eyes of the two women, I felt complicated emotions.

“Just let them do what they want.”

Ethan interjected in an indifferent tone.

Naturally, my eyes turned towards him, but Ethan continued talking without even looking at me.

“It’s not that you don’t know that it’s dangerous, and you said you would go even if you knew.”

“But… … .”

“I understand what you’re worried about, but these guys aren’t kids either. They say they will take care of their own lives, but I have no right to stop them.”

“… … .”

If you ask me, yes. I have no right to stop them.

I knew that from the beginning.

However, even if you knew that, allowing them to accompany you was a completely different story.

Even though I knew they were dead, I couldn’t bring them in here.

However, neither Rachel nor Ira seemed to have any intention of giving up their will.

What should I do?

Should I persuade them until they understand?

Or, should they be suppressed by force?

While I was worrying so much.

“… Maybe, it will help.”

Alexis, who had been quietly listening to the story, intervened.

“Of course, when it comes to force, everyone here, including me, falls far short of you, Tugui, and Wade Heblon. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t helpful. As I said before, this is a place where you never know what will happen, and a wizard will be helpful.”

“… … .”

Certainly, it wasn’t wrong.

The space inside the tent has been altered, and we don’t know what will happen.

You may be faced with a situation that is difficult to resolve simply by force.

In such a situation, a wizard is overwhelmingly more useful than a warrior.

“… … .”

I raised my gaze and looked around.

Rachel and Ira, who are still looking at me with strong determination in their eyes, and others who are waiting for my decision.

While receiving those gazes filled with various emotions, I finally came to a conclusion.

“… I warned you.”

We decided to give up on forcing them to return.

“… … !”

“… … !”

Rachel and Ira’s faces brightened noticeably.

I turned around.

I felt several eyes on me behind my back, but I didn’t turn around again.

Anyway, after many twists and turns, the situation was resolved.

We finally stepped into the space beyond the curtain.