The Place Where He Was Reincarnated Was Hell - The 300-Year-Old Frontier Defense Line of the Margrave Family - Episode 41

The strategy meeting was temporarily suspended, and the oppressive atmosphere in the operations room began to ease slightly, but the special landing and departure point at Middle Line Fort was suddenly bustling with activity.

 

Following direct orders from Gustave von Craig, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Army, preparations were being made at a rapid pace to deliver Julius von Muriel to the royal capital as quickly as possible.

 

What was prepared was the most advanced high-speed magical carriage, the pride of the Kingdom of Adriana. Its streamlined body was made from a special alloy that minimized wind resistance, and its power source was generously powered by the purest magic crystals. The carriage was guarded by the finest soldiers selected from the Royal Guard, who were under the direct command of Commander-in-Chief Gustave, and they were already surrounding it and ready to mount.

 

 

Like his father Darius, Victor was concerned about the threat of the Crimson Eye that his brother Raven had spoken of in the conference room, and was concerned about future strategic measures.

 

I was seriously racking my brains over this.

 

In the midst of all this, he had heard the news that Julius was ready to depart from the Middle Line, and he had rushed over to the departure point to see him off.

 

Victor believes that Julius, setting aside his uniqueness, is a pure genius in this regard. He believes that he has an incomprehensible mind, as he was able to unravel the countermeasures to mental contamination that had been beyond his grasp for 300 years in just a few days.worldForia

 

It was only natural that there was a swirl of genuine interest in this magician with such rare talent, and above all, strong expectations for the ray of hope that he was trying to bring back with him: a solution to mental contamination.

 

 

Julius had already finished his departing greetings to Commander-in-Chief Gustave and Margrave Darius, and was about to put his hand on the door of the magical carriage. His face no longer showed the extreme fatigue he had earlier, but instead exuded a sense of resolve for the heavy responsibility he would soon be shouldering.

 

“Julius-sama…!”

 

When Victor called out to him, Julius recognized him and turned around just before getting into the carriage, giving him a gentle smile and a gleam of intelligence in his eyes.

 

“Lord Victor, you took the trouble to see me off? It’s an honor.”

 

“No… It’s not a big deal… But anyway, Julius-dono, are you really… heading straight to the royal capital?”

 

Victor’s words were filled with concern for Julius, and above all, a genuine sense of regret that he had wanted to talk to him more about magic.

 

 

“Yes. We will be able to see the Gorewalkers around noon tomorrow. Naturally, things will get busy then, and if I come back with the information, it will cause trouble for the Vanguard soldiers and knights. We must get the information we have gained from this investigation to the Royal Capital’s Magical Research Bureau as soon as possible, and begin developing concrete countermeasure magical tools. Unfortunately, it seems we don’t have much time left.”

 

 

Julius’ voice was quiet, but deep within it one could sense the reality of the battlefield that he had witnessed, and a strong sense of danger.

 

“…To be honest, I wanted to talk more with Julius-dono about magic, and about the current hypothesis of mental contamination, but… I think this discovery is truly wonderful. I hope you will make it a reality in the royal capital. I have high hopes for you.”

 

Victor told Julius with a serious look in his eyes.

 

For him, meeting a magician with a pure, inquisitive mind and outstanding intellect like Julius was a fresh and stimulating experience that was hard to come by in his life at Vanguard.

 

Julius smiled warmly, sincerely, and somehow relieved, at Victor’s honest words and expectations.

 

“Fufu, it’s an honor, Lord Victor. But please don’t worry. The next time you come, I’ll be sure to have enough time to discuss magic with you to my heart’s content…”

 

At that time, I would also like to hear about the annihilation magic that tore that world apart. So…”

 

Julius stopped speaking for a moment, looked Victor straight in the eyes, and said forcefully.

 

“Until then, please stay safe. Do whatever it takes to stay alive. After all, with someone like you, we will never give up hope.”directionhero

 

Those words are not mere polite talk; they are filled with a strong sense of trust and a passionate pledge to work together for the future.

 

It was a short exchange of words, but in those words, they had a deep respect for each other’s positions and abilities, and a strong bond had been forged as people who would face the same threat together.

