episode_0055

A late-night road across the wilderness to the Golden Street.

The road was filled with silence, not a single vehicle in sight.

I was driving a large truck from that Rota brought to me.

‘I thought it was just a manual drive car from my previous life, but this is… It’s easier than an automatic car.’

Just start the engine and step on the accelerator.

A vehicle that moves smoothly forward.

The roads are quiet, so driving is easier.

What surprised me the most about this world was that high school girls drove without a care in the world. Of course, it was often depicted in games, but I thought it was just a dramatic allowance for the characters to move from place to place.

‘I was wondering if there was a setup to get a separate driver’s license… ‘

But after driving it like this…

The vehicles in this world were just as difficult as a racing kart with power controlled by an ether engine. Moreover, due to the nature of the ether engine, even minor maintenance and repairs are simple.

After all, ether is an all-purpose energy. Thanks to this, I was able to easily drive in place of Lotta and Freya even though I didn’t have a full-size license.

Buuu…

On the quiet road, the only sound is the ethereal engine of our vehicle.

Even if I tried to raise my cognitive abilities while driving, just in case, there was no sign of anything around me. Because of the noise of the magic weapons exploding endlessly in the distance, it seemed that even wild animals could not be seen.

‘Unlike usual, it’s quiet.’

The road leading to and from Academy City’s largest industrial complex.

Usually, the roads leading to and were crowded. It was filled with cars filled with so many dwarves and students that it was faster to ride a bicycle than drive a car.

Even at night, the street was always crowded with people.

Now it was like our chartered road.

‘Even in this quiet academy city, there’s a huge sense of discomfort…’ ‘

I sighed inwardly and thought about the siege I had just broken through.

‘Is it because bad news is breaking out one after another around here?’

The appearance of , the Eastern Alliance’s revolt, the erosion… In a period of just over three months, incidents similar to disasters occurred one after another. It seemed like ordinary students and dwarves would feel distraught.

‘For ordinary students, it will be more difficult in the future. Events much bigger than what has happened so far in will occur one after another… ‘

Ordinary students.

Those who love peace rather than fighting.

For example, people like Frida senior.

“… ”

Suddenly, Senior Frida’s easy-going smile passed through my mind. From the end of April, when the sun got hot, she wore a shabby parasol and walked around the school, drawing.

The small campus of , which can be completed on foot in 5 minutes even with Clara’s short legs. However, Senior Frida was so meticulous in observing even a single flower bed that it took her over 4 hours to tour the school.

『Clara, haven’t you seen where Frida is?』

『I’m always late even for meal times… 』

When the time comes to eat together.

Nina-senpai and Selma-senpai are looking for Frida-senpai.

In the end, when I, who was the fastest on my feet, found Senior Frida.

『Clara!』

Matching the turning head, flowing yellow hair and a relaxed smile…

“… !”

Whoa!

The power that came into my hand in an instant.

What grabs you is the smooth feel of the handle.

“… ”

I think I was too lost in memories.

For a moment, I even forgot that I was driving.

I shook off the numerous distracting thoughts that were forming in my head.

‘Maybe it’s because it’s an easy car to drive, but it’s really hard to concentrate.’

From now on, I will have to let Maya or Albit do the driving.

All I need is a red bicycle and a red tomato.

With that thought in mind, I came to my senses, gripped the steering wheel tightly, and looked ahead.

“Phew… ☆”

The first thing you see is a huge white tree.

And a solid white wall fence surrounds it.

Huge and majestic stone buildings that can be seen just a glimpse.

It was a road heading towards the golden street visible in the distance. Fortunately, no abnormal situation occurred, and the car just continued to move at a more leisurely pace than the car in its previous life.

It seemed to be getting closer as it grew ever so slightly. However, because it was so enormous that it was visible from hundreds of kilometers away, it was difficult to gauge the distance properly no matter how close you got.

‘The checkpoints at every mid-junction are empty… The sites of small and medium-sized schools nearby have also been blocked off with barricades. I can’t even see the Golden Street side because of the wall.’

A wall built to strictly control entry and exit of general students.

The walls built to protect the World Tree and prestigious high schools were also huge.

That’s what’s completely blocking my vision right now.

‘I haven’t been here often, so I don’t know how to get there now… ‘

Ironically.

In the game, it was the most awkward place to click for advanced equipment and character quests. Now that it has become a reality, it has become a place where you cannot even enter.

So in times like this… A local resident guide was required.

sense…

I looked toward the backseat through the rearview mirror.

I saw purple and orange cats prancing side by side.

Both were looking out the window, with shining purple and orange eyes, respectively.

Upright

Upright

“… ?”

“… ?”

The two cat ears move, catching my gaze.

‘Loyal cats… Even though he’s tired, he doesn’t get a good night’s sleep, leaving me alone.’

Actually, I could hear the two of them talking about magic a while ago. But no matter how much I listened, I couldn’t understand, so I just closed my ears.

I said while looking at the ugly purple cat ears.

“Ugh―☆ I haven’t been to Golden Street often♪ I wonder how far it would have been like this―☆”

Freyja stuck out her head and said, “Get over from the backseat.” She spoke to me in a somewhat unsure tone.

“Hmm… Yes, I can’t even see people… Well, originally, there were signs at each checkpoint… Strangely, I can’t see it well… Well, I feel like I’m almost there… ”

“Wow―♪ Really… really… Helpful… It’s an opinion… ☆”

This can’t be… !

I think it was too difficult to ask the street cat in the corner of the room about the road conditions.

‘Freya wasn’t a fanatic, but a hikikomori who was strong only in the places she knew… ‘

To my weak response.

