Chapter 140
Chapter 140: Situation and Assumptions
“Well then, take care and have a safe journey.”
With Platiphia’s cheerful smile sending us off, we stepped into the dense forest.
This training ground is composed of undulating terrain and an endless expanse of shrubbery.
The trees have been thinned out sufficiently, so it’s not a dense primeval forest, but the darkness of the night is still formidable. If I weren’t part of the demon race, I wouldn’t be able to see anything at all…
My eyes now can see even through this darkness.
As our footsteps crunched, the jarring sounds of our gear mixed in.
Everyone was fully equipped, prepared for real combat. Since it was the first day of training, the content was quite simple. We lined up and traversed the training ground, aiming to safely pass through the forest.
And that was the end—
“Wow, by the way, Your Highness’s armor is incredible!!”
Albar Aoril, leading the line, turned back to me with sparkling eyes.
“Isn’t it? It’s quite a masterpiece.”
I stroked my silver-scaled armor—
It’s been a while since its debut. The magical armor, 【Cyndicaios】, crafted from Faravgi’s scales, reflects beautifully in the dark of night.
In addition to this, I was wearing a headpiece and carried a sword spear. The headgear was just a makeshift piece, so I might tailor a new one when we return to the Demon Lord Castle.
By the way, the others wore helmets, styled for beastmen with ears sticking out, leaving their horns exposed.
When I mumbled, “Your horns are completely exposed…” everyone jumped in surprise, and it was quite amusing.
But aside from that, I should mention the armor.
“In order to motivate the blacksmiths, I swore that while I wear this armor, I won’t lay a hand on the Dwarf Race.”
I spoke while carefully stepping to avoid tripping over roots and uneven ground.
“So, our policy is to avoid engaging the Dwarf Race in real combat as much as possible.”
“I see, understood!”
“Your Highness! What happens if you break your oath?!”
The mischievous Seire Knight questioned. Despite looking like a dead man just moments before due to the special training with Platiphia, he seemed to have bounced back.
“Well, the magical power of this armor would fade, and it would just turn into a pile of junk made of collected scales.”
“Yikes, that would be a disaster!”
“It wouldn’t be acceptable for such fine armor to become junk!”
“If we encounter any Dwarves, just leave it to us!”
The trio of fools raised their spears and chimed in.
“Dwarves are too precious to kill, so it’s best to avoid combat… but if we do run into them in confined spaces, I’ll leave it to you guys.”
I chuckled. I couldn’t even imagine the three fool’s winning against a group of Dwarves armed with ancestral weapons.
Still, it’s rather ironic. Thanks to this armor, I won’t have to harm any Dwarves. But… my fellow humans…
As I made each step in training, that day was steadily approaching.
“…………”
I let out a small sigh and shifted my mindset. It was pointless to dwell on things.
It had been a little while since we entered the forest, but my steps remained light. I guess that’s the quality of Dwarf-made magical armor; I hardly felt its weight, and it almost felt like it was supporting my body.
Usually, walking through undulating terrain in full gear would leave a person exhausted.
“Ugh, I’m sweating like crazy…”
“Whoa, a branch got caught!”
“Hey! Watch your spear!”
—Just like those three fools.
Unlike me, the young trio, with little connection to luxury, wore (most likely captured) chainmail over armor that looked like a mix of bone and steel, complete with helmets and spears, making them quite a heavy burden.
It was no wonder their movements were sluggish. Add to that their marching in formation through the forest, and it was a real mess. Though they claimed to have combat experience, they probably just charged to the front line as typical demons, wreaking havoc with their clan members.
In contrast, Kuvirtar, walking ahead of me, and the subordinates on either side and behind me demonstrated a well-coordinated movement as a team, hardly sweating, maintaining their cool demeanors even while moving in full gear.
Here, the difference in experience was apparent.
“—Shall we take a short break?”
I suggested after walking further, to the point where the three fools were too exhausted for idle chatter.
“Ah, that’s a relief.”
“It’s hot!”
“Water… I need water…”
Leaning against a tree trunk, the trio took off their helmets and began gulping down water from their leather flasks. Meanwhile, I just took a small sip, savoring it slowly.
