Mushoku Tensei (WN) Volume 18

There are eight members for the journey.

Ariel, Luke, Sylphy, Elmore, Kleene.

Ghyslaine, Eris, and I joined as part of the princess's escort

A huge two wheeled carriage, and five horses.

Unexpectedly the preparations for the voyage of Second Princess Ariel Anemoi Asura, who hailed from a country as great as the Kingdom of Asura, were rather simple.

Ostensibly, it was because we were returning incognito.

Hiding the truth that we are returning via teleportation from the public.

However, in spite of being incognito, many people were lined up at the entrance of the Magic City Sharia.

The princ.i.p.al of the Magic University, along with members of the student council.

General Manager of the Magic Guild.

Head of the magic tool atelier.

Among others, heads of various organizations, members of royalty from the Magic Triumvirate, and representatives of n.o.bles, came to see Ariel off one after another.

I wonder if these guys don't know what incognito means.[1]

Out of all its possible meanings, none of them included a big number of farewells, escorted in such a grandiose way.

... Well, even if this send-off causes a problem, it's the fruit of Ariel's labours. [2]

Orsted is mighty, but his connection with the human race is almost nonexistent.

There may come a time when he will need these connections.

It was my duty to deal with them in his stead.

Now, it's time for departure.

We will travel by teleportation, horseback, and carriage.

Take the horse carriage to the Sky Castle via magic teleportation circle, which teleports the entire group just north of the [Upper Jaw of the Red Dragon], at which point we will travel southward by land.

Perugius also set up a magic circle where the horse-drawn carriages can enter.

If Perugius can do that much, I wanted him to send Arumanfi to Asura Kingdom to draw the magic circle.

I tried to voice my suggestion, but Perugius said that out of the thirteen people including himself, only two are able to draw the teleportation magic circle.

They're Perugius and Sylvaril.

In addition, it looks like the teleportation circles can't be installed anywhere.

The teleportation magic circle in the Sky Castle is fueled by Perugius's magic, but to activate the teleportation magic circle that acts as the receiver, a certain condition must be met.

As for the condition, it's magic. [3]

In the past, taking advantage of places that possesed a high magic density, the genius that created what came to be called teleportation magic produced a magic tool that semi-permanently activated the magic through absorbing magic from its surroundings.

In other words, teleportation circles cannot be made in places that did not possess a high magic density.

The fact that teleportation magic circles I used to travel to the Begaritto Continent were located deep in a forest and the desert, were due to such reasons. [4]

Of course, from later research, it became possible to keep the magic circle active by attaching magic crystals periodically.

In the case of using a magic crystal, it's called manual feed type magic.

Because 『The magic density is thin.』 in most of the area around Asura Kingdom, most magic circles are the manual feed type.

The magic crystal is installed during an emergency and is removed when not in use.

Only a select few accurately know where to place the magic crystal.

in our situation, both were destroyed. The type that didn't require a magic crystal along with type that did require a magic crystal. Everything had been blown apart.

The location, the equipment, and the magic circle.

If the three factors previously mentioned are not known, it is impossible to create a magic teleportation circle.

So how does Perugius intend to come to the Asura Royal Palace?

For now they told me: [You don't need to worry about that.]

Because of Ariel-sama, it looks like they intend to make a surprise appearance.

"Amazing. It's amazing! Rudeus! Look! The town is so small!"

The moment when we transferred to the air fortress, Eris raised her voice.

After jumping off the horse to look down on the sky and up at the castle, she raised a voice of admiration.

It was an unexpectedly childish reaction from a twenty-year-old woman. We could not help but cast wry smiles.

Still, it's really heartwarming.

One person's mood somehow became better after seeing Eris's reaction.

It's Sylvaril who has been waiting before the magic circle.

Looking at Eris go crazy, she was feeling proud in her mind.

Enough to even be seen as such with the mask over her face.

"I hope you like the scenery from the Sky Castle, Chaos Breaker."

"It's the best! First time I've seen something like this!"

Seeing the carefree smile of Eris, Sylvaril's favor for Eris increased.

Honesty is the best policy.

"Is that so, then allow me to introduce myself. I'm the first familiar of Perugius-sama, Sylvaril of the Void. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

"Eris Greyrat!"

Eris seemed to be itching to go into the castle.

Was it just my imagination or did it look like Sylvaril was showing her around with a happy mood and she even explained this and that?

While watching that charming scene, we followed them.

While explaining this and that to Eris, Sylvaril guided us to the audience room.

We planned to greet Perugius before our departure.

"So you've come."

As always, Perugius was proudly sitting on a chair while surrounded by his familiars.

This time only a greeting was done.

And so when Ariel came forward, and started to make a formal statement... Eris swiftly stepped forward.

"Who are you?"

I was horrified.

In my mind floated the image of Eris clenching her fist and hitting Perugius. Even if it's Perugius, he will not be so forgiving if we tried to pick a fight with him.

When I quickly tried to stop her, Eris knelt down to her knee.

"Nice to meet you. My name is Eris Greyrat, and I've become Rudeus's wife a while back. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

I was taken aback.

Wait a minute, the person kneeling respectfully there is who again?

"Armored Dragon King Perugius Dola. Eris Greyrat. I know about you. Trained in the sword holy land and challenging Orsted, as befitting of your nickname [Mad Sword King]."

"I am still immature......."

"Oh."

Although Eris is trying to be humble, but she's speaking in monotone.

Possibly, she only memorized the words without knowing the meaning.

"Eris Greyrat. Your att.i.tude is admirable, I like it."

Perugius looks happy.

"In this case, I too need to apologize for my subordinate's actions during the incident eight years ago."

Eris looks up and she made a quizzical look.

That face. It was the face of [I don't remember that].

"Do not worry about it."

"Is that so? ...... I appreciate it."

Perugius laughed and shook his hand carelessly.

Eris stood up, she walked towards me with a fully self-satisfied expression.

It was a face that seemed to say: [I can do this much if I want to, you know.]

She might have been practicing this a lot.

In any case, Perugius seems to like Eris.

His att.i.tude towards her is different from the one towards me.

As I thought, everyone would be fond of a honest person without a hidden side. Getting along with each other is a good thing.

