"Waah… So many ships, Eugy-kun." (Sumire)
"I am impressed they gathered these many in such a short period of time." (Eugene)
Sumire and I let out our voices in admiration after seeing the warships lined up on the harbor and the Flying Ships covering the sky.
The main force of the Blue Waters Federation and the navy managed mainly by the Gold Country, the Sun Armada.
And then there's the air force of the Dragon Country, the Blue Sky Air Squadron.
All other military forces affiliated with the Blue Water Federation had gathered in the harbor of the Gold Country.
Not only that.
The Black Flying Ship Fleet led by the Empire is one division.
A number of white Flying Ships from Caldia.
Airi is riding an Empire's Flying Ship, Sara is riding a Flying Ship from the Holy Union.
The oldest and strongest Great Demonic Beast is approaching, so it is a natural measure.
The two of them wanted to stand in the battlefield, but they were dragged away by the people around.
And so, my only party member is Sumire.
I told Sumire to evacuate as well, but she didn't listen to me and said 'I am definitely going if you are going!'.
So I gave up.
After that, we went to check how the armies were gathering at the harbor.
"By the way, Eugy-kun, we are still in the 2nd party?" (Sumire)
"They haven't told us anything, so that's most likely the case." (Eugene)
We haven't gotten any specifics as of present.
The Golden Country and the Blue Waters Federation established a special unit to deal with emergencies aside from the Black Mermaid. The 1st party was apparently absorbed by that special unit, but there was no call for the 2nd party.
But the 2nd unit's Dragon Knight Claude, Fist Saint Candidate Soran, Bow Hero Candidate Leonhart have been called to the special unit.
The reason Sumire and I weren't called…
(The special unit is most likely a gathering of the whole force of the Blue Waters Federation against the Darkness Dragon. They can't afford to let people from other countries know about it.) (Eugene)
The potential enemy country of the Blue Waters Federation is most likely the Grandflare Empire.
I heard they are in the middle of drafting a new plan, so the soldiers at the end will most likely receive a notice tonight or tomorrow morning when the operation is going to begin.
"It is about time we return to the lodging to rest." (Eugene)
"Yeah." (Sumire)
A big shadow passed by when Sumire and I began to walk.
A light landing sound rang.
"Yo, Eugene, Sumire-chan, I finally found you."
Blue centric armor and orange hair that's closing into red.
"Claude? Is it okay for you to be here?" (Eugene)
"What's the matter, Claude-kun?" (Sumire)
Claude is the ace of the Dragon Knights of the Dragon Country.
He is a main factor in the Anti-Darkness Dragon operation.
There's no way it would be okay for him to be wandering around alone at a place like this.
"I was thinking about greeting you two." (Claude)
"Greet?" (Eugene)
Why all of a sudden?
I thought this, but after I looked at his face again, he was making a sharp face that he normally doesn't have.
"You also know the story about how the Dragon God Spear that I inherited pierced through the heart of the Darkness Dragon in the past and fend it off, right? Sumire-chan might not know though…" (Claude)
"I know about it because Sara-chan told me about it. That there's an old story like that." (Sumire)
"I see. Then, this will make it faster." (Claude)
Claude laughed with a sad tinge.
I have a bad feeling about this.
Sumire must have felt the same.
"Hey, Claude-kun, could it be that you have to fight the Darkness Dragon?" (Sumire)
Sumire asked uneasily and I also added my own question.
"Weren't we supposed to use the explosion magic of the Real Dolls like we did with the Black Mermaids?" (Eugene)
Airi should have brought 1,000 from the Empire.
I thought we were going to be using a tactical weapon strategy.
"Of course, we are going to use the magic tools that the Empire sold. The tacticians are also considering other plans just in case. But…the key in order to fight off the Darkness Dragon according to the Destiny Oracle-sama…is the Dragon God Spear. If we are going to be going through this operation as it is foretold, I am the only one who can use the Dragon God Spear. The Legendary Hero that used the Dragon God Spear to destroy one of the hearts of the Darkness Dragon…" (Claude)
"Died, unable to endure the curse of the Darkness Dragon and the power of the Dragon God Spear…" (Eugene)
"…"
The face of Sumire clouded at my words.
"Don't make that face, Sumire-chan. It is not like it is set in stone that I will die." (Claude)
Claude smiled and made the same refreshing expression as usual.
I could tell he was forcing himself to make the usual expression.
"Claude, if I am nearby, I can use healing magic, so I can use barriers to mitigate the curse of the Dragon God Spear—" (Eugene)
"It is okay, Eugene." (Claude)
Claude cuts off my words.
"The number one mage unit in the Blue Waters Federation will be providing me support. I can't cause trouble to Eugene from the Empire." (Claude)
"…I see." (Eugene)
He normally wouldn't say 'from the Empire'.
In other words, they can't create even more debts to other countries than this.
"Well then, I will be returning to headquarters." (Claude)
Claude said this, jumped onto his wyvern, and left.
◇◇
"..."
"..."
Sumire and I walked in silence on our way back to the lodging.
Is there anything we can do?
I was pondering but no good idea came out.
We were walking on and someone called us.
"Oya, Eugene-dono and Sumire-dono?"
"You are…" (Sumire)
"The vice-captain of the Tomoa Kingdom?" (Eugene)
It is the person that gave me his sword in Floor 10 of the Zenith Tower when I defeated a Floor Boss for the first time.
We were together in the 2nd party, but he evacuated first, so I didn't see him afterwards.
"Did something happen? You look awfully down there."
"Actually…" (Eugene)
He asked that and I explained the situation without telling him any specific names.
"I see… There's a high chance for your friend to lose their life in the operation."
The expression of the vice captain darkened at my explanation.
"But I am also jealous that he has been left with such an important mission."
""?!""
I was bothered by that line.
"Vice Captain-san, that way of putting it…" (Sumire)
Sumire was about to object, but she stopped in the middle.
Because of the sad face of the Vice Captain-san.
"Could it be that the Darkness Dragon will be heading to the Tomoa Kingdom, too…?" (Eugene)
"Yes, the whole island is most likely going to be destroyed."
""…""
I couldn't say anything.
"Soldiers of small countries like the Tomoa Kingdom have been ordered to provide support from the back. The main units of the operation are the strong countries of the Gold Country and the Dragon Country. We can only pray for their success. It is vexing. We can't even risk our lives for our country…"
"I…see." (Eugene)
"That's…" (Sumire)
Sumire and I couldn't say anything more.
◇◇
"See you later somewhere if fate so desires."
The Vice Captain-san said this and left.
The air around me and Sumire got even more heavy.
Our friend from the Legendary Hero Department that plans on facing the Darkness Dragon with his life on the line.
The talk about the people that may lose their own homelands.
A group of mages was walking in front of us the moment we caught sight of our lodging and our hearts were heavy.
I glanced at them as they were about to pass by us, and one of them turned our way.
"Y-You are… Why are you here?!"
A loud voice rang.
There was someone who ran this way.
The shadow of someone who looks like a little girl and has a voice that hasn't matured.
Brown skin and red eyes.
It is the devilkin boy.
I am familiar with that face.
"An acquaintance of yours, Eugy-kun?" (Sumire)
Sumire asked.
"Yeah, not that long ago…" (Eugene)
Before I could answer…
"Eugene-sama, I am honored to meet you again!!"
He had a smile as if he was going to hug me, or more like, he hugged me.
"Your name was…Miguel-kun, right?" (Eugene)
"Yes! Miguel, the one you saved the life of!" (Miguel)
Just the other day in the investigation of the Darkness Bird Raum in the Holy Union.
The summoner and Demon Lord worshiper, Miguel.