The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 76: The Devil's Breath, Part 1

Today is the first time after a while that I have posted two chapters in a row.

- ワイアード

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Central District, Capital of the Hardiquese vassal, Gwavan Empire

After a while following the war with the Federated States of Cuadrado, the devastating damage caused by the chimeras had gradually begun to recover. The cityscape of the Imperial Capital was starting to return to its usual routine. However, today was different.

Across the central district of the Imperial Capital and various locations, Imperial soldiers were deployed, standing in position with weapons in hand. Some were stationed in alleyways, squares, on rooftops, and even in underground passages. The general citizens had no idea why there were so many soldiers and, feeling uneasy, continued their work and reconstruction efforts. But the civilians weren't the only ones feeling uneasy.

In fact, the soldiers themselves were completely unsure of why this was happening. It felt as if they were preparing for an enemy invasion into the Imperial Capital. But despite having received their orders some time ago, nothing was happening, and many bored soldiers were cleaning their swords, spears, and guns just to pass the time.

"Ugh! Why does it have to be like this? At this rate, it'd be way better to just help with the reconstruction!"

"I don't know... It's an order from above."

The soldiers stationed in the hall couldn't hide their irritation and voiced their dissatisfaction. Just then, the commander appeared. The commander, attempting to snap the soldiers out of their apathy, gave them a stern warning.

"Hey! What are you all slacking off for!?"

"S-sir!!"

"We're sorry! But..."

"What!?"

"W-what exactly are we preparing for? Deploying soldiers all over the capital... It feels like we're getting ready for urban warfare or something..."

"Y-yeah, everyone's worried about it... What's going to happen?"

At the words of his subordinates, the commander didn't get angry but instead looked troubled and fell silent.

"Commander?"

"...I don't know."

"Huh?"

"We don't understand either. Even the generals don't know... This is an order straight from His Majesty... We really have no idea why... but we can't defy the order."

"Even the generals don't know?"

"Yes, so we just have to follow the order without question... Understand!?"

The soldiers didn't feel satisfied, but they decided it was better to stay silent than get reprimanded further.

"What the hell... what is going on... huh? Nagia? What are you looking at? A letter?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah! It's a letter from my childhood friend in the neighboring town... Heh, we're getting married next month!"

"Seriously!?"

"Dammit, that's awesome!"

"So... Let's just finish this job quickly, and then head back to the town! I can't wait to see her."

Meanwhile, soldiers on the watchtower at the main gate of the Imperial Capital, grumbling about the confusing orders from above, noticed something in the sky.