"Everybody, please follow me."

After Ariel gave her greeting, Sylvaril guided us out of the audience room.

The teleportation magic circle was located in a place reached by looping around after going through the entrance.

The teleportation magic circle was emitting a faint light from the inner part of a currently empty large hall.

Sylvaril explained this and that regarding the hall, but I'll omit that.

We step on the magic circle.

The teleportation circle's destination was a ruin.

The ruin used to house the teleportation circle on the other side.

The same type in Begaritto's mainland and near Ranoa kingdom.

According to Orsted, there were many more of these ruins in the past, a variety of races seemed to have been moving freely between the continents.

It became totally prohibited to prevent it being exploited in the event of war.

A certain dragon tribe hated this rule, thus they hid the ruins they were using on their own by putting barriers around the ruins.

All over the world, there will always be guys that stand against the world only for their convenience.

Since we can move comfortably thanks to that, I am not going to blame such desires.

The ruin was within a dense forest.

From the valley called [Red Dragon's Upper Jaw], it's a little northwest on the map according to the information received that was confirmed in advance.

However, that is where the problem was about to occur.

Although it's good that we can move the whole carriage using the magic teleportation circle, we can't move the carriage out of the ruins. We have this many people, yet we didn't think of that......?

While I was still dumbfounded by that, Ariel's two servants began to disa.s.semble the carriage carefully.

Two people disa.s.sembled the carriage in a fluid motion and carried the pieces outside the ruin.

And while I was thinking that they seemed to have a.s.sembled the carriage into small packages.

From there, loading the parts of the carriage on horses, we move to the vicinity of the highway.

There the rea.s.sembly of the carriage was finished in no time.

Since it was getting dark when we got out on the highway, we decided to camp the night there near the highway.

"Whew ......"

Surrounding the campfire, we prepared food.

There was no need to worry about kindling or food in this place with woods nearby.

I mean, it's been collected from the demons that attacked us in the forest.

Beast type monsters and firewood (Treants), also some wild gra.s.s.

Firewood (Treants), they really do exist everywhere.

There is even one living in my house, so maybe Treants are the next ruler of the world.

Normally I would just sit on the ground, but one of Ariel's group had brought a carpet.

Should I say as expected of the princess?

Sylphy and two servants were in charge of cooking.

I offered to help, but I was gently turned down.

Well, with Sylphy's skill even if I help I will just get in the way.

Just in case I told them that I can make tableware and cookware if there's not enough.

During the cooking I was feeling bored.

I thought about patrolling the surrounding area to alert the party for incoming danger, but Ghyslaine and Eris are already doing that.

It looks like my turn won't come.

In this journey, there is no work for me.

This is the first time it's been like this.

I've never experienced this, not even during the time when I was traveling alone and intruding on other parties.

In those days I, having a surplus of magic, was treasured as a person useful for various ch.o.r.es.

From the purification of water to the production of tableware.

Since there are several servants here who can use magic, the work that was usually mine seems to have disappeared.

Well, my job is not to look after Ariel.

Since I am fighting against Hitogami, I need to determine who his apostles are and defeat them.

Our current conjecture is Luke, Darius, and one more person.

The possibility of the North Emperor or Water G.o.d being an apostle is high.

I have heard ways to deal with them from Orsted.

I simulated in my mind what I was taught many times, but I should try it out in actual combat.

"......Anyway."

I look at Luke while muttering.

A splendid armored figure, he stood close to Ariel.

He's in a position to immediately protect Ariel at a critical moment.

......if Luke is an Apostle of Hitogami.

And if I decided to not kill him.

I wonder what Orsted would do about Luke.

Luke's important to Ariel.

When Orsted requires Asura's a.s.sistance after Ariel becomes king, it would be bad if there was an apostle of Hitogami advising Ariel.

No, Asura Kingdom will be coming to Orsted's aid far into the future.

Which means that Luke will probably be dead by that time.

So it probably doesn't matter.

But, if Ariel died immediately there wouldn't be a meaning for her to become king.

No, the event 『Ariel becomes the king.』 would surely become a turning point.

Or the event 『The First Prince becomes king.』 might be our Bad End flag.

Yes...... Just in case, I'll ask Orsted about it at the next opportunity.

I don't know if he will tell me though.

Orsted does not tell me in detail about the events 100 years in the future.

I asked him about how Hitogami said [The world will be destroyed if I die], but he just replied [That possibility exists.]

It feels like he will be fine with whatever happens afterwards as long as he can kill Hitogami.

Well, even if the world is destroyed in the future, the me in the present can't afford to worry about it.

My goal for now is to protect my family as best as I can.

It would be irresponsible, but I can't be so hard headed.

The events of the future must be settled by the people of that generation.

But would my descendant lend their hand to Orsted even knowing the world will be destroyed beforehand?

Or maybe they will lend their hands without knowing about it.

If it is the latter, it's a little pitiful.

To prepare for that possibility, it would be better if I leave some words for them for the time being.

"Rudi, the meal is ready. Ghyslaine and Eris too, let's eat!"

My thoughts were interrupted after hearing those words.

Well, after I get back from the Asura kingdom, I should write about it in my diary.

I have a tendency to forget things.

Dinner was delicious.

As expected of Sylphy.

And the other two attendants are also amazing.

Even though we don't have a lot of food supplies in this situation, they could make it this delicious.

I should ask them to teach me the next occasion there is spare time.

Night.

Ariel is the only one that is using the tent while the rest of us are on watch duty s.h.i.+fts.

We watch in sets of two.

That said, there's seven people excluding Ariel.

So there are three s.h.i.+fts.

At that time, one person patrols the surroundings.

Me, Sylphy, Eris, and Ghyslaine.

All of which have the ability to defeat a demon alone.

"I'm going to patrol the surroundings."

The first day is my turn.

As I say that to others, I begin to walk away from the bonfire.

Towards the deep forest ahead.

In total darkness, the only light source is the torch that I am holding.

However, I know that there are no monsters in this area.

But being cautious is never a bad thing.

"......"

Then after walking for about five minutes.

And quite a distance away from the campfire.

A guy abruptly appeared in the dark.

