48 - Surrounded by Hostility
Leaving the royal capital, we proceed along the road stretching east. The composition of the investigation team consists of Ray, the Hero, and one other, along with ten knights and about ten underlings in charge of chores such as managing the baggage train. Ray does not know if this number is appropriate. What he does know is that the number of people is smaller compared to when Kamiira and the others were attacked. In reality, this is a misunderstanding, but he will not realize that until they reach the Forest of Bewilderment.
There are four carriages. The Hero and his companions ride in one, while the other three are baggage wagons loaded with food and camping gear. The underlings are scattered among the empty spaces in the baggage wagons, and the knights are on horseback. As for Ray, he was running alone. Ray has become incomparably stronger than he was when he lived in the Forest of Bewilderment with Kamiira and the others. Even so, the Forest of Bewilderment was a terrifying place for Ray. When he thought about having to explore that terrifying place alone, he could not stay still. Even during the journey, Ray had no intention of neglecting his physical training. However, unfortunately, running during the move served as little more than a comfort for Ray. Both the horses and the carriages are slow. Ray knows that horses cannot gallop at full speed indefinitely. But the current slowness of the movement is not for that reason alone. Although it is called a road, it is not cleanly paved. The carriages are not equipped with things like suspensions. The ride in the carriage was the worst, and riding in one for a long time accompanied a pain equivalent to torture. The underlings seemed to have grown used to it, repeatedly taking turns getting off the carriage to ride spare horses or moving by jogging. The problem was the Hero and his companions, who did not make such efforts. This should not be their first time in a carriage. They were likely trying to save face and endured it, which was a mistake. Midway, with a pale face as if they had lost all color, they tumbled out of the carriage and collapsed right there by the side of the road. From then on, the movement has been at a considerably slower pace. It is not training at all. Ray tried to move ahead, ignoring the pace of those around him, but he was stopped by a knight. Even when he said he would come back midway, he was not permitted. When he tried being selfish and suggested that someone just come along with him, the knight seemed to consider it for a moment. The result was, as expected, that he was not permitted, but Ray was still satisfied. This was because he was able to learn that, for some reason, he was considered to need a guard. Normally, he would think he was suspected of fleeing, but Ray judged that possibility to be low. If it were known that the Collar of Subordination was not working, they would have taken other measures. The Kingdom should not be so foolish as to think that just keeping watch would be enough. Then what is the reason? Other than fleeing, the only thing he can think of is to kill him. He does not think there is a need to watch him constantly, but he cannot think of any other reason. It is reasonable to think that the seeds sown by the head of the intelligence department have sprouted. If that is the case, the next thing to consider is how many of the accompanying knights are involved. The most likely answer is all of them. As soon as Ray leaped forward, most of the riders pursued him. He did not feel that the refusal to let him distance himself was the will of only a few knights. If everyone is plotting Ray's assassination, Ray stopped himself from judging that the instruction came from the Commander of the Royal Knights, thinking that would be rash. He thought that a mastermind who is too obvious might be a decoy. Even so, there is no need to rush the judgment. In the first place, it is the duty of the intelligence department, not Ray, to pinpoint the mastermind. However, to pass the boring travel time, he did not stop thinking about various things. If he cannot move his body, he has nothing to do but move his head.
In this manner, the first day of travel ends. At the edge of the campsite, Ray gazes vacantly up at the night sky. His gaze is directed at the sky, but his consciousness is concentrated on the source of the gaze staring at him. Another problem to worry about has surfaced.
Now, I wonder what this is about?
Ray had thought it was strange since they arrived at the campsite. Neither Hinata nor Fumiya showed any sign of wanting to interact with him. For Ray, this was a welcome thing, and he had thought it was perhaps because they were tired, but once he finished his meal and began his sword training, he realized he was mistaken. Even after he started training, Fumiya still did not interact with him. He just stared intently at Ray. With a probing gaze, clearly imbuing his gaze with hostility. Noticing this, Ray stopped his swings and, while pretending to look at the night sky, concentrated on sensing the presence of those around him. It was not just Fumiya who held hostility, Hinata and Akemi were the same. In Hinata, he could also see the emotion of fear. Are the Hero's party assassination agents? That thought occurred to him, but the possibility was quite low. Even if they directed hostility toward him, he could not imagine Fumiya or Hinata accepting assassination as a means.
