Project GB is an official initiative by Re:Library.

The Holy Kingdom Schwertrot officially declared war on the Lua Cheia United Kingdoms. Tensions grew across the world, with everyone carefully watching the situation unfold, and the leader of the United Kingdoms, Crim was…

“Ack…it’s too…damn…hot…”
“Yes yes, I know, we’re almost there so just hold on.”

…melting in the heat of the desert, being carried on Ryunosuke’s back.

“You know, having to carry you through the desert reminds me of the time we first met.”
“That’s true…”

The sun was beginning to set as they entered the oasis city, and while the heat was getting more manageable, Crim remained on Ryunosuke’s back.

The pair were in the eastern edge of the Lua Cheia United Kingdoms, in the Sand City of Belushi, the biggest city of the Dragonbone Desert built around an oasis.

That was the same oasis Crim had passed through when visiting Wyndham for the first time. The S.S.S Band had taken possession of it, building it up into the magnificent city it was now.

“I’m so happy you finally decided to come visit my city, Crim. You’d always brush it away saying not this time, I thought you’d never get here!”

The leader of the S.S.S. Band and the ruler of this city, a young man called Orochi, enthusiastically welcomed Crim, who could barely muster the strength to greet him back.

“Forgive me… but as thou can plainly see… deserts are not quite… my forte…”
“Yup, I can definitely see that. I really should’ve expected this would happen to a vampire, I’m really sorry.”
“Thanks…I’m feeling better already.”

Crim expressed her gratitude after he (she?) placed a white desert cloak on Crim’s head.

…Orochi had a rather impactful appearance, but Crim was not really bothered by that. Or rather, Crim had also been a boy in the past, so she felt a sense of kinship with him. Not to mention that he was a naturally kind and amiable person.

After meeting up, he guided Crim and Ryunosuke to his small but comfortable palace. Being under a roof also helped Crim regain some energy, and once she was sitting in the seat of honor in the reception room, they resumed their conversation.

“Now then… How were things faring here after the declaration of war? Any issues?”
“Let’s see… if anything, we could use some more medicine. The last skirmish used up our reserves, and they’ve blown up our apothecary…you know how they operate.”

Orochi let out a concerned sigh. Luckily, the one tending to the apothecary was safe, but it would take some time before everything was rebuilt.

“I swear, those people… We all had implicitly agreed to not harm or target NPCs to avoid irrational vendettas, and in come those guys to just mess up everything. My men aren’t pleased, to say the least.”
“I can’t blame them. Over in their server they did that as a common tactic. If anything, they have a point when they call us soft.”
“Fair enough…”

That was more of a cultural difference. They were not doing anything against the rules, so it was not completely fair to hold them at fault.

“Regardless, we have plenty of medicine reserves, so I’ll have some brought here. Maybe I should also mobilize more people to keep guard too.”
“Thank you, I always appreciate what you do.”
“Think nothing of it. We are all part of the same nation, so ’tis but natural that I lend thee my aid as best I can, even should it prove somewhat difficult for me.”

After that, they discussed the specifics of the resources they needed…and before they realized, a lot of time had passed.

“Crim, heads up. It’s getting late.”
“Hm? Oh, sorry, I didn’t notice the time.”

Ryunosuke shook Crim’s shoulder, prompting her to look at the time and let out a surprised voice.

“Sadly, we’ll have to continue this another time. I have an important matter to attend to, so I have to take my leave.”
“An important matter… Can I ask what it is? Or am I prying too much?”

Orochi was fully willing to help out if it was something within his abilities, but was also fully ready to be shot down.

The fact of the matter was that it was already halfway through November, in other words…a very important and depressing part of the year for students was fast approaching.

“It should be obvious, most of us are students… We’re busy studying for exams! We have to be ready to be at war while taking exams soon, lest our grades suffer.”

If anything, they were expecting for full out war to break out during exam season. After all, it was a well known fact that Lua Cheia was largely composed of students.

A student’s main job was to study, it would be preposterous if their grades fell because of war in some game. So all of Lua Cheia agreed to study diligently ahead of time.

“We live in a harsh world…”

Orochi slumped his shoulders hearing that awfully realistic response from Crim.