A flowing silver-haired man with golden Sanpaku eyes.

A man with a scary face akin to a devil, he appeared out of the darkness.

"Eek!"

I screamed involuntarily and was about to let the torch fall from my hand.

"Ha......Excuse me. Thanks for your effort. Orsted-sama."

"Ah."

While I was greeting him, I sat on the nearby tree roots.

Orsted also sat down on the tree root on the opposite side.

Orsted is following us.

It seems that Perugius also knew about this.

Since the magic circle was used to follow us.

Thus we scheduled a period of contact during the journey.

Since it will be suspicious if we meet too often, we only meet once every few days and only during my turn to patrol around.

"What's the news?"

"Luke isn't making any suspicious moves. The journey is also going smoothly."

And, I finished my regular report.

Since it's the first day, there is not much to be said.

Orsted also didn't seem to expect anything and didn't pursue this matter any further.

"That's good. Maybe there won't be anything for a few days."

"Right."

"Just be extra careful after pa.s.sing through the [Red Dragon's Upper Jaw]."

"Okay."

The Red Dragon's Upper Jaw.

It is a connected valley at the Red Dragon Mountains that separates the northern part of the central continent and the Asura kingdom.

An unforked valley, wide enough that big carriages can pa.s.s each other in the valley area.

By the way, I was nearly killed by Orsted in the Red Dragon's Lower Jaw.

After pa.s.sing the valley, there is a large forest.

It's a famous forest in the Asura kingdom.

That forest is called the [Red Dragon's Beard.]

But, it is often lumped together with the valley to the north and called the [Red Dragon's Upper Jaw].

Also, although it was part of the Asura kingdom, to the south from the forest is the border of the Asura kingdom.

As if to surround the south side of the forest, there is a rampart like the Great Wall of China built there, with a few hundred soldiers stationed there.

It was to stop the monsters from entering the south and also to prepare for an invasion from the North.

There are all kinds of reasons.

And the most important point.

This deep forest is often used to deal with important people.

Once you enter the forest, it becomes a place where there will be no witnesses.

In some areas of the forest, there are powerful monsters, and there are bandits prowling along the northern and southern paths.

It's a great place to secretly a.s.sa.s.sinate someone.

If Darius had received advice from Hitogami, this is where he will send his a.s.sa.s.sins.

After all, sending soldiers to the northern part of the Upper Jaw of Red Dragon would be considered as invasion of another country.

If they attacked the Princess after pa.s.sing the southern checkpoint within Asura Kingdom, it will surely become big news.

It will become bad press for Darius under these two circ.u.mstances.

Therefore, the first chance to kill the princess is here.

If it is here, they are able to kill Ariel with the least possible risk.

Orsted predicted so.

"So, it will be as planned."

"Yes."

If there is an attack, taking the highway will probably be risky.

Since the highway is dangerous I will suggest an alternative route.

And, at the same time we could go and scout for Tris and her band of thieves.

If there is no attack, Orsted will move at that time.

A self directed play.

For that end, we stashed away a bunch of summoning scrolls along with magic crystals.

We will find out that the magic beasts in the area are being controlled by some individual.

That's the plan.

"If there is an attack, the possibility of the North Emperor Auber Corvette appearing is high. Be careful of that guy."

"Yes. Just as planned."

"Oh ......"

If Asura Kingdom has hired the North Emperor and the Water G.o.d.

Orsted saw that the possibility that the North Emperor is dispatched as an a.s.sa.s.sin is high.

The swordsman named Auber, it seems he is good at those kinds of jobs.

An unpredictable swordsman that symbolizes the North G.o.d Style.

From his hairstyle and clothes to his way of fighting, everything about him is unique.

A man gifted in surprise attack.

『Peac.o.c.k Sword』 Auber Corvette.

Eris has already been informed beforehand about the possibility of fighting him and the Water G.o.d.

If I'm right, Eris had learned swordsmans.h.i.+p from Reida and Auber for some time.

Surely it will be difficult to fight against your former master.

Although I thought that, she only folded her arms and answered, [Yes! I can't wait.].

Those two people, I wonder if she didn't build any close relations.h.i.+ps with those people like with Ghyslaine.

What I mean is, Eris, you don't have friends in the Holy Land of the Sword? I'm a little worried.

"I'm concerned."

"About what?"

"You."

"I have to say, for this upcoming battle, you're being too optimistic."

Optimistic.

I wonder if he's right.

Maybe so.

But, I am prepared.

I also heard about instructions for what to do.

Although there is a chance that Auber won't come, I still simulated several ways to deal with him.

Also, I know in my head that he is a terribly strong opponent.

All that's left is to just deal with it calmly.

While I can't say that it's a perfect plan, there's no reason to feel more nervous than necessary.......probably.

Rather, I should relax at this stage, it is more efficient.......probably.

"Just in case, take this."

Orsted took out several sheaves of papers from his bosom.

They were scrolls with complex magic circles drawn on them.

"It is a magic circle for the king cla.s.s healing magic. You mentioned that you could only use healing magic up to advanced level. In case of emergency, use it."

"Yes ......"

The healing magic of the king cla.s.s. To what extent could it heal?

Even for major injuries like missing limbs, such magic can regrow them perfectly.

My defensive and evasion ability, and the enemy's offensive ability.

Based on those factors, it would be best to have at least this level of recovery.

"So even king cla.s.s healing magic has magic circles."

"Almost all magic in this world can be reproduced with magic circles."

"Almost.........then there is magic that cannot be reproduced?"

"As long as it's not a unique magic with a special invocation."

"Such as?"

"The howling magic that the beast tribe uses and the gravity magic used by the dragon king. Those things, without understanding the logic behind them, cannot be reproduced."

Howling Magic, what I've been calling Voice Magic?

Once, I surprised someone with it.

The level I can use it at is more or less able to scare people, but I don't know if it's because of the actual magic or not.

"Although I read that your future self has mastered gravity magic, it probably would have required considerable time to master it. Researching, understanding, and training."

"...... Orsted-sama, I've heard that you can use all the techniques in this world. Can you also use gravity magic? "

"That's right, although it's not a very user friendly technique."

Oh, so you could.

