"…Therefore, it is highly likely that the route Prince Ejain suggested would be difficult to take."
"To what extent is it..."
"Ah, just in time."
Kishiar extended his hand to Yuder.
"This map shows the monster occurrence in the border areas, as reported by the Peletta Knight who has been stationed in the West."
Receiving the map from Yuder, Kishiar spread it out on the table. Everyone could see the red area and scattered dots marked on the map.
"Do you recognize what the map represents?"
"Yes. It captures the bordering regions of the nations connected around the Great Sarain Forest."
"Correct. Up to here is the western part of the Empire, this is Durban, next to it is Nelarn, below it is Aeril, and finally Hisnu."
At Ejain's words, Kishiar, nodding his head, mentioned each country adjacent to the Great Sarain Forest.
"Normally, around this time of year, we would have only seen a slight monster occurrence at the northwest end of the Great Sarain Forest, outside the western imperial border. It wasn't until about two months had passed that we would see a significant rise in monster sightings within the border. But this time, the occurrence is much earlier than anticipated."
His long finger swiftly traced over the marked red areas.
"There have already been several monster sightings near the fastest route to Nelarn. If they continue at this pace, the road will soon be blocked, and the monsters may completely overrun the western imperial border, making it impossible to reach that far."
"..."
Ejain's expression grew serious.
"I had heard of the numerous monster occurrences near Nelarn's border. The anticipated damage seemed significant… But to see them distributed evenly deep within the forest, this is the first time. Is this information confirmed?"
"The Peletta Knight has spent years eliminating monsters and gathering information throughout the Empire. We are confident that we are second to none in terms of relevant information. This map is a compilation of encounters with merchants, the Peletta Knight, and local residents who passed through the area."
"…This is quite troublesome."
Ejain rubbed under his chin and sighed.
"Why must such a thing happen at a time like this…"
"If possible, I would suggest you take a detour around the Great Sarain Forest, but that may be difficult."
"…I suspect it would be."
Ejain furrowed his brow in response.
"I have informed His Majesty, the Emperor, but the reason I insist on passing through that dangerous area is that I have received news of the deteriorating health of the King of Nelarn due to his chronic illness."
The King's worsening chronic illness. Its implication was simple.
From the moment the King's seat is vacant, the fight for the throne, which had been brewing under the surface, would openly erupt.
Ejain nodded heavily, as if affirming the thought that crossed everyone's mind.
"Although the King promised to bequeath the throne to me, the opposition is so fierce that he has not been able to fulfill his intention. Thus, I intended to consolidate my position with the approval of His Majesty, the Emperor of Orr, on this visit… If I achieved my goal, but there is no position left to return to, everything will become impossible."
Inside the Nelarn's homeland, there was no one on Ejain's side. His four brothers had allied to ostracize Ejain, who had demonstrated the most exceptional abilities, and the external assistance was too feeble to count on.
Ejain's greatest allies had always been the common people and his subordinates, who had watched him up close as he used his abilities to triumph over neighboring countries in disputes. After the eldest Prince, whom the King had selected himself several years ago, passed away, the King averted his eyes from the political strife and quarrels among his children. He merely stated that if Ejain could quell the opposition of others on his own, he would grant him a place, but provided little in the way of substantial assistance.
And so, Ejain came to the Empire. If he could borrow the power of the Orr Empire, which Nelarn had once been a vassal to and still exerted a strong influence, it could help him claim his rightful place.
After succinctly explaining this situation, though not in great detail but enough for someone to roughly guess, Ejain stared intently at the red dots marked on the map with a furrowed brow.
"According to the last news I heard, my other brothers have already blocked all other routes," he said. "They will use every means to ensure that I cannot return to the motherland before the King passes away."
But the Great Sarain Forest was intertwined with many countries, so they could not completely block the path. Those from the Nelarn homeland who came to aid Ejain were already waiting in the middle of the forest, having arrived through other countries.
"Originally, I planned to pass through the forest by detouring along the borders of other countries in the middle..."
Even on the way there, they encountered assassins again. Ejain's expression darkened. Kishiar, as if reading his mind, spoke up.
"Our information is leaking."
"..."
"I suspected from the start that there would be no attacks near the destination, especially given how hurriedly we moved. There were no signs of information leakage from the liaisons we had shared with our side, so the problem is most likely on your end."
"I think... you're probably right."
Prince Ejain admitted to Kishiar's words. His attendants, who had been standing by his side, stiffened their shoulders all at once. A chilly, unreadable look passed over Kishiar's red eyes.
"Which side do you think is the problem? Outside? Or inside?"
"What are you talking about? There are no traitors among us!"
