Chapter 512: Contact
The next day.
“This time I think I’ll do an aerial reconnaissance with Maia”
Dianne unfolded a handmade map to show us the points.
“This is our fortress. Here is Catalina. Here is Fort Squall, built by 10-man captain Wrigley. My guess is that the Kalwin Kingdom is located in this valley”
Dianne’s finger slides down. The middle reaches of the river, which is located northeast of the northern border of Renfangas and a half of Renfangas.
“It’s so far north. It looks cold. The snow looks deep”
“It is indeed north, but in the past, when there were six northern provinces, there were capitals located further north than this. And since cold and snowfall are also related to topography, we can’t speak only of north and south”
“On foot……you certainly might not be able to find it for a bit. This is it”
Neia also nodded. There is a miscellaneous stereotype that the demon territory that stretches across the northeastern part of the continent is now dominated by snow, ice and demons……and also the world in my mind is that Polka is such a snowy land that it is hard to believe that people could live north of it. According to Neia’s words, it was mainly a small farming area and I was imagining……a bit further south.
“But if we go with Maia, what about……Laila? The fort is guarded by Asti and the other blue dragons”
“I’ll take Laila with me, of course, but in her human form. It’s not a good idea to go in there showing off your full strength right from the start, since there could be hostile dragons”
“Hostile……?”
“It’s the area around Rainer Exeliza. I hope you haven’t forgotten”
Dianne-san glares at me. Of course I haven’t forgotten.
“It’s not decided that they’re enemies and dragons won’t suddenly attack each other……”
“It’s a fleeting wishful thinking. Becker and Kingfisher were both defeated before we could have a conversation. The worst that can happen is that they will suddenly engage in battle. We have to consider the possibility that they are the evil dragons that Laila and the others are talking about”
“Evil dragons……are the kind that won’t live long because they’ll be cut off by their own people”
“That’s not an absolute guarantee. Don’t expect a law-abiding spirit from someone you’ve never met. It’s better to be prepared”
Dianne said seriously. ……That’s true, too.
“Ho. Besides, the dragon over there is said to be of the ice dragon type. There is a possibility that we can talk about it rather than interfering with it from the beginning”
“That’s the way I think”
Dianne-san also nods at Laila’s complement. Judging from the tone of her voice, she doesn’t have high expectations, but I guess it’s more like insurance.
“The possibility of not seeing a dragon is not at all small”
Anzeros pointed out. Dianne nodded.
“That’s true. It is also possible that at this stage they won’t set it off. But we must not prepare for things with optimism”
This time it is a reconnaissance. But they have dragons with them. If that happens, it would be bad form to just run away and pretend not to know. It is not impossible to make contact with them as it is. In that case, even if it was just a reconnaissance mission, the team members would have to be prepared.
“Neia is a natural for checking the terrain and either Tetes or Sharon would be needed as representatives of Renfangas. And Andy is needed for Maia and then……”
“I’ll be there”
As Dianne began to select the members, Apple unexpectedly stepped forward.
“Apple? What’s the matter, usually……for dragons when I don’t need them……”
“It’s true that I’m scared, but Selenium also told me that I shouldn’t be too dependent on it…I’m Selenium’s representative and now that I’m here, I have to be helpful to Andy”
“……Mu. I don’t really want to have too many people, but you can come with us”
Dianne agreed, although she was a little troubled.
“Then I’ll go too!”
“Me too”
“Escorting is my specialty, I can handle it……”
The other slaves followed Apple’s lead and began to raise their hands, saying that they too would like to be of assistance, but Dianne restrained them.
“I told you it’s a reconnaissance mission.It’ll be a while before we all get on board. We can’t increase the number of people needlessly when we don’t know what’s going on or where our destination is in the first place. You can rest for now”
“But Apple-san can……”
“She can cook and has the means of divination in case of emergencies. Which is why I thought it would actually be useful if something somewhat unforeseen were to happen”
Dianne convinced Anzeros and the others by saying so.
“And Luna. Stay here with Becker for the time being. We will start the first reconnaissance with these members. That’s all”
———————————————
We got on the usual carriage and headed for the reconnaissance. In the end, the members were Dianne, Laila, Neia, Tetes, myself, Apple and Luna. Even though we narrowed it down, there were eight of us, including Maia. It was more than I had expected.
“I think it would have been better if we had all left together”
“In the worst-case scenario, we might not be able to return home. In such a situation, it would be a problem if we didn’t have the strength to make decisions and take action”
Dianne tells me in a whisper.
“I couldn’t say I was taking it that seriously on the spot, though. ……And if it comes down to a showdown with Rainer Exeliza and the dragons, it’s the anti-dragon tactic you’re talking about. The fewer targets we have to defend, the better”
A tactic in which the dragon’s body prevents the opponent’s dragon breath and the other dragon goes on the offense. In this case, the fewer the number of protected targets, the more certain it is. Even though the dragon’s body is huge, there is a limit to how much it can protect on a moment’s notice.
“100-man commander Dianne, do you think that Rainer is a complete enemy?”
Neia looked at Dianne-san a little sadly. However, Dianne-san nods without hesitation.
“At least I don’t think they’ll hold back from us. Even if there’s room for negotiation, it’ll probably be after we make a guess
Tetes agreed.
“To be honest, we don’t have anything that can be done peacefully. I don’t think it’s an overreaction to be on the warpath”
“…………”
Neia looked down.
“I’m not sure I want to fight after all……?”
Even though I was confused, I asked what I understood and Neia was small.
“We’re from the same hometown and we’re in the same situation. Of course I don’t want to fight……but I started thinking about him again……”
“Ah……”
Rainer, who rides a dragon and knows about the outside world, but keeps it a secret and the royal family. Distortion that appears and disappears behind it. It’s all just speculation and needless concerns. But if that’s not the case……that country and Neia.
It’s been about three hours since we started our flight.
“We’re getting close to where the map said we’d be”
Maia sends Chibi Maia into the carriage to tell us.
“Okay, Neia. Please check to see if there’s any familiar scenery outside. Luna, change your seat”
“Yes”
“Yes”
Neia, who had changed her place in the carriage, opened the wooden window and looked out while holding her hat down. Then she looks around for a dozen seconds, squinting.
“……I’m not sure if it’s the view from the sky, but I think that the valley of Kalwin……is just beyond those hills. Maybe, as 100-man commander predicted…….”
“I see. The way you see it……for example, the ground and the mountains, are they close?”
‘Yes, it is. However, even in Renfangas, everywhere near the demon territory is like this…….”
When I was saying something like this, Maia suddenly brakes in mid-air.
“!!?”
“Wh, What happened Maia!?”
“Something’s coming up. Maybe it’s time to go, Laila-sama”
“Ho?”
Laila also opened the carriage´s stand and looked out. She opened the door and looked out.
“It’s so early……we haven’t even confirmed the location yet”
“What should we do? Isn’t it okay to run away?”
Dianne and Tetes whispered to each other as they looked at the platform. And then both of them fell silent.
“What’s wrong……?”
“E, Emm…….”
Tetes beckoned me with a little finger, so I peeked over the top of Tetes. Then, I was absolutely stunned.
A silver dragon was flying. And not just one. There were at least a dozen or more.
The situation was suddenly far beyond what I had expected.