The journey from the Royal Capital to the Fuder Dukedom was made in a large, high-speed carriage owned by Dolton.
This carriage was apparently quite expensive; though it looked plain, it was supposedly able to withstand a direct hit from a Level 5 【Fireball】 according to calculations.
“Never been hit by one, though!”
That was Viro’s comment. It could supposedly withstand one, but a second would total it.
The lower section had a space of several dozen centimeters where weapons and equipment that couldn’t be brought inside were stored, and it could be accessed from under the floor. The roof was a space for storing spoils, and the area between was where people rode. Even with the large Dolton and Feld riding, there was plenty of room, so I think it could easily carry over ten people.
The carriage was pulled by four horses, but the drive system was apparently also a Magic Tool. Even though the horses were pulling it, it seemed to run on Magic Stones to some extent on its own.
“Alright, Aria. We included you because you can use Light Magic, but I don’t intend to waste your combat style, so you’ll basically be acting as a scout.”
Inside the carriage, Dolton explained my role.
“What about healing during combat?”
“Even when Samantha was here, we didn’t heal during combat. We basically make do with Potions after the fight. If you’re concerned, you can learn to heal yourself like Feld. Aria, you’ll only heal us if we have injuries that would hinder our combat. We’re all combatants. There’s no point in wasting Mana and being unable to fight when it counts. Also, if you’re constantly drinking several Mana Recovery Potions a day, they can become less effective.”
“Understood.”
The current composition of the Adventurer party “Rainbow Sword” was as follows:
-
Heavy Warrior
【Dolton Rockwall】【Race: Mountain Dwarf ♂】【Rank 5】
【Mana Capacity: 250/250】【HP: 512/512】
【Overall Combat Strength: 1940 (Body Enhancement in progress: 2420)】
* Swordsman【Feld Ruin】【Race: Human ♂】【Rank 5】
【Mana Capacity: 225/225】【HP: 370/370】
【Overall Combat Strength: 1494 (Body Enhancement in progress: 1908)】
* Scout/Light Warrior【Viro Dawn】【Race: Human ♂】【Rank 4】
【Mana Capacity: 172/220】10 Up【HP: 283/320】10 Up
【Overall Combat Strength: 1056 (Body Enhancement in progress: 1281)】
* Spirit User/Archer【Miranda MoMo】【Race: Forest Elf ♀】【Rank 4】
【Mana Capacity: 350/350】【HP: 175/175】
【Overall Combat Strength: 1097 (Body Enhancement in progress: 1321)】
* Illusionist/Assassin【Aria】【Race: Human ♀】【Rank 4】
【Mana Capacity: 270/270】【HP: 210/210】
【Overall Combat Strength: 916 (Body Enhancement in progress: 1123)】
As expected, the overall combat strength had decreased since Samantha, the Rank 5 Magician, had retired, but according to Dolton, Feld and Viro, being humans, had grown, so he thought we could fight as well as before depending on my and Mira’s Magic.
The final destination this time was a Dungeon on a remote island, so we were heading to a port town within the Fuder territory in this carriage.
Normally, we would take the relatively safe main road to the Duke’s city and then head east to the port town, but we were using a route that deviated from the main road and went through the Forest. I was told that this road was narrower than the main road, but it was easier to use the carriage because ordinary travelers didn’t use it much.
We proceeded through the Forest, and just as it was getting dark and we were about to look for a campsite, the coachman called out.
“Dolton-sama, I can hear what sounds like clashing swords quite far ahead. I can’t tell from here whether it’s an ambush or not, but what shall we do?”
This coachman was the old butler who managed Dolton’s mansion. However, he wasn’t a professional butler, but a retired member of the former Shadow Unit, and his information could be trusted because he had the ability of a Rank 2 scout.
“Are some stupid merchants being attacked? It’s a pain, but it can’t be helped. You young ones, get out of the carriage and clean it up a bit.”
Dolton gave instructions with a grimace. The reason he looked displeased was because he knew this road wasn’t as safe as the main road. Even so, they wouldn’t be attacked if they had a certain level of escort, but the escort on the attacked side must not have been sufficient.
“Shall we go, then?”
“Yeah.”
At Dolton’s words, Feld and I got up from our seats.
Mira, who was told to be a “young one,” didn’t move from her seat while munching on dried fruit, and Viro, who was about to stand up, noticed that he wasn’t a young one when he met my eyes, and returned his waist to the seat as it was.
When we got out of the carriage, we could indeed hear the sound of clashing swords from afar. Feld must have noticed it too, as he stared ahead with a slightly stern face.
“It’s not Monsters… the sound of weapons clashing is heavy. It’s combat between people who have received combat training. Be careful, Aria.”
“Understood.”
Just in case, I conveyed that information to the coachman butler, and then Feld, assuming it would be a melee, held a pair of Hand Axes instead of his Greatsword, and I started running down the darkened road without drawing my weapon.
I, with my good night vision, ran in the lead, followed closely by Feld.
After running for several dozen seconds, we could see a faint light of Magic and torches ahead, and we could see the situation a little.
