34 - The Secret of the Forest of Bewilderment
With Princess Ekaterina's permission, Ray was heading toward the Mage Corps building. When he first brought it up, Princess Ekaterina had sulked and refused to speak to him, but after Ray explained the circumstances several times, she eventually gave in and granted permission. Though it came with the restriction that he was not to speak with Cecil. In this way, Princess Ekaterina had begun to openly display her possessiveness toward Ray. The seduction was a complete success. All that remained was to make her fall completely, but at this point, Ray's revenge had come to a complete standstill.
Taking advantage of Princess Ekaterina's feelings of being unable to sleep due to anxiety, sleeping beside her in bed had become a nightly routine. As if it were the most natural thing in the world, Princess Ekaterina would leave her changing of clothes to Ray, and once that was finished, she would leave a space beside her and slip into bed. When Ray lay down in that empty spot, she would happily press her face against his chest and talk to him incessantly. She was no longer unable to sleep due to anxiety. She was simply enjoying the conversation while sleeping beside Ray. And once she grew tired of talking, she would fall asleep.
It was certain that Princess Ekaterina's heart had been stolen by Ray, but there wasn't a shred of sign that the two would progress into a romantic relationship. Ray was beginning to feel like a parent taking care of a spoiled daughter. Because of that, one particular matter began to bother Ray. He was heading toward the Mage Corps building to verify it.
Ray headed for the research wing, taking care not to run into Cecil. The room he sought was at the very end of the second floor. Standing before the door of the room he had seen several times, Ray called out.
"Excuse me. Is now a good time?"
"...Could it be, Kamui-kun?"
A bewildered voice echoed from inside the room.
"Yes."
"Please! Come in!"
Ray opened the door and entered the room. Standing up from his desk and staring at the entering Ray was Julius.
"Is it really you, Kamui-kun... Ah, please sit on that sofa."
"Julius-sama, I am a slave now. You may address me without honorifics, and I am fine remaining standing."
"Now, it's fine. Don't worry about such things. Ah, this is my order. That makes it okay, right?"
As expected of Julius, he immediately created a pretext of an order to remove Ray's restrictions.
"I understand."
For Ray, it was certainly more comfortable to be able to sit. Playing along with that pretext, he obediently lowered himself onto the sofa.
"It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Yes. It has been a long time."
"So, what brings you here? Did you come to voice some grievances?"
"That is not permitted for a slave like me. Besides, I do not harbor any resentment toward you, Julius-sama."
"I see. But half of it is my responsibility. I rushed things a bit too much. And I looked down on those around me too much."
The incident with Ray had also been plotted to entrap Julius, who had begun to strengthen his influence over national affairs. The Prime Minister had originally found Julius unpleasant, but hearing of Ray's excellence only strengthened that feeling. It was obvious that Julius intended to use Ray as his right hand. The Prime Minister could not allow Julius to gain any more power. To separate Ray from Julius and, if possible, bring about Julius's downfall. That conspiracy was realized in one fell swoop when it linked up with the resentment of Princess Ekaterina, who had been rejected when she tried to make Ray her subordinate. Julius was able to realize this without needing to investigate in detail. The Prime Minister also had political enemies. And Ray also knew this fact from the subsequent situation.
"You are the one paying the price for that, Julius-sama."
"Well, yes. Being made a First Mage when I'm poor at magic... it's quite a steep climb back up. My family can't push for me anymore, either."
Originally, Julius had become the vice-commander through his family's forceful pushing, but they did not have enough power to promote someone who had already fallen from grace. If they tried to force it, the family itself would likely be viewed with a critical eye.
"What are you doing now?"
"Creating magic tools. While I'm inferior to others in using magic, I have some confidence in the manufacture of magic tools."
"Magic tool manufacture..."
"Are you interested?"
"Yes. Very much so."
Ray possessed the knowledge of magic passed down from Kamiira. However, without actually trying to make a magic tool, he didn't know if he could put that knowledge to use. His interest was in that sense.
"Then, shall I teach you? I think you have the aptitude, Kamui-kun. The basis of a magic tool is a magic circle. That is based on knowledge and theory."
"I would very much like that, but I would need to obtain the Princess's permission."
"I see... That's true. Then, come whenever you get permission."
"Yes. I shall do so."
"That aside, what is your business today?"
"There is something I wish to ask."
"What is it?"
"After the matter with Rui and the demons was concluded, I was supposed to do something in the 'Forest of Bewilderment.' Was this an actual plan?"
Ray asked it this way because there was a slight possibility that the mission in the forest was also part of the plot to bring down Julius.
"Ah, that is the plan."
Julius answered clearly that the plan actually existed. It was not a plan that could be used for political strife. It was an order from the King.
"The Hero-sama's wedding reception is soon. The scheduled time should have passed long ago, yet there has been no mention of the matter. Even considering what happened with me, I thought it was far too delayed."
