Trinitas Mundus

April 7th.

The Rays went through the Aquila Mountains, where the snow still lingers, and in three days they came back to a place called Fort Toa.

"Beyond this will be a different course of action. Luna will be escorted by Uno, so don't be forced to listen to Uno..."

Luna and Ione, protected by three escorts: Uno, Ocho and Diez, were to take the intermediate road without entering Fort Toa and rendezvous in the town of Talljig, forty km (Kimmel) west of the fort.

This was due to the fact that Luna was the son of the Moon and the possibility that he was known to have been the cause of this demonic army raid, as well as the fact that when he was noticed who Ione, the people of the enemy Sokius, was, he could cause trouble.

Ray took Luna's hand,

"I'm sorry about the wild boarding house, but be careful with your body"

"I know. Just got used to Nojuku on the move from Leriche, and I don't have a problem with the 10th or the half moon. I'm more worried about you than that..."

Although Luna replied in a bright tone, she speaks with a serious look as to whether Ray is more dangerous.

"... no matter how much" White Master ”and“ Red Arm Hamish's Daughter, "I don't think it's going to be easy to free someone from the Devil's Land, eternal darkness (Kwaedam Tenebre). Whatever it is, the Demons can use puppet magic."

We discuss this fully during the trip from Zalesche, and Ray answers in a mild tone so as not to worry about her.

"It's okay. Because the Red Arms are supposed to be leaving their magic props to see through the puppet's magic, and they're going to act well and trust you."

Ashley nods at his words too.

"It's usually like this, but this guy, when he's the best here, he'll be the duke, but he can cross with dignity. So don't worry, just wait."

"It won't be like this," Ray protests with his mouth pointy. But not only does Ashley laugh at that figure, but she also laughs from Luna.

"Right. I'll leave mine to Uno. It's okay. Ione's here, so injuries and illnesses are fine. So don't push yourself either."

That's what Luna and the others left.

After dropping them off, Ray calls Ashley and Stella, "Well, shall we go, too," and bows his head to Seyce and Nuebe, the beastly slaves, "I ask you to be on your perimeter," he said.

Saith and the others said "as you please" and left to fly.

Then for two days we proceeded through the mountains of Aquila without a major incident. But the dangerous Aquila means he has fought many times against Griffon, a Grade IV demon, Gray Bear of Grade Five, and so on.

This is what Ray dared to do. Seyce and Nuebe, as well as Stella's crisis-sensing abilities, were high and fully possible if they wanted to do it over.

But those who went to the land of dangerous demons thought they would be suspected if they returned without a trace of battle. For this reason, we have decided to fight demons of some persuasive strength, although we can deal with them adequately ourselves, and to bring back their demonic crystal stones as evidence.

The night of April 9.

Fort Toa was only five kimmels away, and by tomorrow afternoon he had come to the point of putting it in the fort.

I never met the soldiers at Fort Toa, and there were few traces of reconnaissance being carried out. Ray is convinced that the Mercenary Corps of Markat (Red Arms) is not in the fort.

(I'm pretty sure Mr. Hamish and the others aren't here. If you were there, you would definitely be on reconnaissance all the way around here... and then that commander and I would have to confront each other one-on-one...)

Red Arms has many excellent scouts, including his deputy, Alberic Auge, and captain Lazareth Dawell of Squad Three. In addition, Captain Hamish Markat understands the importance of reconnaissance and gives out scouts unless it is a fairly special situation.

Ray tells Ashley and the others what he thinks.

"If no reconnaissance has come around here, I think you can think of no Red Arms. Mr. Hamish would have scolded us in the sense of finding us."

"Right," Ashley replied,

"Well, that's what was expected. Because it's inconceivable that the Demon Pursuit Team has been in the fort for more than three months. And it's not all bad."

When Ray tilts his neck, Stella answers instead.

"There's no sign of a scourge around here, which means it's unlikely that Luna and the others will find their way deeper."

"I see," he nodded, laughing as he looked at his gear.

"We're getting dirty in good shape, too. On the contrary, I might have had a little trouble finding it too soon."

That's what I say and laugh at.

As he puts it, in the fight against demons, the armor has been marked by returning blood and mud, and they have not washed their faces for the last few days, and they have restricted their diet, so they all feel thin and dirty.

This was also an idea that did not cast doubt on the soldiers of Toa.

"I'll put you in the fort tomorrow, so you'll have a little more patience. I want to clean up soon."

"Right. I can't help but worry about my smell. I want to be quick and refreshed by the magic of your washing."

The following April 10.

The Rays reached Fort Toa in the midst of a mixed rain.

They have returned from the path previously used by the Demonic Pursuit Team, but the soldiers of the fort do not think they are alive and can be mistaken for the scourge of the Demonic Army.

"The Demon Army!

When the outpost reported out loud, soldiers defending the fort appeared wary with bows in their hands.

However, with only five people and approaching without vigilance, it was judged not to be the scourge of the demonic tribe, and many exhaled in relief.

The captain, who still doesn't loosen his guard, said, "Don't move! Drop your weapons! Issue a warning." The Rays honestly threw down their weapons.

"This is Ray Arklight of the Mercenary Corps of Markat! I'm not a demon!

After he throws his love spear, he jumps up his cape and shows off his characteristic armor.

The soldiers of the fort also remember the name “White Master” and his holy knight disputed armor,

"Is it really Lord Arklight..." and then I get stuck with the words.

