"Hey, Miguel. Have you flown this aerial route before?" (Claude)
"Yes, a few times. But I believe Claude-sama knows it better than I do." (Miguel)
Right now, we're heading toward the Holy Union along the coastline.
Jagged cliffs stretch endlessly beside the rough sea, with no sign of human life.
Since Miguel's summoned dragon stands out too much, we've switched to riding wyverns.
"Come on, Miguel. Don't call me 'sama' like that, it's too formal. We're comrades, right? Right, Sumire-chan?" (Claude)
"Y-Yeah. But Claude-kun, isn't your flying kind of rough? We're shaking a lot here!" (Sumire)
"Huh? Sorry about that, Sumire-chan." (Claude)
Since the wyverns can't carry three people, we're split into two pairs: Me and Miguel, and Claude and Sumire.
"Hey, Eugy-kun. Why do I have to pair up with Claude-kun? Miguel-kun flies more gently!" (Sumire)
Sumire complained.
"It's a combat zone from here on out. If the military finds us, it's safer for you to be with Claude. Worst case, I can escape on my own using flight magic." (Eugene)
"That's true. If we're talking about riding skills, Claude-sama is the best wyvern pilot in the Blue Waters Federation. You'll be in good hands." (Miguel)
"Hmm. If you say so…" (Sumire)
She seemed to accept it…somewhat.
"But Eugene, if it's the Holy Union's army, they should recognize me, so I don't think there'll be any trouble?" (Claude)
I shook my head at Claude's words.
"The ones I'm afraid of running into are the Imperial Army. You know that too, Claude." (Eugene)
"…Yeah, you're right." (Claude)
Claude nodded honestly.
"Really? Eugy-kun?" (Sumire)
"Isn't that your homeland, Eugene-sama? If you explain things, won't they understand…?" (Miguel)
Sumire and Miguel didn't seem to get it.
"In the Imperial Army, the basic tactical protocol is this: eliminate all small units. Small squads are usually on covert missions. Rather than taking them alive and risking intel leakage, they believe it's better to wipe them out for a strategic advantage. This doctrine reaches even the lowest-ranked soldiers. If the Imperial Army spots us, they'll chase us to the ends of the earth. It doesn't matter that I'm originally from the Empire." (Eugene)
""...""
The two of them fell silent.
But I wasn't trying to scare them.
It was just the truth.
I had it beaten into me endlessly at the imperial military school.
"C-Claude-kun. Is that…true?" (Sumire)
"Yeah. Eugene's not wrong. I didn't know it extended all the way to the foot soldiers, though…" (Claude)
"Eugene-sama. Does the Imperial Army operate mostly in groups?" (Miguel)
Miguel asked, and I answered.
"Not mostly, it's their entire structure. Imperial soldiers are forbidden from acting alone. 'Always attack small numbers with overwhelming force.' That's the core doctrine." (Eugene)
"B-But I've heard stories that the previous Sword of the Emperor, the Sword Hero, and the Heaven Knights often fought alone…" (Miguel)
I shook my head at Miguel's words.
"That's to alter perception. The Empire deliberately spreads those tales to make it seem like they prefer acting solo. But in reality, the ones who get valued are those who can act in groups. If they encounter an enemy force of 100, they wait until they have 200 before attacking. That's the standard strategy." (Eugene)
"No wonder the Empire is strong…" (Miguel)
"It's simple and easy to teach, too." (Claude)
Claude and Miguel spoke with admiration.
(…Can't believe my military school knowledge is coming in handy like this…) (Eugene)
Feeling a bit heavy inside, I kept my eyes alert to our surroundings.
◇◇
"We're now entering what used to be Holy Union territory…but it's currently occupied by the Empire. Let's stay alert." (Claude)
We all nodded at Claude's words.
Before us lay a barren landscape of rocky earth and sand.
