Seirei Gensouki ~Konna Sekai de Deaeta Kimi ni~

"Your job is easy. Follow the men in front. Keep your distance without losing sight of it. I don't care if they notice anything, but don't try to make contact with them. Pretend to be a normal traveler, even if they talk to you. That's it."

Where the Orins gathered at the gates of the Inn Town, Alain gave an explanation.

"Oh, okay"

When the Orins nod, Alain's mouth slightly rises.

"Okay. Then, fast, but I'll have them chased. You know there's a branch going south and east if you go south than this, right?

"Of course. There's plenty of room around here. It's our area of activity."

"Then if you go that far, you guys dare move in a different direction from the others. Then, when you walk for a few minutes, rest and wait. In the meantime, that's all you guys do. In the meantime, let me act differently, but I'll meet you later."

Copy that.

Orin answered instantly. The large frame of the request is still incomprehensible, but it is an easy task.

"Do you have something to ask me?

"No..."

I cruised slightly, but Olin waved. Emotionally, I'd like to move on to the compensation story, but it's hard to cut it out in a position where I'm asking you to do the job.

"Right. Like I said, I'm a little wild. It might take a little while to get back. We'll be back by sundown, but we might have to wait a little longer. Well, deal with me ad hoc around there."

"Okay, sweetheart."

I'll see you later.

Leaving that to say, Alain walked out toward the town again.

(which one should we go after? Should I let the Spring Man know?

Isiah conceives as she looks behind the Orins as they head south down the street on a fast leg.

(Yeah. There shouldn't be any harm left over there. Then I should go after him)

Making that decision, Isiah decided to go after Alain again.

◇ ◇ ◇

Around that time, in the territory of Count Claire, in the territorial capital of Claire.

The commander of the Christina search squad - Charles Albo - was caged in an office loaned to him by Celia's father, Laurent-Clair, and was being pursued by commanders of two squadrons consisting of four hundred men.

"Can't you find it yet, Princess Christina!? They're useless!

He slaps the executive desk clutterfully and Charles yells.

Standing face-to-face, Alfred-Emar looked slightly

"The soldiers are moving according to your command. The streets to the north and east have been sealed off, and searches have even been allowed into the woods. But they don't see a trace of it."

and made a pale report.

"I'm sure you're really looking into it, aren't you? We missed something, and if we're gonna find out later, we're not gonna have to joke about it, are we?

"I'm doing my best with HR"

"Then let the results come out. Without results, there's no point in the process."

Charles doesn't even try to hide his frustration.

"I am not responsible for soldiers moving as they are commanded. It's the superiors in command who are responsible for the consequences."

"... are you going to tell me I'm not in good command?

"It's not. I'm just telling my men to put the blame on them and stop messing around."

Charles glared at Alfred with swordswallowing eyes when Alfred made an undressed objection to his teeth.

"What?

"Calm down. You might need to change your mind a little bit."

"... what do you mean?

Charles smacks his tongue small and asks Alfred.

"It's the south street. I said it first, but it's not like you didn't have a chance of escape from there. It's getting thinner now, but it won't be too late. Shouldn't we be forming a search party and sending them?

"............ no. Insufficient personnel."

"Why? After the day, the range of travel will widen. That's what we're running out of personnel for."

Talking, Alfred just glanced at me not to say it was impossible.

"It's only been three days. We can't talk about running away from the North and East."

Reject Charles by citing the reason why it seems so.

"Stupid. It would be worse to be able to escape from the almost insignificant south. If you're in command, don't miss the switch, Charles."

"Shut up! I'm the commander. Don't give me directions from above. For once, you're just my aide, aren't you? Stop talking extra!

Alfred tells me, and Charles summons hysterically.

The statement seemed clear about the distorted inferiority Charles has towards Alfred.

"... I advised you, didn't I?

"Don't worry. I will not hold you accountable. I don't think merit will ever be yours more than if you disagreed with my policy."

"Right. I don't mind if I do."

Alfred seemed to faint unexpectedly, but barely enjoyed himself by keeping his head down.

I stare at Alfred's tricks so Charles doesn't seem to care.

