Torn Asunder by War, A Sword Saint for Tomorrow X The Knight Wizards!! – Chapter 28

Chapter 28
  “Could it be that you’re quite a fan of science fiction?”
  “Japanese speculative fiction and such stories are often like that.”
  
  “That’s interesting too, but let’s prioritize the continuation of the story for now. If the direction the world is heading changes to the point of no return… what do you think will happen?”
  
  Worlds that have branched out to the point where they cannot be integrated lose their continuity, meaning they are thrown out of the space-time continuum they originally belonged to, and the destination they ultimately reach as a result is…
  
  “Like, they attract various possibilities as parallel worlds and become a different space-time continuum?”
  “Yes, that’s largely the same as my opinion. This world is probably Earth, which belonged there.”
  
  Come to think of it, when Revia gave me apple wine on the first day, I felt a sense of incongruity about the existence of apples. And even after that, the ingredients were occasionally mixed with things I’d never seen before, but they were no different from things on Earth… It’s hard to believe all of a sudden.
  
  “Lady Nina, do you have any basis for saying that with such certainty?”
  
  “The atmospheric composition, the existence and positional relationship of the moon and the sun, and other things, but the probability that this isn’t Earth is astronomically low. I don’t know where we took a wrong turn, but there’s even magic and such…”
  
  For a while, if I close my eyes and reflect on everything I’ve experienced up to this point, even though there is mental resistance, her words seem reasonable.
  
  “Well, what I have to do doesn’t change. I just have to wield my blade for the sake of everyone who has accepted me.”
  “I like that kind of cool thinking, but I want to go home.”
  
  “… Is there anything that could serve as a starting point?”
  “Yes, the Spirit Gate fragment you brought me. I’m truly grateful for it.”
  
  Expressing her gratitude with a smile, she reached for the remaining few pieces of tempura. Since I don’t know when I’ll be able to eat Japanese food again, I unhesitatingly help myself to the vegetable tempura.
  
  After that, we continued eating while also engaging in small talk. I learned that she was also considering ways for the Rare Humans living in the core city near her knees to return home, and as I deepened my understanding of her, we finished the meal that had been served.
  
  Finally, after sipping the cooled tea and going outside with Nina, Revia, who had been waiting for us, glares at us with a pout.
  
  “You’re late! While I’m starving over here… What did you eat?”
  “Soba and tempura.”
  
  “Hmm, that sounds delicious!”
  “I’ve had the castle’s dining hall prepare a meal for the escorts, so shall we head back quickly?”
  
  Following the words of the young lady, who smiled wryly at the red-haired girl complaining of hunger, Aynst, acting as her guard, gave instructions and called back the knights who had been securing the back entrance.
  
  Among those who appeared from the alleyway with swift movements were the squires led by Eleia.
  
  “It’s time to withdraw, Claude-sama.”
  
  “Ah, thank you for the escort. And my thanks to Lloyd as well.”
  “Don’t worry about it. It’s part of my job, after all.”
  
  While I briefly expressed my gratitude to the silver-haired, blue-eyed siblings, Aynst, who had quickly confirmed that both sides’ personnel were assembled, approached the lord he served and exchanged a few words before starting to walk towards the small castle.
  
  Following the Zephyrus knights who were leading the way, just as we had when we came here, we set off on our return journey, seen off by Genzo, who bowed his head.
  
  I should also mention that Revia, who had been sulking, was in a good mood by the time we left the dining hall, as she seemed to enjoy the traditional Zephyrus meat dish and the panna cotta made with egg whites and milk that had been prepared for the escorts.
  
  And the following afternoon, in order to bring back the giant knights Belphegor and Begalta, we took advantage of the free time we had until the Magic Cores were replaced with the designated attributes and went out into the city, inviting the Lunavadis siblings, who were also at a loose end.
  
  Initially, we were supposed to be searching for a cafeteria where we could have dessert, as decided by a majority vote among the two girls and my overly doting younger sister… but Revia, with her insatiable curiosity, was drawn to the shops selling ornaments and accessories lining the main street, and somehow, we ended up choosing souvenirs for Izana.
  
  “Hmm, I think this would suit her ♪”
  “Then, let’s get that…”
  
  I was about to buy the gold hair ornament with delicate decorations that she recommended, but Eleia, who peeked in from the side, rejected it.
  
  “You can’t just decide based on what you’re told. You have to choose it with Izana-sama in mind, or your feelings won’t be conveyed. That would be a breach of etiquette.”
  
  “… Hey, Lloyd, don’t you think this black choker would look good with Eleia’s silver hair?”
  
  When I casually picked up a thin belt choker and recommended it to the silver-haired, blue-eyed knight, he seemed to understand my intention and nodded with a mischievous smile.
  
  “You’re right. I think I’ll buy it.”
  “Eh, really!? Brother… Ah.”
  
  Lloyd handed a few silver coins to the shopkeeper in response to Eleia, who blushed and lowered her head at his unexpected action, and received the purchased black choker directly, fastening it around his sister’s neck.
  
  “Ooh, thank you very much.”
  “Well, consider it an apology for teasing you.”
  
  Seeing him gently stroke her head with a smile, Revia and I, who were left out, were at a loss for how to react.
  
  “In the end, it’s all about who bought it for you, isn’t it, Claude?”
  “That’s quite a materialistic way of looking at it…”
  
  However, thinking that way gave me confidence in my ability to choose, and after some hesitation, I also bought a silver bangle cuff that I thought would suit Izana.