That's expected.

"But I a.s.sume you don't know from the moment you're born... You too have to learn them one at a time, right?"

"It is so."

I see.

At the moment, I can't even imagine the basic principle even if I heard it.

With time, maybe it'll naturally come to me, how anti-gravity and the like would work.

Well, rather than pursuing what I do not know or if I can learn it, it's better to do what I can do right now.

Such things could wait for when I had more s.p.a.ce to breathe.

All right.

Now the next matter to discuss is ...... Luke.

"Come to think of it, Orsted-sama. a.s.suming that Luke is an apostle of Hitogami, it's up to me whether or not I need to kill him, right? "

"That's right."

"In the event that I don't kill Luke and princess Ariel still becomes King, what will happen to him?"

"Nothing will happen. When that time comes, he will also escape from Hitogami's grasp."

"Is it safe to a.s.sume that only three apostles of Hitogami will appear? Can we leave him as it is?"

"It will not be a problem. Humans will remain as apostles of Hitogami only until the result of his future prediction comes."

Until the result of a future prediction?

Something this important should be said earlier!

What the h.e.l.l, what if I thought the apostles could change in the middle of a fight?

"And a certain turning point acts as a boundary for Hitogami's future sight. In this case, the turning point is when Ariel does or doesn't remove Grabell and Darius and becomes queen."

"So until then, the apostles will not change?"

"That's right."

Muu, you keep such important things until later .......

Well, that's alright for now.

Let's say it is good just to know about this now.

Until this is over, the apostles will not change.

On the contrary, once it's over, the apostles will cease to be automatically.

Well, there is still the possibility of them becoming an Apostle again.

And judging from Orsted's tone,

If any apostles die before the prediction comes true, Hitogami cannot replace them.

That's the reason to kill them.

".....Now, return. If you don't hurry back soon, it will be suspicious."

"Okay."

With that, I finished the scheduled contact with Orsted.

I quickly returned to the campfire and reported that there was nothing of note surrounding the camp.

I finished my s.h.i.+ft and covered myself with blankets.

In this way, the first day of the trip to the Asura kingdom pa.s.sed.

The Red Dragon's Upper Jaw.

It is a valley with just one continuous road.

It is not as straight as the Holy Sword Highway.

But, it's a single path without any forks.

It's between two different country's borders, a neutral area without an owner.

We pa.s.sed by a big caravan while traveling there.

There were ten wagons and more than fifty horses carrying the cargo.

It's a big caravan carrying cargo from the Asura kingdom to the Magic Triumvirate.

The caravan is travelling in a single file escorted by adventurers.

These adventurers have been glaring at us with sharp eyes.

Seeing that, I suddenly remembered about my old days.

There was also a time when I was part of the escort of a caravan heading to the north.

It wasn't as big as the caravan we pa.s.sed, but if I remember correctly it had many young merchants in it.

I think if they came to greet me, I wouldn't remember any of their names.

At that time, I was alone.

Solitude.

I was so lonely.

After all, at that time I was under the impression that I had been abandoned by Eris.

During that time I thought my life as a man was over.

During that time I thought nothing mattered anymore, and there is nothing to believe in this world.

In those days, strengthening my body and wors.h.i.+ping G.o.d were my only truths in this world.

Since then, I have done all kinds of things.

I got my confidence back through Sylphy, and now I'm a father of one.

I'm not one you would call 『Venerable』, but I am a father.

Clearing my misunderstanding with Eris, making her my wife.

Roxy also came along and married me, and now she is pregnant with my second child.

With those three wives, my night life has also become merrier.

If the me in the past saw my current situation, what would he say?

In my situation, if I wanted to rub some t.i.ts … maybe one of them will let me?

".....Hey, why are you suddenly so quiet?"

I heard Eris's voice from my side.

I suddenly noticed, unaware that Eris and I were side-by-side.

By the way, since I cannot ride a horse, I'm stuck sitting behind Sylphy.

"Hey Eris."

"What?"

"Can I grope your t.i.ts?"

"What are you saying so suddenly......... of course not."

Was it no good?

Is asking so casually out of bounds?

............ Well.

The me in the past probably wouldn't have much to say.

He would just laugh coldly to himself and say congratulations.

The me in the past, was one of those guys.

I would keep my distance while congratulating them, acting like that happiness is unrelated to me.

"You know, Rudi."

A voice came from the front, it's Sylphy.

"Even though you asked to grope Eris, why didn't you ask me......? "

Before I was aware of it, my hands were already ma.s.saging Sylphy's chest.

No wonder my hand started feeling good.

"Oh, my bad. I did that unconsciously."

"It's fine for now since there aren't really any monsters here, but hold it in until after we leave the valley, okay?"

"Thank you, thank you, Sylphy. You're a good girl, truly, a good girl."

"Getting thanked for rubbing my chest is a bit..."

While scratching the back of her ear, Sylphy gave a wry smile.

I rubbed her chest at every opportunity after I married her.

Sylphy got used to me fondling her chest all the time pretty much.

I also formed a close attachment to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"Rudeus, you can sit behind me tomorrow!"

Eris is burned up with jealousy, saying that while blus.h.i.+ng, and ran up to the front row.

Haha.....I am quite popular.

Well ...... we will be exiting the valley soon.

An ambush will definitely come. With that in mind. I became more serious.

Upon exiting the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw, a huge forest appeared.

The valley exit is located on a slightly higher alt.i.tude.

In the distance from the spreading forest below, I could see a wall.

But because of the forest's height, I can't see the road in the middle of the forest. I can't determine where the ambush will happen.

Whatever happens here, it won't be seen by anyone.

Or so Orsted says.

From here, it seems he can see the exit of the forest from the walls.

In other words, anyone can confirm who is entering and leaving the forest.

On the other hand, from the forest entrance here we can't see the wall.

To an attacker, this is a geographical advantage for them.

A perfect place to ambush us.

"At last, I have returned to this place."

At the entrance to the forest, Sylphy stopped the horse.

Luke was also stopped.

The horse-drawn carriage was also stopped.

As for Ghyslaine and Eris, they also stopped their horse.

One of the servants got down from the driver's seat.