In the end, Charles unleashed a search party towards the south on the day a few more days had passed.

◇ ◇ ◇

A short southward journey from the territory of Count Kreil and the territorial capital Kreia, there is a small city with a population of about a thousand.

One man - Alain - visited such a small city's rusty tavern.

Alain looks into the store and walks out to the table, which is roughly in the corner. There are two adventure-style men sitting there around thirty.

"Hey, Venn, Lucci. You're in a good position to get into a tavern before noon."

"That was fast. Alain. Have you finished your assignment yet?

Among the two men who were sitting, a middle-bodied figure - Venn responded comfortably to Alain's irony.

"Hmm. There's no way it's gonna end. My assignment is the most troublesome. I'm here to help you guys skip out anyway."

"I'm in favor of exchanging information. But we weren't skipping. I was waiting for you. Whatever happens."

Big man - Lucci nods at Eagle Deep Friends and argues with Alain as he does.

Then there you go -,

"Sir, what's your order?

An unscrupulous shopkeeper came to hear the order.

"It's barley. What about you guys?

"We need a replacement, too."

Alain throws a piece of big copper coin to the store owner, and Venn and the others announce their order together.

"Aye."

Upon receiving the large copper coin, the shopkeeper slowly returned to the counter and began pouring alcohol.

"Well, sit down. Let's have a drink and talk when the booze comes."

Venn prompts me, and Allaine lowers her back.

As soon as the shopkeepers brought the barley, Alain and the others started exchanging information that they were getting from each other.

"It's obvious, after all, that the national army staying in Claire is searching for something. Troops are deploying on hundreds of people on the streets north and east and in the nearby woods."

and Venn speaks with a mouthful of barley wine.

Go on, Rucci also pours the muggles,

"What bothers me is the association with thieves who say the name of the captain. Well, according to what Lady Reyes was asked, he seems to have fled south, but how's it going south, Alain?

That's what I asked, and I saw Alain.

"You're totally thin on the south side. It's the precinct at the end of the street where the inquisition is laid, but it's crude."

"Then I wonder if the National Army's search targets and their thieves are separate cases. Well, in the first place, it's unlikely that the story itself is about him."

Hmm, and Lucci stroking the beard of the chin's insensitivity.

"No, it would be unlikely that Gase would. It's unnatural for a search force commander to bother to come up with the captain's name, even if he wants Lady Reyes to grab false information."

Alain shook the first time.

"I'm the same as Alain thought. As far as I've observed the guys in the search force, it's not an atmosphere where they're after the thieves. Probably damaged the search party in the course of the search, but they decided it had nothing to do with what they were searching for."

Venn pinches words and makes his own point.

"How did you know it was irrelevant?

"Do I know that? You don't even know what they're searching for in the first place."

When Lucci uttered his doubts, Venn kicked lightly.

What are we gonna do, ask him about kidnapping soldiers of the National Army?

"That's one hand, but it's a last resort. That's premature. It's not too late to gather some more information in confidence."

"It's a hassle. That's the kind of back job. When they move so massively, they act."

To the policy Venn spoke of, Lucci scratched his head and gave him a blatantly billionaire look.

"Then come with me. I'm putting up a net in the lodging town along the south street, putting up man-made sea tactics, but I need manpower. Leave the search party investigation to Venn, and he'll be fine."

And, alain solicits lucci.

"You got a lead on the thief?

Venn asked with interest.

"I'm not sure, but I have a candidate. There's a good chance it's coming off."

"Are you okay to come back here?

And Lucci asks Alain.

"No problem. I hire adventurers for money. Even so, I've never been back early. We don't have much time."

"Go to him, Lucci. I've had enough of this one."

Encourage Lucci to help Alain.

"Well, fine. He's the one who did the damage to more than one knight. I saw it as quite hands-on. Maybe I can give you an arm test."

"Well, it depends on the situation. Lady Reyes ordered us to find out who it is, but contact with the target is not mandatory."

"Ooh, I know. Well, you got as much to do. Besides, I have to make sure I'm strong enough to see if I'm in person."

That's what Lucci said, he drank up the barley and carved a nibble and a grin.