 

Eventually, the time to depart came. Julius gave a deep bow to Victor, and, urged on by the knights who were guarding him, he quietly climbed into the magical carriage, and the heavy doors closed behind him. The carriage, accompanied by a powerful sound of magical power, took off, smooth and powerful like a galloping black panther, and disappeared beyond the gates of Middle Line Fort, into the wilderness that continued to the royal capital.

 

 

Victor watched the carriage move until the dust it was kicking up was no longer visible. In his heart, he felt a renewed sense of expectation for Julius and a renewed awareness of the role he had to play in this land.

 

 

— I feel like Julius would be able to solve the mental contamination to a large extent.

 

However, military strength is measured in numbers.

 

Honestly, if we can’t bring in not just Vanguard’s military strength but the entire military strength of the kingdom, there’s no way we can win.

 

No matter how strong Vanguard is, it’s only a matter of time.

 

That is self-evident. It is something that everyone is already aware of in their hearts.

 

 

A horde of Gorewalkers led by beings with abilities and intelligence that mimic Raven’s techniques.

 

Abyss has changed the way he fights.

 

–No, that’s a bit lawless.

 

Stop messing around.

 

It’s too responsive.

 

Have a better understanding of humans, you idiot.

 

 

“Well, I need to think of a more efficient way to exterminate them myself. I’ve come up with an idea using farsightedness magic, after all…

 

But, no matter what…

 

Haa…』

 

Muttering to himself in frustration, Victor entered Middle Line Fort once more.

 

 

◆

 

 

After seeing Julius off, the strategy meeting came to an end, and Victor was left alone with nothing to do so he headed to the training grounds to get some exercise.

 

Even as he moved his feet, his mind was filled with hope for the glimmer of light that Julius had brought, wariness of the new threat that was the Crimson Eye, and above all, a heavy question about what he should do with the rest of his life.

 

 

In a corner of the training grounds, where they usually do their training, Alphonse and Clarissa were already there. They, too, seemed to be spending their time in their way, either taking care of their weapons or simply gazing up at the sky in silence, in preparation for the large-scale battle with the Gorewalkers that was coming up tomorrow.

 

When they noticed Victor, they raised their hands slightly to signal him.

 

“…Hey, Victor. Finally, around noon tomorrow, those Gore Walkers will be reaching the Middle Line…”

 

Alfonse muttered gravely while holding up the blade of his beloved two-handed sword in the setting sun. His voice was permeated with a hint of tension and anxiety.

 

 

「Yes… I wish they’d stop this. It makes me realize just how precious and wonderful those quiet days over the past month or so, when not even a shadow of Eclipse was to be seen, are.」

 

 

Clarissa took over from Alphonse and let out a deep sigh as she revealed her true feelings. Her beautiful face showed signs of fatigue and anger that she had no outlet for.

 

She keeps her beloved spear at her side and peers beyond the walls, into the southern sky where the Gorewalkers will come from.

 

“…Ah, that’s right. For me, it would be a bit tougher to keep fighting alone, glaring at those incomprehensible monsters for an eternity again… If that happens, I’ll make you guys accompany me.”

 

 

Victor also remembered that lonely and hopeless battle on the front line and laughed in a deliberately joking tone.

 

 

　　”Not!!”

 

 

Alphonse and Clarissa’s voices harmonize beautifully as if they had prearranged it, scolding Victor for his flippant remarks. The exchange brings the usual friendly atmosphere between the three of them.

 

 

After a moment of silence, Clarissa cried out “Ah!” as if she had remembered something, then with a mischievous smile she opened her mouth to speak.

 

 

“…Hey, Al, Lord Victor. There’s something I wanted to ask you before that hellish battle begins again.

 

…It seems like you guys are sneaking around and planning something fun, don’t you think?」

 

Clarissa spoke in an exaggerated, noble lady-like tone that she didn’t usually use, but in reality, her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she looked alternately at Victor and Alphonse.

 

 

At first, Victor didn’t understand what Clarissa was talking about, but when he saw Alphonse next to him look visibly startled and break out into a cold sweat, he realized what she meant.

 

 

『Eh, well, how do you know?! I only had a brief chat with Alfons in my hospital room while I was still recuperating, and I don’t think I’ve said anything specific to anyone…!!』

 

Although he didn’t show it on his face, he could feel an unpleasant sweat running down his back.

 

 

“Wh-what are you talking about? We’re not hiding anything or anything…”

 

 

Victor, too, could feel an unpleasant sweat trickling down his back, though he didn’t show it on his face.

