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I FOUND A DOOR TO TENSURA AND BECAME BROKEN IN THE REAL WORLD TOO-Chapter 20: The Escort
Chapter 20: The Escort
In a dimly lit room, a woman sat at a desk, a series of photos spread out before her. She stared intently at the image of a young man, her lips curling into a predatory smile.
"I finally found you... Yuuya Tenjou..." she muttered, her voice tinged with excitement. "I can't let someone with such outstanding talent slip away."
She stood up, her gaze never leaving the photos. Calling out to one of her subordinates, she snapped, "Kurosawa!"
"Yes, Manager?" a figure appeared from the shadows, standing at attention.
"It's a job. Get in touch with this young man," the woman ordered, her voice unwavering.
Kurosawa nodded and quickly left the room, leaving the woman to savor her plans. She let out a deep, satisfied chuckle.
"I'll be the one to claim him... Yuuya Tenjou, just wait. You'll be mine."
In the corner of the room, two figures—Hikari and Miwa—exchanged nervous glances. They had tried to keep Yuuya's existence hidden, but it seemed they had failed.
"Manager, what are you going to do once you find him?" Miwa asked, her voice filled with concern.
The woman glanced back at her, her eyes cold. "What do you think I'll do? I'm bringing him into my agency. With Yuuya and Miwa, we'll take the entertainment world by storm!"
Miwa opened her mouth to protest, but the woman continued, oblivious to her worries.
"No one with the kind of talent Yuuya has would ever turn down such an offer. You should be thrilled for him."
Hikari, too, was speechless, unable to counter the woman's unwavering confidence.
The woman's smile grew wider as she turned her attention back to the photos on the desk.
"Fufufu... Yuuya Tenjou, I'll see you soon. And when I do, you won't be able to escape."
Meanwhile, rumors were circulating in the Blumund Kingdom, causing quite a stir among its citizens.
"Have you heard about Lexia-sama?" one person asked.
"Yes! It seems something happened during her last visit, and now she's heading to the Jura Forest."
"Jura Forest? That's strange. It's a place no one dares to approach. Monsters, dangerous terrain, and rumors of elixir ingredients... There's also talk of someone living there."
"Really? Someone's living there?" the first person responded, shocked. "Why is she going there?"
"I'm not sure, but if there's someone living in that forest, they must be an eccentric sort."
Unbeknownst to Yuuya, his name had already started to spread through the kingdom, tied to the mysterious figure in the Jura Forest. Lexia's intentions to meet this person were only adding to the intrigue surrounding Yuuya.
Back in the Jura Forest, Yuuya stood in front of a massive Bloody Ogre, his sword glowing with the energy of his [Omni-Sword]. The ogre swung its massive arm, causing the earth to tremble, but Yuuya was ready. With a swift movement, he cleaved the creature's arm before leaping up and striking it down with a single, clean strike to the head. The Bloody Ogre dissolved into light, its presence vanishing from the world.
"Haahhh..." Yuuya exhaled, wiping the sweat from his brow. But before he could collect his loot, a presence flickered in his [Presence Detection] skill. Not just one, but many.
"What's this?" he muttered, sensing multiple figures in the area. With a quiet step, he activated [Assimilation], erasing his presence as he moved toward the source of the disturbance.
Ahead, he found a group of soldiers fighting against several Goblin Elites. The situation was dire—while one soldier was holding off a goblin elite, the others seemed to be losing ground. Yuuya, not one to turn a blind eye, decided to step in.
Without hesitation, he approached the nearest goblin elite, his sword flashing as he decapitated the creature in a single, fluid motion. The moment he struck, his [Assimilation] was disrupted, but that didn't stop him. He moved swiftly, piercing the heart of another goblin elite before swiftly dodging a third's attack and finishing it with another clean strike.
The remaining goblin elite, now disoriented, tried to retaliate, but Yuuya was already on the move again, slashing the creature down with practiced precision.
"Amazing..." one of the soldiers muttered, eyes wide in disbelief. "Could it be... the one Lexia-sama was talking about?"
At that moment, the middle-aged knight, who had been fighting a goblin elite, finished off the last one with a swift strike, turning toward Yuuya.
"Thank you. You saved us," he said, his voice sincere.
Yuuya shrugged modestly. "No need to thank me. I just happened to be passing by."
The soldiers exchanged looks, whispering among themselves.
"He really exists..." one murmured. "The one who defeated so many goblins single-handedly..."
"He looks to be the same age as Lexia-sama..." another whispered, observing Yuuya closely.
"Wait," Yuuya interrupted, glancing around, "Who are you all? And what's this about Lexia-sama?"
Before anyone could respond, a young girl stepped forward from the group of soldiers. She was confident and regal, dressed in clothes befitting royalty. Her eyes locked onto Yuuya with a curious glint.
"Are you Yuuya Tenjou?" she asked, her voice steady yet filled with interest.
Yuuya blinked in surprise. "Yeah, that's me. Who are you?"
The girl smiled, her expression warm yet full of purpose. "I am Lexia, princess of the Blumund Kingdom. I've heard much about you... And it seems fate has brought us together."
Yuuya stood there, taken aback, not sure what to make of the situation. "Princess Lexia? What's going on here? And how did you hear about me?"
