The Chronicles of a Lost Man in His Forties Founding a Nation ~Commonsense is Hindering Me From Becoming TUEE~ Chapter 79

“What’s wrong?! It’s Gio Margils that we want! I bet it’s that weak-looking guy or that ossan over there, right?!”

(T/N: Ossan means ‘middle-aged man,’ but in an overly casual way that might be considered rude.)

On the other side of the transparent wall made with [Wall of Force], the fierce-looking female warrior is pointing fingers.

It seems that she’s indicating me and Irudo. I wonder who’s the ossan, huh.

“Dammit, what is with this wall!”

“So hard……”

There turns out to be a lot more Shulz members here than I’d thought. No, it looks like there are more and more showing up. There are already almost a hundred of them surrounding us.

But whatever they throw at the force field, be it fist or sword or arrow, nothing works.

My mind is slightly confused right now, so let’s take this brief moment to organize my thoughts.

Why do the Shulz know my name and are aiming for my life?

Why does the Martial Chief Dianu look like the splitting image of Elizabel?

Finally, what can we do to get out of this situation?

But since everyone’s safety is now guaranteed, the third one is honestly of little importance.

“I’m just asking this just in case, but that girl over there is not your sister, right?”

“Not really sure…… I think my mother had siblings, so perhaps she’s a cousin?”

So answers Elizabel with a doubtful look on her face. Because Leid’s big body is in the way, the other side has yet to notice her existence.

“Alright, then next. Does anyone have any any idea why they are targeting me, by name?”

“That would be the bigger mystery. The only people in Filsand who know your name are only a small minority of merchants and n.o.bles.”

That is a clear indication of just how little contact there is between the Liuus Union and the Kingdom of Feldi. And that is the very reason why I think there is value in opening up a trade route to Filsand, but……

“How much longer do you intend to feign ignorance?! Get out here now!”

“Seriously, just do them all in already, Margils! After all, they’ve attacked us already!”

“...... Muu……”

While enduring the incessant onslaught of high-pitched female voices from both sides of the wall, I somehow manage to finish organizing my thoughts.

“I am the Lord of Jiiteias Castle, Wizard Gio Margils.”

Taking a step forward, I name myself to the silver-haired female warrior.

“I knew it was the ossan. Making us waste our time! Just get out of there right now and offer me your head!”

“Before there, may I ask you two questions?”

“Shut up! I have nothing to say to a sneaky coward who is hiding behind a wall!”

Between the daughter of the Duke of Filsand and this warrior of the Shulz, it seems the only thing they have in common is their appearance.

Thoroughly exasperated, Dianu draws her sword from her waist.

“Ooohh. Dianu-sama’s Divine Sword……”

“How sublime……”

“That’s a demonic sword…&h.e.l.lip

; and an extremely high level one at that.”

The surrounding warriors raise a stir. Claura swallows her breath.

It’s true that the blade of her sword is wrapped by a richly-colored aura, and it looks extremely powerful indeed.

“The Shulz claim to be the descendants of an ancient holy kingdom that was annihilated during the First Bleed more than 500 years ago. Seeing how they are in possession of such a demonic sword, that claim might not be a complete lie after all……”

Still hiding in Leid’s shadow, Elizabel conscientiously gives us all a commentary. Ancient holy kingdom? …… Sounds like something else that’s going to spell trouble down the road.

“That’s right! There is nothing that this Divine Sword of mine, Bloodsucking Snake, cannot…… cut!”

With a shout, the silver-haired female warrior leaps, lands before me, then swings down her demonic — wait, no, divine? — sword.

Her target is the force field standing between me and her.

Before anyone can react, the blade of her sword s.h.i.+nes brightly, seemingly splas.h.i.+ng rich colors all over the surroundings.

“OWWWWWW!?”

Of course, the [Wall of Force] that couldn’t be destroyed by even [Meteor] wouldn’t budge to something like a mere demonic sword. The effects looked flashy, but all it did was give Dianu’s hands an extreme shock.

The silver-haired female warrior is cradling her sword hand while crouching on the ground.

Me, Claura, and Irudo — basically, the ones who know about my wizardry — are composed, but Elizabel, Fablu, and the new soldiers have their eyes wide open in amazement.

But it was incomparable to the shock on the faces of the Shulz warriors.

“That’s a lie, right?!”

“The Divine Sword that can easily cut through rocks and even iron…...?!”

“Is that guy a devil?!”

“SHUT UP!! I just underestimated it a little just now! When I get serious, a wall like this is not worth squat!”

With her face still distorted, Dianu stands up and yells at the buzzing warriors.

The unsettled warriors immediately quiet down with just that, so she must be quite popular among her troops. But when I observe more closely, I see puzzlement bordering on unease flickering on her face.

Looks like she still isn’t able to completely control her emotions…… wait, no no no.

I’ve been around tough women like Claura and Elizabel so I’ve gotten used to it, but isn’t this supposed to be the norm?

“Stop for a second.”

“Wh-, what is it.”

Smas.h.i.+ng the b.u.t.t of my staff against the ground, I re-tighten the atmosphere that had loosened up a bit from the comical exchange.

I need to properly settle the issue of this village’s terrible state and also the issue of their a.s.sault.

“Two questions is what I mentioned. If you have business with me, first answer them.”

“...... Ask away.”

Though she looks reluctant, there is a note of relief in her voice. I’m sure she also wants to avoid the flow of events that would oblige her to make another pa.s.s at the wall.

“Firstly, was it you guys who attacked this settlement and ma.s.sacred all of its inhabitants?”

Oh right, this kind of situation is when I need my ESP Medal. But unfortunately, it’s still in my sling bag.

“Hah?! Like we know! Wasn’t it just you guys taking revenge on those who managed to flee? Or maybe you were just trying to turn them into sacrifices.”

“...... Flee…… It’s true that these past few years, there have been citizens fleeing Filsand due to being poor. They might have indeed been those people.”

Alongside Elizabel’s quiet commentary, I look for markers indicating deception on Dianu’s face, but there’s nothing. It doesn’t seem like Dianu is lying.

“Very well, next question. Why are you targeting my life? Exactly what did I do?”

“Hah! Your secret’s been revealed, you Shadow Demon b.a.s.t.a.r.d! You’re a Demonist, aren’t you! There was a proclamation from the Shulz tribe’s Mystic!”

…… Is it my imagination, or have I heard a similar line before?