After being disarmed, he was then to be questioned by Viscount Benjamin Plummer, commander in front of the fort. Is Plummer wary of Ray's magic or hiding behind the soldiers?

"Ray Arklight, Ashley Marcutt, Stella, Seyce, Nueve."

"Definitely. You'll find out if you check the orb."

Plummer told his men, "Restrain first. The Arklight commands the monkeys not to use magic." Ashley speaks out in protest at the act.

"We are part of the Demonic Pursuit Team. After our mission, we returned from the land of the demons (Kwaedam Tenebre) with our lives at stake."

Before Plummer said anything, Ray said, "I don't have a choice. It's no strange thing for a commander to worry. Let's be restrained here for good," he said, sticking his hands forward for ease of tying.

"There must have been magic props to see through the magic of the puppet Kutsuku. So make sure we're not the devil's puppets."

In the meantime, the Rays are taken into custody by rope. Especially the beastly slaves Seyce and Nuebe were tightly restrained with the feeling of a glue roll.

Plummer orders his men to "check with the magic props," and further interrogates Ashley.

"What happened to the others? Ten of us must have left."

"My people... lost their lives in that land. That's far more dangerous than Aquila..."

That's what I tell you with a bitter look.

In the meantime, confirmation was carried out on the puppet's magic discovery device, which modified the magic props of the lights.

"All, no sign of a puppet!" In the words of the soldier, a breath of relief leaks on the spot.

Further confirmation of the orb was carried out and it was also confirmed that there was no doubt in person.

But Plummer said without releasing the restraint, "Take him to jail. interrogation later," he ordered, leaving the scene.

When the Rays are drawn into the fort, Alberic and Ryan call out from afar.

Contrary to Alberic's voice, which can be described as "Looking safe," he said, "Luna, what's wrong with Luna!" Ryan's sad cry echoes.

Instead of Ray being monkeyed, Ashley says "I'm sorry," but soon the soldiers pull him off. Ryan, who was left behind, poked his knees disappointingly and began to cry.

Alberic urges Ryan, who keeps crying, to "stand up for now," telling him, "Ray, you're not supposed to come back with your bare hands," so that only he can hear you.

Ryan said, "Huh?" but raise your voice,

"Let's go back to the room. If you're the commander, you'll be tortured, so we have to think of something."

When Alberic says so and urges Ryan, he stares into the hallway where the Rays were taken.

(From the look on Ash's face, I'm pretty sure he's hiding something... if he fails, that Ray is something you're not supposed to come back here for...)

Alberic was uncomfortable with the fact that Ray had been taken into custody for the most part.

Though there are only two of them, it's not that hard to bypass the fort if you have that good beastly slave.

Also, regardless of whether they go the same route or not, the Great Ghosts bypassed Fort Toa and went back east without going through the streets from Periclitle, so there's no way Ray would notice that. Plus, we thought Plummer had a good reason to go back because he was suspicious of himself.

Back in the room, Alberic tells Ryan what he thinks.

"That Ray you failed and I don't think he's gonna come home for much longer. And it's strange that Stella was an adult. I don't think she'll ever admit it..."

Ryan, who was discouraged by his words, also begins to see hope little by little.

"Does that mean Luna is safe! Then why aren't you with me!

"Calm down. I don't know, Ray, but you're not supposed to leave me without thinking."

That being said, Alberic had concerns.

(I wonder if that commander will liberate the adults. I feel like tailoring it to a demon spy or something... Ray, you don't know about that commander, so maybe you think you can convince me if I explain... then maybe it's not good...)

Over the past three months, Alberic had realized that Plummer was a man of great vanity at the same time that he was a cautious man. The soldiers have further heard rumors that Plummer's status is at stake.

(If that queen sees you in the current Kaum kingdom, it's bad, isn't it? Especially since he's failing. Not only would she not make mistakes, but she's going to be necked as soon as she doesn't do what she needs to do...)

Reforms by Queen Katrina had been under way in the Kingdom of Kaum for about ten years. She renewed her old-fashioned politics and got her hands on novel reforms of the military and bureaucracy.

As a result, those who are incapable, even relatives of the royal family, are ostracized; conversely, those who are competent, even civilians, hold important positions.

Although the bureaucracy has embarked on reforms early and achieved results, the reform of the army was delayed by the constant threat of demonic tribes, and it had still not been possible to completely eliminate those who had taken up positions by reason of their affiliation.

However, the great victory in Periclitle has made the Demonic threat smaller, making it seem certain that the Queen will embark on reform, which is so widespread that it becomes a rumor among junior soldiers on the border.

Plummer was less incompetent than his senior aristocratic relatives who used to be, but he was passive about new things because of his precedent. For this reason, while assuming the duty of shaping the survival of the Kingdom of Kaum: the defense of Fort Toa, he has not actively sought to obtain information on the Demonic Nation. And the result was also a distant factor in the Periclitle offensive, which had been denounced by the young bureaucrats.

"Huh... Whatever, you're getting interesting"

Alberic has a grin hard to say innocent, but he's not as interesting about Plummer's future as he says with his mouth. One way or another, after this, I was interested in what the Rays would do back from Kwaedam Tenebre.

"Either way, I have to move, right? Ryan, you need to be ready to leave at any time. Ray, I have your horse, but I also need to get ready for Ash and Stella's horse. And get ready for my daughter Luna."

Ryan struggles to understand why he needs to be ready to leave, but from the experience he has had with Alberic for three months, he stopped pursuing it deeply and nodded loudly.

Satisfied with it, Alberic turned to the back of the fort with a floating expression.