Chapter 96

After the post-battle cleanup was over, we began our march.

I rode alongside Father on my horse.

"Lord Riddle, that was impressive just now."

Without really thinking about anything, I was just letting myself be swayed when Lisa spoke to me.

"Thank you."

Since there wasn't really anything to say, I just responded out of habit.

Once you've been in a battle, there's this feeling of it being over, like you've done everything you needed to do.

I guess I'm the only one who feels like, "Well, that's that," but of course, I know it's not all good.

Each battle takes a lot of mental energy. Even though I didn't do much, I was needlessly anxious. The Divine Eye can only see up to 300 meters, so unless the enemy charges in, I can't see them at all.

Thinking about it, the opportunities for me to shine are pretty limited.

At least during the heat of battle, I realized that the distance wasn't enough.

Moreover, I can't see the battlefield from above.

While my vision isn't obstructed by sand or dust, the range I can see is fixed.

Putting that aside, regarding my sleep problem, I'm not tough enough to sleep soundly in enemy territory.

As a result, I only get half-decent sleep and spend a lot of time feeling tired but unable to sleep, which isn't good for my mental health.

"Still, I haven't gotten used to this tense atmosphere.

Are you alright, Lisa?"

I spoke honestly about what was on my mind.

"Is that so? As I mentioned before, I used to be an adventurer.

I often pulled all-nighters in dungeons, so it's not that tough for me.

Lord Riddle, if it's too tough for you, would you like to ride in the carriage?"

Ah, right, Lisa used to be an adventurer. All-nighters in dungeons... I don't want to get used to light sleep.

In my previous life, pulling regular all-nighters was the norm.

Even now, I often wake up around two in the morning on days when nothing is happening.

I don't want to experience the same thing. Sometimes I can't fall back asleep after that.

I asked about something that came to mind.

"Is it really dangerous to let your guard down in dungeons?"

I can manage for a day, but two or three days is impossible for me.

From experience, staying up for two days makes you feel like you're about to collapse, right?

I've never stayed up for three days. My body tells me to stop after two days.

"No, it depends on the location.

In underground dungeons, some have safety zones where monsters can't enter, while others don't.

For surface dungeons like the Forest of Confusion, there are generally no safety zones, but people sometimes set up bases inside the dungeon.

Whether you can sleep or not varies from person to person in such places."

Seriously? I'm pretty sure I won't be able to sleep.

"That's so... Thank you for letting me know."

I thanked her, and Lisa looked at me and said,

"No, it's knowledge you'll never need, Lord Rain."

Is that so?

Is she emphasizing it? Or is it sarcasm?

"Maybe so.

But there's no such thing as unnecessary knowledge."

When I responded like that, Lisa nodded and agreed,

"Indeed, that's true."

I nodded along, saying, "Yeah, yeah," and then she added,

"Unless it stays as just knowledge."

"..."

I'll pretend I didn't hear that.

---

Time passed, and we were moving quickly toward the Lymion royal castle when a report came from the reconnaissance unit.

"General! I have a report!"

"You were sent to the area near the Lymion royal castle, right?

Something happened, didn't it? What is it?"

Just by looking at your face, I can tell where you were sent. You did a good job.

Maybe it's only the important places where I send people.

"Ha! The northern castle of the Lymion royal castle has been almost completely destroyed! The allied forces of the Badragia Kingdom and the Galleon Empire have finally launched an attack on the royal castle!"

What? Really! This is bad!

I guess it can't be helped if we're beaten to the punch. Rather, it feels like it's happening now.

However, Father looks calm, as if he expected it.

"Is that so. The purpose of the empire's near-hero was that.

His return to the empire means that's what it is."

Huh? Why?

Later, I learned that while ordinary castles can't withstand the attack of a near-hero, the royal castle can withstand even level 8 magic and its gates won't be broken.

In other words, the near-hero was used to destroy ordinary castles, create a path to the royal castle, and make the Lymion Kingdom give up early.

"From here to the royal castle, it's about a two-day journey if we hurry. The castle won't fall in two days.

Thank you for your hard work.

Please continue to do your best."

"Ha! Thank you, sir!"

And so, our Pornezia army began our march.

---

And then...

"Hey... You don't think..."

Two days later, on a hill where we could see the royal castle.

What we saw there was...