242. All for the Sake of Our World

This is a story from the perspective of the other world.

While Kazuto and the others were steadily raising their levels and expanding their forces, preparations for the decisive battle were also being made in another world.

“Sigh…”

In the corridor of a certain royal castle, a young girl let out a sigh.

She appeared to be around fifteen or sixteen years old.

Dressed in a black habit with a large cross tattoo on her forehead, her name was Orion Caller.

Known by the epithet “Holy Ark,” she was one of the heroes chosen for the Vanguard.

“How did it come to this…?”

It was merely a monologue.

Ever since she was chosen for the Vanguard—or more accurately, ever since she learned of the world’s lifespan and the plan to invade another world—this problem had been weighing heavily on her mind.

“Invading without even attempting to talk… I cannot accept this…”

To begin with, the act of “invasion” itself was something she could not find justifiable.

Just because their own world was reaching its end, they would invade another and claim it as their new home.

Was that not an incredibly selfish logic?

“…That must be why Libera-sama also gave up on us…”

The woman hailed as the world’s greatest magician.

She had broken ties with them and crossed over to the other world in order to stop their plan.

“…If possible, I wish she had taken me with her.”

If that had happened, she could have spoken with the inhabitants of the other world.

As a bridge between the two worlds, she could have appealed for their migration more peacefully.

However, to do that, one had to discard their humanity.

The system created by the Sage was programmed to send only monsters to the other world first.

The only way to transfer ahead of time was to fall into undeath, like Libera or Ivar.

And she could not throw away being “human.”

She could not turn the whole world into her enemy like Libera, nor could she vanish without a word to those around her like Ivar.

“How half-hearted I am…”

Because she couldn’t choose either path, she continued to agonize like this even now.

She loathed herself for dragging things out this far without making a choice.

“Agonizing in indecision again, I see.”

Her monologue received an answer.

Turning around, she saw a handsome, sturdy man.

He carried a red spear, and one of his eyes was covered by an eyepatch.

His name was Beld Raven. Like Orion, he was one of the members chosen for the Vanguard.

“Beld-san… Do you really think this is right? I simply cannot accept it. To attack them—the otherworlders—unilaterally without even establishing a place for dialogue.”

“It’s unavoidable.”

The man called Beld dismissed her doubts bluntly.

“We have no time. Even if we established a place for dialogue, there’s no way the people of the other world could prepare to accept us. There are only three months left until this world ends, you know?”

“Even so, we won’t know unless we try. If we talk properly, surely…”

“Even if the result is that everything ends up being in vain?”

“Ts…”

“I support Randall. He’s a disagreeable man, but it’s a fact that he puts the people first.”

“…But the ‘otherworlders’ are not included among those people…”

“Naturally. We are heroes, not gods. The people we can save are limited. It’s a matter of priority. It’s only natural to prioritize our own world over another. I feel bad for those in the other world, but we simply had no other path. That’s all there is to it.”

“…”

“Besides… I’m satisfied as long as I can finish off the traitor.”

As he said that, Beld’s expression distorted for the first time—into a face of fury and hatred.

“The traitor… do you really think your brother, Ivar-san, truly betrayed us?”

“Of course. After retiring, he poked his nose back in only to be easily swayed by the humans of the other world and betray us. He is no longer my brother. He is merely a disgrace to the clan.”

Beld’s hand tightened around his spear.

To him, the mission of the world didn’t matter.

His obsession was singular: to kill Ivar, the stain on his family and his biological older brother.

Compared to that, all other problems were trifles.

Then, another person joined the conversation.

“Haaa—Orion, Beld, you’re both thinking too hard about this…”

He was a man who seemed devoid of any drive or vigor.

His name was Glen.

Known by the epithet “Flame Emperor,” he was one of the Vanguard.

“Our job is just to go to the other world and kill the otherworlders, right? Why make it so complicated?”

“Just killing them…? Isn’t that exactly the problem! The otherworlders are humans just like us—”

“Ah, enough of that. Those are things for the bigwigs to think about after the job is done… Human rights, territory, whatever; we can just punch each other first and then talk about it later. Honestly, it’s a pain.”

Glen yawned while stroking his stubble.

Looking at his lethargic, unmotivated form, Orion cradled her head.

Who would believe it?

That this slovenly, middle-aged man was the only one in the Vanguard capable of fighting on equal terms with that Libera.

“Besides, Orion-chan, unlike us, your ‘job’ is already decided from the start, so it’s easy for you, isn’t it?”

“Ts…”

Orion was at a loss for words.

As Glen said, she and two others had roles decided from the beginning.

In fact, it would be more accurate to say she and those two were chosen for the Vanguard solely for the sake of those roles.

Otherwise, no matter how much of a hero she was, someone with opposing views like her would never have been selected.

“So, what did you come here for?”

The previously silent Beld asked.

“Ah, right. Randall is calling both of you. I think the entire Vanguard is being summoned.”

“Say that sooner, you fool!”

The three hurried toward Randall.

In the great hall, the other members were already gathered.

Their leader, Randall, glared at the three latecomers.

“You’re late.”

“Sorry~, my business in the bathroom took a while.”

“You… fine. Everyone is here now.”

Randall frowned for a moment at Glen’s lack of remorse but quickly regained his composure.

He slowly surveyed the nine people who would journey to the other world with him.

Starting with the “Flame Emperor,” all nine were worthy of being called heroes in this world.

They were the pinnacle of their world, each possessing the power to fight even against the Six Kings, holders of forbidden curses, or monsters like the Divine Tree.

A membership more than sufficient in terms of combat power.

However, while their power was sufficient, they were not “perfect.”

After all, the “Dead King” Libera Lebenherz was on the other side.

By now, she was likely in the middle of teaching the otherworlders their tactics and countermeasures.

If they were thoroughly prepared against, even a gap in power could potentially be overturned.

Randall understood the importance of compatibility and strategy all too well.

“But that is only if they have sufficient time…”

He would overturn that premise.

Yes, for instance—what would happen if they could transfer over right at this very moment?

The enemy would be caught unprepared and face a surprise attack by the otherworld’s greatest combat force.

They would secure a certain victory.

However, doing so required further tampering with the system and a vast amount of energy.

Adding more alterations to a system that had already been tampered with twice could cause errors, and in the worst case, the system itself might collapse.

“Libera, you will regret betraying us…”

Randall had thought of it.

A loophole to tamper with the system and a method to resupply the energy to compensate for it.

He pulled a purple crystal from his pocket.

The Master Key for intervening in the system.

The raised crystal emitted a dazzling light, conveying his will to the system.

To hasten their transfer time and cross over to that land right now.

All to outwit Libera and ensure their victory.

Facing the Vanguard, Randall made a grand declaration.

“Now, everyone, the time has come. Let us journey to the other world.”

Thus, the invasion began.

At the best possible timing for the Vanguard.

And at the worst possible timing for Kazuto and the others.

Currently Identified Vanguard Members:

• Randall: Leader of the Vanguard.

• Orion Caller: “Holy Ark.” A blind nun.

• Beld Raven: Wielder of a red spear.

• Glen: “Flame Emperor.” Apparently capable of fighting on par with Libera.

End of 242