"Ray, get up. We shall soon see the city of Abuero."
"Huh? Uh... Uh... Uh...

　Speaking to her, Ray's consciousness quickly wakes up.
　and looking round with open eyes, the first thing I saw was the carriage.

"... oh, I see,"

　He looks around half asleep and nods as if he finally understands where he is.
　From the window of the carriage the scene was moving, proving that Ray's carriage was moving now.

(Did I fall asleep after I left?)

　Ley muttering inwardly and growing wildly.
　It wasn't until then that my mind cleared and I remembered why I was sleeping in a carriage.
　They had taken 5,000 people's meals out of the mistling last night, and even prepared a tent for the night. After that, it was difficult to recover the huge pots and pans that contained the food.
　The huge pots that contained the food were washed with the help of those who could use the magic of water, so it wasn't that much of a hassle to collect them, but there were still many pots that contained meals for 5,000 people. Naturally, it will take some time to store in the mistling.
　The good news at this time was that the soldiers were supposed to take care of their own tableware. If not, Ray's fatigue would have been much deeper.
　Other than meals, the night camp tent was folded into small pieces, put them in other large bags, and put them in larger bags... so it would have worked out if I had taken out about 10 of those huge bags.
　And the mental exhaustion of doing something unfamiliar, such as communicating with strangers for a long time, let alone physically exhausting, made me sleep tight and heal my tiredness for a moment... to be woken up by the men on duty for breakfast.
　As a matter of course, those who prepare breakfast must get up earlier than others.
　I was driven to prepare breakfast with the fatigue of last night still completely undone, and when I finally thought I was done, I left right away.
　Ray was exhausted, as might be expected, and Dusker told him to rest in the carriage.
　Ray is the only one resting in the carriage, and Sett, who always works with Ray, is on the alert with the other adventurers at the head of the line as he was yesterday.
　If this was an adventurer in another city, he might have been confused at the sight of Seto. However, since it was an adventurer of the town of Gilm, who was already accustomed to the existence of Seto, the Larkus army was going along the highway without any particular disturbance.
　No, for other adventurers who have long been interested in Seto, it might have been better to be friendly. I was able to give him dried meat, nuts, and so on.

"Ray? What's the matter?"
"No, it's nothing. But you've arrived in the city of Abuero?"
"Oh, but I'm leaving right away without stopping by the city."

　Luno says so as he turns his eyes to the city of Abuero, which he sees ahead of the road.
　Yes, Reno was supposed to be on guard at the head of the Larx army, but other members were good at reconnaissance, and because of the presence of Seto, he was riding in the same carriage on the orders of Dusker, who knew that Ray was more mentally fatigued.
　This, of course, is partly because Reno is acquainted with Ray, but it also means that the Empire of Bestia may not take any action in pursuit of Ray's sleep, or that it is also meant to prepare against those who are blinded by Ray's various magic items.
　That being the case, not only Ray and Luno were in the carriage, but also two members of the Knights, who were watching each other.

"...what? There is an army in front of the city of Abuero."

　Ray muttered involuntarily at the scene he saw from the window.
　Ray's gaze clearly showed the crowd gathered in front of the city of Abuero. The numbers are clearly large for the people of the city who have come to see the Larx army, and many are armed with armour and weapons. Yes, just like this Larkus army.
　Ray's doubts are proved right when the knight sitting opposite him nodded.

"The city of Abuero is as neutral as Mr. Dusker is." It means that the same neutrals should move forward together."
"Oh, was the city of Abuero neutral, too?" Then what is the city of Subursta?"
"The streets of Subursta are aristocratic, aren't they?" However, since we have been informed that we would like to march together in advance, we should head to the battlefield together."
"...is there no problem with different factions working together?"

　Ray asks while taking out the cold fruit water he bought last summer from the mistling to wake up.
　The knight nods softly, opening his eyes to the fruit water that suddenly emerges from an empty space.

"Mr. Dusker would think it foolish of him to waste his forces in war with such a powerful country as the Empire of Bestia, and so would those sent from the city of Subursta. Working with Larx's army, one of the most powerful forces in the kingdom of Milliana in terms of quality, is a relief to the soldiers. I'm sorry."

　While listening, Ray picks up three of the same fruit water he drinks and hands it to Reno with two knights.

"But I understand that the city of Abuero is so far away that monsters are quite likely to attack me... from here on the night, monsters will not appear as often around Gilm?"
"That's true," But when they leave the frontier, robbers appear instead of monsters. Of course, there is little chance that the robbers will carelessly attack the army, but some robbers are like bloodthirsty rabies who enjoy murder. I don't know what they're thinking. There's a possibility that they'll rush in with self‐destruction in mind you. If you're dealing with them, you'll decide you'd better be with us, not just them. It is said that the Duke of Kelebel, in particular a central figure in the aristocracy, is a meritocracy that attracts commoners if it is useful. -- well, the deputy lord of the city of Subursta doesn't have a good reputation."

　Luno, who was listening to the knight's words, suddenly nods his head in wonder.

