Chapter 52

(=ↀωↀ=)＜Today's two chapters concluded!

(￣(エ)￣)＜Yay, let's go!

□＜Cruella Mountain Range＞ 【Holy Knight】Ray Sterling

"Is it almost there...?"

It had been over an hour since he equipped the 【Purple Grievance Armor】 and raced through the mountain paths on Silver. During this time, his 【Riding】 skill level had increased by one, and an announcement about the completion of the quest —【Rescue Rody Lancashire】— had also come through. It seemed that Hugo had safely returned to Gideon and managed to send the children back to their parents and the lady who had requested the mission. Ray also wanted to return to Gideon as soon as possible.

"It should be quite close to Gideon by now."

However, he was uncertain because he couldn't be sure that the path he was currently on was the correct one. On the way to the Gouzmeiz Bandit Hideout from Gideon, he had taken a route that avoided being seen, using the 【Marshal II】 to traverse paths that were not actual roads. In contrast, this path was a relatively well-maintained mountain trail, with the vegetation cleared away. While it was easier to ride on this path, considering Silver's comfort, it wasn't without its problems. The Cruella Mountain Range had a complex network of paths of various sizes. According to the game's glossary, some of these paths were created by the government or Gideon's policies, while others were made by the bandits who nested in the mountains. In a world with magic, civil engineering work was easier, and there were even spells to move plants directly, which might make it easier than using heavy machinery. Due to these circumstances, there were many paths, and it was difficult for Ray, who lacked local knowledge, to determine which one was the correct way back. Even the map didn't show the path to Gideon because he hadn't traversed it to reach the hideout. However, he had a general idea of Gideon's location and could use the map window like a compass to choose the path he thought led to Gideon.

As long as the direction was correct, given the elapsed time and his speed, he should be able to see Gideon soon...

"Ah!"

Through the gaps in the trees, he finally caught sight of Gideon. Since he was still in the mountains, he had a bird's-eye view of the city. Although it was already dusk, the city was lit up and still bustling with activity.

"Hmm?"

At that moment, he noticed something. He could hear a lot of footsteps, similar to the sound of horses he had heard several times today. It was the sound of several horses moving together, gradually getting closer.

"What is it?"

As he wondered if it could be a group of the Undead Horsemen, his ears caught the sound of metal armor clinking. Soon, a group of several mounted knights, fully equipped, appeared before him. He recognized them immediately; they were the members of the Royal Guard led by Liliana.

"Liliana, is that you? It's nice to see you today."

"Ray! Are you alright!?"

"Huh...?"

Why was she looking at him with such a desperate expression? Moreover, the other knights were forming a defensive formation and keeping watch around them. What was going on?

"Um, what's happening?"

"The giant Undead! Did you manage to escape? Or is it still nearby!?"

"Ah..."

He began to understand the situation. First, he reassured her that there was no longer any need to worry about that and decided to exchange information.

◇

When he heard the story from Liliana, it went something like this. After meeting him at the sweet shop, Liliana and her team continued searching for the runaway second princess. Around dusk, they received a report that a girl believed to be the second princess had been kidnapped by a suspicious person. During their investigation, they had heard about the Gouzmeiz Bandits, who had been kidnapping children and causing trouble in the city. Therefore, they considered it highly likely that the second princess had been kidnapped by the Gouzmeiz Bandits. However, the bandits' hideout was in the mountainous region near the border. Moving a large force there could provoke Cardina. So, a small elite team, led by Liliana, was formed to carry out a rescue mission at the bandits' hideout.

Just as they were about to set out, two carriages rushed into Gideon. When they asked the carriage drivers what was happening, one of them, who seemed to be a <Master>, provided them with shocking information. He claimed that he had received a request to rescue a kidnapped boy from a local, had eliminated the bandits, and brought back the surviving children. However, during the return, the bandits' corpses had been combined into a giant Undead <UBM> through a suspicious ritual. He had fled in the carriage, but one of his fellow <Masters> was still holding it off in the mountains. Some of the knights found it hard to believe such an outlandish story, but a knight with the <Truth Detection> skill confirmed that the <Master> was not lying. Additionally, the person who had requested the rescue, waiting near the gate, testified to the truth of the story. The situation shifted from a kidnapping to an <UBM> attack, causing a commotion. When Liliana asked for the name of the <Master> holding off the <UBM>, she learned it was someone she knew well—Ray. She immediately set out, and the other knights who were supposed to join the rescue mission followed her. They encountered Ray on the mountain path, leading to the current situation.