“By the way, this is pretty dull,”
Antendeixis mumbled inside my head.
“Endless trees and monotonous scenery, it’s tiresome. Are we really making progress toward our destination?”
That’s fine. I’ve checked the compass, and we have a map made by the Night Elves.
I’m quite familiar with such maps from my previous life, and now I even have knowledge of surveying and star reading, so I’m all set.
We’ll just cross the forest and reach our end point!
…Or at least that’s what I wanted to say.
“Is something up?”
No, think about it.
That’s Platiphia, right?
Do you honestly think there’s a training session this sweet that just involves walking through a forest?
“I don’t think so! This is a training session simulating real combat, right?”
That’s probably it.
†††
—While taking a sip of water, Kuvirtar Rayju was quietly observing Zilbagias.
(He’s impressively composed…)
Since stepping into the forest, Kuvirtar found himself continuously impressed.
“As you know, Zilbagias’s combat ability is top-notch.”
Yesterday, Platiphia had summoned Kuvirtar and said this.
“But that child’s experience is still limited. Even if there is no problem with his spear-handling, he only fights in flat training grounds. It won’t hold up in real combat, don’t you think?”
“Indeed.”
“Next spring’s capital attack will be in urban warfare, so I’m planning a different kind of training, but anyway, I want him to gain various experiences. I’m counting on you.”
“I’ll do my best!”
—Thus, it was Kuvirtar’s role to point out any shortcomings in Zilbagias—
(He’s practically a seasoned warrior.)
Kuvirtar couldn’t help but be amazed.
So far, there was nothing to complain about.
He constantly checked his direction to avoid getting lost in the woods, and he kept his footing steady on the uneven ground.
He showed no signs of fatigue; though he sweated a little, he wasn’t gasping for air. His hydration was cautious, and above all—
(He’s always aware of his surroundings…)
This was it.
He was completely on guard.
He was consistently aware of his placement, ready to respond at any moment. His movements bore a creepy level of shrewdness.
(How can this be a five-year-old…? It’s unbelievable…)
Where on earth did he learn this? Even if he knows it as knowledge, he would have to accumulate experience to imbue it into his body.
Or could this be the blood of the Demon Lord…?
“Hmm, what is it, Kuvirtar?”
As I pondered this, Zilbagias’s gaze met mine.
“Uh, I just thought your movements were remarkably solid for training.”
“Oh, well, it’s thanks to my mother’s training.”
Even when told it was “just this much,” Kuvirtar looked somewhat uncertain, but the subordinates appeared to share the sentiment, exchanging glances that read, “How intense was his training?”
Only the three fools chirped things like, “The prince is awesome!” and “I admire him…” as they lounged around. It seems more likely that Kuvirtar’s guidance would focus primarily on them…
“Still, I suspect that something will go down during this training, what do you think?”
Suddenly questioned by Zilbagias, Kuvirtar stumbled over his words.
“…Is there going to be something? So that’s the intention?”
As he took a sip from his flask, Zilbagias smirked.
“…It seems there’s no escaping it now.”
Since he had been found out, Kuvirtar could only chuckle.
“Since it’s been revealed, I guess there’s no choice. Yes, exactly—”
Whoosh.
The sound of the wind.
“!!”
Zilbagias suddenly twisted his body.
With a crack, an arrow embedded itself in the tree trunk behind him.
“—That’s the kind of twist we’re talking about.”
Kuvirtar took up his spear.
“It’s an ambush during a break, huh?”
As he adjusted the position of his headpiece, Zilbagias murmured. Around them, the subordinates quickly rearranged their formation, frantically donning their helmets and standing up, the three fools scrambling to be ready.
Rustle, multiple footsteps emerged from deep within the forest.
—Crossing the training ground and safely emerging from the forest.
That was the aim of this training.
“They’re coming!”
Simultaneously with Zilbagias’s words, a low, buzzing sound echoed.
That was the unique sound of a bowstring being drawn—
Breaking through the underbrush, a rain of arrows showered down upon them.