"There's nothing out here…" (Sumire)
"This region is commonly called the Parched Land. Almost no one lives here, and even for the Empire, there's little benefit in occupying it. It should be relatively safe." (Miguel)
Miguel explained, responding to Sumire.
At a glance, there was no sign of life.
But…
"No, about 800 meters ahead, just to the right. I sense five people. They haven't noticed us yet." (Eugene)
The three turned toward me in shock when I spoke.
"Seriously, Eugene?" (Claude)
"Yeah. I used Mana Detection to sense the magic tools they're carrying. No doubt, they're imperial soldiers." (Eugene)
They seemed to be roughly as strong as a C-rank explorer from the Zenith Tower, so not a huge threat, but if they call for reinforcements, we'll be in trouble.
"There weren't any soldiers here before…" (Miguel)
"They probably found out this is a transit route between the Holy Union and the Blue Waters Federation. Let's circle around from the left." (Eugene)
"Got it. Sumire-chan, hold on tight." (Claude)
"O-Okay!" (Sumire)
Sumire clung tightly to Claude.
She should be safe with Claude.
"Eugene-sama, don't stray too far from me, alright?" (Miguel)
"Got it. But if it comes down to it, I can escape on my own, so don't hesitate to ditch me if we're spotted." (Eugene)
"I-I understand." (Miguel)
We tightened our focus and flew over the Parched Land.
Even after that, we spotted several imperial scouts, but I managed to avoid them using my Mana Detection.
It was about an hour into our land journey when the scenery began to change.
"…This is horrible…" (Sumire)
I heard Sumire whisper.
"What the…" (Eugene)
What appeared before us was a small village that had been completely incinerated.
Most likely a bombing raid by imperial airships.
Huge craters dotted the ground.
Most of the homes were destroyed, burned to ashes.
"This must've been one of the villages of the Sand People, a local minority…" (Claude)
"The warriors of the Sand People, raised in such harsh conditions, were powerful frontline fighters for the Holy Union. But their homeland was burned down by the Empire…" (Miguel)
Claude and Miguel explained in somber voices.
"This… Did Airi-chan order this…?" (Sumire)
"No, Sumire-chan. I doubt she gave the order herself…" (Claude)
I heard Claude trying to deny it.
(Technically, the final approval for military operations lies with the Marshal…but all plans are reported to the Emperor. And only the Emperor can halt an approved operation. Meaning… Airi also permitted this?) (Eugene)
Even as I said it to myself, it didn't feel real.
This kind of operation…is exactly what Airi hates most, isn't it?
We saw similar scenes repeatedly as we continued traveling.
◇◇
A vast lake and a towering mountain range beyond it came into view.
That was Crescent Lake and the South Continent's highest peak, the Holy Mother Mountain…Anna Peak.
"We've finally made it this far…" (Miguel)
Miguel let out a sigh of relief.
"Once we cross the lake, we'll be fully within the Holy Union of Caldia, under the jurisdiction of the Holy Knights. We're almost there…" (Claude)
Just as Claude said that…
BOOM!!!
A massive sound and shockwave hit us.
"Kyah!!"
Sumire screamed, but I confirmed she was still clinging to the wyvern, not falling.
"Above us!!" (Eugene)
I shouted and clicked my tongue inwardly.
I didn't let my guard down. But…
(There was a fleet of airships above the clouds…) (Eugene)
They must've cast a barrier to hide not just their presence, but even their mana signature until the bombing began.
"Eugene-sama! Look up!" (Miguel)
Miguel pointed to the sky.
There, a black figure was falling toward us.
"That's an Imperial Army Iron Golem! We're retreating! Hold on, Sumire-chan!" (Claude)
"O-Okay!" (Sumire)
"Eugene-sama, hang on tightly!" (Miguel)
Claude and Miguel commanded their wyverns.
But I recognized the model of the falling golem.