"So, it seems Hugo and the others managed to bring the children to the city safely. That's a relief."

The announcement had already come, but now he could truly put his worries to rest.

"That's not the point! What about the <UBM>!?"

"I defeated it."

"Really? You... defeated it?"

"Here, take a look."

He showed her the <Purple Grievance Armor Gouzmeiz> he had equipped on his legs and then opened the equipment window.

"...Ray, you only became a <Holy Knight> a week ago, right? And you were level 0 before that?"

"Yeah, about that."

Time passes three times faster in this world.

"How can you defeat a <UBM> alone!? And by the way, I just noticed those gauntlets!"

"Oh, right. I got these the day before yesterday..."

He showed her the <Miasma Flame Gauntlets Gardranda> on both hands. Liliana was speechless. The knights behind her were murmuring, "This is beyond the realm of normal. Only the former leader of our group could defeat a <UBM> alone," "Anyone who even tries to do this must be crazy," "This is strange, our deputy leader is now the straight man, and the other one is the natural airhead."

"Hmm, it seems the <Masters> really don't follow common sense."

"No, I couldn't have done it alone. I was saved by my friends, luck, this Silver, and... Nemesis."

"Speaking of which, where is Nemesis?"

"She's resting. I pushed her quite a bit."

He removed the <Miasma Flame Gauntlets> and showed her the emblem on his left hand. Nemesis was sleeping there. He gently stroked the emblem.

"Ray, and Nemesis... you both really did a great job this time. Thanks to you, the kidnapping incident in the city has been resolved, and the disaster that would have been caused by the <UBM> has been averted. On behalf of the people of the city, I want to thank you. Thank you..."

"It was just the result of following the situation."

He had accepted the quest, gone to rescue the children, been overwhelmed by the sight of the underground, and in a fit of rage, defeated the <Great Undead>. After that, he had a fierce battle with the <Grievance Horse Gouzmeiz>. It was a strange turn of events, and even he found it hard to believe. Reflecting on it, he remembered the suffocating events, the fear and disgust that made him feel like he was dying, and the burning passion that consumed his heart. But when he learned that the children had safely returned to the city... it left a slightly better taste.

After exchanging their situations, they rode together back to Gideon. Since there was no longer a need to worry about the <UBM>, Liliana and her team decided to return to Gideon with Ray, serving as his escort because he was quite tired. It was a welcome relief.

"...Ah."

But then, a question came to mind.

"By the way, what about the search for the princess? I appreciate your help, but shouldn't you prioritize that...?"

Liliana's expression stiffened at the question, and the other knights also tensed up. He wondered if he had said something wrong.

"From what you said earlier, the princess was also kidnapped by the bandits, right? I didn't check the faces of the children they had put in the carriage."

"She wasn't in the carriage."

Liliana answered immediately, her voice flat.

"That's..."

Could there still be survivors somewhere in the mountains...

"No, it seems the kidnapping was a false report. We received a message through communication magic just now. She has returned safely."

"She was apparently very pleased, carrying a mask, sweets, goldfish, and paintings she had bought somewhere."

"......That's..."

"She reportedly said, 'I had a lot of fun,' to the people at her residence."

"......"

Reading the room, the second princess. These people had been searching for her all day. Liliana was reporting it calmly, but her temples were twitching.

"Hehehehehe..."

"A, ahahaha...hehe..."

"Hehehehehe... Let's change the subject."

"Sure."

His instinct and the atmosphere told him it was dangerous to continue.

After that, they chatted as they made their way back to Gideon.

◇

When they arrived in Gideon, the atmosphere was the same as when he first came. The news of the <UBM>, the <Grievance Horse Gouzmeiz>, being defeated had been relayed by Liliana's colleagues through communication magic, so the alert had been lifted. He looked around after passing through the gate but didn't see Hugo or the others.

"Liliana, I have a question. Do you know where Hugo... my friend is? He's the one who brought the children in the carriage."

"Sorry, I left immediately after hearing the situation... I'll ask around."

Liliana spoke to the guards near the gate, and one of them stepped forward to answer.

"He finished explaining the situation and handed the children over to us. Then he said he had to return and disappeared."

Disappeared?

"Return" to Dryfe... no, that's not it.

"He logged out."

It seemed he had logged out of <Infinite Dendrogram> to avoid further questioning. Since he wasn't restrained, he could log out. Maybe they would meet again someday.

"Here, I have this for you."

