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.
Pushing 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!"