(It's the latest flying-type unit that was under development at the Imperial Magic Research Institute. So it's completed now… Whether we can outrun it with wyverns… It's fifty-fifty.) (Eugene)
Worst case, we might lead those golems straight into Holy Union territory.
Thinking that, I raised my voice so everyone could hear.
"I'll hold them off! The rest of you go on ahead. We'll meet up in the Holy Capital, Arshaam!" (Eugene)
"That's too dangerous!" (Miguel)
"No way! Eugy-kun!" (Sumire)
Naturally, Miguel and Sumire objected.
But Claude seemed to understand what I was thinking.
"Eugene. Once I get these two to the capital, I'll come back for you. Don't do anything reckless." (Claude)
"Yeah. I'll be fine. I'm counting on you to protect them." (Eugene)
Relieved by that voice, I jumped down from the flying dragon controlled by Miguel.
――Sumire-chan! Hold on tight!
――No way! Are you serious, Claude-kun!?
――Eugene-sama! Please, be safe!
Sumire, still confused, and Miguel, sounding worried, faded into the distance.
(Flight magic…activate.) (Eugene)
I was enveloped in a sensation like softly diving into water while in freefall.
The moment I touched down…
Dadadadadadan!
I was surrounded by iron puppet soldiers of the Imperial Army, landing with loud, clunky sounds.
(Prioritize the smaller group. They've been magically command-coded to follow basic Imperial Army tactics to the letter.) (Eugene)
As expected, it was the right decision to act as a decoy.
I readied my White Sword.
The only ones here were the iron puppet soldiers.
However, there were surely still imperial soldiers waiting aboard the airships above.
If they came down too, I'd be forced to fight against people from my homeland.
I want to avoid that.
(Let's finish this quickly.) (Eugene)
――Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: Kamaitachi
I steel myself, and began by cutting off the heads of two iron puppet soldiers.
I thought they might keep moving, but they seemed to shut down completely once decapitated.
"...Firestorm!"
"...Thunder Lance!"
"...Stone Cannon!"
Perhaps judging close combat to be too dangerous, the iron puppet soldiers switched to offensive magic.
Not a bad move, but their speed and accuracy were inferior to humans.
Dodging them wasn't difficult.
――Twin Heavenly Resonance Style: Flying Swallow
I struck the nearby iron puppets directly.
For the ones farther away, I sent flying slashes to sever their heads.
I can't say for sure, but it probably didn't take more than three minutes.
I neutralized all the iron puppet soldiers.
Just then, I sensed mana from above.
A medium-sized unit was descending in this direction.
(The iron puppet soldiers stopped responding, so now they're coming to check in person?) (Eugene)
This time it's likely a human unit.
Their descent speed was completely different from that of the puppet soldiers.
At this pace, I should be able to leave the area before they reach me.
(…Concealment barrier magic.) (Eugene)
I blended into the surrounding scenery and began moving toward the Holy Mother Mountains where the Holy Capital lies.
(Water Magic: Water Walking.) (Eugene)
I walked across Crescent Lake.
Though slower than flying, it conserved mana.
The lake's surface was calm.
However, mist had rolled in, and visibility was poor.
That actually worked in my favor right now.
It didn't seem like any imperial soldiers were pursuing me.
Looks like I shook them off successfully.
I carefully moved across the misty lake.
The base of the massive mountain range came into view.
This is the Holy Union's territory.
It's not quite the route I had planned, but I made it.
Deep within lies Sara, and the Destiny Oracle, Orianne-sama.
Meeting them is my next goal.
(Still…for someone from the Empire to enter the country alone like this… I'm basically a spy.) (Eugene)
A bitter smile crept onto my face.
I may have escaped the Imperial Army, but now there's the risk of being found by the Holy Knights.
Given that I'm currently separated from Claude and the others, there's no excuse that would work.
They'd probably cut me down without a word.
I'll have to move carefully to avoid being discovered.
With that resolution in mind, I set out for the Holy Capital.