035 | Coincidence?

What are the chances that you leave a nation just to avoid war and you end up entering another nation that's going into war?

Personally, I don't think the chances are very low. Especially when it's currently happening right now.

My name is Asher. It's been a good week since the whole slave trade thing. Rudif has been going out a lot. This whole city and marketplace thing is an entirely different experience for him.

Every single day, Lisha and I have been working hard on getting her to awaken her ability to use magic. Her mana is definitely there but she can't control it at all.

As a matter of fact, she's unable to do anything out of the norm. That includes using Raw Energy, Spells, and anything that isn't possible with just sheer physical prowess.

Despite that, she was still able to use some sort of ability from her previous world. I wonder what this strange anomaly is.

"Don't lose control of the flow of mana."

I said as I had my hand on Lisha's back. She was sitting down on her knees with her eyes closed. Who would've known that the old man's method to train your mana control could be so efficient?

Lisha grunted a bit. Looks like she was having trouble. I'm actually surprised she managed to control her mana on her own for this long. I'm led to believe that she has experience controlling and manipulating a similar substance like mana in her previous life.

"Take deep breaths, Lisha. Don't think too hard about this. The flow of mana is something that's meant to come naturally to you."

If I were to describe this. It would be akin to taking your first steps as a baby. Through trial and error, you will fall countless times but eventually, walking comes naturally to you without even needing you to think or put effort into it.

Mana is similar to that. Due to the experience from both our past lives, learning new things in this world will naturally come to us quicker than others. Simply because of the similarities that it bears.

Lisha opened her eyes and exhaled. She gasped for air.

"Some water?"

I handed Lisha a cup of water which she willingly took. She took large gulps of water and wiped her mouth with her wrist.

"That was much better than yesterday."

"You're growing extraordinarily fast."

Unlike me who has those stupid Twelve Seals placed upon me, Lisha already has a firm foundation for mana. She didn't need to break two or three seals as I did.

"I have to work hard if I want to stay by your side."

As if Lisha just took in what she said, her face suddenly flushed red.

"I-I mean, I n-need to be able to f-fight alongside y-you guys!"

She nodded her head with such enthusiasm that I didn't even know how to reply.

"Y-yeah..."

"..."

"..."

"Can you help me do it again, Asher?"

I smiled, "Of course."

It wasn't long before we were interrupted though. In fact, right before we were about to begin, Pen barged into our room.

"Get out of here right now."

Both Lisha and I didn't see the urgency. Although, if something has gotten the AU manager THIS riled up, there's something off.

"What happened?", Lisha and I spoke simultaneously.

Pen was unlike himself. It was then that he informed us of the upcoming war.

The king is currently missing in action along with most of the royal family, excluding the current crown prince who's currently comatose.

To ensure order, the captains of the three orders in Yanalia temporarily took control under a decree that was written by the king a long time ago.

Martial law, you could say.

The enemy is the Grim Reaper. Quite literally. The one you often hear about in stories and myths. Well, at least the storybooks in my old world depicted something similar to a Grim Reaper. Though, we called it something else.

In this world, It's a skeleton monster with pitch-black bones and wields a scythe as its predominant weapon. Their ability to manipulate Death itself is quite fearsome amongst all the magic types.

"The two of you should leave."

Pen had an unexpectedly troubled face.

"I think I like it here. Don't you, Lisha?"

She smiled and nodded, "Yep! I think I want to stay here a little while longer!"

"Guys, you don't understand-"

"No, I think we do. There's going to be a massive war coming. Our opponent is the scary Grim Reaper himself."

"If you understand then-"

Lisha butted in, "Sorry Mr. Manager, we're going to be part of this."

Pen gave up. He sighed.

"Fine. I'll brief you guys on your tasks. I hope it's fine that you will be completely separate from being on the frontlines. You will at least follow this, won't you? Please consider my position. I don't want to be known as the Manager who sends children into their deaths. Mercenaries, or not."

I exchanged a glance together with Lisha. We nodded.

The least we could do was abide by that rule. If it were to soothe Pen's worries in some way, it should be alright to do so.

"That's fine," I said, "But if it gets too boring or it looks like they need some help, we're interfering."

"I just can't win against you if you're so focused on doing so. Fine."

Pen put his hand out for a handshake and I responded by giving him a firm grasp.

"You better not die either."

"As long as I don't come into a situation where I have to face the Grim Reaper one on one, there is no chance of me dying."