"You're asking me that?"
"I thought that if I asked someone else, it might trigger the plan to move forward. For my part, the later I head to the 'Forest of Bewilderment,' the better. The forest is not such a sweet place that one can survive just by eating poison fruit. A certain amount of preparation is necessary."
What he actually needed was time to advance his revenge against Princess Ekaterina, but there was no way he could say that. Creating another excuse—preparation for heading to the forest—Ray explained it to Julius.
"That worry was unnecessary."
"Unnecessary, you say?"
"It's not that they've forgotten about it. Even if you ask other people, it won't speed things up."
There was no way it could be forgotten. Furthermore, what happened next would change depending on the success or failure of this plan.
"Then, why is there no word?"
"I'm no longer in a position to be involved in it, so this will be speculation, but is that alright?"
"Yes. That is fine."
"The plan is simply delayed."
"Is there no reason?"
"The reason is that the person in charge is an idiot."
"Huh?"
At the completely unexpected words, Ray accidentally showed a genuine reaction.
"Ah, you've returned a bit to the atmosphere of the original Kamui-kun. It's easier for me to talk to you like that."
"...My apologies. But what do you mean by 'because they're an idiot'?"
"Shall I put it another way? This is boasting, but in terms of administrative ability, no one surpasses me. Especially compared to the civil officials under the Prime Minister who are supposed to be in charge of the plan now; there's no comparison."
"...I imagine so."
When a boast was delivered with such confidence, Ray felt a certain refreshing quality to it rather than sarcasm.
"Even if they say they're sending Kamui-kun to the 'Forest of Bewilderment,' it's not a matter that can be settled with just 'Alright, go ahead.'"
"That would be problematic for me."
"Right. You have to decide who accompanies you, calculate the necessary supplies like food, acquire them, and think of the transportation method. If the number of people increases for that, you have to procure additional supplies. Not only that. The actual... well, whatever. The mission you'll perform is to search for a certain object in the forest."
"A search mission?"
He had anticipated this. It wasn't particularly surprising.
"Yes. Regarding the actual search plan, how to maintain contact with you once you've entered the forest, how long each trip should be, and how frequently they should be conducted to progress the search of the entire forest. In short, there's a mountain of things to think about."
"And the current person in charge is unable to do that?"
"Yes. And there's a reason other than ability why they can't do it."
"And that is?"
"Personality."
"Hah... wait, are you doing this on purpose? Are you speaking this way on purpose just to surprise me?"
Julius was intentionally using words that would surprise him. Ray felt that.
"As expected. Your ability to see through these things hasn't changed, has it?"
And he wasn't wrong. Though it was slightly doubtful if the sole purpose was simply to surprise him.
"...And about the personality?"
"They're afraid of failure. Because if they fail, they'll be held responsible. Since they're the successor to me, who was ousted, they're likely being overly nervous about it. That's why they're seeking perfection and can't finalize the plan."
"Perfection is impossible."
"Exactly. But they don't understand that."
"In that case, is it off the table for the time being?"
"No, I don't think you can say that for sure."
"What is the reason?"
"Actually, there's a deadline for the search. I wonder if it's okay to say this... well, whatever."
Having been ousted and seeing no prospect of rising again, Julius seemed to have become quite reckless. He began to speak of facts that would normally be classified as secrets.
"What Kamui-kun has to search for in the forest is the Holy Sword."
"The Holy Sword? Such a thing exists?"
"It's said to exist. It's like a legend. I don't know if it's actually there. But that forest is a special place. It's not a place where humans can live. The cause is apparently the miasma erupting from the depths of the forest."
"Yes."
"Do you know about it?"
"I don't know to what extent. By the way, I've heard there are places in the forest that aren't contaminated by miasma. I don't know where those are, either."
"Is that so. Then, if you find such a place and make it a base, the search would become easier, wouldn't it?"
"I think that would be difficult. I've heard the flow of miasma changes in a certain cycle. A place that was fine today might be contaminated tomorrow. It's like that. The reverse is also true."
If it were fixed, Ray's life in the forest would have been much easier. However, he no longer wished for that. Ray needed the power to fight. The first trigger to obtain that power was created by hunger.
"The reverse... does that mean it's purified?"
"Probably."
"...I see. There's a possibility that's the influence of the Holy Sword. Is it impossible to read that flow?"
Despite no longer being in a position to be involved in the plan, Julius enthusiastically questioned Ray about the forest. Ray thought that Julius simply liked that kind of work.
"It's impossible for humans. Even demons can't do it."
"Then it's no use."
"There is one possibility."
"And that is?"
"I think beasts might be able to detect it."
"What's the basis for that?"
"Beasts that aren't magic beasts were finding uncontaminated places and hunting there. I thought it was an ability unique to those beasts, but thinking about it, the fact that they could hunt means there are beasts there that aren't affected by the miasma."
