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Chapter 38 – part 1

The Fort City of Sashimimashi.

As the name suggests, this city is surrounded by walls that are about 10 meters high and 1 meter wide, resembling a fortress.

It’s a crucial trading city, serving as a key point along the important trade route connecting Shintai, the western fishing port, and Gisa, the eastern inland town. It has flourished as a thriving trading post and a resting place for travelers.

However, the geographical conditions are far from favorable.

The city’s front is bordered by a mysterious forest, while its back expands into the treacherous swamp of the Demon Eaters.

In other words, the town was built right in the midst of a perilous area infested with monsters’ nests.

Yet, those who live in this city are well aware of these circumstances.

Where there is demand, there is profit. And where there is profit, there is determination.

That’s how the Fort City of Sashimimashi was created.

Currently, within the residence of Lord Sashimimashi, a strategic meeting is underway.

In the spacious room, a massive table occupies the center.

Seated at the furthest end of the table is Lord Sashimimashi, with distinguished figures aligned on both sides of the enormous table.

At the far end to the left is the leader of the knight order.

To the far right, the head instructor is positioned.

Following the knight order leader is Hero Cordelia.

Next in line are the deputy leader of the knight order, deputy head instructor, and various officials and instructors.

And closer to the end is Lilith.

She is a specially recognized student, and due to her achievements in the recent battle, she has been permitted to attend the strategic meeting.

Amidst the heavy atmosphere, the knight order leader, with a bearded chin, speaks up.

「Vice Commander, who was in charge of the eastern fortress, please provide a report on the battle situation.」

「…Based on reports from a few survivors, the eastern fortress was swiftly overwhelmed by the Ogre army.」

The assembly displays solemn expressions, and the knight order leader continues, rubbing his beard.

「Vice Commander in charge of the southern fortress, please report.」

「At the southern fortress, the knight order dispatched very few soldiers. Most were mercenaries or inexperienced adventurers…」

「No need for excuses. I’m only seeking an honest report… That’s all.」

「Yes… Upon spotting the Ogre King, the mercenary group guarding the southern fortress immediately fled.」

At this point, the knight order leader chuckles wryly.

「So, you returned without engaging in combat as well? The report from the southern fortress stated zero casualties.」

「Uh, well… It’s just…」

「Never mind. Now, the northern fortress. There are no survivors in the northern fortress. There isn’t even a reporter; we don’t even know what happened there.」

At that moment, the lord with pure white hair and long locks, with his hair pulled back, spoke up.

「The only fortress that managed to repel the Ogres even though with difficulty was the western fortress, where the hero, Cordelia Allston, and the instructors from the magic academy were present.」

「The reason we were able to repel them isn’t solely because of me, and certainly not thanks to the instructors.」

Beyond Cordelia’s gaze was the brown-gray haired girl with a short cut, Lilith. Seeing this, the head instructor nodded emphatically.

「Scholarship student, Lilith. Despite taking the general exam, she displayed extraordinary talent and was chosen as a scholarship student. In this incident, she has achieved remarkable accomplishments as a prodigious talent.」

Nodding deeply, the knight order leader directed his gaze towards Lilith, squinting his eyes.

「It was stated that your adventurer rank is around C+. However, considering Cordelia’s report, you might possess abilities equivalent to a lower B-rank, perhaps.」

With those words, a tinge of exasperation mixed into Lilith and Cordelia’s eyes.

In a voice that no one else could hear, Lilith addressed Cordelia, her lips moving like in lip-reading.

「…Hey, Cordelia Allston?」

「What?」

「…Being underestimated… Honestly, it’s unpleasant.」

「You’re right. But bear with it, really.」

Perhaps due to this exchange being conducted without audible sound, it went unnoticed by anyone else, and the topic of discussion moved on to the next subject.

「Anyway, at the current moment, we are facing an unprecedented crisis.」

The lord’s words were met with a nod from the knight order leader.

「Ogre Generals, or even just Ogres, are dangerous beasts in their own right. Yet, reports have indicated the presence of multiple Ogre Kings.」

Following those words, the head instructor added.

「The situation is akin to a Disaster… no, it could even be categorized as a Calamity. The proportion of higher-ranked creatures within the same species has become exceedingly abnormal… This could potentially escalate into a Great Calamity.」

Ogres, Ogre Generals, and Ogre Kings.

The ratio of higher-ranking individuals is evidently abnormal this time. To the point where it wouldn’t be unreasonable to invoke the term ‘Great Calamity’.

A silence fell among the assembly, and the color drained from their faces.

An impending silence. A heavy atmosphere.

Breaking this silence was Cordelia.

「Hey? Everyone? Isn’t there no use in assuming things we can’t handle? If that’s the case, shouldn’t we focus on assuming what we can handle and devise strategies for that?」

The words from Cordelia prompted the white-haired lord to respond with a puzzled expression.

「If, hypothetically, something we can’t handle were to happen, what would you do?」

「In that case, we’d be wiped out. ‘Can’t handle it’ essentially means just that… it’s pointless to even think about it.」

Cordelia decisively stated without hesitation, causing the expressions of some in the room to twist.

Indeed, it seemed that Cordelia had far more experience facing mortal danger compared to those present here.

The head instructor directed her gaze towards Lilith.

「Hmm. You’ve been silent for a while now. Do you have any opinions, Lilith?」

In response to those words, Lilith sluggishly replied,

「…Not particularly.」

With that, a relaxed atmosphere spread among the group. Each of them seemed to internally translate Lilith’s words as,

「As a mere student, I shouldn’t be making audacious statements in such a context…」

Thus, they gazed at Lilith as if watching something adorable.

Well, Lilith wasn’t one to fit that image.

In truth, she was only saying that because she really didn’t have any opinions.

And then, the bearded knight order leader raised his eyebrows, addressing me.

「By the way, why is a Villager present in a place like this?」

Yeah. Well, to be honest, I’m also perplexed about being summoned to a place like this.

「Hey, Villager, do you understand what’s going on?」

The one who spoke was the knight order leader.

He was in his mid-40s and had a significant scar running across his cheek, giving him the air of a battle-hardened warrior.

「What do you mean by ‘understand’? Understand what?」

「This is a crucial meeting regarding the defense of an entire city. Even though you’re at the far end, this isn’t a place where someone like you should be.」

「Even if you say that..」

It’s not like I willingly asked to be in a place like this.

I came because I was told to come.

Then the lord with pure white hair glared at me.

「I’d argue that having you here is insensitive. From what I’ve heard, you’re just a new student at the magic academy. No, it seems like you’re even in a class for underachievers.」

Laughter erupted in certain parts of the conference room in response to his words.

Mocking and scornful gazes were suddenly directed at me, making me feel quite uncomfortable.

The knight order leader, rubbing his beard, continued to address me.

「First of all, Villagers are those who till fields, work like horses, and pay taxes to the lord. They are nothing more and nothing less.」