The Land of the Rising Sun Transfers to Another World

Chapter 142: The Night of Nightmares

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I'm getting kind of busy at work again...

- ワイアード

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5 km east of the Varngorst's crash site, forest on the Land of Owari's Outer Border

To recover medical supplies, communication devices, and establish contact with the base, as well as to rescue survivors, a 30-member dispatch team selected from the survivors of the flagship Varngorst cautiously advanced through the dim forest, maintaining a fixed interval between each member.

The path was a treacherous animal trail, unmaintained as expected. The protruding tree roots, slippery moss growing on jutting rocks, and uneven ground sapped their strength with every step, forcing them to stay alert to their surroundings as they moved forward.

This was enemy territory. It wouldn't be surprising to face an ambush at any moment or place.

The dispatch team had already covered 5 kilometers in such tense conditions.

"Captain... May I ask a question?"

"What?"

One soldier walking behind the team's captain at the front hesitantly raised his voice. His expression was grim. Not that anyone in this dire situation could afford a cheerful demeanor.

"Do you think help... will come? Will we survive?"

The captain signaled the team to halt, knelt down, and lowered his stance. After confirming there was no immediate threat in the area, he turned to face the questioning soldier. Looking behind him, he could see the same anxious expressions on the faces of the other team members. It seemed everyone shared the soldier's concerns.

The captain inhaled slightly through his nose before responding.

"I don't know. But we are proud soldiers of Lemuria. Never give up until the end... Understood?"

"Y-yes..."

The captain patted the soldier on the shoulder in an attempt to console him. However, as expected, the soldier's expression did not lighten. The other team members shared the same unease, and their feelings of dread were palpable. The captain understood this all too well. Because he was just as uneasy himself.

"Havreld, show me the map."

"Y-yes, sir."

The captain forcibly shifted his focus and called for another soldier. The soldier took a map and a portable magic light out of his pouch. The captain then pulled out his cloak, draped it over himself and the soldier, and spread the map underneath it before turning on the light.

"How far to the nearest crash site?"

"Based on sightings... the heavy cruiser should be about 3 kilometers straight ahead from here. Beyond that, another 2 kilometers will take us to a large river."

"A river? Is it deep?"

"According to reports, it's not very deep. Knee-high at most. If it doesn't rain, the current is gentle. However, it is somewhat wide."

"Hmm... If possible, I'd like to avoid crossing the river. Is there a detour?"

"There is... but 10 kilometers south, there's an old bridge. However, it's occasionally used by the Owari people, so there's a risk of encountering them."

The captain hesitated for a moment. Proceeding south to cross the bridge would be the best way to avoid making noise, but time was of the essence. Moreover, encountering the Owari people, allies of Japan, could lead to immediate conflict. If the river itself was passable, the best course of action would be to continue moving forward. That was the conclusion the captain reached.