Alain sighs at the boy.

There were those who would listen to their exchanges right beside each other.

(I knew the men here were connected to Lucius. Besides, Lace. He's the one who's giving these men instructions)

It is Isiah.

I was eavesdropping on Alain and the others' conversations in a spiritualized state, but I don't think they thought the conversation was out in a gala-empty store.

"Then it's time to go. Lucci."

"Whoa. How soon are we gonna get there?

"If you fly a griffon, it's about an hour and a half away."

Alain pulls the look and leaves the store behind. Keep them out of the city, move to the nearby woods, and fly on the griffon they were serving.

(Let Spring Man know)

Isiah also followed them and flew in the direction where Rio was.

◇ ◇ ◇

The place changes, and only a little goes back.

After the Inn Town, Rio and the others were walking down the street to the main house of Restoration.

"Lord Hart..."

At one point Vanessa spoke to Rio in a slightly lower voice so that the others could not hear her.

"Are you talking about the adventurers walking behind you?

Rio asks keeping his voice down.

"That's right. I was in that position when I realized. He must have caught up to us on foot from behind, but he hasn't stayed away from us since. Don't you think that's odd?

"It's odd, indeed, but you're a little weak on grounds to decide that you're following us around. Too many things to tail, and it's possible that in self-defense we're just keeping our distance from other travelers on the streets."

"Hmm, sure... But it's depressing."

Vanessa nodded with a thought face.

Then...

"What's wrong?

Christina and the others have joined the story.

"Never look back, listen to me. In fact, there was a party of adventurers walking behind us."

Vanessa answers with vigilance.

"When..."

Christina and the others hadn't noticed, they glanced small.

"Was it about thirty minutes ago? It's been about an hour since I left Inn Town."

"Are you being tailed?

When Rio explains, Christina asks in a somewhat alarmed manner.

"It's unlikely, but it doesn't mean zero either. Nevertheless, even if they are tailed, the reason for this is unknown......"

"Is it impossible that you're chasing me?

"I can't say it's impossible, but do you think it's too grand a walk for that? You don't feel like you're doing it. It's too crude and unnatural to tail."

Rio answered Christina's question with a bitter smile.

"When it comes to it, is it more likely that just a traveler,"

Celia squeaks blush.

"That's the thing. A little further, there should have been a branch breaking up south and east. We're headed east, but if you want to follow us past there, we'll do something about it."

"Okay."

Cristina and the others nodded all together as Rio presented a proposed response.

Then, Rio and the others walk for a few dozen minutes and come to the branches of the street. So, as originally planned, going east of the street, I decided to take a break a short walk away. This wouldn't be unnatural to gaze at the adventurers walking behind us.

Sit back on the rocks along the street and wait for the adventurers to come.

"... you're gone"

Celia said in a clapped voice as the adventurers headed straight south down the street.

"It's still too early to be alarmed. Take a few more breaks and when you see how it goes, let's go. It doesn't mean they're not coming back."

Reminds Rio to remain vigilant.

But then again, the passing adventurers never turned back.

◇ ◇ ◇

That night.

When they reached the next lodging town, Rio and the others had arranged the inn and had dinner as usual.

Then, at one point...

Spring Man, I'm back.

Isiah's thoughts echoed in her brain.

(That was fast. Was it okay?

Rio slightly rounds his eyes and responds.

(Yeah. I need to talk to you a little bit)

(... ok. Let's actually meet and talk. I wonder if you could materialize and wait for me to be discreet near the south gate. Because I'll be there in a minute)

Rio decided to rendezvous with Isiah outside the inn, just to think a little.

(Copy that)

With Isiah's brief reply, Rio opens his mouth.

"I'm going to gather some information outside. You must rest in the inn."

Leaving that behind, Rio left the inn behind.

Coming to the vicinity of the South Gate, out of nowhere, Isiah appears covered with a robe of hood.

"Shall we go somewhere a little empty?"

"Yeah."

Rio pulled Isiah and took her to an unpopular trail. From there, he makes a big jump and flies through the sky, rolling out into the darkness at night and out of the Inn Town.