Luke and Sylphy also got down from their horses.

From the horse-drawn carriage, Ariel came out.

She held a small bouquet.

On the roadside, five people walked up to a stone.

It looked like an ordinary stone.

There was nothing decorative about it.

However, on the surface, there are × marks engraved.

Ariel acted first, placing the bouquet on top of the stone, and I followed suit.

The pose of prayer of the Millis church.

Ariel is not a devout believer of Millis.

I've never seen her praying to G.o.d.

The same goes for Luke.

I don't know about the attendants, but Sylphy is also different.

In other words, the ones that are resting under the stone are people who served Ariel.

Dead in this forest, in the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw, her Knight escort, her art teacher, or her servant.

I heard that in the Red Dragon's Upper Jaw, many of her escorts died, especially near the border.

So, I will also pray for the time being.

"From here on out, we will be at at a greater risk of being ambushed. So, let's camp here for now and continue our journey tomorrow."

At Ariel's words, Sylphy went back to her horse.

Her face seemed to be stiffer than usual.

In the evening of that day, I went over our formation once again.

After that, we should take some time to review each member's specific role to avoid getting disoriented during any upcoming battles.

Ghyslaine and Eris are our main attackers. Sylphy will be our support, who's able to quickly respond to any situation, and I will be the rear guard, with the Demon Eye of Foresight.

My role is to basically oversee the battle.

Since my eye of foresight can't see something that is outside of my field of view.

In addition, Elmore and Luke will be protecting Ariel.

I wish that those three could also be better equipped, but it can't be helped since their power in combat is lacking.

Even if they did fight alongside Ghyslaine and Eris, they would just get in the way.

In any case, to prepare for a surprise attack, they must be at Ariel's side to protect her.

Using a magic tool to mimic Ariel, Kleene acts as Ariel's double.

It is a magic tool that can change hair color and facial features.

To make the disguise more convincing, she trimmed her hair to about the same length as Ariel's.

Their heights and figures are different, but ... that can't be helped.

Anyway, for the sake of Ariel's life, those two remaining servants will act as sacrifices.

I know nothing about them, but I'd like to finish this without anybody getting murdered.

Tomorrow, we will move on the a.s.sumption that there will be an attack.

"We moved here using the teleportation circle, so won't the a.s.sailant be expecting us much later?"

To that someone's question, Ariel replied.

"Senior Minister Darius is a very thorough person. He had already made preparations the moment Father became ill."

Like that.

Who or what kind of enemy will we face? No one knows yet.

But I already shared information about the North Emperor and Water G.o.d who were hired by the Asura kingdom.

On top of that, the North Emperor Auber will also become our enemy.

I'm telling them with that warning in mind.

I thought about how to fight him so we could handle this problem more efficiently, but if Auber and Luke are the apostles of Hitogami, there is a possibility that they've already made countermeasures.

Making preparations to fight him, while they make preparations to counter that.

If that happens, I can't even count on my demon eye.

So I will deal with it personally this time.

Warning everyone of Auber's surprise attack, while protecting everyone's safety.

Well, rather than me protecting Ghyslaine and everyone ... I feel like I'm the one being protected.

Anyways, let's do our best so that no one dies.

The next day.

We're moving based on the formation discussed at the meeting.

On horseback were Ghyslaine, Eris, Sylphy and I in the front.

Riding the horse-drawn carriage are the two servants and Ariel, followed by Luke at the back of the horse-drawn carriage.

While travelling cautiously along the forest road, we encountered a bend in the path that prevented us from seeing beyond it.

Just before the bend.

On a certain small tree, I found a mark carved into it.

A mark that looks like a $, a signal that Orsted and I came up with in advance.

It means『There's an ambush ahead.』

Good, we don't need a self-directed play then.

Pus.h.i.+ng the capability of my foresight eye to the max, I tighten the grip on my staff.

I also activated Zariff's Arm, so I'm ready to use the magic absorbing stone at a moment's notice.

Blowguns and poison darts may suddenly come flying, or showers of advanced magic may rain down towards the horse-drawn carriage.

In either situation, if I can see it with my demon eye I can avoid it.

However, there wasn't a need for that.

Ghyslaine and Eris are at the front.

Blocking the way of those two are figures of armored soldiers standing shoulder-to-shoulder.

Numbering more than a dozen.

"Halt!"

Slightly ahead, Ghyslaine and Eris stopped their horses.

"Who is it?"

The armored soldier did not answer Ghyslaine's question.

Because of the full face helmet, I cannot see his facial expressions.

Among the armour-clad shoulders there's one wearing flashy conspicuous feathers.

He should be the captain.

They were silent.

In silence, they just blocked the road.

"Rudi......get down."

In response to those words, I jumped off the horse, and walked towards Ariel's carriage.

Sylphy is still riding a horse, going ahead.

Taking a position in between Ghyslaine and Eris, she stares at the captain.

"I am Fitts of the Royal Guard!

The one behind me in this carriage is known as the second princess Ariel Anemoi-Asura from the Asura kingdom!

Whose soldiers are you?! State your name! "

A manly voice shouted high.

So cool.

But the captain does not answer.

Instead, he silently draws his sword.

Following suit, the other soldiers also draws their sword.

A high-pitched *Jakin* echoed through the forest.

At the same time, soldiers armed to the teeth emerged from the forest making a *Karawarawara* noise.

Most of them have swords, but I only have a staff and we're considerably outnumbered.

"Enemy attack!"

Getting off of his horse, Luke is already taking his stance.

Elmore sitting on the driver's seat is clutching her whip with tension.

Inside the horse drawn carriage, Kleene disguised herself as Ariel.

"Uraaaa!"

"Gaaaaa~!"

Already Ghyslaine and Eris have engaged the soldiers up ahead.

Their swords cut down the soldiers so fast that it didn't even leave an afterimage.

The two are so fast that the soldiers were defeated before they could even unsheathe their swords.

"Leave the magic to me!"

Sylphy had to precisely control her magic so as to not hit Eris and Ghyslaine.

I can't see, but it appears there are magicians behind the soldiers.

The number of enemy soldiers is almost thirty.

Yet troops continue to pour out of the forest, it looks like there are still more of them.