The guard handed him a letter.

"Thanks."

He opened the letter. It was a message from Hugo.

"To Ray Sterling,

When you return safely.

Or when the penalty is lifted.

And, in case you decide to stay here.

First, thank you.

Thanks to you, the children were returned safely to their parents and the lady.

There will be rewards, including the bounty on the Gouzmeiz Bandits, but they are all yours.

I don't need them.

I can't receive rewards from official channels anyway.

I know your character well, even after a short time. You'll probably hesitate.

But since only you can receive them, please do.

I've already received my reward.

Yes, my reward is Lady Rebecca's smile and tears of joy when I returned her brother.

That's enough for me.

If you still hesitate, how about this: my share... you can treat me to lunch when we meet again.

Until then, I'll say goodbye in this letter.

Goodbye, and see you again.

Knight of Ice and Roses, Hugo LeSeur"

"......"

"In case you decide to stay here," huh.

I...

"Hey, Ray."

As he was lost in thought, Liliana looked at him with concern.

"Are you feeling...?"

"No, I'm fine. Sorry."

"Good. So, since you defeated the Gouzmeiz Bandits today, please report to the Adventurer's Guild and the Knight's Barracks soon. The Adventurer's Guild for the bounty, and the Knight's Barracks for the elimination of a criminal organization."

"Got it."

"Since it's late and you must be tired, please rest well."

"Sure. I think I'll rest today. What about you, Liliana?"

"I'll return to guarding the princess."

"...Thank you, Liliana."

"Hehe, no problem."

"...Well, I'll take my leave for today."

"Sure. See you again."

With that, he parted ways with Liliana. He then decided to take a nap at the inn where he had reserved a room, staying logged in. As he fell onto the bed, the events of the day flashed through his mind. But before he could dwell on them, fatigue pulled him into sleep. This time, he didn't have any dreams.

◇

The next morning, he woke up relatively early. The room was still dark, and the outside was dim, suggesting it was still before dawn. When he touched his head, the dog ears that had troubled him all day were gone. They must have disappeared due to the passage of time.

"You're awake, Ray."

He turned his head to the opposite side of the window, where the voice came from. There, Nemesis was sitting in a chair, watching him intently.

"Good morning, Nemesis."

"Good morning, Ray."

They looked at each other in silence for a while. Eventually, he broke the silence and invited Nemesis for a walk.

◇

The plain just outside Gideon's north gate, a familiar sight after three visits. He and Nemesis were riding on Silver. He held the reins, and Nemesis sat behind him, holding onto his waist.

"Good ride, isn't it?"

"Yeah."

They continued riding, exchanging these brief words. About thirty minutes later, as the sun began to rise over the eastern mountains,

"Are you leaving this world?"

Nemesis asked him.

"......"

It was a question he had pondered in the underground of the fort. If he treated <Infinite Dendrogram> as reality rather than a game, was it good or bad to be in a world filled with death? Even the bodies of unknown children had left a deep impression on him. If it were people he knew, like Liliana or Miriane, it would be as painful as losing a friend in real life. But...

"It's not all about loss."

He met her, Luke, Marie, Hugo, and Nemesis because he entered <Infinite Dendrogram>. If he had stayed in his world, they might never have known each other, and Nemesis wouldn't have been born.

"You might still have to go through painful experiences in the future."

Yes, that's true.

Such things might be a daily occurrence here. But...

"If I see something as unpleasant as that happening in front of me... I'll stop it."

This time, he saw the aftermath. But if he can get there in time, he will definitely stop it. As long as he doesn't give up, there is a possibility of a better future.

"I'll grab that possibility with all my might."

"I see. I think you're carrying too much, but... that's Ray. I understand. You fight to protect. And..."

She gently stroked his hair from behind. He turned his head, drawn by the soft touch. There, he saw...

"I'll protect you, Ray."

Nemesis, smiling gently in the morning sun.

"......"

Her smile made him turn forward again, feeling embarrassed. He couldn't bring himself to look back at her face again. But he wanted to say something...

"Thank you... Nemesis."

Finally, he managed to say those words.

He felt Nemesis smile again from behind.

After that, they rode in silence.

In the peaceful morning, with their gentle smiles, Silver carried them forward.

To be continued

The next post will be tomorrow at 21:00.

(=ↀωↀ=)＜Two chapters concluded!

(￣(エ)￣)＜Next, the side story of that character!

(=ↀωↀ=)＜It's also the behind-the-scenes of the second chapter!