A servant, unknown to Yuder, shouted tremblingly. The other servants also looked at each other with doubtful faces.
"..."
Ejain said nothing. Shadows flickered between the eyes of the young Prince, who was staring down at the map with his lips covered by his hands resting on his knees.
Yuder felt he might understand why the Prince had kept rattling on about some trivial connections between them on his way here, talking only about the Cavalry and the Awakeners. He was in need of power to save the situation, and talented individuals to be by his side.
'Perhaps it was because I guessed that the wounded inner self that the Prince had briefly revealed when he said he was glad to have his life saved, wasn't just from the anger of not being able to handle the monster himself, but also included this aspect.'
The reason he didn't say what he originally intended to, even after going to the trouble of switching places with a servant, may have been a way to blind others' eyes for safety, Yuder thought, feeling a sudden chill down his spine.
"I'm sorry, but I can't be sure who has betrayed me. Everyone here was brought by me because I trust them. You, Commander, would know the weight of the people I chose to keep by my side out of the many who followed as messengers. The same applies to those waiting for me in the treacherous Great Sarain Forest."
Ejain's words transformed the expressions of the servants into a variety of shades. Kishiar also nodded as if understanding.
"Of course, I understand. Then, may we use another method to confirm?"
"...What method do you propose?"
Ejain lifted his head. Kishiar raised his hand lightly and pointed at someone.
"Kanna Wand."
"Yes, Commander."
"Is it possible?"
He didn't explicitly state the details, just like when he had tasked Yuder with cleaning up after a battle. However, everyone in the group understood his intention.
"I can't guarantee perfection. But... if you want it, Commander, I will certainly find even the smallest clue!"
The second Prince and his servants were taken aback by the confident voice that emerged from the seemingly ordinary, short-haired woman.
"Good."
Kishiar made a polite request to Ejain's servants.
"It won't take long. Could you please comply with her for a moment?"
"Wha... What do you want us to do?"
One servant questioned with a slightly scared expression, but Kanna only gave him a smile, not a reply.
"I need an object that has been in contact with your bodies for a long time. I'm not sure what would be best. Any recommendations?"
"My Prince. Should we listen to this nonsense?"
However, Prince Ejain averted his gaze from his servant and responded.
"Everyone, hand over the tokens you brought from the Nelarn Palace. She said it would only take a moment, so that should suffice."
"But, my Prince..."
"…Therefore, it is highly likely that the route Prince Ejain suggested would be difficult to take."
"To what extent is it..."
"Ah, just in time."
Kishiar extended his hand to Yuder.
"This map shows the monster occurrence in the border areas, as reported by the Peletta Knight who has been stationed in the West."
Receiving the map from Yuder, Kishiar spread it out on the table. Everyone could see the red area and scattered dots marked on the map.
"Do you recognize what the map represents?"
"Yes. It captures the bordering regions of the nations connected around the Great Sarain Forest."
"Correct. Up to here is the western part of the Empire, this is Durban, next to it is Nelarn, below it is Aeril, and finally Hisnu."
At Ejain's words, Kishiar, nodding his head, mentioned each country adjacent to the Great Sarain Forest.
"Normally, around this time of year, we would have only seen a slight monster occurrence at the northwest end of the Great Sarain Forest, outside the western imperial border. It wasn't until about two months had passed that we would see a significant rise in monster sightings within the border. But this time, the occurrence is much earlier than anticipated."
His long finger swiftly traced over the marked red areas.
"There have already been several monster sightings near the fastest route to Nelarn. If they continue at this pace, the road will soon be blocked, and the monsters may completely overrun the western imperial border, making it impossible to reach that far."
"..."
Ejain's expression grew serious.
"I had heard of the numerous monster occurrences near Nelarn's border. The anticipated damage seemed significant… But to see them distributed evenly deep within the forest, this is the first time. Is this information confirmed?"
"The Peletta Knight has spent years eliminating monsters and gathering information throughout the Empire. We are confident that we are second to none in terms of relevant information. This map is a compilation of encounters with merchants, the Peletta Knight, and local residents who passed through the area."
"…This is quite troublesome."
Ejain rubbed under his chin and sighed.
"Why must such a thing happen at a time like this…"
"If possible, I would suggest you take a detour around the Great Sarain Forest, but that may be difficult."
"…I suspect it would be."
Ejain furrowed his brow in response.
"I have informed His Majesty, the Emperor, but the reason I insist on passing through that dangerous area is that I have received news of the deteriorating health of the King of Nelarn due to his chronic illness."
The King's worsening chronic illness. Its implication was simple.
From the moment the King's seat is vacant, the fight for the throne, which had been brewing under the surface, would openly erupt.