Despite this, it seems such an advantage in numbers means nothing against Ghyslaine and Eris.

The enemy troops are being decimated in the blink of an eye.

Eris is moving freely on her own.

Ghyslaine moves to covers her blind spot.

Furthermore, Sylphy supported them both with magic.

The trio constantly repositioned themselves to avoid being surrounded, and they're slaughtering the armored knights.

They are strong ...... Those three people.

It will be alright even if I leave them alone.

"Luke-senpai! Are there any enemies behind us?"

"No!"

Response from Luke protecting the back of the horse-drawn carriage.

It's look like the enemy wants to lure us into a retreat.

A trap?

It's a trap.

"What will we do, withdraw?"

"No, it seem that it's possible to break through, so ......"

Looking ahead, the flood of soldiers have parted in two.

Then, a person appears between them. Ghyslaine and Eris stopped moving.

The person was smaller than I expected.

Only about a meter tall.

Hobbit Race.

His small body wrapped in full body armor.

His armor polished clean, so clean that it shone brilliantly in the light.

With his short stature, he totally looked like a dis...o...b..ll.

I felt when he came out in front, the soldiers surrounding him felt fairly relieved.

The feeling of being in a Sensei's presence.

Apparently, he seems to be powerful.

Can he be Auber?

"My name is the North King Wii Taa.

One of the Three Swords of North G.o.d.

『Light and Darkness』 Wii Taa. "

...... Who?

"I see you are 『Black Wolf』 Ghyslaine.

I challenge you to a duel! ! "

Dis...o...b..ll draws his sword.

Fitting his short stature, it's a short sword 30 centimeters in length.

But the blade s.h.i.+nes so brightly as if it was reflected with a mirror.

However, a man-to-man fight at this moment?

It is a situation of dozens versus three already, I wonder what kind of intention he has?

"Hmph."

Ghyslaine pointed her blade, letting out a snort.

It was directed to the Wii Taa that pointed his sword.

"Very well. I, Ghyslaine the 『Black Wolf』 Sword King, shall be your opponent."

While holding a reserve sword on her waist, Ghyslaine was facing the North King.

So, the flow of time has stopped.

The grunts stopped moving, after while checking their surrounding they began to fall back.

Sylphy also fell back glancing warily at the soldier's movements.

What remains is an atmosphere for a duel against the man called North King.

But Eris can't read the mood.

She lunges ahead toward the retreating soldiers.

"Daaaaaaa!"

"Ah! Hey! Eris!"

Sylphy also enters the fray haphazardly.

Covering Eris's back, a helter-skelter battle started.

Are those two people alright?

The number of enemies is great.

I look at them for a moment, they aren't taking any attacks. Seems there is plenty of room for comfort.

...... Alright, it's okay to leave them for now.

I want to support them, but I can't move from this place.

Due to Eris's rampage, the distance between the horse drawn carriage and her widened a bit.

Still, Auber has not shown himself yet.

Until he appears, I cannot move.

Auber is skilled at surprise attacks.

If we divert our attention, he may launch a surprise attack from behind us.

It's a very textbook tactic, but it would be the best time for it.

A moment of distraction.

He would strike during that split second opportunity.

Especially against powerful magicians, he would hit them during their incantations.

Therefore, Orsted said.

If it turns into a skirmish, don't use any magic until that guy shows himself.

Even if your ally is in a pinch, don't give them any support.

If you're patient, Auber would change his target, he will launch an attack on those who are most off guard.

In that moment, you could snipe him.

Therefore, I cannot move.

I need to be alert of my surroundings with my eyes wide open.

Even so, I feel concerned.

Instead of the North Emperor, the North King Wii Taa appears out of nowhere.

If another strong guy comes out and it's not Auber, I guess I'll need to give the order to retreat.

"Ugh, kut!"

"Hahaa~! 『Black Wolf』 Ghyslaine! Your skill is rotting!"

And against Wii Taa, Ghyslaine is being pressed back a bit.

Or rather, Ghyslaine's movement is strange.

When Ghyslaine tries to go in for an attack, she stops for a moment and turns her face.

Wii Taa doesn't miss a chance like that.

He dashes into Ghyslaine's body at a speed you wouldn't expect from his short limbs and launches a shower of attacks.

His thrusts only made shallow wounds on Ghyslaine's skin, it looks like she avoided a fatal blow.

Since the beginning of their duel, Ghyslaine has yet to take a step forward to attack.

She would ready her stance and motion an attack, but turns away each time for some reason, allowing Wii Taa to counter.

Something happened.

But, I don't know what it is from my position.

What did you do?

I try to observe Wii Taa.

He is as sparkly and s.h.i.+ny as a dis...o...b..ll, and is hard to keep an eye on.

While he moves in to strike Ghyslaine, he puts out his left hand.

His left hand is not holding anything.

Then, is he using magic?

Ghyslaine turns away her face.

Was it sand?

You're trying to blind her?

No, It doesn't seem that way.

I don't see anything coming out from his hand.

But, there's no doubt that Wii Taa's left hand causes Ghyslaine to turn away.

Ghyslaine couldn't look at him whenever his left hand pointed towards her direction.

...... Oh, is that how it is?

Light.

By reflecting sunlight with that mirror-like armor, he robs Ghyslaine of her sight.

Every time Ghyslaine goes in for an attack, he blinds her.

What a dirty trick!

However, Ghyslaine looks like she's having difficulty.

If she continues on like this, she might lose.

Should I cover for her?

What should I do?

If I don't act now it will be too late.

First of all, is Auber really here?

Do I keep guard or leave Ghyslaine to die?

All right.

I began to pour magic into Aqua Hartia.

Using Earth and Water magic.

In other words, the usual quagmire.

Melded magic -.

" 『Mud Rain』! "

In a moment the clouds cover the sky.

The falling raindrops are brown like chocolate.

It quickly covers the battlefield.

Rain that contains mere mud.

It did not have any offensive power.

As it falls on the ground, it turns the ground slick and loose which robs the soldiers of their mobility.

Some slip and some fall over.

Since Eris and Ghyslaine trained their lower body, the mud has no impact on them.

