Chapter 44

“Is Takumi worried about not being able to predict the monster attack in this city?”

Baffled, I weakly shake my head at the two of them. “No, it’s not that. In the place I originally came from, there was a story that described the fate of this country. It might be hard to believe, but…”

“Fate?”

“That story depicted a crisis that would occur in this country. The sealed demon lord would be resurrected, and along with that, the number of monsters would increase. The reason I knew about the monster attack in Tomi Village beforehand was because I had read that story.”

“What… how could that be?”

“Do you know the contents of that story now? Was the situation of Menonu City also mentioned in that story?”

At Gazelle’s question, I bit my lower lip. “I don’t know anymore.”

“You don’t know…?”

“I like the people living in Ritzheim and the members of the Black-winged Knights. So, I wanted to help everyone and ended up taking actions that weren’t mentioned in the story. Saving the people of Tomi Village, making potions, fighting the wyverns…”

“…”

“But because of that, the person who was supposed to come to this country didn’t come. Menonue City shouldn’t have been attacked by monsters at this timing… My recklessness have caused the summoning ceremony to be non-existent.”

I’ve said it. I’ve finally managed to say it. Such conflicting emotions was swirling inside my chest.

Silence fell in the room for a while, but Gazelle was the first one to speak up.

“Hmm… ” The moment he sighed a little, my body instinctively tensed up.

“What kind of person is that?”

“Eh?”

“The person that you mentioned just now, ‘the one who was supposed to come to this country.’”

“Oh, you mean the one who was supposed to come through the Savior Summoning Ceremony?”

“Ah, that’s right… ”

I don’t know how to respond when asked what kind of person they are.

While I was puzzled, Felix kneeled before me, peering into my face.

“Is that person someone you know, Takumi? Do you know about their age or gender?”

At Felix’s continued questioning, I was at a loss for an answer. …Um, the protagonist of “Change the World”? What should I say? The protagonist can be male or female, so I don’t even know which one would come…

“I don’t know them. I don’t even know if the person is a male or female…”

Gazelle stared intently at my face. And then, with a smile, he ruffled my hair, saying, “Then, stop thinking about it!”

“…Eh? …Wait, what?!”

“You don’t even know them, and you don’t even know if that person’s a male or female, right? Sure, they might be strong if they were summoned through the Savior Summoning Ceremony. But there’s no point in relying on someone whose details are unknown.”

“But, that person is really important for this country, right? Thanks to them, we can win various battles and develop potions and elixirs, right?”

“Takumi, didn’t you already develop potions?”

“That’s true, but!”

Before I knew it, the heavy atmosphere in the room dissipated.

Felix chuckled amusedly, “Hehe… But Takumi, I agree with Captain Gazelle. I don’t know how strong or knowledgeable that person seemed to you, but… To us, they are strangers who wasn’t here when the country was in crisis. Whether they come or not, it’s a trivial matter to me.”

“But…”

“More importantly, the fact that you came to this country is far more significant and precious. I’m sure the people of Tomi Village, whom you saved, feel the same way.”

“Ah…” …That’s right, I had forgotten. Because of what I did, the “protagonist” was no longer summoned to this world. However, by coming to this world, I was able to save the people of Tomi Village.

That was something the “protagonist” couldn’t do.

“Felix is right. For us, it’s far more valuable that you came to this country and joined the Black-winged Knights.”

“Gazelle…”

“Or is there something else? Is that person more reliable than Felix and me? Huh?”

“N-No, that’s not it! Of course, Gazelle and Felix are much stronger and more reliable, but still…”

“Then, it’s all good, isn’t it?” Gazelle’s finger touched my cheek. And, at the same time, Felix’s hand tightly wrapped around mine. He then added, “Don’t ever rely on someone you’ve never met again. If you want to rely on someone or need help, think of us first.”

“Yes. We swear on the knight’s sword. If you ask for our help, both Captain Gazelle and I will be your strength, no matter what.”

In the meantime, golden and amethyst-colored eyes gazed at me gently. For a moment, I was captivated by their eyes and smiles, unable to move.

So… cool!! W-What’s this? My commander and vice-commander are incomparably handsome, not just in this world, but in the entire galaxy…!

Moreover, it’s not just their good looks, but the immense care and love in their words that struck my heart deeply. Their deep, passionate feelings. The fact that they were directed at me made my cheeks involuntarily flush. But at that moment, the noise outside the house suddenly grew louder, and I snapped back to reality.

“Commander Gazelle!”

“Hey, what’s going on?”

“It seems the monsters have gathered at the south gate again!” A member of the Black-winged Knights, who had barged into the house, reported with a pale face.

Gazelle nodded at the member and turned to me, scratching his head with his palm. “Felix, I’ll defend the south gate. You take care of the evacuation preparations for the injured knights and the citizens.”

“Co-Commander Gazelle! I will come along with you too—”

“This is an order, Felix. The situation is quite dire. However, it’s also an opportunity with the monsters gathered at the south gate. Evacuate as many citizens as possible through the opposite gate. Use your team for the citizens’ escort.”

“Tsk…!” With an order from Gazelle, the leader, Felix had no choice but to obey. Gazelle smiled at the distressed Felix and lightly patted his back.

Ah. I’ve seen this scene before.

It was a still scene from the game. The eternal farewell scene between Gazelle and the protagonist and vice-commander Felix as they left the city to request reinforcements during the Black-winged Knights’ annihilation event.

No, I can’t give up here! Now, Gazelle and Felix… They said they were happy to see me. Not the game’s protagonist, but me, who is so cowardly and can’t do anything, they were glad I came to this world, to this country.

Therefore, I need to respond to the feelings of those two who said so. There must still be something I can do. But honestly, this situation is quite a dead-end! Ugh, the situation is better than the original annihilation event since the White-winged Knights and the Yellow-winged Knights have come to help… But it the battle seems far from over… Oh, speaking of which, Leon from the White-winged Knights is much nicer than I thought?

During the joint meeting, he volunteered to support Menonu City, which surprised me. The man was easier to talk to than in the game and friendly, too…

…But even with Leon and his team joining, the situation hasn’t changed much… In the game’s event, the protagonists went to a neighboring city to ask for reinforcements from the White-winged Knights, but it seems like their help wouldn’t have made much of a difference anyway? But, in that situation, there probably weren’t any other reliable knights or forces for the protagonists to rely on…

Reliable forces, huh. Can I rely on them too? But, if it’s these two… these two who believed my story about coming from another world… “Gazelle, Felix.”

I swallowed my saliva. And scolded my trembling legs.

…The idea I’ve come up with… the content I’m about to reveal is one of the daring strategies taken by the protagonists in “Change the World.” Proposing this to them will surely bring about more game scenario changes in this world than developing the potion. But, there was no doubt in my heart anymore.

I’m still not completely free from fear… But Gazelle and Felix had said it. That it’s more valuable for me to be here right now than the absent “protagonist.” And that they can rely on me. So, I’ll believe in those words.

Even if the proposal I’m about to make is absurd and completely unfounded— I believe these two will accept and trust my words.