Chapter 143: If it’s 3 days, it’s still fine (1/2)

Chapter 143: If it’s 3 days, it’s still fine

It has been 3 days since then.

Academy Town is still in chaos.

The turmoil caused by the variants that’s believed to be the deed of the demon race, in the end, from the first day till today, the variants continued their advance with their purpose still unknown.

In the first day I passed a night at one of the evacuation points, the demi-human’s slum.

At night we all reunited to exchange information, but there was no especially important information, if there’s one thing, it would be about the company’s circulation of goods method. Looks like Root is going to do something about it. That’s what I heard from Tomoe.

At the second day, the situation moved into a bad direction.

There were two big points.

The first one is that the communication network of the town has stopped working. The information from the surrounding towns couldn’t be relayed anymore and since there’s no response from the calls in this side, it has turned into a situation where it is unknown if it has actually reached or not.

Even if one tries to do thought transmission inside the town, you have to be in a close range or it won’t reach. If the person doing the transmission is skilled, it will reach for about 1 or 2 kilometers; if both sides are skilled, it will reach about 3 kilometers. That’s how the situation has deteriorated into.

Thinking about the wideness of the town, it is quite the harsh situation. It’s a situation where it will be hard to even consider exchanging information with the neighboring towns.

Well, if there are really skilled thought transmission users in the Academy side, it might be possible.

From what I heard of Tomoe, because of this, the Academy’s movements have grown a lot duller, so the thought transmission jamming is showing clear effects.

From what Shiki told me, the reason is because of the good amount of magic devices that are set up in various places around town.

He showed me one and it was pretty small. It is cylinder shaped with a size close to that of a 500 ml pet bottle.

A large quantity of them are set up in town and outside of it as well. It seems their main purpose is jamming the thought transmissions.

Looks like they were for quite some time in places like: inside pillars, below the floor, buried in the ground; in a lot of places. ‘And before they were activated, they showed no reaction so were unable to detect them’, is what Shiki and Lime apologized for.

If they were able to detect devices before they are activated, that would be pretty impressive.

The moment I heard about this, I was impressed by the demon race who probably took quite a long time to thoroughly set up these devices.

They must have done this through task laboriously. How diligent.

For some reason, I imagined an epic domino line.

I felt like destroying all the dominos, but I restrain myself.

Just like how the demon race can use their thought transmission in this, we are also able to normally use our thought transmission.

Looks like it only blocks the normal thought transmission.

In this place, it is impossible to intercept the contents of our thought transmission, and we also have methods to code the important contents; so, from now on, we are perhaps the only power that can use thought transmission properly.

‘That’s why, if you want to destroy the devices, I want you to do so after we have finished our moves’ is what Tomoe said.

The other point is the increase in variants.

The reason being, there were some people that were involved with the variant incident and transformed in the evacuation points. In other words, danger appears in the places of evacuation. A bad situation.

That means there were quite the amount of people using the demon race’s drug.

Could it be, the demon race was spreading them around randomly?

Whichever it is, instead of calling the chaos as the objective, it is more like the intention of this is to damage Academy Town.

At noon of the first day, I talked with all of my followers and compute all the people that have a similar necklace to that of Ilumgand.

To pinpoint the cause.

One of the reasons may be because they are in a stressful place like a shelter, and because of that, their spirit becomes unstable and several have turned into a variant just like Ilumgand.

Being in a situation where they are unable to use thought transmission might be one of the reasons as well.

To reduce the damage, I notified the employees to confiscate those accessories, and reduced the damage of the evacuation points we were stationed in.

Regarding the Mist Lizards that are following Rembrandt-san, I have received reports from them about the safety of the couple and a rough summary of the situation in the merchant guild.

By the second day, the people that have experience fighting mamonos, bodyguards, and people like mercenaries were gathered and organized as units. Looks like they began moving to remove the danger of the variants.

I have received reports saying that they moved on the offensive instead of defensive mostly thanks to the influence of the Rembrandt couple.

The Guild Representative that went on the offensive, gathered the company representatives, the employees, and the people related to the guild, and proposed the idea of creating units to protect the town.

