Volume 2 - CH 377

At least I using a better keyboard than before, for now.

9-11. The Vulpan Kingdom

Two carriages were making a cloud of dust.

A mounted dragon and a battlehorse were running as if they were playing a game of fetch.

They are running at about the same speed, but the battlehorse is by far the stronger of the two.

The battlehorse is led by Uchikage.

And Rose, the owner, is in charge of the mounted dragon.

While Uchikage was acting as the leader, we were inside spreading out a large map.

We had to get a clear idea of the terrain in order to decide where to go, where to hide, and our specific course of action in this carriage.

Now in this carriage are me, Alena, Houen and Shadow Eye’s captain, Vid.

Tracing the map with his finger, Vid explains.

“At this rate, we should reach the vicinity of the Vulpan Kingdom in about five days’ time. Although I’m not worried that the carriage will break down. ……”

“Well, it’ll be fine. …… Neither of them are used for normal horses for carriage, are they not?”

“I suppose so. …… Let’s see, listen. We will first hide the carriages here, a short distance from the Vulpan Kingdom.”

“It’s quite a far distance, isn’t it?”

“Since we are too conspicuous. From there, we will go on foot.”

Vid pointed to a large forest.

It was a good place to hide the carriages because it was a little far from the Vulpan Kingdom.

From there to the Vulpan Kingdom is half a day’s walk.

Well, …… it’s dangerous to come close with …….. this kind of carriage.

Hey, but this is the road that the scouts and the soldiers who were in chase passed through here, right?

Are you sure we won’t be attacked?

Is it safe?

“The possibility is not zero, right?”

“That’s right.”

“What happens if they find us?”

“It is obvious, isn’t it?”

Vid turned to me with a serious expression.

”I’ll do my best to keep my damn mouth shut.”

‘ “”……””

No, well, it might be necessary, but….

I thought it was quite obvious if we shut our mouth if they were somewhat able to capture us.

I wonder if they could wrap it up in a little more of an oblique manner.

Houen tilted his head.

“Hm, I don’t think that’s really necessary.”

“And why is that?”

“By ordinary horse-drawn carriage, the Vulpan Kingdom takes twenty days from the Kingdom of Salettana. However, the carriage we are riding will arrive in five days. Considering the speed of their communication, we don’t have to worry about it.”

“…… Houen-san. You forgot about the communication crystal, didn’t you?”

“Ah.”

Bro.

Why did you say it so confidently, but make a blunder like that?

There’s no way scouts and the liaison wouldn’t have an item that allows them to contact each other.

Maybe there’s even a message only personnel.

Let’s see, if that’s the case …….

We need to check out the passing carriages, people, etc. that we pass by or find and try to intercept their communications, right?

It’s pretty difficult …… because we have to do something before they contact us.

We have to be on our guard for five days to do that, right?

Hmmm, the mounted dragon and the battlehorse may be fast, but they are clearly different from the others.

We are glad for this speed, but on the other hand, we are taking the risk of being discovered and getting in touch with them.

Well, as long as they don’t find us, that’s all that matters.

Even if they find us, we can still do something about it. ……

“……, if they don’t find us ……, hmm …….”

“What are you thinking, Ouren?”

“I can’t muffle the sound, but I think I have the skill to hide myself.

“Eh, isn’t that amazing! Try it!”

“First, I’d like to hear some details.”

“Ah, yes. I can also manipulate fog. I thought it would be good to apply it.”

I’ve never used it that much, but if I spread the fog instead of the current haze, it shouldn’t be a problem.

I think I could change the density of the fog as well. ……

“Ouren. You might be good with that, but the battlehorse and the mounted dragon…”

“Ah …… I see. ……”

The unnatural fog might make them more curious instead. We are already conspicuous, so let’s keep a low profile.”

“Then, I’ll widen the haze and extend the range of my detection.”

“Please do so.”

Houen and I, we’re rotating to keep watch today. ……

I’m starting to worry about whether I can help Reizen in this condition.

I’ll be a little more careful.

“And ……. At this rate, we might catch up to the carriage thatReizen-san is riding in. Or even overtake it.”

“I guess so.”

Even if those guys left the Kingdom of Salettana three days ago, it’s a long way to go.

But we can run through it in five days.

Maybe we can even catch up with the carriage that Prince Kreis is riding in.

“If we find him, be careful, because we may have to fight him as fast as we can.”

“We hope so. If they are travelling on horse-drawn carriages, the enemy force is likely to be on the small side.”

Then Uchikage called out to us.

“Everyone, let’s take a rest.”

“I agree. I am also concerned about the condition of the carriage. …..”

After receiving the approval, Uchikage signalled with his hand to Roze, who was riding alongside him.

Roze saw this and pointed ahead.

It seems that she is proposing to take a rest at that place.

Ucchikage pointed in the same way, and then directed the battlehorse to that direction.

Roze, who confirmed that they were heading away from the road, followed behind him.