To New City

A/N: The Ending of this Arc will be dope. But, yeah, only in my mind. You know the Meme about how Expectation and Reality are pretty different. 

And of course, there's also how I can just lose enthusiasm and stir into a completely different course of action. Just like the existence of this Arc. All because I don't know how to write Kiyotaka activity during the twelve days of Suzune's group training in guilds.

The very first Chapter's scene should be just after this. Or possibly to the deeper levels of Cyrene Mines instead, in a level where Death Spots ain't a fucking thing. Progression, my man. Even though I'm bad at it, I like it so I'll do it.

***

"I didn't expect you'd be in Spearhead."

Honami giggled. "I didn't expect Manabu-san to invite you here either."

"The others put up quite a fight at first, though."

"But here you are, which means you've proved yourself capable. You're also the one who defeated the Death Spots, aren't you? We had such a terrible time dealing with it back then, and yet you took it out by yourself. That's incredible."

"She said it!" Mako exclaimed. She was constantly beaming with a smile. I'm genuinely curious how she could maintain that. "You're so awesome...! I can feel it, y'know?"

Yuki sighed. "Your feelings are usually mistaken, though."

"Uh, for real?!"

"Well, not this time," she mumbled, giving me a quick peek before averting her gaze. "Even I can tell."

"I can't tell anything!" Sou proudly stated.

'...they underestimated this a bit too much,' I thought. We're in enemy territory right now, even if it's just the Old City. Lack of caution will lead to something awful.

"Enough, focus on your roles," Ryuji ordered. He seemed used to it.

I've discovered in advance that Honami's party is in Spearhead from Manabu. There is one other party, and they are currently scouring Wonder Hole for an alternative path to the former Kingdom of Arabakia. Seems like something happened there causing them to not be able to come back.

"So you're subjugating Arabakia for the sake of glory or what?" I inquired.

Honami wore a dry smile. "You may see it that way."

In other words, I may suspect they have other purposes. 

As I wasn't a member of Spearhead, it was natural for them not to just blindly pass on their intentions to a stranger. "Still, what exactly are we planning to do by scouting New City?"

Honami had no problem answering that question. "Well, we're aiming to negotiate with the goblin's king."

"The other races have this preconception about goblins being too foolish to come to a negotiating table," Ryuji carried on. "But with a little bit of understanding, we should be capable of bringing them to the same table, mutually benefitting each other. The Kingdom of Arabakia did that once with the construction of Alterna long ago."

"Alterna's construction, huh...?"

I also had a slight suspicion about that. With such proximity to Damuro, the Arabakia side must have had some talk with the goblins to have them turn a blind eye to the city's construction. It seemed that the orcs or kobolds didn't even care about the goblins' activity. They both looked down on them despite having been in the same alliance long ago.

"Deadhead Watching Keep built shortly after to keep an eye on human activity. Now and then they'd try to overthrow Alterna."

"Ahh, that did happen recently, didn't it?" Sou recalled. "That assault from Ish Dogran. The new recruit Renji slew him, they say. Damn, the batch after us is dope."

"We also have one, you know?" Mako replied. "Masumi-chan's group isn't too flashy, but Kakeru-kun is a real beast!"

"He's a total maniac," Yuki concurred.

"Speaking of Masumi-chan, I wonder about her well-being..."

We encountered a group of five goblins before long. 

"Sou-kun!" Honami called out.

"Righty-o!"

Sou displayed considerable strength as a warrior. Although it was below Ken, he'd be on par with Yousuke who, once stepping up to the front, exhibited substantial ability. 

"Yuki."

Ryuji's task was similar to Suzune's. And if it had to be compared again to her, they weren't that different. Yuki skillfully pierced the enemy's back from the back as Ryuji held off two goblins. 

"Delm, hel—" Honami recited. A fireball materialized and sailed into the goblin's head fighting Sou.

"Nice!" Sou went on with his intense attack.

Honami mentioned that her magic focused on the Arve or fire type. But other than Fireball, she only used Magic Missile to support her comrades. It was no doubt to conserve energy. Mages drew elemental strength by relying on spiritual energy acquired through meditation.

"Goooo!"

Even in battle, Mako had always been upbeat. Well, she always kept a watchful eye on the battle despite that. I'm assured she'll heal the troubling wounds immediately. In addition, she acted as a cheerleader, which was quite effective, especially on Sou.

"—?!" Ryuji gets startled.

I hadn't just stood idly in place. I already sold my longsword, and my armor still remains second-hand, but I have my rapier still. 

I slain the one goblin Ryuji put up with so much as a slash. Yuki, who had been fending off a goblin's attack, got sidetracked by my action. She missed the goblin's next attack by a hair's breadth. "—ah." 

I skewered the goblin's skull before it could do anything to Yuki.

"Orahh!" Sou knocked down two goblins simultaneously. "There!" He stomped one goblin's head until it was bent and then rammed his broadsword into the face of the other one with no restraint. "Alright, it's done!"

"That was cool, Kiyotaka-kun!" Mako rushed over to me.

Honami watched from behind with an awestruck gaze.

"I suppose you can easily toy the Death Spots using that skill," Ryuji shook his head. "What else can you do?"

I shrugged, not giving any answers.

Old City was huge. Damuro had apparently been the second largest city of the Arabakia Kingdom after Rhodekia, the Arabakia capital. It was in the far south of the Kingdom. It took several hours for us to arrive near the wall leading to New City.

"Old City contains the goblins who were defeated in power struggle. Failures. The goblins in New City are more assertive than the lack of energy from Old City. Be careful."

Ryuji sure likes to explain.

"Are you planning to join the Spearhead clan?" Honami questioned.

"That depends on my party leader." I replied. "I'd love to join. If Suzune refuses, I... might consider leaving the party." I deliberately paused a little at the end.

My reason for staying in Suzune's party was nothing special. I had thought about it several times. Compared to what the Spearhead clan was trying to achieve, what I currently aim was definitely more trivial. I wouldn't hesitate to leave if needed.

"Well, they're still your friends, after all," Honami averted her gaze with a dry smile. For some reason, she seemed disappointed. But she immediately turned to look back with a positive attitude. "If you do decide to join regardless, I'll be happy to accept you. Please keep that in mind."

I was rather puzzled. "Why?"

"W-Why...?" Honami tilted her head. Then, for some reason, she went flustered. "W-W-Well, w-we're both volunteer soldiers, right? Y-You're skillfull too, so there shouldn't be any problems adjusting quickly to the party and all..."

Honami lowered her head as she said all that. Her answer still didn't satisfy me. "...Yeah, I guess so."

"Hmm?" Mako peered up at Honami from below. There was a smirk on her face. "What are you embarrassed about, Honami-chaaan?"

"Eh?! I-I'm not embarrassed!"

"Ehehe, you're lying...!"

"I'm not!"

"L-Y-I-N-G!"

"Unghh."

Ryuji and Sou also found it strange like mine. Yuki shot me an appraising look. "...What have you done to her?"

"I haven't done anything."

I was confused myself. '—no, not really, I guess. She once said that she felt like she knew me before coming to Grimgar. That might be why.'

'I don't know what's what, though.'