When boarding the carriage I opted to sit far away from Yuko. Seeing that, the Princess was pleased.
But when Yuko saw that, she changed seats to sit next to me which garnered another twitch of the Princess' eyebrows and the interest of the other party members.
Caila is somewhat of a cool beauty. Her stature is big but her figure is still there. She's probably hiding a large mass of muscles under what she's wearing.
Noelle is somewhat of a shy girl. But her eyes were sharp and gave one an impression that she's reliable. I still don't know about the Church, maybe I should ask her when we finally get familiar with each other.
Spells and Skills probably both have offensive and defensive capabilities. While Blessings have both buffing and healing. In a sense, that's a support role. I needed to get at least another support skill than my Psyche Boost that will eventually run out after 4 uses.
Yuko told me that when she was first summoned, the attack on this world had just started. The World had only started providing more support to the denizens of this world.
Due to the Principal's Clairvoyance, the Hero's arrival was pushed forward for at least half a month, giving time for Yuko to grow and to accustom herself to this Otherworld.
"Kuramoto-san also came from another world?"
Caila asked, breaking the silence and awkwardness that was ensuing.
"Yes. I am Yuko's classmate and fiance."
I answered which made Yuko smile. Though I accepted it reluctantly, we'll see how our relationship will go from here. She clearly has an affection for me or maybe the me the I couldn't remember but I also have a somewhat good feeling around her. I couldn't call it the same as what she's feeling but maybe fondness? Men were simple creatures, show them an interest and most of them will immediately fall head over heels for the girl.
"Eh? Fiance means that?"
The somewhat innocent Noelle asked. She knew the meaning but she just wanted to ask if that's true.
"Yes. We will get married in the future."
Yuko confirmed it which made Noelle be flustered. She even put her hand on her face, covering it
Err. The Princess only looked on, a pout apparent on her face. Since we're travelling together, it looks like she will have no choice but to acknowledge my existence.
Is her brother that important to her? Based on what she said and what I noticed about her behaviour, her brother, the Prince, likes Yuko. With my appearance, I became a deterrent to her brother's love.
"Dai-kun should stay behind for now and familiarize yourself when we arrive at the battlefield. I'll protect you."
Yuko clasped my hand with sincerity in her eyes. This girl, she shouldn't dote on me. I'm her support, I can't accept being the one supported.
"No, Yuko don't have to worry about me. I'm your Support. You focus ahead. I'll make sure to stay safe while providing you the support you need even with my meager abilities."
"At least you know that you only have meager abilities. Don't get in our way."
The Princess, Reinys, commented. She's still not looking at me but her commenting on what I said proved that she couldn't ignore me anymore.
"Don't take the Princess' words to heart. This party has me and Noelle, like Yuko said, familiarize yourself on the battlefield first. It will be your first battle, right?"
"Yes. I'm counting on you Caila-san and Noelle-san."
At least Caila and Noelle are this kind. They were probably handpicked by Yuko.
"Reinys will soften up to you soon, that girl just really likes her brother so she's supporting him. But in truth she has a brother complex."
"Hero! I told you I don't have a brother complex!"
Yuko said while looking at the Princess and after hearing that, Reinys retorted but she got really flustered that her white face turned crimson.
Ah. It's really a brother complex. This Princess. She can be cute if she's always like this. But shouldn't she support me for Yuko? That way she can have her brother for herself.
Err wait, they are all attractive. This setup looks like a Harem themed isekai novel.
What the hell am I thinking?! This improved clarity can be a headache sometimes. I should be devoted to Yuko, right?
Well, it's not bad to have others. Maybe I can just charm those who can possibly become a threat so that they will be under my control and eliminate them before they become one.
Ah. Dam-- I shouldn't curse! My dark thoughts are leaking. But yeah, that idea, it can be considered as supporting her, right? I wonder if the Clairvoyance and her Foresight can see that. Hopefully not.
I should add that to my list of skills to have, Anti-clairvoyance or foresight. I can support them better that way when I wouldn't need to think about them finding out the means I've done.