Lexia's eyes glimmered with resolve. "There's much I need to explain, Yuuya. But I believe you're the one I've been seeking. There's a greater purpose awaiting you."
Yuuya raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued despite his reservations. "A greater purpose?"
Lexia nodded, her expression serious yet sincere. "Indeed. You see, the kingdom needs someone like you to help us protect it and defend it. This world is full of dangerous monsters and powerful beings, and at any moment, anyone can be attacked without warning." Her words lingered in the air, the weight of them settling on Yuuya's shoulders.
Yuuya stood silently, contemplating her offer. He had fought countless battles, faced overwhelming odds, and grown accustomed to navigating the dangers of this world alone. But something about her plea made him hesitate. His mind wandered to her earlier request—her proposal for marriage. A promise of safety, perhaps, or a new Chapter in his life. Yet, he wasn't sure he was ready to commit, especially with so much uncertainty about his future.
Before he could respond, the leader of the soldiers, a stern-faced man with a commanding presence, stepped forward. His armor gleamed in the sunlight, and he bowed slightly as he addressed Yuuya.
"Your assistance has been invaluable," the man began, his voice full of respect. "The princess is forever in your debt, and the king would like to meet with you personally to thank you for saving her life."
Yuuya rubbed the back of his neck, trying to think of how to politely decline. "I appreciate the offer, but I'm really busy at the moment. There's a lot going on, and I—"
The soldier waved his hand, cutting Yuuya off before he could finish. "I understand. There's no rush. It was us who requested your help, so we will give you as much time as you need. The king simply wants to express his gratitude."
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Yuuya considered this for a moment. "Well... in that case, how about we schedule the meeting for a month from now?" he suggested, hoping that would be enough time to handle his affairs and prepare for whatever else was coming.
The leader of the soldiers nodded. "That sounds reasonable. We will make arrangements to meet you then. Please, take your time."
With the meeting settled, Yuuya felt a slight relief, though a part of him still wondered what had just happened. He didn't know exactly what Lexia and her kingdom were asking of him, nor how his involvement would shape his future. But one thing was clear: he couldn't afford to ignore them, not when the stakes were so high.
The soldiers, including Lexia, began to prepare to leave the forest, their duty here complete. But Yuuya wasn't quite done yet.
"I'll escort you out of the forest," Yuuya said, his tone decisive. "It's dangerous here, especially with what's been going on. Monsters tend to get more aggressive near the edges."
Lexia's eyes softened at the gesture. "That's kind of you, Yuuya. Thank you."
He gave a small nod in return. "It's the least I can do after all that's happened. Besides, it's not like I've got anywhere else to be." He smiled lightly, though there was still a trace of hesitation in his gaze.
As they made their way out of the forest, Yuuya kept a watchful eye on their surroundings. The dense trees and underbrush of the Jura Forest could be deceiving, hiding dangers that lurked just beyond the line of sight. His [Presence Detection] skill was on high alert, constantly scanning for any signs of movement or trouble. His hand rested comfortably on the hilt of his sword, ready to react should anything arise.
The soldiers followed closely behind, and Lexia remained at the front, a quiet strength emanating from her despite the occasional soft chatter with her guards. Yuuya couldn't help but notice the way she carried herself—regal, yet not entirely distant. There was a genuine warmth in her smile, a contrast to the weight of her responsibilities.
As they neared the edge of the forest, Yuuya's attention remained sharp. He could sense that something was off. The usual sounds of the forest—the chirping of birds, the rustling of leaves—had fallen eerily quiet. His instincts flared as his [Presence Detection] honed in on several approaching figures.
"Monsters," Yuuya muttered under his breath, his grip tightening on his sword.
"What is it?" Lexia asked, her voice edged with concern.
"I'm not sure yet," Yuuya replied, his eyes scanning the trees. "But something's coming."
Before he could finish speaking, a loud roar shattered the silence, and a massive creature—something between a giant wolf and a bear—burst from the underbrush. It was followed by several smaller creatures, all with blood-red eyes and gnarled claws. They were hungry, and they were coming for the group.
"Stay behind me!" Yuuya commanded, stepping forward to shield them.
His sword flashed in the sunlight as he unsheathed it, activating his [Omni-Sword] skill to enhance his strikes. The giant monster charged, its massive maw wide open, but Yuuya was faster. With a swift motion, he cleaved the creature's side, sending it crashing to the ground with a deafening roar of agony.
The smaller monsters closed in from all sides, but Yuuya moved with fluid grace, cutting down one after another with swift, clean strikes. His skill and precision left no room for error, and within moments, the clearing was filled with the bodies of the slain beasts.
Lexia and the soldiers watched in awe as Yuuya's movements seemed almost effortless, his mastery of combat undeniable. When the last of the monsters fell, he sheathed his sword with a satisfied exhale.
"That was close," he said, turning back to the group. "You're safe now."
Lexia stepped forward, her expression filled with admiration. "That was incredible... I'm truly grateful, Yuuya."
Yuuya gave a modest shrug, though he couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction in having protected them. As they continued their journey out of the forest, he couldn't shake the feeling that his encounter with Lexia and her kingdom was only the beginning of something much larger. And with that thought lingering in his mind, he led the way out of the forest, staying ever vigilant for any further threats.