Freya flinched and answered in a grumbling tone.

“Uh, it can’t be helped… ! Well, I’m going to do some personal research… Whenever I go out to explore a dungeon in the wilderness, I take the ether train all the way… Also, even if we go on joint research with the children of the exploration group… Because someone always gives me a ride… ”

“Ah, yes―☆ This is a precious house cat that someone takes care of… ☆”

“Ugh… ?!”

Freya was taken aback after hearing what I said.

A little cold sweat trickled down my pale face.

He always has a long tongue that spits out harsh words.

I felt really embarrassed to reveal my ignorance.

Freya began to murmur in a voice that gradually became quieter.

“Ae, in the first place… There’s no need to ask for directions, just keep going… ! Uh, anyway, go here, go there… Same, same center… !”

“So♪ We have to go exactly between the site of and to join them―☆”

“Ugh… Well, that… Uh… ”

A purple stray cat was looking for an excuse like that. She suddenly pointed hurriedly out the window.

“Oh! Hey, over there—!”

The only illuminated information sign outside the window.

Through the view reflected in that faint light, a huge barricade was also visible.

『Caution: This is the private property of . Anyone who is not involved must step down.』

A street corner with a huge barricade.

A phrase written without vulgarity, as befits furry beasts.

Freya’s face was shining brightly as she looked at it.

“That’s right! Yes, it’s exactly as I remember! This was the border of the school! Hey, look at this! Well, I went straight into what I said… It’ll arrive soon… !”

“Ahaha… ☆ I see, I see♪”

“What, what is it, a scoundrel!”

“It’s nothing… ♪”

But just as it says on the sign.

This was blocked by heavy barricades, so it was impossible to go any further by car. So we decided to park the vehicle we had driven so far at a corner of the road.

We left the vehicle.

They stood side by side in front of a huge white wall, sleeping quietly in the dark. There was clearly still a fight going on beyond, but the huge walls were hiding even the roar of the fight.

“… ”

“… ”

Lothar broke through the silence, looked at Freya, and spoke carefully.

“Then… If you go through the main gate under the far wall, there is the site of … While the main forces of the noble faction are engaged in an all-out war, if you rescue the students of the quest faction hiding in the library… felled… Is that right?”

“Well, well… Everyone is good at hiding somewhere like me… I don’t think what the noble faction would have done… ”

Freya said, her eyes suddenly turning cold.

“Just in case… If Frau, an idiot, had touched the first grimoire left behind by the [Golden Witch] or the students of our research group out of his own greed… ”

Grumbling-

I didn’t continue talking.

The sound she made while squeezing the wand was enough to tell me what was going on.

“… ”

“… ”

Looking at that, I hoped that Albit had arrived safely as well.

Even though they took a less dangerous route than us.

Their mission was also important.

‘We rescue the students from the Exploration Party who are being detained and join them, and then turn around and join the Union Student Council… It’s ironic that it’s safe because it’s the way back.’

So we were about to get over the barricade.

A life that can be felt from afar.

“… !”

“… !”

I quickly picked up Lothar and ran to the checkpoint next to the barricade. And Freya also hid around, preparing to use her skills at the maximum speed she could.

Ta-ta-tat-!

“[Spinning Wheel of Eternity], local range, precision strike, launch delay!!”

Lotta shouted, surprised by the sudden movement of the two of us.

“What, what?! What’s going on?!”

“Hide well―☆”

“… ?!”

I gave Lotta a hug as he was embarrassed while looking around inside the checkpoint. Rota, who was completely in my arms, seemed to have finally noticed something, crouching down on the floor and preparing for impact.

And at that moment…

Kwaaa!

Huge flames made of black ether flew out.

Even at a rough count, there could be five flames. They crashed into the truck we were riding in just moments ago and exploded. And the truck was torn apart, leaving behind a lot of debris.

I said as I left the checkpoint before the explosion was over.

“Because it’s real, sincere, girlish and sincere―☆ It must never come out~♪”

“Sun, senior!!”

A thin voice that sounded like Lothar’s scream rang out. But I tried to ignore it and ran to Freya’s side.

We now stood on the side of the road filled with flames, facing the approaching enemies.

“Hey―☆ Those guys exist… ”

“Um, that… Is it , which I only heard about through rumors? Well, they are such a bunch of bastards.”

“Yes♪ That’s right.”

Even as we were talking, the big guys arrived one by one.

They created a huge tremor and quickly surrounded the final gateway to the Golden Street.

thud!

thud!

thud!

thud!

The dragon’s horns rising above the huge 3-meter shadow are impressive. They were all spraying black ether and were ready to transform.

“… ”

I looked around to see if there were any priest-level executives around, but fortunately or not… There was no sign of anything higher than a priest level.

‘What the hell… Who brought the power of the [Serpent of Wisdom and Circulation]?’

A high-difficulty boss event created for those who are bored after the main story ends. I was curious as to how they could have brought about traces of beings on par with the [Crouching Dragon in the Abyss], which should only exist in the setting.

But at least the believers in front of me didn’t seem to have any intention of telling me.

Dozens of believers surrounded us.

One of them opened his mouth in a heavy voice.

“Can’t go beyond this, inferior species.”

“Wow―☆ Really classic way of speaking♪ On a trivial topic―☆”

“… ”

Freya is surprised by my words and whispers a question.

“Well, are you such a dick?”

“Yes♪ It’s roughly the size of an adult chaos worm… ☆”

“Yeah, but there are a lot of them… I have a lot of work to do… ”

“Then there is a way―☆”

“Uh, how about it?”

I spoke to Freya’s ugly cat ears.

“Lend me some weapons―☆”

“Yes… ?”