Halfway through our journey, Yuko stopped the carriage and told us to prepare.
Her Foresight picked up something. If we continue moving, we will be ambushed.
"How many?"
Yuko asked the scout she sent.
"Reporting to the Hero! There are at least 100 Dark Soldiers waiting in ambush. Their actual combat strength is unknown."
Dark Soldiers, that's what they call the invading forces. They suddenly appeared 3 years ago and started destroying everything on their path. No one knows where they came from nor what kind of power made them that strong..
'The World' and the World Energy are only provided to the Hero and the denizens of this world, these foreign entities were drawing power from something else. Most probably it came from their own world. The question is where is their world and why do they invade here?
"Yuko, what's our plan?"
Caila asked Yuko, she already prepared herself. She's brandishing a great sword that could instantly chop me in half if it was wielded at me.
"We have no choice but to fight. After a few minutes that we don't pass their ambush point, they will march here to attack us."
"But we're only a 5th of their numbers."
Reinys declared.
And those soldiers aren't as strong as this party. Most of them are just Adept-class. It's the stage before the Great-class the 3 other party members are in.
"Trust me."
Yuko looked like she just used her Foresight to foresee what was about to happen. It certainly took a toll on her Psyche energy.
"Yuko, let me help."
I went next to her, ready to cast Psyche boost. This is my role and my only ability as of this moment.
"Just stay quiet there. You'll be of no help today. Just hide somewhere if you want to."
Reinys commented, pushing me out of the way.
But what she did made Yuko glare at her.
"Reinys, he's my support. Please respect him as you respect me."
"I…"
Feeling wronged she stepped back not knowing what to say.
"Don't worry about it. You've used your Foresight, right?"
This Princess can be a headache with her reason being as shallow as that, I'll have her accept me as Yuko's companion through my actions.
Yuko nodded at my question. After confirming that, I casted Psyche boost to her which instantly took effect.
Now I only have 3 charges left and I don't have any means to recharge it unless I went back inside the Pocket Dimension.
"Reinys and Caila, take ten of them with you and hide somewhere."
"Noelle, provide your blessing not only to me but to everyone left here, then you can go with Reinys and Caila."
"Dai-kun. I saw you in my Foresight. Just do what you're supposed to do. I won't order you. We're equals."
Ah. This girl. I'm growing increasingly fond of her. The engagement might just be out of her whim or her father's but I'm slowly getting drawn to her. Is it really me or is this also part of what I've forgotten?
After giving those directions, everyone obeyed it and did what they had to do.
Noelle casted 2 Blessings to us, one increased everyone's strength by 1 point while the other one increased endurance by 0.5 point.
She's really a support type. Probably her 3rd Blessing is in the healing category.
After a few minutes, sounds of footsteps and the clinking of metal armors rang from in front of us.
Yuko stood straight and tall in front of the 10 remaining soldiers who were left behind. Reinys and company were now nowhere to be seen, at least they're great at hiding. Yuko's plan was to give signal for them when the right time comes.
Not long after, a neat row of armor clad, black humanoid creatures appeared. In front of them were five leader-like figures.
Just looking at them, they're giving off a dangerous vibe. Maybe they're as strong as Yuko's party members or they're stronger.
Will she be fine?
Ah. There's no use thinking about it. She used her ability, she probably knew how this would go on.
I have to do what I have to. And that is to support her. No matter what, she's my top priority in this world, well, second to my own safety.
When those black soldiers reached a certain distance, they stopped their march.
The guy in the middle of the five stepped forward menacingly.
"To think that it's true. The Hero can sense any ambush. I would've expected less from the prey we were sent to slaughter."
He started. From his bearing and posture, he's probably something like a Knight. But I can't be sure, they're different from the denizens here and their source of power is different. I have to be prepared in case we get annihilated.
Well, Yuko doesn't seem to care about them. She stood there like a brave warrior, not minding about her impending death.
Ah. I should at least trust her capabilities, right? She's a Hero. There's no way shrimps like those guys can defeat her.
The real problem here is that we are outnumbered. What can a support character like me do?