“It looks like a noble’s carriage is being attacked. The attackers seem to be human.”
“Can you identify the enemy?”
“The attackers are wearing black Leather Armor and hiding their faces, I guess? So, are we going to help?”
“If it’s that obvious, why not?”
“Got it. I’ll go ahead.”
I dashed out with all my might at that moment. Even if Feld and I had the same Agility, I was faster than him in terms of running speed because I was lighter.
We could see several noble carriages. However, the number of guards seemed small for that many carriages, but they were putting up an equal fight against nearly twice as many attackers, perhaps because they were skilled.
Seeing one of the knights struggling against three attackers, I immediately took action.
“——【Phantom Pain】——”
“Gugyaa!?”
One of the attackers, who was raising his Spear, screamed and froze, and I thrust a throwing Knife into the brow of the man next to him who was surprised and turned around. I then tore the neck of the frozen man with my 【Blade Scythe Style】 Pendulum, and kicked the face of the last Black Leather Armor as I ran up, slashing his empty throat with my Black Knife.
“I’m an Adventurer passing by. You’re the ones being attacked, right?”
“Ah, yes.”
I asked after killing the three Black Armors without giving them a chance to speak, but the knight nodded in amazement.
“Was it unnecessary? If you don’t need me, I’ll go back.”
“N-no, I appreciate the assistance. There were more attackers than ‘planned,’ so I’m worried about the carriages ahead. But you are…”
“Adventurer, ‘Rainbow Sword.'”
As expected, the name “Rainbow Sword” was famous, and the knight’s face brightened with relief. On the contrary, perhaps they thought I was getting in the way, as several of the Black Armor attackers turned towards me.
I immediately used the 【Ball-Shaped】 Pendulum I had released from the darkness to smash the side of the head of the leading man from the side, and pierced his throat with a throwing Knife I pulled out from the slit.
The attackers’ combat strength was around 250… around the upper Rank 2. They weren’t skilled, but they weren’t opponents you could underestimate depending on their resolve.
“Damn it!”
The man noticed that my weapon was attacking from the darkness, and as he rushed in, protecting his vitals with his arms, I jumped into the air and slammed my knee into the guard protecting his face. I then inserted my arm through the gap in the open guard, wrapped it around his neck, and broke his neck as I went behind him.
“Watch out!”
I heard the knight’s voice, and the moment I saw two more attackers rushing in with their swords, a “Hand Axe” that slipped past the knight’s sides as he tried to help pierced the faces of the two attackers.
“Aria, you’re too fast!”
Feld, who had caught up while complaining, drew his Magic Steel Greatsword from his back as he ran, and slashed one of the attackers in half vertically as he jumped in.
“A-are you allies…?”
The knight’s voice was hoarse at the sheer power of it. I nodded lightly to the knight and turned to Feld, who was looking for the next enemy.
“The carriages ahead are also being attacked.”
“Got it. You go there. I’ll take care of the guys here.”
“…Understood.”
I knew it, but Feld was strong after all. Even if there were several Rank 3 mixed in with these guys, they would be fine as long as they didn’t let their guard down.
I was a little concerned that he was a bit of a muscle-brain…
Slipping through the attackers who were slightly intimidated by Feld’s participation, I ran off as if flying at a speed that no one in this place could match.
As I passed by the attacked carriage, I noticed a familiar crest on the inside of a peeling board, likely damaged during the assault.
(…A Royal Crest?)
Elena’s carriage at the Dandole resort had the same crest. If that’s the case, are these people connected to the Royal Family?
If I had to guess, it would be either the Crown Prince or Elena’s carriage heading to the dungeon, but I can’t imagine why they wouldn’t use the main road with such a small escort.
They’re not the only royals, and if they’re traveling on this road, hopefully they’re just transporting urgent supplies…
As I continued down the road, I saw black-armored soldiers and escort knights lying in the darkness. There was no need to check if they were alive. With my ability to see Mana Particles, I could tell that their life force was gone without even appraising them.
Was it a mutual kill? Or are there still skilled fighters remaining?
Hyuun!
At that moment, a knife flew from the darkness of the forest. I instantly pulled out a [General-Purpose Model] from my 【Shadow Storage】 and deflected it. While hiding behind a tree, I threw the knife I had drawn from the slit in my skirt towards the shadow I briefly saw in the forest.
It was probably dodged. I couldn’t tell who it was in the darkness, but from the brief glimpse of their Mana Particles, I could sense their strength.
【—NO NAME—】【Race: Humanoid?】
【Mana Capacity: 182/220】【HP: 221/260】
【Overall Combat Strength: 929 (Body Enhancement in progress: 1126)】
Perhaps they also confirmed my combat strength, as an intense “Killing Intent” erupted from the dark forest.
…I see. There was a “skilled fighter” after all.
Were the ones in the attacked carriage the Crown Prince or Elena?
Or another member of the Royal Family?
The battle with the Rank 4 enemy that appeared from the darkness begins.
Next time: Battle in the Dark Forest.
I’m planning to update next on Saturday or Sunday.