Chapter 94

We stopped by the village of Zayid, and with the addition of Mr. Jabeel and the mysterious adventurer Van Vain, we proceeded towards our destination, the wetlands.

Originally, we had planned to stay overnight in the village, but Zayid, the fool, led his troops into the dangerous area, so to rescue him as quickly as possible, we approached the wetlands until just before sunset.

We decided on a campsite, and I took out tents and other supplies from my "spatial storage." Since we had done this many times on the way from Golden Dawn to Zayid Village, everyone seemed accustomed to the routine and proceeded with the camp preparations.

While setting up the accommodation carriage for Kail and Mina, Kail and the others, who had finished the overall command, came over.

"Hey, good work."

"I just walked around and didn't do anything."

"That's the job of a leader, so good work."

Kail was with Mina and her guard Alphard, Mr. Jabeel, and Van. Hmm, I didn't expect Mr. Jabeel to act with Kail. Maybe they had a lot to talk about since they seemed to know each other, but it felt like Mr. Jabeel's gaze was always on Van.

It's kind of... foggy.

For some reason.

Kail looked around. We were about an hour's travel from the wetlands at our current speed.

"Considering the circumstances, camping here might have been for the best."

I agree with that opinion.

"Yeah, if we wake up at sunrise and spend an hour on breakfast and breaking camp, and another hour on travel, we can maximize our active time at the site. It wasn't planned, but I think it's the best."

"I'm worried about Mr. Zayid, but we can't operate at night."

"Yeah."

Kail must have a lot on his mind, but he's making a calm judgment. Kail is indeed strong-willed. As I felt proud of Kail, Van, who seemed to ruin the serious atmosphere, interrupted with a look of exasperation.

"Wait, wait, wait, isn't something wrong with you guys!?"

"Mr. Van? What is it?"

Kail looked at Van with a puzzled expression.

"Everything! First, it's strange that we moved from the village in the afternoon and reached here by sunset!"

Since we carried all the bulky items with spatial storage, it's not that strange, right?

"This wetland extermination team is made up of carefully selected members."

Kail answered with a smile, but Van shook his head vigorously.

"This world is unfair. The strong can become even stronger. You can see that with Alphard here and the blue-haired adventurer Raidock I saw earlier."

"Raidock and his team are even faster."

"Don't joke, alchemist! What I'm saying is! This is a whole army! Including a lizardman squad, a unit of a different race! Why is the advance speed so terrifying?"

"Well, we did some marching training."

"That's not the issue here!"

Hmm. If you've been an adventurer in Golden Dawn, this would be common knowledge. So, Van must be an adventurer from another region. Yet, he seemed familiar with the legendary stamina potion we provided. His true identity is hard to grasp.

Van crossed his arms and thought.

"I see. Kail and the alchemist..."

What do you mean by "I see"?

"Old man, stay awake and protect Kail."

"I'm going to sleep!"

You don't get jokes, do you? With Kail and Mina's carriage at the center and the important people's beds gathered, the main force, including me, will guard, so we can take turns and get enough sleep. Everyone except Kail, Mina, and the teacher are combat members. Reifan is also quite strong.

"Well, what about tomorrow?"

I muttered as I slipped into my blanket.

◆

The vast wetlands.

A place too dangerous for humans to step into.

However, for the adventurers of Golden Dawn, this is a place to earn a living. Although it's far from Golden Dawn, the quality of the hydras' magic stones is good, and the herbs are mostly high-value, so many adventurers come on expeditions.

But that's only the outer area of the wetlands.

Jitaro, Reifan, and I came for a light reconnaissance.

Jitaro and Reifan, who hadn't been to the wetlands in a while, looked around.

"Mr. Craft, how big is this wetland?"

"We had adventurers investigate, and it's much larger than expected."

"Is it bigger than the outer wall being built in Golden Dawn?"

The city wall planned for Golden Dawn is divided into three large stages. The innermost wall is to surround the planned fort, but its construction is last.

During the recent cockatrice attack, the wall was incomplete, causing a commotion. The current city wall protecting the town is the one that was incomplete at that time. Even now, the city is incredibly large, but they are building a wall to encompass several times its size. Once completed, it will be large enough to fit several capital cities, which is quite something. Jitaro is referring to this absurdly large outer wall.

But the wetlands are even larger.

"No, the wetlands are incomparably larger."

Even if Golden Dawn's final area is vast, the wetlands are so large that such a force wouldn't be necessary if they were only that size.

Then, Reifan stood next to us.

"Well, Jitaro, the area you see, with the shallow waters and patches of grass, is the outer area of the wetlands. Most adventurers hunt hydras and gather herbs in this area."

"Is the area where we used to search for herbs also part of the outer area? We went quite deep, didn't we?"

"Probably just the edge of the outer area. Beyond that is the mid-layer area we discovered in this investigation."

