Chapter 45

In the pouring rain, five carriages and twenty mounted riders were heading towards the Duke Jemerald's territory.

Half of the private army and the clerics stayed behind in the Kelvim territory for self-defense, as per Lord Lionel's suggestion, we, the Dorf group, the mercenaries, and the clerics, formed a volunteer army under Lord Lionel's command and set out.

It seems that this was a pretext to prevent the fact that the territorial army had been dispatched from becoming a political issue between the territories, should anything happen, as we were acting based solely on the testimony of the injured knight without the Duke Jemerald's permission.

After about two days of additional preparation, we left the city. I was amazed at the speed of judgment and action of the battle-hardened people.

In fact, I had considered staying behind in the city of Kelvim, fearing that I might be a burden. However, I was told that there are many jobs for non-combatants in the march, so I decided to go with Dorf and the others. Indeed, there are many tasks to be done, such as setting up camp, preparing meals, doing laundry, repairing armor, and managing supplies. The more I looked, the more I found things to do.

If that's the case, I wanted to be with Gilbert and everyone else, even if I could only be of some help. That was the truth.

While riding on the horses, people were getting cold from the rain, so during the journey, I was sewing simple raincoats to exchange with Barbara. At the edge of my vision, Gilbert was making something again.

"Gilbert, what are you making this time?"

"If I tell you now, I won't be able to surprise Flora...!?"

Barbara giggled. Even the clerics riding in this carriage looked happy. Dorf and Barbara's policy is that 'even in a serious situation, it's just right to spend time laughing,' so the carriage is always like this.

I also, in the middle of my work, can't help but touch the hair ornament and brooch I received. The delicate flowers carved on the beautiful wood, carefully sanded, feel very good to the touch. The scent of the wood and its warmth are all endearing to me. And more than anything, it's because I know that Gilbert worked hard on it with a serious expression. It makes me happy, and whenever I have time, I touch and look at them.

However, such a peaceful atmosphere gradually changed to a more ominous one a few days later when we finally entered the Jemerald territory. Despite being a large city known as the center of northern trade, it seemed deserted, with no people around.

"I tried to find and talk to the remaining residents, but it seems that the evacuations are ongoing..."

A private army member who had gone out to gather information returned.

"Well, if you see something like that..."

Gilbert muttered in a stunned voice. I, and everyone else present, were looking in the same direction in silence.

It's unclear how far away it is, but to the south of the direction where the capital of the Jemerald territory is located, a very large red wall of light can be seen in the forest. The red color is so out of place in the landscape that it is extremely eerie.

"That's a magician's barrier. It's completely different from a cleric's barrier."

"Magician's..."

Hearing Dorf's words, I was surprised by something I had never seen before, and Barbara added:

"Before, I mentioned that magicians and sorcerers are a bit different, right? Magicians use magic power to manifest magic, not the blessing of the goddess."

Then, the Western Grand Church priest, Sir Sydney, explained further:

"Magic power is something that all living beings in this world are born with, to a greater or lesser extent. Among them, those that have been corrupted by powerful magic power are called magical beasts, and in the case of humans, those who can use it as magic are called magicians."

"Magicians are much fewer in number than clerics, so they usually become court magicians."

"Sorcerers are even fewer...!"

Priest Sydney, while adding some light-hearted jokes, had a somewhat gloomy expression.

"I thought the clerics would never cooperate in capturing an undead magical beast. So, they used a magician's barrier..."

"Jemerald was a country until just a hundred years ago, so it's not surprising that there are still magicians serving."

Dorf also had a somewhat gloomy expression.

"But can a human magician maintain such a large barrier? I've heard that the magic power possessed by humans has its limits."

Lord Lionel, who voiced his doubts, also had a difficult expression.

"Sometimes, magicians do things that deviate from the path of humanity."

Priest Sydney said this with a sad look.

Eventually, several knights bearing the shield of Jemerald arrived with the private army members who had gone ahead.

"Oh, that's good...! I was worried that it would take too long to return to the city of Kelvim to report. You all have come! ...But why?"

The private army member who had come as a messenger a few days ago at the order of the Earl of Kelvim approached with a completely exhausted expression.

When Lord Lionel explained the situation, the Jemerald knights who were with him knelt on the spot.

"The situation is no longer one of loyalty to our lord. The barrier is at its limit. Please lend us your strength...!"

His voice and expression were filled with desperation and fatigue.

Lord Lionel nodded firmly with a stern expression. Then, they began to move urgently towards the red barrier.