Night.
Ariel is the only one that is using the tent while the rest of us are on watch duty shifts.
We watch in sets of two.
That said, there’s seven people excluding Ariel.
So there are three shifts.
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 passing 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 pass each other in the valley area.
By the way, I was nearly killed by Orsted in the Red Dragon’s Lower Jaw.
After passing 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 assassinate someone.
If Darius had received advice from Hitogami, this is where he will send his assassins.
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 passing the southern checkpoint within Asura Kingdom, it will surely become big news.
It will become bad press for Darius under these two circumstances.
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 God.
Orsted saw that the possibility that the North Emperor is dispatched as an assassin is high.
The swordsman named Auber, it seems he is good at those kinds of jobs.
An unpredictable swordsman that symbolizes the North God Style.
From his hairstyle and clothes to his way of fighting, everything about him is unique.
A man gifted in surprise attack.
『Peacock Sword』 Auber Corvette.
Eris has already been informed beforehand about the possibility of fighting him and the Water God.
If I’m right, Eris had learned swordsmanship 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 relationships 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 class 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 class. 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 class 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.