Do they think that if they fight fair and square, it's not assassination?
This possibility exists. When it comes to justifying himself, Fumiya is a genius. With the limitation that it is not about convincing those around him, but about convincing himself. However, he does not think the other two, especially Hinata, would be convinced.
There is no reason for them to be involved in a succession struggle either. But then, I don't know about those relationships.
The motive of the person trying to kill Ray is that they do not want the truth of the attack on Princess Ekaterina to be revealed. Participating in an assassination is the same as participating in a succession struggle. Ray does not know the fact that the three Heroes and Prince Neil had been that close. However, he cannot deny it. Ray had no interest in what the Heroes were doing and had not asked Princess Ekaterina about it.
Is it too early to move? But it's better to act early once you've noticed.
After raising both arms high and stretching, Ray rubbed the area under his nose with the middle finger of his left hand. That was all. He began walking toward his tent. Now he just had to wait for the subordinate of the head, who saw the signal, to make contact. Ray did not know when that would be.
◇◇◇
In the end, it was the next morning when a person from the intelligence department contacted Ray. An underling who had been helping Ray pack up his tent began to speak in a lowered voice.
"So, what is your business?"
"...It's like that."
Blending in among the underlings is just as one would expect of a spy. That was his impression, but it did not get through to the other person.
"What do you mean by that?"
"Ah, not that. The gazes from around here are painful."
"...I noticed that. A considerable number of the knights have a suspicious atmosphere."
From the other person's demeanor, Ray could tell that the current situation was unexpected even for the intelligence department.
"Not just the knights, but the Hero as well."
"What?"
"Do you know who the person who contacted the Hero is?"
"What I've heard is only up to the point where the screening was finished. I don't know who was narrowed down from there."
"Can you not judge if they are comrades?"
"...I'll inquire."
"Please do. This is just my intuition, but if they are in contact, it's likely the strong-willed woman. Was it Akemi-sama? I think it's her. I can't say for certain, though."
"...Why do you think so?"
"Because this matter is a kind of conspiracy. The other two, even if only in form, seem to have a strong sense of justice, so I don't think they would like such things. Of course, it's different if there is a righteous justification."
"...I'll keep that in mind."
This was one of the results of thinking using the boring time. When considering the possibility of participating in a succession struggle, and specifically on Prince Neil's side, Hinata was the first to be eliminated. The reason is that he could not imagine Hinata, who wants to be a good person to everyone, openly performing an act that would make him an enemy of Princess Ekaterina. Fumiya is similar. Furthermore, in Fumiya's case, there is the reason that he cannot imagine making an enemy of the beautiful Princess Ekaterina. Then, as for the remaining Akemi, she is the kind of woman who would use Ray to get closer to Fumiya. If there is a benefit to herself, she would likely trap people without any hesitation. That is what Ray thinks. Somehow, the truth of the Princess Ekaterina attack incident is becoming visible to Ray. It is not yet something he can tell people, and to tell it, he needs to think about various things and obtain corroboration. In the first place, it is something Ray does not care about right now.
"What should I do from here?"
"...I will tell you at a later date. Since I cannot say when, please avoid taking solo action until then."
Ray understood that they intended to prioritize using him as a decoy. If most of the accompanying knights are suspicious, the possibility of something happening has increased all at once. For the intelligence department, this is a matter they would definitely want to prioritize over searching for the Holy Sword, which they don't even know exists. The reason they cannot decide on that immediately is because this is a royal order. The man, having finished his conversation with Ray, began to repeat a slightly unnatural gesture. Someone is watching for a signal. It is something simpler, but Ray, who had been taught signals using gestures in the same way, could tell.
Guards around me as well, huh?
The intelligence department is also a nuisance to Ray. Ray had intended to disappear as soon as he entered the Forest of Bewilderment, but since spies are watching, he had no choice but to reconsider and act cautiously. He thinks they might not make a move until the Holy Sword is found. While thinking this, Ray did not loosen his guard, yet he continued the journey without showing the slightest hint of it. After several days of travel, they arrived at a campsite established near the entrance to the Forest of Bewilderment. It is the campsite that serves as the main camp for the investigation, which the advance party had prepared. Waiting there was an unexpected person. The Head of the Intelligence Department, who is technically Kamui's boss. He had thought he might be there, but Ray did not expect him to appear in public.
