"Then I will head to the imperial capital. ... No, I'm going back! Both armies have no intention of causing unnecessary disturbances, but they want to act with the understanding that they are led by Prince Mercurio. Don't pretend to fight among your friends, and to disappoint Prince Mercurio.'

　Theorem's voice echoes across the Brissa plain.
　The voice echoed through all the Mercurio and punitive forces, with the magic of the wind used by the Wizard.
　Both armies then leave the Brissa Plain, the biggest and final battleground in the civil war.
　Leading the two armies was Ray, who made his name and showed his ability in the civil war.
　Riding on Seto's back as usual, he walks down the road to the imperial capital with the appearance of being worthy of expression.
　The reason why Ray is leading this way is because he has a high ability as a scout to detect the presence of bandits and monsters, but it is also because Ray and Sett have made a big name for themselves in this battlefield.
　Ray and Seto were originally well known in the Westian Empire during the Spring War.
　However, he has achieved the highest number of achievements by all accounts in the second place in the competition and the civil war that followed, and is undoubtedly the number one achievement in the war.
　Since such a person leads the army, anyone who causes trouble behind him has to be considerate of course.
　Mercurio, originally a symbol of the military, is the best morale leader, but he can't do it in the unlikely event of danger.
　It might be different if he was in a thoroughly defended carriage with Fritzione in it, but his daughter, Fritzione, aside from his prince, Mercurio, needed to be brave now that the civil war was over, and he avoided such acts as riding in a carriage.
　Of course I would have taken a carriage if there was any real danger, but there is no doubt about my safety if there were Teoremes, Vihelas, and for some reason Digma around me.

"... well, as far as I can see, there is no enemy at all."
"But Captain Ray," You must be on your guard."

　The man who spoke to Ray was Pernix, the vice commander and practical commander of the squadron.
　Ray is leading the way, so it's only natural that the shortstop will follow him.
　Those who were once confined to a treatment center for the Leather Armour incident in Wyvern were now back in the squadron.
　One of the reasons Ray accepted to lead the march to the imperial capital is to clear the name of the squadron.
　I couldn't stand being called a traitor if I was caught in a cabazide trap by my own forces.
　However, it is well known in Mercurio's army that the shortstop is under Ray's direct control.
　In particular, the training was considered too much in the eyes of others, and the scene of the training of the squadron had become something of a specialty.
　That's why few people call the shortstop traitors, and most, if any, sneak behind Ray's ears.
　Still, what Ray hears from somewhere is evidence that so many people are jealous of the existence of the shortstop.
　Such men, however, have a point to make.
　You've been treated so well, but you've got to make it worth it.
　After the temporary turmoil had subsided, the shortstop defeated the punitive force and killed some commanders, knights, and even nobles.
　Still, the fact that they were the first to be killed together must have been a great shock to the Mercurian army.

"In the first place, the punitive force that was aiming at us was almost defeated and absorbed. Do you think there's a guy who's going to break into this army in such a situation? At least, I don't think there's anything that can be done with the bandits around there."
"Still," There is a possibility that monsters will appear. Especially now, it's almost winter. At this time of year, there are many monsters who try to store even a little nutrition for the winter, so be careful."
"...I'm still an adventurer, anyway." Well, I'm certainly not familiar with the monsters of the Vestian Empire."

　When Pernicus, who follows him, returns his words, the person who is approached by him looks serious and continues to speak seriously.

"Not really around here, but bear monsters need special attention."
"... do you hibernate after all?"
"Yes, that's the same habit as ordinary bears. Of course, some bear monsters don't hibernate depending on the type.
"Well, that's rather interesting,"

　For Ray, bear monsters have a very strong impression.
　That's because Ray first met a monster in Elgin, a water bear monster as well.

(At that time, it's good that I eventually knocked it down, but the purchase price became cheaper because the material had been stripped too much.)

　Ray, looking away at the sky.
　Today's weather is full of clouds.
　Until a few days ago, the weather was as clear as autumn, but now it was depressing as if it were showing the hearts of the nobles who had joined the punitive force.

"Captain Ray? What's wrong?"

　Members of the squad call out to Ray in wonder.
　Ray shook his head in spite of the voice.

"Well, come to think of it, when I was thrown into the forest by the master with Sett, I suddenly had to fight the monster."
"Oh, really!? Water bears are rank C monsters!? I can't believe you're going to fight that out of the blue before you're an adventurer... Huh? But I'm starting to feel like Captain Ray and Seto would have no problem at all."

　When an adventurer-turned-woman mutters in surprise, her words are strangely convincing.
　Certainly, fighting a Rank C monster by an ordinary person who is not even an adventurer is almost suicidal.
　But if they are like Ray and Seto, it's definitely the monsters who are pathetic.
　Indeed, it was correct, and although Ray was somewhat unsure because it was his first battle in Elgin, the battle itself was an intact victory.

"Grull!"

　The set with Ray on his back is amazing, isn't it?
　At such a set, warm hearts well up in the hearts of the squadron.