As for Sylphy, it dyes her hair brown, but let's set that aside for now.

"Nuooo?"

As Wii Taa's polished armor becomes muddy, the dis...o...b..ll loses its light.

"Gaaaaaaa!"

The yell of Ghyslaine's fighting spirit resonated through the woods.

From the blade near her waist, Ghyslaine fires off a sword of light.

Wii Taa tumbled to avoid it, but blood was gus.h.i.+ng from his shoulder.

With this, the winner has been decided.

I continued to be vigilant against Auber......

Then, I looked back.

"What?"

Right behind us, there was a man.

I saw a strange person.

Wearing a rainbow colored jacket, knee length pants, with three sword attached to his waist. There is a peac.o.c.k tattoo on his cheek, and his hairstyle was like a satellite dish.

He's wearing a dirt-colored cloak on his back.

And from that cloak, a trail of silky sand spills down.

At the end of this trail, a hole was spotted in Luke's blind spot, who was supposed to be watching our back.

This fellow, he was hiding in the hole he dug up in the road.

His features and clothing matched the description.

This guy is the North Emperor Auber.

" ...... You found me."

The next moment, my foresight eye saw Auber's movement.

"At this distance against a magician......sorry for the sneak attack!"

I immediately react with my left hand.

The left hand where Zariff's Arm is attached.

Although the arm feels no resistance from the weight, Auber is still faster.

"『Arm, Fly 』!"

"Fuooo!?"

My artificial arm flew off at a ridiculous speed.

Despite that, Auber barely evaded it with a backflip while tilting his neck, dodging the arm.

Making a [Badzun] sound, the artificial arm lodges itself in a distant tree.

While holding the sword, Auber glances back and forth between the arm that flew and me with rounded eyes.

"W, What…..the…..."

My heart is beating rapidly.

I knew that Auber would attack with his tricks.

Even though I knew about it from Orsted......d.a.m.n.

Is this the result of not following his directions?

Now I have to fight Auber one-on-one.

My opponent is a North Emperor.

While he isn't necessarily weak when fighting normally, his specialty is in surprise attacks.

But... I have heard of the actions that I should take after exposing this figure.

It is possible to win, I'm fine, calm down, I'm strong, I'm strong, I'm Strahan, I'm Stallone.

"Rudeus the 『Quagmire』."

Auber did not attack immediately.

While standing there, he spoke to me.

"Although I have heard the rumors, you are indeed strong."

Why are you not coming at me?

Although this method cannot be used if you are not coming at me......

"...... Where did you hear my name?"

"From a certain beast over there. When I was teaching sword art to that beast, she always said [Rudeus is awesome!]."

So it was Eris.

"A man who could tame that beast, would be a praiseworthy man. Really, like the rumor said.......even his arm can fly."

It seems he is fascinated by my Rocket Punch. [5]

And I'm being watched with a vigilant eye, as if I will try some other weird trick.

What a bad-mannered guy.

It's not like I'm some kind of rare animal.......

But, it's good that he's being cautious.

After all, in the edge of my vision, Ghyslaine has defeated Wii Taa and is coming towards us.

It's not a far distance, she should be here soon.

If it's two-on-one, our chances of winning will increase tremendously.

"Eris, and Ghyslaine.

Silent Fitts, and Rudeus of the Quagmire.

As a precaution, we have brought Wii Taa but......

Since I couldn't kill Rudeus, this will be hard on us."

Auber convinces himself and nods.

I wonder if he'll come.

"But, there is no shortage of opponents!"

He's coming.

But, in the current situation, if I can hold him for even a few seconds, I can attack him with Ghyslaine in a pincer maneuver.

And, I know roughly what technique Auber uses.

I can do this.

I can bring him down.

"My name is, North Emperor Auber Corvette!"

Auber drew the sword with his left hand and sheathed the sword in his right hand.

I also started pouring magic into my staff in response to that......

"This is...... Goodbye!"

Auber started running.

Not toward me, but toward Ghyslaine.

Huh?

Did he just say goodbye?

"Auber!"

"Oh, it's ...... Ghyslaine! Long time no see!"

"Gaaaaaaa!"

"As expected, you haven't changed at all."

Before anyone noticed, Auber had thrown the bag that was in his hand.

The bag flies to Ghyslaine in a smooth arc.

Ghyslaine promptly cuts the bag while it is still in mid air.

Upon being cleaved, some kind of smoke suddenly scatters from the bag.

Ghyslaine face is ...... showered by it immediately.

This is bad.

"『Stone Cannon』!"

"Uooh~~!"

Auber easily avoided the rock cannonball that came flying from behind with a fluid movement.

Can Ghyslaine give chase ...... no, that's impossible.

Flour was showered on her face, making her eyes shed tears uncontrollably and causing her to sneeze repeatedly.

Mixed with spices, it's a special tear gas from Auber.

Slipping around Ghyslaine like a c.o.c.kroach, Auber was getting close to Sylphy and Eris who were slaughtering the soldiers.

"Retreat! Retreat! Redo again!"

With those words, men begin to escape into the forest all at once.

And, Eris noticed Auber at the same time.

Moving her body to protect Sylphy, she was trying to intercept him.

"Ugaaaaaa!!"

"『My sword, ablaze!』"

At the same time the chanting stopped, Auber's sword was covered in flames.

While sidestepping in and quickly removing something from his waist, Auber put something in his mouth.

I also know this trick.

I can make it.

"Buuuu~~!"

"『Water Wall!』"

Oil gushes from Auber's mouth to ignite the flaming sword, and attacks Eris.

But the magic I launched managed to stop it.

The fire hit the water wall and was extinguished in a moment.

Eris does not care about the water wall in front of her.

So as to tear to pieces both the opponent and my magical attacks, she slashed her raised sword diagonally downward from the shoulder, a.s.sailing Auber.

"Taaaaaa!"

A sound of *Zan~tsu*, was heard.

With a thud, the upper body of Auber, who was divided, fell to the ground.

"Alright!"

"Che."

While I was delighted, Eris clicked her tongue.

When I looked closely, what fell to the ground was not Auber's upper body.

It's a log.

Without realising it, a log had fallen on the ground.