"That shouldn't happen...right?", Lisha asked.

Pen replies honestly.

"I sure hope not."

Then is Pen upright stating that he will lose if he encounters the Grim Reaper? Fascinating. I don't want to get too greedy but...I want to check this Grim Reaper out for myself.

With what I can do right now, at my full power I have a high likelihood of winning against Pen in a life or death situation. The only question is if I'm able to win against the Grim Reaper...

"Say, Pen? Are you, or are the Captains of Yanalia stronger?"

He smiled.

"Generously speaking, I think I would have an edge on the Captain of the Knights. However, I'm not sure about the other two."

"I guess you're roughly around the same strength as them then?"

"You said it, not me. Honestly speaking, I only got to the rank of a Three Star Gold Mercenary because I was constantly fighting when I was younger. I had no formal education or training. It's not surprising that I'm at their level. Moreover, I'm sure you've heard about the strength of this kingdom."

"Yanalia isn't really that strong compared to the other countries," Lisha said.

Pen nodded his head.

"Now, enough talk about that. Since you're all so stubborn about this, I'll bring you to where Rudif is. He's been waiting for a while."

It seems like Pen already met Rudif prior to coming here. I enhanced my sense of hearing with a quick spell and I heard lots of movement outside.

"Everyone's getting ready. Have you already been informed of where the enemy will come from?"

Pen nodded. We quickly put on our clothing, charitably given to us by the AU. They were simple but well-made clothing, suitable for battle and sustaining internal body temperatures. The backpack that our rabbit resides in is being carried by Rudif.

Lisha and I finished preparing in less than a minute. I looked over to Pen.

"Let's go."

* * *

We followed Pen out and while walking behind him, we seemed like the odd ones out. Knights and Mercenaries alike ran past us in the opposite direction. It's like every single civilian had already left or taken shelter somewhere.

"You must be wondering where they're going. The Captain of the Scouts has already prepared countermeasures for scenarios that are...similar to what we're encountering right now. The citizens are safe, rest assured."

I couldn't help but smirk. So there are still people who try their best to stay on the path of the righteous. Of course, a typical just individual does not involve others who are not related to their own fights.

We were led just outside the kingdom's walls. Rudif and the rabbit frolicked around on the open grass field.

"Mutt...What are you doing?"

Rudif took notice of our presence and immediately hid the rabbit.

"Uhm- training."

Lisha raised an eyebrow, "Uh-huh?"

Pen laughed with his loud voice.

"Cut him some slack, he's been waiting a few hours already! I met him while he was playing around in the marketplace! Then I told him to come to wait here."

Pen looked at all of us individually.

"Now that you're all here, I'll brief you on what's about to happen."

Everyone huddled closer.

"The Knights, Royal Guards, and Scouts have all gathered at the front gates."

Front gates...Then there must be a reason that Pen led us here, the very opposite of where they are all gathered upon.

"The Captain of the Scouts received word that the Grim Reaper has risen his own army from ravaging the nearby towns and villages."

No one said a word. It was silent. We all understood the weight of what Pen had said.

"The Grim Reaper's army is expected to arrive by nightfall. Right now, the sun is only beginning to set. I brought the three of you back here because this is the closest exit to the forest."

I think I know what he wants.

"Do you want us to flank them?"

Pen nodded. I was right.

"The three of you shall run straight towards the forest, undetected by anyone, even our own soldiers."

"Spies?"

Pen tilted his head. When he answered, his voice sounded as if he wasn't even sure.

"I can't rule out that possibility, but I also haven't officially confirmed anything. I believe there is a much bigger threat behind the Grim Reaper. What kind of unfortunate coincidence is it that such a monster suddenly appeared at the exact time that Yanalia's underground dungeon has been infiltrated?"

It was my, and obviously Lisha's and Rudif's, first time hearing this.

Lisha was smart enough to notice something off.

"Was the infiltration...something that happened within?"

Pen nodded.

"According to the analysis from the Scouts, it appears that a criminal rampaged through the entire dungeon, killing everyone. Now, where would a criminal muster that much power? And why didn't they use it before? Why now?"

I see that the gears in Rudif's tiny brain seem to be turning. He finally made a connection.

"Someone interfered and caused this war. They WANTED this....but why?"

Pen laughed and patted Rudif on the shoulder.

"That's a question that we have to solve together."