"Well, the battle itself didn't take much time. However, that was the first time I've ever ripped the material off, so I had a hard time. In the end, the water bear fur was badly damaged and the purchase price was reduced."
"Ah... I see. Surely that's what happens if the first rip‐off is a big shot. But had Captain Ray never ripped it off until then?"
"Oh, because I left it entirely to the teacher who brought me up from birth. He didn't do it himself, but he did something about it using Summoning magic."

　Ray shrugs, telling the cover story he's already used to.

"It's only now that I can peel it off in my own way, but I'm not good at it. -- perhaps by far the worse than the average Rank B adventurer."
"Oh, that's an unexpected weakness,"
"Isn't it not a weakness, but a weakness in this time?"

　A member of a man's short‐range unit near the woman intervened.

"Well, in my case, I was a mercenary, so I hardly ever ripped off monsters. In that sense, I may be in a similar situation to Captain Ray."
"Don't do that," I heard that you are with Captain Ray. If you are serious about it, go into the devil's heap and cool his head."
"That's it!"

　The man was dumbfounded at the sudden remark, but...

"Well, I don't think so,"

　The man glanced joyfully at the voice of another woman in the squadron.

"Well, it's fitting that you should surprise me with the constant noise that fought Captain Ray."
"Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, wait!

　He screamed despairingly, but only cold glances came back.(Poor... with Captain Ray)

　Perenicus does not move his expression and feels sorry for the man who made the stupid remark.
　The front-runners march harmoniously toward the imperial capital.
　In the back, sometimes there is an atmosphere where Mercurio's and punitive soldiers are in a bad mood, but they do nothing about it, and the Rays just keep an eye on the people around them.
　It was because they judged that even if it became a little rough, it would not actually cause a big fuss.
　There is also a reason why, if any real disturbance should arise, it would be the soldiers stationed around them, not the Lays, who would suppress it.
　With the two opposing armies working together until just a few days ago, it was inevitable that some disturbance would arise.
　In fact, there was some disturbance even during the process of disposing of the dead.
　However, in order to quell the disturbance, the likes of Gurgast were on the lookout.

"Ah... wouldn't it come out even if it was a monster."

　A voice muttered by someone in the squad echoes around.
　Rather than being offended by the atmosphere behind the scenes, the voice is in the hope that if monsters come out and work together to counter it, the gap between them will naturally be filled.
　Besides, not only monsters but also thieves can appear, but ordinary thieves don't attack tens of thousands of troops.
　Even if they do, they'll sneak into their positions at night and steal money and supplies.
　But I wish I could sneak into the position with the eyes of the soldiers on the night watch.

(No, you'll find it first when you pass near Sett's, but not elsewhere?)

　Not all of them are serious, given that they are tens of thousands of troops.
　There is a good possibility that there are people who are in contact with the thieves, and that there are many who are relaxed because the civil war is over.

"It might be rather dangerous to think of it,"
"What? Captain Ray?"

　When a member of the squad hears the murmur, Ray shakes his head saying it was nothing.

"More than that..."

　look up at the sky
　As before, many clouds are floating and blocking the light, but there is no sign of rain for a while.

"It's almost noon, and someone ask me where I'm going to rest."

　Seeing the sun rise considerably, he calls out to the man nearby.
　Just in case, I checked the time with the watch I had taken out of the mistling, and it was about half an hour before noon.

"Oh, Captain Ray. Do you have a watch!? It looks quite expensive, too."
"When I beat the band of robbers before,"

　One of the squadrons exclaims at Ray's watch.
　But it's only natural.
　A watch is a fairly rare magic item, and it's not so easy to get even if you're loaded with gold.
　When Ray first started living in Guillum, he went to a few shops selling magic items, but had never seen them.
　All you need to get a watch is money and above all connections.
　Or luck is important, as Ray got from a mercenary band disguised as a thief.

(Considering that, one of the rewards for this request might be to get another watch. "Well, I don't think there are many watches, so I'll get some more.)"

　One of Ray's eye-catching magic items is the one used by Kabazid when he committed suicide.
　a dagger that inflicts deadly poison and even inhibits recovery
　Ray basically uses a death-size weapon and throws a spear away.
　But it wasn't that I couldn't use a dagger, and it was a fact that I wanted to get it if I could easily kill my opponent.

(But... it must be difficult.) No, it's right to say it's impossible.)

　It's a magic item that took the life of the first prince. Naturally it will be closely examined and kept, and it will also be closely examined who made it.
　With that in mind, I couldn't say I wanted it to pay for this civil war.

(Then...what other magic items can I get?) I'm looking forward to it, I'm afraid... I'm in a delicate mood.)

　It might be a bit different from being scared, but it was also a bit of a worry for Ray about what to do if he was given something that wasn't appropriate for his job.
　though I know Teoreme and Vihela can't do such a foolish thing to do.

(You don't do such a thing about Mercurio because of Vihela, do you?)

　Thinking like that inside, I noticed the man who had just come back to ask about lunch, and now I'm concentrating on preparing lunch.