Ejain nodded heavily, as if affirming the thought that crossed everyone's mind.
"Although the King promised to bequeath the throne to me, the opposition is so fierce that he has not been able to fulfill his intention. Thus, I intended to consolidate my position with the approval of His Majesty, the Emperor of Orr, on this visit… If I achieved my goal, but there is no position left to return to, everything will become impossible."
Inside the Nelarn's homeland, there was no one on Ejain's side. His four brothers had allied to ostracize Ejain, who had demonstrated the most exceptional abilities, and the external assistance was too feeble to count on.
Ejain's greatest allies had always been the common people and his subordinates, who had watched him up close as he used his abilities to triumph over neighboring countries in disputes. After the eldest Prince, whom the King had selected himself several years ago, passed away, the King averted his eyes from the political strife and quarrels among his children. He merely stated that if Ejain could quell the opposition of others on his own, he would grant him a place, but provided little in the way of substantial assistance.
And so, Ejain came to the Empire. If he could borrow the power of the Orr Empire, which Nelarn had once been a vassal to and still exerted a strong influence, it could help him claim his rightful place.
After succinctly explaining this situation, though not in great detail but enough for someone to roughly guess, Ejain stared intently at the red dots marked on the map with a furrowed brow.
"According to the last news I heard, my other brothers have already blocked all other routes," he said. "They will use every means to ensure that I cannot return to the motherland before the King passes away."
But the Great Sarain Forest was intertwined with many countries, so they could not completely block the path. Those from the Nelarn homeland who came to aid Ejain were already waiting in the middle of the forest, having arrived through other countries.
"Originally, I planned to pass through the forest by detouring along the borders of other countries in the middle..."
Even on the way there, they encountered assassins again. Ejain's expression darkened. Kishiar, as if reading his mind, spoke up.
"Our information is leaking."
"..."
"I suspected from the start that there would be no attacks near the destination, especially given how hurriedly we moved. There were no signs of information leakage from the liaisons we had shared with our side, so the problem is most likely on your end."
"I think... you're probably right."
Prince Ejain admitted to Kishiar's words. His attendants, who had been standing by his side, stiffened their shoulders all at once. A chilly, unreadable look passed over Kishiar's red eyes.
"Which side do you think is the problem? Outside? Or inside?"
"What are you talking about? There are no traitors among us!"
A servant, unknown to Yuder, shouted tremblingly. The other servants also looked at each other with doubtful faces.
"..."
Ejain said nothing. Shadows flickered between the eyes of the young Prince, who was staring down at the map with his lips covered by his hands resting on his knees.
Yuder felt he might understand why the Prince had kept rattling on about some trivial connections between them on his way here, talking only about the Cavalry and the Awakeners. He was in need of power to save the situation, and talented individuals to be by his side.
'Perhaps it was because I guessed that the wounded inner self that the Prince had briefly revealed when he said he was glad to have his life saved, wasn't just from the anger of not being able to handle the monster himself, but also included this aspect.'
The reason he didn't say what he originally intended to, even after going to the trouble of switching places with a servant, may have been a way to blind others' eyes for safety, Yuder thought, feeling a sudden chill down his spine.
"I'm sorry, but I can't be sure who has betrayed me. Everyone here was brought by me because I trust them. You, Commander, would know the weight of the people I chose to keep by my side out of the many who followed as messengers. The same applies to those waiting for me in the treacherous Great Sarain Forest."
Ejain's words transformed the expressions of the servants into a variety of shades. Kishiar also nodded as if understanding.
"Of course, I understand. Then, may we use another method to confirm?"
"...What method do you propose?"
Ejain lifted his head. Kishiar raised his hand lightly and pointed at someone.
"Kanna Wand."
"Yes, Commander."
"Is it possible?"
He didn't explicitly state the details, just like when he had tasked Yuder with cleaning up after a battle. However, everyone in the group understood his intention.
"I can't guarantee perfection. But... if you want it, Commander, I will certainly find even the smallest clue!"
The second Prince and his servants were taken aback by the confident voice that emerged from the seemingly ordinary, short-haired woman.
"Good."
Kishiar made a polite request to Ejain's servants.
"It won't take long. Could you please comply with her for a moment?"
"Wha... What do you want us to do?"
One servant questioned with a slightly scared expression, but Kanna only gave him a smile, not a reply.
"I need an object that has been in contact with your bodies for a long time. I'm not sure what would be best. Any recommendations?"
"My Prince. Should we listen to this nonsense?"
However, Prince Ejain averted his gaze from his servant and responded.
"Everyone, hand over the tokens you brought from the Nelarn Palace. She said it would only take a moment, so that should suffice."
"But, my Prince..."