"He is the central figure of the aristocratic group, but if he has the ability, he will attract common people, and other aristocrats will not agree with him, will he? It is the aristocratic group who are literally proud of themselves as noble?"
"Even a foolish nobleman with no brains but bragging about his family can't go against the Duke of Kelebel. That must be the horror of the Duke of Kelevel. That is why Mr. Dusker is on guard against the Duke of Kelebel."
"...if that's true, then it's great to be Duke of Kelevel."

　Ray was absorbed in his inner thoughts, with Reno nodding in admiration of the knight's story.

(Probably the robbers who enjoy murder are the ones who attacked us as we passed by on our guard. There's a possibility that there are other similar people besides them, but... there's a lot like that... no, wait. A thief. Yes, a thief? Passing the city of Abuero, it is only natural that the wolves of the meadow will fall within their sphere of activity. Wouldn't it be difficult to make a connection with eggs...? If I could, I think I could get my old debt back. As long as it's a war, intelligence is important, and you can expect it from that side because it's one of the best bandits. worst of all, you can only expect combat power.)

　Deciding on what steps he should take, Ray turns to the knight and opens his mouth.

"I'm sorry, but I'd like to have a word with Larkes," Will you contact me, saying that we may be able to draw in unexpected reinforcements?"
"Huh? All of a sudden. Of course, I know you're an important figure in this war, so it's not impossible... but it's impossible to do it right now. Look here."

　Turning his eyes to the knight's words towards the city of Abuero, Ray sees the knight in his dusker and gorgeous full-plate mail talking with a smile.

"Viscount Vipere, commanding the army out of the city of Abuero."
"...is the lord of Abuero?"
"No, I think he was the deputy chief of the Knights or something."
"Even if you say you're neutral, you've got a lot of talent."

　Ray mutters unconsciously, in spite of his full-plate mail, as he looks at the man called Viscount Vipale.

(From what I can see, it's like being in your late twenties to early thirties. If he is a vice-chieftain at that age, he is probably a man of ability to be the next Knight's captain.)

　As you look at it with this in mind, you soon begin to join forces from the city of Abuero and follow the highway.Ray felt that the convergence had slowed down the pace of his journey, though it was far from fast.
　Although the movement of the Larx army was much faster than that of the ordinary army because there was no trouble in transporting supplies... the Larx army was the first to act with him, so it seemed slow for him to act with a horse-drawn carriage full of supplies.

(Well, that doesn't mean to increase my burden any more.)

　It was completely impossible for Ray to take care of Abuero's army, even though the Larx army alone was tired of many things. If Dusker had requested it, he would probably have refused.
　and joined the Abuero army for about half an hour after they began to re-enter the highway. One of the knights who decided it was time to get up from his seat.

"I'll get in touch with Mr. Dusker first." It's Mr. Dusker, and I think he'll be called up very soon, so get ready."
"All right. Please."

　Ray nods and the knight leaves.
　After seeing the knight off, Reno, who remains, calls out to Ray with a mystified look.
　Another knight was also bowing at Ray's sudden request for a visit.

"And why, Ray, did you suddenly say that you wanted to meet with Larkes?"
"I've got a little message," Maybe we can make the L'Arxian army a little thicker."
"...thick?"
"Well, the details are confidential. I can't say anything without Larx's permission. What? It's too early, is it back?"

　In the sound of the carriage moving, Ray heard the rustling metal of his approaching armour.
　The knight looked somewhat suspicious of Ray's words, but soon the door of the carriage opened and a look of amazement came to his face.
　Also, Reno doesn't seem particularly surprised, perhaps because he already understands that Ray doesn't fit into the frame of a normal human being.

"Mr. Dusker will see you," Come to the cab."
"All right. ... What about these two?"
"I'm your bodyguard, including myself." I'll have you go out with me."
"I see,"

　Ray, too, had no particular objection, so he would take the three of them with him to the carriage in which the Dusker was riding.





"You're here. Are you all right now?"
"Yes. Fortunately, it wasn't physical fatigue, but mental fatigue, so if you sleep soundly, there's no problem."

　Ray glances into the carriage, retelling his words to Dusker.
　Ray's carriage was comfortable in its own way, but it didn't shake enough to make him feel any vibration.
　Dusker smiles somewhat when he sees Ray like that.

"This horse-drawn carriage is a kind of magic item, made from monsters that are only in the frontier, or made from alchemy."
"... oh, I see,"

　Ray is convinced that it's the same as the one you used when you went to Elena and Dungeon.
　though his grade has fallen considerably, as he is not as financially competent as the Duke of Kelebel.

"And what is your business? You said you might be able to draw some unexpected reinforcements."

　Perhaps he doesn't have time to spare as a leader of the Larx army. Instruction to the unit, coordination with the Abuero army, collection of information, etc. There's a lot of work to be done.
　They can't even afford to spend time talking to Ray, who is essentially just a hired adventurer, but there will still be items boxes and demons that Ray has. Although he is a hired adventurer, his role in transporting about half of the supplies privately is already close to the heart of this expeditionary force.
　Ray opens his mouth with a faint smile at Dusker's permission to do so.

"Do you know the band of thieves, Mr. Dusker?"

　The remark left Luno dumbfounded, and at the same time the two knights turned a look of amazement at Ray, who was trying to win over the band of thieves, and the point was that Dasker smiled amusedly.