A Former Child Soldier Who Uses a Magic Sword Wants to Live with an Older Sister of a Former Enemy Executive - Chapter 103

• Chapter 103 : Thus did this series of events come to an end, while a new event awaited outside.

As they exited the room where the life-support device had been, they found several people standing there. 

They were the adventurers who had been trapped inside those caskets.

When Seto and his group explained the situation, the adventurers cheered and expressed their gratitude.

[So you guys saved us, then. We owe you our lives.] (Male adventurer)

[That’s right. Imagine having to live forever inside those things… Just thinking of it gives me chills.] (Female adventurer)

The adventurers all expressed relief and gratitude, happy to stand on their own again.

However, after having been in stasis for so long, they seemed to have some difficulty walking.

How much time had they spent inside those caskets?

During all those years, the world outside the Silver City had continued to change.

Seto could not help but wonder whether they could endure the friction between their lost time and the world that had moved on without them.

If they’ve returned only to find that decades or even centuries have passed… What would they do about their homes? (Seto)

As these thoughts crossed his mind, a sense of loneliness settled inside his heart.

He hoped that they had a home to return to, but given their status as adventurers, they probably had no such place.

But what if there was someone among them who had someone waiting for their return…?

He could not stop thinking about such things.

Feeling strange that he was so concerned about such minor details, Seto was about to walk towards Satis, who was casting healing spells on everyone for good measure, when he heard a voice.

[…Excuse me, were you the ones who saved us?] (???)

A female knight using her sword as a crutch asked Seto.

She was a beautiful woman clad in heavy, luxurious armor, but looked quite exhausted.

Hydra hurried over to support her, gently helping her sit down.

[Are you alright? You seem very weak. Please wait here, our companion will cast a healing spell on you immediately…] (Hydra)

[No, it’s fine. Please prioritize the others first. I’ll manage if I just rest for a bit.] (Female knight)

[Say, who are you? Judging by the crest on your armor, it seems like you’re from a distinguished family of knights.] (Seto)

[Hm? Ah, yes, that’s correct. I was entrusted by the kingdom with investigating the Silver City. …But then, my subordinates and I…] (Female knight)

As she spoke, the female knight glanced around, checking the survivors.

But when she did not spot any familiar faces among them, a deep sense of disappointment washed over her.

[Hey, tell me… how much time has passed since I was deployed?] (Female knight)

[Huh?] (Seto)

Seto was confused by the question and instinctively exchanged glances with Hydra.

[Um, excuse me for asking, but who are you?] (Hydra)

[Oh, how thoughtless of me. I am from the Cryfano family. Do you recognize the name Raness Cryfano?] (Female knight —> Raness)

[The Cryfano family…? Wait a minute, you mean the ones known as the ‘War Lions’?!] (Seto)

[You’ve heard of them, Seto?] (Hydra)

[And not just a little… That crest. I knew it looked familiar for some reason… So that’s it.] (Seto)

As it happened, Seto had fought against the army led by the Cryfano family when he was just nine years old.

It was also the first battle Seto fought using his magic sword.

Despite his efforts, his own army had been utterly crushed by their overwhelming power and tactics.

Seto came close to taking their general’s head, but ultimately, he had no choice but to retreat.

Following that, his country had fought against armies led by their family on numerous occasions, but never emerged victorious.

I don’t really have good memories of that family, but this is strange. I’ve never seen this woman before. (Seto)

Seto searched through his memories, trying to recall the faces of the Cryfano family members he had met.

Even though he had never directly interacted with them, he had spotted them several times during reconnaissance missions.

However, he had no memory of a woman named Raness Cryfano.

[Um, is something wrong?] (Raness)

[No, nothing. It(s just that I’ve heard of the Cryfano family before. That’s probably why it sounded familiar to me.] (Seto)

[I see…] (Raness)

Seto decided to keep the fact that he had fought them as a child soldier a secret.

Hydra realized this and stayed silent as well.

Soon, Raness was able to stand on her own, and the group began leading everyone out of the Silver City.

[By the way, where did Gravis go?] (Satis)

[Good question. She was still with us a minute ago, but now…] (Seto)

[Maybe she’s looking for treasure or something…] (Hydra)

Hydra’s guess was correct.

At the city’s exit, they found Gravis lugging a massive sack brimming with gold and silver treasures.