The fact that Shiro the wolf had returned to his den was because Kamiira and the rest of the family were there. Ray thought it might have been like a occasional visit.
"Beasts move according to the flow. That's it, right?"
"Yes. Beasts have the possibility of finding those places. What's needed is the ability to follow the beasts. The movement speed of the forest beasts seems to be considerably fast, so speed sufficient to keep up with them will be necessary."
"How fast?"
"The Vampio race can't keep up. That's all I know."
"Faster than demons... that won't be easy."
"But if that's possible, it becomes possible to find a safe place and remain there. It's only a possibility, though."
"Setting aside the ability, that's an amazing discovery. By the way, can you do that, Kamui-kun?"
"I have thought that I wanted to be able to do that."
"To live in the forest, right?"
"...Yes."
The only means he had thought of to obtain food not contaminated by poison. Without attempting it, his life in the forest had collapsed. Remembering that, a shadow cast over Ray's heart.
"The conversation drifted. It's always like this when I talk to Kamui-kun. Rather than drifting, the conversation expands."
Perhaps noticing Ray's depression, Julius brought the conversation to a close.
"It was just a coincidence."
"About the Holy Sword. The legend says the Holy Sword is somewhere in the 'Forest of Bewilderment' to prevent that miasma from spreading."
"I think it's already spread sufficiently, though?"
"But it's staying within the forest. You could say that's thanks to the Holy Sword. Besides, your story has increased the possibility of its existence. Purifying miasma isn't a natural power."
"True."
Purification is due to the power of the Holy Sword. That was a possibility. At this point, it was strictly a possibility. If the Holy Sword really existed and possessed such power, Ray still wondered why the demons hadn't tried to use that power.
"The Kingdom needs that Holy Sword."
"For the Hero's sake, I assume. Is it such an incredible sword?"
"I wonder. The goal is less about gaining power and more about adding prestige."
"I imagine for the demons, the Hero's prestige is a matter of indifference?"
The Holy Sword is the power necessary to defeat the demons. That's what he had thought, but according to Julius, that wasn't it. Then Ray didn't understand why they would go to such lengths to search for it.
"Could you stop asking while knowing the answer? It's obviously to deter other countries."
"Are there countries that would be swayed by something as simple as a Holy Sword?"
It's just a weapon. Ray had that thought. That became the difference in thinking between him and Julius, and the people living in this world.
"'As simple as a Holy Sword.' Few people think that way. Whether they respect or fear a Hero blessed by the Holy Sword, their influence increases either way."
"I see... one question."
The comment belittling the Holy Sword was a slight mistake. Thinking so, Ray decided to change the subject.
"What is it?"
"What will happen to the 'Forest of Bewilderment'? If the Holy Sword is suppressing the spread of the miasma, the forest will expand once that Holy Sword is gone."
"...That's a bit hard to say."
"Harder to say than the Holy Sword. In other words, are you abandoning the surrounding residents?"
"That was the intention at first. Based on the thought that it wouldn't expand all at once."
"Is it different now?"
"Because we found a possibility for purification. If the source can be purified, there's no need to return the Holy Sword."
"...And the one who can do that is?"
One person already came to mind in Ray's head. He asked Julius because he wanted him to deny it.
"It's Hinata-dono, who was summoned along with the Hero."
"As I thought..."
"The only reason we were able to move that many people into the depths of the forest at once was thanks to Hinata-dono's purification."
"You mean she came all that distance while purifying?"
The journey from the forest entrance to the cave took one month. Ray was surprised that she had purified that distance. He hadn't thought much about what kind of power Hinata possessed.
"You didn't know? Ah, not every path they walked. Only the places where they camped. It's said that after purifying, she cast a barrier, and because of that, they weren't attacked by magic beasts."
"I see."
"But that alone made the march easier. In the first place, discovering that the forest could be purified with light magic was a discovery in itself."
"I see... I hope I'm mistaken, but will Hinata-sama also accompany me?"
The attack by the Hero and his party had been experimental in itself. If that succeeded, they would naturally use the same method next time.
"Not 'I hope,' but certainly. I don't know what will happen during the search phase. That depends on the person in charge of the plan. However, after Kamui-kun finds the location of the Holy Sword, without a doubt. There's an extremely high possibility that's where the miasma springs from. So, it's not that Hinata-dono accompanies you, but that Kamui-kun accompanies her as the guide."
"To be honest, I think I'll be a hindrance. The period required for the search will likely more than double."
"Double? Will it increase that much?"
"That's because I knew from the start that Julius-sama would make two round trips. I intended for it to be over once I found it and brought it back."
"Double, then."
"More than double. I can't even begin to estimate the extent of the hindrance."
Even if it could be purified with light magic, that didn't make movement particularly fast. The difference between that and Ray's movement speed remained vast.
