The Traveling Hero Won’t Let the Innkeeper’s Son Escape

That night, the broadcast of the gathering on board suddenly rang.

Ruth and the rest of the crew gathered in the cafeteria, where they were informed of their future policy.

"... you want to get us off the ship?

The story was about dropping off some of the people on Gilmore in the next city.

The people who were dropped off were non-combatants, such as parents working in the canteen, those in charge of research, transporting and cleaning supplies, and reserves like Daniels.

Of course, Ruth and the others were among the subjects.

"What do you mean?

"Actually...."

Without being informed of the details in the cafeteria, Ruth and the five of them decided to capture Cyrus, who had been absent from the meeting since daytime, and ask him about the situation. It seemed that Cyrus was calculated to be stopped, and he told me right away.

"You're going to storm the ark with Gilmore!?

What Cyrus told me was amazing.

There have been two attacks on the disappearing Gilmore, and it is certain that the enemy's abilities are increasing steadily. It also indicates that the opening of the sky gate is larger.

Even the people on the ground could still cope with the current situation, but if the gates were opened any further, the attack by the large species on the city would be jeopardized.

Especially dangerous were the kingdoms of Deoddart and Ziltania, closest to the ark. These two countries are now also a refuge for neighboring residents, so if they are attacked by a concentrated attack, they won't be able to swallow up.

"And then... this is classified... something like a finger comes out of the sky gate."

"Yubi... 'Fingers'?

"Oh, yeah. Something resembling a human finger is slightly visible, trying to open the gap between the sky gates. Besides, the size is stupid."

As it stands, I can't assure you that it is a finger, but if I assume that it is the same as a person, the body is bigger than a mountain.

"Big enough to cross the mountain... are you a person?

"Is that the other side of the Sky Gate?

"It's only possible....."

Cyrus looked reluctant, but did not deny it. Looks like it's hard to say that Ruth's imagination is wrong.

They were all terrified at the appearance.

What happens if a more sky gate opens and a mountain-sized, human-shaped creature enters even today's alien creatures? And that's not exactly what it is.

That's why Geo and the others made a sudden decision.

(It's more critical than I thought....)

Geo and the others seem to be on a mission to stop the Magic Cube before the gate opens any further, to storm Gilmore into the ark, to get on board and hit Zagres. Only the brave and the four gods in the world will participate in the operation. Because speed is important to this operation.

That's why they decided to drop people like Ruth and the others who couldn't fight. That's why I just notified you.

(That's right, of course I'm out of combat....)

Ruth can move compared to other villagers, but not even a B-rank bal can be defeated. Karen and the others are reliable buddies for Ruth, but they don't differ much in their abilities.

Looking at people like Geo and others who had extraordinary strength so that they could kill high-ranking monsters with one fingertip, Ruth and the others had no choice but to go out of combat.

"But the Ark is surrounded by magic, right? Did you solve the problem?

"No, I can't disarm the technique.... I'm sure you'll be able to resist a little bit, but no one will be able to stop the magic from being taken away."

"Wait a minute, and yet there are a lot of strong people entering the ark? That would absorb a lot of magic!? You've never broken into anything but the investigation team, have you? Not good!?

"Oh, no. It is possible that the opening of the sky gates will be activated at once."

Cyrus nodded with a sigh. The expression said, "I can't help it."

"If the gates were to open now, the fingers could come out... even larger alien creatures."

"That's right. Therefore, in countries other than Gilmore, you will be dealt with by the gates of the sky. Some of the out-of-standard beings on Gilmore will be able to deal with the Sky Gate."

"Parts of out-of-standard existence" means that there are circumstances such as Wonok, whose body is not perfect, and Hildegardo, who cannot move from the sea. The main power is to get into Gilmore. Cyrus is in your unit, too.

"So, you know the sky gates are opening rapidly, and you're getting in?

"Yeah, isn't that dangerous!?

"Honestly, it's awesome and dangerous.... those who entered from Gilmore are in critical condition to defeat Zagres first or the gates of the sky will open with absorbed magic."

"... of course there are odds, right?

