Day 7 of the Otherworldly Summons


　The blazing wind that attacked the camp tore through the tent and tore down the pillars.
　It was like a giant blade slicing through the camp's tent like a single slice.
　A few seconds later, the wind stopped and Saito sat up.

''Your Highness!　Your Highness!

I'm fine what happened?

　At Saito's words, Shardina, who was sheltered under Saito's body, stood up and looked around.

''Your Highness is safe...!　Sheesh. That's not the point!

　But Saito ignored Shardina's words and turned his gaze towards Ryoma.
　There was an unfamiliar girl there.

''Are you safe?　Master.

　When the girl says that, she thrusts her sword into Ryoma's manacles and pry them open.

The timing is perfect. The timing is also perfect. It's good to know that the timing is perfect. Is Laura safe?

My sister is probably finishing off the soldiers outside. Master's right, we should be able to get them out of here without any trouble.

Oh, dear. It's all over now. Master.

　Another voice comes from behind Saito.

''Your Highness!''

　Shardina reacts to Saito's voice and protects Saito's back.
　He's dressed to be just back to back.

''Are you hurt?　Laura

''Yes. Yes, because all I had to do was hit them with a wind technique. These people may be wary of monsters, but they weren't expecting a legal attack.

　Saito shouted at Laura's words.

''Ridiculous ... legal arts!

　This was completely unexpected for both Saito and Shardina.
　In the first place, it is strange for otherworldly people to have friends.
　It's not only that, it's also that they are able to use Dharma techniques.
　It's not a good idea to be able to use it.
　It's not a bad idea to have a good time.
　The only people who can use it are the knights and above if they are serving the kingdom, and the first-rate mercenaries and adventurers.
　Because this scarcity is what lies at the heart of this world's ruling structure.
　They can use legal arts. But that's all it takes to fight for five useless humans.
　Liang Zhenzhen's slain gaies, for example, are comparable to an army.
　Of course, the fact that you can use destructive Dharma techniques doesn't necessarily mean you'll win, which has already been proven by the fact that Ryouma killed Gayes.
　In any case, a person who has just been summoned to the other world could not possibly be able to use legal arts, and it was not possible for them to get to know someone who could.

''What are you [you] guys...?''

　Laura answered Shardina's question as she held her sword at the ready.

'We are the servants of our master. The enemy of the Lord is our enemy.'

He can do it!　(And...)

　Seeing Laura's stance, Shardina's intuition raises an alarm.
　There are only a few wielders as good as her, even among her own subordinates.
　But if it's skill, Shardina is still certainly better than him.
　But what comes to Laura's eyes is a desperate resolve.
　It's the determination to kill Shardina, even if it means killing her.
　And Saito also felt the same determination from Saara.

(What do you mean.......why would such a great user join this guy? I've only been in this world for six or seven days?)

　It is an important order for Shardina and her team to capture Ryoma.
　But that is only if Shardina and her friends survive.
　It's not a mission that can be fulfilled until either Saito or Shardina is dead or seriously injured.
　Whether it was Saito or Shardina, they were both in very important positions in the Empire.
　If it was on the battlefield where the survival of the country was at stake, it didn't matter.
　They couldn't risk their lives just to get rid of one of these otherworldly people.

''Saito I'll back off here.

　The conclusion of the various calculations of profit and loss?
　Shardina muttered to Saito so that Ryoma and the others wouldn't hear.

''Yes.

'Yes but we can't die here. If Gaius dies too, and even more so if we die too, then the strength of the Empire will be too low... if that happens.

"I'm sorry to hear about the neighboring countries and the occupied territories for free...

　The price of invading the surrounding countries by force.
　If the empire's war potential diminishes, it is obvious that the occupied peoples and nobles who have been held down will revolt.
　A number of thoughts flashed through Saito and Shardina's minds.


''If you want to pull out, you can pull out, okay?

　Ryoma's words shook up the stalemate.
　It was Saito who was the first to reply.

''Nonsense we don't have to back down!　Both of those women over there are going to escort you back to the Imperial City!

Huh?　You're going to risk your life to get us?

　A sneer appeared on Ryoma's face.

''I can see in your eyes that you guys don't have the guts to put your lives on the line.

　The eyes speak louder than the mouth.
　You can see the inside of a person's heart through their gaze, gesture, and the light in their eyes.
　It's not surprising that Ryoma could read from Saito's eyes just as Saito could read from Saara's eyes that she was ready to die.

''Then what do you say?　You want to kill us, don't you?

Well. It would be for the best, normally. But this situation...

　Ryoma cowers his shoulders.

(I knew it.........he was captured with the intention of killing us. No wonder they brought him here so quietly...

　Something cold flows down Shardina's back.
　The true nature of the bad feeling I've been feeling for a while now.
　It's the murderous intent of the hunted to hunt the hunted.