"As always, you're harsh on the Hero and his party."
"Fortunately, I have received no order to obey the Hero and his party. Though I have been told to be careful with my language."
"I see."
A slight doubt surfaced in Julius's emotions. He suspected Princess Ekaterina's feelings in excluding the order to obey the Hero. Ray perceived it as such.
"...Enough of this conversation. Could you tell me about the deadline?"
"Once the Hero's debut is over, next, the request to defeat the Demon King will be issued to the Hero from His Majesty the King."
"At this late stage?"
"To maintain formality. It's to officially show that the Hero is moving on the King's request, or rather, order."
"Everything is so tedious, isn't it?"
Things didn't move forward because they were maintaining that formality. While that was convenient for Ray, he also felt a sense of exasperation.
"Unfortunately, in the eyes of the public, the Hero is an existence that transcends social status. That's a problem for the state. The hierarchy must be made clear."
"Ah, and that's when you want to use it. In a form similar to a knight's investiture ceremony?"
This was knowledge from the Royal Guards. The Royal Guards knew that Princess Ekaterina trusted Ray—a slave—to the extent that it couldn't be said he would never become a knight.
"Yes. The Holy Sword will be bestowed by the King. The Hero who receives it becomes a knight of the Kingdom. It's a stretch, but still."
The Hero swore allegiance to the King. It was a ritual to maintain that appearance. However, Ray doubted how much meaning that actually had. Fumiya was plotting something. There was no doubt that it wasn't becoming a subject of the King.
"When is that?"
Keeping his thoughts about Fumiya to himself, Ray moved the conversation forward.
"That's difficult. At the earliest, half a year after the reception."
"Is that also due to the person in charge's administrative ability? Would it be half a year if it were you, Julius-sama?"
"No. Since it's just repeating the preparations for the reception, I could prepare it in a month. But we can't call the nobles to the royal capital that frequently. We have to leave about half a year. With half a year, anyone can prepare."
"Find the Holy Sword in half a year. I realize now, though it's late, that it's an unreasonable mission."
Finding a single sword, whose location is unknown, in the vast 'Forest of Bewilderment.' If searching blindly, it would be impossible to find even if half a year became a year.
"In reality, I think there's more time. However, this changes depending on the situation of the war. But I believe that if it's Kamui-kun, you can do it in half a year."
"You overestimate me."
"Do I? Well, it's a story that doesn't concern me now. However, since it seems difficult for me to climb back up on my own, I do have a feeling of wanting those around me to come down."
"That's the same as telling me to fail, isn't it?"
"I won't affirm that. I've had enough punishment."
The Holy Sword search was, in form, a royal decree. Wishing for its failure could lead to suspicions of treason against the King.
"That's true. But I will fail. The more time there is for the search, the better. And yet, the departure schedule hasn't even been set."
"True. Even if His Majesty waits until the last minute to implement the request to defeat the Demon King..."
"When would the final deadline be?"
"Shall we calculate backward? Based on the situation in other countries, we want to settle things with the demons within three years. If we allow half a year for cleanup and the next preparations, the Demon King needs to be defeated in two and a half years. The period for that final battle... let's say one year."
It was a very rough calculation. However, in the conquest of the continent, they couldn't afford to fall behind other countries for three years. That was certain.
"In other words, the Hero departs to defeat the Demon King in a year and a half?"
"No, the departure is earlier. To gain experience before the final battle with the Demon King, they're scheduled to defeat the demons stationed within the country. In the original plan, they intended to spend half a year on that."
"Departure in one year. So I need to find it by then..."
"I suppose so. It's doubled. Well, do you think you can do it?"
"I won't know until I try. Besides, in the end, I don't know when I'll depart. Whether the period is a year or half a year."
A meticulous plan was impossible. In that case, the day Ray began his mission would depend on the mood of the person in charge of the plan. If they pursued the perfection of the plan, it would be late. If they were driven by anxiety and decided to take more time for the search, he might be told as early as tomorrow.
"Sorry. For not being helpful."
"No, you've taught me many things, so that's enough. Thank you very much."
"Right, are you leaving now?"
"Yes. Once I obtain the Princess's permission, I will come again. Next time, to learn how to make magic tools."
"I see. I'll be looking forward to it."
"Then, excuse me."
Leaving Julius's room, Ray let out a small sigh. The Holy Sword search was a matter of indifference to Ray. In the first place, he had no intention of completing the mission. He intended to use the mission in the 'Forest of Bewilderment' to simply vanish.
Before that, he wanted to settle things with Princess Ekaterina, so he wanted to know the departure schedule as the deadline, but he was unable to find that out.
(If I force it, I'll be the same as the ones who attacked Rui. Then it would differ from the original objective. I'll think of something.)
Deciding to think of a countermeasure for the case where things weren't settled, Ray left the Mage Corps building.