[What are you even doing…?] (Satis)

[Well, you know… After all the trouble we’ve gone through, it’d be frustrating to leave empty-handed, right?] (Gravis)

[I understand your point, but still…] (Satis)

[Come on, there’s no problem with it, right? Besides, I destroyed the magic sword she was looking for.] (Seto)

[Oh! Way to go, Seto. You do get it.] (Gravis)

[Taking advantage of Seto’s goodwill… Really?] (Hydra)

While Satis and Hydra were both exasperated, the group was able to leave the Silver City.

The sky was the color of evening, and a gentle breeze brushed against their faces.

—Only to be met by a large force of soldiers gathered before them.

[Uh… What’s this now?] (Gravis)

[Those are soldiers from the royal capital!] (Hydra)

[No way…! What exactly is going on…?!] (Satis)

Satis was feeling extremely nervous.

She was worried that the soldiers had discovered her true identity and come to capture her.

If that were the case, Seto would also be in danger.

The thought of it made her chest tighten painfully.

Seto, however, remained remarkably calm, observing the soldiers with a sharp, focused gaze.

That crest… (Seto)

As he narrowed his eyes at the crest on the flag the soldiers were holding up, an elderly general approached them.

The soldiers silently parted, allowing the seasoned warrior on horseback to pass, his battle-hardened gaze locking onto Seto’s group.

[This morning, we received word that intruders had entered the silver city. We came to investigate, though we never expected anyone to return alive. Did you miscreants commit such an outrage knowing that this territory is under the jurisdiction of the Cryfano family?] (General)

The elderly general, with his thunderous, raspy voice, bellowed at the group.

His sharp glare gave off an aura that could be described as that of a demon guardian of the country.

[Don’t you know that there is a notice in place prohibiting anyone from entering this Silver City? No, you cannot feign ignorance. Especially you, girl. What’s in that sack? Treasure, I guess?] (General)

[Geh!] (Gravis)

Startled by the general’s intimidating presence, Gravis dropped the bag involuntarily.

Satis and Hydra were also overwhelmed by his forceful demeanor and found themselves unable to move.

That old man… There’s no doubt about it. He’s… (Seto)

In the midst of the silence, Seto had his realization.

The old general before them was the same man who had led the enemy forces as their commander in a past battle.

However, the tension in the air was unusually palpable.

Seto desperately began thinking of a way to diffuse the atmosphere when, suddenly—

[Adams…? Is that you?] (Raness)

From the back of the group, Raness Cryfano softly muttered, her eyes fixed on the elderly general.

[Hm? —Y-You’re…?!] (General —> Adams)

The imposing aura surrounding the general, known as Adams, vanished in an instant. 

He dismounted his horse and walked toward Raness, his body shaking like a leaf as he faced her.

[No way… I can’t believe it. On that day, you…] (Adams)

[Adams… Is that really you?] (Raness)

[You… recognize me? Even though I’m this old?] (Adams)

[Of course I do. How much time do you think we spent together, my dear husband? Ahh, you’ve aged so much… I see. So that’s how it is. I must have been asleep for quite a long time.] (Raness)

Smiling with her eyes lowered and letting out a sigh, Raness explained about Seto and the others.

She told Adams that they had come to rescue them, that the people here had been trapped in the Silver City for a long time.

Hearing this, Adams paused, lost in thought.

The miracle-like nature of the event before him shook his heart deeply.

Seizing the opportunity, Satis and Seto made their proposal to Adams.

[We apologize for entering without permission. But please, show us mercy. We can report what happened in the Silver City, to the extent that we are able.] (Satis)

[I also have something to tell you. It’s about a magic swordsman who was in the Silver City.] (Seto)

[What did you say? Hmm…] (Adams)

[Adams, could you please listen to what they have to say? Although, after being absent for so long, perhaps I have no right to ask this of you] (Raness)

[Hmm… Very well. Men, take these people into custody. Escort Raness and those four to my mansion—Treat them with the utmost respect.] (Adams)

The negotiations were successful.

For a moment, it seemed things could take a turn for the worse, but thanks to Raness, they were spared from further trouble.

Satis felt more relieved than Seto about this.

Thus, the group was led to the mansion of Adams Cryfano.

[Oh, and confiscate the treasure. Rules are rules, after all.] (Adams)

[W-WHAAAAT?!] (Gravis)