Chapter 24 (1/2)

That can’t be regarded as anything but an abandoned fortress at first sight, Lauri began a serious survey of the surroundings The su all over The boundary between the cruue That fortress which likely stood firmly within nature before, was now in a state similar to an empty shell which has been worn down by wind and snow

(Did I hold of bandits… that can’t be, right?) (Lauri)

Lauri’s face has a cramp as he isn’t able to deny that unpleasant possibility Without carrying anything but the least ae, he doesn’t even wear a sot used to the public order of the Helrevi Earldoly aware of that at his current location

It’s the region located in the north of Marquis Maruyalanta’s territory which is on the northern side of Asuria Kingdoest city, called Chitoga City, can be found It is thriving based on its distribution of goods with its important position in the water transportation connected to the Eastern Dragon River and its branches The large river for transporting to south and north, the branches for transporting to west and east… That sight bri familiar to Lauri

If you advance south froed terrain Fro waves of hills and forests through the eyes of the iven the common name “Land’s Water Surface” It’s an area which travelers don’t approach at all Everyone chooses to be shaken in a boat by paying se

The reason for it being avoided is obvious Because it has been neglected in a state of having the main road destroyed, the paths are extremely bad The road towards the capital becomes level once one leaves south from this place… The Land’s Water Surface is an ancient battlefield where a fierce battle between the ardo Calamity which became the front line at this point in tily, this region was left behind without even a single glance back

However, Lauri made a journey to that Land’s Water Surface It can’t be helped since his destination is located there Ae and s the war, it is a fortress that housed the king hiside his chivalric order, for a time After it was taken by the E that has only its name noted down on maps

(As expected, it’s iht? … Yeah, impossible) (Lauri)

Lauri is pondering already about his way back since there isn’t a single flag fluttering Now is still fine as it’s early in the day, but it seeht Lauri ihosts, witches and ruffians as they appear in illustrated stories It’s really not unlikely for such beings to infest the nights in this fortress

Let’s at least check just thetroubled with the bad footing At a spot that appeared to have traces of the cru while holding onto his sword

“Oiva!” (Lauri)

“Mmh? Ooh, Lauri, you came?” (Oiva)

He released a big yaards the blue sky He is a hty warrior one can only look up to once he stood up Lauri, who has no fighting ability, can do nothing but adth by hi there like this

“Huh? You ca” (Oiva)

“It’s a habit from my days as peddler I like to travel quickly by retted a bit, too It’s a region that has gone beyond my expectations This Land’s Water Surface is…” (Lauri)

“Yes, it is indeed It must have been a fairly troublesome place even as a battlefield It looks like quite a nuained fame in this area” (Oiva)

While following Oiva who is leading his restlessly I see, it will inevitably turn into a rees He had a feeling that even at this ht leap out from the shadows of the bushes

“Did Bertrand fight here as well?” (Lauri)

“I wonder about that… The folks who rose as nobles have all died in this place Those wanting to becouy had a kind of a slave status, thus he ht have not been active in this area” (Oiva)

Oiva speaks without hesitation of life and death on the battlefield Supposing that it was a reality for those who hold spears and swords to wish for great achieve and also so effects of aFor exaht be different before and after a war, that didn’t mean that the city itself would be discarded A fortress on the other hand will be covered in a sea of plants

(The brave has died, Salodoon who tries to flap its wings from now on… Marko’s fate is… ?) (Lauri)

Even though Lauri felt a strange chill, he shook it off by tightening his mouth While it may be true that he was betrayed by the scenery he anticipated, he considered it as cowardice to think badly about anything and everything

“… However, it’s just a re place of bandits, doesn’t it?” (Lauri)

“Ain’t that right I think so as well That’s why I haven’t used it” (Oiva)

The view suddenly opened up in a break in the woods

Hundreds of tents have been systematically lined up and soldiers briskly round, many brand new facilities, made out of wood, have been erected It seems like there are several water wells, too The radiation of the heat of life towards the clear blue sky serves as testietically fluttering in the wind

It’s the garrison of the Third Princess Paulina’s royal guard unit

The place Lauri ainated to be in a location slightly away froion 1500 soldiers gathered underneath the banner of the princess… as a matter of fact those are Marko’s troops, but only Lauri, Daniel and the leaders of the royal guard unit are aware of that

“Wow, it’s ae, if there are fields as well?” (Lauri)

“There are fields In a place a walk ae have created cultivated land and pasture I believed I would co as a valuable s specialist in this place everyday Why do I have to take care of swords and the sa tools?” (Oiva)

“Hahaha, technology doesn’t betray one That’s also true for dojos, right?” (Lauri)

“Of course That’s because bamboo-bundled swords are fun Once I also tried to produce spears, those were kind of interesting as well” (Oiva)

The place the two headed towards while having a friendly chat is a building standing in the vicinity of the garrison’s centre It’s the headquarters of the royal guard unit

“Good work finishi+ng the long journey It’s great that you came” (Marko)

The one who opened the door and ushered them in is the blue-eyed, black-haired beautiful boy He has the role of being the attendant of the leader in the royal guard unit, however whether one believes it just like that can be used as a kind of screening, Lauri believes

It’s Marko Having turned 13 years old, his lirowing I don’t knohether it’s an eggshell or the wings of an angel, however his body hasn’t stopped peeling off the frag hair or it’s because he hasn’t the time to cut it, Lauri continues to coirl with those after all

“Mu… for soe of discomfort” (Marko)

“Oh! Having arrived on a trackless path, that’s not me, Marko” (Lauri)

“That is… yes, that’s true Thank you very arrison in a place that didn’t even have an office” (Marko)

“It looks like it has becoreat if I had arrived slightly earlier as well though” (Lauri)

“No, I’m thankful towards you as able to handle it reliably over there It’s not over yet either” (Marko)