Maybe he proposed this because of the losses of the stores, products and even the merchants itself. Or maybe that was his true character. I don’t really know.

Sadly, there’s also plundering targeted at the stores that are still okay.

Maybe because my store and the ones in the surroundings were destroyed, when I heard the report, even when knowing it was imprudent, a part of me felt relieved that there were also other stores that were suffering damages from it. I am the worst.

At the night meeting of the second day, it was made clear that there were around 80 inside the town. And that variants appeared in several evacuation points that were not under the supervision of the Kuzunoha Company and were destroyed.

There probably wasn’t anyone who was able to fight in those places.

The Academy’s support was not directed at the evacuation points, but to the extermination of variants, so in the cases where a new variant appears, if they are unable to defend themselves, the evacuation point will collapse from the inside.

Did Rona calculate all this factors when she caused this uproar?

To estimate so many factors, that’s impressive.

There’s the chance that she seriously thought of destroying the town.

Also, from the Academy side, the Purple Coats and a part of the teachers made up units and are moving by the orders of the Academy Principal. It looks like they have succeeded in defeating several variants already.

Well, the numbers have increased, but since they are slowly rallying back, it can also be considered a good sign.

Because once a way to deal with them has been established, the efficiency in which they defeat the variants will increase.

The assistance of the various countries and the dispatch of troops are planned to be arriving, at its fastest, tomorrow into the surrounding towns, and the day after tomorrow they will enter Rotsgard.

Just that, since they are unable to confirm their arrival through thought transmission, this is only the case if the reinforcements began preparing since day one.

In the middle of it, the big-shots called for Tomoe and suggested her to provide support to the transportation of goods and soldiers.

I see, it is certainly understandable after being shown such convenient teleportation.

If it was me, I would have nodded, but the one who interacted with them was Tomoe and Root was at her side.

Regarding the long-distance teleportation magic, they explained something logical sounding and told them that it would be difficult.

There’s a usage limit to the short katana. When released and used, one is unable to use it for all of that day, and if the usage is forced, there’s the fear of breaking.

There are many things that can be done when placing the effect on an object huh.

They were able to think up such a setting with ad-lib. Long lived Dragons are impressive.

Seeing their wide field of vision when moving, I realize my own insufficiency.

And then, from what Tomoe said, today we are finally beginning to move.

When this uproar is finished, there will be several other problems waiting for me. Like: the Merchant Guild and the Limia Prince Joshua.

Even so, these stagnated days are better than the days where I just waited.

Unlike the people that are taking refuge, we are able to use thought transmission, so we don’t feel any threat, and moreover, moving moderately into Asora is making even me feel slightly stressed in this enclosed situation.

“’…In this enclosed situation’, done. I feel like it is long for a 3 day journal, but since we are right now in an eventful situation, it should probably be something like this. It’s not like we will be showing this to someone anyways” (Makoto)

It’s quite abridged, but if it works as a memo, that’s fine.

I leave the room that the demi-humans prepared for me in the slum.

“Ah, Raidou-san. Today is quiet. There’s no uproar worth mentioning right now”

When I left the room, a cat that has about the same height as a hyuman and stood vertically, talked to me.

He is the person that is in charge of this slum, and because we have a connection through the company’s medicine, we are relatively close.

Most of the time he uses Akua and Eris as intermediaries, and there are times when we both talk in person.

It looks like he comes to our store frequently, so he can be considered a regular customer of our place.

It seems being in the slum doesn’t mean he doesn’t have money. He is poor, but it in terms of a living, he is somehow earning it.

“Good morning. It is great that the friction between hyumans is disappearing” (Makoto)

“The conflict wasn’t as bad as I thought it would to be. Well, it’s still dangerous out there though”

“It looks like that part will soon return to how it was before” (Makoto)

“There are some monsters there that are hard to detect, so we can’t lower our guards. I want this tense days to come to an end quickly”

“With this as the spark, it would be nice if the hyumans change their opinions of you guys” (Makoto)

“That’s impossible. They are a race that’s loved by the Goddess, and we are the ones standing below them. A thought that has been engraved will not change easily. Hyumans will probably come to give us donations for a while, but I think that in time it will return to how it was before”

The cat, whose name is Bor, is still young, but with his mature face he makes a lonely smile.

