GATE: Journey in the New World Vol I

Arc 2: Noble City VII: Pockets of Resistance and Hope

Disclaimer: I don't own Gate or Nihon-koku Shoukan as it belongs to its rightful owners.

Arc 2: A City, A Diplomacy A Dragon

Noble City VII: Pockets of Resistance and Hope.

The legend has it that there was once a group of wyvern riders who showed courage to face a greater evil that almost conquered the entirety of the northern regions.

The riders themselves proudly represented a particular kingdom that was part of the order of the light.

Every battle they fought in honor of the Gods and also to protect the peace that the past ancestors had built before.

Many years had gone by and they were all but forgotten by people and places that they had saved and protected once.

As the siege of the principality commenced, familiar faces suddenly appeared but not the way they used to be when they fought for the good.

-New World Journal

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All throughout her life she would never have thought to find herself being involved in a war-like situation. To an extent that it almost feels like she was thrust into the middle of an air raid during World War 2 and the only thing she could do was hide and not go outside.

For Mari, she wasn't a little girl anymore.

The reason why she joined the self-defense force was simply for her own self-improvement and as well as to help people in need. However, it actually rooted in the time she had lost a loved one.

Her grandmother, whom she dearly adored since she was little, was struck by disease and she couldn't do anything but watch her slowly fade into nothingness.

The experience had an impact on her mind and heart and from then on she promised herself that she would do anything to save a person's life.

The little journey ended when multiple groups from the community and refugees entered the estate of the nobleman.

Indeed, the man was telling the truth. The idea of a mansion with a garden, barn, and manicured field inside an ancient walled community of the city was mind-boggling and interesting. The entire area is far from Ground Zero and hidden from attacks, which is an unexpected blessing.

The mansion became a temporary headquarters for the humanitarian group, and most of the communications equipment was also set up there on the upper floors where the lavish bedrooms were converted into their own control room. The bottom floors became a small encampment for both displaced groups. The Barn was also converted into a shelter for the other half of the group and certain JSDF members were assigned to guard, monitor, and protect the place. Lastly, during the journey, several of the locals were able to sustain minor injuries and for the better, they had to find a place somewhere in the estate where they would treated and nursed back to health.

Then of all people, Mari was the one to spot a particular structure located in the fields itself.

The Nobleman's eyes widened in surprise and baffled.

"Oh, the old church hadn't been used in years, and I only found out about that after buying this estate from its previous owners not long ago," he explained. "Are you sure you want that place as a healing clinic?"