 

“Wh-what is that about, Clarice? We’re not hiding anything or anything…”

 

Alphonse desperately tries to appear calm, but Clarissa continues to press him, watching the interaction between Victor and Alphonse with even more amusement.dismayUrota

 

“Oh, you’re still going to deny it? The other day, when Lord Victor was still recuperating in the infirmary, I heard another knight talking about how he and Alfons were having a really exciting time in the hospital room. I, Clarissa, overheard them talking. Right!! Without me being included!!!”

 

 

Clarissa emphasized the end of her sentence and puffed out her cheeks. Ah, she’s serious about it, Victor thought to himself, holding his head in his hands. Succulentvinegar

 

 

Clarissa continued, rattling off as if she’d seen it herself, but with a hint of amusement and envy.

 

 

“They were saying things like, ‘When this horrible war is over, let’s travel around the world!’ or, ‘First we’ll go there, and next we’ll go to this…’ They were talking with sparkling eyes like kids about to go on a field trip, and they looked like they were having so much fun! I heard they were talking so loudly that it could be heard outside the hospital room!”

 

Clarissa said triumphantly, puffing out her chest with pride.

 

Alphonse, having seemingly given up, slumped his shoulders and looked at Clarissa while scratching his head apologetically.

 

“Um… Victor, I’m sorry. I may have gotten a bit excited and lost my sense of self, and my voice may have been a little louder… I never thought that the other knights would hear what I was saying, and that it would reach Clarice’s ears…”

 

“No, Clarice! It’s not that, it was a misunderstanding! It just so happened that you weren’t there at that time… It’s not like I left you out or anything, you know?”

 

Victor also desperately tries to explain himself.

 

Clarissa continued watching the two of them panic, looking even more amused, but with a hint of loneliness in her big eyes.

 

 

「So? Would you be so kind as to tell me in detail about this incredibly grand and incredibly fun-sounding plan to “travel around the world”? I doubt that this is the case, but you’re my childhood friend and have always fought alongside me, so you wouldn’t leave me out, right?」

 

 

Clarissa glared at both of them alternately, with a look that was somehow sulky and adorable.

 

Alphonse was a little taken aback by Clarissa’s anger, but he quickly regained his usual cheerful and slightly mischievous smile.

 

 

“No, no! That’s impossible! It’s just that… as you know, Clarice, we’ve never even taken a step outside of Vanguard territory, right? So, one day, when this dreadful war is truly over… then, I wanted to travel around this wide world with Victor, and that’s what we were just talking about.”

 

Besides, you see, Clarice is a girl. I was just a little, just a little worried that she might be the type of person who would truly yearn for such a down-to-earth, dangerous adventure! — And you see, if she were to go on such long, never-ending journeys with two such rough-and-tumble men, her precious chances of marriage might be delayed forever, to the point of no return, right?

 

 

Upon hearing Alphonse’s words, Clarissa’s face turned red in an instant.

 

 

「Wha…?! Who is worried about when I’ll get married?!

 

I absolutely won’t be late!!! And besides, if something like that were to happen, Lord Victor would take responsibility and surely, probably, maybe even welcome her as a second wife!! Right, right, Lord Victor?!”

 

 

Clarissa was completely flustered and didn’t even know what she was saying, so with tears in her eyes, she turned to Victor, asking for help.

 

 

『Wow, another incredible stray bullet has come flying, and a huge one at that… How should I respond to this? Honestly, I’d love to say, but I am a noble after all… and as the second wife…』

 

 

Feeling a cold sweat running down his back, Victor desperately and with all his might searched for the words that would get him out of this predicament.

 

“Well, well, Clarice, first of all, calm down, okay? I’m sorry, I don’t think Alfonse meant any harm when he said that… Besides, you weren’t there that time, so I just forgot to say it! Of course, Clarice will come with me!

 

Let’s go on an adventure around the world! Or maybe we should form the strongest party together and go defeat the legendary demon king?」

 

 

Victor desperately tries to change the subject and settle the situation.

 

 

“Argh! Victor, that’s not fair! You’re trying to completely change the subject and confuse me! Plus, defeating the Demon King is the same as what you’re doing right now! I don’t want that to happen!”

