Protect What’s Ours

The man immediately ran towards the town and met with his friends, and went into separate directions.

Based on Walter's and the troops' pace they should arrive there by the afternoon. I still have an hour to gather any volunteers in order to help them against that large force.

At first, I thought of informing Walter first, but if I did the situation would just worsen, I wouldn't be able to catch up, even if I did, if we can't stall them there they would overrun the village.

It's better to organize another unit here and coordinate with Walter later on.

If I don't gather any volunteers, at the given time, it's all or nothing no matter what happens I have to keep that Kazutrash alive.

It's the best thing I could do.

After an hour, still, no one showed up.

Perhaps I was too delusional, even Walter could barely gather a hundred of troops and I'm expecting to gather another hundred?

I hate myself for even thinking of it.

Even if I did would it be enough to turn the tables against those monsters?

As I was slowly filled with negative thoughts.

I steeled myself, as I pursed my lip.

It's no use huh? I thought that words alone could move people but I guess its different per circumstance. Back then, when I was able to pull it off, it was just a minor skirmish, and people's lives weren't at stake, and now I'm asking them to risk getting them killed.

The circumstance back then was just better, and I was just lucky.

To think that I let that achievement made me overconfident.

But he still has me.

Even if no one comes with me, I will still move forward for him.

In our old world I have abandoned him, this time I won't let this second chance go away, I will do everything I can to stay by his side, no matter what happens!

It's a shame... I still have so many things to tell him but if we die, at least we die together.

At the moment of danger where our lives were at stake, I was reminded again about how much I really loved him, and also about how much trouble I caused him in the past life, that even by doing all these stuff for him, could never make amends for what I did.

If it wasn't for me he would be alive with Yui, and they would eventually get married and have kids and have a happy life.

But in a blink of an eye, because of my selfishness, we died in our original world and are now reincarnated at the same time in this world.

Is this gods way of punishing me for what I did? I guess karma really works for evil girls like me.

But despite all of this, despite all the guilt I feel, he still told me that he still loves me and as a woman, I have to give my answer.

I don't know if its real love or was just love brought by his relief that I was reincarnated together with him.

I know I have to give my answer, even at my last breath.

God… I know you may be punishing me for the horrible things I did to him, but at least give me the chance to make it up for him, I should be the one to die not him, he doesn't deserve to die this early in his second life, the life he got into because I ran towards that red light.

Next time, if I get reincarnated again, please take away these bitter feelings I keep in my heart and don't let us meet again like this.

So that Kazu, and Walter, could live their lives fully without my meddlesome existence.

I covered my face as tears were starting to flow.

Knowing that there's no one there to aid me at this rescue, I decided to move forward as I don't have time anymore.

I held the reins and faced the shortcut to the woods, where I would be able to lay an ambush.

I'm not really that confident but, if I could just rescue Walter that would be enough.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be able to rescue the whole army by myself.

He is also a person of the other world like me, and with exceptional knowledge at that, and knowing him for years, I'm sure he would retreat, and that would be my chance.

It's a bit handy, knowing how my ex things, I just pray that he would act just the way I think he would.

As I was about to hit my horse Nessie, I heard footsteps behind me, and a man running towards me exhausted breathing heavily.

"Sorry madame it took a while…. hah… hah… hah… these are the people who want to accompany you"

He pointed his hand to the once empty road that led to the gate, and there they slowly appeared and the sound of the footsteps grew numerous.

Women and men appeared, some of them still wore their work clothes, the meat butchers, the town bakers, the housewives, the carpenters, the former rats, the blacksmiths, everyone in all walks of life who was part of the country gathered.

There were also some nobles and merchants.

The one who sold me the bow was also there distributing arms to everyone with his young staff.

The blacksmiths and weapon merchants distributed steel weapons.

The merchants who had highly trained bodyguards with them also showed up to add to the strength.

There were also nobles who had their retainers with them in arms.

"Everyone… "

I couldn't believe it, I just witnessed a miracle happen at the last minute.

They stared at me with courage written in their faces, ready to fight for what they treasure.

"Everyone…. "

I felt my cheek warming as tears fell down my face.

"Th-Th-Thank you for helping me, sorry for the trouble I will be involving you on"

I instinctively bowed to them, grateful to them as Yuri and Tiffania.

"It's fine young mistress, we believe you just like how you chased Zack's men out of this city.

To be honest I also don't like war so the town and cities of this territory lets me live in peace, I won't let those goblins trample on this city!

So I am lending all of the weapons in my shop… you guys better return it after ehy?"

The one who spoke was the weapon shop owner, everyone who received his weapon laughed.

"And the cause of those goblins coming here is that war right? It isn't the prince Walter or your fault, both of you are doing your best in making this a safe, nice, and warm country for us.

Of course it's natural for us to protect it with him!"

The next one who spoke was one of the housewives.

Everyone then gave their thoughts.

"Boss, is our hero after all! We former rats, are now common people and are now able to eat three times a day and we are able to find work easily and wear these clean clothes!"

"We trust the Boss' wife yey!"

"Prince Walter enabled us to settle here, and have citizenship, as a traveling merchant it is profitable to help preserve the peace of this small but flourishing country"

"The prince is of the neutral faction, of course, as a noble I would accompany him in battle, even if it's just me and my retainers"

And the final one to appear was someone very familiar to me.

A man on his 40's who has a strange long mustache, and has the same black hair as me, wearing a full-plate armor.

"D-D-Dad?!!! Why are you also here?!"

"Of course I would come to aide my beautiful daughter"

My father is as doting as usual, the guards of the duke's state were already with Walter, he has helped enough.

But to think he would personally join the battle, I'm so moved by his appearance… but suddenly I remembered my demon mom's image. I guess us Father and Daughter will be scolded together after this.

"Now what? My daughter? Aren't we going to set off in battle?"

Then he placed his hand on his side as if presenting something.

And there appeared Walter's pretty maids, and Lizzy having bows with them carrying various strange weapons, the mains carried a sickle, a halberd, a scythe a tonfa and a maul.

As expected of the maids hired by the royal family. But I'm surprised they haven't smacked Walter with those for his somehow perverted behavior towards them.

Lizzy smiled and waved at me wryly as she carried a dagger.

This girl really…

I smiled at the sight of my personal maid.

"Everyone! Let's protect what's ours! Charge!"

I shouted and one thousand citizens of Stizriven moved forward in order to protect our country.