Reincarnated into a Game as the Hero’s Friend - Chapter 4
“Stampede (Demon Outbreak)?”
Early this morning, the surprising information that we heard from our teacher made Mazell tilt his head in confusion and I struggled to control my expression.
All my practice and experience in using ‘poker face’, a basic skill of the noble, seem to pay off as I succeeded in making an unbothered expression.
It’s finally here… The start of the game story.
It began with a sudden demon outbreak that happened near the capital. The students of this academy would be sent to that battlefield as a support unit.
In the game, the protagonist would receive recovery medicine by talking to a teacher. What a convenient plot.
Since I’m not the protagonist, my only choice is to return home and prepare the medicine myself. Moreover, since I’m a noble, no one will get suspicious even if I bought them in large quantities.
“It is a large-scale demon outbreak that happens around once every 20 years. Well, it is more rare for it to happen in the vicinity of the capital, though.”
I silently listened to the teacher’s detailed explanation, trying to see if there were any differences from the game setting.
By the way, in this world, beast-like and insect-like creatures that attack people are called [Demonic Beast], creatures that have higher intelligence, have their own culture and even society are called [Golem], while the undead creatures are called [Demon].
Lastly, creatures that are human-like… even if they have wings of feathers on their back… as long as they walk with two legs, and have high enough intelligence to make and use plans and strategies are called [Devil]. The ability to use magic is not one of the classification criteria since even demonic beasts can use it, so the presence or absence of magic doesn’t really matter.
However, this classification method is not absolute. Some creatures, like the undead [Big Bird], are hard to be classified into one group. Sometimes, people also used [Demon] to call both demons and devils. [Demon Outbreak] is also a word used to call any outbreak even if it’s caused by devils.
“Since they attacked us with a huge army, villages near the capital can be destroyed if we do nothing. Still, it won’t be a big problem as long as we prepare proper countermeasures.”
Well, that should have been the case.
But the outbreak this time is caused by the common RPG plot, the revival of the demon king. Devils are probably pulling the string.
Despite knowing this fact, I don’t have any means, fame, or influence needed to make others believe my words. I also don’t have any cheating ability that can make us win this sure-to-lose battle. The only thing I can do is grit my teeth and try to survive.
It is a selfish decision, I know. People, even my acquaintance from the academy, may die, I know. Still, I won’t, or rather I don’t have any leeway to regret my decision. My hands are already full with trying to protect my life.
“For the students who came from a noble house, return to your own mansion in the capital and wait for further order from your family.”
“Yes, sir.”
Several people in the class, including me, answered. It’s the start of an event, with a different meaning than the game event.
It has been 15 years since I was born in this world. That means, it’s been 30 years since I last played the game. It’s a game that I only played in moderation, so my memory of its story is starting to get blurry. Fortunately, I managed to somehow recall the details of this event.
The knight order dispatched to this battle will suffer a devastating defeat. Most of them would be killed while the survivors were not able to return to the capital and were scattered across the continent. The same thing would happen with the hero too. He would then travel across the continent, including the neighboring country.
It’s a plot device made by developers to make the hero adventure throughout the world.
“For the student who didn’t come from a noble house, you will be dispatched as a support unit responsible for supply transportation and tending to the injured. I doubt you will get attacked, but don’t let your guard down.”
“Alright!”
Students from commoner houses, including Mazell, answered spiritedly. The reason they were so relaxed was probably because they thought that it’s not going to be dangerous.
It’s not like there were descriptions of students’ death in the game…I think… Also, there were no descriptions of other noble’s fates like I mentioned before. Well, I am not even sure if the government or civil officers existed in the game. Maybe because it’s irrelevant information, the game developers didn’t bother to put it. Many other RPG games are also like that.
“Welner, what are you thinking so seriously?”
“It’s nothing.”
I gave Mazell that short answer and continued to try digging into my memories for details of this event.
Hmm… Nope, nothing. I only remembered one sentence ‘The knight order suffered a disastrous defeat’ which was talked about by an NPC teacher. I tried harder to remember… Finally, I found one piece of important information.
It’s something that I can’t say here. If others were to ask where I got this information, I won’t have an answer. One wrong step, I might receive anger from others for saying nonsensical things.
Before my expression changed, I steered the conversation away.
“I’m going home. By the way, you will need to treat the wounded later, right? How about keeping some recovery medicine with you? Try to talk to the teacher about it.”
“It’s true that you can never be too prepared. But Welner, you care this much about me, eh?”
“I just felt sorry for innocent soldiers that will end up in your hands. Anyway, be careful.”
“You too.”
I gave him a slight nod.
In the game, the hero will work together with some adventurers to complete a reconnaissance mission but they will end up encountering a Devil. Their fight with the Devil is the game’s first battle scene.
‘What the hell is the commander thinking, sending a student on a reconnaissance mission’ was what I used to think but well, it’s game logic. No use in complaining.
Now, in this real world, I just don’t have any energy left to complain. I need to think about how to survive. Unlike Mazell, I didn’t appear in that event, so I don’t know what my fate is going to be.
First, let’s return to the mansion.
“Where is my father?”
“He’s with your majesty.”
Damn. I know that last year, my father was appointed as minister of ceremonies. It’s a position that requires the ability to handle diplomacy and domestic affairs but has nothing to do with military might.
But recently, a demon outbreak happened near the capital. Because of ‘noblesse oblige’ Zeavert’s Household also needed to provide support. Since my father is away that means…
“Currently, Welner-sama is the commander of the county army.”
“As expected…”
I wanted… or rather I blurted out a complaint.
“You’re going to let a student lead an army?”
“Welner-sama will be commander in name only. The one who will lead the troop is captain Max Lyman. Also, the county’s participation is only for show.”
Norbert is not saying that to belittle me. After all, I’m the heir and an excellent student of the academy. The second half is probably why my father gives me this kind of responsibility. In his eyes, this demon outbreak is not that dangerous.
Not to mention, Zeavert is known as a family of civil officers. From what I remember, my late brother’s skill is [Negotiation]. If he’s still alive, he’s probably become a diplomat or has a job related to it. People born with combat skill like my [Spearmanship] are rare in this family.
Since we are known as a family of civil officers, Zeavert Household participation will only be for show. Father probably thought that the most I would do is to watch the battle from a safe distance.
I know that won’t happen. This is a sure-lose battle, at least according to the game, and like it or not I’m going to have to participate. After thinking about what I remember about this battle from my past life memories, I decided my next course of action.
“Norbert, call Max. Also, post an army recruitment notice and then go buy some supplies.”
“Recruitment and supplies?”
Norbert’s voice is full of doubt. Well, that’s not strange.
Even if I know this is a sure-lose battle, I still need to thoroughly prepare for my survival.