 

 

Alfonse seizes the opportunity to point out something to Victor.

 

 

“That’s not the point! Shut up, Al! Read the mood a bit! …Anyway, if you’re going with us, Clarice, where would you like to go first? Do you have any wishes?”

 

Victor forcefully interrupted Alphonse’s protests and tried to avoid the topic by turning the conversation to Clarissa.

 

Clarissa’s cheeks were still a little flushed, and she seemed slightly dissatisfied with Victor’s indecisive attitude, but her big eyes were beginning to sparkle with an unconcealed anticipation of the unknown world and a yearning for adventure.

 

 

“Oh come on!… Well, first of all, I want to go to the royal capital, Adriana! And then, I also want to see with my own eyes the Magic Research Bureau and the Royal Magic Academy that Julius-sama mentioned!”

 

 

“I see the royal capital. That sounds good too. I’d like to go to Aqua Lumen, Mother Elysia’s hometown, first. There are fields of beautiful, blooming blue flowers stretching out as far as the eye can see, and those flowers are also used to make precious healing potions. Mother used to often tell me that she wanted to see that view with her whole family someday…”

 

Victor recalls conversations with his mother when he was a child and speaks with a calm look in his eyes, his eyes looking a little far away.

 

And suddenly, from above their heads, a quiet, yet commanding voice came down.

 

“-Vii, I heard your voice. It sounds like fun… But once this war is over, the first thing you’ll need to do is greet the royal family and other nobles. So you can’t just push it all onto me!!”

 

Before he knew it, Raven was standing silently on top of the nearby wall. His expression was calm as always, but there was a mischievous glint in his eyes, as if he had seen through his younger brother’s intentions.

 

『You’ve got to be kidding me… Then, unexpectedly, my big brother appears. No, what excuse is that? It’s obvious that you just skipped the greeting rounds and are trying to sneak in with the other three…!』

 

 

Victor screamed in his head, feeling a cold sweat run down his back. He desperately tried to think of an excuse, but couldn’t think of anything. And when he couldn’t think of anything, he lifted his head and shouted with a big smile.

 

“What are you talking about, Brother?! Isn’t that obvious?! As a member of the Vanguard family, I’ll be the one to take the initiative in greeting everyone!”

 

It was such a transparent reply, so powerful that it could overturn the table.

 

Alphonse and Clarissa stared at Victor with eyes that seemed half amazed, half amused. Victor forced a dry laugh, “Hahaha…” to escape their gaze.

 

 

As they were having this peaceful exchange, suddenly, a loud, somewhat familiar voice rang out from behind.

 

 

“Oh, isn’t that Victor’s young master? Alfonse and Clarissa are with him, too. The three of them seem to be having some fun secret conversation again!”

 

The voice belonged to Wilhelm, the captain of the third division. Next to him was his vice captain, Oscar, who was sporting his usual wry smile.

 

Ever since the incident at the frontline, Wilhelm had become somewhat friendly towards Victor, but he still maintained the same unreserved attitude.

 

 

“Wilhelm. And Oscar, too.

 

good job”

 

When Victor greeted him, Wilhelm grinned and patted Victor’s head with his large hand.

 

“Yes, young Victor. Tell me about that story. We’re going to travel around the world after the war is over? Sounds like good news! Won’t you let me join in too? But what I’d like to go to is more like… a lively bar with good food and good drinks! Gahahaha!”

 

 

“Commander, Victor is the son of the Margrave family. The way you call him and your overly familiar attitude are a bit…”

 

 

Oscar tried to admonish Wilhelm as usual, but Wilhelm paid no attention to it.

 

“Yes, Oscar. But this young man saved our lives on the front lines. This much is forgivable, right? Right, young Victor!”

 

Wilhelm laughed innocently, and Victor gave a wry smile.

 

“Yes, that’s fine, Commander Wilhelm. By the way, are you interested in traveling the world, too?” I replied, matching the conversation.

 

Alfonse and Clarissa joined in, and the conversation blossomed into trivial talk about the places they dreamed of and what they wanted to do once the battle was over. At first, Oscar was nervous as he watched Wilhelm’s words and actions, but seeing how much fun the young people were having and the earnest hopes for the future that occasionally appeared among them made his expression relax, and he quietly joined in. There passed a precious, peaceful time that made them forget for a moment the tension before the battle.