It's certainly an effective strategy. We thought they were just going to run away, and never dreamed they would turn on us.

　This is the result.
　Most of the troops that led them were scattered in the forest, and those that were on guard at the encampment were wiped out by the earlier legal technique.
　If it wasn't for Saito's quick thinking, Shardina would have been killed in the surprise attack as well.

(But this situation.......if it's three against two, they should have the advantage. Even though it's not impossible for them to kill us if they discard these kids?)

Well, you don't want to kill me.

　Shardina's eyes widen when she hears Saito's words.
　A person that Ryoma doesn't want to kill in this situation.
　Since Saito and Shardina can't be considered as targets, there are only two people left.

''That's how it is; they're both willing to risk their lives for me.

　Ryoma's gaze falls on Saara and Laura.

'No matter how likely I am to survive, I wouldn't sacrifice the two of you to kill you guys, would I?

Well, then, use these women as shields. No, that's not possible under the circumstances. And I don't think he'd rather sacrifice his own life for them.

"Your Highness. I don't blame you for this...

　Saito's advice was in line with Shardina's thoughts.
　No matter how much he thought about it, there was no better way to go about it.

''Very well I'll pull this one out. Saito, put your sword away.''

　After Shardina's words, Ryoma said to Laura and the others.

''Laura, pull Sarra!''

　Hearing Ryoma's words, the two of them tucked their swords away and leaned close to Ryoma's side.
　It seems that if Shardina and the others attack, they intend to immediately become Ryoma's shield.

You don't need to be so vigilant. In the name of the First Princess of the Oltmere Empire, I will withdraw from this place.

　Shardina's words were true sentiments, but the sisters' attitude didn't change.

'Sorry,'

　Ryoma was more concerned about the sisters' attitude.
　He apologized to Shardina.

I'm not going to stop pursuing you, but that's fine. I'm not going to stop pursuing you in the future, do you understand that?

　This would be natural.
　The only reason Shardina and the others gave up on capturing Ryoma and pulled out is simply because the situation here is not favorable.
　In the extreme, if there were dozens of soldiers in this place, there was no way Shardina and the others could choose to pull out.

I'm sure that's true. I'm sure that's true, because I'm a criminal from your point of view.

　Liangma said without offense.

'But I'm not going to be caught by you guys, okay?　I don't feel bad about killing that old man or trying to kill you guys. So, you can chase me if you want, but come with your life on the line.

　Hearing Liangma's words, Saito couldn't help but ask, "Have you ever committed a crime in Japan?

''Have you ever committed a crime in Japan?''

　Saito wanted to know.
　How was it possible for a human to fit in so well with the laws of this world just after being summoned from the earth?
　In this world of the weak and the strong, strength was everything.
　There is no such thing as human rights in this world.
　If you don't want to be trampled on, you have to be strong.
　It wasn't until he was summoned by Guayes and thrown into a war he didn't want to fight, where they spent days and years killing each other in a pool of blood and gore, that Saito realized this was not the case.
　Saito's life on earth was that far removed from this world.
　That's why he was astonished to learn about the way of thinking of Ryojin, who had only been summoned to this world for a week or so.

''Huh?　What's that? I've peed on my feet before, though.

No. No, it's more than that. It's more like a... murderer.

"Don't be absurd you old man. I'm just an ordinary high school student. It's a good thing that I have a little taste in the ancient martial arts. A criminal record is ridiculous!

'Then why?　How can you kill people and stand back and watch them die?　Don't you find it frightening?

　Ryoma replied to Saito's words, somewhat thoughtfully.

'I'd like to ask you the opposite. Do I have to worry about someone who tries to violate my rights at my convenience, even if it means sacrificing their own safety?

　With Saito's surprised face in the background, Ryoma continued to speak.

'I don't think so. If it's up to them to violate you, it's up to me to protect myself. I'm not stupid enough to think that I can hit someone and not have them hit back. I don't hit people because I think they'll hit me back. Except when you're ready for them to hit you back.

　After saying that, Ryoma turned his gaze to Laura and the others.

''Well this isn't the time to talk about my philosophy of life Laura.

　Ryoma pointed to the entrance to the tent with his chin to Laura.

''If we talk any longer, the soldiers might come back to the camp. I'll let you cross the border quickly, okay?

　Laura checks Shardina and the others at the entrance to the tent.
　She doesn't fully trust the words of Shardina and the others.

'Very well. Go away. But you must remember this. The Empire will not allow you to escape. And when I'm discovered, I don't think you'll ever set foot on Imperial territory again.

　'Here is a breath of air and a sharp light in Shardina's eyes.

''And do your best to run around. The western continent will eventually be unified by my empire. When that happens, there will be no place for you to live.

　Shardina throws a blade of words at Ryoma, who is about to leave the tent with Saara.

''Well then, I'll return to my world before then.

　Ryoma and the others disappeared into the forest without looking back.