"Geo-sama says there is... it's just..."

Cyrus frowned and closed his eyes and hid his voice.

"That's all I'm saying... I think it's going to be difficult."

The whereabouts of Zagres are still unknown in that vast ark. Breaking in and searching for it would be extremely difficult in a giant ark. The power of Zagres, who absorbed Alec while he was fully awake, exceeded that of Geo and the others. The story is that you don't think you can defeat such opponents in a short amount of time, even if it's a total attack.

"... don't you have any other hands?

"Attacks from the outside toward the ark do not work just by absorbing magic, and even if you enter, it will not change. The gates of the sky can't be closed here either, the creatures of the other realm will come out... and we'll have to hit Zagres directly."

"Is that why you have to imitate such a dangerous thing?

In Ed's disturbing words, Cyrus waved his head in silence.

"... Geo-sensei didn't suddenly decide on this operation. I've planned and executed a lot of operations before."

Ruth and the others were not told, but until today, they have tried to close the gates of the sky in various ways, attack the ark from the outside, and enter without being deprived of magic. But all of them have failed.

"The neck is the magical relationship between the quality of the Ark's defensive magic and the Sky Gate."

If you can push with force, something will happen, but the opponent is more powerful than us. In addition, we can't even get close to the detour because we use our power to ensure the safety of the ark.

"The gates of the sky are still open incrementally while this is happening. Geo-sensei also made a difficult decision....."

But that doesn't work either.

(Speaking of which...)

Ruth realizes there's someone Cyrus hasn't spoken to since. At the heart of this incident, and one of the problems, he wants Ruth to be above all else.

"... Mr. Cyrus, what's going on with Alec's rescue?

Ruth asks questions about Alec's presence, which he hasn't spoken to since.

Cyrus shook his head small.

"... I'm sorry, Ruth."

I'm going to suffocate at the words.

"Su, I won't...! No way... Alec's rescue... wasn't part of Geo-san's plan!?

Ruth stood up and crammed into Cyrus, desperately trying to scream out loud. Silas' eyes stared quietly at us with complicated feelings for Ruth.

"I'm sorry...."

Repeated apologies convinced Ruth that Geo and the others were not thinking of rescuing Alec.

"Hmm, why, why!? You're abandoning Alec!? You're going to leave Alec, who was fighting for the world, to be used by Zagres!

Ruth grabbed Cyrus's clothes while his body trembled in despair.

I glanced at him thinking he was lying, but Cyrus just turned a sincere eye.

"... we all want to do something about it. But nobody knows what Alec's up to now. Have you been completely absorbed by Zagres, or are you still trapped in there with your consciousness...? So... it was decided that rescue was impossible. I'm sorry."

"Oh no! Alec is alive, he's not completely absorbed! He's still in the ark! There he is!

Ruth can see Alec's light in his eyes, even from far away Gilmore. The glow is gradually diminishing, but it has not yet been lost. Alec was convinced that he was still alive.

"Ruth, calm down...!

Karen called and noticed that Cyrus was holding onto her. Karen slowly unwrapped the finger holding Silas' collar, and Yuan pulled it from behind to seat him in the chair. Ed and Kia stopped by and looked up worried.

The shaking of my body did not stop from shaking.

(Alec... Alec...)

I never thought this would happen. I knew Alec would be rescued. Ruth and I are going back to the village.

"... under the circumstances, I don't know where the ark is. I can't afford to rescue Alec..."

"Look, can't we at least go in the ark with Ruth and save Alec? I won't disturb anyone."

Turning to Ruth, who was losing his word, Karen asked me a question, and Cyrus shook his head.

"If we get inside, Zagres will attack us with the intention of dying, too. I can't afford to shelter you guys who don't have the power to survive... honestly, your power just makes you feet and hands tied. There is a limit to the number of people who can ride Gilmore. I can't take you."

A breathless silence overflowed the room.

"... I'm sorry I can't do anything, Ruth..."

As Cyrus stood up, he said nothing about what he had grabbed and lowered his head deeply toward Ruth.

Knowing that all hope had been lost to the apology, Ruth turned dark in front of him.