Chapter 361: It Seems They’ve Finally Gotten Serious
Five days have passed since that incident, and we are steadily making our way toward the Royal Capital. An additional thirteen attackers have come at us, but we’ve dealt with them all and captured them alive. I’ve crafted an Earth Magic cage for them. I plan to return the favor with interest to those who sent them.
“They really don’t learn, do they?”
Ivan mutters in disbelief as he spots a figure standing imposingly in the distance, blocking our path. The ones we’ve captured so far have mostly been of the assassin type. They’ve disguised themselves as adventurers heading toward the city, which had just had its Stampede alert level lifted, or they’ve attacked our camp in the early hours before dawn.
“Are they coming at us head-on this time?”
“…Looks that way. I don’t sense anyone sneaking up from behind.”
Given our previous encounters, I can’t help but question the results of my Presence Detection Skill. However, I feel no presence of humans or monsters around us.
As we walk closer, the situation becomes clearer. The first impression is that of a knight. He’s clad in polished silver armor, and at his waist hangs a sword that is tastefully adorned without being overly flashy.
Behind him, there are about five subordinates in matching, modestly decorated armor, standing in formation. They seem to be eyeing the cage we’ve set up behind us as well.
“…You must be Shu, the S Rank Adventurer?”
“That’s correct,” I reply, not stopping my stride as he addresses me. Although I’m approaching leisurely, it doesn’t mean I’m okay with being interrupted.
But the man, seemingly oblivious to my intentions, points at me and loudly declares, “I am Nowell Beckman. I challenge you to a duel! Leave behind what you intend to take to the Royal Castle and turn back!”
His words carry the air of someone who believes he’s already won before the fight has even begun. If we’re heading to another country from here, we have to pass through the Royal Capital without turning back. While we could forge our own path, that’s not the issue at hand.
“Uh, no thanks,” I say, cutting him off decisively as I continue to walk past him, but it seems he won’t let me go that easily.
“No negotiations! We have our reasons for not backing down, so you will accept this duel!”
With that proclamation, he draws his sword and takes a stance. His subordinates remain rigidly still, showing no signs of moving. It seems that, despite calling it a duel, they won’t engage us with numbers from the start. While it shows a sense of honor, it doesn’t change the fact that they’re not willing to reason.
With a weapon drawn, I have no choice but to halt my advance. Rio and the others stop as well, but since there’s still some distance, I continue to approach.
“Yeah, that’s right.”
These guys clearly don’t care about our circumstances. At this point, it might be quickest to restrain them since they’re obstructing our path.
Noticing a telltale sign of him about to leap forward, I use Spatial Magic to fix his feet to the ground. As expected, he stumbles and falls, allowing me to solidify the surrounding earth with magic and create a cage. I also gather the five subordinates behind him into the same cage.
“Finally, it’s quiet…”
“Ahaha…”
I let out a weary sigh, and Rio responds with a wry smile. It didn’t take that long, but the noise while I was constructing the cage was bothersome, with them shouting about how it was cowardly and to fight honorably.
“Like I care about that.”
“Mmm…”
When I turn around to take a breath, Phonia seems to be diligently using Earth Magic to create a wall. She’s managed to build a wall about a meter high.
“It’s hard to build a house like big brother…”
“Oh, you’re working hard with the other elements too?”
While she’s become quite adept with Fire Magic, it seems she still has a way to go with the others.
“You’re doing great! If you have a model of the house you want to make, you might be able to do it well,” Rio says, patting her head while pointing at the cage I just made. Through the gaps in the latticework, we can see the man who challenged me swinging his sword in an attempt to break free.
“Wuff wuff wuff!”
Nil appears to be in an excited state. It’s been a while since we fought monsters together during the main event of the Stampede, so perhaps he’s been feeling pent-up stress.
“What’s up, Nil? …If someone else comes, do you want to take care of them?”
“Wuff!”
When I casually ask, he wags his tail vigorously, looking pleased.
“Haha, I guess you’ll be fine. The opponents we’ve faced lately have been tough for me…”
Ivan gazes off into the distance, and it’s true that the opponents he’s faced recently have been quite formidable. This latest man also had decent skill.
“Well then, shall we go?”
And so, we continue on our way toward the Royal Capital, capturing those who dare to attack us.
On the ninth day of our leisurely journey toward the Royal Capital, the city walls finally come into view. The number of people we’ve crammed into the cage is nearing fifty. The newcomers are still struggling to break free, but the veterans seem to have given up and are quiet.
“Hey, hey, hey… Seriously?”
As we draw closer, Ivan groans at the sight unfolding before us.
“Whoa!”
Even though I sensed it with my Presence Detection, seeing it in person is quite a spectacle.
A military force is waiting along the road a few kilometers from the northern gate of the Royal Capital. There must be around a thousand of them.
“They’ve finally gotten serious, haven’t they?”
“Wow, that’s impressive!”
“Wuff wuff!”
“…”
Phonia and Nil seem to be oblivious to the gravity of the situation, simply excited. El appears to be at a loss for words, clearly exasperated.
After a moment, a familiar big man rides toward us on horseback. Upon closer inspection, he’s the loud one who caused a ruckus when he reported about the Metal Dragon Serpent during the latter part of the Stampede.
“Hmph. It seems your facade has finally crumbled. You adventurers think you can escape the Crime of Overthrowing the State alive?”
“Eh?”
I can only widen my eyes in shock at the serious accusation he just laid upon us.
A crime of overthrowing the state, huh?