When I went to a nearby platform, I let out a rock house from inside The Zone of Time and Space and decided to discuss it.

"No one here will listen to me. Will you let me hear it? What Isiah saw and heard."

Prepare a cold cup of tea on your desk, sit on the couch and Rio asks gratuitously.

"After that, I followed the men of the adventurers. It was those adventurers based in that lodging town who spoke to the Spring People. The guy who hired them was around thirty. It was called Alain."

"Alain... I've never heard of you"

"Perhaps Alain and Lucius are different people. There are others who are even more active in Alain. He said his name was Rais."

"Reis...... I knew I'd never heard of you."

Rio comes up with a thought face. It was a name I had never heard of either.

"Alein had two companions besides Reyce: Lucci and Venn"

"Sorry, I don't even know their names."

"Here's the real deal. In conclusion, I think it is extremely likely that Alain and the others are related to Lucius"

When Isiah told him in an unchallenged voice, Rio's face was slightly stronger.

"... I want you to tell me why"

"The Alains are looking for people. But I don't know who they are. Probably, but I think the other person is the Spring Man."

"How could that be?

And Rio asks in surprise.

"They're taking orders from Reis, causing damage to the knights in Claire, and they're after the man who escaped. The man said he was speaking the name of the captain. I thought Lucius was the leader."

Isiah paled out her own reasoning.

"Sure, assuming that the captain is Lucius, I would fit that condition. Is there anyone else who might fit in with me?"

Rio seems to have been good at it and speaks with a bitter smile. I don't feel so surprised. Instead, my mind was surprisingly calm.

"Yes."

Isiah nodded briefly, putting a glass of metal with cold tea placed on her desk on her mouth. Karan and, when the ice breaks down, the sound sounds.

"After putting out Lucius's name, he said he was looking for someone to look for, I guess, to explore their reaction. But I do things that are inefficient."

"It felt like about making money if they could find it, but it looks like the Arrains are trying to find out who they could be from one end to the other. The Spring Man is also one of the few candidates among them. But I'm not sure."

"I see...... Did they feel anything in that lodging town exchange?"

I didn't know that Lucius' name would call for rumors, and that he would call Lucius' officials indefinitely...

To give him a strange tour, Rio carved a cold grin into his mouth.

"But then they get information from the search party. It's also from the Commander Class."

Behind Rio's brain came the presence of Charles-Albeau, who was Celia's fiancée.

"I don't think Alain and the others have any direct knowledge of the search force. Looks like Rayce has a face-to-face experience."

and suggests that Isiah is Rais' presence.

"Is that Rais? I'll remember that.... By the way, can I assume that Alain's attention to me means he's tracking our footsteps?

"Yeah. I was hiring adventurers to pretend to be travelers and let them track down the Spring People. I was instructed to head in a different direction from the Spring People at the branches of the street."

"... the ones who were walking behind us today. If you do know which way you're going at the branches of the street, you can see how far you're going from there. That means..."

"Yeah. I've been ahead, but it's not weird when the Alains catch up with this lodging town either. They use Griffon, so they can fly and move."

"Right. Thanks to you, we have very useful information. Thanks, Isiah."

When he smiled and thanked him, Rio lifted his hips off the couch.

"What do the Alains do?

"... I'm going to let you swim a little. We can't act separately from Dr. Celia right now, and that's going to be better informed."

Rio answers Isiah's question with a slight cruise.

"Then should I continue to explore the trends of the Alains?

"If you could please, it would be very helpful"

"Well, I'll take care of it"

"... thanks. In the meantime, I was wondering if you could spiritualize me tonight and restore Odd in my body. It's only tomorrow that we observe their trends."

"Yeah."

Nodding, Isiah stood up and walked over to Rio. And, most importantly, grab Rio's hand and squeeze it.

"Good night, Spring Man"

"Good night, Isiah"

Rio smiled and nodded with a troubled face at Isiah, who looked asleep.

At the next moment, Isiah's figure disappears softly, spiritualizing and entering Rio's body.

(... I guess I'll go to the tavern. Let's keep a good collection of information in this town once and for all)

As she stretched gently and relaxed her body, Rio walked out of the house.