Soon after, an emergency order was issued to the Garott Kingdom’s citizens.
The content of the order was to “evacuate outside the country within two hours and wait until evening.”
It was a sudden order, but the soldiers were desperately transporting supplies to create a system for them to stay outside.
Their speed of action was remarkable.
Indeed, they were well-trained soldiers.
The adventurers, being nimble, passed through the gate and waited outside in less than thirty minutes.
The nobles were the slowest to move, but since it was a direct order from the king, they seemed to be preparing to go outside within the two-hour timeframe.
The ordinary citizens made sure to secure their shops and then steadily came out on foot or by carriage.
Although the Galrot Kingdom would become empty, misdeeds tend to occur during such times.
Therefore, it seems that the guards are dividing the areas and conducting investigations.
So, the guards are scheduled to be the last to come out.
By the way, even criminals or those imprisoned are being transported outside this time as an exception.
Of course, it seems that security is being taken seriously.
“…Some people are taking advantage of this situation to open their shops…”
“Well, that’s to be expected. Gotta make money when you can.”
Merchants and street vendors set up their shops outside and sold food or displayed goods to the idle citizens.
They have to wait here until evening now.
It’s understandable that they would get bored and hungry.
Even though it was such a sudden order, they are adapting quickly.
Impressive.
…I think I’ll buy something to eat too.
“Where are you going?”
“Well, I’m hungry…”
“This is not the time to be carefree. …Worst case scenario, we might fail.”
“…I don’t want to think about it.”
“It’s better to keep the worst-case scenario in mind. Knowing what we should do to avoid it becomes clearer.”
That might be true, but…
I don’t really want to think about it.
…The worst-case scenario, huh?
Well, in this case, it would be the failure to prevent the revival of the voices, and they would manifest.
I don’t know what will happen…
After all, it’s a god we’re talking about, right?
It was the first time I encountered someone who used words like “interference.”
By the way, if we fail, where would they appear?
Right in front of us?
Well, if that’s the case, we would be the first to fight.
But can we win against them?
They are gods, you know?
Or a god, no matter how you look at it.
“…No, it would be too risky to fight in this place.”
“I agree. But if we fail, we might have to do it. Protect the citizens and defeat the evil god. The devil might know the sealing method… but I’m not sure if we can learn it from them.”
“Reizen might have some sealing skills like that.”
“There’s a possibility. Let’s ask later. I’m heading to Bart-sama’s location.”
“Understood.”
Saying that, Houen flew away.
I don’t seem to possess any sealing skills or anything like that.
Should I rely on them…?
Well, I might not have it right now, though.
In any case, we should succeed in this operation.
We won’t… fail…
I want to believe that.
“Ah, Ouren-sama!”
“Oh, you all come too.”
Tenda, Uchikage, and Reizen spotted me and waved their hands.
I waved back at them.
They took quite a while to come back.
Also, the guards are finally coming out too.
So, that means they were asked by Bart to search for the people who are still inside the country…?
“Bart can be rough with people…”
“He has been believing in our words and taking action. We can’t complain, Ouren-sama.”
Now that we’ve all gathered, I asked them how things were inside.
It seems a few groups of troublemakers were loitering without following instructions, but they were subdued with the help of the guards and Tenda.
When Tenda’s name was mentioned, it sounded dangerous, so I asked them to stop.
Other than that, there didn’t seem to be any significant problems, and this was the final group to come out.
The only thing left… is whether everything will be alright.
I looked at the empty Garott Kingdom for a while, but there didn’t seem to be any noticeable changes.
There are probably things happening that we can’t see… but not feeling it firsthand makes me anxious.
I want some kind of effects or something, anything is fine.
“Ouren!”
“Oh, Alena, you came back too. How far were you blown away?”
“I got caught in a tree…”
Not hard to imagine.
But at least her robe doesn’t seem torn, and she doesn’t appear to be injured. That’s good.
Oh, right.
“Reizen, do you have any sealing skills?”
“Huh, I don’t have any. I evolved and my defensive power increased, but I didn’t gain many new skills. By the way my skill has evolved to Land God.”
“Is that so? Well, in that case… we really have to make this operation a success. We need to buy some time.”
“Does Lize have any sealing skills?”
“I, I don’t have them! I haven’t had much combat experience either…”
“I see…”
“Yesterday, you caught a damn huge monster, didn’t you…?”
“I think I can fight well enough now.”
Is she being modest?
No, this is how she truly feels.
After that, we waited for a while.
Tenda, Uchikage, Alena, and I passed the time by maintaining our weapons.
Roze, Yurie, and Lize took care of Lacc and the others.
Those three get along well…
Well, I brought them along, so I’ll help them later.
Reizen was happily talking with Theik and Karna.
He seems to get along particularly well with Theik.
Well, their personalities are somewhat similar.
Houen and Maria… went to Asure and Bart’s location.
They might know something that only they can understand, so let’s leave it to them.
“But still, we don’t really have any other clue. Is this really okay?”
“Yes, I was expecting something grand considering we heard about preventing the revival of the evil god from Uchikage… but it’s quite plain.”
“Indeed… I don’t feel it in my gut, you know.”
“With the situation in Valpan Kingdom, I would like to finish this as soon as possible.”
“Yeah… By the way, Tenda, your Asagao is really cool.”
“I’m honored to receive your praise. It was crafted by the same artisan who made the Hakuryuuzen of yours and the Kazeorochi. He can also carve blade engravings.”
“That old man is amazing! He can do blade engravings too?”
“He’s one of the finest swordsmiths in the Oni Village. But Oren’s Hakuryuzen is also beautiful.”
“Yeah, it is! It’s my beloved sword, and I’m truly cherishing it.”
It’s incredibly beautiful.
A white scabbard with golden decorations.
And a niche blade…
It just looks like it’s reflecting like a mirror, but it’s still amazing.
Next time, I should have it polished when I bring it back.
After finishing the maintenance, I quietly sheathed it.
I can’t sheathe it without making any noise like Tenda can… how envious.
“A sword, huh…”
“Oh? What is it, Uchikage? Are you jealous?”
“There’s no reason for me to be jealous when I have my own weapon. I was just thinking if I could turn my claws into a katana.”
“Oh, if you’re interested, I thought about teaching you the Oni Sword Dance.”
“I don’t need it because I have my own techniques. Besides, it kinda annoys me that I should learn it from you, Ani.” (Ani from aniki, means big bro)
“The heck?”
“”…Hahaha!””
They’re really close, huh!
“Guuh!?”
“”Ouren-sama?!!””
Suddenly, I felt a sensation as if something was stirring inside my body.