"How should I address you?"
Ray casually asks the Head, so as not to draw attention from the surroundings.
"As a member of the intelligence department."
"I'll ask just in case, but I'm not, right?"
"Do not ask things that are obvious. It is a waste of time."
"Yes..."
He was a boss who was strict with his subordinates. Having confirmed his position, Ray moved away from the Head and then played ignorant. While wandering around the campsite for a while and probing the area, he received a summons for a meeting. Entering a tent that was exceptionally large even among those in the campsite, he found it to be a meeting room itself.
"You've come. Take a seat anywhere."
This instruction is the most troublesome. Ray sits in the lowest seat at the entrance, so as not to get close to the Heroes.
"Too far. This is a meeting for your mission."
If so, tell me where to sit, he does not say. Although he does not know who the person is, he can tell from the clothing they are wearing that they are a person of considerable standing. However, no matter who the opponent is, Ray is one who treats them politely unless they are someone he has let his guard down with. For now, the seat Ray chose was two seats away from where the Head was sitting. He intentionally left a gap so as not to let them feel the closeness of the distance in the slightest.
"Now, shall we begin? First is the immediate action plan."
Ray does not say to introduce himself before that. From the atmosphere around him, he can tell that he is the only one who does not know who the person is. In other words, it means they are that important a person. By this point, he had already made a general guess.
"As the main camp of this campsite, we will enter the Forest of Bewilderment from this location. I think some of you know, but this is a place we have entered once before."
In other words, it is the entry point from when they attacked Ray's dwelling. Ray felt the gazes of the Heroes turn toward him, but he completely ignored them.
"Up to the cave where the Demon Race were holed up, it has been developed to some extent."
It was not a cave where they were holed up, but a house where they lived. He does not say this either, but Ray's feelings are becoming a bit irritated. He thinks to the point that they might be intentionally trying to make him angry. As if sensitively sensing Ray's emotions, the Head casually directed his gaze toward him. Whether it meant 'calm down' or 'suppress it', Ray understands it in that sense. As expected of the Head. However, the fact that this Head is in this place is a very big problem for Ray.
"From what we have investigated so far, unfortunately, it has been found that the effect of purification has already been lost. It is tedious, but it is a repetition of the same thing again. However, since the roads are developed, it will take a shorter period than last time. That is a saving grace."
This is the main camp, and the cave where Ray and the others lived is the forward base. He can tell that the idea of advancing while purifying up to that forward base is to send a considerable number of personnel to the front.
He understands, but Ray's irritation grew even stronger. When he glanced over, he saw a subtle nod that was almost imperceptible. It might be an illusion, but Ray decided to believe his eyes.
"I have a question."
"...I am still in the middle of talking."
"Then, I will ask later."
"You've already spoken up, so speak quickly."
It seems he will not be able to like this guy. Thinking this, Ray opens his mouth.
"When was the current plan decided? It differs from the plan I heard."
"What you heard was something so poor it cannot be called a plan. The Knights' side redrafted a new plan, saying that would not do."
"I understand. Then, why was there no explanation of the redrafted plan given to me?"
"I am explaining it now."
"And so you want me to carry out a dangerous mission?"
"It is an order. No matter the situation, it is natural to carry it out."
"I am not a subject of the Kingdom, though?"
"What?"
"My status was originally that of a guest, and after that, I was degraded by crime and became a slave to Her Highness the Princess. Even so, I am strictly a slave to Her Highness the Princess and not a subject of the Kingdom."
"If you are a slave, it is natural to obey."
"I have received no order from my master, Her Highness the Princess. Even if I were to concede a hundred steps, if it were an order from the Kingdom it might be different, but I have no reason to obey your order."
"What!?"
Ray is merely harassing him. The knight has fallen for it and is angry.
"Is that not so?"
"My order is the Kingdom's order."
"That is incorrect. The order of His Majesty the King is the Kingdom's order. Have you spoken this plan to me having received the sanction of His Majesty the King?"
"I have been entrusted with it."
"Then, the proof of that."
"Proof?"
"Could it be that you are using His Majesty's name to give a false royal order?"
"How could that be!?"