The log wrapped in a sand covered cloak.

N ......?

I wonder what happened.

It should have been seen with my Foresight Eye, but I do not know what happened.

And at that moment, I thought that something was flying towards the log. A Talon Claw.

A claw with a rope flew toward the log.

Catching onto the cloth and pulling it from a distance.

The cloth flew lightly in the air and settled into the man that was holding the tip of the rope.

In the forest, there was Auber, wearing a cloak and hiding behind some flowers.

Auber, that he would recover his cloak with that claw...

Is that cloak some kind of magic item?

To allow the party wearing the cloak to instantly swap out like that...

Was it Utsusemi no Jutsu [Subst.i.tute Art]?

I didn't hear about this, boss!

"You've improved your skills, Mad Dog! I'll be leaving first! Let us meet again!"

"Wait!"

"Wait, Eris!"

Eris tried to chase Auber, but she was stopped by Sylphy.

"There are still soldiers in the forest, don't chase after him alone!"

After hearing these words, Eris looked back towards me.

Then, to the direction where Auber disappeared.

And clicking her tongue, she sheathed her sword.

"Hmph."

Eris walked back towards me unhappily,

Sylphy continued to vigilantly search for remaining enemies while holding her wand.

For now, there seems to be no signs of any enemies nearby.

Only corpses remain.

"Whew......"

For now, the raid will end with this.

But, Auber may launch another surprise attack, so we must stay alert.

We should at least stay vigilant until the night.

After the battle.

The enemy: nearly destroyed.

Damage against us: almost nil.

The only damage was Ghyslaine's sneezing and tears that did not stop for almost an hour.

Since detoxification and healing magic didn't work we were a little bit impatient, but the symptoms subsided when flushed with water magic.

I often feel the weakness of healing and detoxification magic.

Maybe it doesn't cure hay fever either.

It seems that there is no hay fever in this world...

I immediately helped to clean up the corpses we had piled by the roadside.

Normally it might have been okay to just leave them, but right now we were still in the forest.

If you leave dead people alone here, their bodies will be revived into the undead.

Basically, leaving corpses in a place like this is forbidden.

We stripped the armor, piled up the remains together, and then burned the corpses.

While going about the work, Luke's complexion became grim.

The more he worked, the grimmer his expression became.

This wasn't because he knew the ident.i.ty of the corpses. Rather, his focus was on the armor the corpses were wearing.

I wonder if there is something on it.

"Hey, Luke. This crest is....."

I found the reason immediately..

As for what it was, it could be found on a lot of the corpses.

On their armor, a crest was emblazoned.

The crest symbolized a certain lord from the Asura Kingdom.

That crest was from a place known as the Milbotts territory.

It is a territory that is owned by one of the four major n.o.ble families that had a strong military force in the Asura Kingdom.

The soldiers who attacked us came from the faction that ruled over that territory.

That means...

Luke muttered what I had already guessed.

"Foolishness ......"

The lord of Milbotts territory...

Philemon Notus Greyrat has betrayed Ariel.

One hour after the ambush.

After dealing with the dead bodies, we've set up camp in a secluded part of the forest.

Surrounded by a stone fence, we're in the middle of a war council around a bonfire.

"Foolishness ......such a foolish....."

Luke had a stupid look.

From hearing that Philemon turned his back on us, he murmured rashly with vacant eyes.

Was it a surprise?

No, only to Luke.

Ariel and the others look nonchalant.

It seems like they have considered that possibility.

Only Luke is shocked, since he is Philemon's relative.

Or was it from the lies. .h.i.togami fed him?

What did Hitogami tell him?

And has the lie already been exposed?

Knowing him, I doubt he'll do something so convenient.

Should I… prod him for answers?

No, I should wait for an opportunity.

"Ariel-sama."

"What is it Rudeus-sama?"

"I think Auber will attack again whether we are in this forest, before we cross the border, or after we cross the border. I think he will attack us on a regular basis."

Ariel was puzzled.

"I suppose so?"

Such a situation, we have no choice but to face it. That was our a.s.sumption from the start.

"I was able to fight him this time, but Auber was a more formidable enemy than I thought, on top of that, the number of enemies in this raid are greater than I thought..... Apparently, the other side is going all-out to kill you, Ariel-sama. For the next attack, they will definitely come more prepared than the last time."

"...... is it that difficult to just fight them off?"

Hearing Ariel's word, I nod.

"I won't say it's difficult........but. Perhaps, the border checkpoint will be the next ambush. It might be a trap I think "

"But without teleportation magic we can only move onward."

The conversation is going exactly as I expected.

Talking to Ariel is so easy.

It feels like she already knows what I want to say.

"Yeah, but if you already know they will lay a trap all we need to do is avoid it."

"Well ...... Then, is there another way to cross the border without walking into their trap?"

"Yes"

"How?"

Before I realize it, all eyes are focused on Ariel and I.

I feel that it a little hard to talk.

"Around the border, there are bandits and slave traders whose main occupation is smuggling. Let's negotiate with them. If all goes well, we may cross the border without pa.s.sing the checkpoint."

After hearing my suggestion, Ariel was posing thoughtfully saying [Hmm].

Sylphy is giving a somewhat quizzical face.

Neither Ghyslaine nor Eris have heard about this.

"Rudeus-sama, didn't you said earlier that we shouldn't be doing guilty things?"

"Yes. It does not change that regard. But, I seem to have misjudged a little about the severity of the situation. My intention still won't change."

"...... Is that so?"

I was nodding while saying that, Ariel seemed convinced.

She stared at Sylphy and then looks at the surroundings, while her eyebrows are making a '/ ' shape.

"Sylphy, What do you think?"

"....I think it is a good idea. I do not know how credible the thief band is, but if Rudi suggested it, I think it is less dangerous than crossing the checkpoint."

"I'm not satisfied with Rudi's suggestion. Why didn't he suggest that in advance? Also, why did you give that suggestion only after we were ambushed? It seemed as though you were waiting for this attack? "

"Luke?"

Luke gulped, and Ariel looks at Luke.

He slowly raises his head, as if he saw a ghost.

Looking at me with pondering eyes.

"You, what are you plotting ... ?"

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