I know this from the adventurers' reports. It's a pretty troublesome area. I continued Reifan's explanation.

"It seems that the vegetation changes as you go deeper into the mid-layer area."

I thought the green I could faintly see in the distance was a forest beyond the wetlands, but it was wrong. The place I thought was the edge of the wetlands was actually the start of the main area. It's too vast!

I tried to confirm with the "Far Sight" magic, and the vegetation was completely different from the forest. The plants growing there are entirely different from the surrounding forest.

Apparently, mangroves and banyan trees, with their finely branched roots, increase as you go deeper.

I never thought of going deep into the wetlands, cutting through the outer area where hydras roam.

But this time...

After completing the reconnaissance, I returned to Kail and the others.

"It doesn't seem like Zayid's troops are in sight. What do you think, Kail?"

"First, let's secure the safety of this area and search for traces."

He must be worried about Zayid, despite his attitude. Kail's expression was stiff. So, I tried to lighten the mood with a smile.

"Understood, Commander."

"Hey... Mr. Craft, that's embarrassing."

"Just a joke."

I playfully ruffled Kail's head, and I could feel his tension easing.

"...Hmm?"

"Mina?"

Mina, who was behind Kail, came over and poked her head out. I ruffled her head in the same way, and she clung to my mantle, looking satisfied. Sorry, but I can't move right now...

Van watched the whole scene with half-closed eyes.

"Are you always this relaxed?"

"Better than being tense, right?"

"Well... I guess..."

Van seemed unconvinced, but I ignored him. Alphard, who had completed the preparations, saluted Kail.

"Sir Kail! The entire army is ready! Please give the order!"

It seems we're back to serious mode.

"Understood."

With a determined expression, Kail raised his hand.

"Then, the adventurer squad led by Raidock will charge first. Followed by the lizardman squad led by Jurala!"

This is Kail's first command. If Persia were here, she would be crying. Alphard returned the salute respectfully.

"Yes! Understood!"

Alphard, you're trying hard not to cry, aren't you? It seemed like he could hear my thoughts, as he glared at me.

"Craft! From here, it's your turn! Contact both squads!"

"Understood!"

It seems I won't be scolded.

Now, the reason I need to be with Kail and the others...

It's because...

"Kail. I'll contact Raidock and Shururu."

"Yes!"

I'm the messenger.

A messenger who uses a magical communication device, eliminating the need for a messenger. I can directly and immediately convey Kail's orders.

Convenient, huh.

I channeled magic power into the communication magic device, a ring, and initiated mental contact with Raidock and Shururu. Jurala doesn't have a magic device, so Shururu is with her. Initially, I considered a different communication method because it was dangerous, but Shururu, determined to "show Mr. Craft a good side," insisted. Jurala, after drinking stamina potions and undergoing rigorous training for a month, is confident and boasts, "I can protect my sister."

Lizardmen, as a race, are suited for battle, and in just a month, they have become an incredible group of warriors. They should be fine, probably.

First, I contacted Shururu.

"Shururu, can you hear me?"

"Yes! Mr. Craft!"

Not only could I hear Shururu's voice, but I could also faintly sense the scenery she was seeing, so the mental contact was working. It was amusing to see Jurala, who looked tense, peering into (probably) Shururu.

"After the adventurers led by Raidock charge, I want your lizardman squad to follow."

"Leave it to us!"

"Watch your language!!"

Not only could I hear Shururu's voice, but also Jurala scolding her. It seems Shururu can share what she hears to some extent.

"Your mission is to eliminate any enemies Raidock's team misses and search for survivors. Can you do it?"

"Of course!"

"Hey! What is Craft saying!? Pass it on properly!"

"Mr. Craft! If we do a good job, please give us a reward! Please, have mercy!"

"Are you an idiot!? This battle is to repay a debt of gratitude! How can you ask for a reward!? Craft! Can you hear my voice!? We don't seek rewards! Ignore this idiot sister—!"

For a while, I heard Jurala's pleading, Shururu's requests, and Jurala's scolding alternating. Yeah, they seem fine.

I gently cut off the mental contact with Shururu and connected with Raidock.

"Hey, you're late."

I could picture Raidock's smirking face. Right now, he can see Soral, his good friend.

"You're leading the charge. Can you do it?"

"Is that even a question?"

"You have a point."

A smile naturally formed on my lips.

"Raidock, your team's mission is to exterminate. Exterminate all the hydras in the outer area near Zayid Village. Leave the search to Jurala."

"Whoa! It's been a while since we've had a good fight!"

"Sure! If you overexert yourself and get tired, I'll laugh."

"We're not new adventurers to Golden Dawn."

We both chuckled.

The stamina potion is an incredible drug that prevents fatigue, but if you exceed your physical limits, you will still get tired. In Golden Dawn, it's a