If this were a fact, it would be a great crime. No matter how great a knight this knight is, he would not be able to escape the crime.
"Then, the proof."
"...I have obtained His Majesty's permission."
"I see. But actually, I have also obtained permission from His Majesty."
"What?"
"When I happened to complain that the first plan was worrying, he told me that in that case, I should create a plan I am satisfied with and act accordingly."
"...Then, prove that."
"The person sitting two seats away from me was present at that time."
"What?"
"Surely, it was you at that time, right?"
"Ah, that's right."
This was a bit of a gamble, but the Head admitted it readily. With this, Ray can push further once more.
"...Is it true?"
"Does the Commander of the Royal Knights think that I am lying?"
"...No, I do not think so."
From this conversation, Ray also understood that the opponent was the Commander of the Royal Knights. The Head went out of his way to call him by his title for this reason.
"What happens in this case?"
"...Are you saying you have a plan?"
"For now."
"Then speak it. If it is satisfactory, I may adopt it."
Ray does not like this way of speaking either, but moving the conversation forward is more important than nitpicking this.
"Um, I need the information I requested from His Majesty..."
"I have that."
The Head immediately gives the answer. Now, he just has to finalize the details all at once.
"Then, could you explain it?"
"Of course. Regarding the investigation of the outer edge of the Forest of Bewilderment, as expected, we could not investigate everything in this short period. However, even within the investigated range, the results were almost as expected."
"Meaning?"
"The outer edge of the Forest of Bewilderment and the contamination range do not coincide. Furthermore, the contamination range shows signs of forming a circle, roughly speaking."
"The center of the Forest of Bewilderment and the assumed center of the contamination range?"
"They are clearly shifted. The contamination range is heavily tilted to the west."
"I see..."
Up to this point, it is almost exactly as Ray expected. It is not that the entire Forest of Bewilderment is contaminated, but a certain range, though quite vast, is contaminated. There is some cause for the contamination, and it just happened to be in the forest.
"What about the investigation of the rivers?"
"Regarding that, the investigation is still insufficient. We have not been able to distinguish between contaminated rivers and non-contaminated rivers. What we do know is that when we investigate beyond the forest, the water of all rivers is not contaminated."
"Did you find out from the water?"
"We investigated using the fish that live there."
"As expected. But in that case, the method of going up the river must be abandoned."
The water flowing through the cave was not contaminated, rather, it was pure and delicious. Thinking about why that is, one possibility arises. There is something that purifies the water at the source or along the way. Investigating whether there are clean rivers and contaminated rivers was to obtain corroboration for that, and if the possibility increased after corroboration, it was to identify which river to search.
"All that remains is the method of heading toward the assumed center and investigating the surroundings."
"But the investigation has not progressed enough to accurately measure the assumed center."
"A rough estimate is fine."
"Is it fine?"
"Provided that the premise is that miasma is welling up from that place, or conversely, that it is completely purified."
"You can find that?"
"I didn't live in the forest for nothing. I didn't eat things tainted by miasma for nothing, you know?"
Ray is saying that, for reasons he doesn't know, he can feel it. Naturally, it is a lie.
"...I see."
"The problem is the distance to that place. I know it is not a distance that can be run through all at once."
"That's true."
"In the end, will we use the cave as a base?"
"...There is no doubt it is closer than here."
"What. Then, after all, it's a return home for the first time in a while."
"That's how it will be."
In the end, they will head toward the cave where he lived, just as the Commander of the Royal Knights' strategy dictated. Ray's vigilance toward the Head grew even stronger. It is a slightly different vigilance than before. The Head should have known that this would be the conclusion. Despite that, he deliberately tried to make Ray crush the Commander of the Royal Knights' strategy. He does not know for what purpose.
If he looks at it cynically, he can suspect that the Head knew the result and forced Ray into a situation where he had to follow the original strategy.
Ah, I see. Even if the purpose is different, there is a reason to make me take the same action.
After thinking for a bit, Ray knew his thought was not wrong. The Head does not forbid solo action to kill him, but to prevent him from escaping his role as a decoy. As expected, Ray's greatest obstacle is the Head, who is scheduled to be his boss. Ray was inwardly exhausted, thinking that outsmarting this Head would require a considerable amount of recklessness.