What a farsighted person.

“’Once it passes through the throat, you will forget the heat of it’ huh” (Makoto)

“Hm?” (Bor)

“No, it’s nothing” (Makoto)

“Lately, I have been thinking if we could try using our strengths to connect it to work. If we were to create a relationship with a part of the hyumans here and were able to make a connection where we both benefit from, this turmoil and its bad memories could be rewritten. For us that is” (Bor)

“Right. Today I will be heading out with Akua and Eris. Just in case, I will be leaving a few here, so if you have anything to tell me, please tell the people that remained here” (Makoto)

“… Outside. Understood. Be careful” (Bor)

The ears and whiskers of the cat twitched and showed surprise at my words.

Umu, a cat, nice.

“Yeah, you too” (Makoto)

Being slightly refreshed, I leave the half crumbled building.

(Akua, Eris, we are heading to the Academy) (Makoto)

I use thought transmission.

It wasn’t a conversation but an instruction.

With a speed that resembles that of an Oniwaban, two shadows appear in front of me.

“Good morning, Waka-sama. Today we are shifting to offensive, right?” (Akua)

“Good morning. There’s no presence of variants in the surroundings. It’s safe” (Eris)

The words of Eris that were practically screaming ‘I have been working’ are kind of doubtful.

She is not the type of girl that would lie in this kind of things, so I am not suspecting the contents though.

“I see. Good job. We are meeting with the Academy Principal and joining the suppression” (Makoto)

“Shiki-sama and Mio-sama too, right?” (Akua)

“What extravagant members” (Eris)

“It’s fine for you guys to just hide and be on alert of the surroundings. If there’s anything, tell me with thought transmission” (Makoto)

“Yes”

Before the other countries intervene, we will show our presence to a certain extent. That’s the most important point it seems.

Well, for me, safety is what’s most important.

Avoid the battles that can be avoided.

Treasure your life.

If I end up dying, I might even drag the residents that live in Asora along with me. Even if the danger of dying is a one in a million, I will still fight with defense as the priority. That’s how I decided it to be.

When I clearly understand how deep my connection is with Asora, I can probably change my way of acting, but for now that’s not the case.

The Forest Oni combi disappear once again.

Well then, let’s go.

“Kuzunoha’s master!”

…

Who is it?

A voice stops me when I was walking to the exit.

This is a name that many people in this place use to call me.

When I turn back, there is a woman I got to know not that long ago.

[Ah, good morning Ester-san. You look healthy]

“Good morning. Even if it’s written, that’s pretty stiff you know. You don’t need to be formal with someone like me. It would make me formal too” (Ester)

[Sorry. It’s in my nature]

Or more like, I am mostly like this with hyumans.

Saying it in a good way, polite.

In a bad way, indifferent.

Anyways, I am used to talking with others in a business-like manner.

I was thinking about joining the hyuman society, but I am beginning to lose my drive to do so.

What is it, this feeling?

“Hmph~. Ah, the reason why I stopped you. The accessory you told us to collect yesterday, is it better to collect them if we see them today as well?” (Ester)

[Right. Those might be one of the reasons of this turmoil. It’s not assured until the Academy investigates into it in detail though]

“Understood. We will do so. And, today you are going outside?” (Ester)

[This place has calmed down, so I am heading to the Academy to confirm the current situation of the town and the state of the students]

“It’s impressive that you are able to say something like that so easily. There may be no need to tell you but, there’s only one life. Pride and conceitedness will only lead to reducing your lifespan. Be careful” (Ester)

[Thank you for your worry. Well then, I will leave things here to you]

“Also, when this finishes safely, I will talk with my boss about you. It will probably be advantageous for you” (Ester)

[It is embarrassing since we are a small company, but please do tell that person]

The boss of the brothels. The only thing that comes to mind is a yakuza or the mafia.

