Hey guys, I've decided to dedicate some random days for proofreading, so if I don't update for a certain day it means am correcting and adding to the story and auxiliary chapters as I'm not a full time writer. Thanks for reading.🕴️
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The magic-driven light carriage dashed out at faster speed than when they'd departed, but the land-leveling function couldn't keep up, so Tio, who was crucified on the ceiling, received the impact. Ken used the excuse of punishment to tie her on top of the vehicle even though there were more than enough seats. And seeing what expression Tio was making, Ken seemed to have succeeded in drilling something in her.
"Oye, how many monsters did you say was under the dark mage's control?" (Ken)
" *vibrato* Aa Aa-ah... a-about 3000" (Tio)
"Yue?"
"... ...No, it's about 30000 monsters. And they'll reach the town in a day at most or less"
"N-no way, evacuation won't be completed in time, unless... ... Kenshiro–" (Aiko)
"Y-yes, Kenshiro and his party can destroy th–"(Will)
"Let's get to the town first before any discussion is made..." (Ken)
With light carriage accelerated at great speed with Ken behind the wheels, Yue holding the iPad was able to see the approximate numbers of the monster army rapidly approaching the town of Ur.
Tio was still tied up on the vehicle whiles completely ignored after being of use she'd put it. An expression of ecstasy floated across her face because her damaged body continued to be stimulated by the vibration of vehicle's frame.
In addition, when they arrived at the town, Yue who knew of Tio's disgraceful behavior said "… is this, the dragonkin race?," as she raised a slightly shocked expression. Since the first time Tio released her Dragon Form at the Northern Mountain range, she was in a subtle mental state and seemed to "feel" the pain, that's why Yue finally broke free from her illusion-like respect and yearning towards the Ryuujin race.
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Arriving at the town of Ur, Ken and his party calmly walked, while Aiko and the others were running towards the town headman's place. Ken shrugges as he calmly follows behind Aiko when Will runs ahead of them.
The town was full of liveliness. The dishes came in wide varieties and abundantly, and the town was near a lake. It was the location where people and nature gathered. No one would ever dream that this town would be trampled by an army of monsters in a day. Ken and his party were looking at such a town and remembered the taste of meals they had since yesterday, so they advanced towards the town hall as they enjoyed skewers from a stall.
Ken and his party finally arrived at the town hall, and the place was already in a commotion. The branch head of Ur's town guild, town executives, and the priests from the church were gathered and in a state of uproar. All of their expressions showed they couldn't believe and didn't want to believe the information brought by Aiko, the students, and Will as they closely questioned them but got the same answers which they couldn't ignore if they came from the goddess of good harvest and god's apostles.
Within such commotion, Ken came towards Will. He only thought of the surrounding chaos as blowing wind.
"Oi, Will. Don't just run all of a sudden. Remember that you're under my protection. If you do that again, I'll just crush your limbs and drag you back."
"Wh-a, th-that's… ...I want to help"
"...You have a good sense of justice and I can deal with that but wat do you expect to do here?. Mm?"
"I-i... i–"
"You want to end up like your comrades?"
As he was at a loss for words, Will unconsciously distanced himself from Ken, but Ken decided to approach him. Because of such a strange atmosphere, the surrounding people could only alternate looks between Ken and Will without moving. Then someone suddenly moved and blocked Ken.
It was Aiko. She immediately looked up straight at Ken with a resolute expression.
"Kiyama-kun. If it's you… can't you do something about the army of monsters, No… you can do it, right?"
"... ..."
Aiko's voice carried conviction, he can do something if it's Ken. In other words, she declared he would be able to save the town. With those words, the surrounding town leaders started to make noise.
"Can you please help us?..."
"... Would you look at that. A teacher telling a student to stand and fight an army of 30000 like I am the Hero of this world "
"N-no but–"
"You should know there's no guarantee of victory even if I'm stronger than the Hero. So tell me, why should I risk my life for this town?"
"Well--"
"Weren't the lives of your students your top priority, Sensei?"
"Of course I will always think of my students first. But I'd like you to hear me out.
Even if this town is in a different world from ours, there are people like us, living just like us.
They exchange words, they share smiles and live. I want to do as much as I can to make sure I don't abandon people like these.
Don't you think this kind of thinking is inherent in everybody?
Kiyama-kun are you going to live your life forsaking everyone who's not important to you?
I believe that's a very lonely way to live. I'm sure that won't bring happiness to you or the people you hold dear.
If you wish for happiness, then remember something important you already had–
"Compassion for your fellow man"
Please hold on to it..."
"... ...Hahahahahaha *clapping* well said Sensei"
'I put on that act so that she would give this speech Infront of me with those eyes she's showing and see it's effect on me. But... nothing'
"I already had the intention to face the monster army but... sensei, you really are naive aren't you?.
Right now, us and the "heroes" are fighting against monsters in and out of the labyrinth.
These battles are black and white... ... monsters bad, us good. They destroy, we fight them to protect.
But you see, when you raise it up a notch, it's war! A war with the Demons of the south.
People die... on both sides... and that's if they're lucky. For the unfortunate, there's torture, betrayal and incapacitation for life.
We're not in Japan or peaceful Earth for that matter, sensei.
When your students start fighting other humans, demons, beastkins or other beings who can all talk, share smiles, scream in pain, and beg for mercy... things then start to look more grey.
And it becomes harder to distinguish between right and wrong, I hope you'd still have the heart to choose and have compassion for your fellow man because "your fellow man" doesn't only apply to humans..."
"• • •"
Silence was all that met Ken's speech. Aiko stood there looking more lost than she was before when in contradiction she wanted her students to be happy and safe but also for them to fight with their given abilities for the people who are not hers but are real.
She had nothing to say to counter or do anything that out weighed his suffering and experience in the abyss which she thought is where he got to learn such thinking.
As for the students, they really had nothing to say since they lived in a peaceful society and we're being taken care off.
The town authorities, Will and other people present who are natives of this world stood there with double minds. This matter included their safety and survival but also their selfishness to allow kids or otherworlders to fight a war that had no consequence to their world even if they're strong.
"...I have to make some preparations while you evacuate the town" said Ken as he turns to walk out.
"...Ken". "Hm?"
"...How about we wash up first and I can refill on some Kenshinium" (Yue)
"How about just the two of us?" (Ken)
"Not fair~, it's always Yue-san" (Shea)
By the way, Tio who had come to the town hall with Ken and his party muttered, "Intense... ...Although this one is an important witness… i-is this neglect play… as expected of Mas—", with a flushed expression, and she was naturally ignored.