Is it really okay to introduce me to such an underground person?

Well, if I have Tomoe or Shiki with me, there won’t be any mess up.

Lowering my head, I end my conversation with Ester.

When I head to the exit of the slums, I tell the demi-humans that are wearing simple armor about my reason for going outside, and enter the street.

It has only been a few days and it has been quite stormy.

When I perk up my ears, I can hear the sounds of fighting and screams.

Maybe because it has been like a daily thing, at the third day I am already used to it.

The anxiety that’s spreading through the residents is mostly caused by the fact that they don’t understand the situation and that there’s no way to know when they could get attacked.

I can normally use thought transmission to understand the situation, and with the help of Akua and Eris telling me, I am able to avoid the variants and the Academy’s corps.

That’s why I don’t really feel much anxiety in this situation.

It is the improvement of the thought transmission that didn’t work when I was summoned by the Goddess. I’m glad we made this improvements.

Thinking about it, an emergency situation where cellphones can’t be used would also create panic in the modern world.

Or more like, instead of anxiety, I am actually feeling cheerful.

The students have heard the words of praise by the Limia King from Shiki, so I want to hear in person how happy they were.

With the information that I receive from Akua and Eris, I circumvent the variants and the hyumans while continuing my steps towards the Academy.

◇◆◇◆◇◆◇◆

“Temporary teacher Raidou! You bastard, why weren’t you in the Academy in this emergency situation?!”

[My apologies. I heard from a follower of mine that the Academy Principal was moving to suppress the variants, so I gathered my employees that were safe and was evacuating the residents]

“Idiot! If the variants are taken down, there should be no need to care for the residents! Where’s the need for you, a teacher – even if temporary – to help in the evacuation?! You are in a position where you have to obey my orders aren’t you?!”

[Yes. It was my own arbitrary decision. We are in a situation where we can’t properly use thought transmission, so even if late, I personally came to the Academy]

The place where the Academy Principal is.

The basement of the Academy’s courtyard. It is a secure shelter.

It doesn’t have much space to fit many people, but in exchange, there’s various equipment set up to grasp the situation outside.

It’s like the command room in emergency situations.

Looks like the guests that were evacuated are all here.

There are also several rooms to reside in, so it seems they are living in those.

In the room there’s other teachers and a number of staffs necessary for the management of this place.

As expected, there are some thought transmission users here that are skilled to communicate with the corps. The communication is passing without pause.

And in there, I am currently being shouted at.

With such force that I was wondering if the Academy Principal would burst a blood vessel. He wasn’t showing any signs of returning to normal and was looking down on me like the Merchant guild representative.

But I didn’t get flustered like that time and was just letting his anger slip by.

Main reason is because I understand what I should do, and that getting impatient will not bring forth anything.

I even had the leeway to think: ‘if you are going to shout at me, do it after we go to another room. Wouldn’t this bother the other people?’

“Two of the surrounding towns have gone completely silent. Is it because the people that can use thought transmission have died, or because they have been wiped out? We still don’t know. Listen, this is the worst situation Academy Town has faced since its foundation! And yet, you… you bastard just!!”

Just how much is this old geezer expecting from a temporary teacher?

It is obvious that I would be counted as part of their strength since I am a temporary teacher, but to get so angry over it.

Could it be, he is thinking that since my students were able to fight that well against a variant, I should be strong enough to wipe out the variants? I don’t think his thoughts go that far though.

If he really does expect me to have strength surpassing that of my students and he is so angered by me not being at his disposition, that’s maybe because his purple corps are showing much more casualties than the military gains?

I haven’t heard much details regarding that, so I will ask later.

There should be teachers that weren’t even able to arrive at the Academy and died on the way, and there should be teachers that have run away long ago. If the latter get fired, they wouldn’t be able to complain about it, but the ones that died, I feel like he is the type that would kick their corpses.

I’m glad I only left Tomoe at this place.

If I left Mio, I would have to soothe her later and that’s very difficult to do.